Chapter 31: Visions in the Snow

His breath caught in his throat as he waited for someone to pick up. He had been confident when he told Amagi that he would call the inn, but what would he say? Who would answer? What if it was her mom or dad?

Hey, I'm the college flunky who's been staying at your inn since September. You've never met me before, but I'm dating your daughter! Speaking of her, she almost got hit by a car just now and I happened to be in the area. Anyway, you guys still serving lunch?

Sho gritted his teeth, trying hard not to crush the cell phone in his grip. When he tried to salvage his jumbled thoughts into something he could actually say, the third ring immediately cut off and a woman's voice answered from the other line. "Hello, this is the Amagi Inn. How may I help you today?"

His heart leapt into his throat and a cold sweat broke over his forehead. But in this moment of paralysis, he recognized the speaker as Kasai, the waitress who had called his room earlier today. The realization helped him collect himself, and he soon found his voice. "There was an accident in Okina. Ama…I mean, Yukiko got caught up in it."

He stopped himself from calling Amagi by her last name, not wanting to confuse the waitress. Until now Sho had never uttered her first name, but Kasai didn't give him time to ponder how weird it felt. "Yuki-chan's injured?! When? HOW?!"

Haven't you been watching the news, lady? Sho fought back the impulse to snap at the woman, noticing the alarm in her voice. He took a short inward breath, exhaled, and then tried to keep his tone steady. "A car crashed into the store she was in. She didn't look seriously hurt, but they took her to the hospital in Inaba to make sure. Someone needs to meet her there."

A tense silence filled his ear, but then the woman spoke again in a shaky voice. "I-I see. Thank you, sir. I'll tell her mother right away."

Satisfied with Kasai's answer and eager to get to the hospital himself, Sho ended the call before there were any more questions. He tucked his phone into his pocket and turned the key in the ignition of Hanamura's moped. After the motor hummed to life, Sho lifted his feet from the cement and he was off. The wind whistled through the strands of the black wig that somehow stayed over his head. The large aviator shades he wore didn't hide the painted street lines from him, which passed in white blurs against the grey pavement as he drove away from Okina. As the din of the city faded away and he began to see the green pastures of the country, he wondered if he would make it to the hospital before Amagi's parents. If he didn't pay any mind to the speed limit (like he had done on his way to Amagi) he might beat them to it, but then what? There was no way to know which floor Amagi was taken to. The most direct way to find out was to ask the receptionist, but how would he introduce himself?

There's not much to say, moron. He told himself, barely feeling the bite of the wintry air on his exposed face. That Tatsumi idiot told you as much, didn't he? She's your girlfriend, and you wanna see her.

Sho said just that to the receptionist after he parked Hanamura's moped in the visitor's lot. The waiting room was already packed with people waiting for any word about the victims from the crash. To his relief, there weren't many questions or strange looks directed at him. After he signed "Souji Seta" on the check-in sheet and she made a brief call, the receptionist allowed Sho to go back.

The double doors leading into the emergency room were cold to the touch, fitting the hushed atmosphere on the other side. All the doors were closed, muting the noises of the patients in each room. There weren't any other sounds other than muffled voices and the occasional hum of machinery. His eyes scanned the numbers that hung each door, counting down to the one where Amagi was. He found her after several minutes, wearing a white gown and sitting on the edge of a bed, her long legs dangled over the mattress. Her eyes were downcast, her expression somewhere between tired and anxious. If he had to guess, Sho figured that she didn't want to be here. Though he was half-tempted to sneak her out, the hospital was the best place for her to be right now.

But when she saw him and her face lit up with her smile, he would've snuck her out of a military stronghold if she had asked.

The glass doors parted to let him in, the sterile air cycling between them like cold invisible frost. Some of her bangs jutted out of the new bandages that they had wrapped around her head. He was relieved to see that there wasn't any blood seeping against the white cloth. When he stood in front of her, her hands reached for his, her fingers warming his skin as they enclosed around his knuckles. "I'm glad you're here."

Hearing her speak her words so clearly drove away the worst of his fears, but his gaze fell over her bandages again. "Did a doctor see you?"

"Not yet," she said. "The first thing they did was take me back for some X-rays. I'm waiting for the results."

Irritation nagged at him, and he wondered if he saw anyone with a white lab coat walking in the hallway. There had to have been at least one doctor that he could drag in here to look at Amagi, or maybe a nurse could track one down.

As if sensing his frustration, Amagi squeezed his hand. "There's a chair behind you. You'll sit and wait with me, right?"

Her half-plea drew him back from giving into his temper, and he allowed himself to sink into the chair she mentioned. The muscles in his legs were grateful for the rest, and he grudgingly accepted how comfortable the cushion was in comparison to the seat of Hanamura's moped. Never once did he slip his hand from Amagi's grasp, and it wasn't long until he realized how much he appreciated having this moment alone with her. They didn't speak for a while, simply content with one another's presence.

But slowly the sounds and medicinal scents of where they were sank in again. No matter how calm Amagi was, he didn't doubt that she preferred to be back at home. Since he couldn't do that for her, he wanted to do something-anything-that would cheer her up. Then, he remembered the phone call he made to her family's inn.

"That Kasai lady picked up when I called your place. She was going to tell your mom that you're here."

After he spoke, Amagi looked relieved. "My mother is coming?"

"If she doesn't get here soon, I'll sneak you out myself," Sho promised. "Hanamura's moped will fit the both of us."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Is that how you got here? Yosuke-kun lent you his moped?"

"Yeah, after I said I'd take one of his store's vans."

The surprise never left her face, causing the smallest bit of shame to burrow into his chest. Feeling defensive, he doubled down on his admission. "Don't look at me like that, Princess. I thought you were in trouble, and I figured you didn't want me hotkeying one of your customer's cars!"

He waited for her to scold him, but there was only silence. Then, after staring at him blankly for a few more seconds, she broke into a small fit of laughter. As unexpected as it was, the sound warmed him like sunlight on a particularly cold day. It was even almost enough to make him forget about where they were.

"S-sorry! I just imagined you working at Junes!" she managed between giggles. "The apron would…snrk…look great on you!"

He didn't stop the grin that formed across his lips. "Nah, I'd want to be the mascot. I'd be way better at it than that bear, and I'd have so much in store."

As she began to laugh again, Sho quietly observed her, his mind put at ease by how cheerful she looked. Granted, she and her friends had faced at least two gods hell-bent on destroying the world, but he couldn't help but notice how tough Amagi was. In a strange way, it made him happy to know her, but at the same time, it made him want to protect her even more.

But you couldn't, could you? You weren't around when she needed you the most. You weren't around to keep her safe.

The voice, cold and all-too-familiar, emerged from his self-conscience, chilling him to his core. But Sho pushed it back, burying it like a secret he desperately wanted to hide from the last person he wanted to see it. He noticed the concern flicker across Amagi's face, but before she could say anything, the glass doors parted again. A doctor clad in a white coat entered the room, armed with a clipboard and an unreadable expression. He didn't acknowledge Sho as Amagi let go of his hand.

"Amagi-san, how are you feeling?"

"Fine, thank you," Amagi answered, her cheeks slightly pink.

As if he didn't notice his patient blushing, the doctor turned on the screen that was positioned on the left side of the room. He placed a couple of X-rays against the lit-up screen, displaying what Sho assumed was Amagi's rib cage. His anxiety slowly dispersed when he saw that none of the bones looked broken, and it lifted further when the doctor confirmed his observations.

"As you can see, none of your bones are broken. However, there is some internal bruising, which you likely sustained from after you crashed into the bookshelf or landed on the floor."

Though the doctor looked nothing like Ikutsuki, Sho noted how his matter-of-factly tone reminded him of his foster father. Ikutsuki would talk in that detached manner whenever he conducted his physicals, looking away from Sho to write down his observations. Sho noticed the clipboard tucked under the doctor's arm, and he wondered with morbid curiosity what his notes said about Amagi.

"I'll write you a prescription for pain medication that will help you. Other than that, I recommend that you apply a cold compress-"

The phone on the wall rang with high-pitched urgency. Looking annoyed, the doctor didn't wait for the second ring to pick up. "Yes, what is it?" Sho and Amagi watched the older man as his brow furrowed, and his stern expression never left him when he spoke. "I see. Hang on for a moment, please."

He cupped his hand over the receiver, looking up at Amagi. "Your parents are here to see you. However, we enforce a policy that allows only two visitors in a patient's room back here…"

The man's eyes moved to Sho, who immediately understood what the doctor meant. Normally he would've been angrier, but Sho himself had called the inn explaining what had happened to Amagi. Was it any surprise that her parents would want to see her?

It's best this way, Sho. Those people are more capable of taking care of her than you ever will be.

It was difficult to ignore the return of the mocking voice, but Sho managed it when Amagi grasped his hand again, the soft pressure of her grip keeping him grounded. The words came easily enough to him when he looked back at her. "I'll meet up with you later. Gotta return your friend's moped, anyway."

She squeezed his hand, and the intimacy of the act in front of a stranger wasn't lost on him. "Thank you. I'll see you back home."

His hand left hers, and he didn't spare the doctor another look as he left the room. As he walked past the uniformed workers and huddled patients, his dislike of hospitals intensified with each step he took, the echoes of Minazuki's voice trailing behind him like a ghost.

Yukiko remembered seeing her parents this happy only once before. It was when she had returned from the TV World after her friends had rescued her. As Chie helped her on the way back, Yukiko had never felt so relieved to see her house before. She remembered almost being overwhelmed when she walked through the door and saw her parents, the shock on their faces giving way to immense relief and joy. Her mother had always been so composed, so collected, but all pretenses of decorum were forgotten when she wrapped her arms around Yukiko. When her father joined the embrace, she was reminded that even the most reliable adults could be afraid.

Just like back then, Yukiko felt small when her mother embraced after she arrived in the emergency room.

Her father, his clothes carrying the scent of the food that the kitchen had been preparing, stood by Yukiko's side silently as her mother peppered the doctor with questions. When she was satisfied with his answers, her mother finally relented and thanked him. After the doctor had written Yukiko a prescription for the mediation he talked about, her parents ushered her to their car. Her father drove as her mother sat in the backseat with Yukiko, his eyes occasionally darting to the rearview mirror to see how she was doing.

"I'll drop you two off at the inn," he said after stopping at a traffic light. "Then I'll pick up your medication at the pharmacy."

"We can go straight there. You don't need to make two trips," Yukiko lightly protested, but both her parents remained adamant.

"You need to go back home and rest," her mother calmly but sternly insisted. "We needed to finish some shopping anyway."

"Do you want me to pick up anything else, Yukiko?" Her father asked. "Some snacks, maybe? I could get some while I'm out."

She managed a smile and shook her head. "Thank you, but all I really want right now is some tea."

"I'll make you some as soon as we're home," her mother said, pressing the back of her hand against Yukiko's forehead. "Hm, you feel a little warm…please head to your room when we get back."

Despite the polite tone, Yukiko heard the firmness under it. She felt like she was seven again, having her parents dote on her so. Though she wanted to insist that she was fine, she was outnumbered, and she didn't have the strength to argue. So the ride passed mostly in comfortable silence, occasionally broken by the quiet words exchanged by her parents.

When they reached the inn, her father left the driver's seat to open the door for them. With her mother's hand under her arm, Yukiko stepped into the grey cold light of the day. A shout caught her attention, and she noticed a small crowd was gathered at the entrance. Leading it was Kasai-san, who was the first to hastily walk towards them. Slightly leaning against her mother for support, Yukiko smiled at the hostess as they approached. Her eyes caught the silhouette of the tiered inn, which loomed over them like some welcoming sentinel. Yellow light shone through some of the windows, throwing a beautiful glow on the snow that was gathered on the dark shingles. Her heart eased at the sight of it, keeping her warm from the cold.

"Yuki-chan! Oh, thank goodness!" Kasai-san exclaimed. Her hands clasped onto Yukiko's and held tight. "I'm so glad that you're back!"

"Hello, Kasai-san," Yukiko said, looking over the hostess's shoulder as she spoke. "I'm sorry if I worried you all."

The older woman shook her head, almost laughing. "What are you saying? You were in an accident! Don't you dare apologize for that!"

Yukiko did as Kasai requested, but she showed her appreciation by squeezing the woman's hands back.

"Kasai-san, would you please help Yukiko to her room?" Her mother asked courteously. "Would you also ask someone to start brewing a pot of tea? I'll be up with it later."

At her employer's request, Kasai-san bowed, still smiling. "Of course, Ma'am. Come now, Yuki-chan."

Outnumbered again, Yukiko moved to follow her mentor. As she did, her mother's arm slipped from hers, and Yukiko felt her parents' watchful gaze on her back until Kasai-san closed the door after she led her back inside. All around her, the inn workers talked in soft but urgent tones. She heard "Are you all right?" for every "Did you need anything?", and one thing was clear: they all were genuinely happy to see her. Even now, despite how tired and dizzy she felt, Yukiko was almost moved to tears. She quietly blinked them back, trying to reassure everyone that she was fine.

Eventually Kasai-san had to shoo everyone away, reminding them that there were guests lodging under the inn's roof. Being the most experienced staff member, the others listened to her and scattered. Some of them threw back concerned looks at Yukiko, including one of the younger waitresses who headed to the kitchen to start boiling water for tea at Kasai-san's request.

"We were all worried when we heard," Kasai-san told her, keeping hold of Yukiko's arm as they walked up the steps. "As soon as I told her where you were, your mother dropped everything to rush into the car with your father."

Though it was hard for her to imagine her mother panicked, Yukiko didn't doubt the claim. The tightness of her mother's embrace back at the ER was proof enough. "I really am sorry, Kasai-san."

The older woman shook her head as they stepped onto the floor of the residential quarters, the part of the inn where Yukiko's family had lived for generations. "I should be apologizing to you, Yuki-chan. If I hadn't forgotten to pick up the desserts from the bakery, you wouldn't have been in Okina." When they stopped in front of Yukiko's bedroom, a look of remorse fell over Kasai-san's face. "You wouldn't have been in an accident if I hadn't…"

Her voice trailed off, but Yukiko didn't press her to continue—she didn't need to. Her heart became heavy for Kasai-san, but she didn't let it stop her from speaking. "You're always helping Mother and me, no matter how busy you are. I went out because I wanted tohelp you for once, Kasai-san. Besides, I'm all right and I'm in one piece…so don't worry anymore."

Kasai-san was quiet for a moment, but she smiled in relief, laughing a bit. "Yes, you're here now…that's what matters most." As Yukiko entered her room, the hostess stayed back. "I'll have to formerly thank Seta-san for calling."

The mention of Sho-kun's fake name sent a flutter through Yukiko's chest, and it didn't still as Kasai-san continued. "I called him earlier around lunchtime, but I didn't realize it was him until he hung up."

At a loss for what to say, Yukiko didn't say anything as the blood rushed to her cheeks. All she felt right now was appreciation for Sho-kun's actions and slight embarrassment over Kasai-san's observation.

"Don't worry, I didn't tell your parents." Kasai-san said, her expression softening, but her eyes remained inquisitive. "He was with you, wasn't he? At the hospital?"

Despite her bashfulness, Yukiko nodded, and Kasai-san's smile brightened. "I thought so. He sounded calm when he had called from Okina, but I could tell he was worried about you."

Yukiko couldn't meet her eyes, her heart racing with embarrassment…and strangely enough, joy. Fortunately, Kasai-san didn't press her to answer, and she bowed. "Rest in bed for now, Yuki-chan. Your mother will be up soon."

After she left, Yukiko opened the door to her room but paused in the hallway, taking every detail in, from the flower-shaped lamp on her desk to the pink checkered sheet draped over her desk. The air was comfortable when she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Without turning the light on, she went straight to her futon and sat on its edge. The mattress sank under her as she ran her hands against the top blanket, the material smooth and cool underneath her palms. The blinds over her window were partially open, and the last remaining light of the day spread across the tatami in gray slants.

She spent her time like that, patiently waiting in the comforting darkness, until her mother arrived with a pot of tea just as she had promised. Her soft steps announced her presence even before she knocked on the frame of the door. "Yukiko? I'm coming in."f

Yukiko remained on the edge of her futon as her mother entered with a tray. With one free hand she turned the light on. The sudden transition from dark to light was a little disorienting, but the effect was brief. Her mother set the tray on the table and then lifted the pot to begin pouring the tea.

"You don't have to do that," Yukiko started, "Don't they need you in the kitchen?"

Her mother's eyes were fixated on the tea, which shot out of the kettle's spout in one fluid stream. It landed in the waiting cup without splashing. "Kasai-san is covering for me. They'll be fine for a little bit."

It was there again—that gentle persistence in her voice—and Yukiko knew that she couldn't say anything to convince her mother to leave. Still, she didn't see this as a bad thing. As her mother handed her the tea, the heat from the porcelain warmed her hands and the scent of jasmine wafted pleasantly from the cup. With her sitting in bed and her mother kneeling beside her, Yukiko felt like she was eight years old again. It didn't happen often, but when she was sick as a child, she would stay in bed, wrapped in her blankets. And no matter how busy the inn had been, her mother would check up on her in between shifts, often bringing tea or rice porridge.

"Your father will be back soon with your medicine," her mother said as she poured tea for herself. "How are you feeling?"

"Better now that I'm home," Yukiko answered honestly. "If you can wait a little longer, I can change into my kimono and help out—"

Her mother shook her head, cutting her off in mid-sentence. "You're staying here." She raised her hand to the bandages around Yukiko's head, frowning. "After what you've been through today, you need rest."

As her mother tucked back her hair behind her ear, Yukiko thought of the little boy that she had pushed out of the car's way. "No…no one died, did they?"

Her mother looked alarmed at first, but when she pulled her hand back, understanding dawned on her features. "None that I know of, but I haven't seen the news recently. The waiting room was very crowded, though."

Memories of the destroyed storefront and the mangled hood of the car that had crashed through its walls appeared in her mind. She could almost smell the noxious fumes of leaking gas and burning metal over the scent of jasmine tea. Not wanting those thoughts to overwhelm her, she focused on her mother again, who looked like she was hesitating to tell her something. But before Yukiko could ask, her mother was speaking again. "When your father and I arrived at the hospital, the receptionist had us wait at the front desk. She said that it was standard procedure to only allow so many people into their patients' rooms. After she made a phone all, she allowed us to go back and see you."

Yukiko's heartbeat thrummed loudly in her ears, and her chest tightened a little. If her mother noticed her slight panic, she said nothing about it, instead asking, "Was someone in your room? Aside from the doctor?"

Her heartbeat sped up even more, but Yukiko noticed that her mother didn't sound accusatory; her tone was patient, and there weren't any traces of anger in it. Whether she had been too tired or too guilty to lie, Yukiko decided to answer truthfully. "Yes."

A moment of silence passed between them, but when her mother asked her next question, Yukiko could've sworn the world was crashing around her. "Was it Souji Seta-san, by any chance?"

She couldn't feel the warmth of the tea cup in her hands anymore, but she tried to stop herself from trembling. She believed what Kasai-san had told her, that she hadn't said anything about Sho-kun, so how did her mother know? But even now, through the cloud of panic, she could still make out the calm countenance of her mother's face. After a few heart-pounding seconds, she soon understood that a trap hadn't been set out before her. Her mother's question had been just that—a question. After this realization came another; Yukiko hadn't done anything wrong, and neither had Sho-kun. So though she was nervous, she shared what she could without giving away his secret.

"He found out about the car crash after the front desk told him I wasn't back yet. I…I guess he got worried and left to find me." As she spoke, she remembered the glow of red and blue sirens as Sho-kun ran through the crowd towards her.

Her mother slowly nodded in understanding. "When I was downstairs, I answered a phone call from Chie-chan. She was asking if you were back from the hospital yet."

In any other circumstance, Yukiko might've feel the oppressive weight of dread pinning her down. But strangely enough, she remained calm as her mother explained her conversation with Chie. "While we were out, Chie-chan had called the inn when she couldn't get a hold of you on your cell. One of the waitresses had told her that your father and I were picking you up. If no one had told her that, she would've already been at the hospital with you."

Her mother fell silent again, and now a look of doubt wavered across her expression. It was like she wanted to say more, but she was unsure of how to say it. Concerned, Yukiko asked, "Mother? What is it?"

She didn't speak at first, but she took a deep breath. As her mother exhaled softly, Yukiko braced herself, preparing for the worst.

"You've been helping out like always while keeping up your good grades. And you know that if they aren't harming anyone, the privacy of our guests is something we must respect at all times. I taught you that as my mother had taught me." The mention of her grandmother surprised Yukiko, but she didn't interrupt. Her mother suddenly paused, as if she were choosing her words carefully. "By all counts, Seta-san has been courteous. His payments never fall through, and he never troubles our employees or the other guests. But aside from you, no one has ever seen him."

Her mother's eyes were stern, but Yukiko didn't dare look away. Although she feared what her mother would say next, she resolved to hear her out. Listening to all of this couldn't have been easier than saying it.

"You're almost an adult, and you're going to make your own decisions. Your father and I know that, and we trust you. But Yukiko…I just want you to be careful."

When she stopped speaking, Yukiko was perplexed, expecting for her to say more. But when she realized that her mother was warning her, Yukiko's cheeks grew hot. Boys were rarely a topic between them, but what little her mother said hit Yukiko with the full force of a tempest.

"Souji-kun wouldn't hurt me!" Yukiko hurriedly said, her heart beating in her ears again. "He keeps to himself a lot, but he's kind and he makes me laugh whenever we talk!"

The stunned silence that followed made Yukiko's face feel even hotter, like she had just blurted out a secret. But as awkward as this conversation was, she knew that her mother's intentions came from a good place. When she felt she was collected enough, she tried to speak in a calmer tone. "I-I don't know when he'll decide to go back to…to his university, but until then, I enjoy spending time with him." Yukiko forced herself to hold her mother's gaze, even as her cheeks continued to burn furiously. "I know that you're worried, Mother, but please don't be. Souji-kun is a good person, and I wouldn't do anything to disgrace you or the inn."

Her mother blinked at her in what looked like shock, as if the girl speaking in front of her wasn't her daughter at all. But then, a soft chuckle passed from her lips, startling Yukiko. "It's not the inn or myself that I'm worried about." With a soft smile, her mother raised her hand and placed it gently on Yukiko's lap. "When I was around your age, I had to miss a few weeks of school because I had fallen ill. During that time, I was cooped up in my room, and the only people I saw were my parents." When she looked at Yukiko, her mother somehow appeared several years younger. "Eventually one of my classmates started coming to the inn to drop off my assignments. He was always polite with everyone, but he usually spent his lunch breaks and study sessions alone. Back then, his house was further from mine, so I didn't think he would show up with my homework…but later, he told me that he would've done it even if the teachers hadn't asked."

When her mother didn't share her classmate's name, the wheels in Yukiko's head turned. "You mean Father?"

Her mother's smile deepened. "Your grandmother was so worried about my health that she didn't want to risk anyone from the outside making me sicker. She would just take my homework out of your father's hands and send him away. No matter how many times he visited, she always refused to let him see me. But one night after everyone had gone to sleep, I heard something hit my window." From underneath her parted bangs, her mother's eyes softly gleamed. "It was a pebble that your father had thrown. I was surprised to see him, but I snuck outside anyway. When we met up, he gave me a thermos filled with ginger tea and honey, my favorite drink."

Yukiko had a hard time imagining a younger version of her straight-laced father sneaking through the inn's gardens. "I can't picture him being so bold."

"He probably doesn't want you to, either," her mother admitted with another chuckle. "From that night on, he would visit me, always bringing a bit of class gossip along with tea and snacks…and after I got better, he would still visit me at night. Your grandmother eventually found out after noticing how tired I was in the mornings, but she never scolded or punished me. Instead, she eventually demanded that your father started visiting during daylight hours."

Yukiko couldn't help but laugh at this part of the story, and soon after her mother joined her. At that moment, any remaining anxiety lifted from her shoulders. When they did, her mother looked composed again, but her expression was gentle. "In any case, I believe you when you say that Seta-san is a good person, and… I'm happy that he was with you at the hospital. That means you didn't have to be alone."

She received her mother's trust with a quiet but deep sense of graciousness, letting it settle over her heart like a precious jewel. "Thank you, Mother."

Her mother unhurriedly rose from her feet, her hands clasped over her obi and her back straight. "I should go back downstairs. Chie-chan will probably be here soon, so you may want to take a bath and change before she arrives. If you leave those clothes at your door, we can get them dry-cleaned." She was speaking as composedly she always did, as if they had just finished talking over something as mundane over chores. She walked to leave her room, but when she reached the door, she stopped and looked over her shoulder at Yukiko. "Kasai-san and the others will want to thank Seta-san at some point. You better warn him."

Yukiko smiled bashfully, wondering if other parents were as keen as her own mother. "Don't worry, I will."

After that, her mother left, and Yukiko was alone again. Her mother's story stayed with her as she sank bank onto her futon, her head landing against her pillow. She stared up at her ceiling, from which paper cranes and stringed lights still hung from her birthday. Even though her mother hadn't asked, Yukiko knew she had to have seen them—there were too many and too colorful to miss.

She wondered if her mother knew that Sho-kun had hung them there.

Aside from the inn, the riverbank had grown to mean more to him than he could have ever predicted. It was here that he had shared his first kiss with Amagi, where they had spent many an afternoon and night walking upon the gravel path together. But even the memory of Amagi couldn't comfort him as he sat under the snow-laced roof of the pavillion. Hanamura's moped was parked against one of the posts, the snow falling against its orange paint.

Unlike the city and the hospital, this place was deserted. Here, there were no sirens or people in scrubs, no raspy coughs or half-quiet sobs. In the frozen silence that hung over the river, save for the slowly churning waters, Sho was finally able to hear his thoughts. Until now, the only thing that mattered was getting Amagi to safety. Now that she was undoubtedly back at the inn with her family, he had time to work through everything he was too busy to notice and everything he wanted to ignore.

The joy and relief he felt with Amagi had dissipated like morning fog, replaced by doubt and the nagging fear that he was finally losing his sanity. With that fear in mind, he heard footsteps approaching from behind him. He was hoping that he would be able to be alone, but as always, "Minazuki" had other plans.

"This is where you shared that cake she made, correct?" He asked nonchalantly. "And afterwards, she gave you your first ever Christmas present."

He was referring to the gloves, Sho knew. Even if he hadn't been around when he and Amagi had spent Christmas together here in this pavilion, it wasn't surprising that Minazuki knew about it. "So what?" Sho asked, his tone defiant. "Why didn't you show up in the TV earlier?"

Minazuki said nothing, his sneakers crunching against the snow before entering the pavilion. Sho didn't look up at him as he took a seat, but he noticed that Minazuki was wearing the same black and yellow sneakers he wore himself. "What would you have done if I had?"

It didn't take long for Sho to remember how frustrated he had been in the TV World this morning, although it seemed like years ago. He had stood in front of the alternate version of Yasogami High, hoping to find any trace of his former partner after the Investigation Team had failed to do so. It was there that Sho had finally accepted that the thing sitting next to him right now wasn't Minazuki. "Decked you? Cut you down? I don't know."

Minazuki laughed, and the sound of it was as cold as the wind cutting through the frozen grass. "That's not surprising to hear."

For a figment of Sho's imagination, he sounded too much like a person…he sounded too much like Minazuki. "You're not him."

The thing with Minazuki's face said nothing. He only leaned back against the table behind them, crossing one leg over the other.

Without meeting his eyes, Sho tried to ignore how dry his mouth felt, forcing himself to say what he already feared he knew. "I bet you're not even real."

At this, Minazuki chuckled, and Sho could easily picture the arrogant smirk playing across his lips as he spoke. "I'm real enough to you, aren't I, Sho?"

He didn't answer him; they both knew he didn't need to. Although Sho wasn't looking directly at him, he saw the wisps of hot air formed by Minazuki's breath. If he isn't real, why is he breathing?

"Does it matter?" Minazuki asked as if he heard Sho's thoughts, his voice self-assured without sounding haughty. "Besides, that's not the question you should be asking, is it?"

Just when Sho was going to curse at him, the high-pitched shriek of static filled his ears, and the air became bitterly cold. His hands went to the sides of his head, his fingers gripping his hair in a useless effort to dull the pain. He fell from the bench and onto his knees, his stomach turning as the riverbank and the pavilion began to spin around him. A wave of oppressive force bore down onto Sho, the invisible weight crushing his body and forcing the air out of his lungs. As he struggled to keep himself from collapsing, he felt the piercing stare of Minazuki's blue eyes.

"'What am I going to do now?' That's what you're thinking," Minazuki said, voicing Sho's thoughts out loud. "You're wracking your head, wondering what you should do, and if you should tell anyone…especially your precious 'Princess'."

The mention of Amagi sent involuntary shivers down Sho's spine, his dread gripping his heart as he knelt there, paralyzed by doubt and self-loathing. As if sensing his uneasiness, Minazuki leaned in closer, draping his arm around Sho's shoulders as a hawk's claws would cut into the sides of its unsuspecting prey. Then, his hand went to the back of his head and yanked his hair, forcing Sho to look at the riverbank ahead.

In the back of his mind, he knew it was only five in the evening, but the moon was already out, full and ominous. As if had been dipped in blood, it bathed everything underneath it in an eerie, crimson glow. Somehow, the river had completely frozen over, and standing on its icy surface was Amagi. Her back was to him, but he could tell that she was looking up at the moon, her long hair cascading against the back of her red coat. Panicked, Sho was about to call her name, but it died in his throat before he could utter it.

No….no, she's at the inn. Her parents picked her up from the hospital. She can't be here, she can't…!

Sho wanted to look away, to shut his eyes, but Minazuki's grip was too strong to break. He kept hold of Sho's hair, continuing to voice his worst fears. "What will she say? How will she look at you after you tell her? Will she abandon you, or worse…will she want to help?"

That last question struck at Sho's core, just as the sound of something breaking echoed across the riverbank. His eyes snapped back to the river just in time to notice a single crack forming against its crystalline surface. Soon after another crack formed and then several more, branching out and forming a dangerous web, trapping Amagi in the middle. Sho stared in terror as the ice broke under her boots, but the girl remained motionless until she fell into the river, her black hair trailing behind her as she was swallowed entirely by the blood-red waters.

His heart stopped beating, and a cross between despair and rage welled up in his chest. But then, he reminded himself that no matter how real this looked, it was only a hallucination that his warped mind had pieced together for no other reason than to torture him. Sho blinked, shutting his eyes hard, and when he opened them, the riverbank was back to normal again. The sky was overcast with snow-bearing clouds moving across a hidden sun, and the waters trickled slowly downstream, as if the riverbank had never been frozen at all.

But Minazuki remained.

"You don't want her to try. You're afraid of what will happen to her if you do." He spoke softly, his words more truthful than they were mocking. "It's quite a predicament you're in, really. You never intended to stay in Inaba for this long, let alone develop feelings for a girl you barely know. And now, you'll have to come up with some way to protect her from yourself."

Even if the thing saying them wasn't real, Sho believed the poisonous words with every fiber of his being. After his father's death and Minazuki's disappearance, he didn't think that he would ever become close to another person again. It was the last thing on his mind when he came back to Inaba, but it had happened: he had let it, and now his decision had come back to bite him. He couldn't predict that a car would crash through the store where Amagi was shopping, but the fact of the matter was that he wasn't there when it happened. Right now, she was with her family. Later, he had no doubt that her friends would be rushing to her home, intent on fussing over her. They would continue to fuss over her until after the day they graduated, supporting her in a way that Sho couldn't. So why should he tell her about Minazuki or the n nightmares?

Why should he make Amagi carry the burden of his own problems?

"It looks like you've made a decision. I'm glad." Minazuki said approvingly. When his arm slipped from his shoulders, Sho lifted his eyes to see the reassuring smile across his pale, scarred face.

"Like I've told you before, Sho—I'll be by your side through all of it…to the very end."

Yosuke's upper arms and back ached with the pain of working a twelve-hour shift, but he didn't so much as grimace as he greeted his coworkers in the locker room. They had just arrived to work the night shift, and he exchanged jokes and greetings with them as he hung up his apron. After slipping on his jacket and closing the door to his locker, his cell phone went off in his pocket.

That must be Chie, he thought, slipping the phone out and opening the message. Just as he hoped, Chie was the one who sent it, and after reading it, he learned that she was with Yukiko at the Amagi Inn. Breathing a sigh of relief, Yosuke was about to text her back when suddenly, Teddie appeared by his side.

"Hurry, Yosuke! We have to go see Yuki-chan! You promised we'd go as soon as we were done working!"

"You mean while I was working and you were freaking out!" Yosuke half-joked. "We had to redo all of the shelves in the snack aisle because you stocked them wrong!"

Teddie shot him a despairing look. "You KNOW I can't focus when I'm worried about a friend, especially one as cute as Yuki-chan! Now, come on!" Apparently fed up with waiting, the smaller boy took Yosuke by the hand and began pulling. "You've made me wait long enough! We've got to go NOW!"

Feeling the curious stares of their coworkers, Yosuke wrenched his hand out of Teddie's surprisingly strong grip. For a second, he was almost convinced that his claws had somehow grown out of his seemingly human hands. "Okay, okay! Just let me say good-bye to Dad."

Teddie's cheeks puffed out in frustration, but he didn't protest. He glumly followed Yosuke to the manager's office, where his dad was bent over a stack of papers with charts and figures. He must be tired. He was here before any of us. With that in mind, Yosuke knocked on the frame of the open door. "We're heading out, Dad."

His dad looked up from his charts, weary but smiling. "All right. Hey, did you hear anything about your friend? Yukiko-san, was it?"

"Chie's with her right now. Can you tell Mom that we're stopping by the inn to see her?"

"You'll be back for dinner?"

Yosuke nodded, hearing the impatient tapping of Teddie's sneaker against the floor. "We may be a little late, but yeah."

"Okay. Thank you for your hard work." His dad bent his head over his records again, but he raised his hand and waved good-bye with his pen. "You too, Teddie."

"Thanks, Yosuke's dad! Gotta go now!"

Before Yosuke could scold him about addressing his boss properly, Teddie was already grabbing his sleeve again and pulling him towards the back exit. Yosuke was grateful that employees like himself could leave this way without having to cross the store floor. He didn't want any customers to see him being dragged across aisles by a smaller boy who looked like a prince out of a shojo manga. Teddie only let go when they reached the exit to the parking lot, his small hands pushing the door open. As they walked into the light from the tall lamps, Yosuke shivered from the cold wind that bit through his jacket.

If we go to the shrine tonight, I'll have to wear a sweater.

His thoughts of going out later with his friends led back to Yukiko. When he imagined her staying behind at the inn, a twinge of guilt passed through him. Even if she was with her family, it didn't feel right going to the shrine without her.

"We'll have to catch the bus," he said to Teddie. "The one that heads over to the inn should be coming soon."

His co-worker let out a groan of frustration. "Grrrr, that'll take too long! Can't we just take your moped?"

"Sho still has it. Remember, you covered for me when I ran out to meet him?" When the red-haired boy had threatened to take one of the Junes delivery vans, Yosuke had rushed home to get his moped, and then he drove to the shopping district to meet Sho. As he sped away after practically grabbing the keys from his hand, Yosuke's concern for Yukiko outweighed any worries that his moped would be returned to him damaged. And as the hours working at the store and texting his friends when he could dragged, Yosuke eventually became worried about Sho, too. He didn't doubt he was desperate enough to steal a Junes van, but Yosuke had hopped he made it to Okina without crashing or getting into an accident. Last thing he needs is to end up in the hospital, too.

Yosuke was pulled from his thoughts by a loud rustling noise, and he suddenly noticed that it was coming from the bag draped over Teddie's arm. "What's all that?"

"Medicine and snacks for Yuki-chan! I bet she'll need them after everything she's been through!" Teddie reached in his bag and pulled out candy bars as well as medicinal cough drops. "I got her my favorite chocolates and lollipops, and even those cough drops that taste really yucky, but make your throat feel good! So you see? We've got to get to Yuki-chan's house BEAR-y soon so I could give all this stuff to her!"

Knowing that Teddie had paid money out of his own pocket for what he bought, Yosuke tried to remain coolheaded. "The bus is the only way we can get there, dude. Like I said, Sho has my moped—"

"Nuh-uh! It's right there!"

Teddie's hand shot out, his index finger outstretched towards what Yosuke assumed was a parking space. Confused, Yosuke followed the direction where Teddie was pointing. When he saw his moped, parked and relatively unscathed, his mouth dropped open and rushed towards it. When he got to it, his eyes skimmed over its orange paint, noticing that there wasn't even a scratch. Seeing that the keys weren't in the ignition, Yosuke instinctively flipped open the driver's seat, where a small storage area was built in. He caught the silver glint of his keys when the streetlight hit them.

"When the hell did he drop this off?" He asked out loud, taking his keys out.

"See? NOW can we drive to Yuki-chan's?"

Yosuke looked back at Teddie, frowning. "My moped doesn't legally seat two people. If a cop sees us, they'll pull us over."

This little fact didn't seem to deter Teddie, who placed both his hands on his hips and grinned, striking a confident pose. "No worries— I'll just wear my bear suit! To the whole world, I'll just look like an adorable stuffed toy hitching a ride with his whimsical owner!"

Yosuke imagined this for a second, disliking the possibility that anyone from school would see him, a high school senior, riding with a giant plushie wrapped around his waist. But when he saw the hope gleaming in Teddie's eyes, he sighed in defeat. "Okay, but don't you DARE move while I'm driving. Now get changed."

Teddie beamed, raising his right hand to his forehead in a salute. "Aye-aye, Captain! I'll be right back, and then we'll commence Operation: Visit Yuki-chan and Help Her Feel Better!"

Yosuke shook his head as he watched Teddie run back towards the store. To the passing customers and other Junes employees, he probably looked like an overgrown kid on his way to the toy aisle. When Teddie disappeared into the back exit, Yosuke looked back at his moped again, quietly impressed and relieved that it was in one piece.

That means Sho's okay. He must be with Yukiko and Chie right now.

After a few minutes waiting in silence, curiosity struck Yosuke as he put his key into the ignition and turned it. The machine hummed to life, and the controls lit up in white and green colors against the dashboard.

"That jerk," Yosuke said under his breath. "Figures he didn't fill the gas back up."

Heavy footsteps pounded down the hallway, booming like thunder and making the watercolor portraits slightly shake from where they hung on the walls. The vibrations from the heavy impact even sent ripples across the tea in their cups. Before any of them could say who was coming, Kanji-kun appeared in the doorway, his eyes wide with panic as they fell on Yukiko from where she sat.

"You all right, Senpai?!" He asked immediately, his voice as loud as his footsteps. For some reason, he was holding a large basket filled with an assortment of fruit. But above the large pile of apples, tangerines, and persimmons, the concern was plain on his face.

Kasai-san appeared behind Kanji-kun, having apparently caught up with him. She smiled apologetically. "As you can see, Yuki-chan, Tatsumi-kun wanted to check up on you. He also brought fruit!"

Yukiko blinked at the giant offering of fruit in Kanji's hands before bowing her head in thanks to Kasai-san. "Thank you for showing him in. Are you sure you and Mother don't need help?"

Kasai-san waved her hand in mock frustration. "For the hundredth time, we're fine! Just relax and enjoy your friends' company. They came all this way to see you, after all."

The hostess took a step back and bowed courteously, and then she left them to return to the kitchen. When she was gone, Rise threw a disapproving glare at Kanji-kun. "Geez, Kanji, tone it down! You don't want to spook the guests!"

Instead of arguing, Kanji-kun stared at the other second year student, puzzled. "What's with the Santa get-up, Rise? Christmas was last week."

He was of course referring to the red and white fur-trimmed halter top and mini skirt that Rise was wearing. A pair of knee-high laced white boots pulled the outfit together, and if Kanji had been standing closer to her, he would've seen the silver glitter that sparkled across Rise's bare shoulders. "I was at work, doing a holiday show in Okina! And it's fashionable to dress like Santa if it's in December!" Rise sat back with a huff, crossing her arms. "You know, most guys would say how cute this outfit looks on me."

After Rise's admonishment, Kanji looked thoughtful, fixating his gaze on the idol. But when he opened his mouth, it wasn't to praise her outfit. "The fur on your skirt is coming off."

"What?" Rise looked down, noticing the white faux fur that was, as Kanji had pointed out, hanging loosely from the hem of her skirt. "Darn it, I must've snagged it on something!"

As Rise fretted over her outfit, Chie glanced at the huge basket that Kanji was holding. "Seriously, though, what's with all the fruit?"

"You gotta eat fruit when you're sick." Kanji stated plainly, making his way toward the coffee table. Naoto-kun was already sitting there, preferring the tatami, while Chie and Rise-chan were sitting on the couch with Yukiko. After Kanji placed the basket on the table, a tangerine toppled from the pile, and Naoto-kun caught it deftly. As she placed it back with the other fruit, Kanji said, "Mom always gets a ton of these from the neighbors or customers 'round New Year's. She kept nagging me to bring the extra to you before I left, saying that all the vitamins and junk would help you feel better."

Yukiko gratefully looked at the Tatsumis' gift, but not without a little guilt. "It's very generous of you and your mother, but I'm not sick, Kanji-kun."

Kanji stared at her, puzzled, and then a look of comprehension passed over his face. "Oh, yeah. I guess you wouldn't get a cold from almost being hit by a car…"

Rise glared at Kanji again, the torn fur trim of her skirt forgotten. "Kanji, try a little tact!"

"O-oh!" The tall second-year scratched the back of his head, ashamed. "Uh, sorry, Senpai. I mean…um…" Kanji looked desperately at Naoto, as if he was hoping she would help. But the detective looked away, pulling her cap over eyes with a seemingly nonchalant look. When he realized he was on his own, he looked back at Yukiko. "Uh…I hope you like the fruit anyway."

Seeing Kanji-kun, a hulking second-year with a nose piercing and wearing a leather jacket over a shirt with a fiery skull emblazoned on it, looking so helpless, was funny to her. Feeling sorry for him, Yukiko giggled and reached for a tangerine. "I'm sure I will. Thank you for bringing it over, Kanji-kun." She eyed the persimmons and apples, wishing they had plates. "I can't eat it all, so everyone's going to help me! Let me just go to the kitchen to get a knife and some—"

"Oh no, you don't!" Chie said, standing up and blocking Yukiko's path to the door. "Kasai-san said to relax, and that's what you're gonna do! I've been here enough times to know where the kitchen is."

Before Yukiko could argue, Chie grinned and walked as fast as she could, sliding the door shut behind her. When Yukiko looked back at her other friends, Rise was smiling good-naturedly. "She's right, Yukiko-senpai. Just kick back!"

"I agree with Rise-chan. You've been through a lot, Senpai." Naoto-kun spoke, taking a tangerine from the basket. "We know you'll recover soon enough, but you shouldn't rush it." From under the brim of her hat, her expression was gentle. "For once, let us worry about you."

Kanji-kun didn't say anything, but his grin was enough to reassure Yukiko, and then she finally gave into her friends without feeling the least bit defeated. Thankfully, Rise-chan took hold of the conversation and steered it towards more cheerful news, bringing up a role that she had recently auditioned for back in the city. She described the movie as a romantic comedy, which Yukiko could easily picture Rise being a part of. Just as Rise was describing the heroine she wished to play, the screen door slid back with haste, revealing a costumed Teddie. The permanent smile of his bear-shaped costume didn't muffle the frantic energy of his voice. "YUKI-CHAAAAN! I came as soon as I could!"

Teddie made a beeline towards Yukiko, his stubby arms reaching for a hug. Already prepared for this onslaught, Yukiko's hand shot out and pushed back against the oversized bear face. As she kept Teddie at bay, Yosuke-kun walked into the room, a plastic bag hanging around his arm. "How you feeling, Yukiko?"

"I'm fine, thank you. Just a little tired."

Yosuke-kun grinned at Teddie, who was still struggling in vain to wrap his plush arms around Yukiko. "Can't imagine why."

Yukiko stayed adamant in her defensives and soon enough, Teddie gave up. He stood in place and unzipped the top half of his costume, his blue eyes watery with tears underneath his neatly brushed blonde hair. "Oh, you're hurt!"

She realized that he was staring at the bandages around her head. "It's not as bad as it looks. Honest."

Seemingly unconvinced, Teddie turned around to snatch the bag from Yosuke's arm. He then held it out to her, beaming with pride. "Look, I got you medicine and the best chocolates and candy that Junes has to offer! Promise me that you'll eat them, okay? And if you want more, all you got to do is ask and I'll get it!"

"After you PAY for them," Yosuke added with emphasis.

Teddie looked back at his co-worker, clearly wounded. "How could you be SO stingy, Yosuke?! Yuki-chan needs these to feel better, and all you care about is making money! You truly are an unfeeling extension of corporate greed!"

Yosuke scowled at the smaller boy. "Don't give me that, you little freeloader! And you know damn well that chocolate isn't going to heal anyone from a car accident!"

"I don't know about that," Rise said, smiling in a teasing manner. "Kanji here believed tangerines would do the trick."

"Get off my case!" Kanji snapped. "It's the thought that counts, ain't it?!"

Yosuke caught a glance of the giant fruit basket and stared at it in confusion, and then Yukiko and Naoto burst out laughing. It was then that Chie returned with plates and a small fruit knife. "Good, you two finally made it!"

"Some of us have jobs," Yosuke replied good-humoredly. As he sat down next to Kanji, he looked around the room, taking care to use Sho-kun's fake name when he asked, "Where's Souji?"

Yukiko looked at him, puzzled. "He said he was going to drop off your moped."

His expression seemed to mirror the surprise she felt by his question, and for a moment, he looked like he was about to reply. But his mouth closed, as if he had just realized something.

"He should be right by your side, especially now! You're dating, after all!" Rise cut in, looking annoyed. "A guy should take care of his girlfriend after she comes back from the hospital!"

"He did take care of me," Yukiko reminded her friend gently. "After the accident, he was the first person I recognized from the crowd." Without thinking about it, her hands went to her bandages, just as Sho-kun had done after they had embraced in front of the ambulance. "He even drove to the hospital and waited with me until my parents arrived."

Her explanation seemed to soften Rise's attitude, and when she spoke, she sounded guilty. "That's right, you told us...sorry, Senpai. I guess I can forgive him, then."

Yosuke chuckled, taking a persimmon from the basket. "Rise's standards are pretty high. Wonder what her idea of a perfect boyfriend would be."

Rise stuck her tongue out at the upperclassman. "That's a no brainer. He'd be like Yu-Senpai!"

Chie rolled her eyes, but didn't hold back from teasing the idol. "Good thing Yu-kun moved back when he did. He'll be safe from Rise-chan for a little while longer."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Rise protested with a pout. Though her pride and one-sided crush were under fire, the rest of the group couldn't help but laugh. Eventually Rise-chan joined in, too, and the conversation stayed on Yu-kun for a short while.

"I really wish he could've been here for winter break. I haven't seen Senpai face-to-face- since we were all at the studio."

"Yeah, but we should see him some time before graduation! Besides, Nanako-chan is visiting him right now, isn't she?"

"Oh, that's right! At the Christmas party, she told us that Yu-kun's parents invited them to the city. She was so excited when Dojima-san was able to get the vacation time for the trip."

"Man, the city…I haven't been back there in a while. Wonder how my friends from middle school are doing…"

The topic strayed from their former leader to their plans for the rest of winter break, and Kanji began to peel and cut the apples in bunny-shaped slices. Teddie and Chie began unwrapping the chocolates from Junes, and the scent of fresh citrus and sweet sugar wafted pleasantly around the table. As she ate with her friends, Yukiko was content with listening to them exchange jokes and stories with one another. Though Sho-kun was on her mind, she was grateful to spend time with everyone like this. Graduation wasn't until next spring, but she knew the months would fly by after winter. Later this week, Rise-chan and Naoto-kun will leave Inaba to return to their careers, and classes at Yasogami would resume. With homework, exams, and part-time jobs to contend with, it was hard to say when they would all see each other again.

The fruit basket was half-empty when Kasai-san returned to the room, asking if anyone was staying for dinner. Although she reassured them that there was more than enough food to share, her friends were eager to go back home to their own families.

"Grandfather is expecting me for dinner," Naoto said, politely declining.

"I told my grandma I'd be back for dinner, too," Rise said. "And I bet Kanji-kun wants to go back home, too."

"Yeah, yeah." Though he was trying to dismiss Rise's claim, everyone knew that Kanji-kun had every intention to eat dinner with his mother.

Chie stood up, but she looked intently at Yukiko. "I'll be leaving for now, but if your parents are okay with it, I'll be back before midnight."

"Same here," Yosuke added. "Who says we have to welcome the new year at the shrine?"

Yukiko gazed at her friends, noticing the look of agreement on their faces. When she realized that they all wanted to come back to the inn after eating dinner, her heart was warmed by their kindness, but she shook her head.

"Thank you, everyone, but you should go to the shrine tonight."

Surprise rippled through her group of friends, and after that an uneasy silence followed. It was as if neither of them knew if she was serious. To help make things clearer, Yukiko continued. "I'm happy that you all came to see me. Really, I am. But after we went to the shrine with Yu-kun last year, I thought it'd be nice to make that a tradition for as long as we can."

"As long as we can…" Kanji repeated, almost distantly. Though he spoke softly, it seemed like he knew what Yukiko had meant. Graduation would be upon them soon, and Yukiko, Chie, and Yosuke would be leaving Yasogami for good. After that, Yosuke would be going to university, and Chie hoped to enroll in the police academy. Yukiko even had plans herself to start officially training as an inn manager in a different city. For as much as she wanted to believe that they'd see each other during holidays, there was no telling if everyone would be able to make it. This town was their home, but they all would have their reasons to leave it eventually.

Save for Yu-kun, they were all here in Inaba now, and Yukiko wanted them to enjoy that while they could.

"…are you sure, Senpai?" Rise asked hesitantly. "What about you? Won't you feel alone?"

"I'll be fine." Yukiko said truthfully. "You and Naoto-kun haven't been back home in a long time. It'll be good for you to celebrate the New Year with the rest of the town."

Teddie looked somewhat gloomy, but he didn't try to dissuade Yukiko. "But you'll be here tomorrow, right, Yuki-chan? In case I wanted to drop off more candy?"

Yukiko giggled, nodding. "Yes. I don't think my parents will want me to leave the house for a little while."

Kanji-kun scratched the back of his head at this. "I guess I can understand that, since a car almost crashed into you…"

Naoto sighed. "Kanji-kun…tact."

The tall second-year stood straight up, realizing what he had just said. "Crap! Sorry, Senpai, I mean…um…just get better, yeah?"

Naoto-kun shook her head, her eyes falling onto Yukiko when she spoke next. "Will you let me know when you're well enough to leave the inn, Senpai? There was something I wanted to talk to you about."

Sensing that the detective didn't want—or couldn't—elaborate, Yukiko didn't press her. "Sure, Naoto-kun."

"If possible, would you see if Seta-san could come along?"

She was slightly surprised by Naoto-kun's second request, but Yukiko knew she wouldn't ask to meet Sho-kun unless she had a good reason. "I'll ask him."

Satisfied with her answer, Naoto-kun thanked her and was the first one to put her coat back on. The others followed her, leaving the room and the scent of apples and tangerines behind. Yukiko trailed behind them, wanting to see her friends out. After reassuring Rise-chan that she would be all right again, the second years were the first ones to step out into the cold. As Yukiko waved good-bye to them, Chie, Yosuke-kun, and Teddie stayed behind on the front porch with her.

"I didn't get to tell you back there, but we drove to the inn on my moped," Yosuke-kun told her when the others were out of earshot.

Yukiko immediately thought of Sho. "Did you see Sho-kun, then?"

"No. After we were done with our shift, I found my moped parked outside the store." Yosuke explained, looking remorseful. "He had to have dropped it off while I was working."

Unsure of what to say next, Yukiko fell silent. If Yosuke had asked her, she could only guess where Sho-kun was right now. As she wracked her head for ideas, one detail from her stay in the hospital stood out in her mind. Before the doctor had come in, a troubled expression had fallen over Sho-kun's face, as if he had seen something in that room that was invisible to her.

"You try texting him?" Yosuke asked. "I'd do it, but I don't have his number."

"Her phone broke during the accident," Chie helpfully explained. Her hand went onto Yukiko's shoulder, pressing gently. "Look, I really don't mind coming back after dinner. I can wait with you until he comes back."

"Teddie can use his famous nose to track Sho-boy down!" Teddie proudly proclaimed, striking a heroic pose. "Don't worry, Yuki-chan! If I start now, I'll find him in no time flat!"

Although she appreciated her friends' offers to help, Yukiko couldn't forget the haunted look in Sho-kun's eyes. She was worried about him, but she understood that he sometimes needed to be alone.

"It's all right," Yukiko said, wanting to believe her own words. "I think he needed to do something, but he'll be back later. He said so himself."

Chie stared worriedly at her, but eventually she knew that Yukiko had made up her mind. "I'm coming back tomorrow, okay? My mom will probably want me to bring over some food for you."

"I'll be back, too!" Teddie seconded. "And I'll bring even more yummy snacks for you, Yuki-chan!"

"After you pay for them," Yosuke repeated, taking hold of Teddie's collar. As he guided his coworker down the steps, he winked at Yukiko. "See you, Yukiko. Try not to worry too much about your boyfriend."

Yukiko could hear her friend's concern behind his light teasing, but she blushed nonetheless. Chie remained as Teddie tried to push back against Yosuke, which was apparently a challenge when dressed in an oversized plush suit.

"Yosuke's right," Chie said. "I don't think Sho would stay away longer than he has to. Besides, he was willing to steal a van to get to you."

"I know," Yukiko admitted, slightly embarrassed.

Chie smiled at her. "I wish I could've been with you at the hospital, but I'm really glad he was there with you."

Remembering her earlier conversation with her mother, Yukiko smiled back. "My mother told me the same thing."

Her best friend's eyes widened, but then they closed as she burst out in laughter. "Jeez, she doesn't miss a thing, does she?"

They hugged then and said their good-byes, and Chie left to follow Yosuke and Teddie. As Yukiko watched them walk away, a wave of déjà vu washed over her. She had been here on the porch just last night, seeing everyone off after they had tried searching for Minazuki-kun. When she had gone back inside, Sho-kun was waiting for her in the lobby, buying them drinks from the vending machine. A small pang went through her heart when she realized that he wouldn't be inside this time.

He said he'd see me later. She told herself, remembering the pained look in his eyes back in the emergency room. Even if he had tried calling her, her cell phone was broken, and she doubted that he would call the front desk again.

Maybe being in the hospital brought back bad memories for him. Yukiko pondered as she stepped back into the lobby and closed the door. He hadn't kept his dislike of hospitals a secret, having shared stories of being abandoned at one by his foster father. Thinking back on what he told her, she rationalized that Sho must've had his reasons for not being at the inn now. She missed him, but she believed him when he said he would be back later.

The rest of the evening went by quickly. Her father returned with her prescription medicine shortly after her friends had left. After eating the light dinner that the head chef had kindly prepared, Yukiko returned to her room at her parents' insistence, taking her medicine and some water with her. Everyone would be working for a few more hours, they explained, so it was still a while yet until they celebrate the new year. Yukiko was actually relieved by this news; it wasn't even nine o'clock, but she was already tired.

As she sat on the edge of her futon for the second time this evening, she fought back a gasp of pain. Just as the doctor explained, the internal bruising from her ribs was very much present. And though they were wrapped, the cuts from underneath her bandages began to throb, causing a dull, ponderous ache to spread through her head. Reluctantly, she took the two pills with a sip of her water. When she put her glass down, her eyes went to her closed window. She could hear the wind softly rattling against the screen, and she knew if she had opened it, a cloudy night sky would've stretched out before her.

She went to the window, already feeling the effects of the medicine. Her steps felt heavy, as if she were wading through mud to get to the closed screen. Once, before they had shared their first kiss, Sho-kun had scolded her for keeping her window unlocked. She smiled at the memory as she undid the lock, and she flicked on the flower-shaped lantern at her writing desk. Yukiko managed to return to her futon, and shortly after she fell onto her side. The mattress cushioned her fall, and then the room began to spin, pulling Yukiko along with it. She closed her eyes, letting herself dovetail into what she hoped would be a brief nap.

But when she opened her eyes, she saw snow falling in a place that wasn't her room. The walls were gone, or maybe they had never existed, and there were bamboo trees everywhere, standing motionless like green-skinned sentinels in the distance made hazy by the snowfall. When she noticed that none of the snow was falling on her, she realized then that her futon was gone, replaced by a single blanket against the snow-covered ground. The canopy of a giant red parasol protected her from the snowflakes as they drifted like petals, slow and graceful. She was sure the air was cold, but she wasn't bothered by it. Although she wasn't sure how it got there, the cushion she was sitting on was comfortable, and the parasol emanated a warmth that fought off the chill of the snow.

"Ugh, what a pain. You weren't supposed to be here yet."

The familiar voice, curt and feminine, was one she recognized.

Yukiko looked away from the snow-covered bamboo grove to see a pair of bright green eyes boring into her. The face they belonged to was fair and youthful, and her short hair angled downward against her chin.

"Marie-chan?"

Writer's Note(s): Hi, everyone. Sorry it's been a while (almost six months, yeesh) since I've posted a new chapter. Long story short, my dog passed away and it hit me hard. She was more than just a pet—she was my writing buddy, and I knew her longer than I've known most people. Although I love writing, it gets lonely sometimes, and she always kept me company while I typed. After she died, I had a hard time going back to writing.

Anyway, I'm back, and I'm still committed to finishing this weird little story. Thank you for reading, and I hope you'll keep following until the end. Take care!