"Yagami-kun, are you really coming to my house?"

As the afternoon bell rang crisply, Satoru packed up his belongings and sat in the classroom as usual, waiting for the crowd to disperse before slowly making his way out. He immediately spotted Miyano Mirai leaning against the staircase, her head slightly lowered as she looked in his direction.

Her eyes brightened and a smile appeared when she saw him come out.

"Yagami-kun, are you really coming to my house?" she asked in a soft, cautious voice as he approached.

"Let's go." Satoru responded with a smile.

Complex emotions surged within him, and he couldn't help but feel a hint of anticipation, as if a dancing blade was hidden amidst his conflicting thoughts.

Satoru glanced at Miyano Mirai, who was walking two steps behind him, occasionally responding with a smile to classmates who greeted him. He found it hard to imagine that this timid girl, like a frightened little animal, could overpower him and imprison him in a basement.

In the afternoon, he had experienced this observation mode while enduring panic and fear. He could only say that the basement was indeed a well-designed and formidable facility when observed from a god-like perspective.

"Are you so afraid to walk with me, Miyano-kun?" Satoru teased as they approached the school gate.

Tokyo hadn't seen much snow in recent years, and even if it did, it would melt upon touching the ground. The temperature felt more like a cold chill. 

Miyano Mirai, who was from Hokkaido, had a strong resistance to the cold. She even wore short socks and skirts., and Satoru couldn't help but glance at her fair and delicate skin before averting his gaze.

"I just don't want to trouble you, Yagami-kun," Miyano Mirai hurriedly explained, shaking her head repeatedly.

She was filled with unease and looked down, occasionally glancing up at him with a cautious gaze, afraid that her answer would displease him.

"Trouble me?" Satoru was a bit puzzled.

She made a sound of agreement, her mood dropping as she lowered her head and fell silent, only occasionally stealing glances at him with caution.

If it was merely about appreciating her appearance, Miyano Mirai was indeed a cute beauty. If it weren't for those round glasses and slightly long bangs getting in the way, she would probably be quite popular.

That is, if she wasn't so introverted.

...

After leaving the school and passing a couple of streets, she finally relaxed and took a deep breath, walking two steps forward to walk alongside him.

"Is it very snowy in Hokkaido? It's been a while since I've seen the city dressed in a white blanket," Satoru glanced at her and brought up a topic casually.

He wanted to chat as much as possible and analyze the situation. Their previous interactions were coincidental and perhaps driven by shallow attraction. He had occasionally reached out to her for contact details and had some casual conversations, but it had always remained superficial. He couldn't claim to truly understand her.

After all, quiet people tend to only act when being pushed. She had never initiated contact with him. 

Satoru had a large pond of potential romantic interests, and he naturally didn't invest much energy into her.

"It's quite heavy. The snow on the streets is already over a foot deep," she replied softly. "Yagami-kun, do you really like snow?" 

They had left the school and the streets where they could see many classmates, and she became more lively. She also loved snow.

Her gaze swept across his cheek, feeling somewhat dreamlike. Was she really walking side by side with him, heading to her own home? Her breath and heartbeat were calling out in a surge of excitement.

"I do like it, after all, winter is always better with snowflakes~" Satoru raised an eyebrow. 

"I think so too. It seems like Tokyo hasn't really experienced proper snowfall..." she agreed.

They chatted along the way, discussing the customs and culture of her hometown, Otaru, in Hokkaido. 

They took a short bus ride and walked a little to reach her apartment building.

It was a three-story Japanese-style apartment building, with each floor divided into several rooms. It was evident that the apartments were rented out to students, office workers, and other single individuals. Miyano's apartment was on the first floor, facing the street.

"Please come in." she said, her face showing a faint blush as she tried to suppress her urgency.

Satoru glanced at the message he sent that had been read on his phone and relaxed slightly. He had a final way out, which gave him the courage to enter her apartment.

He smiled and nodded, stepping into her apartment. It was a standard forty-square-meter single apartment, with a separate bedroom behind a closed door. The open-style kitchen was combined with the living room, and the toilet and bathroom were separated. It was small but refined, allowing for a complete view.