In the Bleak Winter, Tiny and Resilient Buds Bloom

Before the street intersection, Kei stopped and suddenly looked back.

Her eyes searched everywhere, but the crowd obscured his figure, leaving only the sign of the café amid the familiar scenery.

"It's over..." Leaning against the clothing store wall next to her, Kei let out a long sigh, her silvery white hair covering her expression.

A sense of emptiness still echoed in her heart.

When she spotted a pair of gloves, warmth welled up in her heart.

"I'll think of you when I see that gift, so how could I not care..."

"Indeed, a playboy like Senpai can make girls fall for him without even realizing it."

The girl muttered lightly: Fool!

If she scolded him, she would also be scolding herself.

Shinichi clearly wasn't handsome, so how could he be so popular among girls?

Kei scolded herself for not feeling sad at all right now and wanting to cry. Instead, she felt like she had just solved a difficult problem, feeling relaxed and comfortable.

"Can I still find someone else I like?" She wondered.

As long as she forgot about it starting now, it might take a week, maybe a month, or maybe even a year, but she would always be able to truly forget about that scoundrel senior who had so much to do, and return to someone she liked and meet a man who only liked her.

She had plenty of options, no need to obsess over him.

But did she really need to let go of these precious feelings containing happiness, sadness, and many unforgettable memories?

No need.

Although the distance between them seemed close but was actually far, Kei didn't want to let go of her feelings.

She didn't want to let go of the affection, sorrow, and joy after meeting him, as well as the experience of growing back up after falling down.

As she had said to him.

"Maybe, on the day when I still like you, I could really reject your confession."

Kei couldn't help but laugh, leaving the wall she leaned on.

The city in winter was as cold as snowflakes, and the passersby were indifferent, but she was alone within it.

On the girl's face, there was a smile that grew warmer at the beginning of spring.

Although spring hadn't arrived yet.

But the buds were slowly blooming in this bleak winter.

When the traffic light turned green, Kei walked to the pedestrian crossing, took out her phone, and dialed a number to make a call.

"Hello? Rui?"

"There's something very important I want to tell you, about your cousin..."

△

Seeing Kei overwhelmed in the midst of the crowd, Shinichi sighed softly, his eyes becoming serious.

"Next..."

Shinichi wasn't foolish enough to chase after Mafuyu with all this, the city's alleyways crisscrossed, and he didn't know where to start.

To avoid disturbing other pedestrians, Shinichi stood at the side of the road, placed the bags in his hands on the ground first, then took out his phone and made a call.

His target was, of course, Kirisu Mafuyu.

Although she might be too busy fleeing to answer the phone, it was worth a try. If not, it would take more effort to find her location.

Fortunately, it didn't take long for the call to be answered.

"Asada-kun? What's wrong? Sorry, I'm a little busy right now..."

Her tone was urgent, mixed with the noise around her and the sound of high heels, making it all very confusing.

Shinichi didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point with a deep voice: "Sensei, I just saw you being chased by a group of people. Do you need my help?"

"It's perfect timing! Turns out you're nearby..." After a moment of surprise, Mafuyu sighed in relief and said helplessly, "Although it's a bit difficult to say, I do need your help now... How do you want to help? Where are you right now?"

"Sensei, please calm down first, carefully observe the nearest famous building or striking landmark, and I'll pinpoint your location."

"Okay, there's a LAWSON in front of me right now..." (LAWSON: a famous Japanese convenience store chain)

Mafuyu explained breathlessly, while Shinichi closed his eyes and began to recall the streets and landmarks nearby.

Roads, signboards, traffic lights, high-rise buildings...

"The simulation is complete."

Shinichi slowly opened his eyes and exhaled.

Thanks to his sharp mind, he had envisioned a route that would make it impossible for anyone to catch her.

Without hesitation, he spoke directly to Mafuyu on the phone:

"Sensei, there should be a McDonald's in front of you. Turn left there, and you'll see the elementary school intersection... Then take the road next to that sign. After passing through, you'll see a park. Enter through the woods behind..."

Under his precise and clear guidance, Mafuyu gradually managed to shake off her pursuers. By the time she passed through the woods behind the park, no one was following her anymore, and she could finally rest properly.

Shinichi wasn't relaxed: "To avoid being noticed by passersby, please hide in the women's bathroom first. I'll be there soon."

"W-Women's bathroom?! No, do I really have to hide in the women's restroom..."

"It's okay if you don't want to hide. Anyway, if you're chased again, just call me, and I'll keep guiding you."

"Um... Never mind, I'll listen to you. Asada-kun, please hurry."

"Don't worry, I'll be quick."

The call ended and the phone was hung up.

Shinichi was about to pick up the large and small bags on the ground and head to the women's restroom in the park to pick up Mafuyu, who was taking shelter.

This time, the phone rang again.

"Itsuki?"

At the same time the screen lit up, Shinichi also noticed the missed call record, was there really a five-way connection?

The earliest call was made six minutes ago, with one call made every minute. All callers were from Itsuki.

Shinichi clicked on the call and heard Itsuki's relieved sigh.

"I finally answered... Asada-kun, why couldn't I get through to your phone?"

Listening to Itsuki's slightly annoyed tone, in order to calm her down and speak properly, Shinichi joked: "I just called the beauty hotline. Of course, your call couldn't get through."

"What—" There was an incredulous shout from the other end, causing Shinichi to move his phone away.

"You rejected dates with Nino, Miku, and Yotsuba, Fumino Rizu, and now you're calling a hotline with another beautiful woman? No, I have to tell everyone about this, hang up the phone!"