Akari enters her room, freshly showered in her bath robe.

Before she can change into regular clothes, though…

“So, is he coming to the Blizzards meeting tomorrow?” Emilija sits on her bed, ready to tease her friend.

Akari stops dead in her tracks. “I forgot to ask!”

Emilija laughs. “Oh well! How was your outing?”

“He’s struggling,” she murmurs. “His muscles started cramping badly soon after we started.”

“Is that a done matter, then?”

“No, he wants to keep going. We’ll take it day by day.”

Emilija chuckles.

“What is it?” Akari barks.

“You’re really spoiling him, y’know?”

“Huh?”

“Training him. Pledging to protect him. Planning meals with him. You like him, don’t you?”

Akari gasps. “Emilija!”

“Admit it, admit it. You’re easy to read.”

Akari pauses, blushing more and more. “Well, I…”

“Hmmmmmmmmm?”

“I do like him,” she confirms softly. “He’s very cute and gentle.”

“You know to keep it to yourself, at least for a little while. Right?”

“Please, there’s no way he sees me like that.”

Heh, I wonder, Emilija thinks with a smirk. “You’re damn infatuated, at the very least.”

“Tch, I know that!”

“Don’t get carried away. Make sure this infatuation actually develops into a whole love.”

“Y-Yeah.”

—

Akira’s legs are in anguish.

He limps to the dining hall, still hurting even after some rest.

Akira can’t understand his own body. His shame is potent. Perpetual.

Why must he concern Akari even more? This beautiful girl he’s going to eat with… She should only enjoy him. She shouldn’t need to console him.

And so, he smiles. He prepares a facade.

He prepares a lie.

But then, just before the dining hall doors, he gets a text. New words from his father assault his soul.

We won’t be keeping tabs on you. Your mother will be resuming duties at the company soon.

Appreciate the trust and independence we are giving you, and make sure you’re meeting the right people and doing the right things.

We will not tolerate any more weakness.

Once more, his muscles tense up, and his cramps worsen.

Akira Aoki cannot smile, not when he shudders on the verge of tears.

However, a certain woman runs up to him from behind. “Are you okay?”

Akira turns around.

Akari. Akari is here for him. She always will be.

“I-I’m fine, Akari,” he lies.

“But you…”

“P-Please, Akari,” he whispers. “D-Don’t ask. Please.”

Akira hunches his back, shrinking before his massive friend. He cannot hide his despair. Thus, all he can do is shut her down, be terribly rude to her.

Maybe he should draw the line in the sand. No more talk about personal matters. They shall only know happiness.

But no. That cannot happen.

Akari is too lovely to permit that. She cannot be happy when her friend is upset.

Yet, that doesn’t mean she will disrespect his autonomy, his boundaries.

“I understand, Akira.” She gives him complete acceptance with a pat on his shoulder. “It’s okay.”

She’s really just that kind of girl. She’s well-aware that he is struggling, but knows she cannot push him. She lets him have all the control.

As they grow closer, Akira will open. He knows it to be inevitable, and dreads it all the same.

What a burden he truly is. How dare he force Akari to deal with his baggage? That’s how he sees this…

But Akari accepts him. She respects him. She wants to help him. He knows it, truly, but resists it. Because, as Akari herself has observed… Akira is not used to warmth.

He is used to hatred.

He will accept her kindness. He will reveal everything to her. But it will take time. For now, they take things day by day.

—

Akari, Emilija, and Akira eat dinner at a dining hall table.

Akira’s demeanor improves, little by little.

“I should tell you,” Akari starts, facing Akira. “It sort-of came out of nowhere. Earlier today, the leaders of the Blizzards scouted Emilija and I.”

“Really?” Akira replies. “That’s amazing.” His voice, though low, is soft with affection.

“Yeah.” Akari blushes. “I totally forgot to mention it.”

“Hah, you airhead,” Emilija quips. “Akira, we’re gonna get tested tomorrow to join their ranks. You free then? Akari used some sweet talk, so you can come along.”

Sweet talk? Akari gives Emilija a confused side-eye.

“My, you didn’t have to do all of that,” Akira remarks, looking fondly at a flustered Akari. “I really appreciate it though.”

“C’mon,” Emilija teases. “You wanna see us in action, right?”

Seeing Akari fight? Akira’s mind dwells. I can see more? More of her elegance and charisma? But Akari doesn't enjoy fighting. Should I not feel joy in seeing her strength?

But Akari herself remarks with a refreshing confidence, “You can see what kind of fists will be protecting you.”

Akira blushes in surprise. I guess it’s okay?! He nods. “Count me in!”

By the time they leave the dining hall, Akira feels much better.

For the rest of the night, the three of them enjoy video games in Akari’s dorm.

Akari continues to have Akira tied to her finger. The young man can’t remember the last time another person has brought him this much joy. Even though they’ve not known each other long at all, he’s forged such a warm connection with the blizzarding woman.

I’m coming to realize just how talented Akari is with all types of video games, Akira thinks, watching Akari beat a challenging platformer level like it was nothing. If there were a competitive gaming club, she’d be a dominating force. Akari’s suaveness and kindness, Emilija’s fun rowdiness, and the joy of the games… are a nice distraction. He frowns. Akari would be furious if she learned about my family. If things go on like this, the truth will come out. Why… Why must it be this way?

For Akira, the gentle flurry… there is simply too much pain to ever forget.