The winter smells just like him..

Scene: Yukinobi High School Rooftop – Lunchtime

Snowflakes drift down in lazy spirals. mirei is

standing at the edge, looking down at the white courtyard below. The city looks asleep under the heavy snow. Everything muffled.

Behind her, the door creaks open.

Matsumoto Ren (calmly):

“You really shouldn't be up here. What if someone pushed you?”

He walks beside her, offering her a piece of tangerine from his bento like it’s nothing.

Ren:

“You’ve been watching me lately, haven’t you, Mirei?”

> His voice isn’t accusing. It’s curious. Warm even. Like he’s smiling with his words.

Ren: (tilts his head slightly, his eyes scanning your face—not with suspicion, but with amusement)

“Because I can feel your eyes even when you’re not looking.”

He pops a slice of tangerine into his mouth, chews slowly. The snow gathers in his hair, framing him like some untouchable painting. Then he offers mirei one more slice—between his fingers.

Ren:

“You’re not very good at hiding things, Mirei. That’s not like you.”

There’s no malice. Just interest. Like he’s testing the temperature of the water. Watching how far she’ll let herself melt.

A gust of cold wind brushes past, sending her long black hair flying. Below, students play in the snow—but it feels like this rooftop is in another world.

Ren (softly):

“Are you scared of me?”

> His hand is still outstretched. Waiting to feed mirei. Waiting to see what she'll do. Mirei: (clutches her pink scarf, forcing a smile but hearts in her eyes) N-no! why would you think something like that?

Mirei:

(Her fingers slowly reach for the tangerine between his, but instead of taking it, she lets her hand curl gently over his wrist — not gripping, just touching. Her smile remains, too sweet, too stiff. Her eyes are wide, sparkling like glass.)

“No… I’m not scared of you.”

(leans in just slightly — voice lowering)

“I’m scared of how much I love you.”

She plucks the tangerine from his hand, but doesn’t eat it. Just holds it. Eyes locked on him now. Breathing a little faster, a little shallower, cheeks flushed more from emotion than cold.

Mirei (softly):

“You make it hard to breathe. You’re always shining. Always smiling. Like… like you’re not even real.”

(Her fingers tighten slightly on his wrist. Just for a moment.)

“I think if I opened your chest, I wouldn’t find a heart. Just snow.”A pause."

Mirei:

“But I’d love you even then.”

> Her scarf flutters again in the wind. Somewhere below, the school bell rings. But neither of them move.

Ren: (Eyes narrowed slightly, amused but unreadable)

“…That’s a dangerous way to love someone.”

> He leans closer now too — barely inches between you.

Ren:

“What would you do if I told you… I don’t love you back?”

Mirei: eh?... (Laughs) I'll see you in class, Ren-chan! (She walks to the door and goes to class)

Ren: (Watches her leave. Slowly. Like watching a deer disappear into the woods after tasting blood for the first time.)

“…Ren-chan, huh.”

He turns back to the edge of the roof. Pops another tangerine slice into his mouth. Still smiling.

Ren (muttering):

“That girl’s going to kill me someday.”

> Scene: Classroom 2-A — 5 minutes later

The snow is heavier now, tapping at the windows like impatient fingers. Class hasn’t started yet. Students chat lazily, and the heater hums weakly.

Mirei walks in—her perfect smile in place, her scarf loosened, the tangerine still in her hand.

Shibata Minoru (leans over from the desk beside hers):

“Yo, Mirei-chan! You’re glowing today. Let me guess—you and Ren finally had a ‘moment,’ huh? Did you breathe the same air?”

(He laughs at his own joke. Loudly.)

Classmate Girl #1:

“Seriously, do you ever shut up?”

Classmate Girl #2: (whispers)

“I heard she watches him during P.E. through the gym equipment…”

> The gossip buzzes. Mirei hears every word. Every laugh. Every lie. And she just smiles.

Then—Ren walks in.

And he walks straight past everyone. Past Minoru. Past the gossip.

And sits.

Right beside you.Not his usual seat.

Your seatmate’s seat.

The class goes silent. Even the heater sounds quieter.

Ren (without looking at you, under his breath):

“Let’s play a game, Mirei.”

> He’s smiling again. That same untouchable smile. The kind that looks like a dare.

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