School let out under a grey sky. Beneath the melting snow, life waits quietly for the sun.Where frost once ruled, green returns with gentle promise.Soft rains wash away winter's hold, waking the sleeping earth.
The wind rattled the metal fencing along the walkway, making scarves fly and hair whip.
Kyomi stomped her boots clean at the school gate, huffing.
"Ugh. Ito, you're such a sloth! You're making us late!"
Ito adjusted his bag with a yawn. "I'm literally walking at your pace."
Kyomi spun on her heel. "No you're not! I said meet at the gate right after class!"
He shrugged. "I did. It's not my fault you pack your entire life into your locker and take twenty years to get it."
"Wha—!" Kyomi swatted at him with her gloved hand. He ducked, smirking.
Emi, walking a little behind with Axel, sighed dramatically. "Every day. Every single day."
Axel just snorted. "Kind of impressive. Like a soap opera, but live."
Kirika-san, bundled up in a bright scarf, bounced alongside Megumi-san. She watched the two argue with wide-eyed delight. "They're so dramatic," she whispered gleefully.
Megumi-san rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Like a pair of chaotic newlyweds."
Kyomi spun around. "We heard that!"
Ito adjusted his scarf, trying to hide his grin. "She's not entirely wrong though."
"ITO!"
Axel leaned closer to Emi, deadpan. "Should we get popcorn?"
Emi snickered. "I brought rice crackers. Close enough."
They all laughed, even Kyomi, who huffed but didn't stop smiling.
The wind howled harder as they finally reached Yuika-san's bakery, its windows glowing with gentle light. A small bell above the door jingled as they piled in their coats.
Inside, the air smelled like vanilla, warm bread, and cinnamon. Yuika-san herself stood behind the counter, pulling trays of golden pastries from the warmer.
"Welcome home," she called.
They were immediately hit with a wave of comforting heat, the glass fogged from the difference in temperature. Emi unwound her scarf slowly, trying to hide her grin.
Kirika practically jumped through the door first, turning in a circle. "I want to live here forever!"
Megumi-san elbowed Axel gently. "Bet you say that every time."
He shrugged, his hair. "Still true."
"Hi, Yuika-san!" Kirika waved brightly.
Megumi made a beeline for the counter. "Your bakery smells illegal, Yuika-san. It's unfair."
Yuika laughed softly, brushing flour from her hands. "I'll take that as a compliment. Come on, sit down. I'll bring you all something warm."
The tables were pushed together hastily, squeaking on the old floorboards. They all dropped into chairs, exhaling in relief.
Axel rapped his fingers on the wood. "Feels like school club but better."
Emi sat beside him, eyes drifting to the display case with perfectly lined cakes. "Less homework too."
They crowded around two little round tables pushed together. Kyomi and Ito immediately resumed their argument about who had worse test scores.
Megumi-san, lounging with her chin on her hand, watched them bicker and clashed a sugar packet against the table. "God, you two are the worst. Chaotic couple energy all the way."
Ito leaned back, arching an eyebrow. "I mean… she does yell at me like a wife."
slapped his shoulder. "STOP SAYING THAT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!"
Kyomi glared. "WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!"
Ito shrugged. "She wishes."
Kyomi actually spluttered at that.
Axel sipped at water, looking unbothered. "I'm gonna need subtitles for them eventually."
Emi leaned into Axel's shoulder, barely containing her giggles. "Help them?"
Axel shook his head solemnly. "Nature must take its course."
Kirika nearly fell out of her chair laughing. "I swear you two are the worst referees!"
Kirika-san actually slapped her knee. "You guys are so entertaining."
Yuika-san returned with a tray of steaming mugs and little plates of shortcake slices. She set them down carefully, smiling at all of them with that kind of motherly glow.
"Ahh, to be young," she sighed, watching them squabble with amused fondness. "It's really a blessing."
Emi sniffed her mug, embarrassed. "Mom… don't say weird things."
Emi raised an eyebrow, mouth full of cake. She swallowed quickly. "Hey, Mom. Did you have someone you really liked before Dad?"
Yuika-san froze, eyes wide, flour-dusted hand paused mid-gesture.
Yuika-san's eyes went round. Then she gave an exaggerated gasp, pressing a hand to her cheek. "EMI!"
Axel grinned. "Yeah, Yuika-san. I wanna know too."
Yuika lowered her hand with dramatic calm. "Oh, well—if Axel is curious, I guess I can't say no."
Yuika-san immediately dropped the scandalized act. She turned to Axel with sparkling eyes. "Oh? Well, if Axel is curious, how can I say no?"
Emi choked. "WHAT. MOM."
Yuika-san just winked at Axel, patting his shoulder warmly. "He's polite and doesn't talk back to me like a certain someone here."
Emi spluttered, pointing an accusing fork. "HUH!!"
The laughter rolled over them like a warm tide, making the windows shiver with the sound.
Everyone burst out laughing Kirika actually had to cover her mouth so she didn't snort cake out her nose. Megumi-san giggled, wiping her eyes. Even Ito cracked a smile as Kyomi elbowed him.
Yuika-san raised her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright! Settle down. Let's see… you want a love story, huh?"
They all leaned in, the table groaning under elbows, cheeks warm, mugs in hand.
Emi crossed her arms but couldn't hide her grin. "Better make it a good one, Mom."
Yuika-san lifted her chin with regal mock-importance. "Well then! If you're all going to pressure me… I guess I'll tell you about him…"
The bakery was quiet except for the hum of the heater, the rattle of wind outside, the collective breath of teenagers hanging on a mother's words.
Yuika-san's voice dropped to a hush, eyes glazing over with distant memory.
"It was the beginning of spring, too, you know. The spring was barely here. The snow was just starting to go, but it stayed this cold. Just like now."
They all held their breath.
It was still bitter cold outside . But inside the bakery, the warmth wrapped them like a secret.
Kirika hugged her mug closer, eyes wide. "Was he handsome?"
Yuika-san laughed, cheeks reddening just a little. "Oh, I thought so. He was so annoying. Always teasing me. I hated it… until I didn't."
Axel actually smiled, resting his chin on his palm. "Sounds familiar."
Emi elbowed him hard enough to nearly knock his mug over.
Yuika-san winked at her daughter. "He made me wait. Made me think. Made me see how much I valued our friendship. Even when it got complicated."
Megumi-san let out a dreamy sigh. "Ugh. I love this."
Ito didn't even bother hiding his grin. Kyomi rolled her eyes but she was grinning too.
Yuika lifted her hands in surrender. "That's all you get for today. The rest is a secret. But…" She paused, eyes settling on each of them. "If you want something real… sometimes you need to wait. Let it grow. But don't wait so long you miss it."
The wind howled again, rattling the door, but no one moved to leave.
Because for a moment, it was perfect.
Emi slumped against Axel with a sigh.
"My mom's a pain," she mumbled.
He laughed softly. "Yeah. She's perfect."
The heater buzzed. The cake cooled on plates. And the story continues.