Winter had firmly established its presence in Nagazora City, bringing with it a distinct chill that permeated the air. The streets, while laden with the festive decorations of Christmas, still felt the crisp bite of the season.
Despite the dropping temperatures, a palpable warmth radiated from the city's heart. Elaborate light displays twinkled against the darkening skies, and brightly adorned Christmas trees stood sentinel under which were piles of gifts wrapped in red, green, and white ribbons.
This cozy atmosphere was further enhanced by the hustle and bustle of people seeking holiday cheer, their laughter and excited chatter echoing through the streets. There was an organized festivity that naturally came with the approach of Christmas, and this collective spirit effectively counteracted the cold, dry air. The contrast between the winter's bite and the holiday's warmth created a unique ambiance, where even the chilly avenues carried an undeniable feeling of comfort and joy.
Still, this warmth was only imaginary. The season strongly suggested wearing warm clothing to ward off the cold.
Similarly, consuming cold treats in winter was uncommon, as people naturally preferred warm food and beverages for comfort during this time of year.
Therefore, it was odd that a particular boy seemed determined to defy both these norms.
『Vendor-san, vendor-san!』 A sing-song voice sliced through the ambient cheer, light-hearted yet unmistakably off.
The vendor flinched as the boy leaned far too close to the cart, his breath visible in the frigid air.
『One ice cream, please! The coldest you've got. Bonus points if it makes my teeth hurt.』
The man blinked, clearly second-guessing the interaction. "Kid, look—I'm not saying no to the sale, but it's negative five and you're walkin' around in that school uniform like it's spring. You'll catch pneumonia before that thing melts."
『Ehh?』 His tone dropped, laced with disappointment. 『Aren't you supposed to smile, nod, and take my money without a second thought? I mean, isn't that the whole point of modern capitalism? Sell the kid something stupid, let him regret it later, and pat yourself on the back for making a clean profit.』
The vendor squinted at him, brows creased. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"
He pointed down the street. "Go get a taiyaki or something warm. There's a stand just a block from here. Normal people want something hot this time of year."
『But that's exactly why it has to be ice cream.』 the boy's arms flailed dramatically as if pleading with a god rather than a vendor. 『I want to make a terrible decision. I need to. It's Christmas! What better time to ruin myself a little? I'm practically begging you on my knees here.』
He wasn't, of course. Standing perfectly upright, still grinning.
『C'mon. Just one cone. I promise I'll regret it!』
The vendor stared at him for a long, silent moment. The kind of silence that wasn't just awkward; it was meditative. A soul-deep pause where he considered not just this one choice, but maybe every one that had led him to this moment.
Eventually, he sighed. "You're lucky I don't have the energy to argue with crazy."
He reached into the freezer compartment with a mutter about how the youth these days were insane, grabbed a plain vanilla cone, and handed it over like he was surrendering a piece of his sanity.
『Yay! Thanks, vendor-san. One more bad decision enabled, just like society intended.』
The boy cradled the ice cream like it was a priceless treasure, spinning lightly on his heel with a bounce in his step.
At this point, the vendor could barely contain his discomfort. There was something deeply wrong about this kid.
"Whatever, kid," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "You've got your stupid ice cream. Now scram before I get a headache just looking at you."
『Will do, will do!』 the boy called out cheerfully over his shoulder. 『See you next time I want to sabotage myself!』
The vendor watched the boy disappear into the crowd. He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering to himself, "That kid's not right in the head…"
Then it hit him—he never paid.
Cursing under his breath, the vendor turned to step out from behind the cart, ready to call after him—only to stop short.
There, sitting neatly on the counter, were a few coins. Exact change. He blinked. He hadn't seen the kid reach into his pockets. Hadn't heard the clink of coins. Just that smile and nonsense talk.
The vendor stared at the money for a moment longer, unsettled. Then he slowly sat back down, muttering, "…Freakin' weird."
.
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✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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Kumagawa strolled through the snow-blanketed street, holding his ice cream aloft like a victory flag in a war only he understood. Every step crunched beneath his shoes with a pleasant rhythm.
The world around him sparkled with seasonal cheer—twinkling lights, bundled-up couples, kids tugging at their parents' sleeves in front of toy displays. It all looked like something from a picture book. One of those cozy winter scenes where everyone belonged.
Well—almost everyone.
『It's like I've drifted into someone else's story…』
He chuckled to himself, taking a small bite of his ice cream. The cold stung his teeth, just the way he liked it.
His black gakuran clung to him like a leftover line from a different script—out of place in a scene filled with warm coats and wool scarves. No gloves. No hat. Just the sharp, clean lines of an outdated uniform and a boy who didn't match the backdrop.
Still, he walked like he belonged.
And he smiled—not because he was happy, but because smiling was what he did. Always.
Then the world, in its usual rhythm, decided it had tolerated his peace long enough.
A flash of silver blurred across his vision, and before he could react—
Thud.
A shoulder slammed into him, solid and sudden, knocking the cone from his hand like a disarmed weapon. He didn't even have time to flinch before the scoop of vanilla spun end over end through the air, landing with a soggy splat in the slush.
"Ah—!"
The girl stumbled back a step, eyes wide with surprise. She looked young—maybe his age, maybe younger—her white hair tied into two big braids, cheeks red from the cold, breath clouding the air between them. Her coat was thick and puffy, clearly meant for winter, though the hood hung crooked over one shoulder. She looked like she'd been in a rush. Or maybe just lost.
"Oh crap, I—! I didn't see you! I wasn't paying attention!" she said in a flurry. "Sorry! Seriously—sorry!"
Kumagawa didn't answer right away.
He looked at the ruined ice cream. Then at her. Then back again.
『Once again, I couldn't win.』 he sighed.
The girl flinched, caught off guard by how miserable the boy sounded. "Uh… I'll buy you another one?"
『No, no, it's fine. What's the point? Even if you did, fate would just send a bird to steal it or something. Or maybe I'd get hit by a car on the way home. Either way, tragedy secured.』
His smile didn't waver. In fact, it widened.
『Besides, this is what I get for indulging in happiness. Honestly, I should've known better.』
She blinked. "…Are you okay?"
Kumagawa straightened up immediately, brushing off imaginary dust from his sleeves like nothing had happened.
『Of course, why wouldn't I be?』 he said, too quickly. 『It's just an ice cream. In fact, I was hoping to drop it. Yeah. I only bought it for the experience of losing it, you know? Builds character. Very cathartic.』
There was a beat of silence as the girl stared at him, eyes slowly blinking like her brain was still buffering.
And then—
"Oh, phew!" she said, letting out a sigh of relief. "I thought I made you super depressed or something!"
She beamed, the tension in her shoulders dropping. Most of what he said clearly flew over her head like a fighter jet. Still, she seemed genuinely glad he wasn't upset.
Kumagawa blinked. Just once.
『…Huh.』 For a moment, something in his face genuinely faltered. 『You're… actually relieved?』
He tilted his head slightly, watching her with open fascination.
『Are you stupid?』
The words dropped out of his mouth like he didn't mean them to, but also wasn't interested in taking them back.
She reeled back like he'd slapped her with a tuna. "What did you just say?!"
『I said you're kind of an airhead.』 He smiled innocently. 『Very cute, very endearing. You know, in the way a puppy chasing its own tail is endearing.』
Her expression twisted. "Excuse me?! Who the heck are you calling a puppy?!"
『You, obviously.』
He gestured vaguely at her like it was self-evident.
『You crash into people, spill their desserts, miss all the red flags in a conversation, and then smile about it. Textbook puppy behavior.』
The girl's cheeks puffed out in pure offense. "Well, you're the one buying ice cream when it's freezing out and talking all gloomy like some weirdo!"
『Flattery won't get you anywhere, stranger-san.』
"You're the weird one here!"
『That's a very harsh thing to say to someone who just experienced a profound personal loss.』
"You dropped a cone, not a family member!"
『...Aren't they kind of the same, though?』
She groaned, throwing her hands up. "Ugh, why am I even talking to you?!"
Kumagawa's grin only grew.
『You started it.』
She turned to leave with an annoyed grumble, pulling her hood up tighter against the cold.
Kumagawa watched her go, then looked back down at the splatter of ice cream slowly sinking into the slush.
『Aww… I think I made a friend.』