Light snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
On the descent, Hanamaru Hanabi walked ahead with her hands behind her back, her steps light and graceful.
The hem of her skirt swayed lightly over the area known as the "absolute territory" on a girl's knee-high black stockings, as she took steps forward and backward.
Uesugi Sakura kept his gaze fixed on the slightly exposed skin below her skirt, fearing a gust of wind might blow by.
After all, his mother and Aei were behind him, and a little slip would mean disaster.
"Aren't you cold?" Uesugi Sakura took two small steps to her side.
"Sakura, what are you worried about?" Hanamaru Hanabi glanced at him, seemingly still upset about earlier.
"Concern, genuine concern."
"A bit cold perhaps; you can distinctly feel a chilly breeze passing through when walking." Hanamaru Hanabi raised a finger, and her steps lifted slightly with each sentence.
