Christmas Eve.
Snow drifted softly in the air, like tiny white butterflies.
Below, the city lights glittered. Above, rare stars shimmered in the clear winter sky.
Shion stood at the balcony railing, hoodie pulled tight. His breath fogged the air, vanishing into the night.
The heater hummed inside… but the cold in his chest was something only he knew.
His phone buzzed. A message from Kasumi:
> "Come upstairs. I want to show you something."
Without hesitation, he moved toward the rooftop.
When he opened the door, Kasumi was already there.
Dressed in a black coat, snowflakes fell onto her hair, melting instantly. In her hand was a small thermos.
"Our houses are so close to the sky," she said with a smile.
"So I thought… maybe I could make Christmas a little special."
"In this cold?" Shion asked softly.
"Yeah. As long as it's with you."
She offered the thermos.
"Hot chocolate. Extra marshmallows."
Shion accepted. The first sip mixed warmth with the sharp chill of the night air. His gaze shifted to her. Her lips carried a soft smile… but her eyes—they trembled with nerves.
They stood side by side at the railing.
The silence wasn't empty. It was full—overflowing with things words couldn't capture.
"…Shion," Kasumi said quietly.
"Hm?"
"When I'm with you, I don't feel like explaining myself to anyone. It's like… I can just be me. No pretending."
Shion kept his calm gaze on her. In his eyes, an unreadable softness lingered.
Kasumi drew in a deep breath, then looked straight into his eyes.
"I love you."
The snow seemed to slow, as if time itself had paused.
Her voice shook, but it was honest.
"Maybe you already knew. Maybe you didn't. Maybe you're not ready. Maybe you'll even reject me… but—"
"I knew," Shion interrupted softly.
Kasumi's eyes widened. "…You knew?"
"Yes. But I thought… I wasn't worthy of that love."
Her eyes shimmered with sudden numb.
"You are, Shion. Worthy of every moment, every bit of happiness—of someone holding your hand, asking nothing in return."
Shion's gaze drifted past the falling snow, searching for something far away. Then, slowly, he extended his hand toward her.
"Then… I want to say it too. I love you too. I may never have the words you deserve… but without you, my life would feel incomplete."
Kasumi gripped his hand tightly. Her lips trembled into a smile.
They moved closer. Kasumi wrapped her arms around him. Shion's first instinct was to step back—but he stopped himself. Slowly, he returned the embrace.
This cold… it isn't reaching me anymore. Maybe this time, someone else's warmth has finally entered me, he thought.
---
Later, in front of their apartments.
The hallway was quiet. Shion still held the thermos, its surface cold now. He pressed the doorbell once.
Kasumi opened the door, surprised.
"You left this with me," he said simply, holding it out.
Kasumi blinked, then smiled softly. "Oh… thanks."
He gave a small nod, turned, and walked back toward door — the silence between them calm, yet warm.
He turned to leave—
"Shion, wait."
He looked back. Kasumi stepped forward... kasumi placed hand behind his head… and kissed him softly on the lips.
Shion closed his eyes. His heartbeat steadied, as if not had always been natural.
"…I'll go now," he whispered.
"Okay…" Kasumi whispered, watching his back as he walked away.
---
That night, Kasumi collapsed onto her bed. Her cheeks glowed red, heart racing. Containing her smile was impossible.
---
Morning sunlight sparkled over fresh snow. The air was still sharp, but the sky was clear.
Shion locked his apartment door, casual winter jacket on. Just as he turned, Kasumi stepped out of her own door.
"Good morning," she said with a shy smile.
"Good morning," Shion replied calmly.
For a moment, they simply stood there. Not awkward—just a silence that felt different from the night before.
"Did you have breakfast?" Kasumi asked softly.
"No."
"Me neither. Shall we?"
He gave a small nod.
Side by side, they walked down the snowy path, footsteps crunching in unison.
---
Inside the café, warmth wrapped around them. Kasumi chose the window seat; Shion sat opposite. Quietly, they ordered coffee.
"Shion…" Kasumi's tone grew serious.
"Are you… getting enough space? Being with me all the time, I mean."
"What do you mean? And why ask today?"
"I just… feel like I'm bothering you. You don't talk much, you like being on your own… so maybe I'm forcing myself on you."
"No, Kasumi. You're not bothering me."
The waiter set cups on the table. Kasumi picked hers up. Her fingers shook slightly. Shion noticed.
"You're still nervous?"
"…Yeah. Because now, we're… not the same as before, right?"
"Not the same," he answered softly.
A small smile tugged at her lips. They sipped their coffee quietly, snow falling outside the window. The gap between them didn't feel like a gap anymore—they leaned forward as they spoke, closer than before, naturally so.
When they left the café, Kasumi's scarf slipped loose. Without a word, Shion stepped forward and fixed it for her.
"…So now you just do things like that on your own?" she teased softly.
"Maybe I'm learning."
Kasumi's cheeks flushed as she smiled. They continued walking. In the cold air, their breaths mingled together.
"I don't know when love came... But now… every morning, every snowfall, walking with him feels normal." Kasumi thought.
---Chapter 24 end---