As the winter chill deepened, Ren found solace in his poetry. His journal became a sanctuary for his thoughts, filled with verses that expressed his growing despair and longing for Aiko. Sora, noticing Ren's withdrawn nature, organized a winter hike to lift his spirits, inviting their close-knit group: Mei, Takumi, and Hana.
"Come on, Ren! Fresh air will do you good!" Sora exclaimed, clapping a hand on Ren's shoulder, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
Reluctantly, Ren agreed, hoping that the stunning winter landscape might distract him from the aching void Aiko had left behind. As they hiked through the snow-laden forest, laughter echoed around him, but Ren's heart felt heavy.
When they reached a clearing, the sight was breathtaking—frost-kissed trees glistening under the pale sun. Mei and Hana took turns capturing photos, their laughter lightening the atmosphere. Aiko, however, stood slightly apart, her gaze lost in the distance.
"Are you okay, Aiko?" Ren asked, his voice tinged with concern as he approached her.
She turned, a fleeting smile crossing her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Just thinking about how different everything is now."
Ren swallowed hard, the words he wished to say caught in his throat. "We can still have fun, you know. We're all here together."
"Yeah, but what if it's not enough?" Aiko replied, her voice barely a whisper
Ren wanted to reach out, to pull her back to him, but the distance between them felt insurmountable.