As winter settled in once more, Ren felt a sense of acceptance. The ache for Aiko remained, but it was now a quiet presence, a bittersweet echo that no longer held him captive. He poured himself into his poetry and began considering where he might travel, inspired by Mei's suggestion months before.
One snowy morning, Ren ventured to the bookstore, browsing the travel section once more. As he skimmed through a guide on mountain villages, a new idea sparked within him—a solo trip to a remote area where he could immerse himself in nature and find clarity.
Mei and Sora supported his decision wholeheartedly. "It'll be good for you," Mei said, her eyes gleaming with encouragement. "A chance to see life from a new perspective."
Ren nodded, his heart light with anticipation. The trip was not just about escape, but a chance to find himself in the beauty of solitude, a way to rediscover who he was beyond his love for Aiko