The winter break was slowly drawing to a close, and the campus had returned to its usual hustle and bustle. The snow had stopped falling, leaving behind a soft blanket of white that still clung to the trees and rooftops. Students had begun trickling back to school, shaking off the last remnants of holiday laziness, their chatter filling the air as they gathered in the halls.
Akane found herself back in the school routine, though a part of her still missed the slower pace of the holidays. The days she spent walking with Zenkichi through the winter wonderland seemed like a dream now, a memory she cherished. But, as always, life moved on, and with the new term came new challenges.
One such challenge was the upcoming school play. The drama club was buzzing with excitement as they prepared for the final performance in just a few days. Akane had been roped into helping with the set design, a job that allowed her to work closely with Zenkichi. It wasn't the first time they'd worked together, but this time felt different—there was a new energy between them, a sense of closeness that wasn't there before.
As Akane sat in the school auditorium, sketching out plans for the set, she glanced over at Zenkichi, who was busy organizing the props with a few of the other students. He looked up at her, catching her eye, and gave her a casual smile.
"Hey, Akane," he said, walking over to where she was sitting. "Got the sketch for the backdrop yet?"
Akane smiled up at him, shaking her head. "Not yet. I'm still figuring out the details. I think we need something more dramatic for the final scene."
Zenkichi nodded thoughtfully. "Drama, huh? I'm not exactly the best when it comes to the arts, but I'll trust your judgment."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Since when did you become so serious about art?"
He shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm always serious when it comes to making sure the play looks good. Can't have the audience distracted by a lame backdrop."
Akane laughed softly. "I guess you've got a point. I'll get it done. Just need some time to figure it all out."
Zenkichi leaned against the table next to her, looking down at her sketchbook. His eyes softened for a moment as he studied her, the usual teasing expression replaced with something more sincere.
"You've been working really hard lately," he said quietly. "I've noticed."
Akane blinked, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "Well, yeah. There's a lot to do, and I want it to be perfect. Plus, I want to help out the drama club."
Zenkichi's gaze lingered on her, and for a moment, the noise around them seemed to fade away. There was a weight in the air between them—something unspoken but understood. Akane felt her heart race for a brief second.
"I can tell," he said, his voice a little softer now. "You're always pushing yourself, always trying to do everything right. But you don't always have to do it alone, you know?"
Akane paused, her hand resting on the edge of the table. She met his gaze, searching his face for any hint of what he meant. There was something in his eyes, a quiet sincerity that made her heart beat faster.
"I know I don't have to do everything alone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But sometimes it just feels like I should."
Zenkichi stepped a little closer, the space between them shrinking. He reached out, gently placing a hand on the sketchbook. "If you ever need help, I'm here, Akane. You don't have to carry everything on your own."
Akane's breath caught in her throat as their eyes locked. The world around them seemed to blur, and for a moment, there was only the two of them—Zenkichi's hand on hers, the unspoken promise in his words, and the warmth that seemed to radiate between them.
Before either of them could say anything more, one of the drama club members called from across the room. "Hey, Zenkichi! We need your help with the costumes!"
Zenkichi looked up, breaking the moment. "Looks like I'm needed. We'll talk more later, okay?"
Akane nodded, her heart still racing. "Yeah. Later."
As Zenkichi walked away to join the others, Akane sat there for a moment longer, her mind spinning. She wasn't sure what that moment between them meant, but something had changed. There was a feeling in her chest that she couldn't quite explain—something between friendship and something more.
She glanced down at the sketchbook in her hands, but her thoughts were far away. Maybe, just maybe, she was beginning to understand what Zenkichi meant when he said she didn't have to do everything alone.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of rehearsals and preparations for the play. Akane focused on the work at hand, but in the back of her mind, the words Zenkichi had said kept echoing. There was a connection there—a thread between them that she wasn't sure how to unravel.
As the sun set and the school emptied out for the day, Akane found herself walking through the empty halls. She was lost in thought, still replaying the conversation with Zenkichi in her mind, when she felt a familiar presence behind her.
She turned to find Zenkichi standing there, a smile on his face.
"You heading home?" he asked.
Akane nodded, still a little surprised to see him. "Yeah. It's been a long day. You?"
Zenkichi shrugged. "Same. But before you go… I wanted to give you something."
Akane looked at him, curious. "Give me something?"
He reached into his bag and pulled out a small, wrapped box. "For all the hard work you've been putting into the play. You've been doing an awesome job, Akane."
Her heart skipped a beat as she took the box from him. It was light, and the wrapping was simple but thoughtful. She carefully peeled back the paper, revealing a small, delicate pendant in the shape of a snowflake. The intricate design shimmered in the light, the silver reflecting the soft glow of the hallway lights.
"I thought it would remind you of winter," Zenkichi said, a bit sheepishly. "You know, since you love the season so much."
Akane was speechless, her fingers brushing over the smooth surface of the pendant. It was a beautiful gift—thoughtful and personal in a way that made her heart flutter. She looked up at Zenkichi, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Zenkichi… this is really sweet. Thank you."
He smiled, his usual teasing grin returning. "I figured you could use something to remember me by."
Akane laughed softly, her heart warming at his words. "I won't forget this, I promise."
As the two of them stood there, the quiet of the hallway enveloping them, Akane couldn't help but feel that maybe this was the beginning of something new. Something unexpected, but wonderful all the same.
With a smile, Zenkichi turned to leave, but before he did, he called over his shoulder, "See you tomorrow, Akane. Don't forget about the play."
Akane watched him go, her hand still resting on the pendant. As she headed toward the exit, she felt a sense of anticipation in the air—like the first snowflake of something yet to come.