The Last Night

Once they reached level ground, the stone path leading to the inn's courtyard lay right before them.

A fresh layer of snow had accumulated in the courtyard as well. Warm yellow lights shone from the inn's windows, with moving silhouettes visible behind the glass and faint laughter drifting over from the entrance.

The wind pouring in through the entrance was much weaker than it had been on the platform.

After only a few steps, the itch in Shiraishi Asuka's throat surged up again. She coughed more violently than before, one cough after another, impossible to suppress, until even her shoulders trembled.

Kazehara Tetsu stopped.

He turned around and watched her bend over, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth. His brow furrowed even tighter.

"Where's your medicine?"

"Huh?" Shiraishi Asuka caught her breath after coughing and raised her head.

"Cold medicine. Did you bring any?"

Shiraishi Asuka shook her head.

"Who brings that on an Educational Trip? I thought I could just tough out something this minor."

Kazehara Tetsu said nothing.

He stood there and watched her for a while, then turned and headed toward the inn's main entrance.

Shiraishi Asuka followed behind him. She had no idea what he intended to do, so she could only follow.

The moment they entered the inn, warm air rushed over them, instantly driving away most of the chill from the snow on their bodies.

People came and went through the Lobby, but no one paid attention to them.

Kazehara Tetsu walked straight to the three Vending Machines in the corner of the Lobby and stopped.

He lowered his head to inspect their contents.

Naturally, the drink machine had no cold medicine.

The snack machine beside it did have several rows of small throat lozenges. Their packaging was plain, and they