Souvenirs

Ever since the second-years returned from Hokkaido, life had suddenly felt busier.

The excitement of the Educational Trip had not quite worn off when the school announced the exams to every class.

Winter break was only three weeks away, but before that came the final exam that would determine the semester's Points rankings.

None of the second-years dared treat the remaining time like a vacation.

After five days away, everyone had missed lessons and revision to catch up on. On their first day back, even the noise in the hallways was quieter than usual.

The morning air outside the Teaching Building was crisp.

A little snow had fallen overnight, and it had not completely melted from the path.

Students were already gathering in twos and threes by the entrance, all there to study before morning class.

Kazehara Tetsu walked toward the Teaching Building. He had not gotten up late, but he was in no hurry, as if he had yet to readjust from his five days in Hokkaido.

As he reached the small flagstone square by the entrance, someone stepped out from behind a tree and stopped right in front of him.

"Well, look who it is..."

The drawn-out greeting carried a deliberately exaggerated note of surprise.

Amasawa Ichika.

She wore her usual School Uniform Jacket, one hand tucked into a pocket while the other rose to wave at him.

The familiar look on her face made it obvious she had been waiting there.

Kazehara Tetsu stopped and glanced at her.

"Why are you always lying in wait for me?"

"Oh, don't call it that."

Amasawa Ichika lowered her hand and shook her head, sounding utterly innocent. "You're exaggerating. I just happened to be passing by, and we happened to run into each other."

"Really... What a coincidence."

"Isn't it?"