Back to routine,but not quite the same.

The snow had returned overnight, blanketing the streets in fresh white. School gates stood open again, the start of the new term humming quietly beneath thick scarves and visible breath. Emi stepped carefully through the slush, her bag slung over one shoulder, her fingers tucked into her coat sleeves.

Ahead, the familiar figure of Axel waited near the entrance, shoulders hunched slightly against the cold, steam rising from his breath.

"Still cold, huh?" he said casually, not turning around.

Emi caught up beside him, brushing snow from her hair. "Still not wearing gloves?"

He gave a low grunt, half amused. "Gloves are for people with matching pairs."

She chuckled under her breath. "Maybe ask Santa next year."

Axel chuckled and shrugs, blowing into his hands.

"Gloves make it harder to grab convenience store sandwiches," he says, feigning logic.

Emi snorts, tucking her scarf tighter around her neck.

"So you're choosing hypothermia over lunch prep."

They walk in step along the path dusted in fresh snow. The occasional crunch underfoot is the only interruption to the quiet. Banners for the New Year still flutter faintly from streetlamps, and the bakery they pass has little steamed-up windows, a sign in the window reading Mochi Set Available Now.

"I feel like we never really left," Emi says.

"Feels the same, huh?"

"Not really," she replies after a moment. "It's just... something's different. Can't tell what yet."

Axel doesn't say anything, but the flicker of a glance in her direction speaks volumes.

The small exchange felt ordinary, but it warmed more than her hands. They fell into step together as students streamed in around them. Inside, the school corridors buzzed with soft energy,old posters curled on the walls, announcements about upcoming tests half-ignored. Everything felt familiar, yet slightly tilted.

Back in class, the desks were as they left them, but something had shifted. Emi sat down, glancing toward Axel who plopped into his seat near the window, tugging at his jacket collar. The light from outside reflected in his hair, and she quickly turned away when he glanced in her direction.

The door slid open, and in walked Megumi back from the break, voice just a little louder than usual.

"Good morning, everyone! Miss me?" she asked with a grin, brushing off her coat with a flourish.

Emi raised an eyebrow. Megumi was always cheerful, but this version came with extra sparkle.

"Guess who finally saw snow for the first time in Kyoto? Me. And guess who got stuck in it because she forgot her boots? Also me," Megumi said, plopping into her chair and swinging it around to face Emi.

"So?" Megumi added, lowering her voice. "Did anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

Emi looked away. "Define interesting."

Megumi's eyes sparkled. "Something snowy. Something sunrise-y. Something... Axel-y?"

Before Emi could retaliate, the door slid again.

Regi walked in.

The new guy, the one who'd joined just before winter break. Tall, a little too confident, hair always perfectly messy. He moved through the room like he'd been there forever.

"Morning!" he said cheerfully, and waved at no one in particular before sliding into the seat across from Axel.

"Yo, Axel. How's the world's most forgetful thermos owner doing today?"

Axel blinked at him, suspicious. "You remember that?"

"Of course," Regi grinned. "You left it behind at the bonfire spot. I was the one who picked it up. Pretty sure I deserve hot cocoa for that."

Axel scoffed. "You drank it, didn't you."

"Well, it was getting cold. And I did save it from freezing solid," Regi said with mock indignation.

Emi had been listening, trying not to laugh. That was until Regi suddenly turned to her.

"Oh, and Emi," he said brightly. "You were really cute when you got mad at Axel during that snowball fight. Just saying."

She blinked, flushing. "I... I wasn't mad."

Regi tilted his head. "No? Looked like it when you called him a 'frozen rice cracker.'"

Axel made a choking noise behind her.

Megumi leaned in from behind, smirking. "Aw, Emi. Cute and spicy."

Emi slumped in her seat, groaning.

It was funny, how silence could reset things. A few days off, a few nights spent under heavy quilts and clearer skies, and suddenly, conversations felt easier again,like a fire had been quietly rekindled in a corner of the school.

The corridors weren't as loud as usual. Maybe it was the snow outside muffling everything, or maybe everyone was just easing back into their own rhythm. Even the vending machines gave their low hum like they were still waking up.

Axel leaned on the railing by the stairwell, half-watching a group of underclassmen stack snowballs near the garden. A paper plane sailed past his head. He didn't even flinch.

"You're more alive today," a voice said behind him.

He turned slightly. Emi.

"Maybe I'm defrosting."

She chuckled and walked past him, the sound of her shoes fading before he followed her to lunch.

The day moved on, and after classes ended, most students made a beeline for the gates. The sky had already begun dimming, soft lavender blending with drifting snowflakes.

Emi, still flustered, found herself walking without aim until her feet took her to the familiar warmth .The day dragged in the way only winter afternoons could .slow, golden, and oddly soft around the edges. By the time the last bell rang, students moved like they were underwater, clutching scarves and murmuring plans for cram sessions or café detours.

Emi lingered at her locker, rearranging books she didn't need. She caught a glimpse of herself in the reflection of the nearby window. The hallway lights framed her faintly, almost like a memory trying to take shape.

Someone had written welcome back on the chalkboard in pink marker earlier that morning. She'd ignored it then, but now it felt almost too appropriate.

"You're spacing out," Emi said, nudging her shoulder as she passed.

Emi blinked and smiled faintly. "Just… thinking."

"Dangerous habit," Emi said. "Come on. It's freezing out. Don't make me wait."

Emy hesitated for a moment before slinging her bag over her shoulder. Since it was already twilights because of her library duty she didn't usually like the walk home this late . But today, the sky was soft grey and the bakery lights ahead promised something warmer.

The bell chimed as she stepped in, greeted by golden lights and the scent of fresh bread. Yuika-san looked up from behind the counter, flour dusting her apron.

"Welcome home," she said with a smile that made Emi's shoulders relax.

Emi removed her scarf slowly. "I didn't mean to,uh, I just wandered in."

Yuika-san poured her some warm tea without asking. "You always wander in when your heart's noisy."

Emi took the cup, holding it close to her face.

There was a long pause.

Yuika-san finally leaned on the counter, her tone gentle. "It's okay to take your time, Emi. Just don't take too long."

Emi blinked. "Too long?"

Her mom's eyes were kind, but knowing. "Sometimes, if you wait too long to figure out how you feel... someone else might get ahead."

Outside, the snow continued to fall. Inside, the warmth wrapped around her like a memory she didn't know she needed.

Back to routine but not quite the same.