The Snow Has Begun to Fall

Three months had passed since Seiya's battle with Kiganjō.

The seasons shifted. Autumn turned to winter.

The old New Year's festival had just ended, marking the beginning of a new cycle.

With the scent of fireworks still lingering in the air, Seiya leaned against the outer wall of the Shin'ō Spirit Arts Academy, rubbing his hands together to stave off the cold.

Even in the Soul Society, winter was harsh. The wind cut like knives, and the skies often remained gloomy once the season settled in.

"Ah-choo!"

Seiya sneezed, then rubbed his face, only to find that his nose was starting to feel numb.

This weather is brutal.

"Ah! I'm so sorry for making you wait!"

From behind him came Isane Kotetsu's voice. Seiya turned slightly to see her leaning against the wall, panting and out of breath, her short hair clinging to her forehead. She looked exhausted.

"No worries. I just got here."

Although Seiya had been waiting for over thirty minutes, there wasn't a hint of complaint in his voice.

He couldn't bring himself to be upset—especially since Isane had clearly taken the time to dress up before heading out.

Normally, she wore no makeup and kept things simple, but today her look was carefully put together and unusually refined.

"Um…"

Wrapped in a scarf, Isane shyly averted her gaze.

"Do I… look weird?"

Back home, her sister Kiyone had insisted on giving her a makeover before she left.

She'd applied foundation, perfume, and all sorts of cosmetics to enhance her appearance.

Kiyone had claimed it would make her skin look soft and smooth like a boiled egg… but to Isane, it felt sticky and uncomfortable.

She'd always thought that kind of elaborate preparation was reserved for weddings, not casual outings.

It didn't feel like her.

And now, Seiya's gaze was fixed on her.

If looks could burn, Isane felt like she would've melted under his stare.

"Ahhh… please don't keep staring like that!"

Seiya's smile widened.

"Of course not. You look adorable."

He gently reached out and tapped the earrings she was wearing—ones he had given her as a gift.

Seeing her wear them made him happy.

It meant his taste wasn't entirely off the mark.

Hearing his compliment, Isane visibly relaxed. The tension in her shoulders eased, and her hands lowered from where they had been nervously clasped in front of her chest.

So easy to read, Seiya thought with amusement.

But seeing her like that stirred his playful side.

"Still…" he teased, "if I'm being honest, I think I prefer how you usually look. The everyday Isane is even cuter."

Like a startled cat, Isane immediately bristled.

Her body stiffened, her eyebrows knitted together, and her expression turned woefully hurt.

"Ah!"

Her eyes reddened with frustration.

"That's too much! I spent all this time getting ready, and you say that?!"

Realizing his joke had gone too far, Seiya quickly apologized and tried to soothe her.

Navigating social interactions had never been his strong suit, but thankfully, Isane's fondness for him made up for his occasional missteps.

After wandering for a while, the two eventually arrived at a dessert café—a cozy, modern establishment nestled near the academy.

Despite the timeless nature of the Soul Society, contemporary-style places like this had started to pop up more frequently.

The café was well-known among students for its cozy atmosphere and decadent sweets.

As they flipped through the menu, Isane's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Whoa…"

She nearly buried her face in the pages, captivated by the colorful photos of cakes, parfaits, and other treats.

Still, her inner discipline kicked in.

Isane was strict about her diet, and she couldn't allow herself to indulge too freely.

"I-I'll just have a black coffee," she stammered, tearing her gaze away from the desserts with visible struggle.

Her hands trembled slightly, and her eyes even grew a little misty from the effort of resisting temptation.

The server gave her an awkward smile, clearly feeling secondhand embarrassment at her dilemma.

Seiya shook his head with a soft chuckle.

"Excuse me," he said to the server, "we'll take two of everything—strawberry shortcake, cream parfaits, chocolate sundaes. Bring them all."

"W-Wait!" Isane panicked.

"Don't worry. It's my treat."

Since Seiya had started working more closely with Aizen, he no longer struggled with money.

His "employee benefits" often included generous bonuses, and he'd long since quit his part-time job at the academy.

"That's not the point!"

Isane pouted, visibly flustered.

Her strict self-discipline wasn't for nothing. She had carefully controlled her meals, trying to prevent any unnecessary weight gain.

Especially since, three days ago, she had confirmed something that deeply troubled her:

She'd officially passed the 185 cm (6'1") mark.

If she grew any taller, she'd become an even bigger spectacle among her peers.

Seiya could see the anxiety in her expression, but he waved dismissively at the server.

"That'll be all for now, thanks."

The server nodded.

"Of course. Please wait a moment."

Turning back to Isane, Seiya offered a reassuring smile.

"You don't need to worry so much about that. You're about to start your internship with the Fourth Division, right? They're a serious bunch. No one there is going to care about your height or figure."

Isane had already secured a position in the Fourth Division after graduation. Captain Unohana herself had approved the arrangement, meaning everything was set in stone.

All she had to do now was wait for the formalities to be completed before officially joining the squad.

"Yeah… you're right. But still…"

Isane hung her head, nervously twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

"I'm afraid I'll gain weight… and people will laugh at me."

Seiya rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the café's large window.

Outside, snow began to fall.

He spoke softly, almost absentmindedly.

"If that's what you're worried about…"

"…you could just marry me."

"…What?"

Isane's face turned bright red.

Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something, but all that came out was a muffled squeak as she clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle a scream.

Marry?! Did he just say… marry?!

Isane's mind spiraled into chaos.

Seeing her reaction, Seiya returned his gaze to her, his expression calm and serious.

"What's wrong? You don't want to?"

Refusing would've been easy.

She could've laughed it off, called it a joke, or simply changed the subject.

But the words wouldn't come.

Instead, she sat there, her lips pressed tightly together, her hands trembling in her lap.

After what felt like an eternity, Isane finally whispered, her voice barely audible:

"At… at least say something like that… in a more formal setting."

Seiya chuckled.

"Got it. So next time, I'll make it more serious, yeah?"

His playful tone made Isane's temper flare.

A small vein bulged on her forehead as her frustration boiled over.

"You idiot!"

"Ah, sorry, sorry! But your reactions are too funny… wait, hold on! You're really going to hit me? Here? In public? Wa—"

Smack!

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Powerstones?

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