Time passed, and it was still snowing... gently, softly, covering the whole town in a calm, serene white.
It was recess.
Sera and Rei were walking back to class from the cafeteria, with Souta and Sia trailing behind them, while Haruta walked slightly ahead.
As they were heading back, voices drifted toward them — harsh, ugly words cutting through the peaceful air.
Chris and his friends were huddled together, talking loudly.
"What does she even think of herself?!" Chris sneered.
"Yeah, how could she turn you down?!" his friends chimed in, just as bitter.
"That bitch, Sera," Chris spat, his voice full of venom.
Sera flinched slightly, her eyes shimmering with hurt.
"Let them be... there's nothing we can do about it," she whispered, forcing a small smile — but Rei caught it.
He saw the way her hands trembled a little.
He saw the way her eyes watered, even if she tried to hide it.
Haruta stepped forward, his voice dangerously calm, a serious smile playing on his lips.
"What are you talking about?"
Chris scoffed. "Oh, Haruta, if you hadn't stepped in, I would've punched that bitch already."
Before Haruta could even move, Rei stepped forward — standing right in front of Chris, leaning in just a little, his expression unreadable except for the small, icy smile on his lips.
"Just try to touch her," Rei said, his voice low and sharp.
And then he walked away without looking back.
Haruta shot Chris a final, cold glance before following Rei.
Chris and his friends stood frozen, not daring to say a word.
Sera's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she looked at Rei's back. She bit her lip and said quietly,
"You guys didn't really have to do all that..."
Haruta shrugged casually.
"As the class representative, it's my duty to make sure no one gets bullied. Badmouthing counts too."
Rei just looked at her, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Uh... I couldn't help it."
Sera smiled teasingly, tilting her head.
"Yeah, yeah, you were just trying to look cool, weren't you?"
"SERA — THAT'S NOT TRUE!!" Rei blurted out, his face turning red.
"AND AS YOUR BOYFRIEND, IT'S MY DUTY TO PROTECT YOU!"
Sia practically exploded with excitement.
"YOU GUYS ARE DATING?!!"
Sera laughed, her face glowing with happiness.
"Yeah..." she said shyly, hiding her face a little.
"Who confessed first?" Haruta asked, surprisingly curious.
Souta grinned and nudged him.
"Whoa, someone's being way more talkative than usual."
Haruta just shrugged.
"Just curious."
Sera's face turned a deeper shade of red as she mumbled,
"I did..."
Rei looked just as red, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
But the smile on his face — and on everyone's — was pure, warm, and real.
Outside, the snow kept falling.
Soft, gentle, beautiful — just like this moment.
-- to be continued
--~Rei