April. The campus of Saiun High School was bathed in the warm sunlight of spring and an endlessly clear blue sky. The wind stroking the cheeks still held a slight chill, but even that felt pleasant. Amidst such weather, the entrance ceremony was held.

Eventually, as the ceremony ended, the students formed lines in order, returning to their classrooms accompanied by a buzz of excitement.

Without slowing his pace, Yukiji suddenly cast his gaze toward the scenery spreading beyond the window. The double-flowered cherry blossoms in full bloom swayed happily whenever the wind blew, their pale pink petals falling as they filtered the sunlight. At that sight, his cheeks relaxed involuntarily.

However, at the moment a particularly strong gust blew through and the cherry blossom petals danced wildly—behind the vision dyed in white, the scene of that winter peeked through for just a single instant.

The scent of cold air, the sensation of frozen fingertips, something that never became a voice. Yukiji shook his head slightly as if to distract himself, let out a small breath, and then turned his face toward Guest walking beside him.