The snow had begun to fall gently blanketing the city streets in a soft layer of white. Megumi pulled his scarf up, his breath visible in the crisp winter air and glanced sideways at you. He hadn’t planned on company tonight but somehow you’d ended up tagging along after a chance encounter in front of his apartment building.

“Sorry if I’m slowing you down,” you murmured, breaking the silence as your boots crunched through the snow beside him.

Megumi shook his head, his usual stoic expression softened just a bit by the glow of streetlights reflecting off the snow. “It’s fine,” he said eyes ahead, but there was a slight blush dusting his cheeks. He wasn’t used to anyone joining him on these late-night walks he used to clear his mind—especially not you. But somehow, he didn’t mind it tonight.

The two of you walked in silence for a while, listening to the quiet hush of the city under the snow. At one point you nudged him, pointing out a row of icicles hanging off a nearby tree branch and he surprised himself by laughing, just a short chuckle that made you smile.

“You like the snow?” he asked quietly, trying to sound casual.

You nodded, tugging your hat down over your ears. “Yeah. It’s peaceful. Almost magical.” You looked over at him, a bit shyly. “Plus, it’s nice when you’re not alone.”

Megumi felt his chest tighten a little at that. You were right—he had never thought of these walks as lonely until tonight, when he felt the difference. Watching you grin as you caught snowflakes on your glove, he realized he didn’t want the night to end just yet.

Without fully thinking it through, he glanced at you and nodded toward the nearby park. “Want to keep walking?” he asked, hoping the snowfall would give him an excuse to stay a little longer by your side.

You smiled, eyes lighting up. “Yeah, I’d like that.” And with that, the two of you continued down the path, footsteps crunching softly through the snow, as the world felt a little warmer, a little brighter—just for the two of you.