The snow was falling slow, soft and soundless, like the world was holding its breath. You stood outside with Sugawara, bundled in scarves and laughter, your cheeks pink from the cold and your breath puffing out in clouds between you.

He’d insisted on walking you home, even though the streets were nearly empty and the flakes clung to his lashes like glitter. The way he looked at you beneath the streetlight, warm brown eyes crinkling with something unspoken—it made your chest ache in the gentlest way.

“I don’t think I’ve ever liked winter this much,” he said, voice soft, like the hush of snow on pavement. “Or... maybe it’s just tonight.”

You looked up at him, puzzled, until he reached out, gloved fingers brushing yours, shy and tentative.

“It’s always been easy to smile around you. Laugh. Breathe.” He let out a quiet chuckle, nervous and warm. “But tonight I realized it’s more than that.”

Your heart skipped, caught in the moment, the snowfall, the way his breath curled in the cold.

“I’m in love with you,” he said, plain and honest like the snow itself. No drama, no grand flourish—just truth.

And somehow, under the snow and the stars and his steady gaze, you knew your world had just changed... in the most beautiful way.