The cold winter air bit at his nose. Everything was so cold. Not like how it had been when she was with him. His heart still ached when he thought about her. Now, the pain was dull, like when an old wound opened again.
The sound of footsteps rang through the silence. Without looking, he could tell who it was.
"It's already been a whole year, hasn't it?" the girl with honey-colored hair stood next to him.
"Yeah." He mumbled. She looked at the sky with misty eyes.
"Maybe what happened was for the best." He said. A tear streamed down her face.
"She's gone. Her, Kaname-senpai, and everyone." She mumbled to herself.
"Why did she leave you behind?" her tears broke out. Why? Why was this girl crying for someone like him?
"Why did she hurt you like that? Why couldn't she take you with her? You may not have been absolutely happy, but at least-"she sniffled.
"At least you'd have each other." Without thinking, he reached his hand out to wipe her tears.
"Don't cry." He said softly. She looked up at him with wide eyes. He smiled at her.
"It doesn't hurt as much knowing that at least someone out there cares about how I feel." He tucked her hair behind her ear.
He took her hand without hesitation. She took his as well. They laced their fingers together as they made their way back to the academy. Both of them somehow knew that there would be a day that "they" would become "us". A day where Yuki wouldn't be the only girl dear to his heart. A day where they'd be able to smile lovingly at each other.
And seemingly, it didn't feel so far away.