For their first anniversary, Yachi and Ennoshita chose to go to the mountains. A wonderful weekend was ahead, full of snow, good meals, hiking and skiing. When they arrived at the chalet they had booked, they lost no time and dropped their bags in order to attempt to the next hiking group.
Unfortunately, during the short moment where they were getting ready, the others had left. The receptionist indicated to them that they were not too late and that if they followed the track, they would join them in a matter of minutes. Hurrying outside, the couple did as she said.
They were wandering away even more as each second passed. No other tourists were on sight. Hitoka started to worry but Chikara reassured her, the group couldn't be that far now.
Things went downhill from here.
It was cold already but the wind was now blowing in sharps gusts, making the both of them shiver.
"- Chika ?" the young woman called as the aforementioned stopped suddenly.
No answer came. She bypassed him and studied his face. His nose was red when his cheeks were livid. That couldn't be a good sign.
"- We're lost, aren't we ?
- Looks like it. the man finally confessed. I'm sorry, it's my fault.
- No, it's fine really ! I'm gonna call the emergencies and..."
The blond shut her mouth, as she checked her phone. No signal. Lifting horrified eyes to her boyfriend, she asked him to put his own phone out. No battery. Things were getting critical.
"- We just… We just have to turn back on our steps, right ? the younger tried to reason. We can do that.
- Yeah, we can."
The former captain was smiling, his lips cracking. His lover tried to not pay attention to it, but she couldn't help it. She noticed how he didn't take his beanie, his gloves or a scarf. They were gone for an hour, the weren't that far from the chalet. Everything will be fine.
It didn't go well. After another hour of walking, it snowed. It wasn't some powder, the flakes were thick and heavy as the fell on them. Their tracks were soon nowhere to be seen. The night would not wait to fall too. And Ennoshita… Ennoshita was frozen. His hands were digging into his pockets in hope to keep them from the frost bite, but that did a little nothing. His ears and nose was turning purple, his lips were blue and Yachi could see him shaking. He was slowing behind her.
"- You're okay ?" she asked for the tenth time in two minutes.
He didn't respond at first.
"- I'm cold… So cold, mom…"
A strangled noise escaped her at the nickname.
"- I think… I think I'm gonna sleep for a while.
- No ! No you can't Chika ! We're almost here !"
But as she quickly joined her boyfriend, he was already lying on the white carpet.
"- No, stand up ! You have to, please !"
No response, again. Ennoshita's skin was so pale, he looked so peaceful… Like an angel.