Thick grey clouds covered the once clear bright blue sky, hiding the sun that was trying desperately to shine its bright rays to the world below. Small white snowflakes fell from these gloomy-looking clouds, falling innocently to the ground, coating it with its white, watery substance. Miyuki found herself memorized by the freshly fallen snow, making it seem magical as it sparkled from the small rays that managed to break through the clouds of grey.
It truly was beautiful, despite the wind that suddenly picked up, causing a bit of a panic for the unsuspecting humans unprepared for this sudden change in the weather as the innocent-looking snowfall turned into the start of a raging, sticky, slippery snowstorm.
Mama used to love the snow.
For the first time since her mother's untimely passing, the numbness that had been encasing her soul for so many years had melted away. For a moment Miyuki could feel a familiar warmth filling up her soul. She actually felt other emotions that were not guilt, that were not that cold, suffocating nothingness.
"Hayashi-san?" She could barely hear Hikaru's voice over the crowd of elementary and junior high school students that were starting to fill up the family-owned diner and cafe as they sought out shelter from the rapidly crazy weather developing outside. Was this really the cause of that Digimon or was it something else? Could it be the monster that he was afraid of? Or… was it something much more terrifying than what he was telling? She shook her head slightly at the thought. Too many scenarios were filling her mind, bringing up more questions that she couldn't possibly answer right now. Besides, this Digimon could just be trying to psych them out. He could be working for the enemy for all they knew.
"Hayashi-san? Are you alright?" She looked at the hand that was now resting over hers, providing whatever comfort the simple gesture was able to give. "Everything will be okay. We'll figure something out, you'll see." He was much too friendly, much too nice after all the mean things she said to him the day before. She frowned as she lifted her eyes to stare into blue orbs.
Did he really mean it though? Did he really want to be her friend? He was a nice guy and all but she was nothing but an outcast. One day he too would hate her and leave her behind just like the last friend she had all those years ago… just like mother...
She froze at the very thought of her mother. A deep aching pain, a pain she was all too familiar with filled her, bringing back memories she would rather forget.
"You'd promised things would be different, papa!" Miyuki looked at her father with tearful eyes. Her two sisters sniffed behind her as they tried to comprehend what their father had just told them. It was one thing that their mother was sick and had to be hospitalized for many, many weeks now, but to move again?
"You'd promised we would not have to move again! I don't want to live with Uncle Hajime!" Uncle Hajime was not exactly a nice man. He drank quite a bit and got out of hand when he was intoxicated. There was a reason why mama never talked to her elder brother for extended periods of time.
Her father leaned against the door of the now-closed hospital room, looking more than a little torn on what to do. He had a responsibility to his kids' well-being, but also to his ill wife. Yes, he had promised to not relocate his family for the fourth time in four years, but he had also made a promise to his wife, his best friend, his other half. He would not break that promise. Not now, not ever.
The older man kneeled in front of his three girls, looking more than a little torn, crushed may be a better term to describe what he was feeling right now.
"I know, Miyuki. I know. But she is really sick right now and I do not wish to be so far away from her in her current state. She needs us to be close to her right now." The hospital was a little over five hours away from their home in Kyoto. Hajime was offering them a place to stay while his sister was in the hospital. Besides, it was closer to his job and closer to the rest of the family. "This is only temporary… just until she gets better."
"Promise?" She held out her pinky finger towards her father. "Pinky promise?"
"I promise."
"Miyuki?" Hikaru's words cut through the painful memory and drew her back to the present.
"I'm okay, Kaneko-san. Just some painful memories, that's all."
He frowned. "Do you want to talk about it? It might help."
She shook her head. Her mother's passing was still a sore subject, even after all these years. Hikaru, seeming to sense the pain, guilt and depression that still encased her heart, did not push her more on the subject. He just gave her a sad understanding smile. "It's okay. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But when you're ready just know that I'm here for you." Why? Why was he being too nice? She wanted to ask him that, but was too much of a coward to do so. So she just gave a small nod.
"I apologize for taking too long. Here are your drinks." Their waitress, a rather pretty sixteen-year-old with light brown and teal coloured hair, returned to their table with their appetizers.
"Hey, it's alright," Hikaru said to the flustered girl as she tried to not drop the plates of food that were on her small tray. Figures we get the new girl. Just perfect. "You'll get the hang of it."
"Thank you. You're so kind," the young waitress said with a smile. "I'm not used to it being so busy."
"The weather could have something to do with it," Miyuki mumbled softly, more to herself than to their waitress.
"The weather is certainly strange. At this rate, the manager might end up opening up the private dining rooms as a temporary shelter."
"That's very nice of him," Miyuki commented lightly, noticing Hikaru's small frown. "If he needs help, let me know."
The waitress nodded. "I will. Now, if you excuse me, I'll return with your food momentarily." An uncomfortable silence fell between them as the waitress disappeared beyond the noisy crowd of teens lost in their own conversations.
"Something isn't right." Miyuki turned her attention to him.
"What do you mean?" She plucked a bacon cheddar potato skin from the plate and began munching on it.
"Weather can be unpredictable at times. But not that unpredictable and especially not in the middle of summer."
Miyuki frowned. "You think this Wizarmon has something to do with this."
Hikaru shook his head. "I'm not too sure to be certain, but I don't believe so. He seemed to really want to warn us of something, but it was obvious he was holding some information back. I'm not sure if you noticed, but he kept glancing towards the alleyway nervously."
"Could he have been followed?"
"It's possible. It would explain his odd body language. Maybe we should check the place out…" He took a sip of his ice tea as he glanced at the snow. From here the snow and its delicate snowflakes as it coated the grounds of Hikarigaoka looked truly beautiful.
Miyuki smiled ruefully. She used to love gazing at the snowfall with her mother. It was an activity they'd both enjoyed… until that fateful day. Mama… do you still enjoy the snow?
It was awfully fitting that on the day she passed it had snowed just like now. Miyuki had developed a love-hate relationship with the season as it was the day the sickness had stolen her mother. But at the same time the season held one of her fondest memories.
"My Mama used to love the snow." Hikaru glanced at her, but she kept her eyes fixated on the delicate snowflakes. "We used to spend hours creating this snow castle with a market and villagers. It was so amazing."
Hikaru smiled softly, but there was a glisten of sadness in his blue eyes as he heard the sadness, longing in her voice. "Sounds like you two had lots of fun. I wish me and my sister could have been able to do something as cool as that."
"Yeah… we did…" She sighed softly. "I hope she's happy now."
"I know she is."
She glanced at him. "Why do you say that?"
"Because she'll be with one of my little sisters building snow castles and villages until we join them one day."
They fell into silence once more, but this time it was not uncomfortable. It was peaceful.
Pretty soon they began talking about the loved ones they had lost and the pain their untimely deaths left in their wake. Miyuki allowed a genuine smile to grace her lips as Hikaru talked about one of the adventures he and his younger sister had when they were younger. She had never known she could find a kinder soul that had experienced the same level of pain as she. It was almost nice to talk to someone again. But like all good things they must come to an end.
"Oh, Kaneko-kun! Kaneko-kun!" The peacefulness and somewhat privacy that they had managed to develop for the past hour was now gone as three annoying girls walked towards their table. Great. And here comes the fan club. Miyuki sometimes forgot how popular the other was. His fan club and the rest of the student body adored the leader of the kendo and basketball team for his athletic abilities and intelligence. Yet Hikaru was nothing like those jocks that tended to bully her. He was extremely modest, benevolent and considerate. A bit too nosy for her tastes, but kind nonetheless.
"Oh, isn't it so lucky to run into you here?" Rin Fujikawa, a mean, pretty blue-eyed, brunette and leader of the fan club, smiled flirtatiously at him. "For a moment I thought Kami was very upset with us."
Hikaru was oblivious to Fujikawa's advances. "It was only a matter of time before we ran into each other. I ran into several of our other classmates earlier this morning, but that was before the snow started."
"Ah, yes, it's a pity, isn't it?" Dull blue eyes shifted to the growing storm, warily. There was something off about her demeanor, something Miyuki could not place. "They might shut down the festival."
"Indeed. I was really looking forward to the magician show that was supposed to be starting in two hours. I heard the Four Horsemen were coming all the way from America."
"Well, darn, I was so looking forward to that." Sora Kita, a sweet girl with bright amber eyes and long blonde hair, said with a small pout.
"Shame, twin," Reiko Kita added with a sigh.
Miyuki let out a long, frustrated sigh. "I don't see what the deal is. They're just a bunch of con artists."
"Are you serious?" They exclaimed in sync.
"They are like the most talented American magicians I have ever seen," Sora gushed.
"Their tricks are amazing! Have you not seen any of their performances?" Reiko asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
Miyuki frowned. "No."
"What?!" The two sisters were in full-blown shock as Sora pulled out her phone.
"Wait, I think I have a video from one of their live performances." A bead of sweat appeared just above her brow as the two sisters began looking through the phone.
What did I just get myself into?
"I heard there's this new bookshop that just opened up. It's about a block away from here. We should check it out."
"Rin, I…"
Rin interrupted before Hikaru could even comment. "There's really nothing for you to do here. If the festival is closed, which is likely going to happen, those magicians won't show." Fujikawa leaned in closer to Hikaru, a bit too close. She frowned, noticing Hikaru's eyes widening just a bit as he nervously leaned away from the other girl, trying to put a bit of distance between them. Her huge breasts were mere inches from his pale face, her face rather seductive and unnerving. Something was not right.
"And after that, we can go to my parent's pastry store. They are making a delicious cake for today's festival. They are not going to have much business because of the snow, but we could always share it. What do you say?" Miyuki's right eye twitched upon seeing Hikaru's nervous posture and the quick glance he sent her way.
Shit was going to hit the fan. Ignoring the twins, for now, she glared coldly at Fujikawa. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but me and Kaneko-san already have plans."
