Kinda uninspired, really short, but I thought it'd be cute.

How I miss cold weather…

Walking during a snowy morning was a guilty pleasure for Makoto - as guilty as something as that could be. Today was one of those days, light snowfall decorating the path to school and just the lightest pep in her step. Today was going to be a great day.

Then, something unbearably cold touched the nape of her neck. "Gah!"

"Ooh, that was a new one."

The perpetrator of the heinous act made himself known as none other than one Akira Kurusu. Of course. "Akira-kun…"

"Morning, Makoto!"

"...Good morning."

Akira laughed, something that only served to make her glare harder at him. "Sorry, sorry. I always wanted to do that, though."

"To me in particular, or…?"

"Now, yeah. In my dreams, I dunno."

She chuckled a little at that, loathe as she was to do so. Akira smiled - not victoriously, just simply happy that he got it out of her. "Did you eat something this morning?"

"I had coffee."

"That's no good."

"I'm pretty sure those are fighting words in a certain part of town."

"I'll take my chances. Anyway, here. I figured you'd answer the way you did."

It was uncanny, how quickly the frustration melted away! He had produced a rice ball from the depths of his school bag and handed it to her. It was still warm, something she asked him with a glance up at him. "I got it from the corner store. Had to rush out of the house this morning, so..."

"O-oh. Thank you."

"Sure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I had to return something to the library-"

"Hold it."

Makoto's hand was on Akira's hood before he could scamper off, holding him in place like a cat by its scruff. He turned to look at her with, to her surprise, a light blush; apparently being collared on one of the more busy routes to school was just a tad embarrassing.

How cute.

Still, he could be counted on to bounce back with startling alacrity. "...Did you want another rice ball?"

"What? No."

Makoto looked from the food still waiting cheekily in her hand, then to him, stuck as he was. Her cheeks turned a rosy red as she muttered, "Walk with me."

Akira blinked in surprise. Makoto could tell by the way he was squinting ever-so-slightly at her that he was trying to judge if she was serious and, if she was, whether or not to tease her about it. She briefly mused to herself that his reactions could be considered her own personal lottery just as he smiled and said, "Sure."

Without missing a beat, he fell into step next to her, the snow crunching underfoot as he fixed her with a playful pout. Apparently, the library was not very high on his list of priorities. "If you stretched my hoodie, I'm gonna be very mildly upset."

And there it was. "Oh, don't be like that, Delinquent-san."

"That's...quite the epithet."

"Mhm. And it only took one whole second of thought, now walk with me."

Makoto tore the packaging open with her teeth and held the humble rice ball in one hand, holding the other out to Akira expectantly. He smiled back after a moment and took it. They started walking without much fanfare, what with Makoto having her late breakfast and Akira simply staying quiet and sneaking looks at her every now and then.

It all felt extremely normal. Akira smiled to himself; it was something he wouldn't mind getting used to.

I have implemented a new poll on my page. Guide me, please.

Next thing I'll be focusing on is the next chapter of The Fall. I've rewritten draft upon draft and finally hit a stride that I like, so hopefully someone's looking forward to that.

Thanks for the visit. Till next time!

...I was sorely tempted to have Makoto call "Nasty-crimeboy-san" instead of something as...tame as "Delinquent-san."