Episode:2

The cold bit at Yuki’s cheeks as he walked ahead of the others, his boots crunching softly over thin ice. He clutched his bag a little tighter, ignoring Haru’s voice behind him.

“Yuki, wait up!” Haru called out. “Hey—there’s space near the middle. We could sit together.”

Yuki didn’t turn around. His gaze was fixed on the open bus door ahead. This time… he wanted to try something different.

He stepped onto the bus, warm air brushing against his face. Inside, students were already claiming seats, chatting, and stuffing snacks into side pockets. But at the back, near the window, sat one person who wasn’t talking at all.

Ren.

The transfer student. Dressed in plain layers, nothing fancy. Headphones loosely around his ears. A book open in his hands. He sat with his bag placed beside him, taking up the other half of the seat. As always, untouchable.

But still—charming.

Yuki hesitated, heart thudding in his chest. Maybe it was foolish, but… maybe he could be a little braver this time.

He walked over, pausing beside the seat.

“Is anyone sitting here?” he asked, trying to sound casual.

Ren didn’t even look up. His voice came flat, cool. “No room.”

Yuki blinked. That was it?

Before he could turn away, Haru’s voice floated up from further down the aisle.

“Yuki! There’s space here—come on, I saved you a spot!”

Yuki glanced back. Haru was waving from a middle row. His tone was light, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.

Still, Yuki turned back to Ren. His voice was softer now, almost stubborn.

“Then I’ll make room.”

He lifted Ren’s bag carefully and placed it in the luggage rack above, then sat down beside him—quietly, confidently—taking the window seat.

Ren didn’t protest. He didn’t say anything at all.

He just turned a page in his book, and for a moment, Yuki wondered if he’d done something wrong. But then—just barely—Ren’s eyes slid toward him. Just a glance. A flicker.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Subtle. Almost invisible.

But Yuki saw it.

From the row ahead, Haru sat down alone. He didn’t say anything, but his gaze lingered on the two boys at the back of the bus. His expression was unreadable—quiet, thoughtful, just a touch concerned.

Why is Yuki always clinging to that transfer student? he wondered.

He’s cold. He barely talks to anyone. Sure, his grades are amazing, but... is that really enough?

Doesn’t even dress right for winter. Always acts like the world’s not worth his time.

The bus began to roll forward, the murmur of student voices fading beneath the soft drone of tires over icy roads. Snow pressed against the windows, thick and white, making it impossible to see outside.

Yuki leaned against the glass, staring at the whiteness.

Ren still hadn’t said a word.

Feeling the silence creeping in, Yuki lifted a gloved finger and drew a small bear face on the fogged window. Two ears, a round head, little eyes, and a crooked smile. Above it, he wrote: hi.

Then he turned to Ren, smiling. “Look,” he said, lightly tapping the glass. “It’s a snow bear.”

Ren didn’t move at first. Then, slowly, he looked over.

His eyes settled on the drawing.

Only for a second.

And then he said, flatly, “Only a kid would do something like that.”

Yuki blinked.

And smiled anyway.

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