Time passes through the cold season forming in my heart
A cruel wind is hanging around my fingertips
The promise that couldn't be fulfilled
Saying goodbye in just one word
A random reunion without any promises
In this endless time
We painfully walk...
The sound of iron heels pounding the cobblestones reverberated through the narrow passageway. The scream had the ability to send goosebumps and chills, and those sensations lingered, wandering around long after the sound had faded away. Eventually, the scream died down, and now the empty, black alley is filled with a cold, profound silence.
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The frosted blade now beamed a crimson smile that trickled to the floor everywhere it brushed.
Dead ends are made for dead people.
✲'*。.❄¨¯'*✲。❄。*。¨¯'*✲
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A pleasant melody emanates from a bamboo pipe. Even when played by a person who appeared to be cold-hearted, the flute was a remarkable musical instrument capable of evoking intense emotions. With his flute in hand, Riei sat by his sleeping sister's side. He's made it a habit to play a tune on his flute every morning to accompany his sister.
He remembered how much his sister adored listening to traditional music, especially when their grandmother came to visit and played a simple shamisen tune. This is why during his time in Tono, he took it upon himself to learn how to play a flute. It served as a means of connecting the two of them while ensuring that he remained sane over the years of extensive training. Now, this bamboo flute was his source of light.... No matter how quiet or how boisterous the environment, his flute always finds a way to connect with his heart and express his true feelings.
"Riei, that was really wonderful!" Tsurara clapped as she walked into the room.
"I'm sure you're happy being with your brother again like this..." Tsurara patted her daughter's hair, a sorrowful smile on her face.
"Mother... "
"Oh, that's right! I have a surprise for you, Riei! You're going to love it!" His mother chimed in at his side.
Riei was perplexed as to what his mother was talking about, but as the piece of paper was unravelled in front of his eyes, he couldn't help but notice the corner of his eye twitch.
"What... is... that?"
"It's a kendo tournament! It will start in a few days! I registered you under the Awarashi family dojo. " Tsurara's face lit up with excitement.
Riei could only give his mother a blank stare before turning away. He couldn't fathom why his mother believed it was a good idea for him to participate in any human-related activities.
"Sorry, but I'll pass. Mother, you know I can't stand being around humans. "
"But—Riei! This will be a fantastic opportunity for you to learn about what it's like to be a boy! " She tried to persuade her son to change his mind.
"Am I not living my life as a boy, though?"
"That's not the point! Being in school, learning new things, and having friends, you're missing out on a lot of things in this life. I just... wanted to let you feel what it's like to be a normal boy. " Riei's heart ached as he watched the sadness on Tsurara's face. Seeing his mother sad after all of the years of suffering was too much for him to bear.
'I'm sorry, I reached the point of no return a long time ago, mother.'
Tsurara, on the other hand, had something else in mind when her gaze fell on his solemn son's face.
-Flashback'-
"Kendo?"
It came as quite a surprise to Rikuo when his wife made that suggestion.
"That's right! Ever since coming back from Tono, Riei always spends his time in the Dojou. He even won a match against Gyuuki-sama the other day." Tsurara beamed with delight at her son's accomplishment.
"I'm pretty sure he enjoys the way of swords!"
"That's why, maybe by making him participate a kendo tournament, he can finally open up to the human way." Her bright eyes lose their lustre as she remembers her son's indifferent demeanour towards humans.
"I'd like for him to make some new friends... Perhaps he'll find someone who can melt the ice from his soul." Tsurara was smiling, but it was a wistful smile.
As Rikuo observed the sombre expression that his wife wore, he started to think about the competition.
'Ever since the Frost killings began, everyone was restless... I need to verify at least one thing. Rikuo pondered.
"Go ahead, Tsurara."
Tsurara gave her husband a perplexed glance.
"If you persuade him a little, I'm sure he'll agree to it." The snow woman's expression lightened at the sound of that.
-End of Flashback-
In spite of his icy demeanour among the rest of the clan, he couldn't bring himself to be distant from his mother. Riei's eyes were transfixed on the poster in his hands.
'The venue is the Budokan in Chiyoda, Tokyo.'
He wondered. Would there be another murder happening if he went there?
There's only one way to find out.
"I'll consider it." The moment Riei spoke, his mother's expression lifted.
"Really?! That's great! I have to tell your dad right away." With that, his mother was already gone from sight, leaving him with the piece of paper in his hands.
