Hourglass [Quintessential Quintuplets]

Chapter 1 - White Memory

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬

[ 𝐒𝐢𝐱 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 ]

Third Person POV:

As the sun sank below the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over the snowy streets of Tokyo, three figures strolled down the bustling sidewalk, each cradling a cup of steaming coffee. The evening chill sharpened the air, turning their breath into pale mist.

"I really love winter. Doesn't it make you feel alive?" Boy said, his golden hair catching the last rays of daylight. He took a slow sip of his coffee, the warmth spreading through his hands. "It's like everything is sharper—clearer."

"Alive? More like frozen. I'm not even sure why I let you drag me out here, Asuka. Exams are around the corner, you know." Other boy glanced at his phone, the calendar app open and filled with reminders of upcoming deadlines. ''...''

"Come on, Fuutarou, loosen up." Asuka took another sip from his coffee, with a grin as bright as the twinkle of holiday lights strung up along the street. "We don't get many chances to enjoy holidays like this. Even you need a break sometimes."

Asuka Shoji, a first-year student at Asahiyama High. Though their school term now nearing its end, and second year is just days ahead.

Uesugi Fuutarou, A student who is really concerned about his academics and notes. Had it not been for Asuka's insistence, he would have spent this evening at home, revising formulas and spending with his younger sister. Asuka and Fuutarou have been great friends since elementary school. In their childhood, usually Asuka was the troublemaker due his energetic and hyper-personality, with Fuutarou constantly trying to fix the mess— They had such a relationship.

"Well, unlike some people!" Fuutarou muttered, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "I actually care about my grades. Although... I'll admit I haven't seen you fail a class yet."

Asuka's grin spread wide across his face, his voice instantly taking on a teasing lilt. "Oh? Big words coming from the guy who copied me by dyeing his hair blonde. Teehee~!"

''...I thought it was cool back then! But it never fit me in the same way it did you. Isn't your face the reason you're so popular at school? What was the term in that Otome games. Ikemen?''

"Wouldn't phrase it quite like that, Fuutarou." Asuka sighed, brushing an invisible speck off his coat as if his looks were no big deal. "I'm just a regular guy leading a regular high school life. You're blowing this way out of proportion."

Fuutarou raised a disbelieving brow. "Regular? Nineteen girls asked you out last week, Asuka. NINETEEN. That's anything BUT regular!"

"Ah, the sweet, sweet scent of jealousy."