Stand Up and Walk

The World on My Shoulders

"Can't focus; my body is still puzzled about what to do. I'm trembling; I can't stop even if I try to control myself. Although neither sun nor moon are on my side, I've got no choice but to try... Those were the words I muttered to myself. The odds aren't on my side, but running away would be weakness. Even if I can't see the future, I'll just have to win it over with courage. I need to keep distance from the targets as I hold myself back. All that's needed for victory is pride to win! Will we celebrate with the wine of victory? Or will we end up kissing their feet in defeat? There are two outcomes to everything... I want to control destiny! I need to seize this golden opportunity with my hands! I'll finish it up with my best poker face, and drag them into a world of illusions. I'll find my way out of this endless pressure game, and leap over the borderline of honor. How many? What will I need to sacrifice to make it happen? What's the one thing I don't want to let go of?"

—Sukima Switch, Golden Time Lover

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It's been a long time since you've dressed so warmly. The last time you were this bundled up, you were still just a child, carefully wrapped up by Trisha's loving hands, sent to play outside with the boys around your home in Resembool.

As you bury your nose in your scarf and dash after Ed through the train station, you reflect back on the memory with a fond smile.

The three of you burst out into the wintry air, your hair whipping around your face, and you stop in your tracks, taking in the scenic view before you.

The pristine white snow covers every visible surface of the small town before you, coating rooftops and lining bushes, reflecting the lights around with a wonderful gleam.

"Look, you guys!" you breathe, dropping your suitcase beside you in wonder. "It's been such a long time since we've seen snow!" Delighted, you reach out a mitten-clad hand, letting a snowflake fall into your palm before bringing it up to your face to examine.

The three of you begin to carefully descend the slippery stairs to the town below, arms held out to the sides as you balance. To your right, Ed loses his footing, crying out in surprise as he skids on his butt down the snowy steps.

A bark of laughter rips its way from your lips in a visible cloud, swirling in the air around your head as you watch the boy rise to his feet, grumbling in frustration; he turns to gaze at his rear end, cursing under his breath as he swipes snow off of his jacket, his cheeks reddening further as your pealing laughter hits his ears.

And then, as you reach the last few steps, your own feet slip out from under you, and you land with a thud on the ground at the base of the stairs, blinking up at the blonde boy. Your own mocking laughter is turned against you as he rears back in delight, pointing a mocking finger at you as he cackles.

"Aw, shaddup!" you grunt playfully, flinging a handful of snow in his direction as you rise to your feet.

"You guys should be more careful!" calls Al as he makes his way down unscathed, his hands floating around the two of you. "Are you okay?"

You swipe snow off your own butt as you smile up at the boy. "Yeah, we're okay!" you confirm as Ed brushes snow from his hair with a glare in your direction.

"Urgh, speak for yourself!" he groans, rubbing at his back with a grimace. "I need to sit down for a minute!"

And so the three of you locate a nearby bench, and Ed throws himself down onto it with a huff of air.

"Jeez, you two," remarks Al, rubbing the back of his neck as he peers at you and the blonde; "You guys are so uncoordinated!"

You blow a raspberry at the boy. "I prefer the term 'selectively graceful', thank you very much!" you tease.