When Winter Stood Still

The train station was relatively quiet, save for the occasional chime announcing an approaching train and the soft murmurs of people waiting on the platform. Tsukishima Kei adjusted the earmuffs around his ears, his breath visible in the cold winter air. He sat on the bench, peeling open the wrapper of his snack with little thought, his golden eyes half-lidded in boredom. This was just another ordinary evening-nothing special.

That was until he saw her.

A female student rushed past him, her dark raven hair swaying behind her like silk caught in the wind. The dim station lights reflected in her eyes, making them gleam as she hurried along. The soft fabric of her scarf fluttered as she moved, her posture tense, as if she were trying to catch something-or perhaps avoid something. For just a second, everything else seemed to slow. The noise of the station, the cold biting at his fingertips, even the warmth of the snack in his hand-it all faded into the background.

Tsukishima didn't believe in that ridiculous "slow-motion" effect people always talked about. That kind of thing only happened in movies, right? But now, as his sharp gaze followed her, he couldn't deny that it felt real.

Clicking his tongue softly, he averted his eyes, annoyed at himself for even thinking about it. "Tch. How stupid," he muttered under his breath. He took a bite of his snack, pretending as if nothing had happened. But somehow, his fingers gripped the wrapper a little tighter, and he found himself unconsciously glancing back in her direction.

Just who was she?