Winter break passed in moments and memories.
Though they didn't see each other every single day, Ren and Hana grew closer in the silence between texts, the warmth of shared tea, and the comfort of knowing someone was there.
Ren had stopped hesitating when he messaged her.
Hana had started smiling when his name popped up on her screen.
There were moments—the quiet kind.
Like when he brought her melon bread because she once mentioned liking it.
Or when she fixed his scarf without a word.
They didn't call it anything. But it was something.
---
The new school term began with a shock of cold air and announcements shouted over the morning assembly.
"This year, our school will be sending representatives to the city's annual Winter Art Festival!"
Students murmured around them.
Hana blinked, surprised.
"It's... outside of school?" she whispered to Naoki, who stood beside her.
"Yeah," he shrugged. "Big deal, actually. Winners get their work displayed at the central library for a year. Some even get scouted."
Hana's heart skipped. She'd never shown anyone her art seriously, not even her parents. Only Ren had seen pieces of her sketchbook.
The teachers announced a short list of nominations for each category: painting, poetry, photography.
When they called Ren's name for creative writing, he froze mid-blink.
"What?" he muttered.
Hana turned to him. "Did you submit anything?"
He shook his head, then glanced at Naoki.
"I may have... slipped one of your poems to the teacher," Naoki admitted, grinning. "It was good, dude. Deal with it."
Ren narrowed his eyes. "You're lucky I don't punch you."
But he wasn't actually angry. He was just… flustered.
Then came the art category.
Hana was shocked when she heard her name being called
Her head jerked up.
She hadn't submitted anything either.
Beside her, Ren leaned in and whispered, "Did someone...?"
She looked at naoki angrily
There was silence between them, but it wasn't awkward.
Naoki smirked. "Guess you two are the school's resident artists now."
---
That afternoon, the three of them sat together under the pale sky by the courtyard.
"So, you going to do it?" Ren asked, resting his chin on his hand, watching Hana.
She was twirling her pencil. "I'm scared... but I think I want to try."
Ren nodded. "Then try."
"What about you?" she asked.
Ren hesitated, then gave her a quiet smile. "I've got something I want to write. I'm just not sure if it's ready."
Naoki tossed a pebble at him. "It's about Hana, isn't it?"
Ren rolled his eyes. Hana flushed.
"I'll help you pick out a notebook," she said, trying to steer the conversation. "Something that feels like... you."
---
As the day ended, Ren and Hana walked home together. Snow was melting now, puddles forming on the street edges.
Their hands didn't touch. But their shoulders almost did.
"I'm glad break's over," Hana said, surprising herself.
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
She smiled faintly. "Because I missed seeing you like this."
Ren looked away, his ears slightly pink.
"I missed you too," he said.
They reached the street where they would part.
Ren stopped.
"Hey," he said. "You're going to be amazing at that festival."
Hana looked up at him. "Only if you're there too."
He didn't reply—just offered her a soft grin.
"Goodnight, Hana."
"Goodnight, Ren."
As he walked off, she took a breath and looked up at the sky.
The world was slowly warming again.