Tokyo only averages 9.3 snowy days a year, mostly concentrated in January and February, so it is not a city where one often sees snow.
And at this very moment, the sudden snowfall on Christmas Eve was an even rarer treat.
After dinner, Rin couldn't wait to step out onto the street, reaching out to catch a snowflake and watching it melt in her palm.
At the same time, feeling its icy touch, Rin looked up at the streetscape before her and sighed once more, "It's snowing."
Although it was only a light snow, sparse and unlikely to accumulate on the ground.
However, with night having fallen and the brilliant neon lights illuminating the streets of Akihabara, this sudden light snow made the scenery look even more dreamlike, deepening the festive and romantic atmosphere.
And on this night, which was so important and special to Rin, the arrival of this snow seemed to portend a wonderful outcome.
Consequently, Rin's mood grew cheerful as well, and her lips curled up into a faint, unconscious smile.
Beside her, Akira followed her lead and caught a snowflake. After it melted in his palm, he smiled and asked Rin, "Do you like snow, Shimizu-san?"
"Yes."
Rin nodded slightly and said, "Because it rarely snows in Tokyo during the winter, and the same goes for my hometown, Shizuoka City."
He understood this feeling.
In his previous life, his home had also been in a place that barely got any snow.
Besides—
"Come to think of it, this is the first time I've heard that your hometown is Shizuoka City, Shimizu-san."
"Is that so?"
Rin thought about it; indeed, it seemed she hadn't mentioned it before.
Then, she looked at Akira, frowning slightly. "But if that's the case, it feels a bit unfair."
"Mochizuki-kun, you not only know about my family's situation, but now you also know where my hometown is. Yet, I still don't know where your hometown is."
"Well—"
Akira gave a helpless smile. "It's not that I was trying to hide it on purpose; we just never happened to bring up the subject before."
"But speaking of which, I think you would like it there, Shimizu-san."
"?"
Seeing that Rin's curiosity was instantly piqued, Akira smiled and continued, "My hometown is Nagano City. It often snows heavily in the winter. The rooftops and both sides of the roads get covered in a thick layer of snow, making everything look pure white and very beautiful."
"And Nagano Prefecture is also a famous ski resort."
Although he said this, after looking through the Original's memories, he could understand why people from snowy regions liked to head south in the winter.
Because winter life was truly troublesome in every aspect, and there were even quite a few dangers.
If it was just a short trip, everything might seem novel because it was a completely different way of life, but staying long-term was indeed a bit hard to bear.
But that wasn't something he should say right now.
Hearing his description, Rin's eyes indeed lit up, and she smiled with anticipation. "It sounds like a place that would make me curious and long to visit."
"Right?"
Akira also smiled. "If there's ever a chance, you are more than welcome to visit my home."
...Visiting Mochizuki-kun's hometown as a guest?
However, hearing his invitation, Rin's cheeks flushed slightly as she said, "Of course I'd love to—"
But when that time came, in what capacity would she be going?
Although she desperately wanted to ask this question, she knew it was definitely not the best time. Thus, she could only nod slightly and smile. "Yes, if there's a chance."
According to their original plan, the next activity was simply wandering around the streets.
Fortunately, this light snow showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, adding a different kind of atmosphere to their simple walk.
Leaving the restaurant, the two returned to the main street and began to walk back.
Perhaps because it was now the peak time for evening activities, perhaps because it was Christmas Eve, or perhaps because of the beautiful snowscape, Akihabara's main street was even more bustling than usual.
Many couples were walking past in pairs, and the two of them fit in harmoniously among the crowd.
Even though they weren't a couple yet.
Walking along this road again, the two of them fell somewhat silent, having less to talk about than before.
However, Rin did not feel any awkwardness. If anything, she found this tacit, unspoken atmosphere between them extremely comfortable.
But if she had to name a feeling, it was that she was getting more and more nervous.
Because they were about to reach the location she had planned.
"That's where you used to perform often, Shimizu-san."
"Ah,"
Akira's voice suddenly came, startling Rin, who had been lost in her own plans.
But once she collected herself, she couldn't help but follow Akira's gaze. The sight before her surprised her slightly: at the spot where she used to perform regularly, new street performers had gathered, and a crowd of spectators had already formed a semi-circle around them.
Through the gaps in the crowd, she could see a complete four-member band, with a lead vocalist/guitarist, a keyboardist, a drummer, and a bassist all present.
And even from a distance, one could tell that their playing skills were indeed quite good.
"Shall we go over and take a look?"
Rin herself had also become quite interested in them, so upon hearing Akira's suggestion, she nodded and smiled without hesitation. "Sure."
So, they walked over and stood at the very back of the crowd to watch.
Unsurprisingly, their performance also consisted mainly of anime songs. In fact, she had also performed the song they were currently playing, "Dan Dan Kokoro Hikareteku".
Although the scale of their setups was different, seeing them perform made her recall her past self, filling her heart with nostalgia.
It had clearly been less than half a year, yet it felt like a lifetime ago.
Seeing that Akira beside her seemed to have focused on listening, she also immersed herself in the performance, quietly enjoying it.
Once the song ended, she snapped out of it, and they joined the audience in applauding.
Right then, Akira suddenly made his move, pushing through the surrounding crowd and walking towards the band.
Was he going to tip them?
Just as this thought crossed her mind, the scene she saw next made her eyes widen in instant surprise. She saw Akira walk up to the band's lead singer and chat with him briefly. Judging by their expressions, it seemed they were not strangers to each other.
...Wait—!
What surprised her even more was that the lead singer then stepped aside, allowing Akira to take his place in front of the microphone stand.
Mochizuki-kun?
Just what is going on...?
Rin felt her mind growing more and more confused. Meanwhile, Akira, standing in front of the microphone stand, smiled and spoke, "On this Christmas Eve, I have a song I'd like to dedicate to my friend."
At this point, his voice paused slightly, and he cast his gaze toward Rin at the back of the crowd.
The moment their eyes met, sensing that the emotion in his gaze was stronger than ever before, Rin inexplicably looked away in a slight panic.
But on the other side, Akira smiled with determination and said, "She is also the person I like."