The morning frost still clung to the edges of the city when I stepped off the train.
The platform gleamed faintly beneath the winter sun, its tiles glazed in thin silver light. A gust of wind cut across, sharp and clean, brushing past my collar as if reminding me that warmth didn't belong to this season or to me.
I adjusted my gloves, the leather creaking quietly, and walked down the steps. The world around me was loud, full of color and chatter students rushing toward the school, arms wrapped in red scarves, faces half-hidden in laughter. The air smelled like cinnamon bread and cold iron from the rails.
Christmas. The city wore it like a mask.
I didn't wait for Miyuki or Souta. I didn't even glance back.
I had places to go. Things to set in motion.
The supermarket near the station had just opened. Bells chimed when I entered, the warm air wrapping around me like false comfort. Rows of ornaments, chocolates, and tiny Christmas toys filled the aisles. I walked past them, scanning the shelves mechanically, picking a few small things simple gifts for the class exchange. A notebook, a charm keychain, a pack of imported chocolate. Nothing personal.
The cashier smiled politely as she handed me the bag.
"Heading to the school party?" she asked.
"Yeah," I said, my voice calm. "Something like that."
Outside, the sunlight had shifted slightly bright, but cold. My breath came out white as I walked the narrow road leading toward the school.
Halfway down the street, a silver car slowed beside me. The window rolled down.
"Kurogane-kun!"
It was my homeroom teacher, Ms. Hoshizora. She leaned across the seat, smiling warmly through her scarf. "You're early. Want a ride to school? It's freezing out here."
I hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Sure."
She unlocked the door. I slid into the passenger seat, setting my bag on my lap. The heater hummed softly, filling the space with a faint floral scent. She wore a white coat, her hair tied neatly, and her eyes gentle, observant flicked to me in the mirror.
"You look… different today," she said. "All black suits you, though."
"It's just comfortable," I replied.
"Comfortable, huh?" She smiled faintly. "You've grown quieter lately. Is everything okay?"
I looked out the window. The town moved slowly by shops, snow-dusted roofs, the distant laughter of children.
"Everything's fine," I said.
She nodded, sensing the edge in my tone but not pressing.
After a pause, she said, "You know, I've seen many students change during winter. It's like the season draws things out of people some become warmer, some colder. Which one are you, Haruto?"
I met her gaze through the reflection.
"Cold," I said simply.
She smiled again, but softer this time. "I thought so."
The rest of the ride passed in silence.
When we reached the school gates, she parked near the courtyard. Students were already gathering decorations glimmering, the faint echo of a speaker test filling the air.
Ms. Hoshizora turned to me before I got out.
"Try to have fun today, okay? It's Christmas. Even if you fake it a little."
I gave her a faint smile. "I'll try."
I stepped out. The car door clicked shut behind me.
The Christmas Party
The auditorium doors opened to a rush of sound music, laughter, the warm buzz of teenage chaos. Streamers hung from the ceiling in gold and red arcs, lights flickered against the walls, and the faint scent of cocoa and frosting drifted through the air.
Students milled everywhere couples taking selfies, groups playing games, friends laughing too loud.
I walked through them quietly, my shoes making soft taps against the wooden floor.
Heads turned.
"Whoa, Haruto?"
"He's actually here?"
"Why's he dressed like that? He looks… cool."
I ignored them all and made my way toward the back, where Yui, the student council vice president, was organizing the sound equipment. She spotted me instantly, her eyes widening slightly.
"Haruto! You came!"
She smiled brightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You clean up way too well. Everyone's talking about you already."
I gave a polite nod. "Good morning."
She laughed. "You're so formal. Relax it's a party."
"Is it?" I said, glancing around. "Looks more like chaos with ribbons."
Yui grinned. "That's exactly what a Christmas party should be."
She looked at me again, studying my outfit. "All black, huh? You look… really different today. Confident."
I met her gaze, calm. "It's just clothes."
"Yeah," she said softly. "But sometimes clothes show what's inside."
Before I could reply, another group of students approached, calling her name.
"Yui, the dance pairs are ready!"
She turned back to me. "I'll catch you later. Don't disappear, okay?"
"I won't," I said.
She ran off, her red skirt flashing in the light.
I stood there a moment, watching everyone move around me. The chatter, the laughter—it all felt like a movie I wasn't part of.
The games began lighthearted, loud, messy.
First was the guess-the-song challenge. Students yelled out answers, laughing whenever someone got it wrong. Then came the snowball toss, with fake foam balls flying across the hall.
I played along when asked, quiet, efficient never overacting, never smiling too wide. People cheered when I caught the last ball. Someone clapped me on the shoulder. "You're good at this, Kurogane!"
"Guess I got lucky," I said.
Then came the dance event.
Pairs lined up in front of the stage. The lights dimmed slightly, music started a soft pop song with a steady rhythm.
Miyuki was across the hall, dancing with Souta.
I saw them only because the crowd shifted. She looked fragile in the spotlight smiling for everyone, but her eyes… her eyes were searching.
They found me.
Just once.
And froze.
I held her gaze for a second, then looked away. Calm. Controlled.
Her steps faltered. Souta noticed immediately, pulling her closer, whispering something to steady her. I could almost read the words from his mouth: Forget him.
I turned my attention back to the music, unmoved.
After the games came the dinner break. Tables lined with food, drinks, a massive cake waiting to be cut. Everyone gathered, clapping when Yui took the knife.
"Alright, everyone! Merry Christmas!" she cheered, slicing through the cake as cameras flashed.
Cheers filled the hall.
The party felt alive. But beneath it, there was an undercurrent something faint but spreading.
Tension.
I felt Souta's eyes on me more than once. His laughter grew louder each time he noticed I didn't react. It wasn't confidence. It was fear, disguised.
Miyuki barely spoke, barely ate. Her smile cracked whenever I passed near.
It was almost poetic the symmetry of it all.
Then came the final event
The lights dimmed again. The music softened. Yui took the stage, microphone in hand.
"Okay, everyone! It's time for the most awaited part of the evening the Christmas Couple of the Year!"
Excited cheers erupted.
"Three winning pairs," she continued, smiling. "Third place goes to… Kenta and Aoi from Class 3-B!"
Applause. The couple ran up, laughing.
"Second place… Hana and Ryo from Class 2-A!"
More cheers.
"And finally" she paused dramatically "our first place couple for this year's Christmas celebration is…"
She looked at the card, eyes widening slightly.
"…Haruto Kurogane and Miyuki Sato!"
The crowd gasped.
Miyuki's hand went to her mouth. Souta froze.
I smiled faintly. The irony was almost divine.
Yui gestured toward me from the stage. "Come on up, you two!"
The room erupted in whispers.
I walked calmly to the stage. Miyuki followed hesitantly, steps small, trembling. When she stood beside me, I could feel her shaking even without looking.
Yui handed us the envelope with the prize two tickets to an amusement park and a luxury dinner voucher. "Congratulations! You two really got the most votes."
I took the envelope, my fingers brushing Miyuki's for a fraction of a second. She flinched.
Then Yui handed me the microphone. "Haruto, say a few words?"
I nodded, took the mic, and stepped forward.
The hall went silent. Only the faint hum of the lights filled the space.
I looked out over the sea of faces my classmates, their curious eyes waiting for something warm, festive, harmless.
Instead, they got me.
"I'll keep this short," I said. My voice was calm, steady, filling the hall with an ease that wasn't natural for a teenager. "Miyuki and I… have known each other for a long time."
She tensed beside me.
"She's kind," I continued. "Thoughtful. The kind of person who smiles even when it hurts. The kind of person who"
My tone shifted slightly. "pretends very well."
A murmur rippled through the room.
"She once said to me," I went on, "that truth is what keeps people together. That honesty matters more than comfort."
I turned my gaze on her. "Do you still believe that, Miyuki?"
Her lips parted. "Haruto, please"
I ignored her. "Because if you do, maybe we should be honest tonight. Since it's Christmas, after all."
A cold silence settled.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out a small flash drive, and handed it to Yui. "Can you play this on the projector?"
She blinked, confused. "Uh… sure?"
The lights dimmed. The projector screen flickered to life.
Images appeared grainy at first, then clear.
Miyuki and Souta.
Laughing together.
Holding hands.
Kissing at the private Christmas party.
Her arm around his neck, his hand on her waist.
Gasps filled the room.
Someone screamed.
Someone else swore.
The air cracked open.
Miyuki fell to her knees, trembling. Souta stood, pale, his face a mask of panic.
"W–wait! This isn't—"
The crowd's noise drowned him out.
I watched, calm, detached, like a surgeon observing the effect of a cut.
The whispers became shouts.
"Wasn't she with Haruto?"
"They cheated?"
"She's crying!"
"Damn, Souta what the hell, man?"
Souta tried to speak, but the noise swallowed him. He looked at me, desperation in his eyes.
"Haruto, you You set me up!"
I tilted my head slightly. "Set you up? Or did I just show them the truth?"
He clenched his fists.
I walked closer, each step echoing softly.
"Tell me, Souta," I said. "How does it feel to see what you destroyed? Worth it?"
He trembled. "You think you're better than me?!"
"No," I said. "Just cleaner."
He lunged.
The crowd screamed.
His fist connected with my jaw hard, loud, echoing through the hall.
The lights swayed slightly. The music cut off.
For a moment, everything was frozen the students, the whispers, Miyuki's sobs.
I straightened slowly, wiped the corner of my lip, and looked up at him.
My eyes were calm. Empty.
The kind of calm that frightened more than anger ever could.
Souta's breath came fast, wild, uneven.
Mine didn't.