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“Akari, come on. It’s freezing out here,” Menou chuckled with slight bitterness, her breath fogging up. The snow on the ground crunched under her boots as the shivering girl trudged along, following her ever-peculiar companion. Of course, she didn’t really need to say it was cold, Akari already knew.
“I know, I know, but come on! It’s the perfect weather for this!” Still, Akari continued, unfettered. The jovial girl had a bright smile plastered on her face in spite of the decidedly chilling weather. She grabbed Menou’s hand and pulled her along with a soft chuckle, though the executioner didn’t exactly resist all too much.
For whatever reason, Akari had dragged her out into the cold and snow to make, of all things, a snowman.
This wasn’t the first time that Menou had been in the snow. Unfortunately, she couldn’t say she was too fond of it, regardless. It was all so blank and depressing and cold, not to mention a reminder of the time she first met Master Flare—someone she really didn’t like to think about anymore. A reminder of when she was blanched. It wasn’t snow, then, of course, but the similarity was enough. In short, there was nothing Menou liked about snow.
Akari, however, seemed all too happy to be in it. That much, really, was enough for Menou. She figured the two had been through enough by now. Especially Akari, having looped time again and again in a series of attempts to save Menou’s own life. Then, being taken by Flare to the holy land, and seemingly losing her will to live before Menou found her again. Akari deserved some peace and happiness.
“Ah, this looks like a good place!” The otherworlder had found a place she deemed fit and turned to face Menou. The latter still couldn’t help but shiver in the cold, counting it a blessing that it wasn’t actively snowing at the moment. Still, she tightened her scarf for good measure. The two had come to a small, flat clearing. Beaming happily, Akari suddenly flopped backwards into the snow.
“Akari! Are you okay?!” Menou immediately cried out, rushing to the other girl’s side with concern. Just as she reached her, the Japanese girl began to giggle. She reached out and grabbed Menou’s hands, pulling the priestess on top of her. Menou cried out in surprise, landing on top of Akari, who seemed to be having the time of her life. Menou could help but chuckle, herself, as she affectionately said, “You’re an idiot, Akari.”
“Mmmh… yeah, but I’m your idiot,” Akari responded with some humor to her voice. She reached her head up and placed a soft, quick kiss on Menou’s lips. Menou blushed a bit and sat back up. She was well aware of Akari’s feelings for her, at this point. It was impossible for her not to be. They had seen into each other’s memories, lived each other’s emotions. Menou knew exactly what Akari felt for her.
Still, she wasn’t quite used to the affection. It was true that there had been something more since Menou had decided to start trying to save Akari as opposed to trying to kill her, but how far that went, Menou wasn’t sure. It was still in a sort of awkward early phase. Still, a small smile adorned her face. She didn’t dislike the gesture.
“Come on, let’s get you off the ground,” Menou said, standing up and offering Akari her hand. Akari took it, and Menou helped her up. Once the two were both on their feet, they paused to look around. Akari began to pile some snow up before looking back to Menou.
“Well, come on! Let’s make the snowman!” Her giggle gave Menou enough warmth to push through the freezing temperature. Menou didn’t exactly know what she was doing, but mostly, she was happy enough to follow along.
Unfortunately, after roughly 30 minutes had passed and all the two had to show for it was essentially a thin and tall pyramid of snow, it became clear that Akari didn’t know what she was doing either. The sight was something Menou found silly, but Akari was determined enough to succeed. Menou took a step back and looked at what they’d accomplished for a moment.
“Akari, do you even remember how to build a snowman?” Menou asked jokingly. It was known to both that when an otherworlder like Akari used their Pure Concept, their memories slowly eroded. Menou did wonder if actions and instructions were included, or if it was simply limited to events of memories. If it were all memories, after all, would Akari even remember how to talk, or to interact with people?
Brushing off the scary thought of Akari potentially losing those abilities, Menou refocused her attention to the girl herself. Akari had turned to look back at the priestess, a small pouty look. Menou gave a little smile and pulled her into a hug. It felt nice, she had to admit.
“No…” Akari admitted softly. She leaned into the hug, feeling a bit sad. She’d been super excited to make a snowman with Menou, but clearly, it wasn’t quite working out. She couldn’t show something cool that Menou didn’t already know how to do. Not to mention, something fun. But Menou just gave a small laugh.
“It’s okay, Akari, don’t worry,” Menou replied, holding the girl even tighter. She offered a friendly squeeze before turning to look into Akari’s eyes. Those gorgeous purple eyes. She brushed some of Akari’s snowy hair out of her face. “What matters is that we had fun together, right? That we spent time together and enjoyed it.”
Akari paused for a moment, then smiled in return. She nodded her head and returned the hug Menou had been giving her.
“Yeah,” she agreed, feeling warmth again in Menou’s arms, even through the biting cold. “You’re right.”
“Now come on, let’s get back before we freeze out here,” Menou chuckled.
The two began their path back, giggling.