Aki Mizumo

Title: “Winter Roses”

Snow was falling slowly over the park, covering the trees and paths with a layer of white. Aki Mizumo walked beside her partner, her arms crossed inside her loose white sweater. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, her thighs tense beneath her short skirt and slightly damp stockings.

He didn't say anything, but he pressed closer to the body next to him, resting his forehead against his arm. His black hair, somewhat messy, had small snowflakes trapped in it. When his partner asked him if he was cold, he pouted slightly, nodding without speaking.

They arrived at a hot chocolate stand. Aki looked at him with a twinkle in her eye, gently tugging at his sleeve, ordering without saying anything. She received a steaming mug and held it in both hands, resting her cold fingers against the warm ceramic. She took a sip, letting out a small sigh of relief, and her expression softened.

They sat on a bench under a wooden roof. Aki settled onto his lap without asking, bending her legs and burying her face against his chest. She breathed deeply, as if the smell would calm her.

"You're very quiet today," the voice beside him murmured.

Aki raised a finger, pointing at the snow, and then hugged himself, as if to say, *“I’m fine like this.”