Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prologue

☀️🍁

He was summertime. 

With blonde hair bleached from the sun, eyes as blue as the endless sky, and a smile that shone brighter than noon. He carried warmth in every word, and kindness in every gesture. A kindness that made you forget cold existed, and made the world feel golden again.

He would call himself Minamoto Kou, the one that praised the sunflowers and faced them towards the sun that he loved so much. The one that would harvest the watermelons the humans craved in the afternoon heat. And the one that would plant the herbs for the seasons yet to come. 

Kou would wear the sunflowers upon his head like a crown. Even as they withered away, for autumn would never know how radiant his crown had been. His tunic covered in the greenest leaves, stitched with the beauty of the earth itself. 

He often thought of spring, Mitsuba Sousuke, who clothed himself in cherry blossom petals. Kou would think of him when he saw the pink hydrangeas that resembled his most prominent feature. The two crossed paths in fleeting glances, and would argue when spring drowned the soil in too much rain. Or when summer’s heat arrived too soon, interfering with the bloom of his flowers. 

Yet beneath their quarrels lay admiration. For spring softened the soil so summer could flourish, and summer gave light so spring’s colors could shine. They were vastly different, but were two chapters in the same story. Always brushing past one another, never for too long, and yet always leaving traces of themselves behind.

And when spring faded, its petals would fall to the earth. And with them, Sousuke too.

But Kou would still embrace the long summer evenings, barefoot in the grass, laughter filling the air like cicadas in the trees. Even the wind seemed gentler when he was near, carrying the scent of ripened fruit and freshly cut hay. And when he looked at you, it was as though the days would never shorten, as though summer would last forever.

But he knew as the months passed that his time was not forever. That he would come back the following year to do it all over again. He’d work harder, become better, and show those that summer was always worth coming back to. He’d like to think so at least, he was the summertime after all. 

Then August waned. A breeze carried a chill too crisp for summer air. He too knew his time would be coming to a close. The evenings grew shorter, the cicadas quieter, and the fields he once painted green would begin to pale. He would linger as long as he could, stretching the days, clinging to the warmth, coaxing one last bloom from the garden. But he could hear autumn’s footsteps in the rustle of the leaves. It was inevitable after all. For even the brightest summers would bow to the turn of the year, leaving only memory and the promise of returning next year.

But he did not dread the change. For he loved autumn just as much as spring, though in a different way. She dressed the trees in shades of fire, letting the world burn brilliantly before it fell into sleep. Though he was never there to see her in full, summer admired her grace, how she turned the ends of him into beauty, and how she carried the weight of farewell with color. 

And when their paths crossed, he welcomed her embrace. The warmth he gave became her glow, the golden light of his days softening into her amber dusk. Together, they made the earth radiant, passing the season from one to the other.

Her name was Yashiro Nene, and she was Autumn. 

With crimson eyes that mirrored the turning leaves and cream-colored hair that flowed like late harvest grain, she carried both fire and gentleness within her. She gathered what summer left behind, returning it to the world in shades of amber and scarlet. Nene was a bit stubborn too. She would not let the earth fade quietly. Instead, she burned it brighter before her own departure.

Kou watched as the first leaf drifted from a nearby tree, and with it came Nene. She descended like the season itself, wrapped in russet and ember. Her crown, a stitch of golden wheat, caught the light with every tilt of her head. Her dress seemed woven from leaves themselves, maple and oak, spun into a flowing mosaic of reds and orange. The hem trailed behind her and would rustle with each step. Tiny acorns and seeds were sewn into the fabric, twinkling faintly like late summer stars now surrendering to the cool embrace of fall.

Nene smiled as her eyes finally met his. “Kou!” She beamed as she made her way to him. 

His smile was bright, almost blinding. “Nene! It’s so nice to see you again. It’s been quite the year already.” 

“Really?” Nene’s mouth formed into a small ‘o’. “What happened?”

Kou let out a dramatic sigh. “Sousuke made the beginning of summer one hell of a headache.” He said. “He insisted on rearranging everything! Flowers growing too late, storms showing up at the wrong time, bees refusing to do their job. Honestly, it’s been chaotic.”

Nene blinked, stifling a laugh. “Seems Sousuke was just trying to get your attention.” She teased. Nene had never seen it first hand, but she knew enough to know how the two seasons felt about each other. 

“More like being a pain in my ass.” Kou said, crossing his arms. “I’ve been trying to keep summer the way it should be… but half my days felt more like spring this year, and the end of August was way too hot.” He shook his head. “I swear, Nene, I’ve had to work twice as hard this summer it seemed.”

Nene stepped closer, her gown brushing the grass. “Well it looks like you did a great job Kou. Thank you!” 

“Of course!” He said, the warmth of summer beamed as he smiled. “We’re a team, you know I’ll always be on your side to make sure the autumn season falls perfectly for you!” 

Give it to Kou for always being a ray of sunshine, quite literally, might she add. Together, they worked tirelessly, preparing the fields and coaxing the harvest into its fullest glory to prepare for the following season. 

The sun balanced on the horizon, caught between day and night. The equinox had finally arrived, the moment where summer’s reign gave way to autumn’s fire. 

It was bittersweet for the both of them, because they both knew Kou would have to leave soon. On this day, the night and day were balanced. Whenever Kou was around, they celebrated it together, though there had been years when Nene had marked it alone.

Together they laid out the offerings, cut apples and scattered seeds, tied bundles of wheat with thread, and placed gourds like a clock to mark the turning of time. Kou picked a sunflower from his crown and placed it on top of the arrangement, while Nene added sprigs of drying herbs and tiny acorns from her dress.

The two sat side by side, watching as the wind accepted the offerings, carrying the scent of the earth. They sat like that for a while in comfortable silence. Until Nene felt Kou tense. Kou gestured in the distance, causing Nene to look over, and she understood why he had suddenly tensed up. 

Father time, or as the two of them referred to him, Aoi Akane, along with Mother nature, or Akane Aoi, were off in the distance, making their way towards Nene and Kou. Nene looked at Kou, worry etched on both of their faces. The two of them showing up, especially during the equinox, was for sure not a good thing. 

It had been decades, if not centuries, since Nene had seen the two. Aoi, as beautiful as ever. Her outfit complimented both spring, summer and fall. Her gown was a living tapestry that carried the breath of all three seasons. From her shoulders draped pale pink petals, as though spring itself had stitched blossoms into the fabric. The bodice shimmered with threads of gold like the peak of summer. And flowing from her waist, the skirts deepened into hues of reds and orange, embroidered with curling vines and scattered leaves, the unmistakable mark of autumn.

Beside her stood Akane. His long, dark robe of deep indigo hung from his shoulders, stitched with faint silver threads that caught in the light. Around his neck rested a single chain, from which dangled a small, circular pendant, a clock face with no hands, turning slowly of its own accord.

“Why are the two of them here?” Kou whispered to her. It’s not that Nene and Kou had any ill will towards the two. The four of them got along quite well. But usually when the two came down to earth, it meant they bore news. And as the old saying goes, no news was good news. 

Nene didn’t answer Kou as the two made their way over to them. Nene smiled when she saw Aoi wave to her. 

“Aoi!” Nene beamed, giving her a hug. Aoi gladly reciprocated. The two hadn’t seen each other in forever, but were still very close. 

“Nene, it’s so nice to see you!” Aoi beamed. “And you as well Kou, how was the summer?”

“Managable.” He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sometimes I can’t tell if Sousuke is making things harder for me though, the balance just felt… off this year.” 

Both Aoi and Akane shot each other a worried look, before Akane finally spoke up. “That’s actually why we paid you two a visit.” He said, ushering them to where Nene and Kou had sat for the equinox. 

Both Kou and Nene offered them gifts from their ritual from the equinox, tokens of respect and gratitude for the balance the two kept. The tea was brewed from herbs gathered at summer’s height and dried under autumn’s first cool nights. Chamomile, mint, and apple blossoms steeped with a hint of cinnamon. The food came straight from the harvest. Baked bread with seeds saved from the year’s crops. Bowls of roasted squash and root vegetables, as well as fresh apples and pears. 

“As you two are aware.” Akane finally said as they ate. “The years have become a bit more troublesome to manage.” 

Nene glanced up from her cup of steaming tea, her ruby eyes narrowing with curiosity. Kou slowed in his chewing, sensing the weight in Akane’s tone.

“Summer’s and spring’s linger longer than they should, scorching the fields and draining the rivers. And Autumn…” Akane glanced at Nene. “Autumn carries too much. I believe you were never meant to bear the burden of ending the year alone.”

Nene’s throat tightened. She set her cup down carefully, the soft clink of clay on wood sounding louder than it should. She had felt it for a few years now, how heavy her own season had become. Yet hearing it said aloud made it feel more validating knowing she wasn’t the only one who had noticed. 

“So we mentioned it to the higher ups.” Aoi said, speaking up. “And we thought it would be wise to introduce a new season.” 

Both Kou and Nene’s eyes widened. The one's above Mother Nature and Father Time rarely involved themselves with the seasons, so it came as a shock to the two. 

Nene was glad she placed her cup down, her crimson gaze darting between Aoi and Akane as if waiting for one of them to laugh, to say it was some kind of joke. But there was no laughter. It was silent, nothing but the faint crackle of the fire they had lit for the ceremony.

Kou leaned back, disbelief dimming the usual brightness in his expression. “A… new season?” He repeated, his voice strained. “Really?”

“Is that even possible?” Nene asked.

”Of course it is.” Akane said. “Did you forget the summer and autumn seasons weren't always around either?”

“When the sun needed to burn longer, summer was needed.” Aoi explained, her smile warm. “Then Autumn, when life needed an ending before the spring. Each of you became seasons from necessity.”

“So… Since the balance is off… a new season will take place?” Nene asked. 

“Exactly.” Aoi confirmed. 

“Does…” Kou started, his voice caught in his throat. “Does that mean Nene and I won’t see each other anymore?”

Nene hadn’t even thought about that, and that thought alone broke her heart. He was right. If there was a new season to bloom between her and him, they wouldn’t see each other again. She swallowed the lump in her throat. 

“You won’t have to worry about that.” Akane said, causing both Nene and Kou’s tension to loosen. “This new season will take place after autumn.” Nene smiled at Kou, but Kou still seemed skeptical. 

“So when does this new season start?” Kou asked. 

“It will arrive at the end of this year.” Aoi said. 

“And Nene has to deal with this unknown season alone?” Kou crossed his arms. “Just what is she going to deal with exactly?”

“Well…” Akane crossed his arms. “While autumn lives on the cusp of death, this new season will live in it.” 

Nene felt her chest tighten, her breath shallow. Live in death? The phrase coiled around her. She glanced down at her hands, still warm, still aflame with the ember of early autumn, and for the first time she wondered what it would mean to be shadowed by something colder.

Kou scowled, his voice laced with frustration. “So you’re telling me Nene has to face this… this new season all on her own? That’s insane!”

Aoi set her own cup down, her expression calm but tinged with sorrow. “It is not meant to be a punishment, Kou. It is just a necessity. Where Nene blazes in her final beauty, Winter will take that ending until Spring is ready to return.”

Nene swallowed hard, her ruby eyes lifting to meet Aoi and Akane’s. “But what happens to me… when it arrives?” She asked softly.

“You’ll fade as you have every year,” Akane said, “Now you’ll have someone there with you.”

It was true. Nene had always been the only season that faded alone every year. There was this short space between her and Sousuke. Nene looked over at Kou, who still seemed frustrated. Give it to Kou to always look out for her. She smiled, placing her hand on top of his, causing his cheeks to flush. 

“Kou.” Nene said. “You don’t have to worry, okay? I can handle myself.” 

“I know but…” Kou replied, looking down at their hands. “I just… want you to be okay.” 

“I will be silly!” She smiled brightly. “I’ll come back next year like I always do.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Kou muttered, looking back at Aoi and Akane. “What are you naming this season?”

Akane looked at Kou, his expression becoming more serious. “This new season will be named winter.” 

Nene’s eyes widened, a shiver running through her chest despite the feeling of early autumn that usually warmed her. The air seemed to grow colder, the scent of decaying leaves mingling with something she had never felt before. For a moment, she felt the finality of her own season entwined with a presence she had yet to meet.

Kou squeezed her hand instinctively, his summer warmth brushing against her arm, but even he could not chase away the chill that had settled in her bones. Winter was coming, this unknown dying season she would be facing alone. 

The world had grown unbearably quiet when Kou had finally left for the year. Nene stood at the edge of the field, her eyes lingering on the horizon. The last traces of Kou’s heat had dissolved into the sky, leaving her alone with her season’s gentle breeze. She smiled to herself. 

Now it was her time to shine. 

Nene hummed softly as she worked. With each stroke of her fingers across a leaf, deep reds and oranges spread throughout the earth. She painted them one by one as they fluttered from the trees. The wind chilled as the world burned in color at her touch. Nene harvested the pumpkins, their skins a warm orange and pale cream as she coaxed life into them. 

She could only wish she had more time to enjoy the autumn air as it was during the peak of the season. As the days waned, her workload began to shrink. The colors she painted dulled more quickly now, slipping into deeper browns before she had time to admire them. Trees shed their leaves quicker, leaving behind more bare branches that offered her nothing to work with. The harvest baskets grew lighter, the vines pulled back into the earth, and her work slowed. 

Nene knew she had little time before her own demise, it happened every year, she would grow weaker. But this year was different, especially when she saw something she had never seen before. 

Her breath created pale clouds she didn’t remember making in the years prior. Nene wrapped her arms around herself, though she knew the chill couldn’t be hers, it was something else. Something new.

She glanced down. The ground beneath her feet glittered faintly in the light, a shimmer that caught her off guard. Kneeling, she brushed her fingertips across the grass. The blades were stiff and shined silver in the morning light. It was cold, colder than any cool wind she had ever carried, harsher than the crispest night she had ever given. She snatched her hand back with a startled gasp, staring at the strange feeling that had clung to her skin.

Her eyes darted to the trees. The bark had begun to gleam with that same silver glow, crawling up their trunks. 

“What… is this?” She whispered to herself, heart racing as a shiver traced her spine. It then dawned her, this had to have been winter. 

Nene looked around, she swore she could feel a pair of eyes on her. It just had to have been winter. The unknown was scary, but it was a bit exciting, a new season! She sort of hoped it was a girl, seeing that both Kou and Sousuke were boys and Aoi rarely came around. She could show this new season around while she was still present. Perhaps even get to know them better! Aoi and Akane hadn’t given her and Kou much information on what this new season was like, just that it… Lived in death. So of course her mind twisted with worry on who she was about to meet. 

Though that cold she just experienced… She would have to get used to that. Maybe she should weave something warmer to wear. She glanced down at her dress stitched from leaves, their edges now brittle, breaking when that strange silver stuff kissed them. 

“I suppose a cloak would suit me better now,” She murmured, tugging her arms around herself. She went to work as she softened some leaves from the ground, coaxing them to turn into fabric. Piece by piece, it came together in her lap, a cloak of red and gold. Nene smiled, content with what she had made. 

And oh, how she thanked herself for not waiting to make something warmer to wear. The cloak kept the worst of the chill off her shoulders, but the air only grew colder as the day slipped into night. By the time the sky darkened, her fingers were stiff and numb from gathering firewood.

She managed to build a fire, crouching close to the flames. The heat spread across her hands, and she sighed in relief, rubbing her palms together.

Nene shifted closer to it, pulling her cloak tight. The warmth helped, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. She tried to ignore it, focusing on the flames, until something caught her eye.

That weird silver stuff was creeping down the trunk of a tree just a few steps away. It wasn’t on the ground like before, it was sliding downward from the branches, spreading slowly, like fingers reaching toward her.

Her stomach dropped. She followed the stuff upward with her eyes.

High in the branches, half hidden by shadow, someone was there. A boy with pale skin was watching her. His legs dangled over the edge of the branch, one of his hands resting on the bark. What she would learn to be frost clung to the branch where his hand sat, spreading outward like spiderwebs.

He wore a long dark coat, the jagged edges of it were patterned with frost like embroidery. His trousers were dark, tucked neatly into his boots dusted with frost. A cape was hung loosely around his shoulders, trailing behind him in the air.

Nene’s breath caught. “You…” She whispered, unable to finish the thought.

Time seemed to stretch. She froze, eyes locked on the shadowed figure above, heart pounding in her chest. Every second felt impossibly long, and still he hasn’t moved.

The boy tilted his head slightly as he eyed Nene. His gaze trailed downward, the faintest curl of a smile tugging at his lips. “They’re like tree trunks.” He finally said.

. . . 

Nene blinked, thrown off by his comment. “...Eh?”

He pointed down at her, still sitting on the tree branch above. “Your ankles.”

A beat passed as there was a pause between the two. 

Her cheeks burned instantly. “M-My… ankles?” She stammered, fumbling with her cloak as if she could hide them. This boy only laughed at her from above. And for the first time, she saw the season that had been creeping in around her. The season she’d have to deal with for the next coming weeks before she herself withered away.

And that was Winter.

Chapter Text

🍁❄️

It had been a little over a week since Nene first met the new season, the one who called himself Winter. His name, she’d learned, was Hanako. And though they hadn’t known each other long, she already had a few words to describe him… blunt, sarcastic, and always saying things that didn’t need to be said. It was… startling. No one in her small circle had a personality quite like his.

But despite his flaws, there was a certain softness to him hidden just a bit below the surface. It was rare, but when it showed, it made her chest feel oddly tight, her thoughts tangled in ways she didn’t yet understand.

The night they met, he had hopped down from the tree, landing lightly on his feet, she could only try not to shiver as the air around her had grown even colder. 

“Y-you know,” She had managed, crossing her arms, “It’s rude to comment on someone’s appearance. Especially when we just met!” Nene eyed him, and was only met with silence. Silence of the forest, the night. Even the rustling of trees stilled as he approached her. 

“You’re… Winter right?” She asked him. As he got even closer, his golden eyes caught what little light the moon offered. They were golden, their hues reminding her of her own season. They were mesmerizing… and unblinking. He continued to look at her as he nodded. 

“Hanako.” He had finally said, smiling. 

Nene blinked. “What?”

“My name.” He clarified. 

“O-Oh!” She smiled, causing his eyes to widen at the warmth behind it. “I’m Nene, Yashiro Nene!” She held out her hand to him, ushering him to shake it. Nene remembered that Hanako had hesitated before finally lifting his hand to meet hers. 

His skin was shockingly cold, and she nearly flinched at the chill, but his gaze lingered on their joined hands before he finally spoke.

“You’re very warm.” He told her. Nene wasn’t sure why, but her cheeks had grown hot at his comment despite the cold air around them.

“O-oh, um… Thank you?” She said. 

His lips curved into that teasing smirk she would later come to recognize. “I didn’t mean it as a compliment.”

Her mouth fell open, her face heating up all the more. “Wha– what’s that supposed to mean?” 

His smirk had lingered as he looked down at her, eyes glinting like the silver stuff that followed him down the tree. “Just that I’ve always preferred the cold,” He told her. Nene peered at the boy, and that’s when she had also noted they were still holding hands from their awkward handshake, causing her to jolt her hand back.

Nene recalled that night well. As awkward as it had been, the two of them had ended up spending it together beside the small fire she’d made, the air growing colder and colder as the night went on. Yet, as the darkness faded and morning began to break, she noticed the chill begin to ease. The air warming slightly with the light. And when the sun finally crested over the mountains, Hanako was gone. All that remained was a thin dusting of that silver stuff glimmering where he had stood.

“Hanako?” Nene had looked everywhere, unsure of where he had gone. She had only been met with the silence of the forest. “Hanakooo!” Nene called out, her voice echoing, bouncing off the wood of the trees. A few crows were startled as they flew away from the sound of her voice. 

He had returned several times since that evening, but only after sundown. But now? Three days had passed with no sign of him. Nene kept herself busy, harvesting and spreading the last of autumn’s colors, but worry tugged at her. Could something bad happen to a season? She hoped not.

A faint rustle came from above, and as if her thoughts were heard, Hanako appeared in front of Nene hanging upside down from the tree. “Were you looking for me?” He asked, giving her a cheeky grin. Nene gasped, stumbling backward as their faces nearly collided. Their noses brushed before she lost her balance and fell onto her tailbone with a sharp thud.

“D-Don’t startle me like that you jerk!” She winced. Hanako only laughed, pulling himself down from the tree. The weird silver stuff grew like webs around him as his feet hit the ground.

“Sorry Yashiro.” He said, offering his hand to help her up. The coldness of his fingers lingered even after he let go of her hand. “You just make it too easy!” 

Nene pouted at him, noting that yes, this hadn’t been the first time he startled her since their meeting. Over the past few nights they’d shared, he’d proven to be mischievous, if not entirely impossible to read. 

Nene looked down. She still hadn’t brought up the silvery stuff fanning out from his feet, but curiosity tugged her. “What is that, anyway?” She asked.

Hanako looked down and inspected the ground. “It’s frost.” He said. 

Nene crouched slightly, eyeing the silvery film spreading across the leaves. “It’s… pretty,” She admitted. Nene looked back up at him to find the pale skin on his cheeks darker. He turned away quickly, stepping back as if trying to hide it.

Hanako looked down at the frost spreading beneath his boots, then back at her. “Pretty, huh?” He murmured. The wind finally blew around them, causing Nene to pull her cloak more around her. 

She moved closer to the fire, rubbing her hands together until the feeling returned to her fingertips. The night had settled deep and cold, the kind that crept under her skin no matter how tightly she pulled her cloak around herself.

Hanako made his way over as he sat down next to her. Maybe a little too close she might add. “You really are warm,” He said, resting his head lightly against her shoulder.

Nene’s heart skipped, heat dusting her face at his close proximity. “Y-You said that before,” She reminded him. “And you also said you didn’t like it.”

Hanako scoffed, lifting his head with mock offense. “Yashiro, you wound me! I never said that.” 

“Last time you said that to me, you said it wasn’t a compliment.” She said, frowning. 

Hanako grew a bit quiet as he rested his head back down on her, he suddenly didn’t feel as cold as the tips of his ears dusted pink. “...Maybe I changed my mind.” He murmured. 

Hanako’s hand brushed hers, light as a feather. “I’m not used to it… But if it’s from you…” He said quietly. “It’s not… terrible.”

For a moment, Nene forgot how cold it was. The heat of the fire and the chill radiating from Hanako blurred together. Her cheeks were warm for reasons that had nothing to do with the flames. She wanted to say something, to fill the silence between them, but every word she could think of fell short.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw it again. The faint shimmer creeping across the ground. Frost, spreading over fallen leaves until they glimmered like glass.

She hadn’t lied, the frost was undeniably beautiful, the small crystals catching the light of the moon. But Nene noticed the decay it left in its wake, the leaves darkening faster, the life in the earth dimming under its touch. She hadn’t expected him this early into the season, and there was still so much to prepare. November hadn’t even arrived yet! She knew then that she needed guidance. Nene decided she had to contact Aoi and Akane, to understand what to do with this… new season.

She had never called upon Father Time or Mother Nature before. They usually appeared of their own accord, though such visits were rare. But with Hanako’s power unknown and unchecked, she had little choice. 

After some time had passed, she finally stood up. “I’m gonna head back to my cabin, I have to retrieve something from there, you can come if you’d like.” Nene offered. 

“That’s very bold of you, Yashiro.” He smirked. “Already taking me home after barely knowing each other?” Nene felt the heat creeping up her neck. 

“T-That’s not what I meant and you know it!” She argued. “Whatever.” Nene had put the fire out that she made, grabbing her lantern as she started her way toward the cabin. Which was a good distance south from where they were. Her and Kou shared it technically, but she much preferred the outside air. Though if nights were going to be as cold as this one, she might reconsider staying there. 

Hanako followed quietly behind her. His steps were so soft she could barely hear the crunch of leaves beneath his boots, but the trail of frost that spread from them was impossible to miss. The icy silver creeping across the ground this early made her uneasy.

The chill from his presence seeped into her bones. Since meeting him, she had noticed how the air around him felt almost alive. Every breath she drew seemed to crystallize, and the warmth within her fought to hold its ground against the cold between them. It was beautiful in its own strange way. The way frost traced patterns over the forest floor, how the world glimmered faintly wherever he went. But it was foreign. Alien. And it made her heart race with both curiosity and apprehension.

This was what winter was going to be like, if not worse, she realized. It was only the beginning, and Nene suddenly remembered Akane’s words from the last time she had seen him. 

“While autumn lives on the cusp of death, this new season will live in it.”

Soon everything would wither and die from the cold. And all she could do was wonder if she’d still be around to witness it. 

As dawn approached, the dark of the night turned into soft hues of purples and blue. It seemed the warmth of the sun would cast its rays quite harshly upon the earth today, and for a fleeting moment, she thought of Kou. Sure, warm autumn days were pleasant, but they were also troublesome. Heat made the leaves dry too quickly, and she’d already noticed the mountains losing the vibrancy she had painted a few weeks prior. 

As the sun finally peaked from behind the mountain, she noticed all grew still. Nene stopped walking, and realized there were no steps behind her. She whipped her head back to Hanako, or least, where Hanako was before. 

And just like that, he had disappeared like he always did into the night. She wasn’t sure why he always left at dawn. He hadn’t seemed used to her autumn days, perhaps it scared him away. In a way she understood. There had been times where she had to dismiss herself when Kou’s September warmth was deemed too much. She frowned, deciding it would be wise to keep going. He’d show up again eventually. 

Their cabin sat snugly at the edge of the harvest field, a small, warm refuge tucked beneath large oak trees. Its wooden walls were weathered but welcoming. The stone chimney sat on the top, it hadn’t been used in some time since she hadn’t stayed there in a while. 

Inside, the cabin felt like a living tapestry of autumn and summer. The morning sunlight was starting to stream through the windows, casting golden patterns across the burgundy colored rugs. Bundles of dried herbs hung from the ceiling alongside garlands of sunflowers. They had unfortunately dried out already, but Nene still needed to harvest their seeds. Orange and brown leaves scattered across the floor. A small table sat by the hearth, laden with harvested apples, pumpkins, and a teapot that hadn’t been used since Kou left. Perhaps if Hanako was here, she could have offered him some tea. Though she wasn’t sure how he would react to a warm drink. 

She had come here for a reason. Two horns rested in her possession, each with their own specific purpose. If today was to be a warmer autumn day, she needed to cast a breeze through the notches, the one that helped her guide her own elements did just that. The other that she needed, called both Aoi and Akane. She had never used it, not once. 

Nene retrieved both from their drawers, the polished wood cool against her fingertips, and made her way toward the ladder leading up to the roof. But the moment she began to climb, her balance wavered. Her legs felt heavier than they should have, and her chest rose and fell too quickly for the short walk from the door. She steadied herself against the rungs, heart pounding with a strange mix of exhaustion and nerves.

“I shouldn’t feel this way… so early…” She whispered under her breath, glancing up at the small patch of frost melting along the windowsill. It wasn’t just the short walk, something else gnawed at her. A fatigue that usually only plagued her at the end of the season. Her fingers tingled faintly, and the warmth she normally carried in her hands seemed muted, as though the early presence of winter was already leeching some of her strength.

Nene swallowed hard, desperately trying to ignore the unease twisting in her stomach. She climbed to the top of the cabin roof. The world below was quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves stirred by her movement. She set the horn to her lips, the wood cool against her mouth.

Taking a deep breath, she pressed her fingers to the notches and blew. The sound that emerged was a deep hum that seemed to vibrate through her chest. As she adjusted her breath, higher tones rippled out, spiraling upward and outward into the sky. The notes danced over the treetops, weaving through the branches and making the red and orange leaves quiver.

The wind picked up, rustling the cloak around her. A soft breeze rose from the meadow below, growing into a rush that wrapped around the cabin. Nene could feel it brushing her silver hair against her cheeks and tugging at the hem of her dress. It felt as though her own heartbeat synced with the rhythm of the gusts. And suddenly that strange feeling she felt before washed away. 

Nene then brought the second horn to her lips. The one to call both Akane and Aoi. The rising of the sun had now diminished all of Hanako’s frost as she called to them. She let the horn fall to her side as she let out a sigh. 

As Nene made her way back down from the roof and stepped inside, she opened the front door, only to come face to face with Aoi, whose hand was frozen mid-knock.

“Oh! Nene!” Aoi’s mouth, formed in a startled ‘o’, softened into a bright smile.

“Aoi!” Nene exclaimed, immediately pulling her into a hug.

“I heard your call, are you alright? It’s not like you to summon me,” Aoi said, worry creasing her brow as she pulled back.

“O-Oh, I’m fine! Really!” Nene insisted, lifting her hands defensively. “I just… needed a bit of guidance, that’s all. Would you like some tea?”

She ushered Aoi inside, the wind pushing at the door until it shut with effort. Nene put some water in the tea pot, setting it on the stove as she cut up some apples for her guest. 

“Akane isn’t with you?” She asked over her shoulder.

“Oh, no. He couldn’t make it.” She said, settling at the table. “You know that thing humans do in some countries, daylight savings? It’s a real hassle for him, so he’s preparing for that since it’s next month.” 

“I see.” Nene placed the apple slices before her, dusting them with cinnamon, just as the teapot began to whistle. She poured their cups and sat across from her friend.

“So,” Aoi said, eyes curious over the rim of her tea, “What kind of guidance do you need?”

“Well, I finally met winter,” Nene said, fingers curling around her cup. The memory of golden eyes flickered in her mind, and for a moment, she forgot the warmth of the tea.

 Aoi’s eyes widened. “Oh my goodness, really? What are they like? Tell me everything!”

“His name’s Hanako, and he’s…” Nene hesitated. Blunt. Sarcastic. Impossible. “…Interesting,” She settled on at last. “Very different from the Kou. He appeared about… twelve days ago? I think?”

“So soon?” Aoi asked. 

“Yeah.” Nene nodded. “I have also noticed there is this… stuff, frost he had called it, coming from him. It was killing things a bit quicker than I projected. So I wanted your advice on how to maybe… delay winter a bit so I can finish my own work first.” 

Aoi’s brow furrowed. “He can’t control it?” She asked. 

“Oh– Like the frost?” She asked, thinking back. “I didn’t ask. It was just appearing all around him.” 

Aoi sipped her tea thoughtfully. “Then you should take him up one of the mountains. The cold weather begins up there anyway. It’ll help the frost settle where it’s meant to first.”

“O-Okay…” Nene said. “But I’m not sure how well I’ll do traveling up there with him. This morning I felt so… weak. I’m pretty sure it was from the cold.”

Aoi’s hand shot out, gripping hers. “Nene, are you alright?”

“I-I’m okay now!” Nene reassured. “Like I said, I’m just worried winter will come a bit sooner than I would have liked.” 

“You could take the train,” Aoi suggested. “It goes all the way to the top of the mountain north from here. There’s even a small village halfway up if you need to rest.”

“That’s true…” Nene murmured, already thinking it through as she pulled off her cloak, the midday warmth seeping back in.

A big smile planted on Aoi’s face. “Is he cute?” She asked, causing Nene to nearly spit out her tea. 

“W-What?!” Nene stuttered. 

“Winter– You said his name was Hanako right? Is he cute?” Aoi pressed, as though she had to clarify. Nene’s face started to heat up at the thought. Sure, she would classify him as cute, but that was such a bold thing for Aoi to ask! And probably something Nene would never admit out loud.

 Aoi’s smile only widened at Nene’s reaction, causing Nene to hide her face. “Well that answers that question.” She said, giving her teasing eyes. 

“Aoi…” Nene whined. “He’s not even my type. Plus he told me my ankles looked like tree trunks…” She pouted. 

Aoi’s eyes widened, then narrowed playfully. “Did he now? Well, you know how to reach me if he gives you any trouble,” She said with a bright, disarming smile that didn’t quite hide the threat beneath it.

Despite herself, Nene laughed softly. She could always rely on Aoi even if they rarely saw each other.

“I am a little worried, though,” Aoi added after a pause. “About the frost. If he really can’t control it… that could be dangerous.”

“I-I’m sure it’s just something he needs to get used to,” Nene said, trying to sound confident. “Like the rest of us did.” Aoi only hummed into her tea. 

Nene had her answer now. She’d take Hanako to the mountains, where winter could begin properly. Until then, she had her own work to finish, and that golden eyed boy would surely find her again soon.

Days passed, the early evening slowly approaching. Nene noticed that the sun’s warmth wasn’t as graceful as it used to be. A faint chill clung to the air, biting at her skin even as the light still bathed the meadow in gold. Ever since Hanako’s arrival, the nights had grown colder, but this was new. The sun was still up, and yet the wind cut harshly through her cloak.

She had taken a short break from her work. Aoi had suggested she prepare the soil for winter's frost. She now sat in the meadow near the cabin. The grass had grown long and dull, its color fading from the bright hues Kou and Sousuke had once given it.

Then the air shifted. It grew colder, unmistakably so. A familiar cold. Almost as if—

“Yashiro~.”

Before she could turn, cold arms slipped around her shoulders like a vine. She stiffened, glancing back to see Hanako grinning behind her, his breath misting in the air. He was close, a bit too close. Nene had started to learn that Hanako was a bit… clingy. Far more than she was used to. Still, it didn’t bother her as much as she thought it would. This time of year, she was usually alone. So having someone around, even though he only came around after dark, wasn’t so bad.

Speaking of. 

“Hanako?” She said, blinking up at him. “I haven’t seen you in the daytime before!” She could still classify it as day time, the sun was still hanging in the sky. Golden hour hadn’t even approached yet!

“Keeping tabs on me I see?” His grin turned sly. 

“Just pointing out the obvious.” Nene said, rolling her eyes. A beat passed between the two of them as she realized he was still holding onto her. She brushed his arms off lightly, turning to face him. Which allowed her to get a better look at him in the daylight. 

His dark hair fell unevenly over his eyes. His eyes felt even warmer, seeing them now. He wasn’t wearing his usual cloak she had grown familiar with, just the dark colored vest covered in frost that was usually hidden underneath. His hands were calloused and pale, even the tips of his fingers dusted purple from the coldness of them. 

Nene realized she was staring only when he shifted, his eyes darting away as he cleared his throat. Her face flushed hot.

“Uh… I-I mean I’m not used to seeing you so early.” She stammered, fumbling for words. Aoi’s teasing question echoed suddenly in her mind– Is he cute? And she wanted to sink and disappear into the earth.

“The sun’s not too hot today,” Hanako said finally. His golden eyes flicked back to hers before sliding away again. Then, as if to cover the awkwardness, he forced a smirk. “Why? Did you miss me, Yashiro?”

“Of course I did!” She admitted without hesitation. Nene would consider him a friend by now, and with all the time she spent by herself, she couldn’t help but let her thoughts drift to where he disappeared each morning. “I wanted to tell you about the plan to prepare for your season.”

Hanako’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh?”

“I spoke with Aoi about what to do, and she suggested we take the train up the mountain. According to her, your work needs to start there first.”

“Sounds like she just wants to separate us,” He said with mock drama, letting his head fall back as if truly wounded.

“Oh boy…” Nene sighed under her breath. “You’re not staying up there forever, silly,” She reassured him, shaking her head. “I just need to finish my work down here before your frost starts killing everything.”

“So mean…” He pouted.

“It’s not mean,” She said firmly. “Just realistic. If you want to stay down here, learn to control the frost better.” That earned a quiet pause. Hanako’s smile faded, his gaze falling toward his feet where the faint silver frost spread across the grass. 

His tone shifted when he finally spoke. “Lead the way then,” He muttered, gesturing toward the distant mountains.

Nene hesitated for a moment before she gave him a soft smile. She turned toward the trail, motioning for him to follow. They needed to hurry if they were going to catch the last train before sundown.

As they walked side by side, Nene noticed how silent he had grown. His earlier teasing had dissolved into something pensive, his expression thoughtful as the fading light brushed over his features. His reaction to her words lingered in her mind. Maybe he really couldn’t control it, she thought. She tried to recall her own first years as a season, those early days when autumn’s magic first stirred in her, but she couldn’t remember ever feeling powerless over it.

Hanako’s gaze suddenly lifted and was drawn to the glow of the world around them.

Although the peak of autumn was behind them, the forest was still alive with color. Golds, oranges and browns shimmered in the early evening light, and when the wind passed through, it carried a rain of leaves that fluttered around the two of them. His mouth hung open at the sight. 

She then realized this had been the first time he had seen her work with more than just the light of the moon. Nene couldn’t help but feel a small sense of pride at his reaction. She couldn’t help it! She had always admired Kou’s artistry in late summer, but no other season had ever been there to witness her own work. She couldn’t help but smile to herself.

The forest began to thin, giving way to the distant sound of the river and the chimes of a bell from the station down the hill. There was a small village nearby that Nene visited every once and a while. The seasons were heavily praised by humans for blessing the earth with their harvest. The air smelled faintly of coal and rusted metal, a sign they were close.

By the time they reached the platform, the sun had dipped low, washing the sky in gold and orange. The old train sat waiting as the two of them made their way along the brick platform. They arrived just in time too, it seemed the train was set to depart in a few minutes. 

They made their way to the back of the train, where an open platform overlooked the valley. The train gave a sudden jolt as it started to move, and Nene stumbled forward with a startled gasp, only to find herself caught in Hanako’s arms.

For a moment, everything went still. His coldness seeped into her own bones. But she didn’t… hate it. She remembered what Hanako had told her a while back when the two were together. 

 “If it’s from you…” He had told her. “It’s not… terrible.”

Now she sort of understood what he meant. The chill of the air usually bit at her skin. But as he had caught her, the coldness of his arms around her wasn’t as bad as it felt when the two of them first met.  

Her pulse quickened as she looked up at him. Their eyes met, hers wide and flustered, his caught somewhere between surprise and something more unreadable. Her cheeks dusted pink as the pale skin on his ears deepened in color. The rhythm of the train thudded beneath their feet, creating a beat that filled the silence between them.

“S-sorry—” Nene managed to say, voice catching as she tried to step back. But Hanako’s hand tightened just slightly as he brought her back to his embrace.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Yashiro,” He murmured, “If you wanted to be this close, you could’ve just asked.”

She pushed lightly at his chest. “It’s not my fault the train moved!” Hanako only laughed as he finally released her. The train rocked again, more gently this time as it finally gained its full speed. Nene stepped beside him at the railing, clutching it for balance. The forest and the town blurred together as the tracks curved along the hillside.

Hanako leaned on the rail next to her, close enough for his shoulder to brush hers. 

“When will I see you again?” He asked. His gaze stayed fixed on the horizon, where the sun had nearly vanished beyond the treeline.

Nene looked over at him. “A few weeks, maybe?” She said. “Don’t worry, when you’re up there, you can try doing more than just creating frost.”

He glanced sideways at her. “Like what?”

“I don’t know.” She admitted. Which was only the truth. She knew nothing of winter, only that it was… cold. “Me and the other two seasons figured it out with time, I’m sure it will come naturally to you eventually.” 

Hanako’s head tilted slightly, his eyes widening. “There are other seasons?” 

“Yup!” Nene smiled. “There’s Spring, his name is Sousuke. I actually haven’t met him before. But you will next year. Kou– that’s Summer, tells me a lot about him though. Kou is the season before me. You guys are like… opposites in a way.”

 Her voice softened. “He’s the best though. I love him deeply, he’s been there for me through so much and–”

“Love?” Hanako said, interrupting her. “You love him?” His face shifted into something she couldn’t quite place. 

Nene blinked, flustered. “N-not like that!” She said quickly. “He’s my best friend! Besides, he’s not even my type.”

“Oh?” His mouth curved into a small smirk. “You have a type?”

Her face flushed. “O-of course I do!” She said, crossing her arms. “Don’t you?”

Hanako hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. His eyes flicked away, suddenly shy. “Sure,” He said after a pause. “I do.”

Nene felt the need to ask him what it was out of pure curiosity. But before she could ask, the train started to slow.

Nene looked around, her brow furrowing. “Huh? We’re not at a station…” The whistle sounded once, echoing into the trees as the cars shuddered to a full stop. “Why did we stop?” She asked. It was only when she turned around she could take a guess of why. 

The rear door of the train was covered in long, sharp icicles, dangling like teeth. Nene blinked, unsure of what she was looking at. It had to be Hanako’s doing, there was no other explanation. The sight only deepened her suspicion that he still couldn’t fully control his season.

She reached out and touched one. It was solid and smooth beneath her fingers, glinting faintly in the fading light. The tip began to melt under her warmth. Before she could pull back, Hanako caught her wrist and tugged her away just as the icicle cracked loose, shattering against the train floor.

“Yashiro, be careful!” He said, voice sharp with concern.

“I’m fine!” Nene insisted. “Did you make this?” She asked. 

A moment passed between them before he finally spoke. “The ice? Yeah.” 

Before she could respond a crackling voice suddenly echoed from the train’s speaker. “Attention passengers! Due to freezing conditions affecting the undercarriage, all passengers are required to disembark immediately using the rear emergency exit. Please proceed carefully and remain calm.”

Hanako’s voice came softly. “Do you hate it?”

Nene blinked. “Hate it?” She repeated. “Like— The ice? Why would I hate it?”

“Cause I—“ He hesitated before looking up, his expression unreadable. “…Never mind.”

Nene sighed and reached for his hand, her touch warm against his cold fingers. “Come on. The nearest village can’t be too far. It should be just over that ridge.”

The two of them got off the train, scanning the path ahead. It was steep and uneven, but Nene had been up here plenty of times to paint the colors of the mountain. Gold and red leaves swirled in the wind, carpeting sections of the ground where they walked. A few brave passengers laughed nervously at the view, marveling at the beauty despite the chill coming from Hanako. She only hoped they could get there before it got too dark. 

Nene didn’t want to admit this to Hanako. But she felt… heavy. That same feeling she had felt at the cabin before. Her steps slowed down, but not enough for Hanako to notice. He seemed like he felt guilty over what happened on the train. She didn’t want to worry him more.

As they descended, the village came into view. Smoke came from the chimneys, warm golden lights glowed from the windows, and the sound of humans echoed in the distance. Relief washed over some of the passengers, and a few quickened their pace.

There must have been a festival happening. Market stalls lined the streets, their colorful awnings flapping in the breeze, the music cheerful and loud. She noted the large pumpkins lined up on a patch of grass. Children ran between carts, shouting and laughing, while vendors called out their wares. The smell of festival food and pumpkins filled the crisp autumn air.

Nene moved carefully through the crowd with Hanako beside her, catching her gaze and smiling.

He was okay. She thought. He’s smiling, so all she could hope for was that he was okay. 

Hanako was still holding onto her hand, a sudden thrill running through her as their fingers intertwined. She couldn’t help but smile to herself, feeling a little lighter than she had on the way here. She had heard of these Autumn festivals before, but she had never attended one herself. 

“Come on,” Nene said, tugging his hand as her eyes caught a nearby stall. The smell of sugar and cinnamon drifted through the air as the vendor pulled out fresh donuts. 

“They look so good!” Nene glanced back at Hanako, smiling. “Don’t they?” 

He leaned closer to the counter, watching the steam rise from the warm pastries. “They smell good, what is it?” He asked. 

“You’ve never had a donut before?” She asked, half in disbelief.

Hanako shook his head. “I don’t really eat much of what humans make.”

“Then you’re in luck,” She said, already pulling a few coins out from her pocket. “You’re trying one today.” The vendor handed her one as Nene broke it in half. “Here,” She said, holding it out to him.

Hanako took it hesitantly at first, but as soon as he bit into it, his eyes sparkled. “Oh.” He chewed slowly, then took another, much bigger bite. “It’s really good!”

Nene laughed at the expression on his face. “You like it?”

He nodded, swallowing. “It’s warm and soft— and sweet. Like…” He stopped, his eyes looking up towards her. The words hung between them for a beat too long.

Nene froze. Was he talking about her? Heat rushed to her face. “L-Like?”

Hanako blinked as if realizing what he’d just said. “Ah–” A crooked grin appeared almost instantly. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Yashiro~” He smirked. “Why, what did you think I was going to say?”

Her flustered expression only deepened. “I thought– W-Whatever.” She muttered as she glanced up at him. “You’ve got sugar all over your face.”

Hanako blinked, brushing at his mouth, only to smear more sugar on his cheek. Nene sighed and reached over, swiping it away with her thumb before she could think twice. The moment lingered just long enough for her to feel his breath catch and his gaze flicker up to hers.

“There,” She said, stepping back. “All clean.”

Hanako’s eyes remained on her longer than usual, gold catching the lantern light. She quickly looked away, focusing on the pumpkins lining the street.

“A-Anyway! I think there’s a pumpkin competition happening. Some of the villagers grow them, and the biggest ones get prizes. We should go see them!” Nene said. Hanako only nodded as Nene grabbed his hand again. 

But the crowd only thickened the more they walked, people spilling into the narrow streets from every direction. Nene’s grip on Hanako’s hand tightened instinctively, only to find it slipping away as someone bumped into her shoulder. 

Nene spun back to the direction Hanako was before. Lanterns swung above her casting light on the crowd, but she couldn’t see him anymore. She pushed gently through the people.

“Hanako?” She called out, hoping he would hear her. 

A sudden, cold presence drew close to her ear. She turned slightly, startled, and saw Hanako leaning in. His voice was soft, almost a whisper, carrying over the noise without anyone else noticing.

“I’ll see you in a few weeks, okay?”

Before she could answer, before she could even blink, he was gone. The crowd surged around her, the spot where he had been now empty. Nene’s eyes darted left and right, searching frantically through the bustling street, but there was no sign of him.

The frost and ice that had followed them through the festival had all but vanished. It was as if he had taken it with him, leaving the town untouched. Nene let out a sigh. 

“I’ll see you in a few weeks…” She whispered, letting the words float into the crisp autumn air.

Chapter Text

🍁

Father Time surely must have been toying with her, for this had felt like the longest week of her life. Just one week! And she was already growing fidgety. Nene desperately tried to keep herself busy. She had traveled to nearby villages to warn them of what was to come, to teach them how to prepare their gardens for the frost, to gather enough firewood for the nights that would soon turn bitter.

She worked methodically in her own garden, digging and turning the soil with her spade. It was very important Nene tended to this specific garden. It worked like magic, where the gardens and the fields she tended to would affect the gardens and fields around the earth. That was why the humans appreciated everything the seasons did for them.

But Nene couldn’t help the fatigue that washed over her. This new work to prepare for winter was tedious, but it also still needed to be done. Her muscles ached, and at times she couldn’t tell if the sweat on her forehead was from the hard work or the feverish feeling that would come in waves. But she wasn’t going to let something like a small fever stop her from finishing. 

The echo of the festival still lingered in her mind. The smell of pumpkins, the glow of lanterns, Hanako’s sparkling eyes as he bit into that donut and said something that still made her blush if she thought about it too long.

She sighed, pressing the spade into the earth again. “Focus, Nene,” She muttered to herself.

A breeze drifted through the garden, gentle at first, then stronger. Nene looked up as a shower of leaves came tumbling down from the trees that lined the meadow, scattering across the fresh soil she had just finished raking.

Nene sighed, pushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “I just cleaned this...”

The wind carried another swirl of them into the air before settling among the turned earth. Nene’s frustration softened when she noticed a few of them shining differently from the rest.

She crouched down, picking one up delicately by the stem. It was amber, its color still rich and warm, almost glowing against the fading light. Nene couldn’t help but have her thoughts trail back to Hanako… again. The color resembled his eyes so much. She lifted it up a bit, letting the leaf slip from her fingers. Nene watched as the breeze caught it again and carried it toward the horizon, until it vanished from sight.

But as her eyes finally scanned the horizon, she saw something that made her breath catch. The peak of the mountain, which had been painted in deep amber just days ago, was now faintly white.

It wasn’t much, just a dusting, a soft veil of… Frost? It might be frost, she wasn’t sure. But under the waning sunlight it shimmered and sparkled. Nene stared at it for a long moment. It really was beautiful, she had never seen anything like it before. 

She then remembered when the two of them were on the train. When long teeth like icicles had grown on the door. How he had pulled her back by the wrist as the ice crashed to the floor. And she remembered what he had asked her.

“Do you hate it?”

Nene hadn’t known Hanako that long, but she could still remember how his eyes had fallen to the ground after asking her. How he grew quiet every time the power of his own season showed itself. He never said it aloud, but she could tell. He didn’t love his work the way she did hers.

It would just take time, Nene thought to herself. When he finally learned to control it, when he learned more about his own season. She was more than positive he’d have a sense of pride at his own work like she and Kou did. 

Nene decided now would be a good time to take a break. November was drawing near, and once it arrived, her work would finally be complete. Then she would have nothing left to do but watch the trees shed the last of their leaves. It was a waiting game before she too would fade from this world until next year. She could only wonder how things would unfold this time, now that winter was among them.

Just as she turned to gather her tools, a flicker of movement caught her eye. Something pale gliding through the tall grass at the edge of the woods. It was only when Nene saw the sway of a fluffy white tail she knew exactly who it was. 

“Yako!” Nene called, standing up. She ignored the small rush of dizziness from her head as she made her way out of the garden. 

Yako was a messenger fox. With piercing green eyes and pale white fur, she would only come to visit the deities when there was a message to be given from someone here on earth.  

Nene then thought maybe writing Hanako a letter would ease her impatience, she’d have to come back to that thought later.

Yako gave a short, decisive flick of her ear, then stepped forward, the faint jingle of the charm around her neck catching Nene’s attention. Tied beneath it was a small envelope sealed with auburn wax. The fox’s green eyes narrowed ever so slightly. But after a pause, she dipped her head with a small huff, granting Nene permission to draw closer. 

“Thank you,” Nene said as she untied the string. Yako’s gaze lingered on her, chin high, before she turned and padded away, her white fur disappearing between the trees without another sound.

Nene turned the letter over in her hands, curiosity prickling at her. Who would be sending her a message? As she unfolded the paper and started to read, she realized it had been a letter from the townspeople of a nearby village. Or more specifically, an invitation. 

She knew as she had travelled to different villages this last week, speaking about the shifting weather, teaching them how to prepare their gardens for the frost to come. She hadn’t told them outright that a new season was on its way, but with the frost forming on the mountains, rumors must have already begun to spread.

The invitation was to their festival, a different village than the one her and Hanako had passed through. This one was to celebrate the passing of autumn to this “new season.” The end of the harvest, and when Nene would no longer be able to paint her colors across the earth. It was to be held in the evening on the last day of October, or the eve of Samhain. 

Her gaze drifted back to the letter, reading the final line once more, ‘We welcome all who tend to the seasons.’ Her fingers tightened around the paper. Nene wondered if Hanako would be there. 

Maybe she would go, just for a little while. To see how the humans honored the changing of time… and maybe, just maybe, to see him again. Not that she was growing impatient to see him again or anything, because that would be… ridiculous. She had just seen him a week ago, and the two of them told each other they’d see the other in a couple weeks. Nene was patient! Plus, if he didn’t show up, she knew she’d see him at the very least by mid November. 

Soft candlelight flickered across her cabin as Nene stood before the mirror, adjusting the final touches of her attire. If this village wished to honor the passing of her season, then she would attend in warm, golden hues, as if Autumn were still in full bloom.

Her dress was a soft beige, almost the color of dried wheat under the last sunset of October. Layers of fabric flowed like fallen leaves, each tier embroidered with curling vines and tiny stitched acorns. Subtle ombre hues deepened toward the hem, shifting from beige to a warm, burnt gold that glowed when she moved.

Pressed golden leaves adorned the skirt and bodice, arranged in delicate clusters like foliage caught mid fall. She had chosen each one intentionally, painting them with hints of amber that reminded her a bit too much of a specific season. She told herself it was purely aesthetic… but her cheeks warmed at the thought.

A crown rested atop her cream colored hair, woven from braided wheat, dried marigold blooms, and sprigs of wild thyme she gathered that morning. This crown was meant to serve as the ending of the harvest season, she was sure the villagers would love it. Nene pulled a rust colored shawl made of wool over her shoulders, clasped with a brooch shaped like an oak leaf. Nene gave a small smile to herself as she headed towards the village. 

The path there was lit with lanterns carved from pumpkins, each glowing out from their carved faces. By the time she reached the village, dusk had deepened into twilight. Bonfires crackled in great stone circles, their flames reaching high toward the sky. Humans with painted faces, dressed as spirits, animals, and folklore figures. Musicians played their flutes, while dancers spun in loops that mimicked swirling leaves caught in a final autumn wind.

Wreaths of wheat and marigolds hung from doorways to prepare for when the boundary between worlds thinned. Offerings of bread, apples, and candles sat on small tables beside the carved pumpkins, their light guiding wandering souls home. This was Autumn, not her own work on the trees or the fields, but how humans felt it. Cherished it, and even mourned the end of it. 

Many acknowledged her presence, her attire a dead giveaway. She smiled bashfully, she was definitely not used to all the attention. Although she visited the villages from time to time, tonight she felt way too many eyes on her as she passed. But as Nene wandered deeper into the festival, the music softened and the crowd thinned. Lanternlight guided her toward a quieter corner of the square, where a small stall sat slightly apart from the others. Behind the stall sat a young woman. Poised, serene, and strikingly lovely. This woman was beautiful, Nene couldn’t help but think. Her hair flowed in a muted shade of soft green. The girl moved with a composed grace that made Nene’s breath hitch. And Nene’s eyes couldn’t help but widened upon seeing a strange scar across the girls neck.

“Oh, Nene-sama, it is nice to finally meet you.” The young lady said, smiling softly. Nene blinked. Of course this woman knew her, it seemed like a lot of people in this village did. “My name is Sakura, welcome to the fortunes of Samhain.”

“H-Hello.” Nene replied, almost shy. “I-I’m a little surprised you and the townspeople knew who I was. It’s been quite some time since I visited this village in particular.” 

“We appreciate the seasons a lot differently here.” Sakura said. “A lot of them, especially the elder townspeople, look to you three as Gods. And a lot of rumors have speculated of a new season forming because of the colder weather. They invited you for good omen, for many have started to fear the new weather that has been forming on the top of one of the nearby mountains.”

“Fear?” Nene questioned. “I promise, there is no need to fear it. Hana– I mean– This new season is definitely different, but it is nothing to be afraid of.” 

“So it's true...” Sakura said. “There will be a new season then.”

“I– I mean yes but–” Nene leaned closer, careful not to get too close to the fire. “I wasn’t really meant to tell anyone,” She confessed with a sheepish smile. “Could that stay just between us?”

Sakura’s eyes widened, but as quick as they did, they softened as she smiled gently. “It is safe with me.” She assured. Nene then noticed the strange things in Sakura’s stall. At the center burned a small fire in a shallow bronze bowl. Beside it lay a dish of hazelnuts and a piece of chalk.

“Your stall caught my eye.” Nene said, stepping closer. 

Sakura made an unreadable expression. “Curiosity has a way of guiding us to the truths we pretend we are not seeking.” She said as she selected two hazelnuts with delicate fingers, nearly reverent.

“A Samhain fortune,” She explained. “Two hazelnuts. One marked with your name… and one with the name of the person you desire. You place them near the flame. Should they roast quietly together, it foretells harmony and a blessed match. But if they leap apart…” Her green hair shifted gently as she inclined her head, eyes lowering to the fire. “The bond is ill-fated. A love that will not stay.” 

Nene’s eyes widened. “That’s… different for a festival game,” She said, attempting a small laugh.

“I wouldn’t so much call it a game.” Sakura replied. “I’d refer to it more like… a small glimpse into your future.” She held two of the nuts up to her. “Would you like to try, Nene-sama?”

Nene hesitated only a moment before nodding. “...Alright. I’ll try.”

Sakura placed the two hazelnuts into Nene’s hands, along with the piece of chalk. “Write your name on one,” She instructed, “And the name of the one your heart lingers on upon the other.”

Nene’s breath caught. The one her heart lingers on…? That felt far too revealing for a stranger to say out loud. She turned slightly, shielding the nuts with her body as she marked them. Nene on one. And on the other…? Her hand paused only a second before she wrote Hanako’s name.

Nene felt a bit ridiculous. She hadn’t known Hanako long, but she couldn’t help the fondness she felt when she was with him, or even when she thought of him. She also couldn’t help the strange impatient feeling of wanting to see him again. So she was doing this out of… curiosity. Pure curiosity. 

When Nene turned back around, Sakura had made a space near the bowl of fire. Nene placed the hazelnuts beside one another on the warmed stone edge. Heat hung through the air, stirring the scent of the hazelnuts.

Sakura folded her hands. “Now we wait.” She said as the nuts began to warm, their shells darkening. Nene held her breath, watching. For a heartbeat, they remained still.

But suddenly, both hazelnuts jumped away from the flame, bouncing in opposite directions. Nene couldn’t stop her heart from sinking. It was a stupid thing to try anyways, Nene thought. But before she could reach for them, the hazelnuts shifted again, the two rolling back toward the other, then bumping lightly together, side by side.

Sakura’s eyes widened as the two girls looked at the hazelnuts. She leaned in, studying the hazelnuts as if unsure whether she had seen correctly.

“That…” Sakura murmured, “I’ve never seen that before.”

Nene blinked down at the nuts, then back up to her. “W–was that good? Or… bad…? Or… both?”

“They leaped apart, which signifies a separation. Of circumstance, of fate, or of time.” Her gaze lifted to Nene’s. “But to return to one another of their own accord… I have never witnessed that. It seems you and this other person will always keep finding each other then.” 

Nene supposed that made sense. When her own season met its demise, the two would be separated until the following year. But didn’t Sakura say the two hazelnuts staying together foretolled harmony and a blessed match? They technically bounced away from the other, but went back to each other right after. Trying to figure it out was making Nene’s head spin. It was only a game anyways, no need to dwell on it too much. 

Sakura’s gaze lingered on the two hazelnuts, still resting together as though drawn by an invisible thread. When she finally looked back up at Nene, there was a new softness in her expression, less fortune-teller and more… curious girl.

“Nene-sama, if I may ask,” Sakura began, “Whose name did you place upon the second hazelnut?”

Nene nearly choked on air. “M-Mine?” She squeaked, then winced. “I mean– no, not mine– obviously, because the other one was mine, and that would mean I–  I didn’t put my name twice–  because that’d be weird–”

Sakura waited patiently as heat climbed up Nene’s neck and bloomed across her cheeks. Her hands flailed in front of her as if she could physically push away the embarrassment.

“It’s just– someone,” Nene sputtered. “A person. A nice person! Not that it matters, because I don’t– I mean, it’s not like that– it’s just a silly festival thing, right?”

Sakura’s lips curved into the smallest knowing smile. “You need not tell me their name,” Sakura said. “Not all hearts are ready to speak aloud what they feel.”

Nene let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, shoulders slumping with relieved embarrassment. She was saved only by another customer approaching the stall, giving her a reason to step back. As she moved away, she felt Sakura’s gaze on her back. The two hazelnuts still sitting together by the flame.

She tried to shake off the fortune. Silly game, she told herself. It didn’t mean anything… Hazelnuts and smoke, that was all. She folded her arms, glancing once more toward Sakura’s stall. The fortune teller was already speaking to the other person, her green hair glinting under the lantern light.

Nene nearly tripped when something brushed against her ankles.

Her eyes darted down just in time to see a black cat weaving between her feet. Its fur was dark like the night sky. The cat sat down near her feet and looked up at her, golden eyes gleaming with a knowing sort of mischief.

“Oh– Hello there,” Nene said, crouching down to its level. “You almost made me step on you.”

As she looked at the cat. She noted its eyes had the exact golden tint that winter’s held.

The cat tilted its head, unbothered. Then it padded closer and tapped a paw against the hem of her dress, as if demanding attention. That’s when she noticed the collar. It was maroon, and a small metal tag shaped like a crescent moon hung from it.

Curious, Nene reached for it. The cat allowed it, sitting perfectly still as her fingers turned the tag over.

“Tsukasa,” She read aloud. The cat meowed as if acknowledging her. “Is that your name? Where’s your owner, little guy?” She glanced around, half expecting someone to step forward. Maybe a child or a performer looking for their missing cat. But no one seemed to notice or claim him.

Before she could say another word, it quickly darted off, slipping between the festival stalls and vanishing toward the great bonfire in the center of the square.

“Hey, wait!” Nene called, gathering her dress as she took a step after it. But before she could get any further a hand clamped around her wrist.

Nene turned to an elderly woman standing beside her. Her grip was surprisingly firm for someone so frail looking. Deep lines marked her face, and her eyes held a strange kindness that made Nene’s shoulders ease. The woman gave her a warm smile. 

“Oh, Nene-sama,” The woman said with surprise, “To think you would come to our little festival…”

Nene blinked, flustered. “Ah– well, I received an invitation, and it felt rude not to at least visit–”

“How fortunate for us,” The old woman murmured, her thumb brushing lightly over Nene’s wrist as if in blessing. “Your presence at Samhain is a powerful omen.”

Something in the lady’s eyes shifted ever so slightly, making Nene’s pulse skip. The woman’s smile did not fade, but the warmth behind it drained, leaving something hollow.

“I mean– Like I had said.” Nene muttered. “I figured it to be rude to not accept the invitation, I was just–”

“The veil thins,” The woman interrupted, ignoring her. “The dark months approach. A sacrifice must be given to the fire–” Her fingers tightened around Nene, “Yours, if the blessing is to hold.” A chill chased up Nene’s spine as several festival goers turned at the sound of the old woman’s voice. Heads lifted. More and more eyes fixed on her until it felt as though the whole village was looking at her. 

Nene forced an awkward smile. “Uh— Well, this was very lovely, and I appreciate you for inviting me, but I-I really should be going–” 

“She came to us at Samhain!” Another villager whispered, stepping closer.

“It must mean this new season will spare us,” Said another.

“S-Spare?” Nene echoed. “No– You have it all wrong! I promise you have nothing to fear–” 

Another human grasped her other hand, startling her. She wasn’t sure what to do, these people clearly weren’t listening to her. And didn’t Sakura say the elder people praised the seasons like Gods? If this was how they treated deities like the seasons, she couldn’t imagine how they would have treated the actual Gods. 

“An offering,” The old woman repeated, louder now, as if calling the crowd to her. “The Autumn Maiden must cast something of herself into the fire, or the blessing will not hold!”

More hands, gentler than the old woman’s, yet far too many, touched her arms, her back, guiding her, not violently, but insistently. A tide of bodies formed around her, shepherding her toward the great bonfire at the village center.

Nene’s pulse skittered. She tried to slow her steps, digging her heels into the ground. “H–Hold on, just a– just a second– WAIT!”

Her plea barely formed before a sudden gust of wind surged through the square. It whipped through cloaks and skirts, sent lantern flames guttering, and tossed Nene’s hair around her. The crowd stumbled back with gasps and startled shouts, hands falling away from her as if pushed by an unseen force.

Nene stood alone in the cleared space, chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. The bonfire crackled behind her, and for one suspended moment the night held still. 

“C-Could someone please explain what exactly you mean by a sacrifice?” She called out. 

A middle aged man stepped forward. “We’ve heard the whispers, Nene-sama,” He said. “Rumors carried from village to village. Of a season far too cold to be from you upon the top of the mountain.” Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. “If Autumn herself offers something to the fire, then the new season will surely be kind to us. Our fields, our homes… our families will be protected.”

Nene’s heart clenched. But she couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. For a moment these people were making it seem like they were going to throw her in the fire. Their eyes were filled with fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of change. And they wanted her to ease that fear with a piece of herself.

Her lips parted, her voice softer now. “You have nothing to fear,” She told them. “This change is for the balance, it is not meant to harm you, I promise!”

A woman near the front shook her head, wringing her hands. “But how can you know that?” She pleaded. Dozens of desperate voices followed, blending into one chorus of people.

She glanced at the towering flames. At the faces in the crowd. Of course they would be concerned. Before she met Hanako, she too had her fears of the unknown. She knew these people had nothing to worry about, but it also wouldn’t hurt to ease their minds a bit. 

“Alright then.” Nene’s hand lifted to the crown resting atop her cream colored hair. The one she had made just this morning. The fire danced in her crimson eyes as she stared at it. The flames touched the night sky, hungry and eager. Nene drew in a steady breath. 

“For your protection,” She proclaimed as she removed the crown from her head. Gasps broke around her as the autumn wreath left her hair. The fire crackled louder, as if sensing the offering. Nene extended her hand over the flame as she was about to release it. 

That is, until a blur of midnight fur streaked across the stones.

That black cat– Tsukasa, snatched the crown from her grasp with its teeth. The crowd cried out as the cat landed and dashed away. 

Villagers scattered in every direction, some chasing after the cat, others backing away from the bonfire as if the flames might retaliate. The old woman who had first taken Nene’s wrist wailed, “It’s a bad omen! A terrible sign!”

“Wait– stop!” Nene cried, gathering her dress as she lunged after the cat. Tsukasa weaved effortlessly between ankles, skirts, and boots, his tail high with smug delight, the crown clenched in his jaw. Nene shoved past a pair of villagers who were arguing whether the cat was a witch’s familiar or a spirit sent to curse them all. She ignored the cries, the accusations, the growing fear swirling around her like a storm.

Her breath came in ragged as she broke free from the pressing crowd. The sound of shouting faded behind her, replaced by the echo of her boots on the cobblestone. She passed Sakura’s stall, its lantern dim, its fire extinguished, the fortune-teller no where to be found.

Ahead, the black cat was still running, the crown clutched in his jaws.

“Wait–!” Nene yelled between breaths following him down a narrow alleyway. The path twisted into darkness. Only a few pumpkin lanterns burned along the ground, their flickering faces stretching shadows across the walls. Nene let her dress go, the hem billowing behind her as she ran faster. She could still hear the soft pawsteps ahead, and she fixed her gaze on the golden crown.

The alley curved until the light of the village appeared ahead. Nene stumbled to a halt, chest heaving, realizing too late that the passage had looped back toward the square. The festival was in chaos. From the shadows of the alley, she could see the bonfire flaring high, villagers shouting, searching, calling her name. Tsukasa had vanished into the confusion.

Nene pressed herself against the cold stone wall, one hand clutching at her chest as she tried to steady her breath. No one noticed her there, hidden by shadow. Her crimson eyes lifted to the flames that clawed at the night sky, painting the village in shades of orange and gold.

Why were they so afraid? She wondered. Why did they see the new season as something to be feared? Sure, it was a lot colder than what they were used to. But from what she had seen, Nene found winter beautiful. Surely, these villagers would see the same when winter finally arose. 

That night, fatigue clung to her like the lingering scent of smoke. Nene had left the village soon after the chaos, following the forest path back to the cabin. By the time she reached it, the moon was at its peak, its pale light spilling through the windows as she made her way inside.

She washed the dust from her hands, changed into something softer, and slipped beneath her blanket. She couldn’t recall the last time she had slept. The blanket still smelled faintly of summer, like sunflowers and sunlight. A small, comforting ache stirred in her chest.

If Kou had been there, she wondered, what would he have done? He would have known how to calm them. He always did. He had a way of making people feel safe with his warmth.

Her thoughts drifted like falling leaves as sleep slowly took her. But it did not come easily. She tossed, turned, and found herself haunted by flashes of fire. The roar of the bonfire, the glow on frightened faces, the crown vanishing into the dark.

It wasn’t until much later, when exhaustion finally won, that she began to dream. Somewhere between waking and sleep, she felt a faint pressure of four paws on her chest. Her brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t wake. Her mind finally found some sort of peace as the weight on her chest settled, drifting her into deep sleep. 

When morning finally came, pale light filtered through the cabin window, tracing soft gold across the wooden floor. November was finally here. Nene stirred beneath her blanket, the warmth on her chest still there, heavier than she remembered. It was only when her lashes fluttered open she froze in place.

A pair of bright, mischievous golden eyes blinked back at her.

Tsukasa sat squarely on her chest, tail flicking, the faintest dusting of ash still clinging to his dark fur. He blinked once, then twice, head tilting as if to greet her.

“…You,” Nene muttered, voice still rough from sleep. He let out a small, unapologetic mrrp, as if to respond. 

They stared at each other for a long moment, each waiting for the other to move first. Finally, Tsukasa gave a loud, exaggerated yawn, then stretched his front paws right against her collarbone before hopping off the bed. Nene sat up, her hair a mess, blinking in disbelief. “How did you even get in here?”

The cat didn’t answer, obviously, but as she glanced toward the window, she saw it slightly ajar, a few stray leaves caught in the frame. And there, sitting neatly on the table beside her bed, was her autumn crown. 

Nene groaned, pressing a hand to her face as the memories of the previous night came flooding back. The festival and the chaos that followed it. “Ugh… That was a nightmare.” She muttered. Her eyes drifted back to the cat now sitting on the windowsill, cleaning his paw. 

“And you–” She pointed at him accusingly, “Why did you do that last night?! Those villagers went into a panic all because of you!”

Nene made her way over to where Tsukasa sat, then reached out, lifting him into her arms. He was warmer than she expected. His fur brushed against her as she held him closer, studying the way his amber eyes caught the light. 

Her breath stilled. “Your eyes…” She whispered. They reminded her too much of Hanako’s. That same warm amber glow, though the cat's eyes felt a bit more wild in comparison to Hanako’s soft ones. 

“They kind of remind me of Winter.” She muttered. Tsukasa’s ears twitched. He let out a short meow, then squirmed in her hold until she was forced to let him go. The moment his paws touched the floor, he trotted across the cabin, leaping back onto the windowsill. He turned his head, meeting her gaze once more. His tail swayed slowly, his pupils narrowing as the light from outside spilled over him. Then, with a soft chirp, he tapped the window with his paw, once, twice, and looked back at her expectantly.

And before she could say anything Tsukasa was gone out the window. Nene sighed, looking back down at the crown on her night stand. She could only wonder why he had stopped her from putting it into the fire, and why he brought it back to her. 

Nene made her way into the kitchen, the wooden floor creaking softly beneath her bare feet. The morning light spilled across the counter as she set a kettle on the stove, the familiar scent of dried herbs and tea leaves comforted her. 

As the water began to boil, Nene leaned against the counter and looked out the small kitchen window. The view stretched far beyond the garden she had tended yesterday, the soil now scattered with fallen leaves. But her eyes lifted higher, past the trees, to the distant mountain that pierced the pale sky.

Nene couldn’t help but marvel at the frost that gleamed across the tops of the trees, a shimmering white veil spreading further down the ridges than before. It was beautiful, hauntingly so, and reminded her that Hanako was up there somewhere. 

If she was honest with herself, she had wanted to follow Tsukasa. Some instinct told her he would have led her straight to him. The harvest was over, her work here was done.

Nene took a slow sip of her tea, the warmth comforting her against the chill that crept through the cabin. Then she straightened, setting the cup down with a soft clink. Her patience had grown too thin, and suddenly she felt the need to make some warmer clothes for the trip she was about to take. 

Chapter Text

🍁❄️

November was finally here. The peak of the autumn season had fully passed. The deep reds Nene had brushed across the world had dulled into muted shades of brown. Leaves fell faster now, spinning softly through the air before gathering on the forest floor. The end of Nene’s lifecycle was drawing closer, creeping in slowly. It was as though a large grandfather clock hung over her head, the ticking growing louder and louder until it was all she could focus on. Because when the final leaf fell to the earth and autumn faded fully, so would she. And she would return next year, as she always did, to begin the cycle again.

But Nene hated that uneasy feeling. It was as though with every fallen leaf she felt her bones growing more and more frail. It was still the beginning of November, so she needed to take advantage of the strength she still had. 

She spent the first days of November crafting warm clothing from the remnants of her season, using what the earth still offered. She gathered fallen leaves that had dried to warm browns to dye the wool she had sheaved from the sheep. The thick sweater resembled the color of tree bark in her opinion. Her long skirt tinted gold at the edges. She wrapped the leftover wool around her ankles to make soft, insulated warmers. And for her scarf, she spent hours searching the forest floor for the last surviving red leaves. She pressed them flat and treated them carefully, weaving them into a long, fluttering scarf that would trail behind her.

Tsukasa had come and gone several times throughout these days, slipping through the open window, his paws soundless on the wooden floor. He circled her as she worked, golden eyes tracking her every movement.

Nene had to gently bat him away more than once, especially when he took too much interest in the scarf she was weaving. He pawed playfully at the loose red leaves, catching the edge of the fabric in his teeth. But eventually, she finished. The scarf was complete, the sun had set, and the fire was crackling in the hearth. Tsukasa sat beside the flames, his fur catching the warm light. It should have felt peaceful.

But Nene’s thoughts drifted back to the festival. To the fear she saw in the villagers’ eyes. To the whispers about sacrifices and omens. She shook her head to dispel the chill that memory brought. They were simply afraid of change, she reminded herself. Of the unknown. Winter was not something to be feared. They would see that in time.

Her gaze drifted to the wheat crown sitting on her nightstand. The marigolds woven into it had turned brown, and the wheat had grown brittle. It felt less like a symbol of celebration now, and more like a reminder. A reminder that her season was ending.

And then there was Tsukasa. She still didn’t understand why he had taken the crown from her that night. Why he ran with it before she could cast it into the fire. She couldn’t exactly ask him. Cats couldn’t talk. Even so, there was something a bit… odd about him. Not odd enough to alarm her, just enough for her to notice it. His golden eyes lingered on her face longer than any ordinary animal’s would, as if he were studying her expressions. He would listen to her when she spoke like he understood her. 

But the thing that really stood out to her, she had only noticed now as he sat by the fire. His shadow on the cabin floor. It didn’t resemble a cat at all. If she looked hard enough… She swore she could see the faint silhouette of a boy. Nene was starting to wonder if maybe he was a spirit animal like Yako, born from the cycle of the seasons or the will of nature itself.

Nene had decided to wait until dawn to start her journey. The morning sky that day was a heavy grey, and a low veil of fog crept closely on the ground outside her cabin. Nene pulled her cloak around her shoulders and stepped out, Tsukasa following close behind. She lifted her gaze toward one of the mountains in the distance, but its peak was hidden, swallowed by clouds. That could be troublesome later, but she could only hope it wouldn’t stop her.

The forest thinned as they walked, she could hear the rushing water of the nearby stream and the faint chime of the train station bell. This was the same station her and Hanako had taken. Nene could hear the hustle from the closest village. Her and Tsukasa step onto the cobblestone platform, her boots tapping against them. As she got to the ticket booth, she noticed the sign to the left of it. 

“Last Stop goes to the Northern Village.

Service to Summit suspended due to inclement weather.”

Nene’s shoulders slumped. “Well, that isn’t going to work at all.” She muttered. Sure, Nene could probably take the train to the next village and hike the rest of the way up. But that would mean steep trails, the wind would probably get a lot colder, that was far too much strain. The end of her season always came with this fragility. She tried to delay it every year, to hold on as long as she could. Even knowing she would return, there was something undeniably bittersweet about leaving the earth behind each time. The more she pushed her body now, the sooner that moment would come.

“Sorry, Tsukasa,” Nene sighed, looking down at the small black cat by her feet. “We’ll just have to wait until Hanako comes down, see?” She pointed toward the sign. “The train doesn’t go to the summit any—”

She didn’t get to finish, because when she looked back, a person stood where Tsukasa once was. Nene couldn’t help but stumble backward so suddenly she nearly slipped, her breath catching in her throat. She would have fallen, would have hit the cold cobblestones, if the person hadn’t caught her.

But that wasn’t the only thing, she couldn’t help but stare at the familiar tousled dark hair and the wild golden eyes that gleamed back at her. 

“Ha— Hanako?!” She stumbled on her words… No… that couldn’t be him, she thought. “W-What are you doing here?”

“I can take you to the summit, Nene!” He said brightly.

Nene then noted something was off. His tone, the way he carried himself, even his smile that bore canine fangs, didn't seem like Hanako at all. Nene’s gaze darted around, searching frantically for the cat that had followed her for days. He was nowhere in sight.

“W-Where did Tsukasa go?” She muttered, mostly to herself. 

The boy pointed to himself with the hand he wasn’t holding Nene’s with. “Me!” He said happily. “I’m Tsukasa!”

Nene blinked, the sudden realization coming down on her. “EHH–?” Tsukasa quickly pressed his hand to her mouth, cutting off the sound. Her eyes went wide as he leaned closer, far too close, that mischievous grin still curling on his lips. He looked so much like Hanako, it made her head spin.

“Shh,” He whispered with a playful glint in his eye. “Let’s just take the train to the next village. I promise I can take you the rest of the way up, okay?” He waited for her to nod, then released her, his hand falling away.

The train’s whistle echoed from a distance and rolled across the valley. The rails began to hum underfoot as it finally came into view. Nene exhaled shakily, still processing what just happened. She looked over to Tsukasa, who only smiled at her in response. She looked away for only a second, just long enough to glance toward the tracks as the train approached. But when she turned back…

Tsukasa was gone. Yet again.

In his place, sitting primly on the cobblestones, was the small black cat once more. Tail curled neatly around his paws. Golden eyes bright and unbothered.

“Wh–” Nene’s voice cracked, half whispering. “W-What are you–?” A human that could turn into a cat? Nene had seen many spirits in her existence, but never something like this. 

Tsukasa blinked at her, then gave a tiny mrrrrp. Nene rubbed a hand over her face, gathering herself. The world felt like it had tilted sideways twice in the span of a minute, and she was still trying to find her balance. The train then came to a stop in front of them, steam gathering around the platform. The doors clattering open.

Tsukasa hopped aboard first without hesitation, tail flicking like he was inviting her to keep up. Well, smart thinking of being a cat on the train to avoid buying a ticket, Nene thought. 

Nene hesitated only a moment before stepping after him. The car was quiet, only a handful of seats occupied. Morning travelers bundled in wool coats, it seemed the humans too had noticed a change in the weather closer to the mountain. 

She slid into a seat near the window, staring straight ahead. She folded her hands properly in her lap as Tsukasa leapt onto the seat beside her, settling his head on her thigh, casually as if nothing had changed at all.

Nene blinked down at him, her expression flat. “…This is weird now,” She whispered under her breath, nudging him away with her elbow. She let her hand fall back down and turned to look out the window.

Outside, the world blurred past in muted colors. Autumn leaves drifted from the trees, each one falling slowly like they were just as tired as she was. The skies were the same grey they had been all morning. Condensation gathered on the inside of the train window, fogging sections of the glass. Nene raised her fingertips to it, the warmth of her skin leaving a temporary clearing. Only for the fog to slowly creep back on the window.

Little by little, the trees thinned. The hills rose higher. Although the two of them were inside she could feel the air growing just a bit colder than at the station. 

The train slowed as it approached the last stop, the wheels grinding softly against the rails. The buildings came into view gradually through the fog, small houses with steep roofs, smoke coming from chimneys, and narrow streets lined with stone. Nene noticed that since they were a lot more elevated being halfway up the mountain, winter was starting to show itself. Frost clung to the windowpanes, her breath came out like smoke as her and Tsukasa stepped off the train. 

Even the air felt different, it was nothing like she had ever experienced before. Like popping a peppermint into your mouth when you take in a breath. Nene gathered her cloak around her, bringing the red scarf at her neck over her mouth. 

People passed by her quickly, their breath also visible in the air. No one paid her much mind, though a few paused, just briefly, as if recognizing her. Nene glanced upward. The mountain was so close now, towering above the village. Its peak still hidden in thick white clouds. 

Tsukasa padded ahead, then glanced back, as if to check she was still following.

“Right,” Nene murmured, “We’re walking from here.”

Tsukasa set off at a brisk pace through the village, tail lifted high as he trotted along the cobblestone street. Nene followed, but the cold bit more sharply here, and every step felt heavier than she wanted it to.

“Tsukasa… slow down—” She called out. Whether he didn’t hear her or simply ignored her was unclear, because instead of slowing, he sped up. Nene hurried after him, clutching her cloak tighter around herself. He turned down a side street and vanished around a corner, causing Nene to pick up her pace as much as she could. 

“Tsukasa! Wait–” 

It was only then Nene collided with Tsukasa’s back and nearly toppled over, but his hand came up, catching her arm. He turned to face her, now human, grinning brightly.

“There you are!” He said, as if he hadn’t just nearly left her behind. “You walk really slow, y’know?” Nene just stared at him, out of breath and wide eyed.

Nene could only stare for a moment, chest heaving from the cold and the rush. “I-I don’t.” She muttered. “You were running away, and I’m not used to the cold air at all.” 

Tsukasa got closer to her. “Hmmm?” He hummed. “Really? With how much the winter season talked about you, I was sure you two spent all your time together. And it’s cold wherever he goes!”

Nene’s eyes widened. “Y-You know Hanako?”

“Mhm!” He nodded. “How do you think I have his face? I can only look like things or people I’ve seen!” 

“I guess that… makes sense.” Nene muttered, though she wasn’t sure it did at all. “So… what are you?”

Tsukasa leaned closer, and Nene instinctively leaned back, her cloak bunching at her shoulders.

“Can you keep a secret, Nene?” He asked, voice suddenly quieter. “You can’t tell anyone. Not even Father Time or Mother Nature.”

“I-I suppose.” She said, though the fact he even knew Aoi and Akane surprised her. 

“I’m a familiar,” He said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “I came into being the same moment winter did. Neat, right?” 

“I suppose, but…” Nene trailed off, a bit confused. Mother Nature and Father Time always knew when a new spirit was created. Familiars were always put on the earth for a reason, just like the seasons. But the way Tsukasa said it, he made it sound like Aoi and Akane didn’t know about him at all. Then something else Tsukasa said grabbed her attention. 

“Hanako talked about me?” She asked, causing Tsukasa’s grin to get wider. 

“The ENTIREEE time he’s been up there, Nene!” He said, flinging his arms out as if showing just how much. “He never shuts up! So I thought, I should come find you, right? And now you’re here, and we’re going to him, and he’s going to be SO happy–”

“What did he–” Nene suddenly paused as she felt something cold land lightly on her head, causing her to look up. 

The sky was still grey as it had been all day, but now little white flecks floated down from it. Slowly drifting through the air as they descended to the earth. Nene instinctively held out her hand, in hopes one would land on it. Soon after, one fluttered down to her palm. It was delicate, cold and crystal-like. And was gone the moment it touched her skin.

Nene’s breath caught in her throat.

Another fell. And another. Soon, the air was full of them, white flakes swirling around the two of them. She just held her hand out further, palm open to the cold sky, watching the snow gather on her fingertips and melt against the warmth of her skin. 

She knew it, she just knew it. Winter really was beautiful. It was cold and would bite at your skin, but as the white flakes fell, she ignored the fatigue that washed over and could only focus on how magical it was seeing it for the first time. Nene knew the villagers would love it. 

And just as she expected as she turned to the street. A baker, flour-dusted and apron-tied, stood with his hands paused mid lift. A child on a doorstep held her mother’s hand tightly, mouth fallen open in an “o” shape. An elderly man leaned on his walking stick, face tilted up to the sky with wonder shining in his eyes. They were just as mesmerized as she was.

Nene looked over at Tsukasa. “It’s so wonderful, isn’t it Tsukasa?” She asked. “I hadn’t realized his season started traveling down the mountain already.” 

“Yup!” Tsukasa nodded. “Though I’m pretty sure he’s still up there, let's go before it gets late, okay?” Nene agreed, taking a step forward. But suddenly her knees wavered. The world tilted, just slightly. The cold sank deeper into her bones than she had expected it to. Her breath came out thin. Her fingers trembled as she reached out quickly, steadying herself with a hand against the cobblestone wall of a nearby building.

Tsukasa stopped immediately, his smile fading as he turned toward her. “Nene, are you okay?” 

She forced a small, apologetic laugh. “I’m… alright. Just give me a moment.” Nene pushed herself upright, letting the stone hold her weight a moment longer before letting go. The snowfall continued around them as Tsukasa watched her for a moment, his golden eyes softening.

Then he stepped back, just a single pace. “Here,” He said simply. He knelt lower, it was only then Nene realized he wanted her to climb onto his back. Nene couldn’t help but her eyes widened in disbelief. 

“W-Whaa– I’m not getting on your back Tsukasa!” 

Tsukasa turned his head, peering up at her. “No?” He asked. “Will you be okay?”

Nene straightened and stepped forward, trying to ignore the heaviness in her limbs. He said he’d take her up the mountain, but that’s not at all what she thought he meant. He said he could turn into things he’s seen, right? He didn’t want to use that ability now to turn into something a bit more useful to her?

Nene sighed. “Of course I’ll be okay. C’mon.” 

They continued on, the village slowly falling behind them as they passed  different homes. The snowfall dusted the rooftops, collecting in the folds of awnings and wagon wheels. A few townsfolk still lingered outside, watching the sky. But most had retreated indoors, lanterns flickering behind curtains.

As Nene and Tsukasa walked, the cobblestones eventually gave way to dirt covered in thin ice. At the village’s edge, the last garden plots stood empty for the season.  

The world grew quieter, and the trees changed too as they moved farther from town. Oak and maple thinned out, replaced by tall pines that rose sharply toward the sky. Their branches caught the falling flakes, each limb edged in white. 

Tsukasa walked beside her now in his feline form. The frost trail led upward, winding between the trees as the climb grew steeper. Nene couldn’t help her steps from slowing, her breath coming out in visible puffs. Tsukasa slowed too, adjusting to her pace without being asked.

“Us seasons, we disappear every year,” She said eventually as they went further into the woods. “When spring days grow too warm, and Kou is ready to take over, Sousuke fades with the cherry blossoms he blooms.” Her voice was almost carried away by the wind. “Then the summer days pass, and I come. The sun doesn’t burn quite as hot, the world grows full and ripe, and when the leaves burst with too much of my color, Kou tells me goodbye and he fades into the wind.”

She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“But for me,” She continued, “It’s a bit different. Sousuke and Kou never see the death of the world. They never see when the fruit has all been picked, when the fields are empty, when the trees have lost all their color.” She looked down at her hands. “When everything begins to fall silent, I grow weaker. Especially after the final harvest.”

Her breath wavered. “Sometimes I grow ill,” She admitted. “And when the last leaf falls… that’s when it will be time for me to go. And starting this year, that’s when winter begins. When Hanako will take over.”

She lifted her head a little, watching the forest give way to an open hillside.

“All I can hope,” She said, this time her smile was warmer, “Is that his first year as a season goes well.”

Tsukasa didn’t say anything, for obvious reasons. It felt a bit easier to talk to him when he was this way. After they had traveled an impressive distance, only then did she notice his fur, once entirely black, was beginning to pale. White spread up his paws and along his legs. He looked more like a tuxedo cat now.

“Yashiro?”

Nene turned at the sound of her name, whipping her head toward the voice. There, standing a little ways down the path, was a familiar figure. Hanako. His eyes were wide, mouth parted in surprise as he walked over to her, the icy grey cape around his shoulders caught in the wind. Trails of frost following him. Nene couldn’t help the small smile that rose to her face.

“W-What are you doing here?” Hanako asked. Then his gaze dropped and landed on Tsukasa at Nene’s feet, causing his expression to flatline immediately. “...Tsukasa.”

Tsukasa perked up, bright and proud. In a bound, he leapt up onto Hanako’s shoulders. Hanako muttered something under his breath to Tsukasa that Nene couldn’t make out. 

He dragged two fingers along the bridge of his nose, sighing. “Don’t tell me Tsukasa guided you up here…” He groaned. 

Nene shook her head. “No.” She said, smiling sheepishly. “I came up here on my own accord, though he definitely… gave me a little push.” 

Hanako blinked, and then the corner of his mouth curled into a familiar, teasing smirk. “Couldn’t stay away, I see? It’s been a little over a week and you were already dying to see me?”

Nene couldn’t help her face from warming. “I-It wasn’t like that!” She sputtered. “And you’re one to talk, Tsukasa told me you wouldn’t shut up about me!” 

Hanako’s smirk vanished. His cheeks flushed pink, which looked strangely comical on someone with such a cold aura. And as he flustered, she noticed those white flakes floating– No. Orbiting around his head. She stepped closer to inspect it. 

“H-He did not tell you that.” He muttered, looking away quickly. “He’s a cat. Cat’s can’t talk…”

Nene looked over to Tsukasa who was still hanging onto Hanako’s shoulders. Her eyes widened as she saw a smile creep onto the cat's lips. His fur had grown even paler than before. He was more white than black now. But she couldn’t help but still be distracted by the white flakes still floating around Hanako. They didn’t move like falling leaves or petals. They lingered weightless, suspended in the air.

“What is that?” Nene asked, reaching her hand toward one, but the moment her fingers neared them, all the flakes dropped straight to the ground. “That floating stuff, it was falling down in the nearest village as well.”

Hanako's head lifted up. “Really?” He asked. “I haven’t made it down that far…”

He took her hand gently.

“It’s called snow.”

Nene’s smile brightened, warm even in the cold. “It was beautiful.” She said. “And I’m pretty sure the townspeople thought so too, they all looked amazed!” Hanako went stiff, his eyes widening again as more flakes formed in the air around him. He swatted at them, flustered all over again, startling Tsukasa a bit. 

“More like annoying.” He muttered. “It’s always getting in my face, Just like–.” He reached behind his head and grabbed Tsukasa up by the scruff, holding him out in front of him with faint exasperation. “--Just like this guy.” 

Tsukasa simply dangled in Hanako’s hand, looking extremely unbothered.

“I met him at the Samhain festival.” Nene said, deciding to leave out the details of the crown. She didn’t want to worry Hanako. “I think he followed me back to the cabin that night.” 

Hanako blinked at her, still holding Tsukasa. “I was wondering where he went, he’s been following me around since I’ve been up here.” Hanako slowly set Tsukasa down, who immediately sat by Nene’s legs. A quiet moment settled between them as Hanako looked at her again, his expression gentler this time. The embarrassment had all but faded. 

“So… You liked it?” He asked again. 

“The snow,” Nene replied. “I did, it was beautiful.”

Hanako didn’t look away this time. “…Then can I show you something?”

Nene blinked. “Show me?”

He nodded once, extending his hand out to her. “It’s not that far, c’mon.” 

She took his cold hand, ignoring the faint heaviness pulling at her limbs as they moved further along.

Tsukasa followed at their heels as the two of them left the path. The trees around them grew taller, evergreen branches gathering the falling snow. Their footsteps were the only sound, muffled by the fresh powder on the ground. And as the forest gradually opened, it revealed a small lake tucked between the pines. Its surface wasn’t frozen, it sat perfectly still. Like a mirror, catching the grey sky and the snow drifting down.

Hanako let go of her hand and stepped forward. Nene opened her mouth to ask something, but the words caught when Hanako moved straight toward the lake. Instead of stopping at the shoreline, he stepped onto the water. The moment his boot touched the surface, a sheet of ice spread beneath him. It spread outward in delicate, branching patterns, making Nene’s breath hitch. 

Hanako walked a few steps further, then turned and extended his hand toward her. “Come on,” He said.

Nene looked down at the water. The lake was deep. She could see only darkness beneath. The ice spread deeper where Hanako stood, but at the shore it was still thin and fragile looking.

“I… don’t know if it’ll hold,” She admitted, a bit nervous. 

A smug grin tugged at his face. “You’re probably right, with tree trunk ankles like yours–” Hanako couldn’t finish as Nene bopped him on the head. A soft flurry of snow shook loose from his hair and drifted down between them.

“Ow– hey!” Hanako yelped, rubbing the spot. “You're supposed to be the gentle season!”

Nene huffed, turning her nose up. “I am gentle. Your head just got in the way of my hand.”

Hanako’s expression suddenly softened, the teasing easing into something warmer as he reached his hand out again.

“It’ll hold,” He said, quieter now. “I won’t let you fall, I promise.” Nene hesitated before finally stepping onto the ice. It formed strong beneath her foot, blossoming outward like webs. Hanako took another step, and with it, another patch of ice. His hand stayed extended out to her as she finally reached forward and took it.

Their fingers laced together as they began to walk across the lake. And even though the ice formed under their feet, Nene still found herself tense. Her arms pulled in close to him for balance. But it didn’t help as one of her boots slid half an inch.

“Ah–!” Nene gasped as Hanako caught her elbow, that familiar smirk returned.

“Careful,” He said, tone dripping with amusement. “You look like a newborn deer.”

Nene shot him a glare. “I-I am perfectly balanced, thank you.”

She took another step, which only caused her foot to slide again. Hanako didn’t even try to hide the laugh this time. 

“Oh yes,” he said. “Grace itself.” Nene, trying to prove she “didn’t need help,” lifted her chin and attempted a slightly quicker stride. This lasted about two seconds as her foot shot forward, her arms pinwheeling.

Hanako moved faster this time, catching her by the waist before she could fall, steadying her upright again. Their breaths mingled, Nene’s warm breath white in the cold.

“Maybe,” He said softly, “I’ll just hold onto you.” Nene couldn't help her face from flushing. But she didn’t let go of him. 

“...Fine,” She mumbled, following his lead again. Hanako’s cloak swept around his legs, brushing the forming ice beneath them. And just for a moment, it felt as though the two of them were not walking on ice at all, but dancing across it. Like the world was moving with them instead of against them.

Since November had finally fallen upon the two, the fatigue that had washed over her had grown more and more with each passing day. But in this moment, as the two of them stood upon the lake. She just wished she could freeze this moment. A moment where both winter and autumn danced around each other, the two seasons clashing together as both autumn leaves and winter snow fell.

The dance of their movement softened into stillness, her fingers loosening just slightly in Hanako’s. She really had been trying to ignore it, just for this moment, the tiredness that had been threading deeper and deeper through her body. But it felt as though the cold air was filling her lungs. It was too much. A wave of exhaustion pulsed through her like the final leaf being pulled free from its branch, causing her knees to buckle.

“Yashiro–!” 

She felt his hands tighten around her, trying to steady her, but her body was already slipping away from her control. The ice seemed to tilt, or maybe the sky did. The snow and the lake and the dark water beneath all blurred together.

Her vision felt like it was dimming at the edges.

She heard Hanako calling her name again, louder this time, but his voice felt like it was coming from somewhere far away. Like she was sinking into warm water instead of falling at all.

           ❄️ 

🍂             ❄️ 

🍂

❄️             🍂 

❄️ 

Nene woke slowly, her body felt heavy and overheated, sweat gathering at her brow. She was tucked beneath her thickest blanket, wrapped so tightly she could hardly move her arms. Her head throbbed faintly. And all she could wonder was how she got back here. 

She blinked at the familiar ceiling beams of her cabin. The scent of dried apples and something faintly cold lingered in the air.

Suddenly everything came back to her at once, the lake, the two of them above the ice. Hanako’s voice calling her name just before everything went dark. She pushed herself up slowly, wincing as the effort made her dizzy. The blanket pooled around her lap as she looked toward the fireplace. 

Nene blinked at the sight before her. Hanako was crouched in front of the hearth, aggressively poking a bundle of kindling with a stick in a way that suggested he had absolutely no idea how fire worked. Tsukasa sat beside him in his feline form, watching him just the way Nene was. Every time Hanako shifted, frost gathered under his feet, snuffing out whatever tiny spark might have tried to catch.

The firewood was more ice than wood at this point.

Hanako gritted his teeth and tried again. A small snow flurry poofed into existence around his head, drifting in irritated little swirls. And Nene couldn’t help a tiny laugh escape, causing Hanako’s shoulders to stiffen.

“…Y-You’re awake!” He said, a small sigh of relief coming out of him. Hanako flicked a bit of ice off the hearth in frustration. “I’m trying to warm the cabin, but apparently my hands hate fire.”

Nene rubbed her eyes. “That’s because you’re winter, Hanako.”

He paused, looking down at the frost gathering around his boots, frowning deeply. “…Right.” He muttered. 

Tsukasa took the opportunity to hop onto Nene’s bed, making a slow circle before climbing directly onto her chest. Hanako noticed and immediately stood, crossing the room to her bed. The temperature dipped as he approached, his presence cooling the feverish air around her. He lifted Tsukasa off her and set him aside on the mattress.

“Are you okay, Yashiro?” Hanako asked, his voice laced with concern. He lowered himself onto his knees beside her, leaning close as he lifted the back of his hand to her face. The difference between their temperatures was jarring, his cold against her fevered heat. Hanako flinched at the warmth, but he didn’t pull away.

“I know I’ve called you warm,” He murmured, worry tightening in his voice, “But this doesn’t seem normal.”

Nene placed her own hand against her forehead, fingers trembling slightly as she did.

“I might just have a fever,” She said. “I’ll be okay. Probably just… overexerted myself.”

Hanako was quiet for a moment, still watching her with that furrow between his brows. “…What’s a fever?” He asked.

Nene blinked. Right. Hanako’s the embodiment of cold, of course he wouldn’t know what a fever was. 

“It’s when your body gets too warm,” She explained, her voice tired. “Sometimes from exhaustion, or stress, or… just pushing yourself more than you should.” She gave a small, weak laugh. “My season’s ending, so my body is… kind of shutting down on me.”

Hanako went perfectly still, his eyes widening. The snowflakes drifting around him paused midair. “…Ending?” He repeated, barely audible.

“When the harvest finishes, my work on earth is done,” She murmured. “That’s just how it is.”

“Yashiro,” He said quietly, “When you say ‘ending’…” His voice caught. “Y-You won’t stay in the dying winter with me?” The snowflakes around him fell all at once, scattering silently to the floor. He looked so young in that moment. Not the embodiment of winter, not the cold season descending the mountain, but simply like a boy afraid of losing something.

His golden eyes glimmered, uncertainty flickering in them like light under ice. And Nene felt her chest tighten.

“Don’t worry.” Nene said, trying to reassure him. “It’s not all that bad, I promise.” But Hanako didn’t look reassured. He simply stared at her, searching in her eyes for something. A wave of heat rolled through her then, her fever pounding at her head. She winced, lifting a weak hand to her forehead. The room blurred slightly. Hanako moved toward her, but hesitated just before touching her. Nene couldn’t help but sigh at the chill that came from his hand, even if it just loomed over her. 

“…Hanako,” She whispered, “Would it bother you if you… came closer to me?” Hanako blinked, as though he hadn’t expected her to ask that. 

He tried to ease the tension, a small smirk forming. “S-Sounds like an invitation for me to get in bed with you.” 

Nene took the energy she did have to slap his hand. “I-It’s not like t-that stupid…” She pulled the covers over her mouth. “The cold just… feels nice.” Nene noticed the sharp coldness radiating from him dulling ever so slightly. When she looked up, she found his ears tinted darker at the edges, and his gaze turned slightly to the side

“Oh,” He murmured, his voice softer now, “Yeah– I… I can do that...” He eased onto the mattress beside her, lying on his side, careful not to touch her. Just close enough for the coolness radiating from his skin to wash over her fever like a soothing current. His hands tucked under his head as he watched her.

Nene just sighed, the tension melting from her features. Her eyes fluttering shut. 

“That’s… better,” She breathed. “T-Thank you.” 

Hanako just looked at her, something unspoken written in his eyes. He lifted his hand up from under his head, pulling a strand of Nene’s hair out of her face. The cold felt nice, even as she drifted back to sleep.

Some time had passed, and Hanako simply watched her sleep. The warmth in her face, the rise and fall of her chest beneath the blanket, the faint flutter of her lashes when she dreamed. All of it felt strangely fragile. He hadn’t known her long, but even before they officially met, he had been drawn to her. He used to watch her from the edges of the forest when she gathered by the little campfires she made. And when she retreated to her cabin at night, he had found himself following the faint echo of her presence as she danced in her season. Back then, he thought the chill he brought was probably a bit too cold for her. Now, sitting beside her, he wondered how he had ever mistaken her warmth for something delicate.

Hanako had grown undeniably fond of her. The heat that radiated from her had overwhelmed him at first. It was far from the cold comfort he was born of. But now he leaned into it, letting it wrap around him like a blanket. He found that he craved it, that her warmth made something inside him feel a little less empty, a little less hollow. Right now, though, that warmth was a bit too intense. She had called it a fever. He didn’t know what that meant beyond what she had told him, but seeing her brow damp, her breathing heavy, he knew it couldn’t be pleasant. Still, he remained close, allowing his cold to pull her heat back to something a bit more bearable. If she needed him to be cold, then cold was something he could offer.

Even so, he couldn’t understand why she said she liked the elements he brought to the world. Since the moment he had come into being, his own season had frustrated him. First the frost, then the ice, and now the snow… They seemed to listen to his emotions more than his will. If he felt something too deeply, the world froze around him. He had quickly learned to restrain himself, holding his feelings close so the world would not be swallowed in his elements. But sitting here beside her, small flurries of snow floated around his head regardless, betraying him. Yashiro didn’t seem bothered. Tsukasa, on the other hand, was swatting at them since the flakes kept landing on his fur.

The cat snuck himself between him and Yashiro, seeing there was plenty of room between them. Hanako just peered at him. When Tsukasa first appeared in the mountains, his fur had been white as snow. Now it was a mottled mix of white and black, like the joining of two seasons. Hanako sighed and gave him a gentle pat so he would settle. Tsukasa curled against Yashiro’s side, purring softly.

Hanako tried not to think about what she had said before sleep took her… My season’s ending. He didn’t know why it struck him so deeply, only that it felt like a door he didn’t want to see close. He had hoped she would stay, that they could walk through winter together, that he wouldn’t have to face the quiet of his season alone. He wanted her to keep living. Hanako didn’t want to admit that he was scared, but as frost crept across the back of his hand and over his fingers, he couldn’t deny it anymore. Did seasons simply vanish? Would she just be gone? Would he never see her again?

He didn’t know how seasons were meant to work. He didn’t know if there was a way to change what was coming. But if there was, if there was even a chance… He would try to find it.

Slowly, Hanako stood and planted his feet on the wooden cabin floors. Yashiro stirred faintly in her sleep as the shift in temperature brushed her skin. He lifted Tsukasa by the scruff, the cat dangling in his hand as he carried him toward the kitchen. The snowflakes followed him, drifting gently behind him like worry made visible in the air.

Hanako set Tsukasa on the kitchen counter, where the cat immediately sat upright watching the winter season. The small cabin kitchen was warm from Yashiro’s lingering heat, but wherever Hanako walked, the temperature dipped, frost forming patterns on the floorboards. He scanned the shelves and counters, noting the hanging herbs, the vegetable basket, the clay pot waiting beside the stove. Soup. People made soup when someone was sick, right? He’d seen that once, in a distant memory that was barely there. 

As he picked up a carrot, it froze solid in his hand. Hanako stared at it flatly. “Really?”

Tsukasa rolled on his back, it almost seemed like he was laughing at him. Hanako had thought this from the moment the two of them met but this cat sure was… odd.

Determined, Hanako grabbed another carrot and held it carefully between two fingers, concentrating very hard on not being cold. The carrot stayed unfrozen for about two seconds before frost bloomed across the surface of it. 

Hanako exhaled through his teeth. “This is ridiculous.” He muttered, setting the frozen carrots aside. He turned his attention to the stove. He thought of earlier, his desperate attempts to light the fireplace. Hanako sucked in a breath as he gathered kindling, struck the flint, and watched sparks jump. They landed in the wood… which immediately froze over in a thin sheet of ice. The flame died before it even began.

Both Hanako and Tsukasa stared at the wood before turning to face each other. Hanako slapped his hands over his face in frustration, causing Tsukasa to pounce on the top of his head. 

“I hate this,” He muttered. He just wanted to do something for the autumn season. But the elements were getting in his way.

 Tsukasa dipped his face lower to make eye contact with Hanako before hopping to the windowsill. The cat tapped a dried bunch of thyme with his paw, knocking the herbs onto the counter. Hanako paused and blinked. The cat was trying to help him, okay… Was the heat making him go a bit crazy? 

Using a folded kitchen towel as a barrier between his skin and the food, Hanako chopped carefully, wincing each time his fingertips accidentally touched the cutting board and left a small trail of frost behind. Eventually, the vegetables made it into the pot. He added seasonings and herbs with concentration. Hanako had come this far; he really wasn’t ready to mess this up. 

It was at this moment, he knew he had to try to light the fire again. Tsukasa sat beside the stove, looking up at him expectantly.

Hanako stood very still and closed his eyes. He thought, with effort, of warm things. The lanterns that glowed in village windows during long nights, the scent of freshly baked bread from the bakery, the warmth of Yashiro’s fingers against his, her laughter, her smile. Something in him loosened, just enough. The frost receded from the wood. The air warmed, barely but noticeably.

This time, when he struck the flint, the flame caught. Hanako let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Tsukasa jumped onto his shoulders, nearly hitting Hanako’s face in the process. The soup began to simmer, filling the cabin with savory warmth. 

Yashiro must have woken to the faint scent drifting from the kitchen, because soon Hanako heard soft, uneven footsteps behind him. He turned, and there she was, wrapped in her blanket like a shawl, her cheeks flushed and her eyes still hazy with sleep. She looked as though she was fighting just to stay upright. Her hair had loosened into strands that framed her face. She looked… fragile, like a leaf that laid wilted on the forest floor.

“Yashiro–” Hanako turned to her immediately, a flicker of worry tightening his expression. He had felt how weak she was when he carried her down the mountain. But it wasn’t quite like this. It was as though her strength had thinned even more. “Are you okay?” He asked. 

She lifted a hand and waved him off. “It’s alright. I’m just… a little tired.” Her voice was quiet, a bit rough around the edges, but she mustered up a small smile. “You made soup? Did you make it for me?” She asked, making her way to the table. She steadied herself on the back of a chair before sitting. Tsukasa hopped down from the counter to circle her feet.

Hanako nodded, though he looked almost sheepish about it. “I… tried.”

Yashiro’s smile widened. “Hanako, that’s… really sweet.” She leaned her cheek into her hand, elbow on the table, exhaustion making her movements slow. “I’m really happy.”

Hanako blinked, and something in him softened, like ice beginning to melt under a gentle sun. He ladled the soup carefully into a bowl, concentrating so hard on not freezing it that his jaw tensed. A few snowflakes floated around him in the effort. Tsukasa watched his every move.

When Hanako set the bowl in front of her, Yashiro pulled it closer, although it was still warm, it wasn’t as hot as he hoped it to be. His presence had cooled it down a bit. Maybe that was a good thing so she could have it right away? Her shoulders loosened as she cupped the bowl with both hands, eyes fluttering shut for a brief moment.

Yashiro opened her eyes again and looked up at him.

“Thank you,” She said, and the words were so sincere, so gentle, that Hanako had to look away for a second to steady himself.

He sat down beside her. Yashiro lifted the spoon again and tasted the broth. The flavor was simple, a little uneven, but brought comfort to her. She smiled into the bowl.

“It’s good,” She murmured.

Hanako tried very hard to hide how relieved he looked. He could feel emotions welling up inside of him as his ears felt warmer and the frost at his feet grew in different directions. “Well,” He smirked, trying to break the tension, “I am incredibly talented.”

Yashiro raised her eyes toward him. 

He continued, far too confidently for someone who nearly froze the stove three times, “Good looking and a great cook.” He leaned his head towards her. “You’re so lucky to have me~” The frost at his feet dwindled. 

Yashiro’s already flushed cheeks warmed even more. She smiled, shoving his arm a little. “You’re ridiculous.” 

The days passed gently as Nene’s strength returned. Her fever waned, and the heat that had once burned against Hanako’s touch softened back into the warmth he came to know. During that time Hanako stayed close, closer than he probably meant to. More than once, he insisted that he should return to the mountain, that winter shouldn’t stretch this far down yet. But each time, Nene shook her head and asked him to stay. And every time, she did. He was learning, perhaps reluctantly, that he wasn’t very good at saying no to her.

When the color began to return to her cheeks and the dull ache in her limbs finally eased, she sat up one morning and announced she wanted to go outside for some fresh air. Hanako hesitated, the faintest line of worry crossing his brow, but Nene smiled, a tired but genuine smile, and assured him she was fine. After a long moment, he sighed and rose to his feet, offering her his hand. The two of them with Tsukasa, who now had a completely white coat, stepped out into the cold.

The air outside was crisp and biting, but it no longer hurt to breathe. Nene pulled her scarf higher over her mouth, the red fabric brushing against her cheeks. The cold was bearable now, almost soothing, especially with Hanako beside her. Tsukasa darted ahead, leaving small pawprints across the frost covered ground, his tail flicking high. And as Hanako crossed the threshold of the cabin, snow began to fall, drifting down from the pale sky.

Nene tilted her head back, eyes shining in wonder. Snow still felt miraculous to her, like witnessing the earth breathe in a new way for the first time. Each flake sparkled faintly before landing on her face, melting against her skin. She smiled, her breath turning to mist before her.

But when she looked back at the forest, her smile faded.

The trees she had spent her season tending, the ones she painted into brilliant reds and golds, now stood bare. Their branches stretched upward, stripped of color and life. The ground was blanketed with the remnants of autumn, brittle leaves scattered and broken under a dusting of snow. And there, on a low branch just ahead, a single leaf clung to the tree. Faded brown, trembling faintly in the wind.

Hanako followed her gaze, his expression shifting when he saw it. The wind stirred. The leaf shivered, causing him to look back at her. 

“Yashiro?” He questioned the look on her face. 

She didn’t answer. Her eyes were fixed on the last fragment of her season, and then, before either of them could move, it broke free. The world seemed to still as it fell. The air slowed, the snow hung suspended mid-descent, and for one impossibly long moment, everything was silent. The leaf spun through the air, twisting gently as it descended toward the earth.

Nene’s breath caught. Her knees weakened. The weight of exhaustion, the kind she had been holding off for weeks, pulled her down for the last time. Hanako went to catch her, hands reaching, but his fingers brushed only the hem of her cloak.

And quicker than he could react, she was no longer there. 

Her body had unraveled into ribbons of leaves, amber, gold, warm browns. Each hue breaking apart into drifting fragments like petals on the wind. They swirled around him as they caught on the breeze. It was as if the wind couldn’t bear to let her go either. 

“Yashiro… Wait-–” Hanako’s voice cracked, the sound raw and desperate. He reached again, but his hands passed through the scattering leaves, the cold of his touch unable to grasp something so full of warmth. The air shimmered, then stilled. The forest was quiet again. The last leaf landed at his feet, now pale and colorless.

Hanako stood frozen, the breath trembling out of him unevenly. The place where Nene had stood moments before was now only a scattering of leaves across the snow, their brittle shapes already darkening with frost. His hands clenched tightly at his sides, nails biting into his palms.

Tsukasa stepped closer, his golden eyes lifting to meet Hanako’s before turning toward the sky. The wind had begun to pick up. What had been a gentle snowfall only moments ago was now sharp and restless, the flakes driven sideways through the trees.

The air around Hanako dropped, colder than it had ever been. Ice splintered outward from beneath his boots, racing through the earth in jagged lines. Frost crawled up the trunks of nearby trees, sheathing them in white. The storm gathered strength, but he didn’t move. Didn’t speak. His chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths as he closed his eyes.

But for once, Hanako didn’t seem annoyed by the elements forming around him. He didn’t try to control it. He didn’t try to calm it. He simply felt. The place inside him where warmth had begun to live, where Nene had stood… felt hollow. And bitterly… cold. 

When he opened his eyes again, his expression had hardened. The wind tore at the hem of his cape, snow circling violently in the air around him. 

He turned toward the forest, the storm following him as he stepped forward, deeper into the trees.

Autumn was gone. And the first winter was beginning. It was then he decided this new season would not be so kind like the other three had been.

Chapter Text

Over 3 Months Later

❄️

The bell above the pub door chimed, the sound loud enough to turn heads. Even the brief moment the door was open was enough for the freezing wind to crawl inside, sweeping through the room and snuffing out the comfort of the fireplace. The temperature dropped instantly, the kind of cold that clawed at the skin and lingered in the bones. And it wasn’t just the wind. The one stepping through the doorway was the cold itself.

Hanako brushed snow from his coat as he stepped inside. The fire crackled helplessly in protest, its warmth paling beneath his presence. A few patrons seated at the bar noticed him, then fumbled to gather their things. Coins clinked against the counter as they hurried out the door. Hanako’s golden eyes flicked toward them, a single cold glance following their retreat. He didn’t particularly care about his reputation anymore, but Tsuchigomori’s place didn’t deserve to empty out just because he’d walked in.

The last few months had been long. Bitter. The first winter in history had not been kind. When the cold refused to break and crops froze in the fields, the villagers turned to fear. Some had even tried to seize him, believing they could end the season by burning its keeper at the stake. But winter wasn’t someone they could wound. He was the storm itself. Blizzards tore through the mountains. Lakes froze solid. Entire villages vanished under snowdrifts. It didn’t take long for fear to turn to surrender.

Tsuchigomori had been the only one to approach him without trembling hands. He’d taken Hanako in for a few days, hidden him in the back of his pub until the frenzy in the village burned itself out. Eventually, the people stopped trying to fight what they could never kill. The first winter had been merciless, but even that had limits. And when word got to Hanako that Nene Yashiro, the Autumn season, would return the following year, the world finally began to breathe again.

Hanako could admit, if only to himself, that he’d been a bit… dramatic in those first weeks without her. Angry in ways he didn’t know he could be. He hadn’t cared that his storms swallowed villages or that people froze in their homes. He had lost the only warm thing the world had given him. Let it suffer as he did.

It was only when he learned she would return that the fury began to cool into purpose. That’s when Hanako started forming a plan. The one he couldn’t let Father Time or Mother Nature find out about. Not yet.

“You’re letting all the cold air in here,” Came a voice from behind the bar.

Hanako turned to see Tsuchigomori polishing a glass with an unimpressed look. The man’s tone was casual, but his shoulders were braced against the chill.

“Not cold air,” Hanako said, sliding onto one of the stools. “Just me.” He grinned. “Don’t lie Tsuchigomori, you’re happy to see me, right?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Tsuchigomori muttered. “So, what do you want?” 

The pub was small and worn, its creaking floorboards and uneven walls softened by age. Paintings lined the log walls, gathered from all corners of the world, their colors dim under the low gaslight. The bar and tables were nicked and scratched from years of use. The fire in the corner tried its best, casting a flickering amber glow that made the place feel almost welcoming. At least until Hanako walked in and muted it all beneath the weight of his cold.

He leaned against the counter, glancing toward the window where frost had already begun to spread over the glass in delicate veins. “Why do you assume I want something?” He asked. 

“Cause it seems the only time you come to visit me these days is when you want something.” Tsuchigomori replied, giving him a long, unimpressed stare.

Hanako sighed dramatically, letting his head fall forward onto his folded arms. “You got me,” He admitted. “There is something I want.”

“And that is?” Tsuchigomori prompted, already sounding tired.

Hanako straightened, lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout. “Your company?”

Tsuchigomori didn’t blink. “Yeah. Very believable.”

“It’s true!” Hanako protested, but his attempt at sincerity was immediately undermined by the counter beneath his palm turning slick with thin ice. He jolted upright, removing his hands before he froze the entire bar. The two of them stared each other down for a moment, waiting for the other to crack.

Hanako caved first with a groan. “Okay fine! Rumor on the street is that someone spotted the spring season a few days ago. Have you heard anything?”

“Well, it is late February,” Tsuchigomori said, wiping down another glass. “He usually shows earlier, but since you were added to the cycle, I’m not surprised he’s running late.”

“Okay, well…” Hanako muttered, shoulders hunching. “I’ve still got work to do, and I’m not waiting an entire year to do it.”

“You haven’t told me yet what this so-called work is of yours.” Tsuchigomori said. “Care to share?”

“Oh but it will be such a fun surprise,” He said. “I’m sure you’ll love it.” He hopped down from the barstool and started toward the door. “Well, if you see him. Let me know.” 

“Wait,” Tsuchigomori said, and Hanako paused with his hand on the latch. “What do you mean you don’t plan to wait until next year?”

Hanako opened the front door of the pub, finally looking back at Tsuchigomori. “I mean… I don’t plan on going anywhere until I’m finished. Even if I gotta scare the spring season away, a few more months of Winter wouldn’t hurt anyway.” 

Tsuchigomori’s eyes widened as the front door closed fully. The warmth of the fireplace slowly started to heat the room again. He just rubbed his temples in frustration. 

As Hanako stood outside, he spotted Tsukasa in the distance. The feline trotted up through the snow, tail held high, white fur blending into the storm-gray world around him. His breath puffed in tiny clouds as he leapt onto Hanako’s shoulder. Only then did he notice the slip of paper clamped between the cats teeth.

“What did you find, Tsukasa?”

Ever since Hanako discovered that there was a way for all four seasons to coexist, to live year-round without fading, his plan had taken shape quickly. The core of the solstice, the very thing tied to Mother Nature’s design, the reason seasons were forced to disappear and reappear each year. It balanced their powers, prevented them from overwhelming the world… but it also ensured they could never exist beyond their designated time. The seasons weren’t meant to know of its existence, because if the core was shattered, the cycle would break, and the seasons could live year round. Meaning Yashiro could live year round too. 

But only a Kannagi, a human born with deep spiritual ties to Mother Nature, had the power to break the core’s seals. So Hanako had sent Tsukasa to search for one. 

He grabbed the paper from Tsukasa’s mouth and scanned the names written there, brow creasing. “Only two?” He muttered, flipping it over to check the back for more. There was nothing. Tsukasa only blinked up at him, golden eyes reflecting the pale winter light.

Hanako exhaled slowly. “I guess it’s better than nothing,” He murmured. “We’ll just have to keep delaying spring until the core is broken.”

His voice lowered as he looked over at Tsukasa. “You can help me with that, right?”

Tsukasa just blinked at him, which Hanako took as a yes. It seemed this strange cat always went along with whatever he chose to do anyway. 

He had heard the rumors, whispers of a harvest ritual gone wrong, a disturbance subtle enough to go unnoticed by most, yet powerful enough to tip the balance. Enough to let winter grow harsher than anyone had ever imagined a season could be. And if Hanako needed to use that imbalance to hold back spring… or hold back all the seasons… until he could force a future where they could all coexist year-round, then that was exactly what he would do.

Hanako just hoped it wouldn’t take too long, he would really like to see Yashiro again soon. 

He had really hoped. 

(???) Later

❄️🍁☀️🌸

If Nene had to describe the feeling of returning to earth at the beginning of her season, she could only compare it to taking a deep breath of fresh air after being shut indoors for far too long. It was a rush of life, crisp and invigorating, the most alive she would feel all year before withering away again. 

And every year, she would descend gently, the very first breeze of autumn carrying her downward like one of her own leaves. Her clothes would glow with the richest colors she would soon paint the earth with. Burning oranges, bright golds, deep reds. Even her hair would shimmer more in that moment, as though the season poured from her every step. And Kou would be there waiting for her like he did every year. 

But this year seemed… off. 

Her head felt heavy, as though she were submerged underwater, the world above her warped and distant. Two voices filtered through the haze, muffled like they were drifting from the surface. One of them, she swore sounded like Kou, frantic in a way she rarely heard him. The other was unfamiliar, speaking to Kou but too blurred for her to understand.

Nene tried to open her eyes, to push herself toward the sound, but her eyelids felt unbearably heavy, as if the world itself were holding them shut. Her body wouldn’t obey her. Even the air felt wrong. It was cooler, not as cold as the winter season, but cooler than it should be, especially if Kou was there. And as the voices swirled just out of reach, she could only float at the edge of consciousness, caught in the strange season that no longer felt like her own.

She let herself drift back to sleep, deeming it useless to try to wake. Nene wasn’t sure how long she let herself rest. But when she finally felt conscious again, she could finally make out what the people above her were saying. 

“—Can’t believe you never told me her legs look like tree trunks.” 

“Would you shut up?” That was definitely Kou speaking. “They do not–” He paused, the crisp air blowing around them, now that breeze definitely felt like autumn. She finally was able to slowly open her eyes, but just barely. 

“I… I think she’s waking up.” The other voice said. Everything was bright, the two figures that loomed over her on both sides still looked more like shapes as she adjusted being awake. It felt like she had been asleep for far too long. She winced at the light. 

“N-Nene!” Kou sounded like he was on the verge of tears. “Can you hear me?”

She could definitely hear him. Nene slowly opened her mouth, she was able to croak out a small, “Yeah.” 

As she laid on her back, she noted the view past the two who were above her. The trees arching over her were unlike anything she had ever seen in all the years she had lived as a season. Some were painted in her vibrant reds and deep oranges. But others were a fresh and summery green. A few stood completely bare, branches skeletal and cold like the end of a long year. And others budded with blossoms, pale pinks and whites, something she was unfamiliar with. 

She noticed Kou. The sunflower crown he wore every year seemed a bit strange. While some were vibrant and alive, others were on their last legs, dulled and withered. Even his clothes, usually dipped in deep greens and blues, had faint hints of her own season, some oranges and golds laced in his tunic. 

The other boy, she had never met before. But Kou had talked about Spring enough to know this was none other than Sousuke. 

He stood over her with wide, pink eyes, the color startlingly bright. His hair was the same shade, soft, petal-like strands falling around one of his eyes. He wore layered fabrics in rosey pinks and pale greens, embroidered with curling vines and tiny stitched flowers. Yet even his attire betrayed the strange dissonance in the world. Some blossoms woven into his sleeves were fresh and newly bloomed, while others had browned or crisped, as though wilted by seasons that should never have touched him.

“Where… are we?” Nene asked, her voice felt rough like dry leaves.

“We’re in the woods just by the clearing near the cabin,” Kou said. “Are you okay, Nene?”

“I’m fine, Kou. Thank you.” Nene managed a small smile before turning her gaze to Sousuke. “You’re… Spring, right?”

Sousuke immediately grinned. “Did my overwhelming cuteness give it away— ow!” Kou smacked the back of his head, glaring.

“Quit it,” Kou muttered. “Now’s not the time.” He shifted his attention back to Nene. “Are you able to sit up?”

Nene nodded, and with the two boys supporting her, she slowly eased herself upright. And when she finally lifted her head fully, the world seemed to focus. It did not help her confusion in the slightest. 

The forest around her looked wrong. Very wrong. Spring flowers dotted the ground in patches, clusters of pink and white blossoms pushing up through a carpet of snow and fallen autumn leaves. Some of the petals were fresh and dewy, others were already browned, decaying under the winter frost creeping in along their edges.

A few steps away, tall green grass swayed gently despite the chill in the air, speckled with tiny fireflies that flickered uncertainly in the daytime. Their glow dimmed each time a cold breeze swept through. 

The air itself didn’t know what to be. A warm current drifted through from the south, only for a sudden chill to chase it away, carrying flecks of frost that melted on her skin. Nene’s eyes just widened as she took in her surroundings. 

She noticed she laid on a bed of autumn leaves intertwined with fresh green vines. At the foot laid offerings. Bundles of wheat tied neatly with red string. Wreaths of dried marigolds. Wooden charms carved into leaves and acorns. A folded quilt stitched in orange thread. Jars of honey and preserved berries. Even a single unlit candle, placed reverently among the rest.

“I’m… really confused,” Nene admitted, though even confused felt far too small for what she was feeling. “How long have I been asleep?”

“It’s been a few months, maybe?” Kou said. “We weren’t sure when you were going to wake up.” He jerked his chin toward Sousuke. “It was actually the spring season that found you.”

“Yup!” Sousuke said proudly, puffing up a little. “Poor little me has been helping the villages all alone these last few years, trying to teach them how to harvest food during this new—”

“Wait, what?” Nene interrupted. “Y–Years?”

Both boys froze. Slowly, almost in unison, they exchanged a worried glance. Kou swallowed before he finally spoke up.

“Y-Yeah.” He said, “Um… We’re not really sure what happened. It seems they’re trying to keep us seasons in the dark about the whole thing. But Winter… It lasted seven years, Sousuke told me that when he came back to earth, it was like… He was being chased out by the winter storms Hanako kept making, so he…” 

Kou kept talking, but his words blurred into a dull ringing in Nene’s ears. Seven years of winter? Was that even possible? Her thoughts spiraled back to the Samhain festival. The hysteria of the villagers, the old woman shouting “It’s a bad omen!” The scrambling people, the fear in their eyes. Tsukasa snatching her crown… The crown she was supposed to offer that he ran off into the shadows with.

Her fingers trembled. That whole ordeal couldn’t have caused this… right? But the heavy feeling in her chest settled deeper, like all this imbalance might somehow be tied to it.

Kou’s voice finally cut back through the ringing. “…So they’re going to be holding a trial. Like I said, we don’t know the details. But I guess Kako and Mirai will be there. So it’s… pretty bad.”

Nene’s breath hitched. If Kako, the Being of What Was, and Mirai, the Being of What Will Be, were involved, then pretty bad was an insultingly light description. Nothing ever involved them unless fate itself was unraveling.

“To think they did all this for ‘balance,’” Sousuke muttered, lifting his hands to make sarcastic quotation marks. “We were doing pretty fine on our own without—”

“W-Where is Hanako!?” Nene suddenly burst out, desperation cracking through her voice. Her eyes snapped toward Sousuke as though the force of her stare alone could pull an answer from him.

Sousuke blinked, startled. “I-I don’t have the faintest clue,” He admitted. “No one’s seen him in a few years anyway. Probably for the best. They’ll probably banish him for all we know.”

Nene’s stomach lurched. “Banish?”

“Yeah,” Sousuke said with a shrug. “I mean, the higher-ups must have some way to get rid of us if they wanted. And if they find out he’s the reason for all this—” He swept his hand around at the mismatched forest of four seasons colliding, “Then winter’s probably done for.”

“No!” Nene’s voice shot up before she could stop it. Both boys jolted, staring at her with round eyes. She swallowed hard and tried to steady her voice. “I-I mean… Hanako isn’t like that. I know he’s a good person. He was there for me at the end of my season. If he did do this, then there must have been a good… reason.”

Though if she was being honest, she couldn’t think of a single good reason why he would have done this, if he had been the one to do this. 

Kou’s eyes remained wide. Sousuke, however, lit up like he’d found a juicy secret.

“If I didn’t know any better,” Sousuke said, leaning in with a teasing grin, “I’d say you like him.”

Nene’s entire face ignited with heat. “I-It’s not like that!” She sputtered, far too quickly. Nene looked at Kou, who had an unreadable expression on his face. Which for some reason made her want to blush even more. 

The boys eventually helped Nene to her feet, but even with their support, the world felt unsteady beneath her. Questions weighed heavily on her, but the spring and summer season only had so many answers, answers that left her with more questions. Kou and Sousuke exchanged words she barely heard, guiding her back toward the cabin. Nene walked with them, though her thoughts wandered far ahead, wondering why this was all happening.

The next few days passed in a blur of fragmented explanations and long stretches of silence. Together, the three seasons visited several villages. Some humans rejoiced at the sight of them, relieved beyond words. Others reacted with bitterness, shouting accusations, grief, and anger. They grieved loved ones who had frozen to death. They cursed the famine that followed. 

For months— no… years, they had been forced to learn how to grow food beneath a relentless winter sky. Even now, though the world had begun adjusting to all four seasons tangled together, Nene found herself sleepless at night imagining how terrible the suffering must have been, how powerless the humans must have felt. The guilt nipped at her like a cold wind.

When the emotional storm finally dulled enough for her to breathe, Nene found herself drifting outside to the cabin’s patio. Coexisting with the other seasons felt strange. None of them were used to occupying the world all at the same time. And although it warmed her heart to finally meet the spring season in person, the three of them quickly realized they were stumbling through a rhythm they had never practiced. No schedules, no turns, simply overlapping natures that didn’t fit together cleanly.

Standing on the patio, something hot flared in her chest. Anger. She didn’t want any of this. Leaving the earth each year had always been bittersweet, yes, and sure she had often wondered what it might feel like to witness the other seasons in their fullness. But this… this twisted hybrid of all four, was nothing like fullness. It felt like her power was a tangled mess, unable to reach its natural peak no matter how deeply she tried to tap into it.

A sigh slipped from her lips, and a small gust of autumn air blew gently through her hair. It should have comforted her, strangely, it did. She lowered her gaze to her dress. The leaves woven through it were no longer purely her vibrant shades. Kou's greens mingled with her oranges and golds. It felt wrong. It felt like her own identity had been smudged with someone else’s paint.

And despite everything. Despite the fear, despite the anger, despite the uncertainty humming beneath her skin, she couldn’t help but wonder if Hanako was okay, wherever he was. 

Perhaps the thought of him was what coaxed the snow to start falling. At first, it came in only a few slow drifting flakes spiraling through the air. Then more followed, sifting down like tiny feathers shaken loose from the sky. It gathered on the patio rails and melted on her hands. She would never take back what she said, the winter season really was beautiful. 

As Nene gazed out into the forest, watching the snow settle in soft layers over the tangled mix of seasons, a flicker of movement caught her eye. At first, she thought it was just a trick of the snowfall. But then a cat stepped fully into view at the tree line.

Its fur wasn’t the deep black she had grown used to. Instead, its fur was patches of orange, white, gray, and black, all mottled together like a calico dipped in the colors of every season. Snowflakes clung to its whiskers, its tail waving at her. But it was the golden eyes that gave it away.

Nene’s breath caught. “…Tsukasa?”

The cat tilted its head with a wide and mischievous grin, a bit too human looking. Nene didn’t waste a second when he dashed in the opposite direction.

“Hey— wait!” She shouted, already hopping off the patio. Her boots hit the thin snow with a soft crunch as she sprinted toward him. But Tsukasa darted into the trees, his mottled coat flashing between the trunks like a moving patch of sunset and shadow.

“Tsukasa, get back here!” Nene yelled. She pulled her red cloak over her dress and ran after him, the cold wind stinging her cheeks as flakes swirled around her. Each time she thought she was close enough to grab him, he slipped just out of reach, glancing back with that infuriatingly smug smile, definitely on purpose.

Nene kept after him, breath clouding in the cold air, her cloak snagging on low branches as she shoved them aside. Just when she thought she had him cornered between two pines, he skidded to a stop, leaping straight up the trunk of one of them.

Nene groaned, stopping as Tsukasa scrambled up the bark like it was nothing. “You’re really going to make me climb up there?”

Nene let out a loud sigh that puffed white into the air. “…Fine,” She muttered. She grabbed hold of the tree bark, digging her boots into the trunk as best she could. The cold stung her fingers, and her foot slipped more than once, forcing her to cling tighter and drag herself upward branch by branch. She was so focused on not falling to her death that she didn’t notice when the calico-colored cat stopped climbing, or when he stopped being a cat at all.

“Neneee… you’re still as slow as ever,” A familiar voice called down. “Actually, you might be even slower.”

Nene froze mid-climb. Then, lifting her head, she spotted Tsukasa, fully human, lounging on the branch above her. With his legs dangling and one hand holding up his cheek, he looked excruciatingly pleased with himself. The scene felt far too familiar.

“Why…” She huffed, struggling to pull herself onto the same branch, “Why do you always make me chase after you?”

“Well, I’m not forcing you to follow me,” Tsukasa said with a grin. “Besides, it’s like playing cat and mouse. Which I think is kind of fun. Don’t you?”

“Not really,” Nene sighed, brushing snow from her cloak. “Also, I have a bone to pick with you!”

“You do?” Tsukasa blinked, widening his eyes theatrically as he plucked a small flower from the branch above them. “But I haven’t seen you in years! Can’t we just call it water under the bridge? It’s not good to hold grudges, Nene.”

“I-I’m not holding a grudge!” She protested. “Winter lasted years. Of course I haven’t been able to see you.” She blew out a breath, looking away. “Tsukasa, why… Why did you grab my crown from me that night at the Samhain festival?”

For a moment, Tsukasa didn’t answer. He simply twirled the flower between his fingers as he looked at her, his expression unusually serious. So serious it made her fidget nervously. Then, just as she opened her mouth to speak again, he broke into a crooked grin.

“For fun?” He said, almost sounding like he was asking her the question. She very nearly threw him out of the tree.

“Well it wasn’t ‘fun!’” She said, getting closer to him to whisper. “Tsukasa, I feel like we’re the reason winter lasted so long, why this–” She gestured helplessly to the mismatched forest around them, the snow on fresh spring buds, the autumn leaves lying beneath summer blades of grass, “— Is happening.” 

Tsukasa simply smiled. “One hundred percent, this is definitely our fault.”

Nene groaned, slapping her hand on her face. “…But why?”

“Well,” Tsukasa said, swinging his bare feet, “I don’t think the winter season was too happy about the whole ‘only getting to see you once a year’ thing. And I felt the same way about him. I was pretty upset when I found out I’d only get to see him a few months out of the year. Especially since I did so much just to see him again.”

Nene blinked. “...Again?”

Tsukasa leaned in too close, golden eyes studying her. “Nene, I’m really dying to know, and I’ve been too afraid to ask the winter season, but… do you remember anything from before you were a season?”

The autumn breeze shifted around them, rustling her hair and tugging at Tsukasa’s ragged cloak. His question hung heavy between them. Before she was a season? But she had always been autumn. She had always existed this way. But even if she had something to remember from before…

“No.” She answered. “I… don’t.” And for the briefest moment, she saw Tsukasa’s face fall. As though he was disappointed in her answer. But he was very quick to mask it. 

“Figured as much.” He said, swinging his bare feet again.

“Is there even something there to remember?” Nene pressed. 

“Who knows,” Tsukasa said, his tone was too light and too dismissive.

“Well, it sounds like you do.” Nene narrowed her eyes. “Besides, I’m sure Mother Nature or Father Time, or any of the higher-ups, would’ve mentioned something like that.”

Tsukasa burst into laughter. Real, amused laughter, as if she had told a joke. “You put a lot of trust into those guys, huh?”

“Of course I do!” Nene said defensively. “Why wouldn’t I? Aoi and Akane have always been there for us.”

“That’s true!” He chirped happily. “But what about the others?”

“The beings above them?” Nene frowned. “They rarely involve themselves with the seasons. Ever.”

“But that doesn’t answer my question.” Tsukasa scooted closer. “You trust them, right?”

Nene hesitated, suddenly very aware that Tsukasa had a way of bending conversations like branches in his hands. Was he planting doubt? Testing her? Or did he know something she didn’t?

“…Y-Yeah,” She finally said.

A cold winter gust swept through the tree, harsher than the autumn breeze from moments before.

“Well that’s good!” Tsukasa beamed. For as long as she had known him, Tsukasa always seemed a bit odd. Even more so now. Everything from finding out Aoi and Akane don’t know of his existence, to now, leaving her with more questions than answers. 

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t—” 

“Nene!” 

The shout from below made her jump. She leaned over the branch and spotted Kou walking through the woods towards her. Tsukasa flicked the flower once between his fingers, then reached forward and tucked it gently into Nene’s hair.

“Let’s play cat and mouse again sometime, okay Nene?” He said, smiling.

Before she could respond, Tsukasa, now in his feline form, was hopping to another tree. His form disappearing into the branches just as Kou looked upward, finally spotting her.

“There you are!” Kou called. “Uh— Why are you up there?” 

Nene laughed a bit awkwardly. “Um… Better views from above?” 

“Right…” Kou said, still clearly confused. “I… was actually meant to come and get you.” 

“Get me?” Nene questioned. 

“They think they’ve found Hanako.” Kou said, making Nene’s eyes widen. “We’re being called for the trial.” 

Nene had wandered every forest imaginable, had walked through canopies of red, gold, and rust. Had woven between trunks she’d painted with autumn’s warmth. But she had never seen a place like this. The moment the three seasons stepped past the final treeline, they approached a quiet clearing. A vast circle lay at the forest’s heart, ringed by trees so tall and so tightly knit they seemed to form walls. Their branches arched overhead like a cathedral, and from every branch hung clocks. Thousands of them.

Some were small pocket-watches, others were heavy wooden pendulum clocks, their chains swaying with the slightest breeze. Glass clocks whose gears turned without ticking. Clocks with no numbers at all. Clocks frozen at midnight, clocks racing through minutes faster than they should. They dangled from silver chains, from threads of gold, from strands of vine and root. No two were alike. Their mismatched ticking echoed through the air.

Nene spotted Aoi and Akane in the distance. She would have been happy to see them if the circumstances were different. She joined Kou and Sousuke at one of the pues. The ticking sounds helped silence her thoughts over everything. 

Nene noted someone whispering something in Akane’s ear from a distance. He was an older man. One of his eyes hidden behind a patch. Long hair tied back in a ponytail. The younger girl that stood by him had her brown hair in two pigtails. They wore very similar attire to Akane as well. She knew Akane worked fairly close to the Beings of What Was and What Will Be. That had to have been Kako and Mirai. There were a few others as well she didn’t recognize at all. 

Kou stood next to her, his focus on the front. She really wanted to tell him about Tsukasa. But with Aoi and Akane not knowing about him, she didn’t know if it’d be wise to bring him up. She didn’t need anyone else to be in trouble. 

“Kou?” Nene whispered, her voice barely rising above the uneven ticking all around them.

Kou looked down at her. “Hm?”

“What do you know about the higher deities?" She asked quietly, eyes drifting toward the people that stood around Mother Nature and Father Time. 

Kou blinked. “Not much,” He admitted. “Probably about as much as you do, why?”

Nene swallowed. “Oh… I was just curious.” Her gaze flicked upward to the wall of clocks, their swinging pendulums beating out an anxious rhythm. “Did you happen to find out more of what happened with Hanako?”

Kou shifted, rubbing his arm. “A bit yeah.” He said “Some people in the villages mentioned something a while back. A ritual gone wrong around the harvest season. Something at a festival. I don’t know the details, but apparently that imbalance was the reason winter was able to last so long. As far as the four seasons mixing, it definitely seems like it's leaning towards Hanako being the cause…” 

Nene’s pulse thundered in her ears. So Tsukasa had been right. She knew of rituals, she knew of offerings, she knew the weight of omens. But she had never imagined that a disrupted offering could cause this. Yet it lined up too perfectly. The festival. The crown. Tsukasa running off with it. And her choosing not to tell anyone.

If the ritual caused the imbalance, then this was her fault too. Maybe not intentionally— but still partially her fault. Her stomach dropped. Her skin drained of color. She forced her expression to stay steady, even as panic twisted hard beneath her ribs.

Kou frowned, leaning in just slightly. He reached his hand to her back, but hesitated. “Hey… Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” She lied, her smile far too stiff.

Sousuke peered around Kou. “Probably just nervous to see her boyfrie— Ow!” Kou smacked the back of Sousuke’s head, scowling.

Before the two could devolve into an argument, movement at the front of the clearing drew the attention of every deity present. The clocks overhead seemed to tick louder, echoing through the trees. From between two massive oaks stepped a very tall man with dark skin, broad-shoulders, and dressed in heavy ceremonial garb. In one gloved hand he held something that glinted like a chain. And at the other end of that frozen tether held Hanako. 

Nene’s breath caught painfully. Hanako staggered as he was pulled forward. His coat was torn open along the shoulder, exposing bruised, frostbitten skin. A deep violet bruise bloomed across his cheekbone. Dried blood crusted at the edge of a split lip, trailing down his jaw. His hands were bound harshly in front of him, metal digging so deep into his wrists that the frost beneath it was stained red.

For a long, agonizing moment, his gaze was solely on the floor. Then, with a slow inhale that visibly hurt him, Hanako lifted his head. 

It was only when gold met crimson did his eyes widen. His chest rose sharply, his pupils dilated, the gold around them flaring. He couldn’t break his gaze from her. She wasn’t sure if it was because he hadn’t seen her in years, or if he was shocked she was even here. 

That moment was interrupted by a heavy, resounding grandfather clock echoing through the clearing. It seemed to grow louder with each chime. The silence that fell over the clearing after the last bell was absolute.

“Begin the trial,” Kako commanded.

His voice carried through the clearing. The tall man who had dragged Hanako in, his grip tightening on the chain, stepped aside but stayed close enough that Hanako couldn’t so much as shift without the metal biting deeper into his skin. Akane stepped forward, mirroring Aoi on his opposite side, their expressions grim. Aoi’s gaze flicked briefly to Nene, worry tightening her features, but she said nothing.

“You stand accused of disrupting the order set forth by the core of the Solstice.” Kako said. “Your actions halted the cycle of seasons, causing catastrophic imbalance to the mortal world. An unknown ritual that requires further investigation prolonged your season far beyond its natural end. You selfishly interfered with the descent of spring, toppled the balance meant to sustain mortal life, and killed thousands who relied on the warmth you withheld.” 

Nene’s breath quickened. She wanted to step forward, to speak, to tell them she was partly responsible. But Kou’s hand tightened gently around her wrist.

Kako’s voice cut through the moment. “How do you plead?”

Hanako lifted his head towards him, the chain between his bound wrists creaking as he shifted. Blood dried in dark streaks along his hands, but his posture, despite everything, held a crooked sort of confidence. He exhaled once, a slow plume of frost drifting from his lips.

Then he smiled with an edge Nene remembered all too well.

“Well,” He said. “For a system that is meant to work with us, you guys sure do love to leave the seasons in the dark over a lot of things. And I’ve learned a lot in the seven years you all so desperately tried to find me.” 

Nene, Kou and Sousuke’s eyes were wide while Hanako continued, that half-smirk sharpening into something colder.

“And for deities who made us seasons out of necessity…” He paused, the word necessity dripping from his tongue like poison. “It seems odd you were fine with dropping all of us onto earth with no memories, no explanations, and no guidance other than ‘do your job and disappear at the end.’ And now you’re shocked that something finally broke?”

Hanako tilted his head. “It sounds like you’ve already decided I’m guilty.” He continued. “Pretty sure my plea wouldn’t matter to you guys too much anyway.” 

Mirai just smiled up at Kako, tugging at his sleeve. “Can I do the thing, let Mirai do the thing!” She bounced off the podium towards Hanako. He didn’t move as she reached up, her small hands framing his battered face, her smile bright as she gently placed a white seal on his cheek. 

. . . 

“Guilty.” She chimed.

Silence fell so thick the air seemed to stop moving. Even the clocks, thousands of them, stopped mid-tick. Nene's eyes widened. 

“No!”

The word tore out of Nene like something instinctive, primal. Kou startled beside her. Sousuke’s mouth fell open. Even Aoi flinched at the suddenness of it. But Nene was already moving. Her boots pounding across the ground as she ran, weaving through rows of deities and ancient beings. She planted herself in front of Hanako, arms out, blocking him from their view.

Her voice shook, but she made it loud enough for every deity to hear.

“Y-You can’t do this!” She cried. “Please, he didn’t mean to harm the world! He’s just– he’s just–”

An idiot. 

Kako lifted his chin, expression guarded. “Autumn, step aside. Your season is not under trial.”

“But it should be!” Nene’s words burst out before she could stop them. “Because I—I was part of it! If he prolonged winter, then it wasn’t just him. I was the one who…”

The truth snagged in her throat like a thorn. Her breath shuddered.

“Please,” She whispered.

There was another pause as Kako just looked down at her. A ripple of whispers spread through the gathered deities. She looked to Kou, to Sousuke, to Aoi and Akane, their eyes all wide. But Kako’s expression didn’t change. “If you claim involvement in the ritual, Autumn, then you will be placed under judgment after winter’s sentence is carried out.”

Nene’s blood ran cold.

“But this trial is not yours.” He said. “Step aside.”

Nene’s pulse erupted in her ears. Before Kako or Mirai could move, before anyone understood what she intended, Nene lunged sideways toward the tall man gripping Hanako’s chains. He hadn’t expected resistance from her, which made her next move all the easier. She grabbed the chain binding Hanako’s wrists with both hands and yanked hard. She leaned into the pull, forcing the man off balance just enough. Then she grabbed Hanako’s cold hand with her free one and pulled him with every ounce of strength she had left.

Aoi shouted her name as both her and Hanako fled from the clearing. 

Hanako stumbled behind her, his hands still in chains, “Y-Yashiro– what are you–?”

She tightened her grip on his hand, pulling him forward toward the forest. 

Nene looked back at him. “We’re running away.” 

Chapter Text

Nene wasn’t sure how long they ran. They plunged past the edge of the clearing and into the forest where all the seasons blended together. The further they ran, fog started to cling to the ground in a thick, rolling blanket, swallowing their footsteps. It was as though the forest couldn’t decide what time of year it was, each breath of air holding a different temperature. Nene felt the chill nipping at her cheeks while the ground beneath her boots radiated a faint warmth. The only thing that seemed normal in all of it was Hanako’s chained hand gripping hers. 

She didn’t realize how badly he was struggling, not until his grip suddenly slackened. Hanako stumbled, knees buckling, and the two of them tumbled down a small slope tangled with roots and frozen underbrush. They landed in a heap at the bottom, Nene gasping as she pushed herself off him.  

“Hanako?” She said, looking at him. 

His eyes found hers, but his breath hitched violently. One of his bound hands shot to his side, pressing against his coat. Only then did she see it, a dark stain spreading where his tunic had torn open, the gash underneath looking rather deep. 

Nene’s heart lurched. “Hanako!” She cried. “A-Are you okay? You’re hurt!” 

“It’s—” He tried, gasping between words. “It’s fine… I think the wound… opened up again from running…” His voice strained, trying to force steadiness back into it. “I-It’s just a scratch—”

“Clearly it isn’t!” She snapped, panic sharpening her voice. Deities healed fast, faster than anything mortal. So the fact that this wound had opened up again was alarming. “Can you stand?” She asked. 

He didn’t answer immediately. His breath trembled. But when she slipped her shoulder under his arm, he forced himself upright with a low, pained groan. Nene steadied him as best she could, swallowing down her fear.

“I-I believe there’s a stream up ahead.” Nene said. “C’mon.” 

They moved slowly, step by step, until the fog thinned and the soft trickle of the stream could be heard. The stream cut a narrow line through the forest, its surface shifting gently over smooth stones. Nene guided Hanako to the base of a tree where he could sit. He sank down with a hiss of pain, head tipping back against the bark as his breath came sharp and shallow.

Nene tore a strip of wool from her skirt with trembling fingers and dipped it into the icy stream. She wrung it out, her breath unsteady as she returned to Hanako’s side. He leaned heavily against the tree, chest rising and falling in uneven pulls. And although frost clung to the bark behind his back, it was faint and thin. Nothing in comparison to when they had first met all those years ago. 

“Alright,” She murmured, more to steady herself than him, “This might sting.”

She gently pressed the damp wool to the gash at his side. Hanako hissed sharply, turning his face away as his fingers dug into his frost-coated chains.

“S-Sorry!” Nene said quickly, instinctively pulling back.

“N-No—” He managed through clenched teeth, “Just do it. I’m fine.”

Nene swallowed the panic rising in her throat and pressed the cloth more carefully this time, wiping away the dried blood as best as she could. Her fingers brushed his skin. A small, fleeting touch, warm compared to his chilled body, and Hanako went rigid, cold breath stuttering. The close proximity of her mixed with the sharp pain was making him dizzy. 

“H-Hold still,” Nene whispered, looping the wool around him again, pulling it snug. She tied it as tightly as she dared, her brow furrowed as she checked the edges of the makeshift bandage. It wasn’t perfect… not even close, but it was something. It was enough to keep him from bleeding further.

When she finally leaned back, her palms were stained red with his blood, she exhaled shakily.

“There,” She said. “It’s wrapped. You should… you should be okay for now.”

Hanako finally looked at her. Really looked at her. Her hair was mussed from the fall, cheeks flushed, and her once neat dress was torn in uneven strips from climbing, tearing cloth, and doing anything she could to help him. Her fingers trembled from fear, adrenaline, and worry. She looked like she’d been dragged out of a storm, and she still placed him at the center of her attention.

“You’re… shaking,” He murmured.

Nene blinked down at her hands. “I—I’m just… I was worried. You collapsed so suddenly and—and you were bleeding—”

She cut herself off, pressing her lips together as her voice began to crack. Hanako’s eyes just softened.

“Yashiro,” He said quietly.

Her head snapped up, startled by the gentleness in his tone. His hand, still chained and stained with drying blood, lifted weakly. He brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, a cold, fleeting reassurance.

“I'm... okay,” He whispered. Nene felt the tears forming from her eyes. Not just from his reassurance, but from seeing him again. She wasn’t sure if she believed him. But for now… for this moment… she exhaled and let herself breathe. 

“How… How did you get hurt so badly?” Nene asked. 

Hanako exhaled shakily. “That guy—” He said. “They called him Hakubo… The deities… They sent him… to hunt for me.” 

The way he said it made her stomach twist.

“And this stupid— thing they put on my face…” He grumbled, gesturing faintly toward the seal Mirai had stuck to his cheek. “Is making it harder for my wound to heal…” He muttered. 

Nene’s eyes widened when she finally got a proper look at him, the seal pressed to his cheek, the split in his lip, the bruise mottling one side of his face. She reached for her dress again, ripping another strip of wool from the hem. She dipped the cloth into the stream and wrung it out. When she returned to him, Hanako didn’t pull away. Slowly, gently, Nene brought the dampened fabric to his face. 

The dried blood along his cheekbone had darkened into a rusty smear, cracking slightly as she dabbed at it. Hanako flinched, not from pain, but from the close proximity. His lashes lowered as he forced himself to stay still. His cheeks carried the faintest red tint, and Nene told herself it was from the gusts of cold. But the truth was her own face felt just as warm, heat rising beneath her skin in a way she couldn’t hide.

Nene let the cloth fall to rinse some blood from her fingers, then lifted it again, moving with even more care. She wiped beneath his eye, over the bridge of his nose, along the edge of his jaw. She didn’t realize how gentle she’d become until she noticed the frost around him… melting. Nene hesitated, she wasn’t sure if she should be worried about that or not.

When Nene pictured having this conversation with him. She expected herself to be a lot more angry. And she was angry, but with his injury, she was just trying to hold herself together. It seemed the more she spoke, the harder it became to keep her voice steady. Her throat tightened painfully as she set the rag down in her lap and folded her trembling hands over it. She kept her eyes lowered, trying to gather the right words to make sense of the ache in her chest.

“Hanako…” She started, “Why… I don’t understand why you did this—” She gestured weakly at the world around them, at the impossible blend of seasons twisted together in fog and frost and blooming branches. “At first I didn’t believe it. I thought it had to be a mistake, or a rumor, or that people were exaggerating. But you…” She forced herself to look at him then, her eyes shining. “You made all the seasons coexist… why?”

Hanako didn’t answer at first. He let his head fall back against the tree, staring up through the shifting canopy where spring flowers and autumn leaves tangled together in the same breath of wind. He really had managed to shatter the core of the solstice. All the seasons danced together. And Yashiro was here with him, right now. He didn’t even know what month it was, not that it mattered anymore. They weren’t supposed to be here together. Not now anyway. 

Had he really done all of this for her?

The thought was too big, too tangled. Maybe it was extreme. Maybe it was reckless. Maybe he didn’t fully understand the emotions that had driven him to do it in the first place. But he knew one thing with painful certainty, when he imagined a world without Yashiro, he didn’t like it at all. 

Hanako sighed. “Why indeed…” When he turned back toward her, he tried for a smirk. “Why, Yashiro… You’re not happy to see me?”

The question was light, teasing, but Nene flinched as if he’d struck her. Her breath stuttered. “Of course I’m happy to see you!” She said too quickly, too desperately. “I just—”

The leaves around them rustled with a breeze. The air cooled as the wind wound through the trees, stirring the fog at their feet. Her emotions slipped free before she could bite them back.

“I just…” Her voice broke. “I didn’t expect it to be like this...”

She lifted a hand to her face, wiping at her eyes, but the tears came faster. The wind picked up with every shaky inhale she took. Hanako’s smirk had all but vanished, his eyes wide as he took in the autumn wind born from her distress.

It swept through the branches high above, sending petals and snowflakes and brittle autumn leaves tumbling around them in a scattered storm of contradictions. Hanako watched her, her tears pressed against something deep in him, hurting him just as deeply as the gash on his side. 

“It’s… gonna be okay…” He said between breaths. “I promise.” 

“But Hanako, they want you banished.” She said between tears. “And as for me…?” He waited for her to continue as he noted the wind around them slowing down to a gentler breeze. Her gaze drifted down again. “They’ll probably banish me as well...” 

Hanako blinked, stunned. “I still don’t understand why you ran off with me.” He muttered. 

“I had to!” She said. “I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.” 

“...Why not?” He asked. 

“Because…” Her cheeks flushed hot, wet with tears. “You mean a lot to— I mean…” Her voice cracked again. “You’re my friend! Wouldn’t you… do the same?”

Hanako looked away. Boy if only she knew… If only she understood what he had already done to stay with her. The chain bit into his wrists as he shifted.

“Yeah,” He muttered. “I… probably would.”

The air stilled around them. Hanako twisted his wrists again, trying to pull against the chains, desperate to free at least one hand. He wanted to reach for her. Pull her against him. Keep her close so she’d never fade again. But the chains held fast. All he could manage was tightening his grip on her hand. 

“We should try to find Tsuchigomori.” Hanako said. “He might have something to get these damn chains off… and maybe something better to treat my wound.”

“Tsuchigomori?” Nene questioned. 

“Yeah.” Hanako said. “He’s helped me a few times. I’m sure… one more time won’t kill him.” 

“Okay.” Nene nodded. Though she had to admit she was nervous. Nothing like this had ever happened in her long history as a season. And if the deities were already searching for them… and if Hakubo was among them, then Hanako, wounded and weakened by that seal, was in real danger. They needed to move as low profile as possible.

Nene rose to her feet and helped him stand. As they began walking through the forest, she looked down at the ground instinctively expecting to see trails of frost blooming beneath Hanako’s steps. But there was nothing, not even a single frozen footprint. A cold thread of worry wound tight inside her chest.

“I swear the only time you come to visit is when you want something.” 

Tsuchigomori’s dry voice carried across the dim pub the moment the door creaked open. The warmth from the fireplace dimmed just slightly. Hanako leaned heavily against Nene, his arm draped over her shoulders, his steps uneven.

Hanako let out a breathless, weak attempt at a laugh. “You wound me, Tsuchigomori,” He rasped.

“P-Please, sir,” Nene said quickly, her voice tight with worry. “If you can help us… the winter season is hurt.”

Tsuchigomori scoffed. “Seasons don’t ‘get hurt.’ Trust me, I know that more than anyone. Dealing with—”

He stopped as his eyes landed on Hanako. On the half dried blood staining his side, on the makeshift wool bandage wrapped tight around his torso, on the bruises mottling on him.

 “Uh…” The shift in Tsuchigomori’s expression was subtle but immediate as he set the glass down with a firm clink and ushered her and Hanako to the back. 

Tsuchigomori worked in silence at first, cleaning the wound properly this time, using herbs and salves far stronger than anything Nene had access to. When the bleeding finally eased and the salve was bound tightly under fresh bandages, Tsuchigomori sat back with a long, exhausted sigh. He peered over to Nene, curious as to how this happened. 

And Nene had no reason to not trust this man, so she told him everything. About the trial in the hidden clearing, about the seal Mirai had placed on Hanako, about how a deity named Habuko had been the cause of Hanako’s wounds, and about the two of them running before the banishment could be carried out. Tsuchigomori listened without interrupting, his jaw tightening with each new detail.

Thankfully, he had offered her and Hanako to stay there. At least until Hanako’s wound healed. And it did heal eventually, a lot slower than it should have. Nene stayed close through it all. She had remembered when Hanako had been there for her in the final week of her last season. Nene knew it wasn’t exactly the same, but as his room got colder and frost started clinging to his clothes more, she could tell he was getting better. 

It had taken about three weeks until Hanako was fully himself again. The two exited the pub, Hanako stretching his arms above him. 

With the two of them huddled in the pub for so long, the spring and summer season had pretty much taken full control of the earth. The sun was warm on both their skin. Trees that had once been bare now shimmered with pale blossoms, while the fields on the outskirts of the village had a deep summer green. 

“Man it is way too hot.” Hanako muttered, getting closer to Nene’s ear. “What do you say you and I have some fun Yashiro?”

Nene peered at him at a sideways glance, her face flushing from his teasing suggestive tone. “Why do you have to say it like that?” Nene muttered. “Besides, we have to keep a low profile for now, remember? So keep your frost at bay until we find some human clothes to blend in.” 

Hanako’s eyes widened. “H-Human clothes?” 

“Well yeah.” She said in a matter of fact tone. “We stick out like sore thumbs, you and I.” Seeing their outfits were the embodiment of their own seasons, she thought it would be best to find something a little less flashy. If they did it rather quickly, her keeping her autumn breeze and him keeping his winter glow at bay, they could figure out what to do next. 

Hanako tugged his hood on, and the two slipped in the alleyways behind the village market. The sounds of summer life faded the farther they went. Between the narrow cobblestone walls, only the echo of their footsteps followed.

Heat pressed down on them like a heavy blanket, beads of sweat forming at Nene’s neck while Hanako scowled at the sun with deep offense.

“I feel like I’m melting,” He muttered.

“You’ll be fine,” She said as a sudden gust of winter wind flew down the alleyway. Nene just glared at him, Hanako muttered a half apology. He stuck closer to her side as they rounded another corner, only for both of them to stop dead in their tracks.

A large poster was nailed to the wooden siding of a nearby shop. The edges curled slightly, but the illustrations were unmistakable. Nene wrapped in autumn leaves, Hanako with that usual cold look in his eyes. A bold WANTED stretched across the top. 

Nene’s stomach lurched. Her breath hitched as she looked around the empty alley, suddenly aware of every open window, every back door that might swing open at any moment.

Hanako stepped closer, grabbing the paper off the wall. “Wow,” He muttered, pointing vaguely at his portrait. “Do I really look like that?”

“Hanako,” Nene hissed, panic tightening her voice. “This isn’t good… This means they are actually looking for us.” 

“I can assure you Yashiro, I outran these deities for years, we’ll be okay.” He paused, glancing toward the wanted poster again. “And besides… with the core of the solstice gone, we’ve got a lot more potential now. 

Nene’s eyes widened. The core of the solstice? She had no idea what that was. Was that what he meant during the trial? When he said he’d learned more in seven years than the higher-ups ever told them? Her thoughts tangled, questions rising in her chest, until Hanako shifted, breaking her spiraling.

He folded the poster, and for a moment she could have sworn he lingered on her picture before tucking it into his pocket. Then he reached for her hand with his cold fingers.

“I won’t let them catch us,” He said, his voice low and gentle. “I promise. For now… it’s just you and me.”

Her cheeks warmed, not from the summer heat, not entirely. She nodded, pulling her cloak tighter despite the heat.

“Let’s find that shop,” She whispered.

The shop wasn’t much to look at from the outside. Just a squat wooden building with sun bleached awnings and a crooked sign in the front. Nene nudged Hanako towards the door before anyone could see them. 

“Just act normal, okay?”

“Perfectly normal, got it,” He nodded and immediately froze the doorknob solid with a single touch. A brittle crack split the air.

He lifted his hand sheepishly. “Okay… maybe not too normal.”

Nene sighed and warmed the metal with a gentle breath of autumn, thawing away the frost before anyone noticed. Together, they slipped inside, keeping their heads low as they darted toward the first tall shelf—

“Nene-sama?” 

Nene found herself at a halt when both her and Hanako’s head whipped towards the person’s voice. Though older and wiser, Nene recognized that emerald hair and soft expression anywhere. 

“Sakura?” Nene squeaked. She wasn’t sure whether to smile or bolt. Under normal circumstances, she would have been thrilled to see the fortuneteller from the Samhain festival. Under these circumstances? Sakura might as well have been holding a divine arrest warrant.

“It’s such a surprise seeing you here,” Sakura said with her usual graceful calm. “Though… perhaps not the most convenient time. Please tell me, you’re not involved with the seasonal disorder are you?”

Nene wilted. “It’s… a very long story.” She muttered, pointing over to Hanako. “Sakura, if you wouldn’t mind. The winter season and I need to find different clothes. Would you be able to deal with the shopkeeper for us? I have the money I can lend to you.” 

Her eyes met Hanako’s, giving him a look Nene couldn’t quite place. It seemed a bit hostile under the surface. But to be fair, there had been seven years of a brutal winter, who knows what Sakura had endured in that time. 

“No need for repayment,” Sakura said. “But please don’t tell me…” Her head tilted as she looked to Nene. “Was Hanako-sama the name you wrote on the hazelnut at my stand all those years ago?”

Nene’s face ignited into a brilliant red. “W-Wha— That was—I mean… It wasn’t serious!”

Hanako blinked at her, completely lost. “Hazelnut?”

“It was— It was just a festival game!” Nene flailed, hands waving as if she could physically erase the memory from existence. “You— you write two names and if the hazelnut’s leap apart, it means that person— it’s not— it doesn’t matter!”

Her voice was getting dangerously loud. She slapped both hands over her mouth and scanned the room. Fortunately, no one seemed to be paying attention. Nene sighed, her face still hot. 

“I’m… going to find clothes,” She muttered, pointing sternly at Hanako without making eye contact. “You— you should too.”

Without waiting for a reply, she spun toward the nearest aisle, desperate to disappear between the shelves before her heart gave out.

The two walked out of the shop in their new clothes. Nene had found a brown skirt that fell in loose folds to her black boots. She threw a dark shawl on the top, tied at the front. A long sleeved shirt peeked out from underneath it. In a way it had reminded her of the dulled brown colors at the end of her season without sticking out. Hanako wore a long brown coat with simple buttons, a white shirt and vest underneath, and fitted trousers tucked into his dark boots. 

Hanako glanced down at Yashiro’s ankles, suddenly distracted when she had asked him if she looked okay. He was also quite troubled with the seal on his face. Scratching at it until his cheek turned red. He had only snapped out of it when Yashiro brushed against a branch from behind her, painting the leaves a different color. But it wasn’t that that caught his attention.  

Instead of her usual autumn colors taking shape on the leaves, she had painted them a pink she had never created before. The two of them blinked at the leaves, confusion written on their faces. 

“That’s quite the color you chose.” Hanako said. 

Nene quickly brushed the leaves, turning them to autumn colors. Her eyes were wide. 

“How is that even possible?” Nene questioned. “I’ve never made a color like that.” 

“Like I said before.” Hanako shrugged. “We have a lot more potential now.” 

Nene looked up at him. “So… What about you?” She asked. 

“Well, if I didn’t have this stupid thing on my face I probably would have been able to figure it out by now.” He muttered as he got closer to Nene. “I know you’re very keen on hiding, and we will. But we have to bring autumn and winter back to the earth before anything happens to the two of us.” 

Nene had forgotten about that aspect. They had to bring their elements to the earth. If they wander earth for too long without doing so, it would cause them to vanish. With a normal cycle of seasons that wouldn’t be so much a problem, they would simply return the next year. But with these mix of seasons, Nene had no idea what would become of them. 

She nodded to Hanako, a strong sense of determination in her core as the two of them made their way to the forest on the outskirts of the village. 

Nene worked first. She brushed her fingers along the branches, coaxing out her usual oranges, reds, and umbers in strokes. There were no strange pinks this time, she stuck to what she knew, to the palette that had always been hers. Leaves shimmered into warm colors as they drifted to the ground. The air thickened with the scent of woodsmoke and ripe apples.

Hanako followed behind her. Every step he took cooled the air just a little more, a restrained touch of winter rather than the violent storms he had once unleashed. Frost lace spread across stones and fallen leaves, thin enough that it looked like morning dew catching the early light. A light dust of snow gathered in the air that melted the moment it touched Nene’s cheeks. 

Though as Nene watched him, he almost seemed to struggle with it. Like it wasn’t coming naturally as it should. Nene was a bit troubled by it, but Hanako didn’t seem bothered. And if he didn’t seem bothered, neither should she… right?

But the two of them did not linger. Each time someone passed nearby, they slipped deeper into the trees. Each time voices rose in the streets, they would hide as best they could. They did this for the next few days, winter snow and autumn leaves following them, the two seasons moving as one until the earth felt their return. 

And although a deep pit of dread sat in her stomach. She couldn’t help the euphoric feeling of bringing her elements back to the world. Doing it all with someone by her side. Not worrying about her strength weakening when the earth didn’t need her anymore. 

And Hanako looked happy to be with her too. She was still wondering why he did all this, he had dodged her question every time she asked. And then she thought of her own season when it used to be able to bloom in full. Not this clash of seasons, but her own season. When her autumn colors danced around her without the warm breeze of summer, the flowers of spring, the snow of winter. Nene slowed to a stop, the two of their intertwined hands unlocking as she looked down at her boots. 

“Hanako.” Nene said, causing him to look at her. “This is great and all… but.” She hesitated before looking at him. “We should find a way to get things back to normal.” 

Hanako’s eyes widened. “What? Why?”

“Well, I was thinking.” Nene said, pressing her fingers together. “If we fix all this, perhaps the higher ups would pardon us? And things could go back to how they were.” 

“I seriously doubt the higher ups would pardon me.” He said. “Why,” He grabbed her hand. “Do you not like our seasons mixed together?”

“I-It’s not that…” She muttered, the snow falling catching in her hair. “It’s just—”

She was interrupted by a voice above them. 

“Maybe start off by telling the autumn season what you did is irreversible!” 

Nene and Hanako darted their eyes up to one of the nearby trees where the voice had come from. She instantly knew it was Tsukasa from his playful tone. But Hanako just stood there frozen, looking up at someone that looked just like him. 

“Tsukasa?” Nene called out, causing Hanako’s eyes to nearly pop from his head. 

“T-Tsukasa?!” He said, his eyes darting to Nene. “The cat?!”

A million thoughts were flooding through Hanako’s brain all at once. But the one that stood out the most troubled him. Sure, this person had looked just like him, that in itself was shocking. But why did seeing this person above him feel so… familiar?

Chapter Text

Nene wasn’t sure what to do. The longer she sat there, the more the frustration twisted in her chest, tightening with every passing second of silence. Hanako and Tsukasa were giving her far too much time to think, because neither of them were talking. The three of them sat along the edge of a nearby town, perched on a low cobblestone fence that bordered the road. Hanako sat far too close at her side, taking most of her personal space despite her repeated protests. His presence was cold and tense, and his attention was locked entirely on Tsukasa, whom he was sending one of the iciest looks at. 

It was during this silence that Nene finally realized something Tsukasa had only vaguely hinted at before. In all seven years that Hanako had existed as winter, Tsukasa had never revealed himself as anything but a cat. That alone explained part of the hostility. The rest of it was obvious in the way Hanako positioned himself, his shoulders squared and eyes narrowed, guarding her from Tsukasa as if the two of them weren’t nearly identical. And even though Nene was still upset with Hanako for what Tsukasa had revealed, she couldn’t stand the tension any longer.

“Um…” She began, glancing up at the winter season. “Hanako, Tsukasa is harmless— as far as I’m aware. There’s no reason to be so tense around—”

Hanako turned his glare on her. The sheer cold in his expression made her stop mid-sentence. For a fleeting moment, she understood exactly why humans found him frightening. The icy edge in his eyes were sharp and unforgiving. But the moment he realized who he was looking at, his expression shifted. The frost melted away, replaced by the softness he reserved only for her.

That only made her angrier.

Nene stood abruptly, spinning to face him. “You have no right to look at me like that!” She snapped, her frustration finally spilling over. “Tell me something, Hanako… Did you know this was irreversible?”

He blinked, caught completely off guard. “I-I didn’t mean to look at you like that… I just–” 

She cut him off before he could stumble his way into another half answer. “I was willing to believe I could maybe forgive you for causing a seven year winter,” She said. “Partly because I know I was involved too— but that’s not the point!” She planted her hands on her hips as the autumn wind stirred around her. “Why did you blend the seasons together? And don’t dodge the question like you always do!”

Hanako drew in a slow breath, but before he could speak, Tsukasa cut in cheerfully. “I know why, Nene!” He said with a grin, completely ignoring the murderous look Hanako shot him. “It’s because he really, really likes—”

“Shut up!” Hanako’s voice snapped through the air. The temperature around them dipped, frost crawling a few inches up the cobblestone fence. Tsukasa paused mid-sentence, blinking in surprise. “And what’s your deal anyway?” Hanako demanded. “I still don’t understand why you look just like me.” 

Tsukasa shrugged. “I dunno, it’s kinda fun to wear your face though. It’s like we were twins in our past lives or something!” 

The two stared at each other in silence. Tsukasa’s smile slowly softened, his golden eyes flicking toward Hanako with something almost pleading beneath the mischief. Nene noticed it immediately, even if she couldn’t understand it. Hanako, for his part, swallowed hard, his expression briefly unreadable before he looked away.

“Whatever…” He muttered under his breath.

Nene frowned and stepped closer, reaching out to grab Hanako’s arm. He was still seated on the fence, but she stood firmly in front of him now, blocking his line of sight. She sighed, the sound heavy with frustration and worry.

“Please,” She said. “Please just stop avoiding the question and just tell me… why?”

Hanako turned his face away, refusing to meet her eyes. His gaze dropped to the ground, shoulders slumping as if the weight of it all finally caught up to him. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.

“I…” He paused, searching for the right words. “Yashiro, when autumn ended all those years ago… I thought…” His sucked in a breath. “I thought I was never going to see you again.”

Nene’s breath caught as her eyes widened. 

“And even when I found out you’d return,” He continued, “It would just repeat. Over and over again. We’d get what— maybe a month together? And then I’d have to watch your demise. Again and again. Seasons disappear while the other deities walk the world freely year after year... And it’s not fair.” His hands curled around one of hers. “And I don’t really understand why I felt the need to do it. But if there was a way to make it so you never had to go away again… even if you hated me for it…”

He swallowed and finally looked at her. 

“I’d accept that.”

Nene loosened her grip as he stood up, reaching out to pull her close before she could react. He buried his face against the crook of her neck, cold fingers trembling as they slid into her hair.

“So… please,” Hanako murmured quietly. “I just… don’t want you to disappear.”

The words settled heavily between them. Nene felt her throat tighten, her breath catching before she could stop it. She had asked for the truth, but she hadn’t expected this. The rawness in his voice, the way his admission stripped away every ounce of bravado he usually hid behind. He didn’t want her to disappear with her season. He didn’t want to see her for a fleeting month only to lose her again and again. Which meant… What exactly?

“Aww… that’s nice.”

Tsukasa’s voice broke the moment, giving them a small smile. Hanako shot him a glare and instinctively drew Nene a little closer. Before either of them could react, Tsukasa had already shifted back into his feline form, hopping onto Hanako’s shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. Hanako released Nene and grabbed Tsukasa by the scruff, unceremoniously dropping him on the ground. He started to walk off, away from the cat.

“You should be nicer to him,” Nene said as she followed Hanako, lowering her voice so Tsukasa wouldn’t hear.

“I don’t trust him,” Hanako replied flatly.

“He stayed with you for seven years,” Nene said. “I feel like that should count for something.”

Hanako hesitated, recalling all the things he talked to Tsukasa about thinking he was just some strange cat. “Seven years without ever revealing he could turn human doesn’t exactly scream trustworthy to me.”

Nene crossed her arms. “You’re one to talk. You’re not exactly the ‘tell everyone everything’ type either.”

He looked at her, letting out a breath as he gave a small smile. “Guess I’ve got a bit of a reputation, huh?”

Their conversation cut off abruptly when voices drifted toward them from nearby. Hanako grabbed Nene’s arm and pulled her back toward the fence as they both ducked low. Nene’s heart pounded in her ears, and she could feel Hanako tense beside her. 

They cautiously peeked over the fence and froze. Two village guards were approaching, walking alongside a horse. They didn’t seem alarmed– just patrolling– but Nene’s stomach twisted as she realized the leaves from the trees around them were changing from a bright green to a deep red. 

“Yashiro.” He whispered. “You’re painting the leaves red.” 

“I-- I know.” She hesitated, and it seemed the panic in her thoughts only caused the leaves to change more and more, drawing attention to where they were hiding. She looked at Hanako, noticing the frost at the base of his feet wasn’t spreading at all. She felt puzzled. Usually it was the opposite way around. That thought alone caused the autumn breeze to fly through the area. 

Hanako glanced up at the turned leaves, then back toward the guards, frustration flickering across his face. He could only hope that the guards were stupid enough not to notice. 

The guards drew closer. “Check beyond the fence,” One of them said. “There’s a lot of autumn foliage building up over there.”

“Shit,” Hanako muttered. He turned to Nene quickly. “This way. C'mon." He gestured in the opposite direction.

Keeping their heads low, they slipped away, moving as quietly as they could with Tsukasa behind them, his tail flicking behind him. The fence barely concealed them, but Nene forced herself to focus on anything other than her nerves until the foliage stopped following them. They didn’t slow until the voices faded entirely.

Hanako finally exhaled and looked at Yashiro. She seemed even more shaken than he was. He had outrun everyone for seven years, so he knew he could probably outrun them for seven more. But Yashiro was with him now, and that changed everything. He had noticed this strange shift in using his elements since this seal was placed on him. He only worried that when he needed it most to protect her it wouldn’t cooperate the way he wanted. The thought of putting her in danger made his chest ache.

Nene inhaled deeply, but it wasn’t enough. They had been on the run for over two weeks now since leaving Tsuchigomori’s pub, slipping through villages throughout the world while quietly restoring autumn and winter. They’d had close calls before, just not like that. A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.

“Yashiro,” Hanako said softly, lifting a hand to wipe it away. “Hey… It’s okay. I promised you, remember? I won’t let them catch you.”

“I know,” She said, voice trembling. “It’s just… is this really how it’s going to be forever? I thought maybe there was a way to undo this. To fix it. To go back to something close to normal.” Her gaze dropped. “But I don’t think that’s an option anymore...”

Her thoughts drifted to autumn. To the colors she once painted freely across the world, the gentle breeze, the scent of apples and cinnamon, the fullness of harvest and celebration. She thought of standing beside Kou at the equinox, of watching her season slowly give way to winter and only winter. She had believed, for a while, that she might see that again.

Now, the anger she’d carried had faded, leaving only grief behind.

And beyond herself, she worried for the world. Sure, the seasons were living in harmony for now.  But what will happen when the soil cannot fully warm because Hanako and Kou’s seasons were clashing together? When her touch wilted spring’s flowers before they could bloom? Things were fine for now, but she knew that after a few more years, this would surely cause problems. There was a reason the coexistence of all four seasons had been forbidden in the first place.

And then there was the matter of herself.

Something about her powers had changed. She had always been the one to will autumn into being, to guide the turning leaves and the cooling air with ease. That was still true— but now her emotions seemed to carry more influence than her will ever had. When her thoughts spiraled, the leaves around her grew brittle without her meaning them to. The realization sent a chill through her, and despite her efforts to calm herself, the forest responded anyway.

A sudden thought popped into her mind. The horns back at the cabin. There had been the one she used to call Aoi and Akane that one time, though only Aoi had answered that call. But the other one, although she had only used it to help her guide the wind through the notches when she needed it, it’s main purpose was to guide her season. She recalled how much it helped her when she had grown weak. What if it could help her regain control-–  not just over the wind, but over her season itself?

But it was very risky to go back to the cabin. Both she and Hanako had avoided it since the trial, not because she feared Kou or Sousuke would betray them, but because anyone searching for them would think to look there first. It was the most obvious place.

Nene let out a slow breath and looked at Hanako. “I have an idea.” She said. 

Hanako was in the middle of swatting Tsukasa away, who was trying far too hard to climb onto his shoulder again. “What is it?” He asked, distracted.

“Lets head back to the cabin.” She said. 

Hanako froze. He turned toward her, brows knitting together. “Yashiro, you know I’d follow you anywhere,” He said, “But going back there is way too risky. At that point, we might as well be turning ourselves in.” He paused. “Besides, why do we even need to go back?”

“I have horns there,” Nene explained. “One of them helps me guide my elements. I used to use it all the time to control the wind through the notches.”

He stared at her. “You have horns that help control your elements?” He repeated. “Wow. Now I really know the higher ups don’t care about balance. How come I never got one of those?”

Nene didn’t have an answer for him. The truth was, she had never questioned it before. She had always assumed the higher beings shared what they needed to through Aoi and Akane, just as they always had. She had trusted that whatever she was given, or not given, was intentional. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

How much had the higher ups actually told Aoi and Akane anyway? Her interactions with them had always been brief, but she had trusted them. She had even considered them friends, especially Aoi. Surely Aoi wouldn’t have kept something like this from her… right?

“I’m sorry.” Nene finally said. “I don’t know why things were given the way they were. But what I do know is that my elements are acting way too unpredictable. If we really want to keep our profiles low, I need help to control my elements like you do.” 

Hanako fell quiet at that. Sure, maybe she was just assuming in the seven years he brought winter to the world he had learned to control it. But with the unreadable expression he was making, she started to wonder if she was mistaken. 

“You have learned to control it, right?” She asked. 

He hesitated before answering. “I can keep it to a minimum,” He said. “If that’s what you’re asking.”

“Okay,” Nene said after a moment. “So… what do you think? Should we go back?”

Hanako glanced down at Tsukasa, who stared back up at him with unblinking golden eyes. He clicked his tongue, then sighed. “Alright,” He said, reaching down and grabbing the cat by the scruff. “But if… hypothetically, the place is swarming with guards, we’re using him as a decoy.”

“Hey!” Nene protested immediately. She snatched Tsukasa from Hanako’s grasp and hugged him close to her chest. “No, we are absolutely not!” She ran a hand over his head soothingly, and Tsukasa responded with a loud, satisfied purr, flicking Hanako a smug little look from the safety of her arms.

Hanako’s eye twitched.

He reached forward and took Tsukasa back anyway, holding him against his own chest with a huff. “Fine,” He muttered. Still, he didn’t push the cat away. If anything, he held him closer, studying the familiar gleam in Tsukasa’s eyes. That strange sense of recognition stirred again, uncomfortable and persistent. He knew it wasn’t just because they had shared the same face. There was something else there. Like a distant memory, one he couldn’t place.

At least this was better than watching Tsukasa curl up against Yashiro.

“We’ll have to take the train,” He said, shifting gears. “The cabin’s pretty far from here. And getting on at a station’s out of the question. We’ll need to hop onto one of the cargo cars.”

Nene’s eyes lit up as she nodded. “That sounds fun!”

Hanako shot her a look, then smirked. “I’m starting to think I might be a bad influence on you.”

“You are not!” She said quickly, then hesitated. “But… you do have to admit, that does sound fun.”

“Oh, I never said it wasn’t, my dear Yashiro,” Hanako replied smoothly. “In fact, I’d say I’m the very definition of fun. Which is exactly why I suggested it in the first place.”

He shifted Tsukasa to one arm, then reached out with the other to take Nene’s hand, which Nene gladly took, not even realizing Hanako’s hands were not as freezing as they usually were. 

“C’mon,” He said.

The three of them could hear the train before it ever came into view.

They were crouched low behind some trees near the edge of the track, Nene’s heart pounding as the ground began to tremble beneath her boots. The sound grew louder, until it was the only thing she could hear. The train burst through the trees moments later, cars streaking past them as it built up speed. 

Hanako leaned close, his voice calm despite the chaos. “You’re first,” He said. “The third car has an open cargo door. Go for the ladder beside it. Don’t hesitate, okay?”

Nene swallowed hard and nodded. The car they were waiting for grew closer, its side ladder rattling as the train continued to grow faster. The moment it was parallel to them, Hanako squeezed her hand once.

“Now.” He said as she ran. 

The force of the train pulled at her clothes as she leapt, a scream catching in her throat as she nearly missed the first rung. The jolt tore through her arms, knocking the breath from her lungs as her boots slammed against the ladder. For a second she just hung there, heart racing, before instinct kicked in. She climbed fast and hauled herself through the open cargo door, collapsing onto the wooden floor inside.

“Yashiro!” Hanako called. She barely had time to turn before she saw him throw Tsukasa toward her, something she absolutely had not expected. Tsukasa didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. Midair, his form flickered into a dark crow for the briefest instant before his paws hit the cargo floor, landing as a cat again. The transformation was so fast Nene almost questioned if she’d really seen it. It was the first time she saw him change into anything other than a human or a cat.

Nene had noticed the train continuing to gain speed. And she feared Hanako had waited a beat too long.

Nene’s breath caught as she watched Hanako run alongside it, his open coat flowing wildly behind him as frost spread beneath his feet with every step. He jumped, and for a moment it looked like he wouldn’t make it. The ladder shot past, and then his hand caught the lowest rung by sheer inches.

His body slammed hard against the side of the car. But he climbed fast despite the pain, jaw clenched tight, until he collapsed into the empty cargo beside her.

Hanako laid there for a moment, completely out of breath. “Ah–” He groaned, staring up at the ceiling. “That’s enough fun for today.” Nene couldn’t help the small laugh that slipped out as she reached for him, helping him sit up while the train carried them away.

Trees streaked past them on either side of the tracks, their forms blending together. Some bare, others heavy with green leaves or dotted with pink blossoms. Patches of lingering frost clung to the ground near the rails, but the farther the train carried them, the more the frost thinned and melted away. Autumn leaves trailed on the trees passing the train as it moved, and Nene let her legs dangle from the cart. 

Hanako joined her a moment later, sitting close enough that their shoulders brushed. Before she could think about it, his hand found the top of hers. Nene didn’t pull away. She had grown used to his hand being interlaced with hers. His overall clingyness in general. Still, her thoughts were restless, circling the same unease as she stared out at the distant mountains where the seasons collided together. She didn’t notice Hanako watching her until she finally turned her head.

“You mentioned something a few weeks ago,” She said. “Something called the core of the solstice. What is it?”

Hanako looked away, withdrawing his hand and folding his fingers together in his lap. He sighed, the sound nearly lost to the rush of wind. “It’s… the thing that made the seasons cycle through the year.”

Nene frowned. “So… what happened to it?”

“I broke it.” His eyes stayed fixed on his hands. “Well– I had help. But I planned to break it long before that.”

She absorbed that in silence before speaking again. “Then why don’t we find it and put it back together?”

Hanako shook his head immediately. “That’s not happening. You’d need a kannagi to even attempt it. And they’d have to restore it exactly as it was.” He hesitated. “Which I’m pretty sure would be impossible.”

“‘Pretty sure’ means there’s still a chance,” She pointed out.

“I suppose,” He admitted.

Nene studied him. “Is that what you meant at the trial? When you said you learned a lot over the last seven years?”

“Partly,” Hanako replied. “I also learned that the core was designed to keep us seasons in line.” A crooked smile tugged at his mouth. “And I’m not a fan of anyone having control over me.”

“Hanako,” She said softly. “Look at me?”

He did, instantly.

“I know you did this so I wouldn’t disappear,” She continued, her voice steady even as her chest tightened. “But I want to see my season in full again. I want autumn the way it’s supposed to be.” She swallowed, forcing herself to go on. “Maybe things can’t go back to exactly how they were. I think I can accept that… But the seasons coexisting like this… the earth won’t be able to handle it forever. And neither will the people living on it. They’ve already suffered enough.”

She reached for his hand again, gripping it firmly. “So promise me this. If there’s a way to fix it—  really fix it— you won’t stop me.”

Hanako looked down at their joined hands, then back at her face. He hesitated, the wind tugging at his coat as the train rushed onward.

“…Would that make you happy?” He asked.

Nene nodded. “It would.”

Hanako was quiet for a beat, then his lips curled into a playful, all-too-familiar smirk. “Why, Yashiro?” He teased. “Are you already tired of me and my season?”

“O-Of course not!” She protested immediately.

He chuckled under his breath, clearly pleased with her reaction. “Wow, that was fast. You didn’t even let me finish being offended.” His golden eyes glinted with amusement, his smile lingering for a moment longer. But when she didn’t roll her eyes or fire back, his expression shifted. Just slightly.

The train rattled as the wind breezed past them. He noticed the way her grip on his hand tightened instead of loosening. The way her gaze lowered, vulnerable in a way that made his chest ache.

“…Hey,” He murmured, the teasing gone now. “I was just kidding.”

“I know,” Nene said. “You always joke when things get serious.”

Hanako exhaled, the air dipping in temperature. “Yeah,” He admitted. “Bad habit.”

She hesitated, then spoke again, quieter this time. “That first cycle, when I met you… I always thought your season was beautiful.” Her cheeks warmed as she continued. “So no, I don’t think I’d ever get tired of it.” The hand she wasn’t using to hold Hanako’s curled into the fabric of her skirt. “And I don’t think I’d ever get tired of you either. Because I– I…” She swallowed, then finally looked at him. “…You mean a lot to me.”

Hanako stared at her as if she’d struck him speechless. His mouth parted, his ears flushing a vivid red against his pale skin. He swallowed hard. “R-Really?”

“I wouldn’t have run away with you if I didn’t,” She said simply.

Silence fell between them. Hanako’s gaze dropped to their hands, his thumb brushing her fingers. For a brief, uncomfortable moment, Nene wondered if she said the wrong thing, or if he didn’t believe her. She hoped he did, because it was the truth. 

. . .

Hanako’s heart ached. He hated that she had run away because of him, hated that she’d been forced into hiding when none of this should have been her burden. And yet she stood there telling him she cared. Him– someone the world had learned to fear before it even learned his name. Even before winter had taken hold, people had recoiled from him when he was on the top of that mountain, afraid of what he would bring to the world. Tsuchigomori tolerated him, perhaps out of respect of the seasons. Tsukasa remained an enigma he didn’t know how to place. But Yashiro… she had never looked at him with fear. Only warmth. And he didn’t think he deserved that kindness, not after everything he’d done out of selfish longing. She shouldn’t care for him at all.

. . .

The longer he stayed silent, the heavier the moment became. Nene felt the need to prove she wasn’t wavering. Before she could second guess herself, she leaned closer. Hanako barely had time to look up before she pressed a quick, gentle kiss to his cheek. It was warm against his skin, clumsy and short. She pulled away from him a bit, her face burning. “And… I don’t regret it,” She said, eyes darting away.

Hanako froze. A startled breath escaped him in a pale puff, followed by another as frost bloomed slowly across the floor beneath them. Little flurries fell from nowhere as his ears turned red. He continued to stare straight ahead in disbelief. The flurries quickly turned to snow falling around them. He hadn’t seen this much of his elements uncontrolled since that seal was placed on him. 

As realization finally crept in. Nene started panicking, wondering if she yet again over-thought it. She probably just overstepped a boundary she hadn’t realized was there. It was stupid to tell him she cared for him and it was even stupider to plant a kiss on his cheek. She wanted to bury herself in a hole, the embarrassment rushing through her as quickly as the snow. Her own autumn wind swirling around them in response.

“I-I’m sorry!” She blurted out. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, I just— you looked upset, and I—” She stopped, drew in a breath, and forced the wind to calm. “I’m sorry.”

He finally turned toward her. She was facing away again, eyes fixed on the rushing landscape beyond the train, shoulders tense. Slowly, he reached out and guided her face back toward him, his thumb barely grazing her lower lip.

“You don’t have to do things like that,” He said, a small, uncertain smile tugging at his mouth. “Just to make me feel better.”

Her face warmed at the closeness. It’s like she could see autumn in his eyes, the gold flecks in them dancing around as they looked into her crimson ones.

“But… I didn’t do it just to make you feel better.” Nene said.

His mouth parted in surprise. Snow continued to drift around them, frost inching outward along the floor, nearly brushing Tsukasa where he slept curled in a ball nearby. Hanako’s eyes lingered on her lips, his thumb still resting beneath them. Nene wanted to lean in, to close the gap, but hesitated.

At last, he let out a sigh, snow settling against his shoulders. “Thank you,” He said, smiling at her in earnest.

She smiled back, the air between them no longer feeling heavy or awkward. And Nene knew, with a certainty that settled deep in her chest, that no matter what she would remember this moment for a very long time. Not because it would be the last snowfall she ever saw as autumn, though she didn’t know that yet, but because of the warm, fluttering rush in her stomach that refused to fade.

As the clearing came into view, Nene let the familiarity of everything settle over her. The cabin stood just beyond the trees, looking just the same as the last time she was here. 

She couldn’t stop herself from wondering how things would end for her and Hanako. If they managed to restore some kind of balance, would the higher ups truly forgive them? The thought made her uneasy. She barely knew those beings at all, yet they had been ready to banish Hanako without hesitation. The idea that fixing the damage would earn them grace felt naive at best.

She, Hanako, and Tsukasa stopped at the edge of the clearing, pressing themselves against the trunk of a thick tree. From there, they could see the cabin clearly, half hidden by the tall grass.

“Alright,” Nene whispered, peering ahead. “I’m going to head over there. Can you stay here and keep watch for me?”

“No way,” Hanako replied immediately, his voice low but firm. “I’m going with you.”

“No,” She hissed back, shooting him a sharp look. “Someone needs to stay behind and keep watch.”

“I can go with you, Nene!”

Both she and Hanako nearly jumped out of their skin. Tsukasa– now in his human form– stood far too close for comfort. Hanako pressed a hand to his chest and glared at him.

“We seriously need to put a bell on you or something,” Hanako muttered. Then he added, “And no, that’s not happening. You stay here. I’ll go with her.”

“But I’m just a cat,” Tsukasa protested, pouting. “I don’t have the advantage of powers like you two.”

“You have claws,” Hanako said flatly. “Use them.” He reached for Nene’s arm, but she pulled back.

“I said I’m going alone,” She insisted. “The less attention we draw, the better. I’ll be quick.”

Before either of them could argue, she slipped away from the tree and darted into the clearing. The tall grass brushed against her legs, providing some cover as she moved. She scanned the area carefully as she went, but as far as she could tell, the clearing was empty. No guards. No movement. Just the quiet cabin waiting ahead.

Nene held her breath as she eased the front door open, slipping inside as quietly as she could. She closed it behind her slowly, flinching at every faint creak of wood. When the door finally settled, she stood perfectly still, listening. The cabin was quiet, no one was here.

She scanned the room, taking in the familiar space. Everything looked mostly the same, though there were small signs of life scattered about. A chair pulled out of place, footprints tracked faintly across the floor, her eyes widened at the table. There were at least a dozen of her wanted signs crumpled up on it, like they were ripped off of whatever post they had been on before. Kou and Sousuke had definitely been here recently. The knowledge made her chest tighten, but she pushed it down and moved forward anyway.

Her steps were light as she made her way toward the bedroom, every nerve screaming at her to hurry and not get caught. Inside the bedroom, she made her way to the dresser and slowly slid the drawer open. Her heart leapt when she saw them, both horns resting exactly where she’d left them. Relief washed over her as she let out a small sigh. 

She reached out, fingers hovering just inches from the horns, when something snapped tight around her wrist.

Nene gasped as a thick vine burst up through the floorboards, coiling around her dominant hand and yanking her down hard onto her knees. Pain shot up her arm as more vines followed, pinning both her wrists to the floor. Panic flared instantly, her breath coming sharp and fast as her eyes darted toward the door.

The bedroom door flew open, causing Nene to freeze.

Standing there was Kou, clutching a small shovel like a weapon, his expression tense and alert until he saw her. Crimson eyes met bright blue ones, and the shovel slipped from his fingers, clattering to the floor.

“…Nene?” He muttered, eyes wide with disbelief.

The vines still held her, digging into her wrists as she swallowed hard, her pulse roaring in her ears. After a moment, she managed to force out a single, shaky word.

“Kou.”