-CITY CENTER-
-4:35 PM, MARCH 10, 2017-
The city breathed again.
Slowly.
Carefully.
But surely.
Rikuu and Ichika walked side by side.
No longer rushing.
No longer chasing anything.
People passed them.
Busy.
Alive.
Normal.
Ichika looked around.
"…It's strange."
Rikuu glanced at her.
"…What is?"
"…How everything feels… ordinary again."
Rikuu nodded slightly.
"…That's the point."
A pause.
"…We brought it back."
They slowed their pace.
Letting the moment settle.
Ichika spoke quietly.
"…Do you feel different?"
Rikuu thought for a moment.
Then—
"…A little."
A pause.
Then—
"…But not in a bad way."
Ichika smiled softly.
"…Good."
They continued walking.
Together.
No pressure.
No urgency.
Just presence.
Rikuu looked ahead.
"…Everything's… quieter now."
Ichika nodded.
"…And it should stay that way."
A gentle breeze passed through.
Snow beginning to settle again.
But this time—
There was no threat beneath it.
Just two people.
Walking forward.
