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Chapter 148 - The Quiet Before

-SAPPORO CITY, RIVERSIDE-

-5:30 PM, MARCH 11, 2017-

The sun was beginning to set.

Soft orange light touched the snow.

Rikuu and Ichika walked side by side.

Slowly.

Without urgency.

The river flowed quietly.

Steady.

Unchanged.

Ichika looked ahead.

"…It's strange how normal everything feels now."

Rikuu nodded.

"…That's the point."

A pause.

"…We earned this."

Ichika glanced at him.

"…Do you think it'll last?"

Rikuu didn't answer immediately.

He looked at the horizon.

Then—

"…Yeah."

"…I think it will."

Ichika smiled softly.

"…Good."

A gentle breeze passed through.

Carrying the quiet.

Rikuu spoke again.

"…We came a long way."

Ichika nodded.

"…Yeah."

A pause.

Then—

"…And we're still here."

They continued walking.

Side by side.

No systems.

No threats.

Just the sound of water.

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