Of course I smoke.

“Yeah, I’ll take a smoke,” you extend your hand out, and the guard chuckles, handing you a cigarette and lighting it for you. You inhale deeply and then exhale; the vapor from your breath and smoke from the cigarette cascade out in a heavy cloud, melting the snowfall before it even hits the ground.

You look behind you and see a lone figure walking on the other side of the street, approaching the opposite gate again. The guard follows your gaze and grumbles before he looks back at you. “Want to check that out for me? I like this spot.”

“Yeah, I got it,” you say, the lit cigarette swaying between your lips. “Thanks.”

“Pleasure was mine,” the man sighs, turning his attention back to the other side of the wall as you make your way down the steps and quicken into a light jog.

It takes you just a few seconds to reach the figure, and you're surprised to see it's Akiko who turns to face you. Her clothes keep her bundled up for warmth. Her eyes are wide and dark as she first meets your gaze. “What are you doing out here?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing,” you say, finishing the cigarette and snuffing it out on your coat sleeve before discarding it in your pocket. “Are you even allowed to be out here this late?”

“No,” she laughs a little, watching your dealings with the cigarette with a slight look of curiosity. “But you’re not going to turn me in, are you?”

“Of course not,” you join her laughter, look around, and then fix your gaze on her, expecting an answer.

Akiko blinks and looks away, her smile still present. “I was just curious,” she admits finally. “Where I come from and have been, I’ve never seen snow. So… I thought since everything is shutting down, now would be a good time to see it, right?”

She squints her eyes, watching the flakes reflecting the lights from street posts and buildings. It’s almost dizzying for you as you join her in looking skyward. “Well, if you need a tour guide, I’m somewhat familiar with the town.”

Akiko nods. “Ah, my own tour guide? What other talents does this contractor have?”

“Well,” you snort, shaking your head slightly. “My lesser-known talents include voice acting and being a cartoonist for Yorkshire.”

You are a little surprised to see Akiko match your sarcastic remarks. “Perhaps we should exchange trades? My secret hobbies are stone skipping and duck herding.”

The little banter makes you laugh, and the exchange is musing, a good way to get over some of the harsher topics from the last few days. Despite yourself, seeing Akiko reminds you of Sachio and the situation involving Mikka and Zuprik. Akiko notices the shift in your expression. Her smile flattens, and she moistens her lips before speaking again. “What is it?”

“Work,” you skirt around the subject, shifting your weight. “You were going to the north gate, right? Let me walk you down there.”

“I- I suppose having someone with me would keep me out of trouble,” she smiles again. “Thank you, sir.”

With Akiko beside you, you walk up the same steps as before. Your footprints are still there. You go up first. Akiko lets out a little gasp. “Everything is so… visible still!”

“More or less,” you say, arching a brow as you view the same vague shapes and the almost visible road. “I don’t know what it looked like before, but… its transformation is notable.”

Akiko nods to herself, retaining the silence that follows. Somehow, it doesn't get awkward. It's a shared quiet that's both peaceful and comforting. You can hear her breathing softly as the winter sounds settle around you, the crinkling and white noise joining with the moistening of lips. You don’t know how long this lasts, but when Akiko finally speaks, it comes gently. “Are there any places you could take me to eat?”

“This late?” you chuckle. “Perhaps. We can find out together.”

“I like the sound of that,” Akiko giggles.

“Now?”

She hums in thought. “Yes.”