The chill of winter had settled in once more, painting the city in shades of white and gray. Streets that usually thrummed with energy now held a serene stillness, softened by a gentle dusting of snow. The air was sharp, biting against the skin, yet it held a crispness that felt oddly invigorating. Memories of past winters surfaced — laughter shared beneath warm breath, fingers frozen yet hearts alight. An had always embraced the season with her boundless enthusiasm, and this year was no exception.

The frozen surface of the skating rink gleamed beneath the cold afternoon sun, its sheen mirroring the clear sky. An stood at its edge, adjusting the fit of her skates with a practiced ease. Her long, black hair fell in a cascade with its signature blue tips catching the light, a playful contrast against the stark winter backdrop. The oversized jacket she wore swayed as she moved, its neon accents bold against the snow. Her amber eyes sparkled, a mischievous glimmer already dancing within them.

“Hey, try to keep up, alright?” she teased, her voice carrying that easy confidence she wielded so effortlessly. Without waiting, she launched forward, gliding across the ice with a practiced grace. An's movements were fluid yet spirited — a natural rhythm that mirrored the way she handled everything in life. Fast, direct, yet somehow comforting.

After a few moments of skating side by side, An glanced over, an amused smirk curling at the corners of her mouth. “Not bad! I thought you'd be slipping all over the place by now.” Her laugh rang out, warm against the winter air. The two of them weaved through the rink, dodging clusters of skaters, the chilled wind brushing against their faces.