[FREE] Snow Angels (ATTN: Airi)

[Marugou Madoka]

In hindsight, merely strolling outside in her usual attire might not have been one of her smartest idea.

In her defense though, Madoka seeked out immediate distraction after the trial, so she didn't even consider to get dressed appropriately for the weather conditions outside. Still, she quietly endured the cold that bit into her skin and devoted herself fully to her investigations. Unlike last time, where she failed to uncover the secret room, she was determined to not overlook anything again. It was important to be aware of everything that they could access - to keep the possibility of another murder low as much as she could.

(For that matter, Madoka knew that she had to assemble her classmates to discuss their plans from now on.)

However, this thought was pushed aside as she got off the way that led to the lodge and strolled into what was described as Yukigassen Field instead. The snow crunched loudly underneath her shoes - that were definitely not suited for this kind of environment -, cushioning her steps as she let her gaze wander around. Despite how wet and cold her feet felt, her attention had been elsewhere already. This sight was not a rarity, but for the girl personally, it felt nostalgic. She hadn't have a genuine snowball fight since years.

(She still vividly remembers the last time it happened--)

Melancholy filled her eyes, as the detective absentmindedly bend down to pick up some snow into her hands (cold, so cold) and form a ball out of it. Quite honestly, Madoka didn't even know why she was doing it when there was no one around that she could have a snowball fight with - even less so with no gloves on or anything that could actually keep her warm.

Despite all of this, Madoka swung her arm back, then threw her snowball into the distance - where upon landing, it became one with the pure whiteness around her. The detective was sure that once she'd look away, she wouldn't be able to tell where it was anymore. It would seem like as if the snowball never existed - fading away with given time.

The detective stood up, simply staring at the spot where her snowball landed. After a few moments, she recalled a familiar face-- a familiar voice--

And abruptly, Madoka stretched out her arms as far as she could, before letting herself fall down backwards, where she unceremonically landed on the ground. Thankfully, the snow was able to cushion her fall somewhat, but even though her back stung a little, she didn't pay it any mind. Instead, she started to make a snow angel, not letting the cold bother her too much (even though it crept into her body, clawing at her with its harsh grasp).

When her arms and legs became more numb, Madoka stopped her movements and simply laid there, staring up at the blue sky, observing how her breath turned visible in the air. It was a strange sensation - she felt like as if she was suddenly incredibly aware of her immediate surroundings and herself. Every breath felt deep, every movement felt large, every noise sounded so loud.

Despite the risk of catching a cold or worse, Madoka didn't want to move from her spot.

For some reason, she just felt so alive at the moment.

[Komatsuzaki Airi]

Staring at the outside of the lodge they had been cooped up in so long, she was surprised to see almost a whole resort just waiting outside for them... She barely remembered what it had looked like before, as memories that had started this entire nightmare of a trip seemed farther away than she had hoped. With the slight chill of the outside, Komatsuzaki untied her sweater from around her waist before putting it on in hopes of making the walk through the snow a little more bearable. As for her legs, they'd have to endure-- almost cursing herself for not bringing any kind of gear in preparation for the snow.

If the snow did one thing, it helped her take her mind off of the gloomy situation at hand, as primal instincts caught up, shivering as she was still incredibly cold. Opening up her student ID, she looked around for sight of the new areas that had been updated on her map. Seeing that Yukigassen Field was the closest place on the map in relation to the lodge, she thought it'd be best to check it out first.

Although she had experienced winter, being in a rural isolated place was much different from snow in the cities. With winter chills and frost covering everything, it was a little overwhelming as she could see her breath dissolve into the air around her. Hearing the sound of snow crunching under her feet was almost nostalgic as she wished for simpler times... Ah, if only it could come true.

She was about the return before she noticed someone laying in the field, especially with no proper gear on, maybe it was because she had witnessed two classmates die that she was alarmed, but being unequipped for tossing oneself in the snow was also very dangerous, which could cause in frostbite or worse.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed it was Marugou laying on the ground, having little idea why she would be so openly laying on the cold ground, as Komatsuzaki tried to get used to just being out in the open, walking closer to the Detective, peering down at her.

"Um... Marugou, are you alright? If you lay there too long, you're sure to get frostbite."

[Marugou Madoka]

Being hyperaware of her surroundings, Madoka heard the crunching footsteps from quite afar, but didn't exactly bothered to look up to whom they belonged. She didn't think that someone would be foolish enough to murder someone so shortly after the execution - at least, she hoped no one was this desperate to get out of their predicament.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw the silhouette of a person with long hair - which already eliminated a good chunk of her classmates. Actually glancing towards said person all but confirmed whom she'd have the pleasure to talk to now - Komatsuzaki Airi, one of the people who found Mukizu's corpse first.

(She said that he'd been a good friend to her as well, didn't she?)

Nonchalant as ever - as if the outburst in the trial never happened -, Madoka lazily lifted one of her hands for a small wave, greeting the other with a simple:"Yo." Setting her arm down again, she shortly turns her eyes back to the skies, answering the other's question:"I'm ok. Just felt like doing a snow angel. Buuuuut you're right, I guess I shouldn't lay around here for any longer - my limbs kinda feel numb, actually."

At last, Madoka pushed herself up from where she laid, feeling the wetness that covered her entire back. She shivered suddenly for a moment, before starting to shake her legs and arms a little, so she could get some feeling back into them.

"So, did you go outside just to breath in some fresh air or did you want to explore the new areas that unlocked?"