Campione: Strongest# 441: An Encounter in the Snow

Snow drifted slowly from the overcast sky, settling softly in the palm of Haru's hand. Under the warmth of his skin, it quickly melted into a single, crystalline drop.

Root Shiki stared at the water droplet in his palm, lost in thought. The next moment, her small, soft hand gently brushed his, flicking the water away to land on the snow-covered ground.

Her small, tabi-clad feet, wearing wooden geta, stepped lightly. Her empty gaze betrayed no emotion as she walked aimlessly through the frigid landscape.

Haru, supporting a red paper umbrella, walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Root Shiki, providing what little shelter the umbrella could offer against the sparse wind and snow.

The two were currently on the winding mountain road that led through the Ryougi family compound, walking at a leisurely pace.

Haru quietly held the umbrella, accompanying Root Shiki on this aimless stroll.

In a way, this seemingly meaningless wandering between a man and a woman could be considered a date.

The thought made Haru slowly turn his head, his lips curving into a smile as he looked at the perpetually smiling Root Shiki. He teased her softly.

“I bet the habit of strolling, which Shiki and SHIKI share, comes directly from you, doesn’t it?”

“I cannot deny it. Observing this ‘world’ is my hobby, Shiki and SHIKI, as extensions of my personality, have indeed inherited it.” Root Shiki brushed a strand of short black hair from her ear and smiled.

“You push them to the forefront while you secretly take your naps? I feel a strange pity for them.” Haru chuckled wickedly.

“The one who likes watching me sleep has no right to speak!” Root Shiki retorted, turning her head and smiling sweetly at him.

Haru froze.

That phrase. Why did it sound so familiar? Right, Shiki had said the exact same thing to him earlier.

“Speaking of which, why do both you and Shiki claim I like watching you sleep?” Haru raised an eyebrow. He didn’t recall having such a 'special' hobby.

“After two years of constant observation, one can deduce a few things,” Root Shiki said, covering her mouth and laughing softly.

Two years of observation?

Haru’s brow twitched. He realized that the time he spent observing the Root had indeed lasted two years.

But that was a necessary task, not a hobby!

He was about to argue, but he caught Root Shiki’s playful smile and his lip twitched. He suddenly understood. She knew the purpose of his observation. So, why was she bringing it up now?

He couldn't guess Root Shiki’s intentions. He decided to employ a direct approach.

“So, why did you bring up this topic?”

“To observe your expression.” Root Shiki smiled, her dark eyes filled with a mischievous glint.

Haru stared blankly for a moment. Observe his expression? What was so interesting about that? His eyelid twitched.

“Don’t tell me you’re treating me like a monkey in a zoo?”

“In my view, you are the most special ‘monkey’ there is,” Root Shiki said, turning her head to look at the road ahead, still smiling.

“...”

Haru stared, dumbfounded, at Root Shiki’s smiling face. ‘She’s making me think she likes me.’

“What do you mean by that?” Haru asked, pinching his brow, a look of confusion on his face.

Root Shiki stopped and smiled softly. “I cannot perceive the causality of things outside the Root. And of all the anomalies, you are the only one I can safely observe. So, you are special to me!”

“...A sound argument, but I’m not happy about it,” Haru sighed, shrugging his shoulders. The "three great illusions" truly lived up to their name.

“They’re here,” Root Shiki said suddenly.

Haru frowned and looked ahead, following her gaze.

A young man with black hair and dark eyes, wearing a black sweater and carrying a shoulder bag, walked slowly up the winding road, holding a black umbrella.

The young man’s appearance was utterly unremarkable. The only thing that left an impression was the black-framed glasses on his face.

“Is there anything special about him?” Haru asked Root Shiki softly.

He looked ordinary, his muscles were relaxed, and there were no signs of unusual energy within him. He was just a normal youth.

So, why had he caught the attention of the Root?

Suddenly, Haru raised an eyebrow. An ordinary youth who could attract the attention of the Root... could it be Mikiya Kokutou, the man who, if you gave him a name, could investigate his entire family lineage, the local 'Google Search Engine'?

“I told you before, didn’t I? The boy’s ‘ordinariness’ and your ‘abnormality’ are the two foreign bodies that can fill the void in Shiki Ryougi’s heart. In your terms, he is a potential suitor.” Root Shiki tilted her head, looking at him with a slight smile.

“And what does meeting him now have to do with us?” Haru said, his tone flat.

“Don’t you have any thoughts on seeing me deliberately bring you here to meet him?” Root Shiki raised an eyebrow, looking at him with surprise.

“Thoughts? Should I rush up to him and claim you as mine? Or should I just kill him? He’s done nothing to me. Why would I cause trouble for no reason?” Haru replied, utterly bewildered.

“Aren’t you afraid Shiki Ryougi will be stolen from you?” Root Shiki said with a mischievous smile.

“First, you tell me I’m the most special. Now, you say you might run off with another man. Are you saying I’m an idiot?” Haru pursed his lips, looking at her with disdain.

Root Shiki, the dominant personality, couldn't be escaped, and Shiki and SHIKI couldn't be escaped, either. After all, Root Shiki was the anchor of the whole Ryougi person.

Besides, after two years of cultivating his relationship with Shiki, to worry about Mikiya Kokutou stealing her away... how pathetic would that make him look?

He was not going to be a pathetic, heartbroken man.

“An interesting reaction,” Root Shiki said, smiling in response to his disdainful gaze.

Just then, Mikiya Kokutou walked closer.