Rewrite Our Love? Too Late-Chapter 125: A Promise in the Snow, A Whisper in the Wind

Laplace Corporation – A Choice Between Passion and Duty

The morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the Laplace Corporation office, casting a golden glow on the polished floor. The room was quiet, broken only by the subtle rustle of paper as Yukima Azuma handed over a printed manuscript.

Yukinoshita Yukino accepted the draft with both hands, scanning the first page of the second volume of the Youth series.

"You're really not coming with us?" Azuma asked gently, his tone both casual and concerned. "You should take a little time to relax."

Yukino gave a slight shake of her head, her expression serene but firm.

"It's fine, Azuma-kun. You should go ahead and enjoy the trip. Don't worry about me. This is my decision."

Azuma looked at her for a moment, as if trying to find a crack in her calm facade. But there was nothing. Just that usual, graceful restraint that defined Yukinoshita Yukino. In the end, he gave a quiet nod and turned to leave.

As the door closed behind him, silence returned to the room.

Yukino sighed softly to herself, her fingers tightening slightly around the manuscript.

She knew all too well what this trip to Hokkaido meant. Azuma had mentioned it before, in that offhand but hopeful way he often did. A rare, open invitation. Not just to any trip—but to a moment of youth, of shared memories.

How could she not want to go?

All through her high school years, she'd distanced herself from such experiences. No trips. No frivolous moments. Even the graduation excursion had been more of a duty than a joy.

Her youth had always been quiet, restrained—almost colorless.

So when Azuma invited her this time, her heart had trembled. The idea of traveling with the person she liked... it was tempting. So tempting.

But now wasn't the time.

Laplace Corporation was growing fast—too fast. They were expanding, branching into new markets, onboarding new talent, and chasing tight deadlines. It wasn't just Azuma's dream anymore. It was hers too. His ambition had become the vessel for her freedom, and her stability was the foundation that kept it all upright.

If she left now—if she took a break just to indulge her feelings—it would betray the very trust Azuma had placed in her. The future she envisioned was still far off.

But one day...

If Laplace could reach into every home, touch every reader, bring stories alive for millions...

Then maybe, just maybe, she could finally stop holding back.

Maybe she could finally chase the boy she loved, without hesitation.

And maybe then, under the clear winter sky, they could walk side by side, not as boss and assistant, but as something more.

Yukima Azuma's footsteps returned, and he paused at her side, wordless for a beat. Then, without warning, he reached out with two fingers and gently pressed them against her cheeks.

"Talking all noble and stoic, but you've still got that gloomy look."

He tugged gently, lifting her cheeks into a forced smile.

"If you're staying behind, then bear with it a little longer, Yukino. Winter's not far off. We'll hit the hot springs together then. If Laplace can't even give you time off by winter..."

He smirked.

"Then Laplace might as well shut down."

Yukino's smile remained crooked thanks to his fingers, but her eyes softened with emotion. She glared at him, but only half-heartedly.

What nonsense. Acting like Laplace wasn't his own company. Talking about shutting it down like it was a joke.

But somehow, his words warmed her more than they irritated her.

Hot springs in winter...

She tucked the thought away.

Once again, the genius yet hopelessly silly employee found herself helpless against the sweet words of her careless boss.

The Departure – Traveling Hearts and Clashing Girls

The storm of work passed, and with it, a new Chapter for Laplace Bunko.

Preparations for the release of Youth Vol. 2 were well underway, despite the first volume still enjoying a strong sales performance. Normally, a sequel wouldn't drop so soon—but this was a special case. Laplace had never followed conventions.

In the midst of this whirlwind, Yukima Azuma finally returned to the Yukima residence.

And there, in the distance, he spotted her—blonde twin-tails swaying in the breeze, standing impatiently at the gate like a frustrated princess waiting for her carriage.

Sawamura Spencer Eriri.

She was dressed for travel, but not without style. A short, close-fitting T-shirt with a translucent shawl draped over her shoulders, showing hints of her fair skin beneath. Black capri pants accentuated her long legs, a dangerous outfit that demanded confidence and the right proportions—both of which Eriri possessed.

Topping off the look was a wide-brimmed straw hat, perched delicately atop her signature twin-tails.

Beside her, Sayuri—her elegant, ever-smiling mother—gave Azuma a wave.

He nodded in response and pointed toward Eriri, silently asking for permission to approach.

Sayuri chuckled and lifted her chin slightly, a quiet signal: Go ahead.

As he walked closer, he could hear Eriri mumbling under her breath.

"That idiot Azuma... not even a reply to my Line this morning. What's he even doing? We're about to leave for a trip, and he's ghosting me..."

Azuma checked his phone. Sure enough, her message was buried beneath dozens of notifications.

Eriri continued muttering, her voice rising with every sentence.

"Ugh! It's so rare to get a real date... if he stands me up, I swear I'll—"

Azuma chuckled softly.

Eriri jolted, spun around, and froze when she saw him.

"A-Azuma?! When did you—how long were you standing there?!"

"Since you started talking about a 'date' and being 'too excited to live,'" he replied, grinning.

"Forget that! I didn't say that! You imagined it! Wipe your memory clean right now!!"

Eriri flailed, bright red from ear to ear. She even managed to knock off her own hat in her panic.

Azuma caught it midair and gently placed it back on her head, his hand brushing through her hair as he did.

Then, casually, he patted her head.

"I'll go call senpai and Megumi. Then we'll head to the airport."

Eriri could only nod reflexively, her cheeks still burning.

But then she froze.

"Wait! Wait a minute! That woman is coming too?! Why didn't I know about this?!"

Azuma blinked in confusion. "I told you a few days ago... on Line?"

Eriri pulled out her phone in a frenzy, scrolling through her chat history.

Her eyes widened.

He had told her—late at night, during one of her chaotic work binges. Her replies afterward were total gibberish. She must've passed out right after.

"Uwaaaaah! No way! I'm not okay with this!"

A voice interrupted.

"Who are you calling 'that woman,' huh?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha emerged from the house, arms crossed, tone calm and amused. Her sharp gaze and teasing smile struck deep.

Eriri glared back, too stunned to fire back her usual insults.

Behind Utaha came Megumi, holding a pet carrier.

Inside was Shiratamaru, who pawed excitedly at the transparent window upon seeing Azuma. In Utaha's arms, the flaming-red Hogyokumaru wagged its tail wildly.

The full travel group had assembled.

Yukino would stay behind for Laplace.

Kirisu-sensei had chosen to undergo summer training with the Shuchiin staff, so she was out of town.

As for Gotoh Hitori—traveling with Azuma and three girls would've given her a full-blown panic attack. Sparing her from that fate was a mercy.

"Sayuri oba-san, good morning!" Utaha and Megumi bowed together.

Sayuri greeted them warmly, immediately shifting to doting admiration over the cats.

When it was time to leave, they carefully loaded into the spacious Sawamura family car. Even with five people and two pets, it felt comfortable.

"Oba-san, we're leaving Shiratamaru and Hogyokumaru in your care," Azuma said. "As thanks, I've arranged a small gift for you."

"A gift?" Sayuri raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Someone will deliver it this afternoon. Please don't mistake them for a scam," he added with a grin.

"You really are something," Sayuri laughed.

Later, as the car pulled away and headed for the airport, Eriri leaned in and whispered:

"Hey... what gift are you talking about? Why don't I know about it?"

Azuma smirked, leaned close, and whispered it into her ear.

Eriri didn't react to the gift.

But the warmth of his breath against her skin made her entire body freeze.

She flushed crimson.

Sayuri, watching through the window, chuckled knowingly.

The Delivery – A Gift Worth Remembering

That afternoon, just as promised, a delivery truck rolled into the Sawamura driveway.

Sayuri opened the door, curious.

A young staffer greeted her with a smile. "Sawamura-san? Delivery from Laplace Corporation."

She scanned the invoice—custom furniture, smart systems, integrated design.

"We'll handle the full installation," the staff explained. "Here's a tablet to control it. You can also download the app to your phone."

Sayuri took it, intrigued by the sleek UI and smooth interface.

"Begin setup," she instructed with a smile.

As her home transformed piece by piece, filled with elegant, carefully chosen furniture, she couldn't help but admire Azuma's thoughtfulness.

It wasn't about the price.

It was about the intention.

That gift wasn't just for her.

It was a message.

A silent expression of gratitude—and perhaps, a quiet blessing for what was to come.