December in Japan is a fun experience—no matter where you go, the cold will find you, and you will learn to love it or hate it one way or another.

I’m one of those who’s always been fond of winter in general, so I thought: what better way to compose something for December than to aim for an ambience befitting such a fascinating season?

Think of snow, of harsh winds, of mist slipping out your breaths as you speak, of dead trees amongst piles of fallen leaves, and of cities vast and wide with a sun so bright, yet a chill so strong.

There you have Japanese Decembers, and here is a quick song of my experiences with it ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶

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As the month of Lucellan nears its end, so too does the year, a thicket of snow blanketing the dead trees of Southern Sorotzia.

Even in the thickest jackets, the winds chill Miko and Rumi to their their nerves.

“It’s never this bad in Vinnive… I should’ve come better dressed, huh?”

“Rumi, this was your idea!”

“Heh, at least we get a good view. Look at that.”

Past the white fades in silhouettes of a town, bisected by a river long frozen over.

Trees taller than any skyscraper dominate the village’s edge, spreading across a forest still trickling leaves onto the tiled rooftops.

Sun leaks through a crack in the clouds, just enough to blind Miko as she gazes up at the skies.

“So this is Remerro… I think we’re a good hundred kilometres north of Chiyonov now. Won’t be easy getting back, but that’s part of the thrill.”

“We better have a place to stay here-“

“There! There’s the hotel—do you think they’re still open though?”

Rubbing her hands together, Miko lets loose a quivering breath, her eyes panning to an elderly man hauling buckets over his shoulders.

“Wherever that guy goes, maybe we can follow him a bit? Like, see where the centre of town is?”

“Fine by me. But let’s just wait a bit and enjoy this view… Just the two of us and all this snow. We have to leave eventually anyways, let’s just get comfortable, Miya.”