A quieter, more wistful chapter for Andou and Oshida. Andou, who always believed effort could win her anything, measures herself against the effortlessly gifted Oshida and her good name, and wonders whether she earned her place at her side or only wanted it badly enough. Across five years of winters, tankery, and tangled nights, the two keep circling the same ache, until a soft "I'll be waiting" finally answers it. Original title: 冬の残光/5年のエコー (Fuyu no Zankou / 5-nen no Echo).
