The biting cold outside was so intense that it sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but look back at the warm and cozy room which had been my solace for three weeks straight now. It had provided me with a much-needed haven from the outside world, but now it was time to leave it behind and step out into the unknown.
Despite the intense cold and the force that seemed to be pulling me back towards the room, I clutched at the robe tightly and pushed forward with a determination to face whatever lay ahead. It felt as if I was walking where a strong wind was blowing in a different direction, yet I continued to take one step after another, refusing to be deterred.
As I took the second step, I realized that the cold was so intense that it seemed to penetrate my very bones, making me feel vulnerable and exposed.
I cautiously approached the girl who was still sitting, her back hunched and her face buried in her knees, completely oblivious to my presence. As I approached her, my footsteps echoing in the stillness of the snow, I could see her curled up in a ball, her head buried in her knees, her body wracked with sobs. It was as if she was trying to disappear into herself, to escape the world that had caused her such pain.
With each step I took, the snow beneath my feet crunched loudly, breaking the silence of the winter landscape.
As I got closer to the girl, my voice was hoarse, and it felt as if I hadn't spoken in years. It wasn't entirely untrue, as I hadn't had a meaningful conversation with anyone besides my family in a long time. I hesitantly spoke up, saying "H-hey..." hoping not to startle her. My voice, hoarse from disuse, sounded foreign to my own ears. It had been so long since I had spoken to anyone outside of my family, and the sound of my own voice seemed almost unfamiliar to me.
The girl slowly raised her head, her eyes red and puffy from crying. There were tears streaming down her face, and it looked as though she had been crying for some time. I could see the chill in her body, the cold already starting to take hold of her.
"H-Huh?" she stammered, her voice choked with tears. She seemed surprised to see me, perhaps even a little bewildered. She hadn't wiped the snot from her nose, and I wondered if she even realized it was there, lost in her own grief as she was.
The cold wind whipped against my face as I stood in front of her, offering her the robe. "Y-You're going to c-c-c-catch a cold if you st-stayed there. So, here, take this at least," I stuttered out, hoping she would accept it.
To my relief, she accepted the robe with a soft "Oh, yes... Thank you..." and wrapped it around herself tightly.
"W-Well then, I should go..." I said hesitantly, my gaze lingering on her. The outside world was really new to me at this point. It had been two long years since I last stepped out of my room, and I didn't want to stay any longer. Memories of the past came rushing back to me, and I felt a pang of sadness in my heart. I didn't want to see it again. I had to go back.
As soon as I turned around, my peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the girl standing up. She quickly made her way towards me and before I could process what was happening, she grabbed my wrist tightly. Her voice sounded sad and desperate, which made me wonder what could be troubling her.
"Y-You are Leon, right?" she asked with a hint of uncertainty. At that moment, I was left perplexed and bewildered. How did she know my name? I took a moment to gather my thoughts before responding.
"Y-Y-You know m-me?" I stuttered, trying to understand how a stranger could be familiar with my name.
She nodded her head slightly. "I-I know you. Y-You are..." She hesitated, perhaps realizing that what she was about to say might be crossing a line. I had a hunch that she was about to mention my disinheritance from the Asura household. However, she opted to remain silent instead of finishing her sentence, then released her grip on my hand.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." she trailed off, clearly feeling embarrassed.
I could understand her hesitation. After all, my past was not something to be proud of. I was famous, but not for the right reasons. Despite this, I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, so I reassured her.
"I-It's fine. Don't worry about it," I said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. It was not unusual for people to recognize me, considering my infamy. Despite my desire to forget my past and move on, it seemed like it would always be a part of me, lingering like a shadow that refused to be cast away.
"U-Uhm."
As much as I wanted to leave, the girl's voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned to face her. Though I avoided making eye contact, I was able to observe her more closely.
"T-Thank you," she said softly, bowing gracefully. Her movements were fluid and elegant, as if she had been trained in etiquette since birth. It didn't take long for me to realize that she came from a prestigious house, and her refined manners were a testament to her upbringing. On the other hand, my own experience with etiquette was limited to the teachings I had received prior to my disinheritance. Although the knowledge had slowly faded from my memory over time, observing the girl's actions reminded me of the manners I had once known.
At this point, I felt compelled to ask her the reason for her tears. "W-Why are you crying?" I asked tentatively, my voice barely above a whisper.
The girl's eyes widened momentarily, her expression shifting to one of profound sadness. "M-My grandfather...died today..." she said, her voice quivering with emotion.
Oh, that's right. I had heard someone had passed away today, but I had not realized that the deceased was this girl's grandfather. "I-I'm sorry to hear that," I said, my heart heavy with empathy. "But why are you here? Shouldn't you be by his side?"
In response to my suggestion, the young girl shook her head vigorously, wiping away the tears that were starting to roll down her cheeks. Her voice was thick with emotion as she spoke quietly, "I don't want to go there. I'll just be more sad if I go." She then reached up to wipe away the tears that were beginning to roll down her cheeks, but she neglected to wipe her nose, leaving a trail of mucus running down her upper lip.
"Why do you feel that way? Isn't it more sad that you are not by his side?" I asked, deliberately avoiding eye contact with her and her runny nose.
The girl looked at me, her eyes red with tears. "I want to be by his side," she said softly, "but every time I see his body, my tears just come out on their own. It's like I can't control them."
I sympathized with her pain, but I couldn't understand the depth of it. As someone who still had all their loved ones alive and well, I couldn't even begin to imagine the anguish and heartbreak of losing someone close to me. However, I knew I couldn't leave this girl here, out in the cold, to suffer all alone.
"M-May I stay here for a while?" I asked hesitantly, fully aware of the potential repercussions of my decision. But I couldn't leave this girl alone, not when she was in such a vulnerable state.
"Why do you want to stay?" she replied softly, her voice trembling slightly.
"I-I-I wonder?"
To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure why I felt compelled to stay. Perhaps it was because of the vision I had seen, or maybe it was because her vulnerability had opened up something inside of me that I had long thought was locked away. Regardless of the reason, I knew in my heart that I had to remain with her.
"I'm not really sure," I admitted, "But I want to stay here for a little while longer. I want to feel the coldness of the snow for a little while longer. It's been two years since I've felt it."
I paused, taking a deep breath to steady myself before continuing. "P-P-Please don't think I'm staying here because of your affairs. They're none of my business. I-I-It's just that I have personal reasons for wanting to prolong my stay in this place."
As I spoke, I gazed out at the snowy landscape around me, taking in the beauty of the glittering snowflakes as they fell gently to the ground. Despite the chill in the air, I felt a sense of peace and calmness wash over me, as if the snow was somehow cleansing my soul.
"I hope you understand," I said softly, turning back to face her. "I just need a little more time here."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she stared at me, and I could tell that she was struggling with her own emotions. After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"I-If you want to stay, then you can," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
With her permission granted, I settled down next to her in the snow, feeling the chill seeping into my bones. It was uncomfortable, but somehow comforting at the same time.