December Double Drop!
---
I thought my future would be forever unchanging, like the endless snowflakes drifting here.Snow, snow, and more snow…
The sun and moon may rest, the clouds and stars may rest, spring, summer, autumn, and winter may all rest—but here, the snow never does.
What lies before me is an expanse of endless white. It's beautiful, but also monotonous.
But that's alright. This pure white is everything to me. The palette that makes up my "colors" has no hues except white, so I've never grown tired of it.
In the distant past, I once had a happy childhood.
A loving family, a peaceful life.
There were small troubles here and there, but overall, it was a happy time.
So, when war threatened this land that had brought me so much happiness, I stepped forward.
I succeeded. I drove the war far from my homeland.
But as I lowered my sword, I realized that the people around me looked at me with nothing but fear.
It didn't matter if they were enemies, strangers, or even the people of my own hometown—every gaze that met mine was filled with terror.
It was only natural. After all, I was the monster who had single-handedly slaughtered an army of three hundred thousand.
With that battle, I became a legend, feared for my overwhelming strength, revered for my inhuman swordsmanship.
And I needed that fear—because with it, my homeland would never again be touched by war.
I had succeeded. I had won.
But the cost was that I could never return.
Now, I am the world's greatest swordswoman, its most infamous criminal.
And yet, the people in my hometown are just ordinary folk; being close to me would only bring them trouble.
Besides, who would want to live alongside the "world's most feared criminal"?
So, I left the land I'd always called home and settled in the world's highest peak, Edberg, where I began my life in solitude…
I thought my future would be forever unchanging, just like this endless snow.
There was no point in marking the days, for the unchanging snow and my unchanging life made it impossible to feel time passing or to hope for anything different.
In this world of pure white, I had lived so long, so very long, that my memories were nearly consumed by that same pure white.
My homeland, my "roots," were right there, close enough to touch, yet an invisible wall stood in the way, keeping me from returning, from finding my direction, from rediscovering myself.
Slowly, my body, my spirit, my soul—all were dyed the color of snow.
I stopped reminiscing about the past; I stopped hoping for the future.
Because a future as static as the snow was not worth hoping for, and memories of the past only made me resent the future more.
Even in the depths of dark isolation, one can endure if they've never seen light.
Even in a world of endless white, one can bear the loneliness and the cold if they've never known color.
So, tell me… why did you appear before me?
You broke into my world, splashing color across this pure white landscape.
I truly thought my future would be as constant as the falling snow.
But then you arrived, and for the first time in so long, I felt my heart beat again.
In my eyes, a new color emerged besides white; my soul, too, was touched by a color other than white.
Honestly… do you know how hard I worked, how long I tried not to grow weary of this snowy expanse?
But there you were—foolish, oblivious, just walking right into my world, making all my efforts dissolve into nothing.
Why is it that, from the moment we first met, those amber eyes of yours saw right through my forced facade, gazing straight into the true self I had long since lost?
I thought my future would be forever unchanging, as constant as this endless snow.
But your presence changed everything. You brought life back into my halted time, slowly melting the ice and snow enshrouding my soul.
When I look at you, I see the warmth of spring under sunlight, a sky adorned with soft clouds.
The snow melts, and flowers bloom.
People say there's a certain romance in love at first sight. But for me, every time I see you, it feels like falling in love all over again.
I want you by my side, want to look into those gem-like eyes of yours, to cradle your face as gently as a delicate flower, to savor your pastries that, despite your grumblings, are infused with care and heart.
After all, it's because of your sudden arrival that I can no longer bear the solitude I once accepted.
So, you must take responsibility.
My dearest, most precious little sister.
---
"Take off your shoes when you enter," Edelweiss reminded, stepping inside with Okita Souji obediently following behind.
"…You live in such a small place?"
"Excuse me? Are you saying it's smaller than your dorm?"
In an instant, Edelweiss was at Souji's side, her slender, snow-white fingers pinching Souji's cheek gently.
She wasn't squeezing hard—Souji could still talk normally.
"Sister Ai, you're the world's number one swordswoman, after all. Even if you moved into the Big Bad Wolf's castle, I think it would suit you better than this tiny apartment."
Edelweiss had brought Souji to her current living quarters in the city—a temporary residence, really.
"For your information, I got this place because the owner thought I was doing great work. It's got a private bathroom, two bedrooms, a convenience store downstairs, and best of all, I live here alone. I'd say your big sister got quite the deal!"
Edelweiss crossed her arms and looked rather pleased with herself, leaving Souji at a loss for words.
She had come out to track down Souji, but that wasn't the only thing she'd been up to on her journey.
They say money can't buy happiness, but lacking it brings many troubles.
While searching for Souji, Edelweiss had occasionally taken up part-time jobs to cover her travel and living expenses.
Yes, you heard that right—the world's greatest swordswoman, the most infamous criminal, funding her trip by working part-time jobs.
And her chosen job? Working as a chef in a dessert shop.
She'd become so skilled at making sweets that her pastries sold out every time, and each time she tried to leave after saving up enough money, the shop owner would cling to her legs, begging her not to go.
---
I hope you enjoy my Triple D's!
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Review or your frigging dead to me
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]