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The Beginning

Miyuki's POV

It was early morning, and I had just taken a bath. 

Stepping out of the bath, I saw my 13-year-old younger brother Tanjiro shuffling in the cabin opposite the main house.  "What are you doing?" I approached him and scolded lightly.

Tanjiro looked up, a basket of charcoal on his back. "Oh Nee-san, I'll go sell some," he said with a smile.

'Oh my goodness,  my baby is all mature now!'

My heart warmed at his dedication. Ever since our father died, Tanjiro had taken on the responsibility of providing for us. I smiled, feeling proud. 

"I'll come along," I said, slipping into my geta sandals.

"Tanjiro? Miyuki? Where are you two going?" My adoptive mother, Kie, called out stepping out from the house. 

"Your face is covered in soot. Come over here." She came out with a towel and started wiping Tanjiro's face. "It's dangerous with all this snow. You two don't have to go, you know."

I smiled reassuringly. "We'll be fine, Mother. I'm already an adult." At the age of 18, many in town were married and had children, so I didn't consider myself young anymore.

"I want everyone to eat their fill on New Year's, so I'm gonna sell as much charcoal as I can," Tanjirou explained sheepishly.

Kie sighed but smiled, standing up. "Thank you, Tanjiro."

"Onii-Chan!! Onee-San!!" Our younger siblings, Shigeru and Hanako, came running towards us. 

Another brother, Takeo, followed behind them and asked with a scowl. "You're going to town again today?"  

"I'm going with you!" Hanako declared, clinging to me with her puppy eyes. I chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Oh no, you're not. You know you can't walk in this snow."

Kie gently pulled them away from us. "It's too dangerous for you two. Stay here and help me instead."

"But I wanna go with you!" Hanako whined, her eyes pleading.

Tanjirou patted Shigeru's head. "I promise I'll bring something sweet for you," he said with a smile. "And I'll read to you when I get back, Hanako."

Finally, they reluctantly agreed, their faces brightening at Tanjiro's promise.

"We'll be heading out now," I said, waving to our family as Tanjiro and I set out for town.

The Journey to Town

As we walked through the snow-covered forest path, Tanjirou glanced at me. "You didn't have to come, I could've managed on my own."

"I know," I replied with a smile. "But I wanted to. Plus, it's been so long since we had time together like this." I added, playfully bumping my shoulder against his.

"Yeah, it has." Tanjirou nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. 

The cold wind bit at our faces, but the walk was peaceful. The snow crunched beneath our feet, and the forest was quiet except for the occasional chirping of birds.

As I  was looked at my wet knee-length hair, Tanjirou noticed and asked, "Why do you keep looking at your hair?"

"I'm planning on cutting it off." I sighed, running my fingers through it. "No, Miyuki, don't do that! Your hair is beautiful." He was surprised. 

I chuckled and patted his head. "It's fine, Tanjirou. It'll grow back in no time."

"But red hair is really rare," he protested. "You shouldn't waste it."