NOTHING BURNS LIKE COLD | Shinazugawa Sanemi

CHAPTER 2 - Cold January Night

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Cold January Night

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One week had passed since the incident-though for sayuri , it seemed like just another ordinary day. She was especially happy today because her grandfather was coming home again after his last visit.The little girl had even picked freshly bloomed wisteria flowers, planning to show them with her grandfather, though she secretly wanted to snack on them herself.

Wisteria was a strange choice, of course-who would even think to eat them?

Hiroshi, however, didn't share his daughter's excitement. He wasn't pleased that his father was visiting them again, especially in such weather.Their village was small and cozy, nestled in the mountains where snow fell almost year-round.

Today, the clouds were growing darker by the minute, a sure sign of an incoming blizzard. The villagers, including the Fuyutsuki 's, were busy collecting fresh wood and charcoal to prepare for the night. Everyone knew what a storm could bring.

"Why does he always have to come in weather like this? He's just a burden," Hiroshi muttered as he stacked wood inside their house, the fireplace crackling with fresh fuel.

"He's seen worse; he'll manage," Tomoe replied, trying to reassure him, though she knew Hiroshi wouldn't mind if something bad did happen to his father.

By 3 p.m., the sun had already begun to set, casting an eerie glow over the snow-covered landscape. The cold wind howled, whipping snow and dead branches into the air, making it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.Little sayuri stood on a wooden chair, her face pressed against the window, watching the blizzard with a mix of excitement and worry.

She was happy her grandfather was coming, but the worsening storm made her anxious.

"okka-san , do you think Grandpa will be alright?" sayuri asked, her big blue eyes filled with concern as she turned to her mother, who was laying out futons for the night.

"He'll be just fine, Sayu. He'll play with you as soon as you wake up," Tomoe reassured her, patting her head gently before motioning for her to get ready for bed.

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The wind was growing stronger by the minute, and with it, the storm intensified. Snow piled up quickly, and branches flew through the air, making it nearly impossible to see ahead.Ichiro trudged through the thick snow, each step more challenging than the last. The storm was fierce, and visibility was nearly zero, but he pressed on, determined to reach his son's house.

"Oii! Kenzou!" a voice called out through the blizzard.

"Hah! Is that you, old friend?" Ichiro shouted back, barely making out the figure approaching him.

"Have you finally gone mad, trying to make it through this storm?" asked the old man, chuckling as he approached.

"Mad? I've always been a bit crazy," Kenzou laughed, his breath visible in the frigid air.

"Been a long time since I saw you, Kenzou. You look as stubborn as ever."

"Same to you," Kenzou replied, glancing at his friend's snow-covered figure.