A Life Torn Asunder

The First Snowfall

As Lucifer D Arcadia grew older, his natural talents continued to blossom. His sharp intellect allowed him to excel in every subject, and soon, there wasn't a problem he couldn't solve. This brilliance, coupled with his striking appearance—a baby face that caught the attention of everyone around him—meant he stood out both academically and socially. Though Lucifer was still recovering emotionally from the loss of his parents, he found some comfort in the life he was building with Masha and her family. He joined the martial artist club at school, quickly becoming the star of the club due to his sheer determination and physical prowess.

His presence in the martial artist club drew even more attention, especially from the girls, who were smitten with his delicate features. "Lucifer-kun, you're so cute!" they would coo, their cheeks tinged with pink. Lucifer, always shy when attention was on his looks, would stammer a polite thank you, his face burning as red as their blushes.

Of course, Masha found this utterly amusing. One day after school, she walked beside him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ru-chan, the girls seem to love your baby face. They just want to squish you." She mimicked pinching his cheeks, barely holding back her laughter.

Lucifer groaned, looking down as his white hair fell over his face. "Why do they keep saying that? I'm not cute," he muttered, clearly embarrassed.

Masha giggled, poking his arm. "Aww, but you are! Especially when you get all shy like that." She tilted her head, smirking. "Maybe I should dress you up next time. You'd make such a cute girl!"

He shot her a mortified look. "Please don't."

Masha laughed, but little did Lucifer know that her teasing words would come true during their summer vacation.

When summer arrived, Masha's family decided to take a trip to the mountains. They rented a cozy cabin near a natural hot spring, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The air was crisp, the scenery breathtaking, with towering trees surrounding the cabin like protective sentinels. Birds chirped in the background, and the occasional rustling of leaves made the place feel peaceful.

On the first evening, Masha's father fired up the grill outside, flipping skewers of meat and vegetables over the flames. "Nothing like mountain air and barbecue!" he declared, smiling as the scent of sizzling food filled the air.

Lucifer sat quietly, admiring the calmness of the setting, when he noticed Masha and her mother whispering nearby, glancing his way with mischievous smiles. He raised an eyebrow, suspicious of whatever they were planning.

Later that night, after a long soak in the hot springs, Masha and her mother decided it was time for some fun. Masha, with a cheeky grin, appeared in front of Lucifer holding a set of clothes.

"Here you go, Ru-chan!" she announced, tossing the bundle onto his lap. "Since your hair's getting long, we thought it'd be fun to dress you up!"

Lucifer blinked, staring at the clothes in disbelief. They were clearly meant for a girl—a light summer dress, ribbons, and even a pair of dainty sandals. "W-What? No way!" he stammered, backing away slightly.

Masha's mother chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Oh, come on, Lucifer-kun. It's just for fun. You're so cute already, you'll look adorable."

Despite his protests, they somehow managed to convince him. Moments later, Lucifer stood in front of the mirror, dressed in the frilly outfit, his long hair tied up with ribbons. His face burned with embarrassment as Masha and her mother giggled, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

"You look so cute, Ru-chan!" Masha teased, unable to stop laughing. "Maybe we should take some pictures!"

Lucifer groaned, covering his face. "Please don't..."

They spent the rest of the evening teasing him about how he could pass for a girl, but deep down, Lucifer couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth. Even though they were teasing him, it was in good spirits, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was part of a family again.

When the next semester started, a new kid joined their school. His name was Akira, and from the moment he walked into the classroom, Lucifer could tell that he was going to be a problem. Akira had a smug attitude, the type of person who liked to challenge others just for the sake of it.

For some reason, Akira seemed to have it out for Lucifer. Whether it was envy of Lucifer's academic standing or irritation at his popularity, Akira constantly tried to provoke him. At first, Lucifer tried to ignore him, but Akira wasn't one to back down.

One afternoon after school, Akira finally crossed the line. They were in the martial artist club, and Akira decided to challenge Lucifer in front of everyone.

"You think you're so great, don't you?" Akira sneered, stepping into the ring. "Let's see if you can actually fight."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. He didn't want to cause trouble, but he wasn't going to back down either. They squared off, and within moments, the fight began. Despite Akira's bravado, Lucifer was far more skilled. In a matter of seconds, he dodged Akira's punches and delivered a swift strike that knocked him out cold.

The other students gasped, but Lucifer simply stepped back, his expression calm. He hadn't wanted the fight, but Akira had left him no choice.

Later that day, Masha found out about the fight. "Ru-chan!" she scolded, hands on her hips. "Why are you getting into fights? You know better than this."

Lucifer shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "He started it."

"That's not the point," Masha pouted. "You should try to avoid fighting, even if he's being a jerk."

Masha's mother joined in, her arms crossed as she scolded Lucifer. "You're setting a bad example. Fighting isn't the answer, Lucifer-kun."

Before the lecture could continue, Masha's father stepped in, laughing heartily. "Boys will be boys!" he said, patting Lucifer on the back. "So, who won?"

Lucifer smirked slightly, despite himself. "I did."

Masha's father grinned and lifted Lucifer into the air. "That's my boy!" he announced proudly.

Masha's mother rolled her eyes, scolding him this time. "You're just encouraging him, dear."

Lucifer couldn't help but laugh softly. Despite the scolding, it felt good to be supported by Masha's father, and it helped lift his spirits.

As the semester continued, Lucifer remained at the top of his class. His grades were perfect, and even his teachers marveled at his ability to excel in both academics and martial arts.

But as the days grew shorter, Lucifer began to notice the chill in the air. Winter was approaching, and the first snowfall of the season came unexpectedly one morning. Lucifer stood by the window of his classroom, watching as delicate white flakes danced from the sky, blanketing the world outside in a pristine layer of snow.

Masha appeared beside him, her breath fogging up the glass. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she murmured, her voice soft.

Lucifer nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah... it is."

For the first time in a long while, Lucifer felt at peace. The falling snow reminded him that, despite everything he had been through, life continued to move forward. He wasn't alone anymore. Masha and her family had given him a place to belong, and though he still carried the pain of his past, he knew he had people who cared for him—people who would stand by him no matter what.

And as the snow continued to fall, Lucifer allowed himself to hope for a brighter future.