Chapter Text
It wasn’t unusual for snow to fall during autumn in the north. That morning the world awoke to a pristine blanket of snow covering the ground. Shizu busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the children. Her rummaging among pots and pans woke Genya; he yawned and sat up in bed.
“Mom, I’m cold!”
One of the kids was whining in the living room; Genya and got to his feet. He shuffled out to the hallway to see his younger brother wrapped in his blanket, standing in the very middle, stepping one foot over the other underneath a blanket. “Shuya, give mom a break. What do you want? Socks? Put some socks on your feet.”
“I’m already wearing socks!” The child stuck out a socked foot from under the blanket.
“Then go put on a sweater. Here, I’ll help you find one.”
“Okay!”
Genya took his younger brother down the hallway. As he did, he glanced at the thermostat. It was set to 68 degrees, which was around room temperature. Shizu never turned it up any higher, and whatever cold air that managed to creep in through the gaps between the old windows and from underneath the front door would linger. Genya knew how to operate it, but none of the children were permitted to touch the temperature settings.
“I wish we could go to Nemi’s house,” Shuya complained, “it’s definitely not as cold as it is here.”
“You don’t know that,” Genya replied. “Besides, you have a lot of warm clothes for this very reason.” Shuya sighed, but remained quiet. Genya got him and all his younger siblings dressed warmly for school.
“All ready?” Shizu asked, seeing the children walking into the living room as she set the table for breakfast. “Sumi, can you check that the boys have done their homework?”
“Yes mom.”
“Aww moooom! I already did mine!” Hiroshi whined. “Sumi doesn’t have to check!”
“You didn’t have it done yesterday, I heard from your teacher.”
“It was just my dumb history teacher!”
“Don’t call your teachers that word, Hiroshi. It’s disrespectful.”
“Sorry.” Hiroshi handed his notebook to Sumi, who glanced over it as she ate her breakfast. Genya stared out the window, watching the snow outside fall slowly. The clinking of utensils and chewing faded into the background as he lost himself in thought.
“...enya. Genya!”
“Eh? What? Sorry.”
“We should get going. Stop zoning out!” Teiko was patting him on the arm. “You haven’t even finished breakfast.”
Genya stared down at his unfinished plate. He really wasn’t feeling hungry. “I’ll eat it later.” He left his plate in the microwave and pulled on his jacket before herding all his siblings out the door. Shizu was already outside, warming the car engine. She would be going to work right after dropping them off at school. As Genya sat down in the front seat by the driver, she gave him a concerned look.
“Is something on your mind? You’ve been zoned out.”
“I just have a test coming up. I’ve been really focused on it, that’s all,” he lied, trying to avoid the conversation. “Say, has your manager said anything about a promotion yet? You really deserve it.”
She shook her head, and a faint smile cracked her lips. “I wouldn’t expect it, to be honest. But it’s never off the table! It would be a nice surprise.” She smiled into the rearview mirror at Koto, who giggled.
Genya sighed and leaned his head against the cold window. The coolness came as a shock at first, but quickly began to feel nice against his warm forehead, and temporarily relieved him of his tormenting thoughts.
_______________
He kissed me on the head!!!! Was all Kanae could think about that morning. The kiss had been so tender, so soft. She couldn’t stop replaying that moment in her head, she’d hardly gotten any sleep. Kanae tucked her comforter tighter around herself, trying to imagine herself in Sanemi’s arms. Being around him felt so natural, like breathing. The way everything seemed to fall into place when she was with him—heck, he’d let her rest her head on his chest even! Doors would open without a word being spoken.
Kanae was not especially familiar with this feeling, but it was making her heart thump out of her chest! None of the comments or attention amounting to affection she had received by members of the opposite sex throughout her time in school or even now as she neared the end of higher education had ever made her feel this way! I have butterflies! This must be love. I, Kanae Kocho, have fallen in love with Sanemi Shinazugawa! But how does one proceed about such a realization? It’s not just a crush—no! It can’t be. Kanae shut her eyes tight. A soft blush crept up her cheeks, and she rubbed at them fiercely. Come on Kanae, get yourself together! If it really is love that I feel, then I must find out if he feels the same way for me. How else is our relationship going to progress?
Kanae rolled out of bed, and plopped onto the mini sofa she had in her room. She sat there, ruminating with a thoughtful face. What if it turns out that warm kisses are just Sanemi’s way of showing friendly affection? It might be true, but let’s not get too carried away. The only way to know is to ask, of course. But it seems too bold a question. No need to bother myself too much about it! If Sanemi really loves me back, he’ll do something about it! Standing up, she clapped her hands together contentedly.
“Kanae Kocho, if there is one thing for sure, then it is the fact that Sanemi Shinazugawa has not stopped contacting you since the first time you met. That can hardly be a coincidence, can it? We aren’t childhood friends,” she spoke aloud to herself. “Be it one way or another, he is interested in me, hee hee.” She giggled to herself.
“What were you laughing about just now?”
“Ah–!”
Shinobu’s head was peeking through the bedroom door, her face bearing its usual frown.
“Shinobu! Good morning!” Kanae beamed at her younger sister.
“Hmph. How was your rendezvous last night?”
“Shinobu, you know how much I dislike seeing that frown of yours!”
Shinobu wasn’t letting up. “What did you do last night? With that man.”
“Shinobu, surely you aren’t interrogating me right now? You know I wouldn’t hold anything from you.”
“Sigh.” Shinobu exhaled, and the tension on her brows released. “Sorry. What did Sanemi want with you last night?”
“He took me to a festival not too far from here! It was the most splendid thing. We went on so many rides together, and he even got me this!” Kanae ran to the bed and grabbed her large stuffed puppy.
“Oh?” Shinobu’s eyes narrowed. “So that’s where that came from. Did he do anything else?”
“Well, if you must know…” Kanae gave her a cherubic smile, “He kissed me!”
Shinobu’s jaw dropped. “A—Wha…what?!”
“On the head, of course. Oh your face is so funny!”
“Kanae! Why’d you let him do that?” Shinobu pouted.
“Whatever do you mean?” Kanae gave her a surprised look.
“Push him away next time, or something! I don’t know, whatever!”
“Shinobu…Shinobu! Could it be?” Kanae’s cheeks turned pink, and she giggled merrily. “Are you jealous?”
“Huh?!” Shinobu turned red up to the ears. “Absolutely not! He’s got no business touching you, that’s all!” She yelled. “He is not deserving of my older sister!” She pointed towards Kanae. “He’s a brute, and—”
“—And, you know nothing about him.” Kanae’s eyes now held a woeful look. Shinobu gritted her teeth in dismay. She hadn’t meant to hurt her sister.
“I’m just trying to look out for you, sister. I’m sorry, but I don’t like him. Not one bit.” She said softly, stepping out of Kanae’s bedroom, and shutting the door quietly behind her.
Kanae sighed softly, and gazed somberly at the door.
I’m sorry. I had no idea you felt that way.
Kanae gathered her belongings and changed out of her pajamas. She stopped by the dining table to grab a sandwich her mother had already made, and headed out the door—not without saying good bye to Kanao, of course.
The world outside was blanketed by a pristine cover of snow. Any dead brown leaves that had been strewn over the sidewalks, roads, and in the gutters were meticulously covered up. Kanae glanced up at the grey sky, watching the delicate snowflakes as they continued to descend from the clouds. One landed on her nose, and then melted.
_______________
“Ugh. Look at this mess!” Sanemi grunted, brushing clumps of snow off his cruiser. Masachika stood on the other side of the car, using the only scraper they had to clear the rear window as well as the roof.
“Once we get this baby all cleaned up, all we have to do is clear our way out of this parking lot!” He said cheerfully.
“Damn it all!”
The snow plow hadn’t made it to this part of the city yet. The road already had salt on it from the night before, but some genius had not thought of doing the same for the parking lot. It didn’t help that snow kept falling at a steady rate—at this point, it was bound to keep coming. Masachika finished the back and the top of the car and finished up the front while Sanemi started the engine.
“Do you think they called off schools with this weather?” Masachika asked. He caught a snowflake and watched it melt in his gloved palm.
“Probably not. I didn’t hear anything about it, so likely not. Iguro went to the university, so I don’t think so.”
“Ahh, that so? That reminds me! How was your outing with the Kocho girl?” Masachika grinned.
“Not you now,” Sanemi gritted his teeth in annoyance.
“Aww, come on! Was it that bad?”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Haha, just teasing. For reals now,” Masachika took on a more relaxed tone, and slid into the side passenger seat as Sanemi took his place behind the wheel.
“It was what you’d expect of a nice date. We hung out and had fun.”
“Did you kiss her?”
“Why you—!” a vein popped on Sanemi’s forehead.
“I’m just asking!” Masachika held his arms up in surrender. “You and Kocho seem really at ease with each other—at least, I have not seen you be as sociable with any younger woman as you have with her. Surely something’s different when it concerns her, right?”
“Tch. Perhaps.” Sanemi clicked his tongue. “I just don’t like being interrogated about it.”
“Sorry, sorry.” Masachika smiled. “I have no doubt you two had a splendid time together.”
“Hm.” Sanemi gave a small smile. “That’s true enough.”
“Any next steps?”
“I don’t know. What do you say I should do? Messaging her good morning is overrated and everyone does it, so don’t suggest that.”
“It’s a good start though!”
“I already told her that.”
“You’re on top of your game I see! I’m afraid I haven’t been in any long relationship to tell you much, but just keep talking to her,” Masachika replied, rubbing his chin in thought.
“If she really is the one, you’ll see things falling into place, guiding you towards her. It might be hard to notice, because life tends to kick you down sometimes, but I think you have a chance, Shinazugawa.”
“Hmph,” Sanemi huffed.
“No need to get all sappy on me, Kumeno, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Anytime, friend!”
_______________
The snow had temporarily ceased falling towards midday. Genya sat on a bench near the playground. The metal seat was cold, but he didn’t feel it; a bunch of warm bodies were pressed against him. Upper middle as well as high school had been let out to get some fresh air.
“Who in their right mind sends children outside in weather like this?”
Genya glanced in the direction from which the voice came. Amidst the bundle of coats, hats and mittens that surrounded him he saw sulky blue eyes and a smart mouth to top it off.
“You know they do this all the time, Yuichiro. But you could totally be like Zenitsu and hide out in the bathrooms until time is up.”
“I’m starting to think he might be the one with the most common sense around here,” Yuichiro grumbled. “For an idiot.”
“Yuichiro, that's mean,” his twin brother scolded him. “Don't say things like that.”
Genya glanced over at the younger twin, whose sleepy eyes bore a striking contrast to those of his brother’s, being dreamy and contemplative.
“Muichiro, do you have today's homework for biology done?! I forgot to do mine!” Inosuke bellowed, also nestled within the pile of warmth.
“Oh, I forgot you were there. Sure.” Muichiro replied, and after a bit of rummaging through his bookbag, withdrew his notebook. Inosuke grabbed it, and began copying down the notes into his own crumpled book.
“Argh, I can't write! Can someone be my table?!”
“Inosuke, calm down,” Tanjiro answered. “I’ll give you my back, just hold on.” The red haired boy shifted so his back faced Inosuke, giving him a flat surface to write on.
“Thanks Tanjiro!”
“Of course.”
“Genya, you’re quiet. Something on your mind?” Genya felt Muichiro press his cheek against his back.
“No…not really.”
“Are you busy this evening?”
“No, not really.”
“Come over then. Tanjiro will be there too.”
“I’ll have to ask my mom, but sure.”
“Alright.”
The snow continued to fall even after the children were called back inside after recess ended. Genya found it difficult to focus on anything that happened that day. He tried not to think about that letter sitting in the trash, but he couldn’t help it.
_______________
“Kyaaaa! That’s so romantic!!” Mitsuri was red up to the ears listening to Kanae tell of the previous night. The two girls were sitting at a table in the university coffee shop, enjoying warm drinks before classes began.
“I know,” Kanae smiled. The hand that was on her lap tugged on her skirt in slight distress. “I feel conflicted though.”
“Why is that?”
“Well…it’s Shinobu.”
“Shinobu? Oh no, does she not like him?!” Mitsuri began to fret. Kanae’s eyes widened with surprise. Mitsuri could be strangely perceptive at certain times.
“Yes. And it pains me greatly. I don’t know how to convince her to realize Sanemi is not what she thinks he is.”
Mitsuri took a sip of her hot chocolate. “To be honest, it has only been around less than a month that you have known Sanemi, hasn’t it, Kanae?”
“Hmm, you’re right.”
“In a way, I don’t think her fears are unfounded. Shinobu does not know Sanemi. But as for you, you have the opportunity to learn who he really is! Only Sanemi can change Shinobu’s mind about him, and for that you need time.”
She’s right. Kanae mused. Time will determine everything. Not limited to whether or not the butterflies she felt for Sanemi were meant to last. She glanced at her phone, which buzzed quietly. Upon seeing what it was about, she smiled softly. Ah Sanemi. Quit poking at my heart.
“What is it?” Mitsuri asked, leaning over the table in an effort to have a peek at Kanae’s phone. The older girl slid her phone towards her. “Read what he wrote,” she replied in a whisper.
“Aaaaaaa! What?! That’s sooo cute!” Mitsuri squealed. Kanae giggled at her friend’s reaction. I really do love you, Sanemi. I might not know you too well yet, but I’m determined to find out just what kind of man you are. Simply because I love you.
_______________
Shinobu knew in her heart what she had told Kanae was unfounded and a sorry attempt towards separating her sister from that man. The few interactions Shinobu did have with Shinazugawa had not been negative in the slightest. He was very gentle with his younger sister who had come to visit Kanao—Sumi, was her name? But for some reason, Shinobu couldn’t help but feel like there was more to the man called Sanemi Shinazugawa, more than he probably dared reveal himself. The scars on his face and those peeking out of his collar said it all.
I’m sorry, big sister. Shinobu was determined to peel past whatever act he was putting on in front of her sister. Upholder of the law or not! Everyone has a past they’re not too fond of…or want to run away from.
Whatever it was with Shinazugawa, Shinobu was determined to pull it up by the roots and expose him for what he was; a brute. If not for any reason but to protect her elder sister from making a huge mistake.