Comics, daily stories

It's a pity I didn't get an amulet from the prayers this year. I'll go find him after the New Year and we'll go to the shrine together.

If it's after the New Year, then it'll be after the New Year soon.

After thinking for a while, Yukino Yukinoshita smiled faintly.

My agreement with Kato was that I shouldn't go to his house alone to spend the night when neither of us was around. In other words, it would be fine if I didn't stay overnight at his house.

She took a step and looked at the person in the full-length mirror.

She wore a blue and white kimono, with a red ribbon tied into a butterfly shape in her hair behind her ear. She had fair skin, black hair that reached past her shoulders, and a gentle expression.

It looks great, he'll really like it. He'll like it no matter how I dress up.

After confirming that there was nothing messy about her, Yukino Yukinoshita smiled, and shallow dimples began to appear on her cheeks.

She walked away and disappeared from the room.

......

Yukinoshita pushed open the door to the room, glanced around, and was somewhat surprised to find that her younger sister was not there.

But the accident happened in an instant.

The next instant was the panic that shattered her nonchalance and surged across her entire face.

She took out her phone, dialed his number, and with one step, disappeared into the snow-covered house.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

256 Under the Snow: Mother?

"I am back."

Welcome home.

They met eyes, and Nomiyama smiled: "This should be the first time I've said that to you. How does it feel?"

Yukinoshita Miyami stood in the entrance hall, staring at him without blinking.

His figure was now the same as when he was on the mountain, much taller than me. His eyebrows were still light, but they were no longer straight, but slightly curved. His dark eyes rippled like water, and what they held was no longer indifference, but a gentle, flowing quality that seemed to be flowing through one's body.

I feel like I want to have a child...

Yukishiro Miyasame ran to hug him.

Nomiyama reached out and ruffled her hair, finding it somewhat amusing.

Gong Yu always seems to be like this; when they meet, she always runs straight towards him and pounces on him, as if he would disappear if she didn't hug him immediately.

"Miss Gong Yu seems to have a rather strong possessive streak."

As he said this, he picked her up and carried her a few steps.

Yukinoshita Miyabi buried her head in his arms and whispered, "Every second counts."

Nomiyama nodded, then put her down: "But not now. I'm hungry now, and I need Miss Miyaame to cook for me."

Yukinoshita Miyabi smiled faintly: "Then wait for me a while, I'll cook right away."

Nomiyama sat down, partially tucking himself into the kotatsu. He reached for a cup of milk tea on the table and placed it on the other side, saying, "No need to rush, have a cup of milk tea first."

Seeing this, Yukinoshita Miyami smiled and immediately sat down next to him, bringing the cup of milk tea back and holding it with both hands.

Nomiyama glanced at the person sitting next to him, then simply flicked her forehead before flipping through the photo album again.

Yukinoshita Miyami watched with him, carefully sipped her milk tea, and then said in an ambiguous tone, "Kazehaya is watching this again."

Nomiyama, a smile playing on his lips, turned the page. Upon hearing this, he reached out and placed a hand on her hand holding the cup: "What? Jealous?"

"Hmm, I'm really jealous." Yukinoshita Miyami didn't hide her feelings.

"Then think of a way to avoid being jealous." Nomiyama continued turning the pages with one hand, reading the letter on the page.

"I didn't expect that." Yukinoshita Miyami pouted. "Kazehaya likes her too much."

Nomiyama turned to look at her, reached out, grabbed her cheek and pulled it: "What's wrong with liking someone? I like you too."

“It’s because I like someone too much.” Yukinoshita Miyu paused, then continued, “Kazehaya, liking someone too much can be a disadvantage.”

Nomiyama was quiet for a moment, then stopped turning the page.

"Yes, I know, that's why Yukinoshita suffered such a big loss at my hands, as did Megumi, and you too."

He stroked a strand of her hair, kneading it between his fingers: "All along, you've been the ones suffering, while I'm the one who caused the problem."

"As for Yukino making me suffer, don't worry. There's probably no one in this world who likes me like she does, and I like her just as much. There won't be any major problems between us anymore."

"On the contrary, it's you. We should find some time later to be honest with Yukino. You can't hide at home every day. Don't worry, her tolerance threshold for me is... well... although the process was a bit shameless, your problem is really not a problem now."

Yukinoshita Miyami listened quietly to him finish speaking, and in the end simply lowered her head and said, "Mm."

She stood up, moved away from him, and said casually, "It's early, I'm going to cook."

"Okay, I've already chopped all the side dishes, just do what you need to do."

"Ok."

Nomiyama didn't say much, just continued flipping through the photo album.

A moment later, he turned his head and looked at the milk tea next to him that he had only taken a few sips of, and felt somewhat surprised.

He thought the other person would finish drinking before cooking.

Without thinking much, he picked up the milk tea and took a few sips.

After putting it down, he continued reading the letter.

This page of letter paper was written during the Lunar New Year period when I was in the second year of junior high school.

Seeing this letter is like meeting you in person.

Well, these four words are their common opening line. They're nothing new, but at least they're not annoying to listen to.

My fellow students at this college invited me to their New Year's party.

I refused.

Oh, this section first states that they are still very popular, and then provides reassurance and explanation, indicating that there is no need to worry.

Several classmates from Japan have started dating, which I have no objection to, but I can't help feeling that it's a bit early. After all, students should focus on their studies, and dating is something that should be done at least by the age of sixteen.

This passage is a subtle but explicit reminder to him not to fall in love, but to wait until he is sixteen and until she returns.

So cute.

Nomiyama rested his chin on one hand, a gentle smile on his lips.

The other day, my neighbor invited people from the neighborhood to listen to his piano music. It was a very elegant and sad piece, or perhaps it was about the person he was playing. I memorized the melody, but I just couldn't bring myself to play it with that feeling.

Grandpa passed away last night. Looking back now, I think he probably had some premonition, so he prepared a farewell ceremony for himself beforehand.

【Kazehaya, if death is an inescapable fate, how should we face it?】

Of course, I'll save this issue for when I get back to Chiba to discuss it with you.

Nomiyama quietly read the long passage of text, and he could sense the faint sadness that the other person had felt at the time.

I did not give a reply at the time.

Later, Yukino returned to Chiba, and on the night of their reunion, they strolled through the streets, passing by rows of orange streetlights.

She brought up many things, and indeed touched on topics related to death.

She used "Puss in Boots" as a metaphor to show that although death is invincible, it is not insurmountable, and it is by no means just an ugly posture. The hymn of courage is a weapon to fight against death. It is the rapier in Puss in Boots' hand and the last bit of confidence to fight against death.

Finally, she took out a bottle of "elixir of immortality" and said, "Nomi-san-kun, if one day you realize that you will not die and will live forever, remember to tell me."

The implied meaning of that sentence is "to live together" and "to die together".

Taking a gentle breath, Nomiyama's eyes softened as he looked at the next section.

The snow in London was still beautiful, but for some reason, it suddenly stopped in the last two days of the year, leaving only the wind, which was a bit of a shame.

The New Year in my second year of junior high school was filled with snow and wind in Chiba.

Hui walked into his house in the early hours of New Year's Day, braving the wind and snow, and told him that she was the 'New Year's gift'.

Reaching out, Nomiyama closed the photo album and scratched his head.

I'll look at it next time.

He turned his head, looked out the window, and then frowned.

If we're talking about wind without snow, then this year in Chiba, apart from the first few minutes when wind and snow danced together, there hasn't been a trace of snow since.

The temple collapsed, the prayer fountain dried up, outdoor shoes were stolen for the first time, three people were left empty-handed for the first time, there was wind but no snow, and the shrine collapsed again.

If we're talking about accidents, there are quite a few accidents; if we're talking about warnings, then this series of warnings is a bit exaggerated.

"Good morning, dinner is ready."

A few words interrupted my thoughts.

Nomiyama stood up.

He had to eat right away, regardless of everything else.

......

"Kazehaya has given us a lot of gifts this year too."

Yukinoshita Miyabi sat down next to him again and helped him get a gift box.

Nomiyama took the gift box, glanced at the stack of gift boxes on the table, and then said with a more serious expression, "This shows that my ability to make friends is at its maximum."

Yukinoshita Miyami rolled her eyes at his expression.

"You don't believe me?" Nomiyama glanced sideways.

"I believe you." Yukinoshita Miyami smiled and leaned against him.

Nomiyama said nothing more, after all, he himself didn't believe it.

Reach out and open the gift box.

Huh?

Condoms?

Was it sent by Yang Nai?

He glanced at the gift box, and his eyelid twitched.

Ebina Hina.

With a sigh, Nomiyama tossed the gift box aside, leaving the present on the table.

He took out his phone and typed a message for the other party.

It's too small. I'll buy two sizes larger next time. Thank you.

He put his phone aside and picked up a gift box.

The gift he gave Hime was a book by Kafka, because he felt that she had a certain literary girl vibe about her, although it was probably just male-male literature.

The next gift box is for Yui.

Tear it open and take out the gift.

Huh? Dog food? What's this all about? I don't even own a dog myself, could this be some weird trick by Himeko?

Luckily, I gave you the dog collar myself, so I won't lose out. If you dared to say you gave it to me for food, I'd dare to put that collar on you.

Reaching out, he sent a message: 【What is Yui trying to do?】

He tossed aside his phone, picked up another gift, glanced at it, and saw Yumiko.

open.