On the thick ice of a snowfield, a fishing rod stood beside a small ice hole.
Nearby, Elizabeth was skillfully rubbing sticks together to start a fire.
BOOM!
Just as the flames flickered to life, the fishing line twitched.
Elizabeth casually picked up the rod, stood straight, and pulled—a large fish flopped out of the water.
Today's picnic ingredients were secured!
Beside her/him/it, Katsura sat cross-legged, a look of contentment on his face as he gazed at the tiny black paw prints on the white paper resting on his knees, along with several photos of two snow cats interacting.
"Snow cats, once thought to be long extinct—to think I'd have the chance to see them in person. Truly wonderful."
Just four years old, bundled in thick winter clothes and wearing an adorable Chopper hat, Princess Koyuki Kazahana peeked her little head out, blinking her big, curious eyes at the photos in Katsura's hands.
"Katsura-san, why didn't you catch them and bring them back? Those two little cats must be so pitiful out here in the snow—they'll freeze to death!"
Looking at Koyuki, who poked her chubby cheeks with an innocent and kind-hearted expression, Katsura didn't mention that human activity was the root cause of snow cats becoming endangered.
Not just because a child might not understand such things, but also because he didn't want to taint her pure and kind heart with unnecessary darkness.
"Princess Koyuki, snow cats' paw pads only stay lively in pure, untouched snowy mountains. If they're kept indoors by humans, their paw pads will quickly lose their elasticity."
"Why?" Koyuki tilted her head.
"Because of their nature. They thrive in snowy wilderness without humans. If they stay where humans are, their paw pads lose their shine and bounce."
"How could that be…" Koyuki's eyes widened, her hands covering her mouth in disbelief.
"Listen well, Princess Koyuki. All living creatures, including humans, have their own instincts and habits. If you don't understand what someone truly needs, even actions taken with good intentions can easily lead to tragedy."
"Huh?"
Koyuki tilted her head again, her young age making Katsura's words difficult to grasp.
"Of course, Princess Koyuki's kind-hearted wish for others' happiness is precious. One day, when you understand those words, you'll grow into a remarkable princess who supports this nation and its people, beloved by all."
Looking at Koyuki innocent, kind, and still somewhat clueless expression, Katsura was sometimes reminded of Princess Soyo of Edo who supported all of Edo as a lone woman…
"A princess, huh…"
Koyuki tapped her chin with a finger, tilting her head upward in thought.
Then, as if making up her mind, she leaned close to Katsura's ear and whispered very softly.
"Katsura-san, actually, besides becoming a princess, I have another wish."
"Oh? Even Lord Kazahana doesn't know?"
"Nope, Daddy doesn't know. I'm only telling Katsura-san—you have to keep it a secret! My other dream is…"
...
Kazahana Castle, dusk.
Waiting at the city gates ahead of time, Sōsetsu Kazahana felt a wave of relief wash over him the moment he spotted the handsome man with flowing black hair alongside his daughter's figure.
His face broke into a warm smile as he hurried forward to greet them.
However, seeing his daughter—still excitedly chatting with Katsura while being led by that strange white creature—completely ignore her father stirred a hint of annoyance in his heart.
"Lord Kazahana, we've returned."
"Thank you for your hard work, Katsura-san."
Sōsetsu held considerable respect for Katsura.
Though their acquaintance hadn't been long, he could sense that beneath the man's often scatterbrained demeanor lay an exceedingly rare talent for governance.
That was precisely why Sōsetsu had invited Katsura to become his daughter's tutor shortly after meeting him.
Though Katsura had declined, citing his mission to save all the suffering paw pads in this world, he had still gotten along quite well with Sōsetsu's daughter recently.
Now, Koyuki latched onto her father, eagerly recounting their adventures.
"Listen, Dad! We saw the cutest snow cats! We even took pictures of them!"
"Oh! Snow cats? That's amazing! In all my years, I've only seen one once myself."
...
That night, after hearing from Koyuki about the lessons Katsura had imparted earlier, Sōsetsu visited the guest room where Katsura was staying once his daughter had fallen asleep from the day's excitement.
"Katsura-san, are you truly unwilling to stay in the Land of Snow?"
Knowing full well that Katsura had come solely to see the snow cats, Sōsetsu guessed the man would leave soon after achieving his goal.
This time, he had come to persuade him to stay.
Seated cross-legged opposite Sōsetsu, Katsura folded his arms and nodded.
"Indeed. Having obtained precious paw print rubbings and photos of the snow cats, it's time to journey to the next land of paw pads. I'm deeply grateful for your hospitality during my stay, Lord Kazahana."
"Think nothing of it, Katsura-san. It's just... Won't you reconsider staying a little longer? I believe someone of your caliber would excel as Koyuki's tutor."
Katsura shook his head gently. "Lord Kazahana, Her Highness Koyuki is inherently pure-hearted and kind. Even without my guidance, as long as she retains that nature, she will undoubtedly grow into a remarkable... ahem... princess."
Sōsetsu's expression softened at Katsura's words, murmuring quietly.
"I see..."
"Then, Lord Kazahana, I shall take my leave."
Snapping out of his thoughts, Sōsetsu watched as Katsura rose to bid farewell.
His expression shifted slightly before he gestured with his fingers, indicating there was money involved.
"Katsura-san, the terms of employment can certainly be renegotiated. Though the Land of Snow is somewhat impoverished—"
"Lord Kazahana! This isn't about the terms—it's about the lack of paw pads—ahem! I mean, your daughter Koyuki is so naturally gifted she hardly needs extensive instruction!"
"Did you just say 'paw pads'?"
"You misheard me, Lord Kazahana."
"No... I definitely heard 'paw pads'..."
"I said no such thing."
"But I clearly—"
"Please exercise some restraint, Lord Kazahana! I, Katsura Kotarō, have never once claimed that the scarcity of paw pads in this country is the reason for my hasty departure!"
"You've already said it out loud?!"
...
In the end, Katsura and Elizabeth bid farewell to the reluctant Kazahana Sōsetsu and left the city under the cover of night.
...
Outside the city, in a small, dilapidated temple.
Kazahana Dotō, the younger brother of Kazahana Sōsetsu, the current ruler of the Land of Snow, lit an oil lamp as he secretly discussed a major plan with a group of Snow Ninja!
In short, it boiled down to this—
'I think my father was unfair!'
'I'm his son too! Why was the country handed over to him instead of me? He's biased!'