The snow had been falling harder with each passing day, and before long, all of Ohara Island lay beneath a thick, unbroken blanket of white. Because of the freezing weather, work at the pier slowed almost to a halt, and even the Paiwa Tavern—usually lively regardless of the season—was far quieter than normal. With less business and fewer customers, Paiwa decided to give most of the children who helped around the tavern a holiday.
Only a handful remained behind to work.Today, that handful included only Yashiro in the main area, while Luo Ji and two other kids stayed in the back kitchen to wash dishes.
Yashiro sat in an open space beside the kitchen door, puffing warm breath onto his cold hands before rubbing them together and returning to the stack of plates. The sky darkened early. By dusk, the children were already dreaming of burying themselves under blankets and soaking in the quilt's precious warmth.
One by one, adults arrived to pick up their children.This time, Luo Ji didn't leave alone as he usually did—because someone had come for him.
The tavern door opened with a soft crunch of snow. A tall woman entered, holding a bundled little girl by one hand and a basket by the other. She chatted with Paiwa as though they were old friends, smiling brightly—until her gaze landed on Luo Ji.
"Mom… you're here!" Luo Ji's face lit up as he ran and threw himself into her arms, hugging her tightly. Tears clung stubbornly to the corners of his eyes despite his attempt to stay composed.
His mother bent down with a gentle, practiced grace, wiping his tears with a pink handkerchief."Luo Ji, you're a little man now. You can't cry so easily."
"I know that already!" Luo Ji puffed out his chest, hands on his hips in exaggerated pride. "Of course I'm a little man! I'll protect you and Nanako forever!"
"Big brother is the best!!" a freckled little girl peeked out shyly from behind their mother, grinning up at Luo Ji.
"Nanako? Why are you here?" Luo Ji blinked in surprise.
"What, I'm not allowed to come?" Nanako huffed and hid behind her mother again.
"Alright, alright…" Luo Ji sighed helplessly, then hurriedly fished a candy from his pocket. He held it out to her like a peace offering."Don't be mad, Nanako. This is from Mrs. Gusclary. If you don't take it, I'll eat it."
The moment candy was mentioned, Nanako peeked out again—instantly.
"Here." Luo Ji stuffed the candy into her small hands.
Nanako stared at the treat for several long seconds… then held it out to him again.
"I don't eat candy. Brother should have it."
But Luo Ji just peeled the wrapper and shoved it into her mouth."Nope. You can eat it. When I grow up, I'm gonna earn tons of money and buy you mountains of candy!"
"Nngh—! Brotherrr…!" Nanako choked in surprise, eventually swallowing the candy in one gulp without tasting any of it.
Paiwa, Luo Ji's mother, and even bystanders burst into laughter at the scene.
Then Luo Ji's mother turned toward Paiwa, offering the basket with both hands and bowing deeply."Thank you, Mrs. Paiwa. You've taken such good care of Luo Ji. These are some desserts I made. Please accept them."
Paiwa scratched his cheek and laughed awkwardly."Hahaha… Luo Ji's a smart kid, helps around my shop, speaks politely. Not like some people…"
His gaze slid sideways—straight toward Yashiro.
The disgusted expression on Paiwa's face was obvious.
"What did I do?!" Yashiro, who had been minding his own business, recoiled as though stabbed. "Don't look at me like that!"
Only then did Luo Ji's mother notice the small boy with short gray hair wearing a gray-blue winter coat—the same coat Luo Ji had worn before. Her eyes softened with understanding.
Luo Ji, noticing her confusion, quickly introduced him."Mom, this is Yashiro—my good friend. I sold him my old coat for a hundred Berries. Brother Yashiro, this is my mother, and that one—" he pointed at the glaring little girl "—is my little sister, Nanako."
Nanako made an angry face at the "little" comment, then hid again when she noticed Yashiro looking.
"Ohh… I see." Luo Ji's mother walked up to Yashiro, knelt down, and gently stroked his head. "Thank you for keeping Luo Ji company these days."
Yashiro stepped back immediately—he wasn't used to people touching his head."N-No, no… Luo Ji's been taking care of me these days."
"Either way, thank you," she said with a warm smile.
Yashiro waved his hands frantically. "Ah—uh—I'll go now!"
He bolted toward the door.
But before he reached it, Paiwa smacked his forehead."Oi! Didn't you ask for flour and sugar? Take it!"
Before Yashiro could react, a heavy sack flew across the room and smashed him face-first into the snow outside.
"OW! Are you TRYING to kill me? Can't you just hand things over like a normal person?!"
Yashiro twisted around with the exaggerated fury of a One Piece character.
"Be careful going home," Paiwa laughed. "Don't get snatched by the snow monster."
"Yeah, yeah… annoying old man." Yashiro grumbled, hoisting the sack onto his back and trudging down the street with tiny, overdramatic steps.
As Paiwa's cackling faded behind him, Yashiro walked alone through the silent, snow-covered street.
A hollow loneliness settled in his chest.
Back in his previous world, around this time of year, it would have been New Year's Eve—a time for family gatherings, noisy dinners, and warmth. Even after reincarnating as a war orphan, he'd always had Hyūga Hanaka beside him during festivals.
But now…He was alone.
Not even old man Jack was around tonight. The warehouse waiting for him would be completely empty.
Yashiro shifted the bag onto his other shoulder. The flour and sugar were his entire day's wages—exchanged specifically so he could make one of his favorite New Year's treats: glutinous rice balls.
A small comfort. A taste of home.
He pouted, trudging through the snow with a tiny storm cloud over his head—
"Hey—Yashiro!"
A soft voice called from behind.
Yashiro turned—and brightened instantly.
"Little Robin!!"
Nicole Robin stood in the snow like a bundled-up ball, wrapped in layers of winter clothing, waving at him with an adorable, mitten-covered hand.
"Why are you here? Didn't you say you were meeting the scholars today to study ancient texts?"
"Hehehe…" Robin lifted the brim of her oversized hat, cheeks slightly red from the cold. "I saw you looked a little down these past few days, so I came to keep you company. Feel grateful yet?"
"I FEEL VERY GRATEFUL!!" Yashiro practically tackled her with excitement. "Wait—I'll make something special for you! Glutinous rice balls! They're a famous treat from my hometown!"
Without thinking, he lifted her off her feet and spun her around twice.
"Put me down, idiot!" Robin smacked his head repeatedly, flustered.
Yashiro set her down and the two walked toward the warehouse, laughing and chatting in the falling snow.
Meanwhile, across town, Mrs. Gusclary began her own rounds.
Wearing a bright red leather coat and carrying a basket brimming with desserts and candies, she walked through the snowy streets with a radiant smile that turned many heads. Known across Ohara as a beautiful, charitable woman, she spent every winter delivering sweets to children.
That reputation had earned her a nickname:
"The Lovely Mrs. Candy."
As usual, she went door to door, receiving warm greetings from grateful parents.
"Ah—Mrs. Gusclary! Here to deliver treats again this year?" a man said, scratching his head shyly.
"Mmhmm. Is your daughter home? I'd like to give this to her personally."
Flustered by her smile, the man stuttered,"I–Inside! M-Miyer! Mrs. Candy is here again!"
The little girl inside squealed with joy and rushed to the door.
When Mrs. Gusclary saw her, she reached deep into her basket and pulled out a beautifully wrapped box. Miyer's eyes sparkled as she accepted it—only to be smacked on the head by her father.
"Hey! Say thank you!"
Miyer looked up with watery eyes. "Thank you… Mrs. Candy."
Mrs. Gusclary stroked her head warmly."You're welcome, little one."
But behind her gentle smile…
A dark, greedy gleam flickered in her eyes—too subtle for ordinary people to notice.
"That's the sixth cargo."
The early chapters of this story are deliberately peaceful, focusing on daily life. This is to build strong character foundations and prevent personality collapse later.Now, the first real plot conflict is about to begin—and Yashiro will soon face intense, bloody battles of his own.