"Winter is almost over," she said with a regretful smile, brushing the snow from Yoizumi's clothes.
He bent down, lowering his head obediently to let Shinobu brush the fine snow from his hair, and Yoizumi comforted her.
"Next year, the year after, and in the future, we will have many, many winters."
"That's true."
Shinobu gently patted Yoizumi's head, then rubbed her hands, which were red from prolonged exposure to ice and snow. Yoizumi instinctively took her hands and breathed warm air onto them.
"Let's go back," she said as feeling gradually returned to her hands. She adjusted the scarf around her neck, looked at Yoizumi, then suddenly untied her scarf, stood on her tiptoes, and wrapped it around his neck.
"Hmm…" Yoizumi blinked, the warmth and scent of Shinobu lingering on the scarf, as he watched Shinobu wrap the remaining half around her own neck. Yoizumi tilted his head, otherwise Shinobu wouldn't be able to see.
"Alright, let's go back," Shinobu couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle at Yoizumi's actions.
Yoizumi wasn't afraid of the cold, but… he tilted his head, tightened the scarf, and buried his face deeper into the soft fabric.
This is fine too… They soon arrived at Shinobu's room. It was only slightly warmer inside. After taking off their scarves, Shinobu yawned. She hadn't slept much during those few days of research at headquarters.
After their little playful moment, the hidden sleepiness quickly resurfaced. She blinked hard, trying to clear her head, only to realize that Yoizumi, who should have been in the room, had already vanished silently.
"Yoizumi?" Shinobu asked tentatively, but received no reply.
That guy left without even a word of goodbye.
Pursing her lips, Shinobu was a little displeased. She had to return to headquarters first thing in the morning, and he didn't even stay with her a little longer… She sighed, preparing to wash up and go to bed. Just as she opened the door, she saw Yoizumi standing there with a basin of hot water.
Yoizumi raised his hand to stop Shinobu, holding the basin of water away, having almost bumped into her.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Yoizumi. So he hadn't left after all.
"I got you hot water. It's cold outside, go in first."
When they returned to the room, after Shinobu yawned, Yoizumi used Instant Shadow to fetch a basin of hot water, so Shinobu wouldn't have to go out.
After washing up, Shinobu sat at her dressing table, her eyes half-closed. Yoizumi stood behind her, combing her hair, carefully tending to Shinobu's hair, trying not to hurt her.
Through her hazy vision, Shinobu looked at Yoizumi in the mirror, his head bowed, eyes downcast, diligently combing her hair, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
This is like… like… a newlywed couple… As this thought entered her mind, Shinobu immediately sobered up, raising her hand to cover her flushed cheeks.
What was she thinking!
"Done," Yoizumi nodded, very satisfied. Now Shinobu's hair wasn't a single strand out of place.
Seeing Shinobu covering her face, her head almost touching the table, Yoizumi thought she was about to collapse.
So sleepy… He bent down and picked up Shinobu. The person covering her face didn't even have time to react before Yoizumi gently placed her on the bed and quickly covered her with the quilt, leaving only her head exposed.
Yoizumi leaned in and kissed Shinobu's forehead.
"Good night, Shinobu."
The rapid succession of events left Shinobu's dazed mind unable to process them, but her hand moved faster, pulling on Yoizumi's sleeve.
Yoizumi stopped his move to leave, turned around, and said softly,
"What's wrong?"
He leaned down, closer to the bed. Shinobu shyly turned her head, her hand still holding onto Yoizumi and tugging.
"Stay and keep me company…" Her voice was muffled because her head was buried in the pillow, but it also hid Shinobu's embarrassingly flushed face.
"Okay," Yoizumi didn't think much of it. He didn't need to sleep anyway.
As before, he pulled over a small stool. Yoizumi held Shinobu's hand, stretching his neck, his gentle gaze fixed on the person before him.
"Sleep. I'll still be here when Shinobu wakes up."
This… this wasn't what she had in mind!
Shinobu was so conflicted she wanted to pick at her fingers, but her other hand was being held by that idiot Yoizumi, and she couldn't bear to let go. Left with no choice, she started picking at the quilt.
After hesitating for a long while, Shinobu finally made up her mind, raising her eyes to meet his sapphire eyes that seemed to hold only her.
The words on the tip of her tongue suddenly felt impossible to say.
"Hmm?"
"Yoi.... zumi aren't… you going to sleep?" She said it after all!
"I'm not sleepy."
"Then… then sitting there all the time isn't comfortable, is it?" She tried hard to keep her voice steady, not letting it tremble. Her left hand was almost tearing the quilt. "Do you want to come up and lie with me…"
So, she was worried I would be uncomfortable…
Yoizumi clearly misunderstood.
"No, I'll be fine. Besides, Shinobu's bed is too small. It would be very cramped if I lay on it too."
"…" She raised her hand and covered her head with the quilt, screaming silently.
That idiot!
Shinobu decided. Next time, she'd get a bigger bed… Hmm?
Yoizumi tilted his head. What was wrong now?
Was she unable to sleep again?
Then… Shinobu, hidden under the quilt, suddenly heard a low humming tune. She slowly moved the quilt from her face, staring blankly at Yoizumi, who was humming with his eyes closed.
After a while, Yoizumi stopped.
"Mother Kie used to hum this tune when she put Rokkuta to sleep," Yoizumi paused, then asked, a rare hint of apprehension in his voice, "Is it… strange?"
She was being treated like a child… Shinobu shook her head, "No, it's beautiful."
She even wanted to hear more. So this is what Yoizumi's singing was like. She felt like she understood him a little more… "Sing to me again."
"Okay."
The night was still long. Shinobu drifted into a deep sleep, accompanied by Yoizumi's humming.
Each time she frowned, Yoizumi would smooth it away for her.
Several times in her dreams, faint murmurs were unclear, but Yoizumi would subtly curve his lips. His gaze never left her for a moment.
Until dawn broke, Shinobu opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the person in front of her, smiling and saying,
"Good morning, Shinobu."
Shinobu smiled back.
"Good morning, Yoizumi."
Yoizumi slowly rose, pulling their hands, which had never let go.
"I'll comb your hair."
…"Miss Kochou's hairstyle looks a little different today," Tamayo said upon seeing Shinobu.
Hearing this, Shinobu chuckled softly and nodded.
"Because today is special."
"Special?" Tamayo wasn't overly curious, she just thought Shinobu's hairstyle today was… not as neat as usual.
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