Snow had begun falling outside the window, the flakes drifting down as large as goose feathers.
Some of the snow landed on the pines and cypresses. As it piled up, the branches gradually bent under its weight. When they finally could no longer bear it, an unpleasant crack sounded, and a branch snapped beneath the pressure.
That was the scene Soma saw as he stood by the window.
"Winter has arrived," he murmured softly as he accepted the cup of hot tea Nezuko had prepared for him.
The girl's hair was now neatly pinned up. Though a trace of her youthful innocence still lingered, the presence of a young woman had grown much stronger. She carried a gentle warmth about her at all times.
The adorable quality Nezuko once possessed had not disappeared. It had simply been joined by a more mature air. Her figure had become increasingly graceful and alluring.
"Aren't you cold? And you're still standing by the open window."
Seeing Soma take the teacup while still standing by the window, Nezuko complained lightly.
Although she knew in her heart that, as a demon, Soma did not fear bitter cold or scorching heat, she still tended to measure him by ordinary human standards. She always felt he might be cold, or hot.
Soma turned back, looked at Nezuko's pretty face, and smiled.
"I know."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, to her chest.
Today Nezuko wore a thick padded jacket that wrapped her body tightly, yet it still could not hide her beautiful feminine curves. The fabric over her chest was noticeably full.
Nezuko's development was far more voluptuous than what had been shown in the anime.
Soma had come to know this fact quite intimately.
...
Although she had already become close enough with him, although they had already seen one another honestly and knew each other thoroughly, every time Soma looked at her like that, Nezuko's heartbeat still quickened, and she still felt shy.
Almost out of habit, she reached up and brushed a few strands of hair from her face, tucking them behind her ear. If no one else were present, she probably would have boldly thrown herself into his arms already.
Although it would be embarrassing, because she knew Soma liked it, she would still bravely do it.
But right now, she suppressed the urge to rush into his embrace and bury her face against his chest. Instead, she shot him a slightly coquettish glare and turned back inside.
The winter air outside was freezing, but the room was warm and cozy. The fireplace burned brightly. Makomo, whom they had rarely seen in recent days, had made a rare appearance.
"Makomo, have some tea."
Nezuko poured another cup and handed it to Makomo.
Makomo accepted it with both hands, holding it near her lips and taking small sips.
Today, Makomo wore a white kimono. She had originally worn a thick outer coat as well, but after entering the warm room, she had taken it off.
The girl's figure was still petite, and her appearance remained pretty. But compared with before, she had clearly grown much thinner.
There were even dark circles beneath her once-bright eyes.
Her lovely face also carried a trace of paleness.
"Have you been too tired from handling things these days? You look like you have lost a lot of weight."
Nezuko asked softly, her voice full of concern.
Makomo's current appearance truly made people worry.
Nezuko knew that Makomo and Soma had once been very close.
At least, they had been before.
But recently…
things had changed.
Suddenly, Makomo had become distant.
Of course, it was not only Makomo. Many others had changed too.
Nezuko naturally knew the reason.
It was because of his so-called identity as a demon.
Because of this, Nezuko was actually very angry on Soma's behalf. She did not think there was anything wrong with Soma being a demon.
So what if he was a demon?
Of course, Nezuko had nearly forgotten how frightened she had been when she first met Soma, who was indeed a demon.
But no matter what, Nezuko felt those people were going too far.
Although she understood everyone's hatred toward demons, they still should not act like this.
In any case, Nezuko felt deeply wronged for Soma.
Because of that, during this period, Nezuko had felt great heartache for him and always did her best to comfort him.
Nezuko did not actually welcome Makomo's arrival.
It was not because Makomo had once been very close to Soma, nor because there had been an ambiguous air between them. Although those things had also made Nezuko uncomfortable, as the lady of the house, she had already begun accepting Makomo in her heart.
She had even thought about how to handle her relationship with Makomo in the future.
The real reason Nezuko did not welcome Makomo was that after learning Soma was a demon, Makomo had distanced herself from him.
That made Nezuko quite angry.
In Nezuko's view, it was one thing for other people to act that way. But how could Makomo do the same?
Even so, although she had many complaints in her heart, Nezuko, who had not been a wife for very long, still hoped Makomo and Soma's relationship could return to how it had been before.
If the two of them truly fell into conflict, Soma probably would not be happy.
And Nezuko did not want to see Soma unhappy.
"I have been a little tired. There are many things to handle."
Makomo answered Nezuko softly. Her gaze lifted slightly and landed on Soma, who stood by the window. Then she lowered her head again and silently took small sips of hot tea.
Steam rose from the tea and brushed against Makomo's long, beautiful lashes. The green tea swayed gently, reflecting the girl's lovely eyes. Yet at this moment, those eyes were hazy, revealing the thoughts she carried in her heart.
Nezuko deliberately tried to chat with Makomo about a few more things. Seeing that Makomo did not seem very interested, she found an excuse and left.
Before leaving, Nezuko carefully closed the door tightly, giving the two of them enough privacy.
Nezuko knew that Makomo had probably come today to see Soma.
A beautiful girl staying alone with Soma in a private space, especially one who had once shared an ambiguous relationship with him, might lead to something happening.
For any woman, that would not be a comfortable thought.
Nezuko was naturally uncomfortable too.
But she wanted even more to see Soma and Makomo reconcile. She did not want their relationship to break apart and make Soma sad.
Overall, Nezuko had always been telling herself in her heart that she must become a good wife.
And in this place, in this era, being a good wife first meant ensuring harmony within the household and doing what should be done.
Most importantly, it meant continuing the family line and having flourishing descendants.
Nezuko, who had only recently become a woman, had been working hard to learn. She would also ask her mother, Kie Kamado, for guidance. She had always been trying hard to become a good wife.
A good wife to a demon.
After Nezuko left and closed the door tightly, the room suddenly became quiet.
Soma stood by the window, looking at the snow falling thickly outside.
Makomo sat beside the fireplace, watching the flames burn. Occasionally, the wood gave off a soft crackle as it burned. Aside from that, neither of them seemed to notice the other.
And yet, both of them understood without saying anything.
Soma knew Makomo had come today because of him.
Makomo also knew that Soma probably understood why she had come.
Although the truth was very hard to accept.
Still—
what had to be faced would have to be faced eventually.
Even if it would be painful.