Day of Thawing

An infinite number of spirits descend from the heavens... They fall silently, and gathered thickly upon me... That is when I awoke... Amongst the incessantly falling snow.

Welcome home, Tsukiha.

You know me? Who are you?

I'm Yukino. Tsukiha...do you remember? You came to this village before, when you were a child.

Your mother was a specter, yes? She was returning to her home village. And right here, a family of three made a snow woman together. Back then, they seemed like such a loving, happy family.

And at the very end... That snow woman watched silently as you smiled, and waved your hand. You said "see you again!" and left that place.

I...don't remember. I don't remember anything. Who are you?

That night...it snowed. All through the night, the snow just kept falling... It fell and fell, for what seemed like an eternity... A great many spirits fell from the sky, and gathered thickly upon that snow woman...

And when dawn came... That snow woman had become a young girl. Yes... I am that very same snow woman.

You're the snow woman from back then?!

I was waiting for you, Tsukiha. From that day until now... Because you smiled, waved your hand, and said "see you again."

Sigh...

Yukino?

You seem really down. What's wrong? Maybe I can lend an ear.

Thank you, Aldo.

A little while ago... I met the girl I've been wanting to meet again for so long.

You mean Tsukiha, right? I know you were really wishing for it. I'm glad you got to see her.

Yes. But...

I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but...

...?

Ooh, look! A visitor!

A visitor?

Sounds like there's a commotion over by the village entrance.

Let's go check it out.

(What was she about to say?)

Well, well!

What's going on, everyone? I heard there was a visitor...

Um...

Ah?!

Tsukiha! What brings you to Itoise?

A visit...

A visit?

When I came here before, I... I was unable to stay for long.

Circumstances interfered... And I was unable to speak properly with someone who had been awaiting my arrival for a very long time.

...!!!

I heard you call for me. It was you, was it not?

Oh...

Yes. Yes, it was. When you left, I...yes, that was me. I've been thinking about you ever since then. Calling you, in my heart. Maybe my power carried my wish through the air to where you could hear it.

I wanted to talk with you more. So much more. And now, here you are. You came back for me.

Yukino, Tsukiha...

Oh, but you must be exhausted. Let me show you to my house. I'll make some tea...and we can talk.

Oh, now, don't be such a wet blanket! Twilight Festival don't happen but once every now and again. Show the girl around, why don't ya now!

Oh...

The Twilight Festival?

O-oh, it's, um.

It's a festival where specters turn into human forms, walk around in human towns, and have fun.

It's the one day a year when we can mingle with humans and play, so it's something like a festival. And it ends at the hour of specters... Twilight, that is. So that's why we call it the Twilight Festival.

Huh, I've never heard of that! And today's the day? That's great.

Yes. But...

......

Y-Yukino?

(What's the matter? You're shaking like a leaf. Aren't you happy to see Tsukiha again?)

(Oh, Aldo... You have it totally backwards!!) (I-if I were to spend a whole day having fun at a festival with her, I would... I-I...) (I would totally melt away! I was already so warm inside just seeing that she'd come back home!!)

(Oh, right! When your heart gets warmed, you start melting!)

(Hold it together, Yukino! Stay cool!)

Phew... S-so, there you have it. I would love to, but I can't risk melting away in front of Tsukiha.

But are you sure? She came all this way because you called out to her, you know.

Urk! Mmm... You're right. I called to her, and now I'm trying to avoid her. That's just too much.

I've made up my mind, Aldo. Support me?

You bet.

Um, T-Tsukiha.

Yes? What is it?

Would you like to go to the festival? Together? With me?

But, I...

I would love to.

Gasp!

(Great going, Yukino!)

In that case... Let's go to my house first.

Hm? Understood.

Aldo, you stay here.

Huh? Okay.

They sure are taking a long time.

Thanks for waiting.

Wow, those clothes!

It is a festival, after all. I haven't worn this much at all... But I wanted to get dressed up. (Aaah!! Not at all? I've never worn this before, ever!) (I made these clothes myself to wear if Tsukiha ever came home! But I can absolutely never say that!)

I'm sorry to make you go along with me like this, Tsukiha. But, um... Y-you're, um... You're beautiful.

Think nothing of it. And, ah... Ahem. Your clothes suit you very well.

Gasp!

N-now, then. Where should we go first?

Well, everyone just goes wherever they want for the Festival.

But if it's food stalls we're after, I would recommend Nagsham. It's the most popular, every year.

I see. Then shall we go?

(I know you're working hard to resist melting, but loosen up a bit! Your whole face looks frozen!)

(I can't help it! I can either stay like this, or melt into a puddle in a blink! That's all I've got!)

......

Nagsham's bustling as always.

Though, it looks about the same as it always does. I don't see any specters around at all.

Right. But we can recognize each other.

I see specters patronizing the shops and stalls, enjoying food and music. What a strange sight.

Wow, that sounds great. And here I can't tell at all. Okay! Where should we go to start off, then?

Oh, um...

Ah...

Hm? What's up, you two?

Ah, well...

R-right. We should...all go together. That does sound...good. W-what do you think, Tsukiha?

Yes. I think that would be for the best.

Okay. Let's do that, then.

We came to enjoy the festival... Are they going to be okay?

(They're both so stiff. Or maybe distant?)

Wow, the beef manju are selling like, well, manju, today! Time to get another order going!

Hey, this crowd. Are they all...?

That's right, they're all specters. I guess beef manju are the new trend among them lately.

Have you ever had one?

M-me? No... I did hear about them and came to have a look, but something happened, so...no, not really.

I see. Then I will buy some.

Two beef manju.

Huh?! N-no, there's no need! I can pay for my own.

I know. I would like to pay anyway.

Here. It is hot, so be sure to blow on it and properly cool it down.

O-okay... Thank you, Tsukiha.

Phoo...phoo... Nom.

Ah!

Are you alright?! Open your mouth and let me see. Are you starting to melt anywhere?!

I-I'm fine, really. There's no need to worry...

No, this was a careless mistake. I should have blown on it myself before I handed it to you.

Sigh... What is the matter with me? Forgive me, Yukino.

T-Tsukiha?

No, I'm the one who should apologize. I didn't mean to worry you.

(What the heck?! Why are they both suddenly in such a slump?!) (And it sort of feels like they've both forgotten I'm here, too.)

It seems this bell-ringing game is the latest fad here in Nagsham.

Bell-ringing, is it? I have never tried it. I wonder if I could manage it.

O-oh, in that case... Let me give it a try first. (If I can help Tsukiha, even just a tiny little bit, then I'll give it my all!)

Go for it, Yukino!

Right. Okay. (Not that I've ever done it before myself, either!)

...Haaa!

...... O-one more time.

………………!!!

G-go for it, Yukino!

You can do it, Yukino.

......!!!!! (Tsukiha is cheering for me! I-I'm gonna melt...!!) (No, no, no, hold it together! I have to live up to her hopes! I have to...do this!!)

Haaa!!

You really went for it there.

Aww... I-I really tried, I promise! But I just...I couldn't do it.

...... I will avenge you.

Huh?!

Hmm...!

W-wow!

Hawawa... (I-I'm so embarrassed! She made it look so easy!!) (I-I want to melt away... I'm so sorry, Tsukihaaa!)

Oh, we can guess which cat will win first place! Who should I cheer for?

......

......

Huh? Um... Yukino says she thinks the cat in the back will win, I guess?

......

And...Tsukiha thinks the cat in front will win, but she's willing to bet on the other cat if Yukino wants?

......!

Um. Yukino says she's happy.

......!

Hey, you two, this is really awkward. Why are you having me ferry all your messages like this, again?

(This is no good! I'm so focused on not melting that I can't pay Tsukiha any attention at all!) (Forget talking to her, I can't even bring myself to look at her...) (Oh, I hope she's having fun... I just want to make her smile.)

(I-I can't even look at her face! Oh, no. What if she's bored?) (She's been acting weird all night. Oh, what am I even doing?)

......

Hey, uh...

...... Hey, you two. I'm gonna go check things out over there for a while.

Huh? But...

I'll just be a bit! Feel free to go around yourselves!

Oh...

There he goes.

Um, I, I...

S-sorry. You go first. Please.

No, by all means...

...... O-okay. Tsukiha, I...

Well, well, my, my. Hello there, ladies.

You two are both so cute. Are you friends? Or perhaps sisters?

No. We're...

Haha. I know. I know very well.

You two smell just the same...

What?! Get back, Tsukiha!

Got your shadow.

Yukino?!

Who are you?! What is this talk of shadows?!

How dare you!

Yukino! Are you alright?

Tsukiha... Yes, I'm alright. My body isn't being affected by her just yet. Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?

I am fine. Thanks to you.

Why did you cover me like that? This should never have happened. Not to you.

Haha. Do you really have to ask?

Because you're my dear girl.

......!

I will hunt down that specter. You wait here and rest.

I'm coming too. Please, Tsukiha. Don't leave me alone.

But...

There you are! What's going on?!

Yukino was attacked by a specter. Unless we chase her down quickly, Yukino will, !

What?! Okay, okay. Where'd she go?!

I can sense her presence on Vermilion Road. Stay here. I will deal with this myself!

Tsukiha!

I have no idea what's going on. But we're going after her, right?!

Of course! I won't let her go alone!

Where are you?! Show yourself!

Well, well. You have sharp senses. Welcome to my lair... Princess of the Land of Ro.

How do you know that?

I know. I know many things. The scent of power, the scent of blood. That's all I need to see it. Haha. That girl was precious to you, wasn't she? Poor thing. Poor, poor thing.

You... It is me you want, yes? And you used Yukino!

No, stepping on her shadow was indeed an accident. But it's what you might call a happy accident, for me. Shall we make a trade, Princess? I want your blood...that powerful, rich half-demon blood. Spill it upon me, and I will let the girl go free.

Is that all? A cheap price, and one I will pay willingly. Spare Yukino's life, and...

No! No, you can't!

You can't have Tsukiha's blood. I won't let you do anything that would diminish her or hurt her!

Yukino! This is my mistake to correct. And if it is to save you, then...

It's not yours! Sometimes bad things just happen to the people around you. Sometimes they just make mistakes! That's not for you to shoulder, and it's not for you to correct! Don't rush to sacrifice yourself!

Yukino...

I feel the same way you do. If it's to save you, then I don't care what happens to me.

So let's fight together, Tsukiha! You save me, and I'll save you! You're not alone, and neither am I!

......!

Together, then. Together, for both of us!

Take that!!

Yes! We did it!

Yukino, we did it! We defeated her! How are...how...

...No.

No, no... Yukino?!

Yukino... Yukino, answer me!! No, not again... To think you would leave me, too... It happened again. Once again, someone has given their life for mine, and left me behind...

I was selfish, Yukino. If I had just let you be, allowed you to live your life without my intrusion... If I had kept my distance, instead of wanting to grow closer, !

...... ...n...

...?

...No, Tsukiha!!

Huh?!

No, no, I'm sorry! I'm alive! I'm okay! I just melted, that's all!

"Just" melted? Is that not a serious problem?!

Noooo! That's not it! Really, I mean it, it's okay! Don't cry, Tsukiha! I just wanted so badly to make you smile, and then I was awkward and weird and awful! But you were so kind to me, and you said such warm and kind and wonderful things to me, and I just...! So, um, that's why! That's what happened to me!

I-I am afraid I do not understand. So your life is not in danger?

No, absolutely not! Definitely not! In fact, I'm so happy I could burst!

Aah...

So, um, sorry to cut in... But she really will be fine. I can tell you both have been through a lot, so why don't we go back to Itoise so you can talk more?

R-right. That sounds like a good idea. Would that be okay, Tsukiha? I want to...I want to talk to you properly, in my own words.

Yes. There are some things I wish to say as well, so that is a fine idea.

You too? Okay. Then let's go back to Itoise.

Well, you'll have to go back to human form before we can.

Oh...!

(Thank goodness Aldo stepped out to give us some space.)

I'm sorry for scaring you, Tsukiha. You see, the thing about me is that, ...

I see... So when your heart is warmed, metaphorically speaking, you melt away, literally speaking.

Yes. So that's why I was trying my best to play it cool. But, um. The truth is, even just seeing that you'd come to visit almost made me melt right on the spot. That's why I was being so awkward during the festival, too. I was trying to hide how I felt...

We truly are just the same.

Huh?

The truth is, I was also having trouble managing myself. I had decided that... Well, that I must comport myself as your mother, as would be proper.

Huh?! M-my mother?!

Yes. After all, I was the one who made you, that day. I believed that made me your mother, from a certain point of view, and I was determined to behave accordingly. But even so, I left you here... and I had never come to see you. You have only ever supported me, and I have done nothing for you. Thus, I thought...today, at least, I would do my best to give you fond memories to cherish. And yet...

I have no knowledge of what makes a good mother. I fear it is something beyond me.

Tsukiha.

Thank you. For thinking of me... For going so far for my sake. ...But I don't want you to be my mother, Tsukiha.

Ah...

Tsukiha. I...want to make a promise with you.

A promise?

I...

I will never let you be lonely. No matter what happens, I will never leave your side. Would you promise me that? Not as parent and child, but as your dearest companion.

......!

You made me, Tsukiha. Unlike every other snowman, I'll never melt for good.

And I'm sure the reason for that, the reason I will never melt, is so I can be with you forever. I'm sure of it.

So long as I'm with you, I promise I'll never make you go through anything like that again. Okay? So... Won't you please take my hand?

But... Yukino. Anyone close to me, they...

Tsukiha. I want to know how you truly feel... What you truly want to do. So, before you bury your truth, before you shrink and fade away... Please let me hold you.

......

I...

I... want to... With you...

I know. Thank you, Tsukiha. Thank you for trusting me with you.

From now on, I'll help you carry all the bad things. You don't have to bear them alone anymore. I promise you.

...No.

Not just the bad things. All the good things, too. Half of everything I am. And not just for me, either. When you feel lonely, or when bad things happen to you... Then you will have me there, to hold your hand tightly. To support you. That is what I want.

Tsukiha...

Haha...yes. Yes, yes, a thousand times... I promise! I promise, Tsukiha!

...Aaah! Oh no, I can't do it! I'm melting...I'm totally melting!!

Yu...

Yukinooooooo!