With the new year, it's as if many things undergo some kind of change.
For example, in terms of age, you are certainly more mature than the previous year. And also, the stories between men and women.
When he woke up in the morning, Hakushi felt a bit of an itch in his nose, and the room had a slight chill.
He looked out the window, and saw something delicate falling in the world outside; it turned out to be light snow.
Although he wasn't keen on getting out of bed, he braved the cold air to turn on the heater inside the room, and then returned to the warm blankets.
Just like last night, Hakushi's hands began to misbehave, slipping under Ruri's arms to gently caress her.
In her deep sleep, Ruri let out a small, discontented hum, seemingly not liking to be controlled by a man, curling up like a cat in protest.
Ruri probably hadn't slept enough yet, so after teasing her for a while, Hakushi gave up.
For some reason, just by holding each other like this, his heart would suddenly calm down.
Any restlessness or apprehension in his heart would dissipate.
His chest pressed tightly against Ruri's back, his hands placed firmly on her chest and abdomen.
By all means, he mustn't let this woman, whose body brings warmth to him in his embrace, grow cold.
Hakushi had told himself this more than once, then he fell asleep again with Ruri.
When he awoke again, it was already noon.
Hakushi noticed that Ruri had already left his embrace and was sitting beside the pillow.
"It's snowing."
"Yes, it is."
Outside, there was the gentle pattering sound of wind and snow against things.
Ruri was wearing the pale blue kimono outerwear from last night's festival; aside from this, she wore no other clothing.
The kimono lacked a belt, draped casually over her, exposing skin with a rosy hue as she faced Hakushi.
Ruri felt the room was somewhat dim, so she walked to the balcony, pulling the curtains aside to let light flood in.
In Ruri's view, the delicate white snow swirled and fell diagonally outside, like white arrows, disappearing as they passed.
Outside was a world of silver and white.
The trees and lanterns in the courtyard were covered in white snow.
At the edges of the window, droplets had turned to ice, yet with the heater in the room, no cold could be felt inside.
Hakushi stared blankly at all of this, the north wind, the white snow, the girl in scant clothing, all of it so natural, dreamlike to the point of being suffocating.
It made up a most exquisite scene, perhaps even an artist's brush wouldn't capture it.
There was an extreme allure to it.
Hakushi's heart surged, he suddenly asked, "Would you like some sake?"
"It's cold, isn't it?"
"It feels a bit cold at first in the mouth, but warms up once it's in the stomach."
After coming to this world, Hakushi rarely touched alcohol.
Even if he did, it was in small sips.
Yet for some reason, at this moment, he suddenly craved a drink.
Ruri did not reply, so Hakushi took it as assent.
He took out a long-cherished sake from the cabinet, and brought out the utensils.
Ruri's clothing, as if to tempt Hakushi, still wasn't fastened with a belt; maybe she wasn't even aware of how fatal her appearance was to a man at this moment.
They clinked glasses, drank heartily, and felt cheerful.
The heater made the room's temperature comfortable, adding to the warm and cozy atmosphere.
Ruri's slightly tipsy cheeks flushed with a soft redness, and her eyes shimmered like flames, exuding tenderness.
As Hakushi said, it felt a bit cold when first tasted, since it wasn't warmed, but the warmth was there after drinking.
Afterwards, everything just happened naturally.
...
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After the New Year's holiday, everything returned to normal order.
The ninjas who had leisurely spent the New Year began their work for the new year.
The end of January is the bitterly cold period, the coldest time marked on the calendar.
The snow hadn't stopped falling.
Entering the snowy Ninja School, today marked the first day of classes after this year's New Year's break.
Before he reached the office, he saw Shizune standing there in the hallway.
"Good afternoon, Shizune."
Hakushi approached and greeted.
"Hmm."
Seeing Hakushi greet her, Shizune gave a small huff, turning her head to the side, appearing unwilling to respond to him.
Hakushi smiled awkwardly, understanding why Shizune was so angry with him. After all, on the night of the New Year's festival, he had completely forgotten about her, leaving her waiting till midnight.
It was only normal for her to hold a big grudge against him.
"I'm really sorry for last time, here, this is an apology gift."
Hakushi presented the gift he'd prepared beforehand to Shizune, a delicate gift box containing his apology gift for her.
Shizune's face finally softened somewhat as she accepted the apology without reservation.
"If you do this again next time, I really will get angry, Hakushi-senpai."
Even after accepting the apology, Shizune's tone still held dissatisfaction.
"Haha, I'll be more careful."
Hakushi scratched his head with a laugh.
If there really is a next time, that would be great.
If there isn't a next time, then not adhering doesn't seem wrong.
I truly am a genius.
"Is Tsunade-sensei inside?"
"She'll be here soon."
"Where did she go?"