In winter, she confirms her love.
In winter, she confirms her love.
After I took Rina in the warehouse.
I often ran into her as she was learning how to manage a household.
And every time that happened, Rina would blush and always avoid my gaze. Because of that, various rumors started to stick to us, and I couldn't bring myself to face Noel.
Honestly, it felt good, too.
Even though I tried to brush it off, the sight of Rina disheveled in the warehouse wasn't something easily forgotten...
It was deeply embedded in my heart as winter arrived.
Meanwhile, unlike the peaceful Raul, Rina and Noel continued to meet, awkward yet fresh.
Whenever Noel met Rina, he would think of her disheveled face and Raul.
And whenever Rina held hands with Noel or shared a hug with him, she would recall that sweet scent and the hot body temperature that hadn't even flinched in the cold wind.
That was why Rina was more anxious than anyone, and guilt remained deep in her heart.
Rina smiled at Noel more than before, craving his love even more, and clung to his arms to the point of obsession.
That alone wasn't enough.
The addictive scent.
The body temperature that left her feeling empty if they weren't touching.
Like pouring water into a bottomless jar, no matter how much she covered it with Noel's love, it wouldn't be filled...
Difficult days passed by, and eventually, Rina made a big decision. She took a bottle of alcohol she had received from her parents and went to find Noel.
"Noel... um... is it okay if I sleep over today...?"
On that day when his parents were away, she entered the house with a flushed face, breathing a little roughly, holding the bottle of alcohol in her arms as if it were precious.
Noel was happy. Because her coming to him like this now meant she loved him that much.
However, the more deeply Rina clung to him, strangely, Noel thought of Raul.
Because he saw the fact that she was trying so hard—as if to forget Raul—rather than the fact that Rina wanted him.
Even so, he smiled and let her into the house. Because he felt he would know for sure once this night passed.
Friendly conversation flowed.
What they were doing these days.
What they enjoyed, and so on. As they exchanged trivial talk and both became pleasantly flushed, they reached a distance where they could feel each other's excited breath.
Without anyone saying who started it, they kissed.
It was only for a moment that their lips just bumped together; Noel clumsily and slowly mixed his tongue to match Rina, who had started it first.
When they pulled away, a silver thread between Rina and Noel was illuminated by the room's lamp, looking as if they were holding a pearl necklace in each other's mouths.
They were dazed by the provocative sight for a moment, but it was Rina who moved first.
Rina laid Noel down on the floor and climbed on top of him.
Noel could only watch, swallowing dryly at her proactive demeanor.
He couldn't even think to move first.
He was frozen for a moment.
Perhaps Rina was determined to go all the way, as her hands were unhesitating as she stripped off Noel's top and pants.
Soon, Noel was stripped down to his underwear.
Seeing beyond the underwear, Rina smiled. Fortunately, a cute rod was standing tall, proving that he was excited for her, as if it were declaring, "I'm here."
Before long, Rina also undressed, revealing her perfectly plump breasts.
"It's not weird, is it...?"
She said shyly, as if lacking confidence.
Rina's breasts were of a moderate size, neither too small nor too big.
They were shaped beautifully, like the soft, round rice cakes her parents would sometimes buy when they came back from the city.
And those two little beans with a slight light pink hue looked like they would taste incredibly sweet if one were to lick them.
"You're very beautiful... Rina..."
Rina took Noel's hand, which was just watching without daring to touch as if she were precious, and led it to her breasts.
"Don't just look... touch me... If it's you, Noel... ungh..."
When Noel's soft hand touched.
When it touched Rina's soft breasts.
The two trembled as if they had been slightly electrocuted.
Because it felt so good that the person she loved was touching her body.
Just the touch was enough to make her feel a light climax.
Unable to hold back any longer, Rina lifted her hips, showing her soaked private parts to Noel, and with slender fingers, she grabbed Noel's rod and slowly, carefully lowered her hips.
Zpuk.
"Ah... ah... ah..."
She worried that Noel might be disillusioned by her lewd appearance, but Noel was still looking at her as if she were lovely.
His eyes, filled with affection, brought her satisfaction.
"Rina... augh... ah... it's warm... and... it feels good..."
"Yeah... Noel, me too... I can feel you so well, Noel... hng..."
After feeling the lingering sensation for a moment, Rina moved her hips.
"Augh... s-sorry... Rina...!"
Byubuk...
"Ugh... ah..."
It was only a single movement.
With just that one time, Noel ended up ejaculating.
Then, completely exhausted, he lay where he was, breathing roughly.
Perhaps it was because they loved each other so much.
So, wasn't it unavoidable?
Rina thought so.
"Noel... can you move...?"
"Yeah... sorry... Rina... I'm... physically weak..."
"No, it's not. I felt good enough, didn't I?"
"Rina...!"
Seeing Rina smiling brightly, Noel hugged her, and Rina also happily held Noel in her arms.
They went to the bedroom and ended their short night.
Jjigeuk jjigeok...
"Hoo... hoo... haa... haa... ungh..."
Beside the completely sleeping Noel, she, who had ended with incomplete combustion, comforted herself with her fingers, telling herself it was just because it was the first time and it couldn't be helped.
She was disappointed in herself.
She hated herself.
And she was sorry.
Even with such a lovely person beside her, she still wasn't filled.
"Hng... ugh... ah-ah... haa... hoo..."
After the combustion was completely finished.
She sat up and looked at Noel.
Noel was asleep, knowing nothing.
Rina looked down at his beautiful face for a long time.
I'm sorry.
The words she couldn't say aloud hovered in the back of her throat.
Even so, it was strange.
Even though she was holding Noel in her arms, the sensation of the arms that had taken her in the warehouse wouldn't be erased.
As if it were natural.
The sensation that had remained from long ago continued to torment her body.
That night, Rina confirmed for sure that she loved Noel.
And at the same time, she realized.
That there are body temperatures that cannot be erased by love alone.
The next morning.
Noel woke up to the sound of birds chirping.
Beside him, his childhood friend, with whom he had spent a beautiful night, was fast asleep.
Noel gently tidied her hair, which hadn't been properly arranged.
And for a moment, he recalled the previous night.
Her appearance, as if she were a thirsty traveler being chased, craving water from a deep well, seeking love and chasing carnal desire.
"....I love you, Rina."
There were many things that caught his eye, and things he wanted to ask, but he couldn't.
No.
It would be more accurate to say he turned his head away.
The love confirmed on a winter day was more bitter than he thought.
For both of them.
After the winter night's love ended, time flowed again.
Leaving behind an ominous seed.
Hans's house.
"Damn it, kid! I told you to sprinkle more salt!"
"Alright, uncle... stop yelling..."
"Oh, you brat! What are you going to do if the meat rots!"
Anyway, that old man has so much energy...
"Ugh... I'm going for a walk..."
"Just go hunting from now on. You can boil stew for months, so why are you so bad at salting meat... Sigh..."
"Tsk..."
After getting scolded like that, I left the uncle's house and went for a walk in the village.
The village had snow piled up on every roof, and the roads were covered in snow so thick the ground couldn't be seen.
"It's white."
Seeing the surroundings all white.
I feel like something has become even darker.
And for a while now....
"Why are you hiding there? Did you do something wrong?"
"Hee-hit?!"
A figure fell, leaving a large mark in the snow with a dumbfounded sound.
I went to where they fell.
When I lifted the nape of their neck.
A brown sable was lifted, eyes wide open.
"Whoa, look at that glare. Where did you leave your husband and why are you walking alone?"
"....Hmph."
This has been the state lately. Even when I pull myself together and approach them.
Noel smiles awkwardly and distances himself.
Rina blushes and keeps her mouth shut.
Thud.
"Sigh, fine, whatever. Go. Next time I catch you, I won't let you go, sable?"
"Ugh..."
I let go of the nape I was holding carefully and brushed the snow off her clothes, but this girl, whether she's sulking or what, doesn't even answer with a pouty face.
The cheeky thing.
"When a person talks to you, answer them. Seriously."
"Ugh... hoo..."
Has she really become a sable?
She doesn't speak, only making strange crying sounds.
"There, all brushed off, go on!"
Whack!
"Hiccup!"
When I playfully tapped her back to tell her to go.
Rina showed a reaction I'd never seen before.
I don't know how to describe it.
Should I say it was a bit lewd?
Anyway, dark thoughts entered my mind again, so I scratched my head and tried to leave.
Grab.
Until she grabbed me.
"Hoo... you, look at me for a second..."
"....? Are you sick? Now that I look at you again, you're incredibly red..."
With her rough breathing, and the heat I felt from the hand I brought close.
Making my worry seem pointless, her hand, which was holding my hand, was gripping it with a lot of strength.
"Hoo... I'm fine, so... let's go to the stable... follow me... quickly...!"
"Hey...!"
Rina, who was taking Raul away recklessly.
Raul, who was flustered but let himself be dragged by Rina.
They thought only the two of them were heading to the stable.
But fate is something that always follows most quietly at the worst moment.
Behind them, there was one more gaze.
Beautifully shining blue eyes.