My Girlfriend Is Cute – Winter Comes Striding In
Winter had come striding in. Time flowed on relentlessly, and before they knew it, December was already upon them. Cold wind slipped through their collars in gentle flurries. The sunlight felt warm yet faintly chilling, and beneath the clear blue sky, a held breath turned to white vapor rising like smoke. It was the very first snow of the season.
Carlyle had been alone in his room, sipping hot tea, when he messaged someone—and together, they watched the first snow fall.
‘Twas a pretty good time.
They'd been dating often lately. They'd caught a movie at the theater in the suburbs, then held hands and walked for what felt like forever. He still vividly remembered sitting on a bench near the park, lost in each other's faces. His cute girlfriend, Bianca Shama, had a nose red as Rudolph's. Foggy breaths escaped with little hohos, her cheeks faintly flushed, yet she never left his side.
Ever since their first date at the Churauni Large Aquarium—and especially after that night—their bond felt even stronger. Their distance had converged to zero. They'd always been close, but now there was no hesitation at all; they were utterly at ease with each other. Fingers interlocked, shoulders brushing. Just being like that made them chuckle softly.
In the cold winter landscape, the two clung tightly, sharing their warmth.
“A bit cold, though...?”
At her words, Carlyle gathered his hands and breathed warm air onto them. Then he cupped her soft cheeks, from ears to jawline.
“How's this?”
A faintly flushed face replied.
“...Warm. Very.”
They gazed deeply into each other, then finally pressed their lips together. The touching lips felt too hot, too moist; they overlapped softly again and again. Beneath the crimson glow of the streetlamp, in the cool winter air. The delicate butterfly kisses they shared as their bodies met would be unforgettable for life.
His girlfriend Bianca was so cute and pretty, and so affectionate too. She accepted all of him because she was that kind. Carlyle loved that about her. The way her amethyst eyes wavered only for him, the way her usually sharp gaze softened in shyness, the way her small, soft body flung itself into his arms—everything about her filled his heart to the brim.
“Ah, Carlyle—!”
A clear, bright voice like a spring breeze wrapping around the frigid winter air. That's how it felt to Carlyle. Someone came running dododo, cute as a rabbit spotting a radish. Was she really that happy to see him? He worried for a second she might slip on the snow and tumble.
Bianca Shama had a knack for clumsiness, after all. And sure enough, his prediction held true.
“Wha—ahh...!”
She nearly fell but ended up buried in Carlyle's sturdy arms.
“Ah, thanks...”
“Thanks? For what.”
Carlyle chuckled.
“Why can't you be less of a scatterbrained girl?”
She puffed her cheeks at his teasing scold. Then came an unexpected retort.
“...That's why. You said you'd stay by my side forever.”
Her face flushed pink. Girlfriend or not, Bianca's cuteness left Carlyle speechless. Isn't that enough? Huh? Huh? Her eyes pleaded. That shy glance, those faintly flushed cheeks—they stole his gaze. In the end, he rubbed his face dry and nodded slightly.
“Kook—”
A laugh rang out. Only then did Carlyle realize he'd been had.
“You thought you'd gotten me?”
She poked his elbow, grinning. Even her playful smile was femininely cute, utterly lovable. Carlyle naturally chuckled back.
“You've grown a lot, my girlfriend.”
She used to get flustered or annoyed at lines like that. Or maybe she was reacting to the word girlfriend itself. Her fingers fidgeted, slowly interlocking with his. She ducked her head slightly, revealing reddened earlobes.
“...Hmph. Only once or twice, y'know.”
Bianca wore the white fur hat Carlyle had bought her last weekend. Soft white fur, with long auburn locks spilling beside it, and a thick red puffer jacket below. A sidelong glance caught her expectant eyes. Knowing what she wanted today too, he obliged.
“Very pretty today, as always.”
Her ears reddened further. Probably not from the cold.
Bianca mumbled, lips twitching, then spoke up toward him.
“...Y-you too.”
Meaning handsome, I like it. Carlyle chuckled, leading her small hand along. Lately, they always went to school together. Fingers interlocked, steps in sync.
“Career counseling today, right?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Must've snowed a ton over the weekend.”
The whole city was blanketed in pretty white purity. People in thick clothes hurried along. Amid it all, the two smiled at each other, chatted away, and walked the snowy path. The air was cold, but their hearts were incredibly warm.
At long last, the end was in sight. The long school life was drawing to a close. Black short hair, sharp golden eyes. Tall, masculine features. Carlyle had no idea what his face looked like right now. It just didn't feel real.
“Good work, Carlyle.”
The homeroom teacher smiled. In this private space, it was just him and her.
They'd done counseling every semester, sure.
“The final counseling at last—!”
But her clapping words brought the reality crashing down.
‘It's really ending...’
Lost in thought, Carlyle didn't react. The teacher looked flustered.
“Um, Carlyle. You don't feel great...?”
“Ah, it's...”
Carlyle Schultz answered.
“...Doesn't feel real.”
Seeing her still awkward, he confessed honestly.
“...Kinda got a lot on my mind.”
Only after saying it did he wonder why, pulling a face. Maybe because he'd been wrestling with it deeply lately. At least this teacher felt like a real adult. He'd known her a semester, and she was kind, thoughtful—not stuffy. Maybe that's why he figured she'd listen seriously.
“Hmm, I see.”
She tilted her head, then smiled.
“Makes sense. But you don't need to worry, Carlyle.”
Who could blame him? His grades were top of St. Antiope Academy—overall first place. His report card was in her hands.
“With these, you can get into any college you want.”
That was the problem. It didn't feel real. He'd worked tirelessly, of course. Orphaned, raised in an orphanage. All he ever yearned for was a stable haven, a family with someone he loved. That burning desire to have it someday drove him.
‘...I've got nothing.’
Mature for his age, Carlyle Schultz had known it since childhood. At fifteen, he left the orphanage on his own, trying every job under the sun. Days working, nights studying. Some days he thought he'd drop dead. That's how hard he pushed. Luckily, his brain backed it up with results.
But now, facing this massive life crossroads, he hesitated. He'd always wanted to grow up fast, even priding himself as already adult deep down.
‘But I...’
Ironic. Meeting Bianca Shama—a woman who could make his dreams real—had shifted his thinking.
“...Can I really do it?”
He was still immature. Not yet an adult. Lately, he'd pictured a future with Bianca. Her as wife, him as husband. Navigating life together. He knew the weight of that responsibility. In that future, he had to succeed. No compromises.
[So, take responsibility.]
To keep his promise to that tearful Bianca clinging to him. To honor telling her to stay worry-free by his side. He had to make it work. The pressure wasn't nothing.
He had to keep it in mind from now on, strive for that future, to grasp happiness for both. Couldn't burden her. This hard-won bond—he wanted to cherish it, make her happy. Couldn't let her regret choosing him.
She was raised preciously, loved. You could tell just watching. But would her parents—Maximilian and Emma Shama—accept an orphan like him? Would he seem unworthy? If so, what efforts? Yeah, he worried.
Ironic—he only recognized his flaws after falling in love. He'd spilled it all unwittingly. The smiling teacher spoke.
“Hmm, probably. From what I've seen, you'll do great.”
Of course he had doubts; certainty was too much to ask.
“Your worries aren't weird. You're young, immature—that's normal.”
Old Carlyle might've bristled. Orphanage days, he hated that talk. But now? He couldn't deny it.
“I know your situation... You've done well so far. Have some faith in yourself?”
Cautious advice. Maybe he'd craved an adult's words, confirmation. Who knew. Worries he couldn't share with Bianca—wanted to seem reliable to her. And there was another reason for his fretting.
“Thank you, Teacher.”
His resolve firmed. Deep down, Carlyle Schultz already knew the answer.
“The best college for my grades, then...”
The talk continued. She counseled seriously.
“But Carlyle, have you looked into it fully?”
He had, of course. Might mean time apart from Bianca.
“It requires a mandatory study abroad program.”
“Yes. I know.”
He steeled himself. ‘Still future stuff, but...’
He wouldn't shy from the best path to success. The nation's top science university, gathering elite talents.
“Fail, and you might not graduate.”
“That too, I know.”
Challenges for success carry risks. He'd known since childhood. His head knew it'd be tough, hence the hesitation. But he could do it. Had to. With Bianca by his side, he would.
“Good, that's the spirit. Our academy's top talent needs that confidence.”
The homeroom teacher laughed. Carlyle's application was thus finalized.
My girlfriend is cute. And pretty too. More than that, kind and affectionate. She looks only at me. Surely thinks of me as much as I do her. Lately, Carlyle brimmed with energy. Even exhausted from work, thinking of Bianca brought a smile. On breaks, opening his phone showed a photo: cute fisted pose, or rarely, a desperate expression.
-Cheer up today!
The ever-present texts drew a chuckle. No exaggeration—her messages alone energized him. So today too, he finished work smoothly.
“Good job, Carlyle.”
“See you, Manager.”
Today's cocktail bar Milliore in the city wrapped up its evening rush triumphantly. The manager grinned ear-to-ear over female customers packing the place. They both knew why. He was the busiest server, always turning down photo requests.
-Got a girlfriend.
The women pouted but kept coming.
“That said...”
A sudden voice. Carlyle, changed and heading out, paused.
“Yes, Manager?”
“Your girlfriend ever get jealous?”
To the manager, they seemed hopelessly smitten. The young, handsome part-timer always brought homemade lunch. First sight shocked her—dainty, heartfelt, varied sides. Must've taken effort; she figured his girlfriend fussed over him. But daily, without fail. She saw him glued to his phone on breaks, that cold handsome face softening with faint smiles.
“Girlfriend like that? Worth being jealous over.”
He laughed heartily, teasing. Carlyle smiled faintly.
“That's why I don't bring her.”
She'd been nagging to visit lately. He'd been sweating to dissuade her.
“Ahh, gotcha?”
Both men laughed.
“Anyway, head home safe.”
“Yes, Manager.”
His steps lightened leaving the shop. Home was right, but his feet turned left naturally.
-On my way now.
Work ended early; great mood.
-Already?
Instant reply, flustered vibe.
-Walk slower! Please!
Easy to guess why. Bianca was practicing makeup lately. He'd laughed once— it was awkward.
-Why makeup all sudden? Never unless dates.
He teased knowingly. Got his side pinched, inevitably. But cute. Wanting to look pretty for boyfriend him—adorable. Chuckling slowed his steps. Wanted to hug her ASAP, but request was request.
Lately, post-work, Carlyle headed straight to Bianca's. Return lunchbox, hug that soft body—only then felt the day done. Phone calls weren't enough. That all-fatigue-vanishing hug? Irresistible.
So tonight too, under streetlights, before Bianca's house. Spotting each other, faint smiles, arms around one another.
“Ah, Carlyle...!”
Spotting him, she ran and hugged. His nose caught sweet fresh fruit and her scent. Cold winter with foggy breaths, but hugging? Warm.
“Lunchbox didn't get too cold...?”
A whine. Head buried in his long coat, her slender fingers tracing his chest slowly. Cute dependence; Carlyle smiled, hugging her tight with strong arms, chuckling whispers.
“Nah, not really.”
“I could bring it. Lunchtime means it'll cool.”
“No need.”
A tiny tch in his ear.
“Wanna go there.”
“Hm? Where?”
“Your work. Thinking of visiting once.”
Instead of words, he kissed her forehead.
“S-cold out.”
Best deflection. Too cute; couldn't hold back.
“Can I come in?”
Her house, obviously. She knew the implication. Breath from her embrace felt hot. After hesitation, she nodded.
“...Yeah, sure.”
That night, they shared a very warm one. Beyond warm—scorching, maybe. Embracing bodies, feeling each other's heat.
“...Tired, me.”
“Say you love me.”
“...Said it earlier.”
Her shy face pleased him reasonlessly; hugging more proved it an undeniably warm winter.