I ended up living together with the school's number one beauty who rejected me even though I hadn't confessed to her, but why are her beautiful sisters aiming to steal my virginity?

Life is an unending winter…

It was the catchphrase of ‘Sensei,’ the owner of this house who had taken care of me until recently. Like me, she had lost her parents at a young age and endured difficult days.

Sensei was just like… no, she had a much more pessimistic personality than me.

She lived as a poet rather than a novelist. Living in a house like this, she probably didn’t make much money. Nevertheless, she took me in when I had nowhere else to go and taught me many things.

…But when ‘Sensei’ died, I couldn’t cry.

It was the day of the high school entrance ceremony, and ‘Sensei,’ unusually, saw me off as I left. She roughly patted my head, saying, “Do your best,” and even though it was somewhat ticklish… I was happy.

I thought of working part-time, earning money, and treating her to something delicious. It was an uncharacteristically serious thought for me. However, when I returned home after the entrance ceremony, ‘Sensei’… was sleeping.

I later learned that she had a serious illness. …But ‘Sensei’ had a very peaceful expression when she died. Although she usually wore a cold face that seemed to have given up on everything, her face in death was strangely calm.

In front of the unfinished manuscript, as if dreaming of something joyful, ‘Sensei’ left this world.

“…..”

Perhaps it was because I had caught a cold and was weak. I wanted to see her again. Even in a dream, I didn’t mind. I strongly wanted to hear her cold words again.

…But that ‘Sensei’ would never allow such dependence.

So, I woke up as if it were a matter of course.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

“…It’s still evening.”

Suppressing the throbbing pain in my head, I raise my body.

“…I kept thinking about her, maybe that was the reason I had a dream like that?”

The manuscript of a poem Sensei wrote just before dying. I had forgotten to put it away, and it was left on my study desk.

‘Loneliness is life. Solitude is fate. Loneliness evokes an unending winter. Loneliness silently, quietly piles up. No matter how much it accumulates, snow remains cold. And—’

The poem ended there. So, I’ll never know what words come after this ‘And’ for eternity.

…But that’s precisely why I had thought of writing those words someday. It might not repay the favor, but if Sensei’s last task remained incomplete, she might not find peace for a long time.

“Well, I don’t have the luxury to think about that now.”

This morning, when I woke up, my body felt incredibly heavy.… Well, I got soaked in the rain yesterday and my body temperature dropped drastically. Catching a cold wouldn’t be surprising.

So, I quickly contacted the school and informed them about my leave and then decided to spend the day sleeping.

“I thought one could cure a cold by sleeping, but it’s not getting any better.”

As time passes, my body and head become heavier. I’m weakened to the point where I recall about Sensei in my dreams, who was like a parent to me.

“I should eat something… but there’s nothing in the fridge. But I don’t have the energy to go to the nearby supermarket.”

So, I gave up and decided to eat the cup ramen I stocked up on during the sale. Thinking that, I reach for the shelf under the kitchen.

…But right at that moment, the sound of an incoming call from my smartphone interrupted me in my tracks, indicating an incoming call.

“Midori-nee?”

I muttered and answered the phone hesitatingly.

“Hello. What’s wrong, Midori—”

“Are you okay, Nazuna-kun?! Are you going through a tough time alone? It’s okay; I absolutely won’t leave you alone! I will never let Nazuna go through hardship alone!”

“…No, Midori-nee. Calm down for now. You don’t need to worry so much; it’s just a cold.”

To Midori-nee’s overbearing tone, which seems like I might die, I let out a light sigh.

“It’s just a cold, but it’s tough when you’re alone! I don’t want Nazuna-kun to go through a hard time anymore! So, I’m coming to your house right now!”

“…Thanks, Midori-nee. You’re really kind.”

Now, in my weakened state with a cold, I feel like I might seriously fall for her if she continues to be so kind.

“But it’s okay. I’m going to be fine. I just have a cold, after all.”

“But I’m worried. When you have a cold, anyone would feel lonely. I don’t want Nazuna-kun to be alone…”

Her voice, more mournful than my being sick, penetrates.… It’s the first time someone has worried about me like this, and I feel like crying a little.

“Thanks for worrying. But I’m really fine.… Oh, by the way, I have one favor to ask when I’m better, is that okay?”

“Anything! Just tell me! I’ll do anything for Nazuna-kun!”

Actually, just hearing those words is enough for me. But Midori-nee was expecting something, so I voiced my request.

“When I recover from this cold, can you hug me again like before?… Is that okay?”

“…Of course! I’ll hug you for an hour, two hours, or as long as you want! I’ll keep hugging and comfort you!”

“…Thanks. I’m looking forward to it. So, I’m going to sleep now. I’m happy to hear your voice. Really, thank you.”

Saying that, I hung up the phone.

“I feel a little bit better for some reason.”

Midori-nee treats me kindly, like a real older sister, even at school. I’m always alone at school, so Midori-nee’s kindness is genuinely heartwarming.

“…..”

But even Midori-nee occasionally looks into the distance as if reminiscing a past memory. As if she’s about to head into a deadly place, there are times when she gazes at the green bracelet on her arm.

…There must be a secret.

“I forgot. I need to boil water.”

Muttering as if switching my thoughts, I poured water into the old pot… Honestly, I’m not in the mood for cup ramen, but if I don’t eat anything, I won’t get better anytime soon. So, I resigned myself and placed the pot on the gas stove.

…But then, the chime rings indicating that there was someone on the door? Why would anyone visit this shabby place anyways?

“..…”

For some reason, I remembered yesterday’s event.

Soft, cold lips. Slightly blushing cheeks. Thin, light blue underwear visible because of the rain. I remember being kissed by Hiiragi Akanе and the words she spoke at that time clearly.

“Just a little contact with the lips and I’m so conscious like this. I’m an idiot.”

I muttered and, dragging my heavy body, headed toward the entrance.

And there, she was.

“…..Who?”

Her long, jet-black hair was as clear as the night of a new moon. A slender figure exuding elegance. A girl resembling a Japanese doll looked straight at me and spoke.

“My name is Suou Renka, nice to meet you, Nazuna Haimiya.”

“…No, who are you? Is this some kind of solicitation?”

No solicitation had ever come to this dilapidated house in the middle of the mountains. But she must be someone related to them. With that decision, I closed the door.

“Wait, wait, wait! Why are you closing the door?”

“Well, I have a cold, and I don’t have the energy to deal with solicitations right now.”

“No, that’s not it! I did not come to solicit. Or rather, to a run-down… I apologize. To a house with such charm, there’s no way solicitors would come, right?”

“…Then what are you here for?”

When I asked that, the girl— Renka —coughed once as if to restart, and with theatrical gestures, opened her mouth.

“Once again, My name is Renka Suou. Nice to meet you, Nazuna Haimiya.”

“Ah, starting over from there…. But why do you know my name?”

“Well, that’s obvious. I’ve been watching you for a long time.”

“No, I don’t understand… “

A girl this conspicuous, you would never forget seeing her once…. But no matter how much I searched my memories, I couldn’t recall ever meeting her.

“I won’t allow you to say you forgot. It’s about my passionate love letter.”

“…Ah.”

Hearing those words, I remembered. Oh, right. On the day I first met Akane Hiiragi. I received a love letter. So, I had been waiting at that place for someone to come.

“I completely forgot.”

“W-Well, you forgot… Haah, it’s fine. Let’s just let that slight rudeness slide.”

“But, in the first place, you… Renka-san didn’t come to that place, did you?”

“…That couldn’t be helped. After all, the person I called out to confess to was rejected by another girl. How could I face him without knowing how to leave?”

“…..”

Certainly, that might be the case.

“Sorry. I forgot about your love letter, that was really rude.”

“It’s fine. I don’t care about the past.”

Renka-san waved her long hair and grinned.

“…So? Why did you come all the way here today? You didn’t come to redo the confession, did you?”

“…Who knows. Well, redoing the confession here wouldn’t be bad, but I don’t enjoy taking advantage of someone in a weakened state.”

Renka-san distanced herself from me for a moment and looked up at the sky as if bathing in the sunlight. Then, with another theatrical gesture, she slowly spoke.

“Hey, Nazuna Haimiya. Would you like to leave this run-down house and come to my place? …Because you have a talent that is second to none.e”

At Renka-san’s abrupt words, I couldn’t say anything…. But instead, the trees swaying in the wind made a rustling sound, as if to say something in response.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : Zenon#4120