──It was one winter when I met you.

It was during the winter season; I had gone hiking on a whim. I ended up going deeper than expected and started to panic, but then you saved me.

As I walked along, muttering nonsense to myself, I saw someone with skin as white and beautiful as snow standing right there.

When I told you I was lost, you laughed as if it were the most amusing thing and guided me back down the mountain. But when I turned around to thank you, you were already gone.

After that, I don't know what I was thinking. A few days later, I went back to that mountain and headed deep inside again. This time I wasn't lost; I went to see you.

As I walked, I saw a familiar shadow watching me from behind a tree.

You asked me what was wrong, and I gave a sheepish grin, telling a small lie that I just "came here on a whim." You gave a soft, gentle smile.

Then, you took me to your home. You went out of your way to light the fireplace, made me a drink, and even gave me food. I wondered why you were being so kind, but I accepted it all honestly.

As we talked there... I found myself drawn to you. You were the first person who ever made me think, "I want to stay with you longer," and I was surprised at myself.

By the time the conversation peaked, it had grown dark outside. I had no intention of leaving, but you sent me home, saying, "It gets cold at night, and it's dangerous."

From then on, I went to see you almost every day. I never got tired of it.

Then, just as winter was about to end, I stopped seeing you.

With the question "Why?" echoing in my head, I searched everywhere. I went to your house and looked even deeper into the mountains. But I couldn't find you.

Feeling a sense of despair, I gave up and went home. No, I hadn't actually given up. The proof was that I went back to that mountain the following winter.

And there you were. Acting as if nothing had happened, with the same face as a year ago.

When I asked, "Where did you go?" you didn't give me an answer. You just smiled softly. But I figured, hey, I get to see you again, so that's enough. I stopped digging into it.

And so, those days continued for years.

──Eventually, the seasons turned once more, and winter arrived.