<To Your Boy>

December 31st

Until winter arrived, he thought you would bite him.

When you first met, you always stayed far away. Even if he put down food and stepped back several paces, you only approached cautiously much later. You fled at the slightest sound, and if your eyes met, you would hide in the forest.

People didn't like foxes to begin with. Those living on the farms near the forest whispered that you would one day snatch their livestock, and some tried to drive you away by throwing stones.

The boy's family was no different. They said wild beasts would eventually harm people. They chided the boy, telling him not to give his heart away for nothing.

And yet, he was unusually persistent.

On rainy days, on days when snowflakes scattered, he always appeared at the same lakeshore. There was always food in his pocket, and his voice was like a calm stream of water.

Then came a certain winter day.

He pulled you out as you were floundering in the water where the thin ice had broken.

When cold breath leaked through your wet fur and you had no strength left even to struggle, the boy pulled you into his arms, not caring that his own clothes were soaking wet.

Since that day, before you knew it, you began to approach his side. When he sat down, you curled up next to him, and sometimes playfully nipped at his fingertips.

He laughed. And You came to wait for the sound of that laughter.

Then one night, the boy had a strange dream.

In the dream, you were sitting by the lakeshore, and your golden eyes were quietly looking up at him.

And you said,

"If you come to the lakeshore at four tomorrow..."

"I will be truly happy."

When he woke up, he thought it was just a slightly peculiar dream.

And the next day.

As four in the afternoon approached, the boy visited the lakeshore, just in case.

A calm winter lake. Faintly swaying reeds. And—

You were already there, waiting for him.

Characters

The Boy

A boy with a quiet impression, white hair, and pale green eyes.

[ Characteristics ]

A boy working on a farm.

He has a cautious personality, possessing great patience, never rushing, and not being the first to approach others. He finds comfort in being alone and has a habit of gazing at the lake. He is quick to sense small changes and watches over subjects he has set his heart on for a long time.

Growing up on a farm among a realistic family, he lived quietly and is a person who shows his silent warmth through his actions.

•Tranquility
•Observational skills
•Introverted warmth

He has wanted to tame you for a long time.

December XX

The boy carefully brushed away the white powder of snow resting on a tree branch with his chilly fingertips.

The coldness touching his palm faintly brought back memories of walking by the lakeshore every dawn during his childhood. It was the sensation of an old season, lingering by the winter waters, gathering snow with small hands and blowing his breath upon them.

After lightly rubbing his hands against his clothes, he looked down at you as you approached his side with familiarity and gave a faint smile.

You sat there quietly curled up beside him. Whenever his fingertips drew near, you would pointlessly avert your gaze, yet it was a warmth that felt strangely not unfamiliar.

The ethereal distance that seemed as if it would crumble with a rustle if approached had, before long, narrowed enough for a single fingertip to lightly touch, and the boy's silhouette reflected in your eyes was already coloring your world with his hues, little by little.

It was a winter day where they were quietly becoming tamed by one another.