<b>“It looks like it’s coming down, once again.”</b>
<b>I followed her gaze, and it was indeed coming down again. Snow could be seen. It was sunny just a little while ago, but now the sky is completely covered with clouds.</b>
<b>“It’s much more convenient now then it was in the past. It’s nice to be in a warm place with a warm drink and warm company.”</b>
<b>She kindly said.</b>
<b>I had the opportunity to learn about the old days of the village. Before it became a tourist spot. I heard it was poor. And Koharu-san was more than willing to satiate my curiosity. </b>
<b>“It was a cold day. With the familiar slight snowfall as today.”</b>
<b>Koharu-san came to the same place she had met that mysterious girl. This became a routine for her now more lively days.</b>
<b>“Koharu-chan, You’re here again? Let’s play.”</b>
<b>The white cute girl pepped up when she saw Koharu-san.</b>
<b>“Yeah.”</b>
<b>“What should we do today?”</b>
<b>Even though she was only wearing a thin kimono in the snow, she was fine.</b>
<b>(“From then on, the Yukinko came everyday to play.”)</b>
<b>Koharu-san became quick friends with her.</b>
<b>Eventually they got close enough for her to guide her around the village, as well as spend time playing in the house.</b>
<b>“One time, I had a fight with one of the local village boys. They are often mischievous, and always tease and make fun of me.”</b>
<b>They were walking together when a sudden meeting happened.</b>
<b>“Yo, Koharu. What are you doing here?”</b>
<b>“Weirdo” ”You poor child.”</b>
<b>Teasing voices came from behind them as they walked. Koharu began to panic- – –</b>
<b>Scared, Koharu as she tried to run.</b>
<b>“L-Let’s go.”</b>
<b>However it was too late. Koharu’s arm was grabbed</b>
<b>“Let her go. Face me instead.”</b>
<b>The Yukinko went forward and confronted the bad boys. </b>
<b>She stood firm, with her arms folded in front of her.</b>
<b>“Huh?”</b>
<b>“Koharu-chan didn’t do anything wrong, but you still bully her.”</b>
<b>She wasn’t scared by the boys.</b>
<b>“Who is this girl?” “Don’t get cheeky.” “Who is the white girl?”</b>
<b>They were taken off guard by the counterattack from a girl who they have never seen before.</b>
<b>“Don’t test me. Let her go.”</b>
<b>The strong willed girl said.</b>
<b>“Uwa.”</b>
<b>Even in a kimono, it did not impede her threat.</b>
<b>“I-I give, I give. Please forgive me.”</b>
<b>The leader of the brats said before any fight began.</b>
<b>“Then say your sorry.”</b>
<b>“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again. . .I promise.”</b>
<b>And the fight quickly came to an end.</b>
<b>“There we. Koharu-chan- – -.”</b>
<b>Some girls came out after hearing the uproar.</b>
<b>But they immediately noticed the new strange girl.</b>
<b>“Who is she?”</b>
<b>“I’m Koharu-chan’s friend.”</b>
<b>In the simple world of children. The strong and cheerful kids are the most popular.</b>
<b>“Let’s play together.”</b>
<b>Everyone made snowman, played around, and had snowball fights- – –</b>
<b>Somebody brought delicious mochi and mandarin orange. They enjoyed the feast together.</b>
<b>The beautiful Snow girl was one of them.</b>
<b>They all became quick friends.</b>
<b>Koharu-san and the other children were slightly aware that the mystery girl was no ordinary child. But they are children. As long as it’s fun, it’s fine.</b>
<b>However. . .Those fun times came quickly to an end. – – –</b>
<b>Koharu’s father made a surprise appearance home for the first time in a long time.</b>
<b>That was when the incident happened.</b>
<b>She carelessly talked to an adult. They asked her why she was so cheerful recently, and she was honest and told them about the girl in the white kimono. That she came to the village everyday, and innocently told them they always played together.</b>
<b>His face turned pale when he heard that.</b>
<b>He said that Koharu was “Possessed by a Yuki Onna”</b>
<b>Immediately she was locked away, and told never to see that girl again. Her family was instructed to keep them under control.</b>
<b>It didn’t matter how much she pleaded. How much she yelled and hit the door. He didn’t listen.</b>
<b>“But I didn’t know then. . .For the adults in the village, at that time, a Yuki Onna was a terrible thing. And their children, the Yukinko, were something to fear. While being a sacred mountain spirit, they were awe-inspiring, but they also brought disasters to humans. Therefore, the inhabitants around Hyousei Village have for a long time, warned and made it taboo to get close to Yuki Onna’s or their children.”</b>
<b>☆ ☆ ☆</b>
<b>– -And, I’m now one of those taboo creatures. I’m a Yukinko.</b>
<b>I didn’t choose to be born like this. But am I really that scary? </b>
<b>“Aah, but it’s only a superstition. Almost no villager now remembers it. So don’t worry about it.”</b>
<b>Koharu-san waved her hands in denial.</b>
<b>“That was simply the case in the past. . .But they firmly believe it in the olden days.” </b>
<b>More lore. Which is nice. There is like 2 more of these backstory chapters so look forward to that. And hopefully it isn’t as confusing to translate for me as this one was. Anyways, sorry for the delay, but I got busy. And the next one might be a bit later aswell, I feel like I want to take a day to do some review. </b>
<b>Also I’m sorry if this chapter felt weird, or the quality wasn’t up to the standards of the previous chapters. I tried to clean it up, but I just couldn’t get the flow right. The chapter had sudden time jumps, that made it even more confusing for me. I guess I can excuse it, if I make an excuse or reason for it. The story is being told by an old lady that barely remembers those days. So the lack of consistency might be common.</b>
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