I am Shirayuki Haruka, a girl in the second year of high school at Karuizawa High. Since I was little, I never had a single friend. I have the ability to control cold temperatures, a power I still can't fully control. My father died before I was born, and my mother passed away when I was four due to a serious illness. She was a very kind and gentle person. I live alone in my house every day.

  Our family has long been shunned by the local townspeople, though outsiders still know little about us. My ancestor was a snow woman like me—often called a Yuki-Onna. In the year 1783, there was a volcanic eruption of Mount Asama, known as the Tenmei Eruption. Our ancestor, believed to possess dark magic, was blamed for causing the disaster. She was forced to stop the catastrophe to prove her innocence. She froze the volcano using her own body, but no one knew it was her doing. People called it a divine miracle. Since then, our family has been hated by the local people.

  Even though I never had a friend, I once met someone I could call my hero. I was six years old, walking past my classmates who were playing. One of them bumped into me, and I fell.

  "Hey, she's a monster." "What are you doing here, monster?" "Go away, you Yuki-Onna freak."

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  But a boy stood in front of me, facing them.

  "Stop it, all of you. What are you doing? Get out of here."

  "Let's go, let's go, there's someone weird." They ran off and left us.

  "T-thank you... I have to go now."

  I tried to stand but noticed several scrapes on my knees.

  "Are you okay? You're pretty hurt. Let me carry you," he said, crouching down to lift me.

  "I-I think I need your help… but just this once, okay?"

  He carried me home and treated my wounds.

  "Thank you so much for your help today. My name is Shirayuki Haruka," I said, bowing politely.

  "My name is Hisui Akito. Take care next time. I'm heading home now. See you," he said as he walked out.

  He was the only one my age who ever spoke kindly to me. Ever since that day, he always protected me whenever someone tried to bully me. I’ve always hoped I would meet him again someday.

  That day, I was walking to school as usual, when I bumped into a boy on the way.

  “Ouch…” I let out a soft groan.

  “S-sorry... I... didn’t mean to.” His hand instinctively caught my shoulder, then quickly let go. He stepped back and bowed slightly.

  I looked at him. "He’s wearing the same uniform as me, but I’ve never seen him before. Is he a new student? Or have I just never noticed him before?" I wondered to myself.

  “It’s okay,” I said and hurried away toward school.

  When class began, I gazed out the window. It was raining. I listened to the beautiful sound of the raindrops, until I heard someone speak.

  “Nice to meet you all. I’m the transfer student, Hisui Akito.”

  I immediately turned toward the voice. He was standing next to the teacher, introducing himself to the class.

  “Akito-kun?” I whispered softly in disbelief. My eyes widened—

  The boy I bumped into earlier… was Hisui Akito.

  The hero from my childhood.