Mentioned Characters: Kogasa, Nue

Kogasa Tatara is a karakasa-obake who loves to surprise people. She usually works hard every day to achieve that goal, but today her goal was a little different. Kogasa was dressed in something she didn't normally wear. Her outfit had fluffy, decorative accents, and even her umbrella had a white ribbon tied around it. Her favorite, though, was the light blue ribbon on her chest. "It's cute, right? Yep, definitely cute." She seemed to be reassuring herself. From the look of it, she was out and about, not to scare anyone, but to show off her new outfit.

Nue Houjuu is an unidentified girl. There was so much mystery to her that just calling her mysterious didn't do it justice. That's precisely why her name is Nue, which literally means mysterious thing or person. But today was a little different. Despite the winter chill, she stepped out in a daring new look. A custom-tailored outfit, designed to show off her wings. On her hat, a small pin shaped like her weapon of choice added a finishing touch. "Hm, why isn't anyone noticing me?" Her spirits were high. Of course, no one ever truly saw her with her ability to conceal her true form, but something about wearing a new outfit had lifted her mood. She just wanted to wear something new. With that simple, almost childish impulse, she headed toward the village.

The Sun sets early in winter, and for nearly a third of the day, the Moon hung visibly in the sky. The wind was sharp, and the cold was inescapable. At times like this, most people preferred to stay indoors. And so, the usually crowded streets had grown quiet far earlier than usual. Maybe that's what allowed Nue and Kogasa to cross paths. Or maybe it was inevitable all along. Because really, they were after the same thing. Sure, their reasons were a little different, but in essence, they both simply wanted to wear something new, go out, and, if possible, be seen. Drawn by that same unspoken wish, the two crossed paths under the gentle moonlight.

Winter Snow Festival "Kogasa...?" "Nue...?" Nue and Kogasa both visited the Human Village now and then, but hardly ever without a reason. Wandering aimlessly wasn't something they often did. They took a good, long look at each other's outfits. They weren't what either of them usually wore. And the timing was just right for someone hoping to be seen. It wasn't too dark, and there were still a few people around. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on. But their reactions couldn't have been more different. Kogasa's cheeks flushed with embarrassment the instant she realized she'd been found out. Across from her, Nue smiled, amused to find another youkai with the same idea. Without a word, Kogasa shyly tugged at the hem of her dress, quietly showing off her outfit. Nue understood right away. Moments like this were all about going with the flow. "You look super cute, Kogasa!"

Before long, Nue and Kogasa were happily exchanging compliments. The initial awkwardness had melted away, and now they were pointing out little design details that made their outfits special. Just then, something fluttered into view, stealing their attention. They both instinctively looked up at the night sky and saw something gently descending from above. "Whoa... It's snowing!" Snowflakes are often called winter's blossoms. One settled gently in Nue's hand, its delicate form catching the moonlight like the petal of an icy flower. "It's beautiful..." "It really is." Nue reached out toward the falling snow, as if trying to catch a flower she knew would vanish the moment it touched her hand. Kogasa's eyes followed her hand with a hint of envy in her gaze. "Hey, um... if you don't mind..." "Wanna go for a walk?" It didn't matter who said it first. Maybe the snow gave them a push. Maybe the moonlight made it easier to speak. Or maybe, neither of them wanted the moment to end just yet. So they walked side by side, their shoulders gently touching, surrounded by the chill of winter and the warmth of each other.