Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330656338883634/episodes/16818622175230995380
New Year’s Day, late at night.
I quietly opened the door to my parents’ house, which was quiet with everyone asleep, and cold air gently flowed in.
With each breath I took, I was enveloped in a freezing cold that penetrated deep into my lungs.
“Snow…”
Towa san, standing next to me, smiled softly.
Her silver hair was illuminated by the streetlight, blending with the night snow. The snow piling up on her shoulders seemed like beautiful decorations to her.
“…It’s quiet, isn’t it?”
“…Yes. It’s as if God has granted us this time just for us.”
I gently took the hand she offered me, gripping it through my gloves. Its softness and warmth felt like a miracle of this night.
In my coat pocket was the marriage certificate we had filled out together.
Though it was just a single sheet of paper, its weight quietly shook the depths of my heart.
Yes, we were finally here tonight—thinking that, my chest grew warm.
We smiled at each other and continued walking.
The path to our destination was covered in the silent whiteness of snow.
There was no trace of the city’s bustle, only the sound of falling snow and the echo of our footsteps filling the world.
Soon, a small government building came into view.
Inside, the night reception window was dimly lit.
We stopped in front of it.
Towa san smiled softly.
“…It’s finally here, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded and took out the marriage registration form. Then she slowly looked up at my face.
“—–Once we submit this, will I…no longer be a maid?”
At those words, I held my breath for a moment.
“That depends on you, Towa san….no, it depends on us. It’s the new relationship we’ll build from here on.”
“….Right, I guess.”
Her face, slowly nodding and smiling, was completely different from the shadowed smile she had when we first met.
I’m sure I’m completely different from that time too.
We are looking forward, toward the future.
“…Then, shall we submit it?”
“Yes, Itsuki san. …My master.”
At those words, my heart skipped a beat.
…Ah, no matter how many times I hear it, how powerful it is.
Inside the municipal office, the heating was on, and it felt like a completely different world from the snowy landscape outside.
There was only one night shift employee at the counter.
He looked a little surprised to see us, but his expression quickly softened.
“What can I do for you?”
“We’re here to submit our marriage registration.”
“…Ah, I see. Well, well…congratulations.”
And then we were asked to submit the marriage registration. The two of us held one piece of paper and handed it over firmly.
While they checked it, we sat side by side on chairs.
Her silver hair touched my shoulder. Her gaze was straight and serious, fixed on the receptionist.
But her hand reached out, searching for my fingers.
I gently held her hand back.
The staff member slowly checked the documents and wrote with a pen.
“Yes, the submission procedure is now complete. …As of today, you two are now married.”
“…Thank you.”
“Congratulations. What a wonderful start to the new year.”
Bowing in response to the clerk’s blessing, we stepped outside the office, where the silver silence greeted us once more.
The snow had eased slightly, and through a gap in the clouds, a single star appeared in the night sky, as if spilling out.
The quietly flowing time felt as though it existed solely for us.
Towa san gripped my hand tightly once more.
“….Dear.”
Startled by her sudden words, my heart raced.
Towa san smiled gently, seeming to enjoy my reaction.
“I was nervous until just now. But now, deep in my heart, I feel……so warm.”
“…..Me too. Being blessed is so wonderful, isn’t it?”
“……Yes. It was wonderful……”
After a moment of silence, she spoke softly.
“There’s one thing I’d like to tell you now. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Please, my wife.”
At those words, she blushed all the way to her ears.
But, looking down slightly, she squeezed out the words.
“……Please let me stay by your side forever. No matter how cold the day, no matter how lonely the night…because you did that for me that day. I will never let go of this hand.”
The answer to those words had already been decided long ago.
I embraced her shoulders and gently pressed my lips against hers.
It was sweet, warm, and happy.
A single tear trickled down Towa san’s eyes. Seeing her like that, I too shed a few tears.
It felt like my life, which had been at rock bottom that day, had finally been rewarded.
If such a scene exists, and Towa san is by my side, then there was no mistake in what I’ve done.
We walk together in the snow.
Even if we take a detour on the way home, there’s nothing to fear.
No matter how long the journey, from now on, I can walk it together with Towa san—-
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