"Don't you know your own condition?"
"Feel cold? Then stay put."
Yukiori, yanked forward, stumbled and crashed into Sukuna's chest.
The firm impact stung his nose, tears welling instantly, hovering as he looked up.
"I… I understand."
He'd only thought to stay by Sukuna's side, like Uraume, since Sukuna was his savior.
His pitiful look made Sukuna feel, for a moment, that he'd erred, but seeing Yukiori's color improve near the fire, Sukuna huffed.
Uraume, standing aside with a paper umbrella, just returned, thought: Why does my lord seem… childish?
"My lord, I… brought everything you asked for."
Uraume glanced at Yukiori before Sukuna, speaking slowly.
"Hm. Cut back on outings for now."
Sukuna replied to Uraume, releasing Yukiori's wrist.
His frame dwarfed Yukiori's, large enough to envelop him entirely.
Noticing a red mark on Yukiori's wrist, Sukuna muttered, "Delicate."
"… "
Yukiori had no retort. He knew he was frail, so he quietly wiped his tears and sat aside.
Uraume recognized the robe on Yukiori as Sukuna's. He was surprised his lord would lend it, but… it was Yukiori.
Not so surprising.
"… "
"… "
Winter arrived faster than expected. In Uraume's new clothes, Yukiori nestled his head in a fluffy hood, gazing at snowflakes from the window.
Without Uraume's decorative touches, he'd blend into the snow.
His breath formed fleeting white mist.
Sukuna, still in his loose white kimono, looked chilly despite the season.
He appeared behind Yukiori, unnoticed, his extra eyes catching every detail with uncanny clarity.
Yukiori's small gestures—reaching for snowflakes, eyes full of longing—didn't escape him.
Recalling Uraume's words, Sukuna asked, "Want to play in the snow?"
"… "
Yukiori had settled into life with Sukuna and Uraume.
He nodded, then remembered Uraume's warning: the cold was too harsh, even bundled up, risking illness.
Not wanting to trouble them, he stayed indoors daily.
"Never mind, it's too cold outside."
As he spoke, Yukiori withdrew his hand, his fingers red against pale skin from the brief chill.
"Give it here."
Sukuna's low voice came, his hand extended.
"What?"
Yukiori blinked, confused, holding nothing to offer.
A faint sigh. Sukuna grabbed his hand.
The cold of Yukiori's fingertips melted in Sukuna's searing warmth, leaving him too stunned to pull away, staring.
So warm…
Like his mother's hand.
Yukiori felt tears rise again.
Compared to his mother's, Sukuna's hand was broader, stronger, fiercer.
Sukuna felt the chill in his palm, thinking: No wonder Uraume keeps him inside.
"… "
Why was he crying?
Yukiori's tears were silent, as before, retreating to a corner to wipe them away.
Sukuna didn't know what he'd done to cause this.
Hurt him?
He'd barely used strength, yet loosening his grip left faint marks.
But that wasn't it—Yukiori seemed to have endless tears around him, and Sukuna disliked seeing them.
He tsked, irritated, startling Yukiori into stopping.
"… "
That wasn't his intent—misunderstood again. Should he explain?
Explain that he…
"I'm sorry, I just… thought of my mother. Lord Sukuna, can I really go outside?"
Yukiori assumed Sukuna disliked his fragility, so he'd try to be stronger.
Wiping his tears with his free hand, he gazed at Sukuna with glistening eyes, eager to play outside.
"Of course…"
Sukuna, caught off guard, replied.
"I'll infuse you with my cursed energy. You can go out then."
Sukuna's cursed energy, raw with destruction, softened remarkably when it cloaked Yukiori.
Even he was surprised. His power, always ruinous, was restrained to avoid harming Yukiori, and no harm came.
Yukiori felt only wonder, the icy wind no longer biting, even growing warm.
He didn't know that accepting another's cursed energy required deep trust.
Unwittingly, Sukuna had eclipsed Momoto Ichi, erasing the shadows he'd cast.
"Go on."
Sukuna's face stayed impassive, withdrawing his hand. Only after Yukiori left did he rub his fingertips, savoring the lingering softness.
Time passed until laughter drifted from outside, drawing Sukuna's gaze.
Not Uraume's—Uraume didn't laugh so freely.
Perhaps feeling warm, Yukiori shed his heavy coat, running in a thin inner shirt through light snow.
His silver-white hair outshone the snow, gleaming brightly.
With Sukuna's cursed energy shielding him, his light clothing posed no risk.
Uraume, trailing behind, sensed Sukuna's energy on Yukiori and understood.
Yukiori's radiant smile warmed Uraume, his lips curving, eyes crescent moons. At least, in this moment, they were happy, weren't they?
Author's Note:
"How many are reading? (Sneaky peek)"