Ch-5 Light Snow ❄️

The next morning, I woke up lying in front of the hut with Hoshi-san clinging to me.

Thank goodness. After that, there were no more enemy attacks or snowfall.

The hut was still burning, and Hoshi-san must have kept the fire going as I instructed.

I tried to get up, but my body wouldn't move. Hoshi-san seemed to notice that I was struggling, and she sat up with a start.

"Yu-kun, don't move too much. I think the wound is probably closed, but you have a really high fever. Can you lend me your hatchet?"

I still had my hatchet in my hand. I probably wouldn't have made it without it. I'm grateful to whoever left it here.

After about an hour, Hoshi-san brought something and splashed it all over me.

"What is this?" It smelled fishy and felt cold and wet. But maybe because of the fever, it felt kind of nice.

"This is the skin of the animal you killed, Yu-kun. It's the first time I've skinned anything, but I think it turned out okay. If it's not enough, I can skin more. Besides, I'll try to grill the meat later!"

The rawhide would probably start to rot soon, but it was a good temporary cover after losing the hut. Besides, it would be nice to have meat to eat.

"So, Yu-kun. The one you defeated had horns and fangs, unlike the wolves I know. I wonder if it's from this world."

I'd like to see for myself, but unfortunately, I can't move. I'll have to leave it at that for now.

At noon, I ate meat for the first time in a while, and then Hoshi-san continued to butcher the prey.

In the afternoon, however, my left shoulder started to feel worse and my fever seemed to be rising. I got a terrible chill and threw up what I'd had for lunch.

Hoshi-san continued to take care of things, but with no cabin, I worried about the possibility of snow tonight - and what might happen if an animal attacked again.

"It's okay, Yu-kun! It smells a bit, but I have five furs now, so we should be able to make it tonight. I'll always be by your side, too!"

When I couldn't move, Hoshi-san was incredibly reliable. Eventually, the sun began to set. After adding more wood to the fire, Hoshi-san and I went to sleep together under five animal skins, under the open sky.

I woke up in the middle of the night.

I'm so thirsty. My fever is still high.

I looked to the side to ask Hoshi-san for water, but I noticed something was wrong.

She had a pained look on her face and was shaking.

"Hoshi-san, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

"Haha, sorry Yu-kun. I think I've got a fever too. I guess I overdid it with all the skinning and butchering I'm not used to."

Looking around, I noticed that the fire in the hut was almost completely out. Hoshi-san couldn't move, and it probably ran out of fuel.

Damn, how pathetic am I to be unable to move my body freely at a time like this?

I mustered the strength to stand, but as soon as I did, the floor spun and I collapsed. My fever must be quite high.

Hoshi-san moved closer to me and wrapped herself in the animal skins.

"Don't push yourself, Yu-kun. If it comes to it, we'll just have to make do and sleep here together. It'll be okay; I think I'll feel better in the morning. For now, let's cuddle up and stay warm."

Hmm, she's right. I guess that's all we can do for now.

Hoshi-san is my friend's mother, but somehow I began to feel a deep affection for her. With my moving right hand, I pulled Hoshi-san's head closer to me.

"It's okay, Yu-kun. If you're feeling down, you can count on me," she said softly.

She is definitely like a mother to me, even though she is different from my girlfriend. Thinking this, I stopped myself from going any further.

The ground and the world were still spinning, but Hoshi-san's warmth was comforting. Is this situation hell or heaven? I wondered, my mind fuzzy. Then it began to snow, and the snowfall gradually intensified.

(Ah, maybe this won't work...)

Thinking that, I looked at Hoshi-san, who was also staring at me intently.

"I'm sorry, Yu-kun. I was useless. But I'm really glad that I stayed with you until the end. I wonder if I'll ever see Akari again. Oh no, I'm crying and can't stop."

"Hoshi-san, don't give up yet. Maybe a night's sleep will help us feel better. Let's try our best until the end!"

I hugged Hoshi-san tightly as she shed tears, then asked impulsively,

"Can I kiss you?"

Wait, what am I saying?

Am I delirious from the fever?

Hoshi looked confused, but then she nodded slightly.

"Yeah..."

Hoshi-san's face moved closer to mine, and our lips met. Maybe it was the fever, or maybe this unexpected situation had clouded my mind... As the world began to spin and my consciousness faded, the snowfall thickened and slowly covered us both.