The night their mother left home, it was snowing heavily outside. A frigid winter.
It was said that Hotaru saw her one last time, peering out the window. Wrapped tightly in a thick coat and scarf like a dumpling, their mother flagged down a taxi and left—never once glancing back toward the house.
Later, Ryo and Hotaru would find out that when their mother ran away, she also took all the cash, bankbooks, and valuable jewelry from the house.
Ryo was the first to notice her disappearance. Their father was out gambling at the time.
He knocked on her bedroom door. No answer. He pushed it open. The bed was empty. The comforter curled in a way that made it seem like someone was still there, but when he reached inside, there was only the faintest lingering warmth. He climbed into the bed, feeling around, but found no trace of her anywhere.
Hotaru was already awake. At nearly ten years old, she was intently tracing frost patterns on the window. Her mouth was pressed against the glass, as if trying to lick it from the other side.
Her breath fogged up the window, and she began drawing patterns with her fingers.
Their father didn't explode with rage upon returning. What angered him was that their mother had taken everything valuable before leaving. He clutched his head in frustration, fingers trembling like he'd drawn a losing hand.
They soon moved to a cheaper apartment. Their father didn't change at all—still drinking, still gambling, only returning home in the mornings to sleep for a few hours, treating it like a temporary inn.
Around that time, a new multifunctional pencil case became popular at school. It was said to be the latest in tech—pressing a button made it unfold like a castle on the desk. Pencils and erasers were neatly arranged, and it felt like choosing treasures from a royal vault. Students loved it.
One, two, three...
More and more classmates had them. Those who owned one strutted into class each morning, eager to show off their 'castle.'
Hotaru became interested. At the time, she didn't realize their financial situation had worsened. Fortunately, she came to Ryo first.
He quickly stopped her from asking their father. But she pouted and said it was almost her tenth birthday and she wanted it as a present.
"Everyone else has one. So I want one too."
Ryo understood her. And he knew he couldn't stop her. Even if he postponed it today, tomorrow at school she'd see the castle pencil cases again and want one all over.
So he decided to buy it for her himself.
It wasn't just a pencil case. It was about helping her fit in.
Hotaru, two years younger than him, had always looked like a tiny radish. She was once teased for her frail build. Ryo remembered seeing her alone in class after everyone had left, crying quietly. When she noticed him, she looked up with the eyes of a wounded animal.
Eventually, she made friends. Once she fit in, she wasn't bullied anymore. Ryo didn't want her to lose that over a pencil case.
At twelve, Ryo couldn't get a real job. Convenience stores wouldn't hire him.
But he remembered a nearby coffee shop. The owner had designed a mascot: a pink bunny that appealed to elementary students. He even had bunny suits made for promotions.
But the plan flopped. Kids liked cute bunnies—not giant, towering bunny-men who looked like they could punch through walls.
The owner had considered making smaller costumes but realized none of his staff could fit. Hiring petite workers just for this felt wasteful.
Then Ryo showed up.
Wearing the suit, no one could tell he was a kid. And being a kid, the owner could halve the pay. Humming with delight, he agreed.
All Ryo needed was a few days' wages to buy the pencil case.
So after school each day, Ryo worked two hours at the café, wearing the bunny suit and handing out flyers.
Turns out, only a child could make the costume work. The mascot's reputation was restored, and the owner breathed a sigh of relief.
Some adults suspected, but the owner brushed it off with, "It's just my kid helping out."
"Today's the last day, right?" the owner asked as Ryo put on the bunny head.
"Yes, sir."
"The shop's been busier lately. Wish you could stay a bit longer."
"Sorry. I only planned to work until today."
"That's a shame."
The owner left the changing room.
It was winter, but Ryo had to remove his heavy coat to fit into the costume. Despite appearances, the suit wasn't warm—just thin synthetic leather.
He stomped his feet to stay warm while handing out flyers, acting like a cheerful hopping bunny.
After school, many students stopped by to drink cocoa and do homework. Ryo had seen the café menu before—the prices were jaw-dropping.
"It's cold! Want a hot cocoa?" he called to a group of girls.
"It's really warm!"
He froze when he saw Hotaru among them. She seemed distracted, fidgeting with her hands.
Relieved she didn't notice him, Ryo watched as she apologized to her friends.
"Sorry, I have to go early. My brother made dinner."
Her friends didn't seem surprised. They just nodded and waved. One even took Ryo's flyer. They chatted and entered the café.
In truth, their home was cold and empty. Their father was gone, and Ryo was still at work.
Watching her run off, Ryo felt a pang of guilt. But he could do nothing now.
Tomorrow was her birthday. He had just enough money for the pencil case. He perked up.
"It's cold! Come in for a hot cocoa!"
Soon it began snowing.
"Come inside, Ryo. It's getting quiet out there," the owner called.
"I'll wait for the snow to ease."
Touched by the offer, Ryo was immediately annoyed by the next comment.
He found a corner to stand in. The costume was too dirty to sit down with. He didn't want a pay cut for ruining a seat.
Inside, the warmth was welcoming. Even through the suit, he felt it.
[Leave the faucet running tonight, so it doesn't freeze.]
[No hot water left. Told Hotaru not to boil water alone. Hope she waits.]
He looked around. Those girls from earlier were doing homework, their pencil cases like castles on the tables.
"Snow's so romantic." "Let's take a picture!" "Hot cocoa on a snowy day is heaven!"
They laughed and snapped photos. One girl spotted Ryo.
"Hey, mascot! Come here for a sec!"
He wanted to say he only handed out flyers, but the owner was watching. He trudged over.
"Can I help you?"
"Can we take a few pictures with you?"
She was clearly fond of the bunny suit.
"Any specific poses?"
"Hmm... How about delivering cocoa again? Like it's Christmas."
"Isn't it reindeer for Christmas?"
"Bunnies are Easter!"
"Who cares, it's cute!"
They giggled. Ryo picked up the nearly full cocoa and prepared for the photos.
"Not enough feeling." "The bunny should come in from the snow."
So he stepped outside, snow hitting the costume. He pitied the pricey cocoa.
Thankfully, the bunny suit always smiled.
From behind the window, the smiling bunny offered cocoa. The girls took photos and had Ryo pose in different ways.
Ten minutes later, he returned, cold and stiff. The cocoa was cold, snow-drenched. He hesitated to return it.
But the girl already had a fresh one.
He approached the counter.
"Can I take this home?"
"It's cold. Might upset your stomach."
"I'll heat it up."
A free cocoa. Ryo finally smiled, matching the bunny.
Just as his shift was ending, the café went dark.
"Power line collapsed under the snow," the owner said, flashlight in hand. "Time to close up."
"Ryo, help clean up. I'll add a bit to your pay."
Hearing "more pay," Ryo agreed immediately.
He carefully cleaned the girls' table. In the dark, he felt something long and rectangular.
A multifunctional pencil case. Just like the one Hotaru wanted.
His heart stopped.
They probably left it behind in the dark.
He quickly assessed the situation:
Tomorrow, he wouldn't work here. The power outage meant no security footage.
No risk.
But Ryo killed that thought immediately.
It was theft. Wrong.
And he already had enough for a new one.
He took the case to the counter.
"A customer left this."
"Just leave it. They'll probably come back tomorrow."
After cleaning, the owner paid him.
"What about the bonus?"
"Actually, we had an extra cocoa in the back. Its price matches your bonus."
He handed Ryo the cocoa and pushed him out the door.
"Stay warm."
Speechless at the stingy owner, Ryo bowed.
"Thank you for everything."
"Think nothing of it."
With a warm and cold cocoa in hand, Ryo walked through the snow to the stationery store.
-------------------------------------
"Tastes good, right?"
He patted Hotaru's head. She nodded while sipping through a straw.
"You want a sip, brother? You look cold."
He lifted his cup, pretending to take a sip.
"I have mine too."
Cold cocoa still tasted sweet.
Snow danced outside.
It was Christmas Eve.
Hotaru's birthday was December 25th.
Under her pillow, a present from Santa Claus was already waiting.
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