Chapter 26 - Sharing Each Other’s Temperature In A Cold Place (1/2)

Chapter 26 – Sharing Each Other’s Temperature In A Cold Place

She was curious. She couldn’t help but wonder why her life as Renna was so lonely and futile. It wasn’t like she hadn’t thought about it.

“I will tell you everything without hiding anything, so I hope that it won’t create any misunderstandings in the future.”

“…”

His usually sharp eyes were downcast. “I’m waiting. I’m going crazy from curiosity.”

Ashia was smiling bitterly as she bit her lip, and said in a small voice, “Please wait a little more.”

Their conversation would probably be about why Renna and Kaligo’s ending had to be so tragic. They walked in the snow all day and ate little food. It seemed like they couldn’t handle and digest their stories with such weak mental and physical energy.

She knew he wanted to talk. It wasn’t like he wasn’t curious about Ashia either, and from the moment they knew each other’s identities, they knew that a conversation between the two of them was one of the obstacles they had to go through.

‘I don’t mean to run away either.’

She just needed time to get out of there and relax a little bit. She’d be willing to talk about it as long as they were comfortably settled, glasses of milk in hand.

Ten years had already passed. It would probably take a day or two to take all the information in. Time had the power to dull any emotion. Actually, this was a good point in time to face him and have a talk. It also seemed like the resentment she felt towards him had greatly lessened.

“…Yes. I will wait.”

“Thank you.” Ashia got up from her seat, fixing her clothes. “I’ll… go in first.”

“Yes,” he replied, casting his gaze towards the bonfire.

Hesitating for a moment, Ashia slowly walked towards their tent. She decided to give up on inviting him inside. It wasn’t like they should go in and fall asleep together; they weren’t that close.

“…”

Ashia entered the tent and stared down at the four-person bedding on the floor for a moment. After standing for a while thinking about something, she slowly went to her side of the bed. Just so that he could come inside and sleep properly, she left a large space where he could lie down. But Kaligo probably…

‘…won’t come inside the tent.’

Obviously, he would stay up all night outside as he watched the bonfire. Ashia was certain because it was Kaligo. She tucked her body a little deeper into the bed. The Fairy Forest was a place where she often went and slept alone, but the bedding tonight was warm and spacious.

But why? Why couldn’t she feel the warmth just like last night? There was only the cold wind on her cheek instead of the warm bedding.

Ashia tossed and turned for a long time, unable to sleep easily.

On the morning of the second day, sunlight shone inside through the tent. She rubbed her face against the warmth.

‘It’s warm…’

Then she suddenly remembered while half-asleep where this place was.

“Huh…?”

She slowly opened her eyes and carefully lifted her head.

‘Huh?’

It was Kaligo. She thought he wouldn’t come in, but he was suddenly sleeping right there, and in the same bed, and…

‘Why…?’

She was naturally using his arm as a pillow and pulling him close with her own arms. His other arm was also embracing Ashia very naturally.

‘What’s this?’

Even when they were married, they had never had a morning like this. Besides, their relationship now wasn’t even close to being a couple. The quiet man she knew was hugging her. While he must’ve been in a calm state, she wasn’t at all.

‘This is… a little dangerous.’

Blinking quickly, Ashia squirmed as she pulled herself out carefully so as not to wake him up.

“…Just a moment.” The freshly woken up voice was like a low cry of an animal. “Just a little bit…”

“…”

He gently embraced her as he softly rubbed his cheek against her hair, as if taking care of a small bird that might escape. His actions made Ashia even more embarrassed.

“…Kaligo.”

“Yes.”

Judging from his answer, it seemed like they didn’t simply sleep.

“We are now…”

“Yes, we’re hugging.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Why on earth…?”

“Isn’t it natural for survival to share each other’s body temperature in a cold place?”

‘Is it normal for men and women to share their body temperature in this way? I mean, didn’t you say you don’t get cold that easily?’

She wanted to retort, but she quietly swallowed her words. “The bedding is already warm even if you don’t do this…”

Kaligo seemed to be unwilling to let her go no matter what she said. He kissed her head. “I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid you would be embarrassed.”

“…Yes?”

“It was you who dug into my arms first because it was cold.”

“?!”

She gaped.

“The person who ripped all the buttons off my clothes, and the person who slipped their hands into my clothes, mumbling about warmth.”

“Yes?!”