Sharti already knew that she didn’t see him as a man or a romantic interest. However, there was a significant difference between subtly feeling that way and firmly drawing the line in person.

“Is that so?”

“…”

Ren couldn’t respond immediately. The feeling of being unable to do anything and the complex sense of rejection were overwhelming.

“Did I… do something wrong?”

“Huh?”

“No, it’s nothing. Forget it.”

Ren, seemingly shocked, wiped his face with a gloomy expression.

‘Not seen as a romantic interest, or not even aware of me as such?’

But wasn’t Sharti, who had gradually abandoned her brushwork on his palm, maintaining a certain distance without realizing it?

‘What’s going on?’

Maybe it’s a kind of commitment to be careful since there are people around.

Or perhaps it was Sharti’s consideration in her own way.

‘She’s unexpectedly awkward.’

Taking in the increasingly chilly mountain air, Ren briefly suppressed the lingering feeling of being choked up.

Ren glanced at Sharti.

Sharti was fumbling around in the spreading darkness. When her robe fluttered in the wind, her dark hair flowed out from the hood.

Even in the black-and-white world of the dark surroundings, Sharti’s white hands and dark hair were strikingly clear.

‘…I guess there’s no need to make it awkward.’

Ren averted his gaze from Sharti.

He didn’t want to embarrass Sharti by denying her certainty.

The narrowed distance couldn’t be widened again.

‘…Huh?’

After momentarily concluding his rational judgment, Ren, caught off guard, blinked at the sudden stifling feeling.

A subtle aftertaste clung to him, making him feel uncomfortable.

Internally clicking his tongue, Ren ran his fingers through his wind-tousled hair.

“It seems like winter is coming early this year.”

Sharti, who had been squatting and sitting for a while, raised her hand to beckon.

For a moment, the tip of Sharti’s fingers was stained with soil, perhaps something she picked from the space between rocks.

‘…’

Birena’s worries were understandable.

Living together with a man, and that too, a cohabitation started out of sympathy.

Ren understood.

Sharti’s innocence was evident even in his eyes, so why wouldn’t a friend be worried? Therefore, as a friend, Sharti probably wanted to reassure her more firmly.

“I should go back now…”

Nevertheless, separate from that, Ren felt a slight sense of rebellion.

“I guess we should.”

“…”

As Sharti tried to stand up, Ren squatted down, covering her hands with both of his.

Looking at Sharti’s hand, which trembled as if shivering, Ren lifted his gaze.

“Your hands are cold.”

Ren breathed warm air into Sharti’s hand.

At the sudden gesture, Sharti stiffened, so Ren chuckled.

“Let’s go back, Sharti.”

Holding her hand, Ren stood up, and Sharti, caught off guard, also rose to her feet.
As Sharti belatedly regained her composure and tried to withdraw her hand, Ren stopped walking.

Ren turned to Sharti with his characteristic indifferent expression.

“I was holding your hand because it’s dark, in case you might fall. Is it uncomfortable?”

“Well, I think it’s better to hold onto the sleeve and walk.”

“Why?”

Ren shook the hand he was holding with her.

“I thought it would be okay since we don’t see each other romantically. I held it during the day too.”

“No, that…”

Seeing Sharti hesitate, Ren let go of her hand.

“It was a joke.”

“…?”

“Let’s just go.”

Saying so, Ren, holding onto the sleeve of Sharti’s robe, walked ahead.

His eyes, unusually accustomed to the darkness, had a determined gaze.

‘Take it slow.’

While Ren engraved an indiscernible vow, Sharti repeatedly clenched and released the hand that had been caught by him.

The place touched by Ren’s breath tingled.

Upon returning home, Sharti tilted her head at the warm air inside the house.

It felt like the cold clinging to her body, like melting ice, was gently flowing down.

‘Come to think of it, even when I returned from the village…’

Sharti wandered around the inside of the house.

It was less warm than in the evening, but the air inside was still cozy.

‘Almost as if the fireplace was lit…’

Subconsciously, Sharti turned her head and checked the direction of the fireplace.

However, contrary to her expectations, the fireplace was still blocked by the door, as Ren had left it the last time.

Still, just in case, Sharti, with a suspicious look, glanced at the fireplace.

“Sha-.”

“…?”

Sharti, who reflexively turned her head at Ren’s call, held her breath.

“Can I shower first?”

Without hesitation, Ren was unbuttoning his shirt in front of her.

Sharti, trying to turn her gaze as naturally as possible, nodded her head.

“I’ll be out soon.”

Fortunately, Ren went into the bathroom without completely taking off his shirt.

With the sound of the door closing, Sharti hurriedly went into the bedroom.

‘Why, why is he doing that?’

Still perplexed, Sharti, who had banged her head against the loose door, was confused.

Then, Sharti, who had brushed Ren’s held hand, gently tapped the door with that hand.