(Edited heavily in preparation for the next chapter, A/N below)

Prologue: On a Snowy, Winter Day...

Act 1: Damage

"Why in the fuck am I out here with you. It's cold." Seriously, the human body was not meant to be out in the Goddamn snow for more than two minutes. To get from the house to the car, not waiting outside like morons. I quiver in place, glaring holes in the back of my brunette friend's head. His name is Hisao Nakai, and he's an idiot. Sort of, maybe... okay, not really. I am, for a particular reason though. Bringing a hand up to rub away the forming frostbite on my left cheek, I grumble. Even in my head, I can't really talk bad about the bastard.

He only laughs at my shivering tone, hiding snugly beneath his thick, hooded jacket like the master race he is. It's not my fault I left mine at school, tch. It really wasn't, this asshole pulled me from class all 'cause he plum-got a secret admirer on his hands. "Hehe, stay positive, my friend. I am sure we will not have to wait much longer. The note said 4, it is only twenty-five minutes until." Twen... twenty-five until then?! Are you fucking kidding me?! I feel the urge to smack him, but I suppress it. Might mess with his translating, not that it's really that bad, and I won't survive any amount of time by myself.

But fuck it, if I'm waiting, I'm going to get myself a coffee, black and scalding hot. What was it again? Kōhī? Yeah, I'm sure that's all I need to say. Bringing my arms down and crossing them over my chest, I rub harshly at my flannel-clad biceps. Next time someone plants a note in his binder, steal it. I don't want to deal with this shit anymore. "Hisao, screw this man. You can freeze your ass off all you want, I'm getting something warm to sip on." He turns his head, his brown eyes looking into my own, and smiles attentively. He nods.

"Very well, Weyland. I will meet you there, alright? Are you heading to Inryō again?" Ah, yeah. Duh, it's the only place I'm relatively familiar with other than Mugen Academy and Hisao's and, temporarily, my home. I don't get out much, so what? I like to stick inside, near a warm... cozy... fireplace. My head snaps back, nodding to Hisao. Shit, I almost spaced out there, thinking of where I'd much rather be at this point.

"Er, yeah. 'Beverage!' Right? Your country and its literal translations, Hisao." I roll my eyes with a lighthearted chuckle as he nods. "Yep, that can do. So, what... I'll see you in thirty plus?" I have to ask, otherwise, I'm gonna be waiting without knowing if he's done flirting or not. And I'd much rather be home than have someone come to my table constantly, having me tell them off every time. That'd be a hassle.

"It's a plan." Before I begin walking, his gloved hand pats me on a shoulder as he passes me a sincere grin. I nod at him and trudge through the snow, shivering all the while. Fuck snow. Fuck the cold weather.

Fuck winter in general.

. . . . .

A light breeze flows over me, coursing through the naked branches above, their light rattling easing my mind. As I watch my American friend leave, I sigh and shake my head. It was such a strange day, that one. When he'd arrived, I thought he was joking when he couldn't understand my family or me. When we were told we'd be taking a student from abroad, I'd assumed they'd at least understand the basics of our language. But Weyland Lemming, he was different. I am glad to now call him "friend," in both tongues. His and mine.

But now, this was not the time to be ruminating about the odd boy. I had... an admirer. It was both thrilling and frightening to think of. Could it be Iwanako had finally returned my feelings? Or maybe that strange girl, Inari, I believe her name is... hm, it was entertaining to think of. I only wonder who it could be from. Raising my hands, I press them together over my mouth; I breathe outward, allowing the warmth of my breath to thaw my frozen lips, if only for a moment. Unlike Weyland, I would not let this winter be the death of me.

I chuckle, finishing my warmth exercises and cross my arms over my chest as he had done, entrapping the heat already within my jacket. Only a little longer, now. I wait with bated breath, my excitement becoming a little too much to bear. Breathing inwardly, deeply, I lower a hand down to my jacket's front pocket and pull a shriveled piece of paper from within. It was torn, almost hastily, from a notebook. Thumbing it unfolded, I stare with a ghost of a smile upon my lips; this confession... As far as most clichés go, it still shows more initiative than I'd ever brought forth. My lips twitch upward in wonder, the snow falling and caking the ground in its pasty white wholeness.

I feel a sudden tapping on my shoulder from behind me, has Weyland returned already? Turning around, I jump in surprise as a familiar figure, clad in a light, almost too thin, jacket. "H-Hisao?" An unsure voice fills the air with its radiance, it was barely audible.

"Iwanako?" As soon as my eyes lay bare on the new arrival, the tip of my nose a blaring red definitely from the snow, I figure I wasn't wrong. The dark blue-haired girl, my long-time crush, stands directly in front of me, inches away. She must be trying to steal my own warmth. I jest, mentally, as I think it best for me to keep that in my own head. "T-the note I received... it was-it was yours?" My heart thuds silently, but powerfully in my chest and my cheeks begin to heat up. Maybe she does return my feelings.

Her own cheeks redden, I can't help myself and stare, ensnaring myself in her wondrous eyes. Her cheekbones rise up, giving me a half smile, as she almost dumbly nods. "A-ah... yes, I had ask-asked a friend to give you that note during lunch break... I-I am so glad you got it." Her smile lowers into an almost timid husk, joy etching across her face. Something about her roots me to the ground as I stare joyously back.

I really can't help it, not with her, and I smile brightly. My face is most likely red, but I don't suppose it's from the cold anymore. My heart beats rapidly as I open my mouth to speak. "So, um... he-here we are then. Just the, ah, just the two of us. Out in the cold..." I want to bite my tongue, is this seriously how I flirt? I'm terrible! Iwanako's probably going to hate me after this... The wind stirs, the falling snow seems to thicken, it's almost as if the Earth itself agrees with me. I watch silently, interest piqued in her nervous fidgets under the constant gusts of freezing winds.

As time finally passes, she breathes harshly, outward and through her nose once in a loud huff. Her eyes fill with something, determination or credence, something palpable. She mutters a quick reassurance to herself before nodding at me. She attempts to mimic aloofness and starts to lazily twirl the ends of her lengthy hair, an unsure look hiding behind her eyes. My heart hammers repeatedly in my chest. Maybe I'm more nervous than her? I try to chuckle, but all that comes out is a strained cough. What the, "you-you see, Hisao..." she begins to speak, though her voice seems low, seemingly muted, as if she was turning down the volume to her own vocal cords. Or was it me? My chest continues to thump internally.

"... I was... I was wondering..." her lips are moving, her eyes are staring intently into mine, but I don't respond. I can't respond. My look feigns interest, but that's only because I can't move. Wh-what is going on? I want to say something, to ask for help, for her to call for emergency services, but I can't! I can't do anything! She idly presses her fingers together in a bout of coyness. I want to shout.

"... i-if you would go out with me?" My frantic, beating heart pounds away in my chest, I'm stuck staring at her with a pained expression. It's getting harder, so much harder to breathe. As much as I believe the face I'm making looks like the face of rejection, I want her to get someone for help. Ironic, yes, as I want to say yes and be with her; really, I want to say anything at this point, but my throat feels as if it's tearing itself apart. Everything does, actually.

Seconds pass by, this horribly awkward silence growing thick, and she begins to look hurt. I want to say something, something to let her know I'm interested, but also to let her know that I am in so much pain, but it's too much. "H-Hisao?" Her voice trembles harshly, a wetness begins to form behind her eyes; as much as I'm hurt as well, I need help. Something is obviously wrong.

Tentatively, I force a hand to move along the length of my throat, and this takes all of my willpower. For a second, I feel as if I gain some control over my body once more, but that glimmer of hope diminishes as quickly as it came. Searing, red-hot pain courses through my body, up and down and through my arms. She finally notices something else was at play. She quickly moves forward and pulls me into her clutches, her hands strongly gripping my forearms. This only elevates whatever pain I'm feeling. Is... is this how I die? I feel a bile forming in the back of my throat and do everything in my willpower to hold it back. "Hisao?!" Away was any shyness or calmness about her, only concern laces her voice and I'm unable to respond in any way besides a painful growl.

My body spasms uncontrollably and pushes her away, what very well could be my last breaths escape me as I fall on to my knees. The beating, the ever constant, jackhammering of my heart makes me question the impermanence of my life. I very well could be dying right now, can't I? As calm as my thoughts seem, I panic mentally.

Suddenly silence and I fall back, into the snow, looking up at the thick clouds producing the frozen particles. Iwanako's eyes enter my fading vision, a scream leaves her mouth, but I can't hear it. Tears pour down the bluenette's face; why do I have to suffer watching her watch me die? "Hisao?!" I can read my name from her lips, a twitch of my own upwards send another jolt of pain through my body. She lowers herself to my grounded level, again holding my arms in her own, to try and keep me conscious, maybe.

I can't feel it anymore. The physical contact alone is numbed through the blinding pain brought forth from whatever I was suffering from. Nothing, in fact, disturbs me more than that. A darkness begins to creep around the corners of my eyes, soon enveloping the world around me. The last thing I see before blackness clouds the entirety of my vision... is Iwanako's panicked expression. One final thought enters my head as my heart stops its seemingly relentless thundering.

A-am I dying? A scream finally enters my ears, before...

Nothing.

. . . . .

There's always something different about winter; could be that snow caked the ground wherever you go or maybe its purity... nope, it's definitely the fucking cold. How can anyone stand it, let alone play in it? Throwing snowballs seems like a chore, and the fact my hands go purple every time I try and throw a few doesn't make me any happier than I already am. Which is almost never, I'm almost never happy. Why would I be happy when I can be warm. The inside of Inryō is just what I need, who needs happiness when I have warmth? The place is heated, almost like one of those plug-in blankets, and I'm entirely content with just staying here. Kind of. Hisao hasn't made it back yet and it's been, what, forty minutes now? I know we agreed on thirty plus, but I don't like waiting. What can I say? I'm an impatient guy.

Here I am, sitting alone in this booth with a mug of black nectar in my hands, waiting for Hisao to arrive with this admirer of his. "Maybe it's a guy, that'd be fucking hilarious. Could be a seriously cute girl, too... hm," I say to no-one in particular. Not that anyone could understand me, anyhow. A couple passes me by, my eyes shift from their brief movement to the flatness of the table before me and I sigh. Okay, maybe I'm a little jealous that I'm here alone and Hisao's probably getting with someone, but so what... it doesn't matter that much, right? Right? I mean, it's my fault for never really trying anything, but still. I'd like some company, I suppose.

I lower an elbow to the table and rest my head in my left hand as I think to myself. "I should've taken that stupid language course before this stupid transfer." Well, if I did that, then maybe Hisao and I wouldn't be as close? Would I just be another annoying transfer student in his eyes? Why the fuck do I care? I sigh and purse my lips. Because he's really my only friend, here. That's why. But maybe I wouldn't be as much of a burden on him if I was able to understand and speak the language. Maybe. I don't know, this is confusing to think on. I just wanted some coffee, Goddammit.

Lowering my hand, I tilt my head to glance out through the window but stop suddenly. My brow raises and my mouth opens slightly. Isn't that the girl that Hisao likes? Indeed, just beyond the pane of the small coffee shop, the blue-haired girl that my tardy friend likes, seems to be looking around frantically. Is... is she in trouble? My mind idles for a few seconds on the idea, but I shrug it off. Tch, it's not my problem...

Goddammit, it is my problem. Hisao likes her, therefore, by extension, I'm obligated to try and care. The 'friend of friend's friends', type of situation I always seem to put myself in. It's a bitch. Pulling myself from the booth I sat at, I turn my head towards the sole man behind the counter and give a two-fingered salute. He nods at me with a smile as I make my way to the entrance. A brief notion reoccurs in my head. I really should've taken that stupid language course.

Now, out of the miniature coffee shop, everything that's ever been cold, or has a remotely low temperature, crashes into me like a freight train. And instantly, I hate everything again.

Jesus Christ, it's cold. The coffee shop's original warmth drains from my flannel-clad torso and I feel a temptation to just turn around and go back inside. Sadly, I care more about others than I do my own well being. Even if I hardly know that 'other'. I cup my freezing hands to my mouth, preparing to shout, before I stare blankly, somewhat awkwardly at her. My mouth dries as something registers with me.

The Hell's her name?! I raise a hand even higher and run the palm of it down the entirety of my face. A loud sigh escaping me. "Ah... it was, um... shit, Iwa? Ika? Ikanawa? Whatever..." I mumble to myself, I'm just going with it, too much effort. "Ikanawa!" Her head turns in my direction, her eyes widen I think. The snow kind of impairs my vision. Lowering my hands, now balled into fists to retain what little warmth they have left, I watch as she moves over to me, in almost a frenzied hurry. Something's definitely up. Did Hisao reject her or something? Or was it even her who gave that note? No time to be asking these senseless questions.

It didn't take long for her to reach me, her tufts of breath easily visible in this cold ass temperature. Her body shifting in a way to show she's trying to catch her breath. She jolts upright and stares at me with a panicked gaze. Suddenly, a new problem arises, one I should've seen coming.

"(...)!" I don't understand a lick of what she's saying. Her voice reaches my ears, I can tell she's in a rush, and I look around frantically myself, trying to decipher her need for help. An idea crosses my mind, one that may or may not work. I motion with my hands in a calming manner to try and soothe her rushed mannerisms. "(... Hisao...)!" She doesn't, but I did understand my friend's name. Is he in trouble?

I watch as she tries to animate a scene with her body and hands, but I don't understand anything! The only thing I could really get from her is something about Hisao, and that's not even saying much, really. "Ikanawa, calm down." I try and say, despite knowing about the language barrier between us. She must've understood that, at least, as she takes a deep breath.

"(... Iwanako...)..." Did she... did she really just try and correct me on her name?! Isn't whatever she's panicking about more important?! I shake my head and give a grunt of annoyance. Slowly, I point between her and me to animate my own thoughts, then point off in the direction I'm assuming she ran from. Hopefully, she'll understand I want her to take me to Hisao. Whatever it is, I just hope he's okay.

Luckily for me, she seems to understand what I was trying, and likely failing, to convey to her. She pulls on the sleeve to my flannel, her hand brushing mine sending an awkward vibe for a brief second, as she drags me off to where Hisao is, hopefully. Not even five minutes pass and we reach the clearing I'd originally left for a cup of joe, but this time, there's a new addition to the whole scene. A slumped form, lying on its back in the frozen plain, stares blankly off into the skies above.

I slowly piece together the scene, and what I see... isn't anything good. Iwanako comes looking for help... mentioned something about Hisao... that's probably a corpse... two plus two equals... "Oh, sonovabitch!" I break from the girl's grip on my sleeve and run to my downed translator — slash friend slash person that shouldn't be dying or dead right now. "Hisao! Shit!" I shout out, sliding the remaining distance on my knees to the boy. I feel a strain in my kneecaps, but it barely phases me.

Did she turn him over or did he fall like this? Regardless of the answer, he seemed to be breathing, but it was labored. Looking back to Iwanako, I pull my phone out and show it to her. I never really learned any numbers here, yet, so it's up to her to dial for emergency services. If Hisao wasn't dying in front of me, right now, I'm sure this would be a lot easier.

She gets the gist of what I was trying to say and pulls out her own device. I'm sure she'll feel stupid later, now knowing she could've dialed for help at any time instead of running to me for it, but I'm not going to ponder too hard on that. Turning back to my downed friend, I clench my teeth together in thought. How did the Hell this happen? Did he just keel over?! I look back to Iwanako, the girl putting her phone away. Knowing I'm not going to understand anything that comes from her mouth, she opts to pull up three fingers.

Three minutes, I'm assuming.

Those minutes pass by slower than anything I've ever witnessed. The freezing weather was putting a toll on my shoulders and my knees really hurt. Maybe I should've just sat next to him instead of blindly jump onto my kneecaps. Like an idiot. Anyway, point is, it's cold and that's not helping the situation. Eventually, the not too familiar sound of blaring alarms close in. The medical response team came by and it was the girl who did the talking as, obviously, there was sort of a language wall between everyone and me.

It was watching them place Hisao on the stretcher that made me understand the finality of it all. If... if he dies, oh my God, I'm screwed. Wow, that was a selfish thought. Erm... I wonder what mom's going to think when I call and tell her my translator died... ah... best not to think that way. Hisao wouldn't want me to... Come on man, make it easy on me here!

"God, I am the worst wingman."

I hate all of you... joking, lmao. Anyway, I know this fic's been dead for a long time, a year's length now I believe, but other interests came and went. I got sidetracked working on a plethora of other projects and such, so much so, that I entirely forgot about this piece. Until one day, like, today actually, I got an email. An email that was a review notification for this story. Granted, it was a guest review, and I typically hate guest reviews 'cause I can't respond to them directly, but something about this one spoke to me.

Literally, as it's a review.

Anyway, I got to thinking... maybe I should revive this fic. But, in order to do so, I had to edit the SHIT outta the first chapter. I didn't like it all that well and now, you have this. It reminds me of something I've been doing with another fic, and I like that. If you're interested, totally not self-promoting here, check out "Doki Doki-ish," a "Doki Doki Literature Club" fanfiction. It's on my profile here, and it's got a lot of support so far, for being a VN like this one. If you like Weyland Lemming, the Main Character of "I'm Not Disabled, I Speak English!," then you'll love him in "Doki Doki-ish" as well! That's right, folks, it's the same character! Pessimism!

Obviously, I put more time into that, but now I plan on spending time on this as well. So, congrats you guys, you've officially helped revive this thing. Weird, right? Feels good, if I'm being honest.

I just need to replay the fucking game to get a gist of the characters and their personalities again, Goddammit.

Whatever, lastly, as this was in the very same review that got me to thinking...

This isn't a self-insert. It's an OC that actually resembles an old friend of mine, one I sadly don't communicate with anymore... Bah, getting emotional for a second there, lmao. Anyway, I hope you guys appreciate the effort I'm once again going to put into this fanfic.

As usual, you're all the best and I hope you guys enjoy!