Kano's POV
Kido, when are you going to build a snowman with me?
Since visitors were no longer allowed within the palace premises, I stayed alone inside for the next seasons. Days, weeks, and months passed by and winter came.
Snow filled the kingdom and every time I would go to the highest tower in the castle I could see the whole view of the kingdom. Even at a very far distance, I could still see the children from outside the gates playing. Sledding, snowball fights, ice skating, even making... snowmen.
I smiled at the sight but gained envy. I really wanted to be like them. Playing. Having fun. Not caring about anything else.
Then I got the idea.
I know she's going to kill me for this, but I have to do it. I'm going to annoy her like I once did before.
I was in front of her door. Geez the air coming from in inside the room got colder. Before I knocked, I took a deep breath in and did so.
"Kido, do you wanna build a snowman?"
"No! Go away!"
"But I wanna go and play, with you."
"I said go away!"
"But, I never see you anymore. At least just open the door a little bit."
"Kano, go away. I don't want you hurt."
"Kido... we were buddies. Best buddies. How come that's not happening right now?"
"Just go away."
"But..."
"I SAID GO!"
Okay. This time, she sounded serious. I didn't want to interrupt her when she meant seriousness.
"Okay. See ya" I said walking away sadly.
Kidos' POV
I told mom and dad about the incident and they started prohibiting visitors, even our closest friends.
Months passed by so fast it was already winter when I noticed. I looked out the glass window and saw snow falling down from the sky. I was about to open it until my hand froze it.
It's getting stronger. I thought. Fear was overcoming me.
"Mom. dad." I called.
Dad later came in with gloves and made me wear them. "These gloves will help you." he said as he slipped the gloves on each of my hand. "Conceal, don't feel."
"Don't let them know." we said together.
Three years had passed and they both were ten years old. Even through the passing years, during winter Kano would still knock on Kido's door, but would leave after her first warning.
This year, he tried to do something different.
Knocked on Kido's door and said. "Kido, do you ant to build a snowman? Or maybe ride our bikes?" he said.
But there was no response.
"Aw come on Kido! During the other seasons, I would just talk to the paintings hanging on the wall, especially Joan."
Still no response.
"You know... Even if I do talk to the pictures I still watch the time slowly fade, waiting for-"
"MOM! DAD!" he heard from inside. "IT'S GETTING WORSE!"
"Kido..." he said as he was about to grab the doorknob.
But was stopped by the king and queen.
"Kano, no!" the queen said, stopping him. "Go to your room."
"Mother, what happened to Kido?"
"It's... her condition." the queen lied. "Please Kano go to your room."
Kano nodded and went into his room. I wonder what her condition is. I hope it's not that bad.
Meanwhile, inside Kido's room was a panicking girl and two adults trying to calm her down.
"It's getting worse. The gloves can't hide them anymore. It's getting stronger." she said showing her parent's the gloves that were completely frozen.
"Don't be afraid. Getting scared only makes it worse." the king said trying to calm her down.
"Stay away!" she walking backwards, away from them. "I don't want to hurt you."
Years again passed and likewise, Kano and Kido grew older. To be specific, both of them were already 16. Kido had different gloves which were given by the lady in the woods.
"These gloves will officially conceal your powers once you have them on. But remember, these still come off so be careful, and don't be afraid."
Back in the castle, Kano surprisingly found Kido outside in the garden in spring, picking up flowers. He tried to approach her but as he did, she walked away.
But because he was so curious on what those flowers were for, he followed her, only to see her place them on a vase. Funny thing though, she was smiling.
As soon as she finished, she went back inside her room.
He tiptoed towards the table where the vase of freshly picked flowers were. He was how beautifully arranged they were. Violets and roses.
Months passed again and winter came. This time was different because they wouldn't be spending it with their parents.
"Ayano is turning eighteen this year, so we're going to her birthday debut." the king said.
"This will be happening to Kido, too, right? Likes it or not." Kano asked, excitement in his eyes.
"That's the royal rules. She had to." the queen said. "Likes it or not."
"Well..." Kano said with a smile. "See you in two weeks then." and he embraced them.
"Take care of Kido, alright?"
They went down the stairs, Kano was in his room that time. Kido in the meanwhile waited down the stairs. As they stopped in front of her, she gave a bow.
"Do you really have to go?" she said with a worried look and shaky tone.
"Kido, come here." her mother said hugging her. Kido immediately hugged her back. "It's only going to be for two weeks."
"You're going to be fine. Take care of Kano and yourself." her father said as he kissed her forehead.
Kido was about to return to her room, until she met Kano along the hallways. Kido gave aout a shocked expression while Kano kept on a smile.
"Tsubomi." Kano said with a smile.
Kido looked away and continued walking until she walked past him, but was stopped as he grabbed her hand.
"Kido, why are staying away from me?"
"Kano, you wouldn't understand."
"I would if you just told me."
Kido pulled her hand away from Kano's grip. Luckily her glove didn't come off. "I'm sorry." she said as she held both of her hands towards her chest.
Kano looked down on the floor, a little disappointed. Of course. Kido was finally outside but she still shut him out.
"I just want to build a snowman with you." he whispered to himself.
Two weeks had passed but still their parents weren't home. The two teenagers were beginning to worry. Kano had kept on telling the guards to give them information on where his parents are. He even sent a letter to the other kingdom, but the response said the high king and queen weren't there.
Kido on the other hand was beginning to panic. She stayed in her room all day long like before, but this time her room would catch a blizzard and it seemed colder than before. Everything was literally... Frozen.
One day, Kano got a letter.
With very horrible news.
He needed to tell Kido. She had to know. So he knocked on her door, letter in hand. "Kido, I have news about father and mother.
Kido directly opened the door and Kano felt the coldness.
"Geez Kido, it's so cold how-"
She pushed Kano away and immediately closed the door behind her. Seeing the folded piece of paper being held in his hands. She immediately took it.
And cried at what was written.
"Kido, I-"
"Stay away!" she said as she dropped the piece of paper on the floor and went back inside her room.
Like always, she sat by the edge of the door, crying. "Mom. Dad. Why did you leave so early?" The atmosphere got colder and colder until it snowed.
Kano who was outside stared past the door, remembering what it was like to loose his real parents. The pain came back because the couple who took him in and treated him like a real son, was gone, too. He walked towards the door of Kido's room, sat on the floor, and leaned against the soft wooden texture.
"Kido, when are you going to build a snowman with me?"