(Y/n) had come home from yet another important site the Akihito family wanted to develop. This time, it was going to be a nature reserve, so it was important the young woman see it through. Preserving the environment was a major value for the matriarch of the family, despite her lack of engagement in the family itself. She was pretty much a recluse, particularly with the disease she had been suffering from.

The girl had been told that she was active as a child. Apparently, her mother and father were workers in the main Echal household for the Akihito family. She was a childhood friend and later sweetheart of Kazuya. The story she had been told was incredibly sweet. After all, when Kazuya went to university abroad, he had to leave her behind, and in her heartbreak, she went out to make a living on her own. When Kazuya returned, he looked everywhere for her, and eventually, they reunited before coming together as a couple. A few years after that, they married. But apparently, after Bastien was born, she came down with an incurable illness.

Personally, the (h/c) haired girl had only seen her a handful of times. She was usually in her room or in the hospital, trying to rest and recover with her own personal fleet of doctors. Obviously, she was treated very well. Her husband was a fool for her, as was her son. Bastien might have been as well if he was only able to see his mother. Unfortunately, it had been ages since they had ever seen one another, and Bastien didn't recognize her as his mother. In fact, he allotted his main nanny that position, misunderstanding.

That was why it was such a surprise to see the woman up and about. She was leaning on Kazuya's arm, trying to stand on her own. Occasionally, she took a step forward, but when she could see the younger girl, she gave a bright smile. It seemed she recognized her, eager to start a conversation with her. After all, it had been a few months since she had last seen her, and considering how much Haru loved her, it was only natural she liked her as well.

"Miss Shiratori!" she exclaimed, her smile brightening up the room despite her coughing, "Congratulations on your work well done!"

(Y/n) was a bit surprised. When they had first met, the woman's accent was very thick, and though it was still there, she was much better with her language skills. In fact, she found it a lot easier, too, it seemed. The woman must have had nothing but time on her hands trapped inside all day. Perhaps that was why she was up for once. Kazuya must have been helping her outside to get some fresh air and sunshine.

"Thank you, but it's all thanks to Kazuya's guidance."

"Not at all," the man chuckled nervously, his wife nuzzling him affectionately, "You are where you are today because of your hard work and intelligence."

"I could say the same about you, Mr. President."

The man blushed, embarrassed at the title. Despite the fanciness of it, the name Akihito was better by far, so he was typically reluctant to accept the former title. Then again, after his fierce campaigning, it was nice to hear it. After all, now he was able to use his money to change things for the better. Of course, Echal was one of the best countries in the world, and certainly the wealthiest when it came to the vast majority of people and their thriving economy. However, things could always be improved, and that was what Kazuya worked for.

"Are you doing any better?" the (h/c) haired girl questioned, greatly concerned for the kind woman, "It's been a while since you've been up."

"I'd like to say that's the case, but it'll never be certain."

Kazuya frowned, resting his head on her shoulder. He loved his wife. He loved her more than anything in the world, willing to do everything just to see her safe and sound. Unfortunately, the reality wasn't so forgiving as the woman was barely alive. Illness after illness, she would collapse into pain. Throughout the year, especially during the winter, she would become so weak she could barely stand. They all knew she could pass away at any moment, a somber atmosphere lingering over their home.

"I'm actually on my way to see the snow. It'll be gone before long, so I was hoping to make a snowman."

(Y/n) smiled gently as the woman's eyes sparkled. Sometimes, she was so innocent it seemed implausible. That being said, if she wanted to play in the snow, she would play in the snow. Kazuya thought the same, continuing to guide her outside. Before they left the warmth of the home, however, he checked countless times to see if she was properly dressed. The man tightened her scarf, adjusted her winter jacket, and ensured her boots were on properly. However, even that wasn't enough for him. He then began to pile her with blanket after blanket, the woman only able to accept his protective nature.

Soon enough, the woman was finally able to step outside, reveling in the small snowfall and glimmering white, sparkly ground. Like a child, she let herself fall into it, giving a squeal of delight. She began to make a snow angel, moving her arms and legs with more energy than she had felt in a while. The sight was blissful, particularly as she began crafting small spheres of snow, packing them together and stacking one on top of the other. She put her all into making the tiny snowmen, her husband gathering tiny sticks and bringing them to her like a puppy.

The amber-haired woman gave a soft look at the tiny things she'd made, a total of five snowmen standing. The first clearly represented her, possessing a small bow she'd fashioned from one of the ribbons in her hair. The second must have been Kazuya, complete with a small tie she'd made out of another ribbon in her hair. Then it was Haru, just a regular snowman with a blob of ice in front of him. She suspected it was a computer, but there was really no telling.

The next snowman must have been (Y/n), the woman giving her a blob, too. It was either a briefcase or a present. She couldn't tell. Then there was a tiny little snowman on the end, representing the youngest, Bastien, with his favorite stuffy, a small koala. Oddly enough, she didn't need to use any snow, taking off her necklace and putting it next to the boy. The necklace looked childish, the younger girl thought, like one that a young girl would have, made of cheap plastic. It didn't seem to suit the matriarch of the Akahito family. And yet, she had it on her person.

When she finished, she smiled at the younger girl, gesturing to her snowman. (Y/n) could take a hint. Eloise wanted her very much to become part of her family, particularly because she made Haru so happy. However, despite the familiarity she felt with the amber-haired woman, she couldn't promise her she would remain with him. It was all about her own survival, so if there was a better chance at it somewhere, she would be more open to taking it.

"We can offer you anything you'd ever want," she smiled, reaching her hands out for the younger girl to take, "We're a happy family, (Y/n), and I think that's something you would benefit from. I, of all people, know where you're coming from, so please believe it's because I want what's best for you."

Again, the younger girl looked at the woman with a smile, but it was not because she was happy about the provocation. Rather, it was because she could not answer her without breaking her heart. Perhaps, if she could believe that Haru was willing to ever let her be self-sufficient, she could have confidence in staying with him. However, as things stood, that was not the case, so she could not answer the way the woman wanted. But Eloise knew this, and she, too, smiled somberly.

Before long, Haru and Bastien had come out, the genius carrying the toddler in his arms. The smaller of the two brunettes was wrapped up in countless layers of winter wear, most likely because of Haru's overprotective nature. Before long, the smaller brunette squealed at the sight of snow, playfully hitting his brother to set him down so he could run rampant. The moment his feet touched the ground, he began moving his legs as fast as possible. Unfortunately, because walking was not his strong suit, despite being nearly three years old, he wiped out not too long after.

However, his confidence was astounding, the boy picking himself up promptly and squealing with joy. The boy then called out the (h/c) haired girl's name, bewildered to see her there. Since she was one of his favorite people, the brunette began to run through the snow toward her, falling along the way. His mother held out her hands, showing the boy she wanted to hug him.

Bastien began to race a little faster, getting excited at how close he was getting. That was when he completely toppled over for the umpteenth time. In doing so, he accidentally hit the first snowman, knocking it over and sending the ribbon to fly through the air. Eloise flinched.

The small brunette then bounded into (Y/n)'s arms, hugging her and handing her some snow he had found. She accepted it gratefully, thanking the boy for his hard work and kindness, but she looked over at the amber-haired woman, frowning. The woman couldn't even look at her youngest child, Kazuya kneeling down by her side in an attempt to comfort her. Even though he was older now, Bastien still didn't recognize her as his mother. It was heartbreaking.

"Look, snow!" the brunette glimmered, handing her another bit of snow, "I'll give it to you!"

Haru gave a bright smile at the way his two favorite people got along. More than that, the sight of the younger girl taking care of a child blood-related to him was unspeakably refreshing. Though he wasn't their own child, Bastien might as well have been the best thing that could connect both of them. Still, he hadn't given up hoping for a child of his own. Every time he asked the girl, she got mad, but she couldn't deny that she loved Bastien.

Kazuya soon found his own bliss by seating his wife on his lap. He began to nuzzle and coddle her, insisting she drink warm tea. Their relationship had never faded despite everything, and that was what made Haru melt. He wanted to sit with the (h/c) haired girl on a cold, winter day and snuggle while watching their kids play together. The brunette desperately wanted that undying affection and that happy family, his father and mother a prime example of true, unfaltering love.

They must have been out there for thirty minutes before Kazuya got too concerned about Eloise's wellbeing. He took her inside, carefully, Haru picking up Bastien and following along suit. The brunette turned around to tell (Y/n) to come inside as well, opening his mouth before promptly shutting it. He blushed. She didn't like being told what to do. Frowning, he tried to push his overprotective tendencies to the back of his mind, but it was still there, lingering and festering inside of him.

The younger girl took a little more time outside, watching as snow fell softly. Echal wasn't a very snowy place. It was usually warm and temperate. However, the rare sight of snow was something that filled her with excitement. She gave a small grin as she held her hands out to catch a tiny wisp of ice. Gorgeous as always, the snow glimmered like millions of tiny crystals. It was an invaluable sight.

At the same time, despite the rare view, she couldn't stop her mind from wandering away from it. She thought about all of the things that had happened during her time with Haru. Some were good, some were bad, and some were just ordinary. Granted, she was given a safe and secure life, one that sated any desire of hers, including her wish to become self-dependent. Even if she had decided to leave the brunette - granted he broke some part of their contract - she would be able to live on her own.

Sighing, after a few moments of thoughtful contemplation, she decided to go back inside, moving one foot in front of the other. In her spaced-out state, she nearly walked on Haru's snowman. Pausing, she glanced down at it, wondering whether it really mattered if she destroyed it or not. No one was watching, no one would know, and it would all be her little secret. She couldn't deny there could be a certain joy in tearing something down, sadistic and cruel as it may be. The girl grinned.

After making her decision, of which only she would know, she went back inside, Haru holding himself back from inspecting her. Ultimately, he decided to do it anyway, something that wasn't so surprising. She wasn't even caught off guard when he instructed her to take a warm bath. It was all so routine, the brunette unable to take his mind off of her health. Despite that, she listened, allowing him some peace of mind. After all, she couldn't guarantee him anything in the future, including her affection for him.