Story of Season: Winter

Chapter 14's

The port is pretty crowded right now. People pass by in thick coats and suitcase bags. There are also pelvic porters who are ready to help the passengers with a lot of luggage.

Traders' transactions are also widely carried out at the port. The supply of Winter Country foodstuffs originating from neighboring countries is sent here, although there are also those by land transportation. This makes the Winter Country never run out of food stocks even though winter occurs all year round. They cooperate with other countries in matters of food supply

People are busy here. Delphy's been one of the people who's been busy here and there. He lost track of Frost after having to go to a public toilet. Not only one ship that was leaning, he did not know which ship to go to. Bad thoughts begin to haunt Delphy, like what if Frost turns out to leave him.

Delphy shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel his bad thoughts. Frost can't be like that. His eyes began to pay attention to the crowd well. He would have found Frost if he had searched carefully.

Unfortunately for an hour around the harbor, Delphy never saw Frost. Delphy began to despair. He decided to sit on the port.

"If you're lost, just stay in one place, let me find you."

Hearing that voice, Delphy immediately looked up. Frost stood in front of him with a sharp look, he looked furious.

Delphy stood up then replied fearfully. "I thought you left me."

"Don't think of it like that, I bought a ticket earlier." Answer Frost.

They started to enter the ship. Goddess fortuna seemed to be siding with them. Although the port was crowded, the ship they boarded was quite quiet. Quite quiet to be able to relax for three months on the boat trip. The ship left shortly from them.

"Mong by the way, how did you find me?" Ask Delphy.

"Your hair is conspicuous tau." Frost replied, "because it's just staying in place, I can definitely find you."

After putting the goods down, Frost went to order food. Ailee did not have time to prepare provisions for them for several days on the ship. Of course Frost would also reject him if Ailee did that. Taking out a few gold pieces was no problem for him.

While Delphy, the girl prefers to go to the Deck ship for fresh air. Of course I told Frost first.

There were only a handful of people on the deck of the ship, most of them young people. Cold air of course makes parents choose to warm themselves in the ship rather than looking for wind on the deck.

Delphy turned his head as he felt someone walking up to him. Not Frost, but rather a man who was seen entering the age of five heads. Her hair was age-consuming.

The man stopped right next to Delphy and then thrust out a hot chocolate bar. "Sum while it's hot." Said the Man.

Delphy accepted it awkwardly, "Thank you."

"Hey son, what do you think destiny is?"

"Hmmm....The life of a man who cannot change." Delphy replied then sipped his hot chocolate.

The man extended his hand. Miraculously a necklace with a crystal-shaped pendulum appeared on the man's palm.

"Thank you for answering my question." Said the man and gave the necklace to Delphy. "This canyon will accompany you, you can wear it, son."

Delphy accepted the necklace doubtfully. The reason, how could a foreign man who miraculously brought up the necklace and his palm was then given to Delphy. However, Delphy felt no danger to the man, there was no reason to refuse a necklace.

"Thank you." Reply Delphy, "it looks like I take too much from you."

The man shook his head weakly, "Because you have been and will give me more, son."

Delphy turned his gaze to the necklace he held, but when Delphy returned to look at the other person, he had disappeared from Delphy's sight.

There is still one question that has not been spoken by Delphy. What he gave to the man and what he would give to the man. Unfortunately the man simply disappeared from view quickly, even though the deck of the ship was quite wide and their position was standing before far from the door.

Niente. However Delphy searched the ship, he could not find any trace of the old man.

"No, it turns out the air inside is more comfortable." Delphy replied awkwardly, surprised by Frost's presence.

Frost gave Delphy a box of food without saying anything and then chose to go into the room he had ordered leaving Delphy himself who preferred to return to the deck of the ship, enjoying the view of twilight, and then chose to go back to the deck of the ship, watching the sun set while filling an empty stomach.

It was late when Delphy decided to go into the room and sleep. There, Frost is seen still reading a book on his bed.

+++

Again a vast expanse of snow accompanied by a storm. A sight no longer unfamiliar to Delphy. It's not the first time he's been in this place.

"Do you know what to do?" A voice rang out clearly in Delphy's ear, but he did not know where the source was.

"No, I don't know." Delphy replied loudly.

"Then you will find out soon."

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Shouted Delphy, "i'm tired, I just want to live my life as usual."

There was no answer, just a blue light approaching. Getting closer until Delphy was drowned by the light.

Warm. The warm feeling that makes Delphy like it even though he likes the cold more than anything. But being able to feel a warmth in the middle of a snowstorm became a euphoria for Delphy.

"Sorry to make you difficult. Now you can rest first. Stay here for a moment. Because no one can do it but you."

Delphy started crying. "Do what? Why should I?"

"Because it's about you and the winter you love."

+++

Delphy woke up from his sleep. The crystal necklace he got emitted a momentary glow. Her breath feels tight. Anxiety enveloped Delphy, he did not know the cause. How can someone who just woke up from his sleep immediately feel annoyed.

It was still dark to start the activity. It is even possible that the crew is still asleep, only a few are still awake to ensure the safety of the ship.

On his bed, Frost awakens when a light appears from near Delphy. It's just that he did not dare to say anything when he saw Delphy who woke up feeling annoyed. Not sure what made the girl so upset that she woke up in the middle of the night, Frost didn't know anything.

Frost watched Delphy for a long time until the girl was completely calm.

"Bad nightmares?" Ask Frost.

"No." Delphy replied briefly.

Frost went back to sleep when Delphy asked, "have you ever had a weird dream when you knew you were the keeper of the season?"

"No." Frost replied, "what's wrong?"

"It's okay, go back to sleep. Sorry to bother you."

Delphy, unable to fall back asleep, decides to read a book he borrowed from Ailee.

"Winter is not that bad if you can enjoy every moment. The cold that covers your body can still be warmed by making a fireplace at home, accompanied by a cup of warm drinks and a chat with the family, is not it much warmer and more comfortable than anything?"

Somehow Delphy felt familiar with the dialogue.