Yumera Satou—better known by the title Yuki-onna.
That title was not merely a name, but a reflection of her ability. She could control ice over a wide area, shaping, manipulating, even creating ice structures at will. In battle, her presence could transform the battlefield into a deadly frozen domain.
She was a second-generation Ability user, and also Fubuki Azuma's comrade on the front lines.
However, unlike her cold and intimidating title, her personality was warm. Active, easy to get along with, and she never saw men as second-class citizens like most people did after the world changed.
For Yumera, Japan's new system after the Mato invasion was something complicated. She did not fully agree with the drastic shift that pushed men aside simply because power now favored women through the peach.
Even so, she was not the type to oppose it openly.
She chose to fight.
To build her reputation through real results on the battlefield, not through words.
But ten years ago—
An incident took everything from her.
In a battle in Kyoto Prefecture against a special Shuuki, Yumera fought alone. She managed to defeat the enemy, but the price was too great. The injuries she suffered left her in a coma… until now.
And for Fubuki—
It was a regret that never truly faded.
She arrived too late.
Too late to stand beside her comrade.
Too late to share that burden.
…
Kazuma slowly pulled himself away from the embrace.
His movement was slightly rushed, as if he had finally regained space to breathe. He lowered his head, taking a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he tried to steady himself.
"Haah… I'm fine."
His voice sounded slightly hoarse, but still composed.
Fubuki looked at him, her brows knitting slightly.
"Are you sure?"
Kazuma nodded.
"Yes… my mother did her duty well."
He paused for a moment, then continued, more firmly.
"I don't hate her… or anything."
Fubuki fell silent for a moment.
Relief slowly appeared on her face, mixed with a kind of admiration she couldn't quite hide. Not because the answer was simple—but because of the understanding behind it.
An understanding someone his age should not have.
She looked at Kazuma a little longer.
He wasn't speaking like a child who had lost his mother. He was speaking like someone who… understood.
Understood what it meant to stand on the front lines.
Understood the consequences of that choice.
War was not a light duty. Even for women who now held power, it was never something without burden.
Strength alone was not the reason that role had shifted.
Throughout human history, men had stood at the front not only because of physicality—but because of how they were shaped to face violence, pressure, and loss.
While women—
Even now, with greater power—
Still carried a different kind of burden.
On the battlefield, that difference became clear. There would come a time when one had to face death almost every day—the uncertainty of survival, loss, and pressure that slowly eroded from within.
Fubuki understood that well.
As a front-line soldier, she did not only risk her life, but also gave up many things beyond battle. Including her role as a mother.
She had three daughters.
But their relationship was far from a typical family. Contact between them was rare, and even when it happened, it felt stiff—more like a superior and subordinate than mother and child.
Personal topics were difficult to touch.
There was a distance—unseen, yet real.
Sometimes, Fubuki regretted it.
Regretted not watching them grow properly. Regretted not being there in important moments, when they might have needed her as a mother, not as a soldier.
But at the same time—
She understood the choice she had made.
There was a responsibility she could not abandon.
The Mato invasion had taken too much. Too many lives lost, too many sacrifices that became the foundation of the MDF as it stood today.
She could not allow it to happen again.
Fubuki looked back at Kazuma.
Her gaze was deeper now, as if weighing something beyond mere potential.
"My offer still stands… Will you join the MDF?"
Kazuma did not answer immediately. He let out a slow breath before speaking.
"Sorry, that's an incredible offer for someone like me, but if I become part of the MDF… it's the same as throwing myself into a pack of hyenas."
He met her gaze calmly.
"You know… the world isn't that simple."
With that response, Fubuki was certain Kazuma was no ordinary man. He wasn't someone who would simply nod yes when presented with an extraordinary offer—he evaluated whether it was beneficial for himself or harmful to others.
Kazuma was not reckless. He was perceptive enough to read situations and people, maintaining his stance without standing out too much. At the same time, his position remained secure—not overly prominent, but not someone to be underestimated.
Moreover, the fact that he was the disciple of Fubuki's biological father added another layer of weight to his presence.
"Alright, kid. Let's head home."
Yamazaki's voice came from the gate. The old man was already standing there, clearly unwilling to linger.
"Yes… once again, thank you for your help! We'll take our leave!"
Kazuma replied politely, his voice clear yet humble.
"Oh, right, don't forget to come again anytime you want! And you too, dear! Don't forget to fill out our marriage form!"
Tobera called out cheerfully, as if it were the most natural reminder in the world.
That immediately sent a chill down Yamazaki's spine.
Without responding, he turned around and walked out quickly, almost in a hurry.
Kazuma followed behind, bowing slightly several times as a gesture of respect toward Fubuki and Tobera.
Behind them, the two women of the Azuma family remained standing, watching their departure—
Each with thoughts that had not fully settled.
...
When Yamazaki and Kazuma arrived at the residence, the atmosphere immediately felt different.
In front of the entrance, a group of women stood waiting. They wore neat, uniform black outfits, arranged in a nearly perfect formation—silent, unmoving, yet enough to create the impression that the place had been surrounded.
The atmosphere was cold.
Yamazaki slowed his steps, while Kazuma instinctively observed the surroundings.
They approached.
"Wow… who are you?"
Yamazaki's tone sounded casual as usual, as if he wasn't disturbed by the scene.
One of them stepped forward. Her posture was straight, her gaze firm.
"We are from the government. Are you Yamazaki Kudo and Kazuma Satou?"
The question was delivered clearly, without preamble.
Yamazaki and Kazuma exchanged glances briefly.
Then—
They nodded.
"Would you come with us?"
The request sounded polite.
But it was clearly not an ordinary request.
"Whoa… hold on." Yamazaki raised a hand slightly. "From the government? On what grounds should we follow you? Do you have a warrant?"
His tone remained relaxed, but sharper now.
The woman showed no change in expression.
"This is a direct order from the Minister of Defense. Please understand."
Silence followed.
"Hoo…" Yamazaki narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're from DIH?"
DIH (Defense Intelligence Headquarters)—Japan's main military intelligence body under the Ministry of Defense.
The moment that name was spoken—
The atmosphere shifted.
Some of those standing behind her tensed slightly. Small movements, barely noticeable—yet clear enough for someone like Yamazaki.