Melancholic Winter (Volume 1)

"!"

"Hell no!"

"You and your strange tastes..." Kaito sighed in disbelief. 

"Hehe. Did I finally get your attention?"

It was Natasha Wilford, a classmate of Kaito's, who flashed a peace sign to signify her victory with a bright smile radiating triumph.

Natasha Wilford. 

16 years old. 

5'7. 

Blonde Drill Hair. 

Division: A.

"..."

"Yeah, you sure did alright."

"So then, what can I do for you, my dear princess?"

"Kaito! I told you not to call me that, didn't I...?"

"I was joking, I was joking, Natasha. Forgive me, haha."

"Hmph... You're so mean, Kaito," Natasha pouted, throwing soft punches at his arm. 

"..."

In middle school, Natasha was often referred to by the nickname 'Princess'. She was born into an affluent family that owned the majority of Cranberry's shares and maintained significant ties to the government. Her life was steeped in luxury, mansions, skyscrapers and endless wealth, but she found little solace in it. 

To her, it was like being a bird in a gilded cage, longing for freedom.

At school, her classmates would often accompany her around the school only to leech off her wealth, never truly knowing her. Boys from other wealthy families would try to woo her, drawn not only to her family's wealth but also to her beauty, often likened to the heavenly body of a celestial goddess. Their lecherous gazes followed her wherever she wandered. The only place she was free from such, was her bedroom. There, Natasha could express her true self, venting the frustration and anger she had accumulated through the week.

Raised in such an environment, there was nowhere else Natasha could turn. What her school was meant to be, was instead a stark contrast to her expectations. The vibrant colours of her world dulled to lifeless grey, and the beauty she once knew faded into obscurity. This continued for many months until an unexpected event sprang into sight. An event that would paint her world with vibrant colours once more.

Midway through the term, during the snowy January months, the homeroom teacher announced an announcement. 

"Alright, everyone, settle down. I have some exciting news."

The class suddenly buzzed with anticipation. While Natasha listlessly gazed out the window. As if nothing mattered to her, whether it was good news or bad, she would still suffer the same issues regardless.

"Alright then, come on in, Mr. Lionheart."

"Hi, I am Kaito Lionheart, it's a pleasure to meet you all. I do apologise for the sudden notice. After, a long discussion with my father, I have decided to attend Rosemary Middle School. I understand some of you may be wondering about my distinct features, well to answer that, my mother was from the land of Edo and my father, you guessed it right, is from the Island of Albion, where we all currently reside. I look forward to getting to know you all."

"..."

The class erupted with excitement.

"Oh my, he's so handsome and very tall!"

"For a mixed race, he looks adorable, doesn't he, Angelica?"

"Agreed, Ingrid. We must find out which family he belongs to! A marriageable partner I'd say."

"No Ingrid, he's mine!"

"As those peasants say, 'finders keepers, losers weepers', Angelica, hohoho."

"..."

"Tch, I thought it'd be a girl," one boy grumbled.

Another laughed, "I won the bet this time, Robert. Now hand me the money."

"Alright, alright. Here you go." Robert muttered, handing over a few bills.

"But, I do say, for a mixed-race person, he does look very handsome."

"Ah, Robert, your desperation for women has faltered, and now you are chasing men?"

"That's not what I meant!" Robert snapped, his face flushing.

"It's okay, Robert," Benjamin teased with a grin. "You are free to love whoever you want. No judgment here. Heh."

"Damn you Benjamin!"

"..."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Where do your parents work Kaito?"

"Where did you last study?"

"Were you raised here or in the Land of Edo? Your speaking skills are very good."

"..."

The class could not contain their excitement and bombarded Kaito with a series of questions at every opportunity they could find. He smiled nervously, frozen in place, unsure of how to respond.

"!"

"Alright that's enough," the teacher interjected. "You can ask him questions after break. For now, get your textbooks out and turn to page 112."

"Kaito, you can sit at the empty desk over there, next to Natasha."

"Sure, will do. Thank you, Sir." Kaito replied, making his way to the desk.

Once he reached it, he extended a hand and introduced himself with a smile, "Hi Natasha, I am Kaito. Nice to meet you." 

Natasha, keeping her eyes downcast, simply replied, "Likewise." 

Kaito chuckled nervously and quickly sat down, wondering if he had somehow committed a grave sin on his arrival. Moments later, a female classmate seated behind his desk leaned in with a reassuring smile, "Don't worry too much, Kaito. Sometimes our Princess just has her foul moods, hehe."  

Relieved, Kaito smiled back, "Ah I see, thank you for letting me know." 

Natasha, overhearing the exchange, shot them a sharp stare, as both, nervously laughed it off.

As the lesson ended and break began, a horde of classmates swarmed around Kaito's desk. Natasha, visibly irritated by the commotion, left the classroom with a few of her followers trailing her like ducklings.

"..."

"Say Kaito, you never answered my question earlier. Do you have a girlfriend?"

"I am not looking for one at the moment, haha..."

"Awh that's a shame, let me know when you are available."

"..."

"Do you play football?"

"Yeah, I am not too great, but I enjoy playing."

"Oh, that's fine. You should join us sometime! Since it's winter, we're playing in the gym hall to play for now. But in the summer, you'll love running on the field. Haha"

"Sure. That sounds fun, I'd love to join. Thanks."

"..."

"By the way Kaito, you never told us where your parents work. You have only mentioned where they are from."

"Yeah, tell us Kaito.

"Yeah, I wanna know too!"

Pressured by the eager crowd, Kaito finally relented. "Alright, alright. My parents both worked for Cranberry and-" 

Before he could finish, his classmates' eyes lit up with astonishment.

"!"

"Really? No way, that is amazing!"

"Did they help develop the iVision?"

"Yeah, were they part of it?" 

Kaito smiled but with a faint sorrowful expression, "Yes, yes, they did. That's how my parents met, and here I am today!"

"Haha, Kaito you jester."

"Awh what a love story, almost like those drama shows."

"I know right?"

"..."

Amid the joy and jubilation, Natasha returned to her desk, as her classmates respectfully stepped aside to make room for her desk. The lively conversation continued, with the group eager to befriend their new classmate.

"Say, Kaito, what is your iVision iD? I would love to add you!"

"Me too."

"Me as well."

"Can I add you as well?"

"Ah, sorry guys... I haven't gotten myself an iVision yet," Kaito admitted hesitantly.

"..."

The room fell silent, disbelief etched on every face. Among them, none looked more expressive than the so-called disgruntled 'Princess', Natasha, who instinctively blurted, "Wait what, that's impossible!" 

Her classmates rolled their heads at her. Embarrassed by her outburst, she coughed nervously, trying to avert the awkwardness. 

"..."

"Yeah like the Princess said, you are joking, right?"

"I mean you are the son of the iVision developers, aren't you?"

"Yeah, how does that even make sense, Kaito?"

"Explain yourself!"

The questions loomed over Kaito, He stood frozen, rooted on the spot, paralysed in fear. He had two choices in hand, to either, tell the painful truth, or tell a blatant lie. If he presents the truth, then it guarantees that he would be looked down upon, and be labelled crazy, despite his family's wealth and prestige. But, if he presents a lie, then, for how long will it last, before the truth inevitably surfaces?

"..."

"My dear classmates," Natasha interjected, her voice composed but firm, "Isn't it clear as day? Surely, he must be waiting for a new, more advanced model that only his parents will have access to. Without a doubt, his model will have features far superior to what we can imagine. After all, he is the son of the developers who revolutionized the world, is he not? It's possible he was even instructed to keep it a secret until the official release." 

Natasha's explanation caught the room's attention, and murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.

"..."

"Ah, that makes sense. As expected of the Princess."

"That's our Princess for you, always able to identify the solution to a problem."

"Wow, a custom model? That sounds incredible!"

"Right? Can't you tell us more Kaito? Just a little hint?"

"..."

"Yes, it is exactly as Natasha - uh, I mean the Princess had explained." Kaito stammered, grasping at the lifeline thrown in by Natasha. "Sorry everyone, but I cannot disclose any state secret as of now. Or else I will put my parent's job in jeopardy, haha." He laughed nervously.

Relieved, Kaito glanced at Natasha and whispered 'Thank you'. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned away, feigning a disinterest. 

"..."

"Awh that's a shame."

"But do give us some spoilers when it's close to release, okay?"

"Yeah, please Kaito. Pretty please?"

"Alright alright... But no promises," Kaito replied, his laugh still uneasy.

"..."

The hectic morning passed, and lunchtime finally arrived. Many classmates eagerly invited Kaito to join them, but he politely refused, "Sorry, everyone," he explained, fabricating an excuse. "I have a quick meeting scheduled with the Headmaster about my first day. I'm more than happy to join you tomorrow if that works with you all?" 

"Aww, that's a shame."

"Yeah sure, tomorrow works!"

"I had a lot of questions, well looks like it will have to wait for tomorrow."

"Ha...Ha... Sure." Kaito replied, his laugh betraying his nervousness.

In truth, his real motives lay elsewhere. He wanted to find Natasha, the one who had saved him from potential humiliation. By the time Kaito left the classroom, Natasha had already waved off her classmates and disappeared. He quicked his pace, glancing around the corridors and stairs like a curious mouse in search of food. 

After searching in vain, he gave up. Naturally, he gravitated towards the rooftop, where he hoped to enjoy his lunch in solitude. As he neared the door, a collection of angry murmurs caught his attention. The door was ajar, just enough for him to peer through.

"!"

"So, my dear Natasha, when will you be accepting my lovely marriage proposal?"

"I told you repeatedly, Victor. I am not interested!"

Standing before Natasha was a boy, with shaggy blond hair, wearing the latest Buuchi designer shoes and belt, a pair of red roses in his hand, as he courted Natasha. But Natasha's face expressed clear irritation.

"Fear not Natasha, I vow, in the name of the Heckleberg family, that I, Victor Heckleberg will make you, Natasha Wilford, the happiest woman alive," Victor declared dramatically. 

"For the last time, I am not interested! What part of that doesn't your feeble little mind not understand, Victor?"

"Come on Natasha, why do you resist? Our families are already on good terms, so it is only logical that we the descendants, further strengthen our family ties don't you think?"

"Family this, family that, I am sick of it!" Natasha spat, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm leaving."

As she turned to leave, Victor grabbed her arms tightly.

"Where do you think you are going, Princess?" He sneered. "Hehehe... Hahaha!"

"Let me go! What do you think you are doing, Victor?"  Natasha struggled, her voice trembling with desperation.

"Do you think I will let you leave? After all my efforts? I must say, you really do have a good sense of humour, my dear Natasha" Victor said, his grip tightening.

"Let go, Victor! What you're doing is a serious crime."

"Crime?" Victor smirked. "Now now, it is only natural for husband and wife to be this affectionate. Although I do admire your efforts trying to resist. I must say, this is the first time, that a girl played so hard to get. Most I have met would have been easily swayed by money and sweet words, but you, you, on the other hand, nothing seems to sway you. Why is that I wonder? Well, not that it matters anyway, haha. I do like my girls when they play hard to get." 

"It's... Exciting!" 

"Eek! You creep!" Natasha shrieked. "Unhand me right now, before I scream!"

"Scream?" Victor chuckled darkly. "Do you really think that I'd let you?" Forcefully, Victor covered Natasha's mouth, trying to stifle her cries from his misdeed. 

But Natasha did not falter, summoning her courage, she gnawed Victor's hand in an attempt to escape.

"Ahhhhhhhh! You little b*tch!" Victor recoiled in pain, his scream echoing across the rooftop. Enraged, he lashed out, striking Natasha and leaving her rosy cheeks all pale and bruised. 

Collapsed on the floor, Natasha shielded her face with one hand and scrambled backwards with the other.

"Stay... Stay away from me! Somebody help!"

Victor loomed close, his voice dripping with mockery. "Now now my little kitten, there is no need to be afraid." 

He eventually closed the distance, seizing Natasha by her arms and pinning her down with unrelenting strength.

"Why are you doing this?" Natasha cried, her voice trembling. "Why me? What have I done? You could have pursued any other girls. Why me?"

Her voice wavered, growing softer with each word.

"Why does it always...."

"...Happen to me...?"

The vibrant hues in her eyes dimmed, giving way to bleak hopelessness.

"Why you may ask? Victor sneered, his laughter cold and cruel. "Ha! Haha! Blame that on the sinful body of yours. Do you really think I'd let any other men taste you before me? Don't worry, my dear Natasha, I will make it quick. Rest assured. Rest assured..."

Natasha's lips parted slightly, her tone void of emotion. "Ah... It's my body. This sinful body..."

"I see..." 

Her voice turned flat, detached as if her spirit drifted away.