SWNOVELXO Chapter 11: Chapter 11: A Hearth in the Frost
[SCENE: FOREST PATH → KOTOHA'S HOUSE — NIGHT]
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> Fresh snow crunches under Kaoru's boots as he walks beside Kotoha — the two children, Mai and Shiro, skip ahead of them, tossing handfuls of snow into the cold dusk. The forest path winds gently toward a small wooden hut nestled against the frozen cliffs, its chimney puffing out a single trail of smoke into the deepening night.
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KOTOHA
(soft smile, glancing sideways)
"So tell me, boy — what's your name?"
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KAORU
(polite but relaxed)
"Kaoru Mikage. But you can just call me Kaoru."
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> Kotoha's breath forms tiny clouds as she nods with a touch of approval.
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KOTOHA
"Kaoru… it suits you."
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> They reach the hut — a humble home glowing warm behind frost-touched windows. For Kaoru, the sight flickers against old memories — Ayame's gentle voice, a home far away in the snow.
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KOTOHA
(opens the door, warm tone)
"From now on, call me Kotoha. And come in — you look half frozen and twice as hungry."
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> Kaoru bows his head with quiet gratitude and steps inside. The smell of simmering stew wraps around him like a blanket — the hearth crackles in a stone nook, pushing back the bitter wind outside.
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> He slips out of his Slayer uniform, folding it neatly beside the hearth. Kotoha hands him simple village clothes — a bit too short on the sleeves, but warm enough to chase off the cold.
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[SCENE: KOTOHA'S HOUSE — DINING AREA — LATER]
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> The wooden table glows under the hearth's flicker. Bowls of steaming stew, fresh bread, and a clay pot of herbal tea fill the small space with warmth.
> Kaoru sits cross-legged on a cushion, watching Kotoha ladle thick stew into his bowl.
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KOTOHA
(gently pushes the bowl closer)
"Eat while it's hot."
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KAORU
(bows his head slightly, voice soft)
"Thank you. Truly."
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> He picks up the spoon but pauses, glancing around at the humble shelves, the warm hearth, the children's tiny shoes by the door.
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KAORU
(hesitant, gentle)
"Kotoha-san… don't you get Abyss beasts or monster attacks here?"
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KOTOHA
(a faint shadow crosses her eyes, but her voice stays calm)
"Not for many days now. Maybe the General keeps them far enough away… or maybe we've just been lucky."
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> She pours him tea — steam curls up, filling the silence.
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KAORU
(hesitates, softly)
"Your husband… he's not here tonight?"
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> Kotoha's ladle pauses mid-air. She lets out a quiet breath, her eyes distant but kind.
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KOTOHA
"He fought an Abyss beast too. He didn't come back."
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> Kaoru lowers his spoon. For a heartbeat, the warm fire is just a flicker over old wounds.
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KAORU
"…My father too. He fell fighting the Abyss."
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> For a moment, they sit there — two different lives, the same darkness crossing their shadows. Then Kotoha lifts the ladle again, gently breaks the heaviness.
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KOTOHA
"Do you want more stew?"
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KAORU
(tiny grin)
"Please. Just a little."
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> She smiles, refills his bowl. From the corner, little Mai peeks out — wide eyes glowing in the hearthlight.
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MAI
"Kaoru big bro… how strong are you?"
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> Kaoru laughs under his breath — the first real warmth that isn't from the fire.
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KAORU
"Even I don't really know yet, Mai."
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> Shiro, the small boy, clambers up behind him, hugging Kaoru's shoulders with tiny arms.
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KOTOHA
(half-scolding but fond)
"Shiro! Don't climb on him, he's tired!"
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KAORU
(chuckles, steady)
"It's alright, Kotoha-san. I'm used to this."
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SHIRO
(serious whisper)
"Will you leave tomorrow?"
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> Kaoru gently steadies the boy's hands on his shoulder, eyes soft.
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KAORU
"Yes. I only have two days here. Then I have to go."
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> Kotoha watches him, studying the quiet truth behind those words. She sets her ladle down — a mother's kindness in her eyes.
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KOTOHA
"You can stay as long as you want, Kaoru. This house will always be open for you."
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> Kaoru meets her eyes — and for a fleeting second, in the warmth of the fire, he sees Ayame's smile shining through Kotoha's.
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KAORU
(gentle, a whisper almost)
"Thank you… Kotoha-san."
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> Outside, the frost wind howls against the cliffs — but inside, for tonight, Kaoru finds a fleeting hearth in the endless snow.