Something had gently hit the glass.
And I thought, for a moment, that it was somebody coming for the notebook...
Snow! It's snowing, Master!
Looks like he's claimed that water bottle already.
Once
Upon
A
Winter's
Day
For as long as I could remember, I could see strange things.
Things that others couldn't see. Most people just know them as "spirits."
Touko! It's snowing!
Excuse me, are you looking for something?
Takashi! Could you move a box for me?
Yes, of course.
This one?
Yes, thank you.
Finally found it. Thank you Takashi!
You're welcome. What's inside?
A space heater?
It gets quite cold in the bathroom. It's old but it should do the trick.
I found so much old stuff here, I'd almost forgotten what I came here for.
The vases that your uncle made.
Souvenirs from trips abroad.
Oh! I almost forgot about dinner. I'll sort everything here tomorrow.
Let me carry the box for you.
Thank you.
Oh, by the way, it's snowing outside.
It certainly did get cold...
Could I go for a walk? I'd like to look at the falling snow.
Oh, you're such a child.
Just remember to dress warm.
Don't forget your gloves and scarf!
Okay.
It's mushroom hotpot for dinner… with clear soup.
Alright!
The town looks so different in the snow. Even the frost feels nice.
It's getting dark. I should probably head back.
Why did I walk out this far...
And I left Master at home... What if I run into a snow fairy?
Have to find... Have to find...
There's one! I knew it!
No, it looks too round, much more like a snowman than any snow fairy.
Where is it...
It's looking for something?
This isn't good.
You can see me, can't you?
Wait, you strange human!
Please help me, I know you can find it!
It's following me?
Are you looking for something?
Looking... for something?
I'm looking for something warm.
You're looking for something warm in the snow?
Are you cold?
Well, I suppose I could give you my scarf.
Here. A gift.
So cold!
It froze?!
Don't come closer, or you'll freeze me, like you froze the scarf!
I'm looking for something shiny.
Something shiny?
I thought you were looking for something warm.
This is the first time I've ever talked to a human.
It's so strange.
Was it something you dropped?
Is it really around here?
I don't know. I can't remember.
It was very warm, and shiny, and it smelled nice.
Wait. You can't remember, so you don't even know what you're looking for?
The only thing I know is that I need to find it.
I can't forget about it even for a moment.
I even search for it in my dreams.
You're a strange one.
Let's look for it together! You're also looking for something, right?
No, not really.
Really? Don't humans spend their lives searching for something?
They look for something and then forget about it.
Humans are so strange!
Well, until you remember what you're looking for, I can't really help you.
See you.
Wait, Thin one! Don't be so cold!
Cold? But you...
Ouch…
What a weirdo.
I'm sorry!
Shigeru!
Takashi?
Why were you running, did something happen?
No, everything is alright. I was just cold so I decided to warm up a bit.
And so you're running without looking where you're going?
It's not often we get snow here.
When I was a kid I'd be so happy if it snowed.
I always loved making tracks in it.
I always tried to walk along paths where nobody had been yet.
I'd be running all around town.
It's hotpot for dinner tonight.
Oh? Then we should hurry.
Did you run into each other on the way back? Welcome home!
Here you are!
Again?! You've got another weird spirit following you around.
Not someone after the Book of Friends, I hope…?
No.
You're drinking sake again?
I'm admiring the snow.
You're not even looking at the snow. Geez…
It didn't mistake me for Reiko, so it doesn't seem like it's looking for the Book of Friends…
Hmm? It was looking for something? In the snow?
Have you heard of anything?
Have I? Haven't I?
I can't remember!
That's because you're drinking too much.
Well, I do remember hearing about a beautiful woman spirit…
It looked like this.
What's this thing?
That's the puffiness.
Well, it's time to sleep.
No way! I'm still drinking!
I wonder if it's still searching…
Alone...
I thought humans were usually searching.
Looking for something, forgetting things…
That could be true.
Where is this?
I can't see anything.
What am I looking for?
I have to find it.
I have to find it!
It's cold.
So cold…
It's freezing!
Uwa— Puffy! You followed me?
Whoa! That's it? What's with this temperature?!
Natsume! The heater! Heater!
It's only cold because he's here!
Hot water bottle, hot water bottle!
Thin one! I've come to return this!
It's frozen!
M-my scarf…
Get the heck outta here!
Wait, Sensei.
He came all the way here to deliver it.
We should talk to him for a bi—
You idiot!
So, you think you can find it?
Ah!
I found something warm!
You found it?
It was in this house!
There are lots of warm things in this house!
That's different.
The things in this house shouldn't be what you're looking for.
Hm? This!
It's so frozen, I have no idea what that is!
It's so warm!
But… it's not it.
That'll freeze!
Don't be so violent, you furball!
I don't want to hear that from you!
Listen, Puffy. It's important to you, right?
Very.
Then, try hard to remember. What it is, where it is.
Alright. I'll remember.
Don't sleep!
I remembered!
Really?
It's something from very long ago, and so nostalgic, it's like it was new!
Why?
Why are you looking for something you can't remember?
I have to find it…
Hey!
It's warm, but wrong.
It's nostalgic, but wrong.
This and that...
They're all wrong!
There was a weird person.
But what for?
What for?
Even though I definitely knew what it was…
If I find it, I'll definitely understand!
It piled up!
Sensei!
Today's a break, so let's go out and make the first footprints!
Why's he so excited?
Speaking of which…
Ah, it melted!
What was it thinking?
This…
Shigeru
Maybe it was talking about warm, gentle memories back then.
With loving, warm people like Shigeru and Touko around me,
Shigeru
I was able to recover something I'd forgotten all about.
I'm off!
Now, even the things I'd wanted to forget about
See you later!
feel like a precious part of me.
I found that glove I lost in the field over there, but it was frozen solid!
Are you serious?
How far are we going?
Well, we're trying to be the first to leave footprints somewhere,
so we need to find a place nobody has set foot in yet.
Ohajiki?
Note: A girls' game.
What are you looking for?
Don't tell me you're trying to help that pest!
That half-wit is more dangerous than you think.
If it so much as breathes on you and you get frozen solid,
not even I would be able to help—
Stop, you idiot!
Something seems wrong.
What's the matter, Fluffy?
Thin one.
You must be tired.
Have you been walking around looking for it all this while?
I have to find it.
I remembered.
It'll vanish once it gets warmer!
Huh?
It'll vanish!
Hey! You all right?
Be careful!
What was that for?
Forget it. I'm in a hurry.
Hold on, Fluffy!
Leave me alone!
Don't come crying to me later.
Hm...
Oh! Would you look at that.
Shigeru
This is surprising.
So you'd held on to this too.
I didn't realize what it was yesterday.
Hey, why don't you open it up?
Okay.
Just what you'd expect from a boy's treasure box.
Oh, I'd completely forgotten about this.
Brings back memories.
These kind of things were still rare back then.
I want Takashi to have this.
Huh? Are you sure?
On second thought, he's not a kid anymore.
I guess he doesn't need it.
It's snowing again.
Hey, what do you mean by it'll "vanish"?
I have to find it.
You mean it'll melt like the snow?
Hey, could what you're looking for be—
What's all this racket?
A human?!
Not that creep again!
I don't want him anywhere near me!
Oh, please. One could swallow him whole.
It's a real eyesore watching him loiter about.
We should eat both him and the human.
Hey!
Watch your tongue, you lowlifes!
Master!
The cold makes me angry!
This is my prey.
I'll eat anyone who dares to lay a finger on it!
Nothing good ever comes of this.
We're going home, Natsume.
I'm sorry, Master,
but I kind of know how it feels to want to recover something you've forgotten.
So I'd like to help look for it.
Tell me, is what you're looking for really something with a physical form?
What?
What else could it be?
Like memories or something.
You're a strange one.
And you say some silly things.
Am I wrong?
Fluffy, there's something on your chest.
There it is!
It's so warm!
Oh, right! That's right!
Fluffy?
Oh, that's a seed.
A seed?
These things exist in this world for hundreds of years, wandering about searching for it.
They know they're fated to look for it, but at the same time, they're also fated to forget all about it.
But on one snowy day, it sprouts forth within their bodies, buds a flower, and vanishes.
That is the legend of snowflakes.
I've remembered it all.
I was meant to become what I am now.
And once that flower blooms...
So all this while, she was looking for something that would make her disappear?
Look!
She's vanishing!
No!
Thank you for finding it for me, strange guy.
You strange, lovely guy.
Don't look so sad.
I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for as well.
One day.
Cheer up, Natsume.
Even among spirits, I hear it's rare for anyone to witness the flower bloom.
I'm sure it means something good that we both got to see it.
Really?
Don't ask me.
The snowflake may have vanished, but it left a faint fragrance lingering in the air—
the scent of spring come early.
Welcome home.
Thanks.
You see, I found Shigeru's childhood treasure box while I was cleaning the storeroom.
Oh, you did?
He said he wants you to have this.
Snowflake, I don't know what I'm looking for either.
I don't know what I'll find in the future.
Or if I'll be able to keep the memories of the things I find.