Chapter 18 – Winter (Part 3)
Winter, Part 3
Novel Title: ツァイガルニクの恋の沼 (Zeigarnik’s Love Swamp)
Author：月村奎著 (Tsukimura Kei)
Illustrator：志水ゆき (Shimizu Yuki)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 市川春音 (Ichikawa Harune -MC) & 二ノ宮航輝 (Ninomiya Kouki -ML)
*Please read at universalnovel.com, the original site of translation. TQ*
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Curious as ever, Yuuichi slipped his feet into the kotatsu and grabbed one of the knitting books lying on the floor.
“Hey, thanks for reading,” Yuuichi said, grinning.
He worked as an instructor at a technical school while also publishing knitting patterns and books. In fact, the sweater Harune had gifted Kouki was one of Yuuichi’s designs, featured in this very book.
“Everything in this collection is a joy to knit and wear. It’s definitely worthy of being called an Ishii Yuuichi masterpiece.”
“Thanks for helping with the production.”
“You’re welcome. It was an honour to work on a book by such a popular designer.”
Harune took off his coat and slipped his feet under the kotatsu.
“Man, even for a big-name designer like you, it’s tough to make a living just off knitting, huh?”
“You’d think so, but nope. Want to guess how many copies were printed in the first run? It’s shockingly low.”
“Well, not many people knit large items anymore.”
“Right? The small projects with t-shirt yarn sell well, though.”
Yuuichi’s book was aimed at intermediate to advanced knitters, which likely made it harder to sell. Still, Harune admired Yuuichi’s dedication to pursuing what he loved.
“Whoa, this is so good!”
At some point, Yuuichi had begun eating the roasted sweet potato without asking, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Oh, that? A friend made it with a wood stove.”
“Wow, a wood stove? That’s so cool!”
“Right?”
“Next time, take me with you. A friend of a friend is a friend, right?”
That would be way too complicated—definitely not happening.
As Harune was pondering how to turn him down, Yuuichi, ever perceptive, leaned in closer, his eyes searching.
“Wait, is this friend your first love?”
“N-no, that’s not it at all,” Harune stammered.
Yuuichi burst out laughing at Harune’s flustered reaction.
“You’re so cute when you get all tongue-tied like that.”
Though he was a good guy, Yuuichi could be annoying at times like this. Harune quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, what’s up? Why did you suddenly show up here? Is school okay?”
“My seminar is off this week. But listen to this! Yesterday, Maki’s parents rejected me.”
Maki was a mutual friend from their technical school days and Yuuichi’s current girlfriend.
“They said they can’t approve the marriage in my current situation.”
“What? Why?”
Yuuichi shrugged, looking displeased.
“They said my job is too unstable.”
“I mean, sure, some people might see being a knitting artist that way, but you’re also teaching at the technical school, right?”
“Exactly! The whole reason I haven’t gone full-time as a designer is because I’m thinking about my future with Maki. But since I’m just a contract instructor, with my contract renewing annually, I can understand why her parents might feel uneasy.”
“Did you explain to them how you’re a rising star in the knitting world? You should have handed them one of your books and really sold them on your future potential.”
Harune waved Yuuichi’s knitting book in the air as he spoke, and Yuuichi gave a wry smile.
“Potential or not, surviving in this industry isn’t just about talent—you need star power too.”
“You’ve got plenty of star power, Yuuichi.”
“Awww, Harune!”
Yuuichi twisted around and threw his arms around Harune again.
“You’re the only one who gets me.”
Harune chuckled and patted Yuuichi’s back.
“Alright. Let’s drink tonight!” With that declaration, Yuuichi pulled a bottle of whiskey out of his canvas shoulder bag.
“You came with booze?”
“Yeah, I picked it up at a convenience store on the way here as a thank-you for letting me crash.”
“Are you planning to stay over? There’s barely any space here.”
“Plenty of space. By the way, what’s the address here?”
Ignoring Harune, Yuuichi whipped out his phone and started placing an online order for pizza without permission.
Harune sighed, but he went to get some glasses and mineral water, and the two of them ended up drinking together from the early evening.
Despite all the hassle, Harune was happy to spend time with an old friend.
He had never once regretted his decision to return to this town, and his life here was fulfilling. Still, being around Kouki and trying to keep his feelings hidden took its toll on him.
With Yuuichi, who knew both about his sexual orientation and his past love story, Harune didn’t have to put up a front. On top of that, they shared a love for knitting, having studied together in the knitting department at their technical school. The conversation never ran dry.
The two chatted and laughed until late into the night.
***
Harune was pulled out of his sleep by a pounding sound and the sensation of vibrations all around him.
As Harune slowly returned to consciousness, he sensed brightness even through his closed eyes and tried to shield his face with his hand, but for some reason, his arm wouldn’t move.
The sound persisted, repeating itself. A knock at the back door? No, it was too close for that.
Finally forcing his eyes open, he first saw the familiar ceiling—the sooty ceiling boards, and the string hanging down from the light fixture.
Then he turned his head toward the source of the noise.
Kouki was there, knocking on the wall with an expressionless face.
“Uh… Kouki? What’s going on?”
Harune tried to sit up despite the lingering pain from last night’s drinking, but his body wouldn’t cooperate.
When he glanced to the side, he saw Yuuichi half-draped over him, lying on his right arm.
To make things even stranger, Yuuichi was shirtless.
“Hey, Yuuichi, you’re heavy.”
They didn’t have enough space or bedding, so Yuuichi had slept in the kotatsu, but somehow, he had snuck into Harune’s futon.
Confused, Harune shook Yuuichi and pulled his arm free as he tried to sit up.
“Mm—” Yuuichi, still half-asleep, muttered something like “Maki” and clung to Harune. It seemed like he was mistaking Harune for his lover.
Shaking Yuuichi off, Harune staggered to his feet and walked over to Kouki.
“Good morning. What’s up?”
Kouki curtly handed him a knitted cap.
“You… forgot this yesterday.”
“Thanks. You didn’t have to bring it over—I could’ve come and picked it up.”
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*GLOSSARY:
Kotatsu – A kotatsu is a traditional Japanese piece of furniture consisting of a low table with a heat source underneath and a thick blanket or futon draped over the table frame. People sit on the floor around the kotatsu, tucking their legs under the blanket to stay warm. The heat source is typically an electric heater attached to the underside of the table.
Kotatsu are especially popular in Japan during the winter months and are often found in living rooms, where people gather to stay warm while eating, relaxing, or watching TV. It’s a cozy and energy-efficient way to heat a small space while maintaining comfort.
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Next update: 2026.06.24
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