Chapter 1

On Christmas when I was 6 years old, my brother and I were molested while delivering gingerbread to the neighbors in our village.

My brother died protecting me that day. His life stopped forever.

After that, Mom would tell everyone I was a "slut" who seduced men all the time.

She even dressed me up prettily and sent me to stay with the old bachelors in the community, taking turns for a few days each.

Mom said it was to train me, to prevent accidents from happening again.

Until this Christmas, on the anniversary of my brother's death, I wore my thorn-covered clothes to pay my respects to him as usual.

But I accidentally spilled the ice cubes I was holding, tearing my clothes and exposing my arm.

Mom flew into a rage when she saw this and slapped me across the face.

"Even on your brother's death anniversary, you can't help being a slut, seducing everyone you see, even your own mother!"

"If you hadn't insisted on delivering that gingerbread back then, your brother wouldn't have died!"

"I make you wear these clothes and eat ice cubes to atone for what you did to your brother. How can you be so shameless!"

"Tonight you'll kneel right here and apologize properly to your brother. Come back on your own tomorrow!"

Mom left without looking back.

Because of my hearing damage, I couldn't hear any sounds.

I didn't know why Mom was angry, but I obediently stayed by my brother's gravestone.

But as I ate the ice cubes, my body got colder and colder, until I floated up into the air...