CH 42

December 31st, New Year’s Eve.

The last day of the year always had a special feel to it.

If you went outside, you could see the bustle of people in the midst of the new year.

Even if you were inside, your phone and TV would undeniably tell you that the year would be over.

What made such a special day feel even more special was the difference in the people you spend this day with.

“I’m starting to get a craving for cornflakes.”

“What a coincidence, I was just thinking the same thing.”

“Then, I think we’re set for breakfast tomorrow.”

“No, cornflakes are pretty heavy to eat in the morning.”

“Fufu, that may be true.”

As they joked with each other, Asahi heard a lovely and elegant laugh coming from next to him.

Fuyuka, sitting on the edge of the sofa, seemed to be unfamiliar with comedy, and was happily watching the spirited comedian’s jokes on the year-end special.

‘Even so, she laughs quite a lot.’

Maybe, this girl with her constant smile was the real Fuyuka.

The “Ice Lady,” as she was once called, must have been pushing herself.

There was such a big gap between the Fuyuka now and a few months ago if one thought about it.

“…Why isn’t this person wearing any clothes?”

“Why, you ask? It’s a gag.”

“H-however, wearing nothing but a tray is…”

It seems that Fuyuka had no tolerance for exposed skin, regardless of gender, as she blushed at a comedian in his underwear.

She buried her face in the cushion and shivered, and one could see her embarrassment.

Every time he saw a new side of Fuyuka, every time he saw her little actions, and every time he saw her expressions, Asahi’s heart quietly shook.

“…kun? Asahi-kun?”

“Hm…?”

“We should start preparing the Toshikoshi Soba.”

“It’s that time already?”

“That’s right, if we start spacing out, it’ll be next year.”

When Asahi looked at the point where she pointed at, he saw that the hands of the clock were about to start their second lap.

Preparing, she say but they had already made the soba noodles by hand, so all they had to do was boil them and soak them in dipping sauce.

The two of them headed for the kitchen, where Asahi was in charge of the dipping sauce and Fuyuka was in charge of the boiling, and they quickly prepared for the New Year’s Eve.

“Look at this, Asahi-kun! I’m proud of this one!”

“Right, it’s really well done.”

Seeing Fuyuka’s smile, which was different from the one when she was watching the TV, Asahi couldn’t help but smile as well.

His heart and body naturally warmed up.

Being with Fuyuka made him feel comfortable in a way that was different from Chiaki and Hinami.

“It’ll be next year in a few minutes.”

“Yes, it feels like it’s finally happening.”

After he finished eating his Toshikoshi Soba just as he was relaxing on the sofa watching TV, the few remaining hours of the year flew by.

The precincts of the famous shrine shown on TV were crowded with worshippers, and the solemn sound of the New Year’s Eve bell reminded everyone of the end of this year and the arrival of the next.

“There’s a mysterious feeling about the two of us passing the year together, right?”

“That’s true, you were pretty cold not long ago.”

“P-please forget about that…”

Fuyuka, who was sitting next to him, pleaded with him in a quiet voice, but there was no way Asahi could forget.

It all started when he took care of Fuyuka, who fell ill with a fever.

The cue was with Fuyuka’s acceptance with regards to Asahi’s meddling.

And now, Fuyuka was next to him as a friend.

In Asahi’s mind, his relationship with Himuro Fuyuka was very important, including the time when she was treated as the “Ice Lady”.

“Thank you so much for everything this year.”

“No, it’s been my pleasure.”

As if the gratitude expressed in their short words had been understood, both Asahi’s and Fuyuka’s faces relaxed and a slightly warm atmosphere began to flow.

“Does Fuyuka have any resolutions for next year?”

“Yes, I want to improve my cooking skills as much as… Asahi-kun.”

“If I do say so myself, it could take years.”

“It’s frustrating, but I can’t deny it. But if Asahi-kun teaches me, one day…”

‘Does that mean not only next year, but for the rest of the year?’

At any rate, it looked like they would be staying together like this for a while.

“Please take care of me next year, too.”

Asahi’s heart quietly buzzed as Fuyuka narrowed her eyes and displayed a lovely smile.

As he thought, there was a definite difference between these feelings and the feelings he had for Chiaki and Hinami, even though both were friends.

He’d never had this feeling before, and so he didn’t think he’d be able to figure it out anytime soon.

It was as if it should be right in front of you, but it felt vague and hazy like a distant mirage.

Still, there was a definite sense that he was getting closer, one step at a time.

Someday for sure, he would arrive at a satisfactory answer.

“Ten… Nine…”

On the other side of the TV, a countdown began.

Asahi and Fuyuka stood shoulder to shoulder, quietly waiting for the right moment.

“Three… Two… One…”

There wasn’t a count for zero.

Instead, the sound of the 108th New Year’s Eve bell echoed, and colorful fireworks lit up the night sky.

“Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year to you too.”

Both of them straightened their postures and exchanged polite bows and New Year’s greetings.

At the same time, a series of electronic sounds came from Asahi’s phone on the table.

Perhaps Chiaki or Hinami had sent a message.

When Fuyuka urged him to pick up his phone, Asahi found a New Year’s greeting from the couple who were also in good company.

And, a little later, messages came in from a few good friends. There were also a few new notifications in the talk group titled “Kagami Family”.

“Are you serious?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Dad and mom are going to spend a night here, they said.”

“It looks like it’s going to be a lively New Year’s Day.”

“I just hope it doesn’t get too noisy…”

Asahi thought it was going to be fine, but he couldn’t help but worry about Kazuaki.

Besides, if they were to bump into Fuyuka, who lived next door, things would get even noisier than they were on Christmas Eve.

If that happens, Touko, who was supposed to be the fire extinguisher, would not be able to do anything about it.

“I’ll stay home quietly today.”

“Sorry…”

“No, don’t worry about it.”

Apparently, Fuyuka had come to the same conclusion as Asahi.

This way, she wouldn’t have to go through the same thing she did when she ran into Chiaki and Hinami.

However, seeing Fuyuka looking a little sad, Asahi’s mind was troubled.

Originally, Kazuaki and Touko had only planned to show up around noon and spend the night with Fuyuka again.

Asahi felt selfishly guilty that he had to leave her alone at such short notice.

“…Do you also want to come?”

“Eh…?”

“My parents will probably cook dinner, so it’ll be fancy, so I was wondering if you’d like to join us.”

Of course, if she didn’t want to, she could decline.

Although they were acquaintances, Fuyuka was a complete stranger to Asahi’s parents.

It would be uncomfortable to have dinner with them, and Asahi could see that they would certainly be interested and it would be a hassle.

When Asahi asked her, Fuyuka didn’t say no right away, but thought for a while.

“Isn’t it a bother that I’m interrupting your… family reunion?”

“I think they’ll be more pleased than be bothered.”

As a cook and a parent of an only son, it was easy to imagine him rejoicing loudly.

Asahi too, of course, didn’t find it a bother at all.

The rest was for Fuyuka to decide.

―ding dong

Before Fuyuka could open her mouth, a familiar electronic sound announced an unexpected visitor.

Barring a malicious prank at this time of night, Asahi could only think of one or two people who would ring the intercom.

He didn’t think it was possible, so he looked at his phone and saw that he had received a new message a while ago.

[We’re almost there.]

It was clear what that sentence meant, along with the current situation.