Volume 1 - Epilogue

[I've got a drinking party tomorrow.]

On the other end of the phone, Ayaka got confirmation.

Late at night, a week after the exam fatigue drink, I suddenly received a phone call from Ayaka.

It was an abrupt invitation, and I was lost in "hmmm".

"Why the rush, why again?"

I stop my hand searching for a box of cigarettes to smoke.

Come to think of it, Ayaka advised me to quit smoking.

[Natsuki didn't want to hear that I wanted to invite you. All the girls from the Christmas party are coming tomorrow, so I thought it would be a good idea.]

I am deeply moved by his words.

I didn't think that the connection would connect with each other so much from that blind date.

[What's the matter with you?]

"No, I just thought it wasn't all bad. Christmas season."

[What's that?]

Ayaka reacted in a funny way.

[That party was a failure for me as the organizer, so it wasn't a good memory. Well, if a guy who got to know four pretty girls bemoaned the Christmas season, it would be a riot.]

"Four?"

There must have been three girls at the Christmas party, excluding Ayaka.

As I pondered who the other one was referring to, Ayaka said dismissively, "Have you forgotten?" I said.

[You bumped into Santa.]

"Oh, I see."

I didn't expect Ayaka's mention of Shinohara to come out of her mouth; it had completely slipped my mind.

Indeed, it was also during the Christmas season that I got acquainted with Shinohara.

It was the Christmas season when I left Reina and walked in the shadows of the illuminations out of the emptiness of being single.

But when it was over, many new connections had been made.

None of these are relationships that I would not have been able to build if she had been there.

Because I was alone then, I have the relationships I have now.

Thinking of this strangely warmed my heart.

"I hope Christmas comes again."

Ayaka chuckled at the words that unintentionally overflowed from her mouth.

[I'm glad you're over it.]

...... Perhaps the Christmas party was also an invitation out of concern for me?

Such a thought popped into my head, but I decided not to ask.

I don't know if Ayaka is aware of this, but she is grateful for it.

I ponder whether I should give him a gift as a thank you.

I never gave Ayaka any gifts, but she gave me a key case as a gift too.

If it is in return, Ayaka must be happy to accept it.

As I was thinking about this, Ayaka suddenly let out a bouncy voice.

"Outside, look!"

I do as I'm told and turn my gaze outward.

Outside, soft powdery snow fluttered in the sky.

Snow, which did not fall even at Christmas, envelops the entire city.

It has been a long time since I have seen snow.

When I opened the window, powdery snowflakes came in with a dry cold wind.

"I'd like to see some illumination."

[I get it!]

I peek out from the second floor of my studio and watch the snow illuminated by the streetlights.

Through the phone, Ayaka also heard the sound of a window opening.

"It's so cold!"

Ayaka's mouth loosened involuntarily as she innocently flirted with him.

"Sami na."

With the words, white breath rises into the night sky.

I hope the next Christmas comes soon.

I thought as I felt the cold wind on my skin, which did not ease even a little.