Volume 7 - CH 8

“Phew… it was delicious… After all, Arisa’s cooking is the best.”

Yuzuru remarked to Arisa as they sipped their soba noodles.

His New Year’s Eve soba this year was better than the ones he usually had at his parents’ house every year.

This was because he was eating it with his precious fiancée…

It was also because his fiancée’s cooking was the most delicious for Yuzuru.

“This time, you also cooked, didn’t you, Yuzuru-san?”

“Yes, well, I certainly helped out.”

However, Yuzuru was not allowed to do anything but simple work…

And basically, he was acting like a robot, following Arisa’s instructions.

So it was mostly Arisa’s work.

“You have gotten better than before, haven’t you?”

“Is that so?”

Yuzuru couldn’t help but smile at Arisa’s words.

It’s been a long time since he started helping Arisa… but it seems that he has finally become recognized by her.

“Yes, I used to be worried that I had to keep constant supervision, but recently I’ve been able to let my eyes wander a bit.”

“…Am I a toddler or something?”

“Yes, that’s true. I think you’ve finally learned to stand and walk on my own two feet.”

“So strict…”

However, from the level of Arisa’s cooking, that would certainly be about the extent of it.

He could not refute it.

“Let’s watch TV, shall we? You can choose.”

Yuzuru said as he handed Arisa the remote control.

There was no lack of programs he wanted to watch, but he was more interested in what Arisa would choose.

“Let’s see…”

Arisa turned the remote control to the TV and changed the channel several times.

And the one she finally chose was a comedy show.

It was a slightly surprising choice.

“… since we don’t watch it much at home.”

Apparently, it had shown up on his face.

Arisa said this with a wry smile as if making an excuse.

“I see…”

Yuzuru’s mind was filled with the face of Arisa’s adoptive mother.

Certainly, she didn’t seem to like this kind of thing very much.

“… do you dislike it?”

“No, no way. I’ve never seen it either, so I guess it’s okay.”

Of course, it was not that he had never seen a comedy show in his life.

But he had never seen this annual show at the end of the year.

“You’ve never seen it?”

“Well, our family’s channel rights are based on seniority.”

“Oh…”

Arisa chuckled at Yuzuru’s words.

Seniority, in other words, means that the one who had the right to choose the programs was his grandfather, Takasegawa Sogen.

Sogen was by no means averse to comedy shows, but at the end of the year, he preferred to watch singing shows.

Of course, if the grandchildren’s generation like Yuzuru and Ayumi were to whine about it, they would yield.

But they never pestered him.

And it was not that Yuzuru and Ayumi don’t like singing shows.

They had grown up watching them, so it was only natural.

They relaxed while watching TV, talking every once in a while.

When the program was almost over, Arisa stood up.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I heard the bells ringing for the New Year… Yes, they are ringing.”

Arisa said as she listened by the window.

Yuzuru was a little surprised that it was already that time and picked up the remote control.

“Should I turn it off?”

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, I’d love to hear it… But this is Yuzuru-san’s house.”

“I’ll turn it off then. I want to hear it too.”

Saying that Yuzuru turned off the TV.

The room instantly becomes quiet.

Then the low, echoing sound of bells could be heard from outside.

“Oh, I heard it clearly.”

“It’s already… the end of the year, isn’t it?”

Arisa said with a sigh.

Yuzuru, too, listened to the sound of the bell and thought about the events of the year.

“Speaking of which…, did you get your wish fulfilled?”

“…my wish?”

“The request for this year’s Hatsumode.” (TN: Hatsumode– New Year’s first shrine visit)

As Yuzuru answered, Arisa laughed.

The one thing Arisa wished for at the shrine about a year ago was ‘to be able to keep spending this year with Yuzuru-san‘.

There was no need to confirm.

They were still together.

“Yes. How about you, Yuzuru-san?”

“I got mine granted, too.”

Yuzuru also answered with a wry smile.

Needless to say, Yuzuru’s wish was the same as Arisa’s.

“Speaking of Hatsumode… We have an early start tomorrow morning. We’ll have to get to bed as soon as the sound finishes playing.”

This year, they had promised to go to Hatsumode with their friends.

Since they were not planning to see the first sunrise of the year, there was no need to get up before the sun rose. But even so, the appointment was at a reasonably early time in the morning.

“I guess so.”

Yuzuru nodded at Arisa’s words.

The two of them had already bathed, so all they needed to do was go to bed.

“Still… I see. This year is already over.”

Yuzuru stared at Arisa’s face while saying this.　

Arisa tilted her head curiously.

Yuzuru continued to stare at her.

Arisa looked troubled and smiled bitterly.

When Yuzuru brought his face even closer to hers, she turned away, as if she was really embarrassed.

“W-what is the matter…?”

“I thought I’d take a good look while I still can since it’s the last time I’ll be seeing Arisa this year.”

“I’ll not be changing in an hour.” 

“If you say it like that, there will be nothing new in the new year.”

Yuzuru placed his hand on Arisa’s shoulder and pulled her toward him.

Arisa, perhaps sensing Yuzuru’s intention, reluctantly – but with an expression of contentment – moved her face closer to Yuzuru’s.

“May I… have the last one of the year?”

“…Feel free.”

Yuzuru decided to do as Arisa said and be free.

He put one hand behind her back to hold her close and the other hand behind her head to support her face.

“Nm…”

Then he brought their lips together.

Since it was the last kiss of the year, he made it longer and deeper than usual.

Then, slowly, he released her lips.

At the same time, the bell tolled.

They both looked at their watches.

It was exactly midnight.

A year had ended, and another year had begun.

“Happy New Year, Arisa!”

“Yes. Happy New Year!”

They both smiled.

Then Yuzuru began to ask Arisa. 

“By the way, first one of the new year…”

Before Yuzuru could finish, Arisa’s lips were on Yuzuru’s. 

Yuzuru’s eyes widened as he was taken by surprise.

Arisa slowly pulled her lips away.

“I got Yuzuru-san’s first of this year.”

Arisa smiled mischievously as she put her finger to her lips.