Chapter 4
Time for Hijikata’s route, Chapter 4! This chapter was translated by dei-hime, yuugs, and shizuumi. Proofreading was done by dei-hime, yuugs, shizuumi, and kuririn!
With the passing of the cool autumn, even the midday wind began to blow cold enough to chill the bones.
Patches of frost started to linger in the shade, and our breath formed white clouds outside: winter had begun.
The calendar already read December. Although I don't hate school, one Monday morning
I couldn't help but feel a bit gloomy― Heisuke-kun had left for early morning club activities along with Okita-senpai, Saitou-senpai and the others, so I found myself walking to school alone.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Haahh..." ‘Monday mornings really are rough…’
As I made it through the school gates while holding back a yawn, a cheerful voice greeted meーone energetic enough to chase away all my lingering drowsiness.
Isami Kondou: "Good morning, Yukimura-kun! It's a truly lovely morning, isn't it!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Good morning to you, Kondou-sensei! You seem to be grinning more than usual today… Did something special happen?"
Isami Kondou: "Hm? Oh, of course, you're a first year so you don't know yet. It'll be explained at the school assembly later… But, actually, every year at Hakuo Academy, come Christmas, I dress up as Santa and give presents to students here at school."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Now that you mention it, it is nearly Christmas, isn't it… But, do you do it all by yourself, Kondou-sensei?"
Isami Kondou: "Of course! I can't just hand something so important over to someone else, you know! Seeing students' excited faces as I hand out presents to them… I can't help but look forward to it every year."
He struggled to keep in his beaming smile in his excitement. I couldn't help but grin and let out a small giggle myself. I really was glad I picked Hakuo Academy, with a man like this as its principal.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Well then, I will also be looking forward to this year's Christmas event!"
Isami Kondou: "This year I decided to splurge a bit, too, so I hope that you do!"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Oi, Kondou-san. ...Oh, Yukimura's here too, huh."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Good morning, Hijikata-sensei."
Hijikata-sensei suddenly approached the two of us at the gate. Looking at his unusually weary expression, Kondou-sensei squinted suspiciously at him.
Isami Kondou: "Toshi, what happened? Your face is really pale. Did some bad news come in this morning?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Well...bad news, huh… You certainly could call it that. Long story short, Christmas is cancelled."
Isami Kondou: "Uhhh... Today, well… I have some upsetting news for everyone."
That time of year, the school morning assembly held in the schoolyard was already hard for students. The freezing winds ripped through the schoolyard; in winter, even just standing outside was torture. All us students were lined up according to which class we were in, our shoulders hunched in the cold as we listened to the principal's announcements.
But the one paler and more slumped than any student was our principal, standing up on a dais before us.
Isami Kondou: "Now, we have a last-minute announcement from the PTA Chairman, Serizawa-san. This year, Serizawa-san has kindly decided to host a Christmas party for school staff and a few select students. ...As a matter of fact, this party will be hosted in place of the usual Christmas event."
Surely, by 'usual Christmas event,' he meant the gift-giving one he was just telling me so enthusiastically about. His broad shoulders sagging miserably, Kondou-sensei shook his head a little as he spoke.
Isami Kondou: "Invitations will be delivered to those who were chosen. Students who accept will have until the day of the party to prepare presents. Those presents will be for a gift exchange at the party."
Kaoru Nagumo: "...? Hey, Toudou, did Serizawa-san host a party like this last year, too?"
Heisuke Toudou: "Nuh-uh. ...not last year, no. Seems like Kondou-sensei's surprised, too. It must be the first time this is happening."
Souji Okita: "......"
Kaoru's and Heisuke-kun's classes happen to be lined up near mine, close enough for me to overhear their conversation, which left me tilting my head. It seemed that the upperclassmen were taken as much by surprise as the rest by this announcement. Some students here and there were murmuring to their neighbours, and in the midst of this―
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "......" As for Ibuki-kun, his already pale face was getting whiter and whiter.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ibuki-kun, are you okay? If you're not feeling well, I could call Sannan-sensei over...?"
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "N-No, that's okay, but… That guy hosting a party with a bunch of hand-picked students…? What's with that? What's he scheming? ...I'll say this much: he's definitely not doing it out of the goodness of his heart...!"
Toshizou Hijikata: [over the microphone] "Now, I'm sure you all have your questions, but regardless, that is how it's going to be. Students and teachers alike who are invited should treat it as if it were a compulsory event. That is all. Dismissed."
With that, the morning assembly that had shocked the whole student body came to an end. On Hijikata-sensei's cue, we students dispersed, hurrying back into the school building.
Chizuru Yukimura: "What was first period, again..." As I changed into my indoor shoes and started back to my class, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Yukimura."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, Hijikata-sensei. Did you need something?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Not exactly… You heard about the thing, before, right?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes… Kondou-sensei was so looking forward to it, too. It's really too bad."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Yeah... I'm actually a bit worried about that. I want to try turning it into something Kondou-sensei might also be able to appreciate."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Really, you do?"
Hijikata-sensei nodded slightly in reply, his expression determined.
Toshizou Hijikata: "And, about that. I'm only assuming at this stage, but… If, say, you did get an invitation, what would you do?"
I would...
[Go to the party.]
[I'm not sure…]
Chizuru Yukimura: "Well, I don't know if I'll be invited in the first place… and in any case, I'd want to think about it after I was invited. I still don't know whether I would go or not."
I closed my eyes, recalling Serizawa-san's face from the cultural festival.
[scene goes dark, Serizawa's ugly mug face appears]
Hakuo Academy's PTA chairman, and Ibuki's foster father: Kamo Serizawa.
I hadn't spoken to him much, and I didn't know a lot about him, but… Even just considering what little I'd heard from Ibuki-kun, I knew that he was very hard to please. A party hosted by such a man… If I had to say, I felt something more like a touch of dread at the thought, rather than anticipation.
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Well, I guess it's hard to decide right off the bat. There's not much to say right now, since it's still hypothetical at this point. But let me just say that there's a very good chance you will get invited. It would be best if you made up your mind soon."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Alright, I understand."
Toshizou Hijikata: "On the day of the party, we teachers will be there as back-up, too. I can't tell you not to worry about it at all, but we'll make sure it all works out," Hijikata-sensei sighed, his expression dark.
This party of Serizawa-san's had sprung up out of nowhere. It quickly became the talk of the school.
During lunch break, I climbed up to the rooftop to meet Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai for lunch.
Heisuke Toudou: "She's here, she's here! Chizuru! Over here!"
Hajime Saitou: "It's quite warm with the sun out today."
Chizuru Yukimura: "You're eating with us today, then, Saitou-senpai?"
He didn't normally sit with us for lunch. I greeted him with a nod and a smile.
Chizuru Yukimura: "But, where’s Okita-senpai?"
Heisuke Toudou: "Oh, Souji's kinda been in a bad mood since this morning. He ran off somewhere for lunch, see. So I thought we could eat with Hajime-kun today instead."
Chizuru Yukimura: "A bad mood...?"
That struck me as a little odd as I sat down next to Saitou-senpai. I opened up my bento. As I did, Heisuke-kun, sinking his teeth into some bread, spoke up again.
Heisuke Toudou: "That was a pretty big shock though, huh. Holding a Christmas party all of a sudden."
Hajime Saitou: "The announcement itself was very sudden as well. Even the teachers seemed surprised."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Serizawa-san, though… he's the one who came to see the cultural festival, right...?"
Not only was he the Hakuo Academy chairman of the board, but he was also the PTA chairman and Ibuki-kun's foster father. From my first impression of him, and from how fearful Ibuki-kun was around him, he seemed to be very strict with his discipline, but… Did Heisuke-kun have the same impression of him?
I let out a long sigh at the thought.
Heisuke Toudou: "Serizawa-san's party, huh... Even if I somehow did get an invite, I've got a bad feeling about it all."
Hajime Saitou: "It's just like you to think like that, Heisuke. But it was with Serizawa-san's assistance that Hakuo Academy was first founded. You mustn't assume the worst of him now, either."
Heisuke Toudou: "But I mean, Hijikata-sensei doesn't like Serizawa-san either, right?"
[flashback to the day before the Culture Festival]
???: "Don't, Yukimura."
Toshizou Hijikata: "This doesn't concern you."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......" Now that he mentioned it, that last time, he was giving off a hostile vibe.
Hajime Saitou: "It's true that they do seem to quarrel at every opportunity, but..." Saitou-senpai, crossing his arms and pondering that thought, looked up at me. "...Yukimura. What do you think about this party?"
From where I stood, Serizawa-san's Christmas party was...
[Something I looked forward to]
[A little worrying…]
Chizuru Yukimura: "I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried..."
From what I knew of Serizawa-san, he did seem incredibly strict about discipline. He was probably strict about etiquette as well, which made me worry what might happen if I slipped up at the party.
I looked down anxiously, and Heisuke-kun nodded in agreement with me.
Heisuke Toudou: "Right? Who knows what he would say, even."
Hajime Saitou: "...That's true. I also find myself wondering about various things."
Like Hijikata-sensei's scowling face as he listened to the announcement. Or the fallen expression on Kondou-sensei, who was so looking forward to the gift-giving event, only to have it struck down.
There seemed to be many other people who felt conflicted about this Christmas party, too. Thinking this party had caused quite the disturbance, I finished eating my lunch and waited for the break to end.
The day's classes had finished, and there were only a few more school days left in the term.
Sanosuke Harada: "Well then, let's wrap up here for today. Take care of yourselves on the way home!"
As the bell rang out a dismissal, the classroom abruptly filled with commotion as my classmates stirred. People getting ready for club activities, and people opening up their phones to text. People making plans on the way home with their friends... I took my time putting my things away as I watched my classmates from the corner of my eye.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...What should I do today..."
Maybe I'd just go straight home for today. ‘Or maybe I should stop by the station and buy some groceries for dinner…’
Sanosuke Harada: "Wait up a moment, Yukimura."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes?" I stopped and turned back to the class, hearing Harada-sensei call out to me.
Sanosuke Harada: "I have something for you. Here, this is it." The single card Harada-sensei handed me was bordered in gold foil.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Is this by chance..."
Sanosuke Harada: "I'm sure you've guessed, but it's an invitation to Serizawa-san's party. I've my own opinions about the whole deal, but the invitation’s all yours now. Be sure to read it properly when you get home."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Serizawa-san's party, hmm..." I muttered to myself as I left the class, looking the invitation over. "...Now that I think of it, I wonder who else was invited. I'd feel better if other people I knew were going. Maybe I should try asking around...?"
...Where would people gather at this time of day? After thinking about it a moment, I decided to head towards the cafeteria.
Hakuo Academy's cafeteria was mostly used by students during lunchtime… But it wasn't as if there was a rule against standing there the rest of the time, either. Even if someone didn't have any lunch, there were plenty of tables and chairs, so people often hung out there. In a popular after-school spot like that, I was bound to find people I knew.
And I was right.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, everyone's―"
Toshizou Hijikata: "God, I'm sick of hearing about this."
Souji Okita: "Well, sure. We're all sick of it, but do you have any right to say that, Hijikata-san?"
Hajime Saitou: "Stop it, Souji. It's not as if Hijikata-sensei is to blame for this."
Souji Okita: "......"
The air in the cafeteria crackled with tension around the group, and I missed my chance to speak up. Hijikata-sensei, Okita-senpai, and Saitou-senpai: the three of them seemed to be having some kind of face-off, and the topic of their conversation seemed to be the upcoming party.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Come on, I couldn't do anything about it. It's not like I can tell Serizawa-san not to host a party."
Souji Okita: "It doesn't really have anything to do with me whether that guy hosts a party or bullies Ibuki-kun. However... I can’t accept the trouble he's causing Kondou-sensei by going and crushing his plans."
Hajime Saitou: "It's true, Kondou-sensei's zeal for this Christmas was no ordinary level of excitement. He's been searching through catalogues for quite some time, putting earnest, serious consideration into the gifts he would give to us students..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Well, yeah. It's all the more difficult since Serizawa-san's plans interrupted the ones already in motion."
Souji Okita: "So then why didn't you use your position to stop any of it?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "The party, you mean?"
Souji Okita: "You'd already failed Kondou-sensei to begin with from the moment you passed the word onto him. I mean, he'd obviously accept the news right away in that kind of situation, what with him being the soft-hearted type, right?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "......"
Hajime Saitou: "...That can't be helped. It's also difficult for them to turn down Serizawa-san, since he's also the board chairman."
Souji Okita: "That makes it all the more important. Isn't doing something about unreasonable requests like those your job, Hijikata-san?!"
Okita-senpai's chair clattered as he stood and squared up to Hijikata-sensei. Hijikata-sensei’s expression was sour, while Saitou-senpai wore a grimace.
I had to stop them...!
The atmosphere around them felt ready to explode. In the spur of the moment, I raised my voice to speak:
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um...!"
[I don't think it could be helped.]
[Please calm down!]
[......]
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, everyone...!"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Oh, Yukimura. What is it?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, um, I just...I happened to come over, and there seemed to be an argument, so I just called out without thinking..."
Hajime Saitou: "...So you could hear it all the way over there. How embarrassing, that you had to see that."
Souji Okita: "You don't have to worry about it. We were just complaining about the upcoming party."
It was obvious from a glance that Okita-senpai was in an awful mood, and he waved his hand as if to dismiss me. Instead, I held my ground with a gulp, and timidly spoke up:
Chizuru Yukimura: "I-I understand that Kondou-sensei put a lot of thought into this year's Christmas event. I was also looking forward to it, and really got the sense that Kondou-sensei truly treasures the students here, too."
Souji Okita: "Exactly. That's exactly why I hate that his plans were crushedー"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...But, precisely because of all that, for students to be here complaining about the party… I think, above all else, he wouldn't want for you to be feeling like this, Okita-senpai."
Souji Okita: "......" As I continued, Okita-senpai pursed his lips and fell silent.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...I'm sorry for saying something so arrogant. But..."
Souji Okita: "...I get it, already." And with a sullen look, he turned away from us.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ah! Okita-senpai! Please wait!"
Hajime Saitou: "Don't follow him, Yukimura. Leave him be."
Chizuru Yukimura: "But..."
Hajime Saitou: "...It's fine. Souji already knows. That it can't be helped that the event was cancelled in favour of the party, and that it wasn't Hijikata-sensei's duty to recover it... He knows it all. It's just that he needed someplace to vent his anger, and he didn't know what else to do. ...So, leave him to me." With a reassuring smile, Saitou-senpai walked out to follow after Okita-senpai.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Will...they be okay?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Yeah... We've caused trouble for Saitou, too. He's way more mature than Souji, see." With a bitter smile, Hijikata-sensei suddenly turned his gaze to the back of the cafeteria. Meeting his gaze on the other side was Inoue-san, who approached us with rice balls in hand.
Genzaburou Inoue: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Toshi-san. You seemed...preoccupied."
Toshizou Hijikata: "So you were here too, Gen-san. I've even made you watch such a shameful sight, too. In any case, thanks for the rice balls. I appreciate it."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hijikata-sensei, won't you stay and eat here?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Sorry, but I don't have the time for that. I'm busy at the best of times, but now I'm swamped thanks to Serizawa-san's party..." He went on, "Since the original event was scrapped, I've had to phone all over to let people know it was cancelled."
Genzaburou Inoue: "Ever the workaholic, aren't you, Toshi-san? But we are truly in your debt."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
If only there were something I could do to help make his work even just a little easier...
Then, an energetic rang out like my prayers had been answered.
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Hey, Gen-san! I'm a bit late, but I'm here to have some lunch!"
Genzaburou Inoue: "Why, welcome, Nagakura-kun. It's a little late for lunch, though… Unfortunately, by this time I've already cleaned up, and the day's menu can't be served anymore, you know?"
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Of course, even just a rice ball would be fine! ...Wait, huh? It's Hijikata-san and Yukimura-kun."
Toshizou Hijikata: "What is it, Shinpachi? Did you also come here to eat?"
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Yeah, I've been working unusually hard on my paperwork today! By the time I realized it, I'd missed my chance to eat lunch."
Toshizou Hijikata: "What, is it unusual for you to work hard? Christ, if you worked at this pace more often, I'd have an easier time as well, god forbid..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
With that, Hijikata-sensei turned on his heel and moved to continue with his work.
Seeing that, I...
[Offered to help.]
[Turned to Nagakura-sensei.]
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, Hijikata-sensei," I called after him. "You seem very busy, so I wonder if there might be anything at all that I could help you with?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "You, help me?! ...I appreciate the thought, but even if you are just joking, this is teachers' work, you know. Among the stuff I’m working on, there are the midterm test results, and students' personal information, see. There's no way I can let another student do any of it."
Chizuru Yukimura: "...I see. I'm sorry."
Toshizou Hijikata: "You don't need to apologize. ...It's the thought that counts."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Okay... if only I were a teacher, though, I could have helped..."
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Yeah, you'd make a way better teacher than me, even."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Shinpachi Nagakura: "......"
Toshizou Hijikata: "......Hey, Shinpachi. Speaking of, you free after this?"
Shinpachi Nagakura: "...I-It's no good asking me, Hijikata-san! I'm eating my long overdue lunch now! LUNCH!"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Well, today you really worked hard, after all. I won't push you to help me out, too." Laughing at Nagakura-sensei, who'd been shaking his head with all his might, Hijikata-sensei looked at me. "I've still got a ways to go myself, if I'm making students worry over me. I'll need to step up my game a bit."
At that, he patted my shoulder on his way past me, and left the cafeteria.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ahh..."
This Christmas season seemed pretty hard on Hijikata-sensei. ‘Will he be alright...?’ I wondered as I watched him go.
One day at a time, the calendar's pages turned, and soon enough, the end of the year was close.
It was the night before the last big event before we would welcome in the new year: the Christmas party. As I lazed about on my bed, I looked over at the present I had prepared for the next day.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I wonder if whoever gets this will like it… I'm looking forward to tomorrow, but, I guess I'm still a bit worried too..." ‘...Who in the world will get my present?’ I wondered to myself whether the party at Serizawa-san's would really go without a hitch. I rolled about on my bed, torn between excitement and worry.
Suddenly, my phone beeped: I had mail.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hm...from Ibuki-kun?"
_______________________________________
Sub: (Untitled)
he l p m
_______________________________________
Chizuru Yukimura: !?
It read like someone's dying message. For a moment, I could only sit there, speechless. Then:
【 Ibuki-kun, what's wrong!? 】
‘If I don’t get a reply, should I call the police or an ambulance...!?’ I found my finger hovering over the emergency contact by reflex as I waited tensely for Ibuki-kun's reply. But before long, another mail came from him.
_______________________________________
RE: (Untitled)
The truth is,
I was left in charge of getting
the venue prepared and decorated
for tomorrow's party, but…
The storehouse is in such a state,
I can't even begin to search for the decorations...
We’re really short on manpower...
_______________________________________
Even though it was just a text, I could somehow hear the fatigue in his voice. It was the sound of someone driven into a corner.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Since it's that bad..."
【 Want me to come help you out?
I could come early tomorrow morning.
We should have plenty of time to prepare for the party, then. 】
I only hesitated for a second. I typed up my reply quickly and hit send.
_______________________________________
RE: RE: (Untitled)
R-Really!?
If you really mean it, then please do...!
_______________________________________
After our back and forth, I sighed deeply.
Chizuru Yukimura: "If I'm going to help him out early tomorrow, I had better get to sleep early, too. But, even with me there, I'm not sure it’ll be enough. Would I really be much help, with so much decorating left to do...?" ‘It might be best to have at least another pair of hands…’
Looking through my phone's address book, I started to feel sleepy. Eventually, I gave in to it, and flopped back onto my bed.
I really hoped tomorrow's party would go smoothly…
At last, December 25th had arrived.
Christmas day: a day the whole world turned festive.
Although it was a holiday, I'd woken up very early and was preparing to go out.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I need to eat breakfast, and then go help out at Ibuki-kun's house..."
While thinking about my plans for the day, I pulled on my shirt, and suddenly the phone I was holding rang.
Chizuru Yukimura: "It's from Hijikata-sensei...?"
He was the last person who I expected a call from, but I picked it up nevertheless.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes, hello. This is Yukimura."
Toshizou Hijikata: 【It's Hijikata. Sorry for calling so early. Were you awake already?】
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes, I woke up earlier. ...Did something happen?"
Toshizou Hijikata: 【Ah, no. I'm just confirming your RSVP for tonight's party. If you've seen the way that he treats Ibuki, you might already know this, but... I can't exactly say that Serizawa-san is the gentle sort. He won't show any mercy to people who stand up to him… Even if that person is a woman.】
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Right."
Toshizou Hijikata: 【That's why this time and this time only, I won't say that you absolutely need to show up. If you're absent, I'll just tell them that you've got a cold or something. How about it?】
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Thank you very much for worrying about me, but it's fine," I smiled broadly at the concern in Hijikata-sensei's voice. Of course, he had no way of knowing I was smiling over the phone, but I still got the sense that he was bewildered by my reaction. I went on, "...You've already said that I won't be getting any special treatment, Hijikata-sensei."
[flashback to the library]
Toshizou Hijikata: "Yukimura. To be frank, I can't give you special treatment. I absolutely won't make any exceptions for you regarding punishments just because you're the only girl at the academy."
Chizuru Yukimura: "So, this time should be the same. Just because I'm a female student… I'm a student of Hakuo Academy, too. I want to participate on the same terms as everyone else."
Toshizou Hijikata: 【I see...】
Chizuru Yukimura: "Plus, I don't think they'd believe that I have a cold. I promised that I'd go help Ibuki-kun at Serizawa-san's house today..."
Toshizou Hijikata: 【What...!? Wait a minute; you're going to Serizawa-san's house alone?】
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes. Well, once I get there, Ibuki-kun will be with me as well..."
After I'd told him that, we fell into a long silence over the phone.
When Hijikata-sensei spoke at long last, his voice was frank and resigned:
Toshizou Hijikata: 【...I'm coming, too. I'm heading to you right now, so wait for me.】
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh...!?"
And then, not long after that… Hijikata-sensei came to pick me up, and we headed off towards Serizawa-san's house together.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm sorry, Hijikata-sensei. You came all this way to pick me up..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Don't worry about it. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I turned a blind eye to a student jumping into a tiger's den."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......" ‘Is Serizawa-san a wild animal or something...?’
Anyway, as Serizawa-san's house came into view, I found myself overwhelmed by the magnificent gate before me.
A figure appeared in the spacious front garden, staggering towards us when he'd noticed our arrival.
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Y-You came, Yukimura..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, Ibuki-kun. Good morning. You look like you're about to collapse… Are you alright...?"
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "I'll survive… Wait, why is Hijikata-sensei with you?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Think of me as a chaperone, or something. I don't want to leave the preparations to the students, so I thought I'd try and help out."
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Oh, I get it... Anyway, I'm grateful for any help I can possibly get. Well, first off, we have to find the stuff we need in that storehouse over there and bring it out."
After we received a list of supplies, Hijikata-sensei and I headed toward the storehouse in one corner of the garden. When we opened the door, dusty air flooded over us.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ack..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "What's with this mess? This clearly hasn't been cleaned in a while."
Chizuru Yukimura: "W-Well, anyway, let's get the stuff we need!"
Rolling up my sleeves in determination, I stepped into the storehouse―
[Minigame Victory]
Chizuru Yukimura: "Phew..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "You tired? We're almost done. There's only a bit left after this."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes. There's only a little left to go, so let's get it done in one big push!"
As I sat on the top rung of the ladder, I accepted a golden bell from Hijikata-sensei, who was supporting the ladder from below. As Hijikata-sensei had said, very soon the room would be completely Christmas-themed. After that, the only thing left to do was decorate the Christmas tree.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Next up is decorating the other side… It should be symmetrical. Can you reach it?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Just barely, if I stretch my arm out..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Too dangerous. Wouldn't it be better to climb off the ladder for a second and move it?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "No, it's fine. It looks like I can reach it." Balancing on one foot on the ladder rung, I stretched out my hand a little further. But, thinking back on it after, I was being naive.
Chizuru Yukimura: !
Toshizou Hijikata: "Watch out!"
I felt my foot slip, followed by a momentary, floating sensation. But the impact as I crashed to the floor that should've followed was softer than I thought it'd be.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ugh..."
Upon opening my eyes, Hijikata-sensei's face appeared in front of me.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Ugh... Hey, Yukimura! You're not hurt anywhere, are you!?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "N-No, I'm not. Because you caught me, Hijikata-sensei..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Geez, didn't I tell you it was too dangerous!?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...I'm sorry."
Toshizou Hijikata: "That's not the problem. I'm not the one you need to apologize to in the first place."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes, sir...but, um..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Shut up. Don't make excuses. What were you going to do if you ended up seriously injured from this?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ah, n-no, I really regret doing that, but..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "If you get it, then don't make excuses. Listen, if something had happened to you..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I-I know! I really do regret my actions, but, um...this is embarrassing..."
Toshizou Hijikata: !
Looking like he'd just realized he'd been holding me this entire time, Hijikata-sensei hurriedly put me down.
Toshizou Hijikata: "......"
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Maybe it was because I felt like I'd been flying for a moment, but even after he put me down, the feeling of his arms around me still lingered. I wondered if he felt the same way.
Hijikata-sensei shook his head, like he was actually shaking something off, and returned to work.
Toshizou Hijikata: "A-Anyway. This time, I'll work at the top. Support the ladder for me."
Chizuru Yukimura: "S-Sure!"
―And so.
Worked like dogs, we somehow managed to finish the decorations. Then I helped with things like setting the table and serving the food.
Finally, the guests arrived at the venue one after another. But I felt like there were too many of them for some reason… It might have just been my imagination, but it was almost like the whole school had come over…
Then, once all of the invitees had gathered, we were finally ready to start the party.
Susumu Yamazaki: "Well, this is... The decorations are more elegant than I expected."
Keisuke Sannan: "The lighting in the garden is magnificent as well. I wouldn't have guessed that this was all done in someone's home. Granted, Serizawa-san's goal was likely to spite Kondou-sensei, but even so this is quite impressive."
Though some eyed the glittering decorations with awe, still others...
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Whoa, that's a whole turkey right there!"
Kaoru Nagumo: "Isn't this champagne here? I shouldn't have to ask, but there are non-alcoholic drinks for students here, right?"
The champagne, juice, and mountains of food lined up on the table caught people's eyes as well. Kondou-sensei had arrived last, and he looked plenty surprised, himself.
Isami Kondou: "...Wow. Don't tell me all my students were invited! I can take a guess at how this happened, but I expected nothing less from Serizawa-san!"
He seemed relieved and re-energized, looking like he was really enjoying it. I let out a sigh of relief. I wondered if this was what Hijikata-sensei meant when he told me not to worry.
Kamo Serizawa: "Hey, you mutt! What's the meaning of this?! I don't recall inviting this many people!"
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Don't look at me! I had no idea about this!"
Kamo Serizawa: "I see... This was Hijikata's doing."
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "We got more important things to worry about, Serizawa-san. It's already time for us to start."
Having checked all the guests that had arrived, Ibuki-kun pressed Serizawa-san on the proceedings. Serizawa-san then raised his voice, and announced that the party was starting.
Kamo Serizawa: "It looks like everyone has gathered here. With this, this Christmas party sponsored by the Serizawa household has begun!"
It looked like the ball had gotten rolling, if just a bit. Everyone had looked at Serizawa-san a little meekly at first… But soon enough, the appetizing food broke the ice, and after one person made a move towards it, everyone soon followed and moved about as they pleased. Before I knew it, the venue had looked like it'd been turned into a buffet party.
Serizawa-san didn't say anything either, maybe wanting it to be a free and easy gathering.
Laughter echoed from everywhere within the grounds, and groups of people who you wouldn't normally see together were exchanging small talk.
Now then, what should I get up to next...? With everything that was going on, I decided to…
[Refill people's drinks.]
[Stand quietly.]
[Get something to eat.]
[to next] → [Check on the group in the corner.]
[to next] → [Look around the mansion.]
Toshizou Hijikata: "......"
Kyuuju Amagiri: "......"
I spotted Hijikata-sensei with Amagiri-senpai as I had been looking around idly. They were the last people you'd expect to see together. I watched them with apprehension.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Hey, Amagiri. You essentially have a duty to protect Kazama, don't you? Can't you do something about him, even just a little?"
Kyuuju Amagiri: "Even if you ask, he is actually exercising quite a lot of self-restraint already."
‘That’s self-restraint…?’
Hijikata-sensei let out a deep sigh, communicating my own feelings about Amagiri-senpai’s claim.
Toshizou Hijikata: "I've lots of other things I wanna say… But at any rate, I’ve got a bone to pick with you, too. When are you gonna start wearing a proper uniform?!"
Kyuuju Amagiri: "...But do you truly think the Hakuo Academy uniforms would suit Kazama-sama and myself?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "......"
Kazama-senpai and Amagiri-senpai in blazers...? I ended up staring into space, trying to picture it in my head despite myself.
Then I saw Kondou-sensei cock his head as he was passing by, looking like he was worried about me.
Isami Kondou: "Oh my, what's wrong, Yukimura-kun? Do you not feel well?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "O-Oh, no, it's nothing like that, I'm fine, really....Um, I know it's a bit late for me to ask this, but are the uniforms worn by Kazama-senpai and the others officially approved ones?"
Isami Kondou: "Ahh... I wonder about that myself...But somehow, at some point, they'd drawn up the documents needed to get permission for it..."
Why did Kazama-senpai and his friends wear those uniforms, anyway...? That was just another mystery about Kazama-senpai and company to add to the pile. I let out a sigh.
[Refill people's drinks.]
[Stand quietly.]
[Get something to eat.]
[to next] → [Check on the group in the corner.]
[to next] → [Look around the mansion.]
(second time) [to next] → [Wrap things up.]
Chizuru Yukimura: "Whew..."
Sipping from my near-empty glass, I took a breath and glanced at the time. A lot of time had passed since the start of the party… But my worry that something might happen seemed to have been an unfounded one. A smile tugged at my lips as I watched everyone having fun.
I looked around the room, and let out a sigh of relief as the party continued...
With food settling comfortably in everyone's stomachs, people started taking out the presents they got for the gift exchange, one by one.
Ones that could fit in the palm in your hand, others that you'd basically have to hug to carry.
Ones giving metallic clinks and others that looked soft.
Ones that were left in the garden and didn't even make it inside the room in the first place.
Every present had pretty wrapping that you couldn't see through, but none of them looked ordinary or predictable in the least. We shuffled the presents around in circles, and before long we had one each in hand.
Isami Kondou: "Alright, we'll open them on three. Serizawa-san, if you could take the lead!"
Kamo Serizawa: "Why, so you can put me on the spot with something out of my comfort zone and laugh at me for it? I'll be having a drink. Decide on a cue amongst yourselves."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Guess we got no choice... Yukimura. You'll lead us."
Chizuru Yukimura: "M-Me!?"
Sanosuke Harada: "That sounds good to me. You helped prepare the place, after all. It follows that you should do the honors."
Keisuke Sannan: "You only need to give a shout. You need not overthink it."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I-I understand..."
Heisuke Toudou: "C'mon, Santa, I'm beggin' you here...! You know which present I got my eye on!"
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "I don’t care who it’s from; just let it be food, please..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Alright, then... One, two, three!"
(CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Shoot, I didn't get it! I wanted a year's worth of paid leave so bad, though!"
Sanosuke Harada: "You thought that'd be one of the presents here? And even if it was, what d'you think a student would do with it?"
Kyuuju Amagiri: "If we were on paid break, would we be able to advance a year without going to classes?"
Kyou Shiranui: "Wouldn't that be convenient. Well, even if that were a thing, it'd just be a fancy way to skip school."
Chikage Kazama: "Such a present would not be here in the first place. Though even hoping for it would be foolish… Incidentally, where is the year's worth of my bride that was supposed to go to me?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "As if that'd be more likely than a year of paid leave!"
Hajime Saitou: "...And what do you even mean by ‘a year's worth’? ...I can't comprehend it..."
Souji Okita: "Well, if I ever got such a thing, I'd make sure I enjoyed every minute of that year."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Okita-kun, what in the world would you do with that? ...We might have a problem, depending on your answer."
Kaoru Nagumo: "God, there’s no hope for any of these idiots. Talk about ‘a year's worth’ all you like, but a little sister belongs to her older brother, don’t you know?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...First of all, I'd like it if you didn't decide things on your own while ignoring what I want..."
A cute phone strap, a book token, an assortment of goods, a plush toy. There were many presents, but… I was hoping that who got what would stay secret so the sender could be saved from any embarrassment...
The hands on the clock refused to turn back, and kept marching forward hour by hour. I didn't know who first pointed out that it was getting late. The night wore on, and I soon realized how late it'd gotten.
The Christmas party wrapped up without issue, and people started to disperse…
Hijikata-sensei had offered to escort me home, so the two of us took the moonlit path back together at a leisurely pace.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Haah... God. Everyone makes way too much of a racket. ...Well, not that it's a bad thing to cut loose like that every once in a while."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hehe... You were the one who invited all the students over, right?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Don't you tell anyone."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I won't!"
Toshizou Hijikata: "So, Yukimura. How did you find the party?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "I was able to have loads of fun thanks to everyone there! I was a little worried at first, but after I actually took part in it and nothing bad had happened, I felt pretty relieved..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Honestly, same. I was thinking the whole time that Serizawa-san had better not pull anything funny… But he was in a weirdly good mood this time. It's the first time I've not seen him yell." He added, "...I'm sure that was thanks to you, too. In truth, I was in a pretty bad mood before the party."
Chizuru Yukimura: "We also kept a close eye on things up until we finished putting up the decorations."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Well, even after we'd finished, I felt somewhat better. Maybe it was thanks to you."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, with Serizawa-san... Is he really scary when he gets angry?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "...I suppose so."
After I cautiously asked him, Hijikata-sensei looked off into the distance and spoke.
Toshizou Hijikata: "If he was just the type of guy to blow up whenever things got to him, things might've been easier, but… He may seem like the violent type at first glance, but he's actually disturbingly level-headed. He sees things about us that we ourselves don't even see." He continued, "...That's what it also seemed like during our dispute over demolishing Shiei Hall. That's why Kondou-san and I were beside ourselves at what he said..."
Shiei Hall...?
Demolition...?
Hearing those words brought a memory to mind.
[flashback]
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, Kondou-sensei? What is this place...?"
Isami Kondou: "Shiei Hall."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Eh?"
Isami Kondou: "...That's what it was called, at least. There used to be a kendo dojo here by that name."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Used to be?"
Isami Kondou: "Yes. As you can see, it's closed now. There are no students here; there's no one at all."
Isami Kondou: "But the teachings of that dojo are certainly still being passed down... That's what I believe."
Chizuru Yukimura: "When you say Shiei Hall, do you mean that plot of land behind the school...?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "...You know about it, huh?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "I do." I went on, "Hijikata-sensei. Please tell me about Shiei Hall. Whenever you or Kondou-sensei talk about it, you both seem so unhappy, somehow, so… I mean, what happened? Is it related to Serizawa-san, too?"
Hijikata-sensei looked away from me, as if he couldn't bear the weight of my gaze.
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Shiei Hall was a kendo dojo that Kondou-san opened. Age or skill level didn't matter. People who loved swordsmanship gathered there, encouraging each other, working hard together. It was a good dojo." He added, "People you know, like Heisuke, Souji, Saitou… Oh, Harada and Shinpachi, too. They had all attended it at one point."
Hearing so many familiar names made me blink in surprise.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Now that you mention it, I did hear that Heisuke-kun went to a kendo hall somewhere when he was a kid..." I hadn't heard the name of the dojo, but could that have been Shiei Hall...?
Toshizou Hijikata: "It was an old-fashioned dojo that had always upheld its teaching to 'be a warrior' since its establishment. At some point, that teaching no longer applied to just learning the blade. Kondou-san said he wanted to gear it towards education as well."
Chizuru Yukimura: "You mean, that led to Hakuo Academy being...?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Yeah. Everyone else had a laugh about it, but Kondou-san was serious. Said he wanted to take up the responsibility of educating young people. ...I shared his sentiment. I wanted to make his dream come true. That's why I aimed to become a teacher, and searched like a madman for any collaborators who could help fulfill his outrageous dream." After a pause, he continued, "...That was when Serizawa-san came along as an investor."
Chizuru Yukimura: "So that's why he's serving as the board chairman..."
I gave a few words of acknowledgement while learning how Hakuo Academy came to be.
But Hijikata-sensei had a dour expression, and continued after heaving a sigh.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Gen-san lent us his aid as president of Inoue Constructions, and things had gone well up to that point. But Serizawa-san...said he would have Shiei Hall demolished as compensation for his assistance. Said Kondou-san's teachings were too outdated and lax. That he was too fixated on Shiei Hall. Things like that."
Chizuru Yukimura: !!
Chizuru Yukimura: "So now, with it closed down like that..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Yeah. We only stopped the demolition going forward by postponing it indefinitely. Our academy has to be famous for beating other schools either in sports or in studies. Otherwise, it could be demolished at any time. Those were the terms."
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Is that why you act the way you do, Hijikata-sensei?"
Toshizou Hijikata: ?
Chizuru Yukimura: "I mean, you're always... Students think you're like a demon, and even then you come across as pretty strict..." It felt like the puzzle pieces had fallen into place as I spoke.
Starting with the penalties for the routine tests… All the way to how strict he was towards his students now.
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Kondou-san has an impossible task. If someone's gonna do it, it can only be me."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
I found myself hanging my head low, my chest pained. To think he intentionally put such a thankless role upon himself for someone else's sake...
Toshizou Hijikata: "I wanted to make Hakuo Academy a fine college prep school, to prove to Serizawa-san he shouldn't have looked down on us. But then... Somewhere along the line, I became too extreme without meaning to, it seems."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh...?"
Though I'd been looking down, Hijikata-sensei placed a hand on top of my head.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Looking at you makes me think that...while I don't think I was mistaken in my reasoning, there was also another way to go about it. Every student has their own quirks. There are those who score above 70 percent, but there are others who score below that, too… What's important isn't having them compete with one another over it, but helping them face their own issues instead."
Hijikata-sensei gently stroked my head, looking like he'd broken free of his own doubts. Then he looked up to the sky, before muttering a few words.
Toshizou Hijikata: "I didn't feel like coming to the Christmas party much before… But I'm glad I did. Being able to go there with you gave it meaning, too."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh...!?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "You did a great job, Yukimura. On the preparations and everything up until now, too."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I-I have you to thank. With all the help you've given me, I should be the one saying that. Thank you so much."
Toshizou Hijikata: "......"
I'd felt embarrassed for some reason, and strung together a few words in a panic. Really, I was so glad I could make such wonderful memories this Christmas. I put my hand on my chest with an exhale of relief before Hijikata-sensei and I exchanged a smile.
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Going off-topic for a bit, what did you get from the gift exchange earlier?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "I don't know who it was from, but it was an assortment of instant noodles."
Toshizou Hijikata: "...That doesn't give off so much as a whiff of Christmas spirit to me..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "W-Well, you might have a point, but I could definitely eat it later, at least..."
Hijikata-sensei gave me an awkward smile in response.
Toshizou Hijikata: "You finally got to make memories on Christmas, and you got some cup noodles on top of that."
Then he looked away, and pushed a small box into my hands.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Uh, what is this?"
Toshizou Hijikata: "I brought this for the gift exchange, but it didn't really seem appropriate. I rushed out right before we met up and bought another one. By now it'd be extra cargo for me at best, so you can have it. ...A reward for your efforts today."
I opened the box as if I were handling precious china.
Inside it was―
(CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)
―A pendant that gleamed silvery white, brilliantly decorated with a stone the color of cherry blossoms.
Lit by the glowing streetlamps, it shone like the starlit sky above us...
My breath caught in my throat, and I was lost for words as I admired it.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...It smells a little like cherry blossoms..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "It seems they infused cherry blossom perfume inside the locket. Cherry blossom flowers signify beauty of the spirit, they say… It has you written all over it."
He said this present was for the gift exchange just now. But with the sensation of it on my neck and the cherry blossom color, it had to have been just for me.
As I traced the present with my fingertips, a smile spread onto my lips.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hijikata-sensei, than―"
Toshizou Hijikata: "You're not allowed to thank me. It'd be embarrassing."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Regardless, thank you so much."
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Didn't I just say you weren't allowed to? Just keep quiet and take it."
Hearing him be so blunt and seeing his profile as he looked away had me smiling a little.
I wondered if he thought of me as he picked out this present. I had no way of knowing how he felt when bought it…
This must've been the first time I'd seen him acting so awkwardly. When I thought about how Hijikata-sensei showed me this side of him with all his walls down, my chest felt a little warm.
It seemed that in the time I'd admired his present, we'd already gotten to my house.
Just as I thought how it was a shame we'd arrived so soon, I turned around to see Hijikata-sensei opening his mouth.
Toshizou Hijikata: "Yukimura. Are you free this New Year's?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Well, my dad won't be back by then, and I don't particularly have any plans then either..."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Then just as well. Staying cooped up at home throughout the whole holiday's unhealthy, so why don't we go pay a visit to a shrine? Koudou-san did say he wanted me to take good care of his daughter when you started school. If you'd be alright with it, I'll go with you instead as your guardian."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah! Sure, by all means!" While I ended up feeling a little disappointed that he said he'd be there as my guardian, I grasped his present tight with a smile. I felt that the present he gave me was more meaningful than just a reward for me having worked hard…
I gripped his gift tightly in my hands, watching him go, until I lost sight of him in the dark.
After arriving home from the Christmas party, I turned on the heating in the chilly room. As the room warmed up little by little, I recalled everything that went on up until earlier.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Christmas was really fun this year. Not to mention..."
Remembering the events that unfolded just moments before made my cheeks grow warm for a good long time.