Chapter 4
Time for Saitou’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 received an invitation, what would you do?"
I would...
[Go to the party.]
[I'm not sure…]
After thinking on it for a moment, I gave a small nod.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm not confident that I'm an outstanding student or anything, so I'm not so sure that I will be invited, but… If I were invited, since he took the trouble, I think it would be rude not to accept. If I refused despite being invited, surely my teachers would be put in a difficult position, too."
Toshizou Hijikata: "......You really have a talent for overthinking things. You don't need to worry about us too, you know," Hijikata-sensei watched me intently, his expression both amused and exasperated. "You are an outstanding student, you know," he continued. "There's no doubt you'll be getting an invitation. Your grades aren't bad, and you listen properly to your teachers. Not to mention you always strive to improve yourself....But that being the case, it seems like my own question backfired on me this time," Hijikata-sensei said with a deep sigh. He fixed his gaze back on me, a miserable look in his eyes.
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: "......"
Even though I'd meant to step in and stop Okita-senpai from complaining to Hijikata-sensei… I couldn't think of what to say now that I was in front of them. I ended up just standing there, lost for words.
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Hm? Oh, it's you, Yukimura."
Souji Okita: "Did you need something?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, no..."
It was true that Serizawa-san's announcement was way too sudden. And because of it, the gift-giving event that Kondou-sensei had been so looking forward to was cancelled… Ibuki-kun seemed pained by it, too. And those were just the people I already knew of. There must have been others I didn’t know about suffering from this.
Among all of them, I thought maybe Okita-senpai might've been the angriest...
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Hajime Saitou: "...Yukimura. Your face is quite pale. Are you feeling unwell? If you are, then I'll take you to the infirmary."
Chizuru Yukimura: "What? No, I'm fi―"
Hajime Saitou: "No, you definitely look unwell. I can tell," Saitou-senpai declared, cutting me off. Angling himself so the other two couldn't see, he gave me a wink.
Did he mean for me to stay quiet...?
Hajime Saitou: "Excuse me, Hijikata-sensei. I will be taking her to the infirmary."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Sure. Sannan-san should be there at this time of day. Make sure he takes a proper look at her."
Souji Okita: "......"
Hajime Saitou: "I will. Please excuse us." Saitou-senpai took my hand and walked with me down the hall.
But...
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um...Saitou-senpai. The infirmary is the other way, though..."
Hajime Saitou: "It's fine. There's no real need for us to go there in the first place."
Chizuru Yukimura: "What?"
He narrowed his eyes again. At that, I nodded slightly, understanding.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Senpai, could it be that you just wanted to help, so you got me out of there?"
Hajime Saitou: "Well, rather than getting you out of there, it seemed like you might be caught in the crossfire if you stayed there for too long. It was brave of you to try to stop the argument. However...when those two start to fight, if a third party gets involved, they often turn their fire on them instead."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I understand... I'm sorry for bothering you."
Hajime Saitou: "No, you don't need to apologize."
Just as Saitou-senpai said that, Yamazaki-senpai came into view down the hall.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ah, it's Yamazaki-senpai."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Saitou-kun, Yukimura-kun. You haven't seen Hijikata-sensei around, have you?"
Hajime Saitou: "If it's him you're looking for, he's in the cafeteria. Is it urgent?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "No, it's not that. I just had something I needed to ask him, but..."
Hajime Saitou: "If it isn't an emergency, you might want to wait awhile."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Is something the matter?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Well, actually..."
I told him all about the argument just now, while Saitou-senpai filled in his own details of the story. As we did, Yamazaki-senpai became visibly tense, stiffening up in anger.
Susumu Yamazaki:"So, Okita-kun's flared up on him again..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "And furthermore, this time, it's nothing but false accusations! We need to stop them this instant...!"
Hajime Saitou: "Leave it, Yamazaki. It will only make Souji's mood worse if you get involved, too. When those two get like that, all we can do is leave them be until Souji calms down."
Susumu Yamazaki: "But, still...!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...I'm sorry, Yamazaki-senpai. I also think it's best to give up on it for now. I feel that they aren't in a fit state to listen to anyone right now..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...What? Don't tell me they dragged you into it, too?!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Th-That's not really an accurate way to put it. I just tried to cut in for a minute, but..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "I see. But, granted, even then… It's a fact that Okita-kun has done nothing but cause trouble for Hijikata-sensei, and he's even made you upset!" Yamazaki-senpai became more and more indignant, and he clenched his fists in frustration.
Seeing him like that, I...
[I understand how Okita-senpai feels, too]
[I want to support Hijikata-sensei…]
Chizuru Yukimura: "...It's not as if I don't understand how Okita-senpai feels, though," I tried to explain. "I mean, when I look at Hijikata-sensei, I feel as if he could overcome any obstacle."
Hajime Saitou: "That is true... I feel the same. He has a kind of charisma that makes people believe in him."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...But, that doesn't mean that we can shove all our problems onto him, either."
Hajime Saitou: "You're right… And, well, even if we make a fuss, it is not as if the party will go away. That being the case, there is only one thing for us to do. We must make the best of it, so as not to shame Hijikata-sensei and the other teachers."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes, that's true..."
We had to do our best for the party so that we wouldn’t add to Hijikata-sensei's burden and cause more trouble for him!
Thinking that, I took my invitation out of my breast pocket and looked down at it.
When I did, Saitou-senpai and Yamazaki-senpai also took theirs out.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, so you two received them as well."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yeah, just now."
Hajime Saitou: "In my case, it was for overall good conduct. It's just...now that I've received an invitation, I wonder what sort of Christmas present I ought to prepare for the event..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "We don't know who will receive them, either. It might be difficult, but we have to think of something anyone would be glad to receive."
Hajime Saitou: "Yes. Choosing a present that would suit anyone is difficult....Choosing a present for someone in particular is difficult enough already. However..." Suddenly, he looked up from his invitation, and our eyes met.
His gaze was steady, and the colour of his eyes deep. I felt as if I could lose myself in that gaze.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Saitou-senpai? Is there something on my face?"
Hajime Saitou: "N-No, nothing. Your face looks great. Don't worry."
Chizuru Yukimura: ?!
Hajime Saitou: "W-When I said 'great' just now, I just meant your face is clean, that's all!"
Susumu Yamazaki: "......"
The more he spoke, the deeper he dug his hole. With Yamazaki-senpai looking on with mild exasperation, I felt my face burn red, becoming a match for Saitou-senpai’s own.
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…
"...Nng..."
What had woken me up was the alarm that heralded the coming of the morning. I resisted the temptation to lay in my futon, ripping it off before glancing at my calendar.
At last, December 25th had arrived.
Christmas day: a day the whole world turned festive.
Chizuru Yukimura: "That's right, I have to go help Ibuki-kun with getting everything ready."
I was hoping to look for people who'd be willing to help yesterday, but I fell asleep in the end… As I thought about what I should do, I picked up my phone. When I did, I realized that I had a notification light up from a message I'd gotten while I was asleep.
Chizuru Yukimura: "From Saitou-senpai? ...Maybe he could help us out."
I felt a little guilty from how sudden it'd be. But I was sure that Saitou-senpai would be infinitely more helpful to Ibuki-kun than I could be…Of course, he could also say no.
I pushed the call button.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Saitou-senpai? Sorry, I was sleeping, so I didn't notice you'd sent a message..."
Hajime Saitou: 【I see. So that's what was going on. Essentially, you don't have enough hands on deck to help with the decorations.】
Chizuru Yukimura:"Yes."
Hajime Saitou: 【And you're in a hurry to get help, so you'd like to request mine as well.】
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes."
Hajime Saitou: 【And Ibuki's fate seems perilously close to extinction as well...it seems.】
Chizuru Yukimura: "I...guess? W-Well, no, I wouldn’t go that far..." Although, given how frightened Ibuki-kun was, he might not necessarily do a flawless job.
I puzzled over the doubts I was having as Saitou-senpai gave me little murmurs of acknowledgement on the phone.
Hajime Saitou: 【Then it can't be helped. I'll also offer my help.】
Chizuru Yukimura: "Really!?"
Hajime Saitou: 【I called you to begin with because Ibuki had sent me a mysterious message that only said 'help.' I tried contacting him, but I couldn't get through to him. I thought you might've known something about that.】
Chizuru Yukimura: "......" So he'd sent that message to Saitou-senpai, too… "Thank you so much, Senpai. I'm sorry to ask you this on your day off..."
Hajime Saitou: 【Not at all, I'm happy for you to ask me for whatever you need on things like this. ...I don't mind if you're the one asking.】
After hearing he'd come to pick me up, we ended the call. I messaged Ibuki-kun on my end, letting him know Saitou-senpai was coming as well…
I met up with Saitou-senpai, who was facing an estate that could only be called a mansion.
Chizuru Yukimura: "This house is huge..."
Hajime Saitou: "Garden lanterns, a traditional landscape garden, a bamboo shishiodoshi fountain clacking in the distance… I'd heard of the rumors, but it looks like Serizawa-san is a fairly wealthy man."
As we were captivated by the estate grounds, Ibuki-kun rushed over to us.
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Yukimura! And Saitou-senpai, too!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, Ibuki-kun. Morning. You look pretty worn out, though..."
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "I'm fine. It'll take more than this to take me out. I mean, my life's riding on this, so..." Even while looking worn and bleary-eyed, he gave us what looked like a list. "Sorry to rush you, but we don't have much time. I gotta get you two to work ASAP!"
Hajime Saitou: "Got it. What should we do?"
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "There should be a storehouse in the rear garden. Go and get the decorations on this list. Those are the ones we'll need to use. When you're done, the decorations you take out have to be put up in the garden. That make sense?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah, we're on it!"
We went to the warehouse upon Ibuki-kun's instructions. The doors creaked open, and we peered in. Within the darkness, I could faintly make out some items scattered around in a mess.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Do we search in here...?"
Hajime Saitou: "It doesn't look like it'll be easy… But we've little other choice."
We took a step into the dark warehouse, our eyes struggling to adjust to the lack of light.
[Minigame Victory]
It had been several hours since we'd started. After having fetched the decorations from the storehouse, it was time to put them up.
Compared to those in the rooms, garden decorations had to be placed higher. Even at that moment, I was stretching out my arms, trying to put a wreath onto a tree branch in the corner of the garden.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Nnnngh..." I reached again. "Hnnngh...!"
Hajime Saitou: "...What are you doing, Yukimura?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm trying to put up this wreath, but I can't reach it..."
Hajime Saitou: "Let me try," Saitou-senpai took the wreath from me, and reached for the tree branch, but… "Ngh, just a little more...!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Don't push yourself, Saitou-senpai. Ibuki-kun did lend us a stepladder."
Hajime Saitou: "I...I am not pushing myself. Just a little more...!" Even though he said that, with the height of the tree branch, it wasn't clear whether he could reach it with the way he was jumping.
After who knows how many bouts of trial and error, Saitou-senpai braced his own thighs in disappointment.
Hajime Saitou: "How mortifying... To think the day would come that I'd lament over my height to this extent."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I-I don't think there's anything to be so down about. You're not even that short, and it wouldn't be anything you'd need to worry about anyway..."
Hajime Saitou: "...No, it would. This is the one thing that would plague my life with great worry..." He then gasped with a look of realization, and zipped over to stand beside me. Then...he suddenly placed his hand on my head.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh?"
Hajime Saitou: "...You're currently around eye-level for me. No issues for us standing face to face like this."
I don't know if he was measuring my height, but his hand kept coming back to my head many times over.
Hajime Saitou: "Though since you're a first-year, you still have room to grow. Unlike me, since I've stopped growing, you'll have plenty of chances to become taller..."
With the way he kept using his hand to measure my height, it was almost like he was stroking my head...
Hajime Saitou: "Though it'd be fine if you stayed at the same height, in the unlikely event that there's some mistake..."
Pat, pat.
Hajime Saitou: "Now, if the man were shorter, that just wouldn't look right in a photo..."
Pat, pat, pat, pat.
Chizuru Yukimura: "U-Um, Saitou-senpai? May I ask you what you're doing...?"
Hajime Saitou: "...! I-I'm so sorry! I was lost in thought."
He shook his head and hurriedly stepped back, away from me. ...It seemed he hadn’t realized what he was doing until just now.
Hajime Saitou: "...At any rate, let's use the stepladder that Ibuki lent us. We should keep working..."
He briskly walked away with a slightly red face.
I felt a little odd, myself, watching him leave before I decided to get back to work.
―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.]
Conversations were blossoming like flowers, and I didn't want to intrude. ‘Maybe I can go and take care of the drinks…’
Thinking that, I took a decanter of juice in hand before taking a look around the place. As soon as I did, I happened to spot Saitou-senpai holding an empty glass.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Saitou-senpai, would you like a refill?"
Hajime Saitou: "Yukimura? Thank you, I would." He answered with few words, and kept a close watch on one part of the room as I poured him his juice. I followed his gaze on instinct, and my eyes were greeted with a fairly startling spectacle.
Kamo Serizawa: "Kazama Chikage. You're the student council president this year? ...If I recall correctly, you were also the student council president last year."
Chikage Kazama: "Hmph, any reason you're stating the obvious? The president is the most popular of all the students. Meaning it could be no one other than myself."
Kamo Serizawa: "...Putting aside the matter of popularity, the issue I'm thinking of in this case is something separate."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Saitou-senpai... Is that..."
Hajime Saitou: "Yes. ...I can't imagine everything would go swimmingly between those two. I'm keeping an eye on their movements from here. You should head somewhere else, seeing as you wouldn't want to get involved with this."
Chizuru Yukimura: "R-Right..."
It was definitely a little frightening to see those two together… I bowed my head to Saitou-senpai, then moved onto somewhere else.
[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…
Saitou-senpai had offered to escort me home, so the two of us took the moonlit path back together.
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Hajime Saitou: "......"
Saitou-senpai was quiet by nature, but today he was even quieter than usual. But, the same had to have applied to me. For me, it felt like if I opened my mouth to speak, what little remained of the party would fade away...
So, out of respect for those last traces of the evening, we walked in silence. By the time we'd broken it, Serizawa-san's house was out of eyeshot.
Chizuru ＆ Saitou: "Um―"
Hajime Saitou: "...W-What is it, Yukimura? Do you need something?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Hehe."
Hajime Saitou: "...Why are you laughing?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Nothing. It was just the timing of when we spoke… it makes me sure that we were thinking the same thing."
Hajime Saitou: "I see. ...You might be right." Saitou-senpai looked towards the sky with a small smile. When he had turned to face me, that smile of his had gotten gentler. "When we were preparing for the party, I wondered just what was going to happen… But today ended up being a good day. That's also thanks to you."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, no, it was thanks to you helping me with the decorations and everything."
Hajime Saitou: "I'm just happy I could be useful for you." His eyes stared fixedly into my own.
Earlier, when we were with everyone else, I was able to chat with him normally, but somehow being alone with him made my mind go blank.
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
We both looked away from each other, and started walking without speaking again. Though I felt embarrassed and uneasy, the silence was far from unpleasant. It was meant to be a carefree walk, but before long we could see my home…
Hajime Saitou: "...We’re already here at your place. That sure was fast."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Thanks so much for escorting me all the way here, Saitou-senpai."
Hajime Saitou: "Your room must be cold with the temperature outside being like this. You should draw a bath when you get back and spend some time warming up."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Sure, but I'll be fine. I think I'll just get to bed right away."
Hajime Saitou: "I see. That's good. Staying up late is bad for your body after all. After this... Right. This is about the homework for the winter break, but..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
He made no indication he was going to leave as he kept talking even more. I was about to open my door, tilting my head as I called out to him.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, senpai. You could come in so we can chat some more, if you'd like. I think it's too chilly to talk on the porch, and I can make us some tea as well."
Hajime Saitou: "O-Oh, no, that won't be necessary. I'd feel bad staying over for so long."
After declaring that, Saitou-senpai turned his back to me. But―
He looked back over his shoulder just once more, looking like he'd made his mind up about something.
Hajime Saitou: "Uh, Yukimura. Forgive me if you think this to be strange of me."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes?"
Hajime Saitou: "I didn't really intend to give you anything. I thought that'd be too fast for us, and that we should take things one step at a time… No, that'd also be a lie... I would have never bought it in the first place if I hadn't meant to give it to you..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, I'm not really following. What is it you're talking about?"
Hajime Saitou: "...This. Take it. I only got one for you, so I'd like it if you kept this secret from the others." At the end of his lengthy preamble, Saitou-senpai handed me a small bag.
I carefully opened it, and glittering in the streetlights' glow inside… A crystal charm in the shape of two cats huddled together rolled into my palms.
Chizuru Yukimura: "It's... It's so cute...! Is it really okay for me to have something this pretty and cute?!"
Hajime Saitou: "It is. I wasn't going to give this to anyone else. This is also my thanks for the countless times you've helped me up until now."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Helped you... It's more like you were the one helping me, surely."
Hajime Saitou: "That's not the case. You've given me much more than you yourself are aware of," he said with a wry smile, and I wondered if he was hiding his embarrassment. Then his eyes crinkled and he gave me a small nod before continuing, "...To be honest, I didn't have a single clue as to what a girl would like. So I'm glad that you seem to like it. I'd be happy if you accepted it."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes! Of course! Thank you so much...!"
There was no way a gift from Saitou-senpai wouldn't make me happy. The two cats huddling together brought a grin to my face.
Suddenly, I noticed something strange about them.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Huh? Is this supposed to be two charms that combine as a pair?"
Hajime Saitou: "Hm? ...Ah, it does seem that you can detach them, yes."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Then..."
I smiled again and held out one of the charms to him.
(CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)
Chizuru Yukimura: "Senpai, why don't you have one of them?"
Hajime Saitou: "I don't mind, but... Would that be alright?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Of course. It's your present after all."
The thought of the two of us carrying matching charms made me happy....and a little giddy. Looking straight at Saitou-senpai had felt a little embarrassing, though.
When I saw him smiling a little sheepishly, I wondered if we were thinking the same thing again, and felt kind of happy.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, right. How about we put them on our bags now? That way, they can always be together."
Hajime Saitou: "That would be..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, I won't if that would bother you..."
Hajime Saitou: "N-Not at all. It wouldn't in the least. ...Honestly, having the same thing as you would make me happy. Let's both put them on."
After that...
We promised we would visit the shrine with each other for the New Year before Saitou-senpai headed home.
Seeing how Saitou-senpai glanced at his cat charm as he left and how happy he seemed tugged at my heart, too...
Having matching charms with him unwittingly put a smile on my face, just as it had for him.
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.