Chapter 4
Time for Yamazaki’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 true that Okita-senpai said some stuff to me, too… But even with that, it’s Hijikata-sensei who seems to be under the most pressure," I let out a worried sigh.
Susumu Yamazaki: "That...is true. Serizawa-san's intervention has led to sudden and unavoidable changes to this year's Christmas plans."
Hajime Saitou: "...And with them, Hijikata-sensei's difficulties are more complex than usual."
Chizuru Yukimura: "You're right... If only we could support him, even a little..." We couldn't dismiss whatever favor Serizawa-san had shown us by extending us invitations. And we couldn't just make this Christmas party go away, either. In which case, we ought to try and make the best of it this Christmas, I thought, and have fun with everyone. I voiced those sentiments one after another.
Yamazaki-senpai was in agreement.
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Yes, I think you're right. Let's try to be positive about this. If, due to Serizawa-san's position as board chairman, Hijikata-sensei has his hands tied… then we students should do our part to smooth his way. We should try to reduce the troubles both Ibuki-kun and Hijikata-sensei might face."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Right!"
I nodded in agreement, while Yamazaki-senpai gripped his invitation tightly.
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.
I left home early in the morning, heading out to Ibuki-kun's house.
Chizuru Yukimura: "He said that the place is big, but I wonder exactly how big it is..."
As I walked, I thought it'd be nice if I could really be of help to him.
And then...
???: "Hm...? Yukimura-kun?"
As a familiar voice reached my ears, I looked up with a jolt.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yamazaki-senpai, good morning!"
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yeah, morning. Are you by chance also heading out to buy a present for the gift exchange?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, no. I bought it the other day, actually. I suppose you are, though?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "I hate to admit it, but yes. I couldn't seem to decide between a few choices, so I ended up procrastinating."
Chizuru Yukimura: "And the choices are...?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "Stationery of some sort is the strongest contender. But food would be a good one, too… What do you think?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Let me see. I think―"
We set off walking as we discussed choices of gifts. When we were approaching the intersection, Yamazaki-senpai tilted his head slightly.
Susumu Yamazaki: "So, where are you heading to?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "To go set up the party at Serizawa-san's house. I'm supposed to help Ibuki-kun..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "......"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yamazaki-senpai?"
Susumu Yamazaki:"...That's worrying. Should I come help, too?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh? But what would you do about your present then?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "It's fine if I put that off. Worst-case scenario, I'll just say that I forgot and promise to sit out the gift exchange..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Wouldn't Serizawa-san be really angry if you did that...?"
As far as I knew, Serizawa-san seemed like the type of man who hated it when things didn't go his way. And when that happened, nine times out of ten, Ibuki-kun was the one who suffered the consequences. When I said as much, Yamazaki-senpai folded his arms, a complicated expression on his face.
Susumu Yamazaki: "There is certainly some truth to that… Even if we assume the decorating went well, there would be no point if he still got mad at Ibuki-kun when I showed up without a present. Plus, he may say, 'What happened to Hakuo Academy's teaching standards, if there're students who can't even keep simple promises?' and blame the teachers..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "You're right...So I think you really should prioritize your present, after all."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Alright. Well, then, I'm going to hurry off to do my shopping."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes. We'll be fine, so you take care, too, Yamazaki-senpai!"
I hurried down the street while he saw me off with considerable worry. I needed to do my best with the decorations to protect Ibuki-kun from Serizawa-san's wrath.
As I walked around looking for the address Ibuki-kun had given me, soon enough, a massive mansion came into view.
Passing under the gate with a nameplate which read 'Serizawa,' Ibuki-kun greeted me with a bright, enthusiastic look on his face.
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Yukimura!? You came! I knew you'd show up...!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm sorry I'm a bit late. I ended up talking to someone on the way here..."
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "No, it's fine! Completely fine! I'm grateful that you came at all! After all, each and every one of the other guys refused me. They didn't want to be at Serizawa-san's house for a second longer than they absolutely had to. You're such a good person, really...!"
Ibuki-kun really looked like he was at his wit's end. I tried to soothe him as rare tears escaped his eyes, nodding and speaking in a reassuring tone.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...A-Anyway, let's both do our best, okay?"
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Yeah! Whether or not I can continue living long enough to grow old is in your hands...!"
Surely, he was exaggerating… I wanted to laugh it off, but his expression was much too serious for me to do so.
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Well then, I'll get started on the interior décor. Please go find the stuff on this list in the backyard storehouse!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Okay, will do. I'll come ask you about it if anything comes up."
Saying that, I headed off towards the storehouse...
[Minigame Victory]
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hmmm... Ibuki-kun, does this look right to you?"
Some time had passed since we began working. After I'd finished carrying all the decorations out of the storehouse, I had switched to working on decorating the interior with Ibuki-kun. When I placed the last ornament on the tree, he sagged with a deep sigh of relief.
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Alright, good work! Now even that stubborn Serizawa-san won't be able to complain!"
Kamo Serizawa: "Oh? You certainly sound confident."
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Ack, Serizawa-san...!?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "What do you think, Serizawa-san? Ibuki-kun and I put our absolute best effort into the decorating."
Kamo Serizawa: ".........Hmph, it's not terrible." Grumbling only those few words, Serizawa-san swiftly walked away from us.
When I saw his apathetic reaction, my face clouded over with anxiety.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I guess he didn't like it..."
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "No, he did. That reaction means he's in a good mood."
That was a good reaction...? What in the world was he normally like, then?
Although I had the urge to ask him, the relief flooding Ibuki-kun's face hadn’t yet faded, so I decided just to stay quiet.
―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.]
I'd worked plenty hard for this. I decided I might as well get something to eat. I looked over the table and saw all kinds of dishes among the spread. Herb chicken and roast beef, salad and cream stew, and a Yule log cake...
Chizuru Yukimura:: "What should I get...?"
As I wondered to myself which luxuries to indulge in, I heard Yamazaki-senpai call out to me.
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yukimura-kun, are you eating properly?"
He really was such a thoughtful person. A smile spread across my face that matched Yamazaki-senpai’s's own, before―
???: "―Aww, yesss! This is delicious! If only I could steal some o' this for breakfast!"
Chizuru Yukimura:: ...?
I suddenly heard a voice echo from across the room and looked over to where it had come from. There I saw Nagakura-sensei cradling plates in both hands, and Shiranui-senpai looking disgusted.
Kyou Shiranui: "Nagakura. How many slices of roast beef is that?"
Shinpachi Nagakura: "It's not like I'm gonna eat all of 'em yet. Oh, that spare rib over there looks tasty!"
Kyou Shiranui: "Yo, hold your horses, man. You're givin' me heartburn just looking at you..."
Shinpachi Nagakura: "S'no problem at all! I packed plenty of external storage today for this ―it's all systems go!"
Nagakura-sensei laughed heartily as he slapped the plastic container he'd brought for sneaking food home later. Yamazaki-senpai and I looked at each other before exchanging wry smiles.
Susumu Yamazaki: "Looks like we should hurry and eat before it's all gone..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah. I'll eat a lot so I won't lose to Nagakura-sensei!"
[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…
As everyone began to head home for the night, I headed off to go thank Serizawa-san for hosting the party.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Serizawa-san. Thank you so much for hosting us today. Everyone was able to have a wonderful time together thanks to you."
Kamo Serizawa: "...Hmph."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Things have gotten fairly messy around here from the ruckus everyone made… If you'd like, I would be happy to help clean up―"
Kamo Serizawa: "Do not get the wrong idea, young lady. It has already been decided that the mongrel will take care of it."
His words may have been harsh, but even so, he sounded much less aggressive than before.
‘I wonder if something good happened today...?’
In any case, he had refused my offer, so I thanked him one more time and then turned away.
Just as I made to leave―
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yukimura-kun. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, can we walk home together?"
The one who had called out to me was Yamazaki-senpai.
Susumu Yamazaki: "It's already pitch-dark outside. It'd be dangerous for a girl to walk alone at this time of night."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ah... I'm very happy you offered, but...would that really be okay?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "Don't worry, it's no problem at all. In fact, it would be more of a problem for me if you went alone."
Chizuru Yukimura: "In that case… I'll take you up on your offer."
(CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)
Chizuru Yukimura: "It sure gets cold at night. Look, you can see our breath."
Susumu Yamazaki: "You said it… It looks like it might even snow pretty soon."
When I let out a big breath to see the white fog it formed, Yamazaki-senpai smiled and did the same. But as much as we talked about the cold, I didn't really feel it. Maybe because I was still caught up in the excitement from the party.
Chizuru Yukimura: "But I'm glad that the party ended without incident."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yeah. I thought that things would get a lot more chaotic than they actually did. I brought a first-aid kit just in case, but I'm glad I didn't have to use it..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Whoa, you really brought one...?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "I'm always prepared. But... with you there, I needn’t have worried. Ibuki-kun seemed happy, and all the teachers were smiling as well... I think we have all your hard work to thank for that."
Chizuru Yukimura: "No, not at all... It's true that I helped out with the decorations, but that's it. I had such a good time tonight, and I got to spend some time together with everyone...All the fun we had tonight was thanks to everyone gathering together!"
Yamazaki-senpai gave me a wry smile when he saw me clenched my fists for emphasis, and his expression took on an unusual sourness.
Susumu Yamazaki: "I should hope you're including yourself when you say 'everyone,' right?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "True, it could be that it was everyone's combined efforts that made the party fun...But you were unmistakably at the heart of it all, Yukimura-kun. ...You're special. I think you should be a little more aware of that."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm 'special'... Because I'm the only female student?"
Susumu Yamazaki:[softly] "That's not what I meant." Giving me a tender smile, Yamazaki-senpai once again set off walking, leading me down the path.
I was so enchanted by that smile that it was all I could do to follow after 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.