Chapter 4.5
This chapter was translated by shizuumi and proofread by kuririn, yuugs, and dei-hime!
New Year's Day ― Morning
My breath formed white wisps as I left the house and finally reached the road leading to the shrine. Crowds of people were at the grounds to pay their first respects of the year.
Chizuru Yukimura: "It's crazy how many people are here… I wonder if I can find Okita-senpai with all this going on."
I had my cell phone, but I still felt nervous. And I was practically in a human traffic jam. But then, without warning―
Chizuru Yukimura: !
Someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind.
Souji Okita: "Morning, Chizuru-chan."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Okita-senpai...!"
Souji Okita: "No need to be so shocked. Happy New Year. Let's have another good one as well."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-Yeah! Happy New Year to you, too. ...But still, I didn't think I'd get to see you this soon, so you caught me by surprise..."
Okita-senpai gave me a funny smile when he heard my grumbling.
Souji Okita: "It was unexpected for me too, y'know. I'd just gotten to the shrine to look for you, and I spotted you right away, just like that. Maybe it was a red string of fate drawing us together, hm?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "What...!?" I looked at Okita-senpai's face in surprise, but he just gave me his usual smile.
Souji Okita: "......"
No matter how hard I stared at his face, I couldn't even begin to imagine what he was thinking.
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Souji Okita: "Something the matter? C'mon, let's go and pray at the shrine."
Chizuru Yukimura: "...When we get there, I'll pray for the ability to read your mind. I'll even say please."
Souji Okita: "You should quit while you're ahead. It'd be boring if you knew everything, wouldn't it?"
He easily brushed off my relatively serious prayer with a laugh as we headed towards the shrine altar. We finished offering our prayers without fuss, and walked around the shrine courtyard. Okita-senpai peered at my face, looking amused as he asked me a question:
Souji Okita: "So? We've finished saying our prayers. Are you able to read my mind now?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Right. This is what you thought when we went to pray… You looked back on the past year, and thought it was pretty fun by the end. That's what I think."
Souji Okita: "Really now... You're half-right. But you knew that well in advance. Maybe it was because I was able to have so many chances to see you in the end, hm?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "That's true... I feel like I've spent a lot of time with you this year."
I also still had three months left of my first year at Hakuo Academy. When I looked back on all my memories, it felt like he was always there in them, too.
Chizuru Yukimura: "It's kind of strange, considering that we're not even in the same year."
Souji Okita: "Looking back, we shared a lot of memories that left a strong impression, wouldn't you say? Like, for example, when I took a pic of you against the sunset."
Chizuru Yukimura: "You did do that..."
Souji Okita: "That was the time you came up to the roof just for me, I'm fairly sure. Even though you could've ignored me and gone home. You really are a good-natured soul."
Chizuru Yukimura: "You know full well that you waved at me from the roof."
Souji Okita: "Does that mean you could ignore me if I called for you?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...No comment."
Souji Okita: "......"
Okita-senpai stared at me, looking dissatisfied...
Souji Okita: "Oh, right, we managed to do our first shrine visit of the year. How about we take a commemorative photo?" He pulled out his smartphone and took a photo, quick as a whip. "Oh, Chizuru-chan. Your eyes are half-closed again."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Take it again, please...!"
Souji Okita: "That's fine, but I'm not about to delete this one. The fact you were a little careless is an important part of the memories we made on our first shrine visit of the year, you know?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Honestly...!"
After my insistent and serious requests, I got him to delete the image. But the condition was that I had to take another commemorative photo with him...
Souji Okita "Hey, Chizuru-chan. You still remember when everyone went to the pool?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Of course. That was the most memorable part of the summer holidays for me. It was unforgettable. Though I would've never imagined that even the teachers would come… it might've been even more fun if Kondou-sensei had also been there."
Okita-senpai was close with him. I was sure he would've been happy if he had come. I gave a little hum while thinking about it, and Okita-senpai gave me an awkward smile.
Souji Okita: "Yeah. I did consider inviting him, but.. I couldn't spring an invitation on him out of nowhere without feeling bad about it in the end."
I thought that Kondou-sensei would've been happy if Okita-senpai had invited him, though...
Souji Okita: "I mean, he is a school principal. Stands to reason he'd be too busy to hang out during the break and all."
As I was about to speak, Okita-senpai cut me off with a shake of his head.
Souji Okita: "Well, at any rate, everyone was able to make a lotta noise and have a lotta fun. The funnest part about it was when I was alone with you, though."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-You mean... When you say, alone with me..."
Souji Okita: "Yep, yep. You were seriously so embarrassed. It was funny to watch. You're so innocent... I can't say I don't like that."
Chizuru Yukimura: "That doesn't feel like a compliment..."
Souji Okita: "But it is, though? Honestly, I didn't think you'd give in and drink that juice I'd ordered so easily."
Chizuru Yukimura: "What do you mean by that?"
Souji Okita: "I mean what I mean. How to put it... I thought, what'd happen if I ordered something you might find kinda awkward, y'know?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "......" Maybe I wasn't a match for Okita-senpai after all. That was all I could think as I watched a smile spread across his face.
Souji Okita: "We made good memories at the cultural festival too. It was really fun seeing you looking different than usual."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I..." When I looked back on the cultural festival, I sighed despite myself, recalling the sense of exhaustion I’d felt then.
Chizuru Yukimura: "The main thing I remember was how you kept saying so many things to mess with me..."
Souji Okita: "'Cause it's fun messing with you. I wanted to see whether you'd take a stand if I made some unreasonable demand of you again, really."
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Should I be angry? Or crying? I don't even know how to respond."
Souji Okita: "Sorry, sorry, I'll restrain myself next time. A little bit."
I didn't hold out much hope on that… I was beginning to give up and was about to interject, but he just smiled and changed the subject.
Souji Okita: "By the way― I've been thinking about how your class held an event with you as the main attraction for the cultural festival this year. "I wonder what the maid café will have you do next? Dress up as a guy? In a yukata? Or a dress? I'll be looking forward to that from now on."
Chizuru Yukimura: "We did see it through to the end, but that doesn't mean we're doing it again next time!"
Then, Okita-senpai went on...more soberly than I'd expected.
Souji Okita: "...Although, going down memory lane like this, I do think it's amazing."
Chizuru Yukimura: "What is?"
Souji Okita: "In every one of my memories, even the ordinary, everyday ones I haven't thought about till now, I realize how fun they were just from having you involved. Thinking about it like that, I can't help but think that there's something special about you."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I mean, I don't know about special..." I shook my head at Okita-senpai's murmur.
Souji Okita: "But I'm glad I made plans with you on Christmas to come visit the shrine today. 'Cause I'm sure if I hadn't asked you then, you would've probably come with someone else."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Th-That wouldn't have happened! I also―"
I wanted to respond to his feelings by saying I had fun as well. Though it was a little embarrassing, boldly, I tried to say how I really felt anyway.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I mean, I thought about how nice it'd be if I could go to the shrine with you..."
Souji Okita: (blushing) "......Oh?... Is that so..."
I wondered if my words took him by surprise. He seemed a little bashful. I...felt happy, being able to see such a novel expression on his face. The fact that he'd never shown that to other people made me feel kind of giddy, too.
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
I felt a bit self-conscious, so I changed the subject.
Chizuru Yukimura: "U-Um― Thank you for Christmas as well. It was really fun. You showed me such a wonderful gift that night. It was unforgettable..."
Souji Okita: ".........Chizuru-chan. At the time, I wasn't able to say..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes?"
Souji Okita: "...... Actually, I'd better not."
Chizuru Yukimura: "You can't just stop mid-sentence like thatー now you've gotten me curious. Please tell me!"
Souji Okita: "Nuh-uh. You wouldn't believe me even if I did."
Chizuru Yukimura: "No way...!"
I had no idea what he was going to say earlier. There were loads of times he threw walls up like that, too…
In the end, the two of us had plenty of interesting conversations, chatting away like that. I thought it was kind of impossible to deal with Okita-senpai… But he had some really great sides to him that were just as impossible not to appreciate.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, what did you pray for earlier in the shrine, Okita-senpai?"
Souji Okita: "You wanna know?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "If it's okay for you to tell me."
Souji Okita: "Well, since you asked so nicely, I'll make an exception and tell you."
I didn't think I asked all that nicely, though...
Souji Okita: "To be able to keep winning from here on out."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I knew it. You really do fuss over your matches."
Souji Okita: "Well then, seeing as we've finished paying our visit, it's about time we head back."
Chizuru Yukimura: "What..."
I felt my heart flutter at his words. It was true that we'd finished our visit, but I felt it was kind of unfortunate that I had to part ways with Okita-senpai already. It was lonely at home with no one else around. I wanted to chat with him a little longer, if possible...
Souji Okita: "It’d be too bad if you caught a cold from staying out for too long."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
With the way concern was mixed into his dry smile, I couldn't bring myself to say I didn't want to go home yet. I gave a little nod, and left the shrine behind with him…
Even on the way home, we chatted about a lot of different things as we walked. Like, 'how will you spend New Year's?' Or, 'Have you finished the winter break homework?' Okita-senpai seemed to have finished his work for everything at the start of the break, save for classical literature. It didn't look like he had any plans to do the remaining homework for that class, either. Hijikata-sensei sure had it rough. I already felt a little bad for him, and the year had only just begun.
Souji Okita: "Hey, Chizuru-chan."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes?"
I turned around when he called my name again. Okita-senpai looked at me in a fond, wistful way, yet still sounded indifferent when he spoke.
Souji Okita: "When you first got into Hakuo Academy, honestly, I thought you were a really dumb kid."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Souji Okita: "Well, I also thought it was interesting that you'd enrolled with us, so that made me happy. I had my doubts as to why you would jump into such an ordeal voluntarily."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Well... I mean, even if you ask me why, it's not like I can give a clear answer to that. But there's one thing I can say for certain. I'm glad I took the plunge for Hakuo Academy. From the bottom of my heart, I've no doubts about that now."
Souji Okita: "Yeah. I know now that you're not just saying that to look tough, or to put on airs. 'Cause I've come to share the same everyday life in the same school as you," His voice was quiet as he spoke, tender and gentle.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Okita-senpai..."
His words struck my heart. He wasn't just teasing me. Okita-senpai was really seeing me for who I was. The truth of that made me feel so happy and warm… The emotions that were smoldering inside me began to feel more distinct.
Souji Okita: "...Hey. Lemme guess what you're thinking right now."
Chizuru Yukimura: "...You don't have to guess if you already know. I won't mind."
Souji Okita: "But still, you want me to say what I'm leaving unsaid?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...In time."
At least for now, he had no intentions of saying it out loud. As long as he didn't, what was left unsaid would remain uncertain. What he was going to say… If I couldn't hear it today, would he put it into words, someday...?
After he'd escorted me to the front of my house, I bobbed my head at him in a little bow.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Thank you for today. I hope our third term goes well for us―"
Souji Okita: "...By the way, Chizuru-chan. Have you made food for New Year's?"
Chizuru Yukimura: ?
In the middle of me saying my goodbyes before we parted ways, he asked me a question out of left field. It kind of threw me for a loop since it was so sudden…
[Since I'm alone at home…]
[If it's just some soup…]
Chizuru Yukimura: "I didn't make any food for the New Year..." Something suddenly came to me as we talked. "But I do have some vegetable stew! I can get it ready real quick if I put in some rice cakes and heat it up. It's already past noon, so you could spend some time with me, if you'd like. How about it...?"
I was nervous and shy. I stumbled over my words from how fast I spoke, and managed to invite him in despite my heart racing in my chest.
Souji Okita: "New Year's soup? Together with you?" Okita-senpai seemed a little surprised by how suddenly I'd asked him. But he started grinning right after, looking delighted. "I'll accept your kind offer, then. It'd be nice to try out your soup."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes! Sure!"
Souji Okita: "Was that underhanded of me, or...?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...? What did you say?"
Souji Okita: "Nothing. Thanks, Chizuru-cham."
I didn't know what to make of this thanks just then… But I felt my heart beat a little faster at Okita-senpai's words. Just the fact that I could spend even a little more time with him already made me so happy.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Please, come in."
Souji Okita: "'Scuse me, then..."
I opened the door and showed Okita-senpai into the still, empty house.
Suddenly, I realized that the sky was already steeped in a beautiful crimson. Time had gone by surprisingly fast since I'd invited Okita-senpai over. We had gotten along well as we ate New Year's soup, the two of us chatting about pointless, trivial things. Maybe it would've been nice to talk about more important things than just small talk, if we could have.
But...
Just thinking back on how Okita-senpai had looked at me today set butterflies loose in my stomach, and I didn't know what to do about it. As we ran out of things to chat about, it was soon time for Okita-senpai to go home.
Souji Okita: "The sun already sets pretty early in the winter, but it felt super quick today."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes. It really did..."
Souji Okita: "Today was fun. Sorry for staying over so long."
Seeing Okita-senpai say that with a smile on his face, I said…
[I'll walk you halfway!]
[...See you at school]
Souji Okita: "I'll take you up on that, then. Though, it's not so far from your place, is it? Walking where we can see the first sunset of the year in the meantime doesn't sound too bad."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah!" My smile stretched from ear to ear at Okita-senpai's words, and I gave him a nod back.
Souji Okita: "......"
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Although we'd started walking, for some reason, we didn't speak. Even though we'd chatted so much earlier… I was weirdly conscious of how little time left I had to spend with him… I worried even more about what to say.
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
I stole a glance at Okita-senpai's profile. Just a peek. He was smiling faintly as he looked down the road, and not at me.
Chizuru Yukimura: "......" What should I do...? My bewilderment grew worse. In the end, I could only look down at my feet as I walked.
Souji Okita: "The evening sun is pretty."
I suddenly heard Okita-senpai from beside me. When I looked up, I saw the red sky as well.
Chizuru Yukimura: "It really is..."
I voiced my agreement with a nod, then…
(CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
I came to a complete stop. Not just my feet, but my breathing, too. My body seized up in a heart-stopping stillness. Even after I realized what had happened, I wasn't able to turn around to face Okita-senpai. It was sunset in winter. My cheeks had been cold from the chilled air up until then, but at that moment, a warm sensation brushed against my skin.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...U-Um...?"
Around ten seconds had passed before I understood the situation.
Then, the heat from that touch faded, receding from my cheek… ...Was what I'd thought, but it was still warm when Okita-senpai whispered to me from up close.
Souji Okita: "...Chizuru."
His sigh tickled my cheek. Every time Okita-senpai spun more words together, murmuring my name so close that I could faintly feel his lips… My heart hammered so fast in my chest, it felt like it was on the verge of bursting as I stood still.
Souji Okita: "This far is just fine. If I walk any further with you, just the two of us… At this rate, I'll end up wanting to sweep you away where no one else will find us," a mischievous little chuckle slipped from his lips, and this time, his warmth really did leave my cheek.
Souji Okita: "Wanna hear what I really prayed for at the shrine?"
I couldn't even speak. I gave a small nod instead.
Souji Okita: "I don't want to fuss over winning this year. I'll focus on doing what I can to be useful to Kondou-san instead." He went on, "I want the person who helped me think that way to watch me change."
That meant... He prayed for someone besides Kondou-sensei to be watching him...?
Souji Okita: "I'll see you for the new term at school."
Okita-senpai grinned as he gave me a light wave, and walked off into the sunset.
I just stared at him as he left, standing stock-still in blank astonishment… After a moment, I suddenly, timidly lifted my hand to my cheek, brushing my fingertips on it― My cheeks flared up, like I was feverish with a cold. Almost as if the heat from his lips was contagious…
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Haah..."
After I'd seen off Okita-senpai, I went back into my room and let out a huge sigh.
Chizuru Yukimura: "It kind of feels like… way too much happened today..."
I had a hunch. That this day, January 1st of this year, would hold a lot of meaning for me from now on. That hunch swirled around in my chest.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Phew..."
I let out another sigh. Okita-senpai was a little mean at times...
......
Or rather... he was much more than ‘a little’ mean… But I knew that deep down, he was always being considerate of me. He had his kind moments, too, and when we were together, he was really fun to be around.
Chizuru Yukimura: "What do I do...?"
As I grew more conscious of him, I couldn't try to ignore it any longer. When I remembered the smile he gave me when he went home… Even though I was home alone, my chest felt pleasantly warm. It looked like Okita-senpai wasn't going to leave my head that night.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Seriously, what do I do...?"
My heart wouldn't settle down when I clutched my chest. I was so lost, but the sigh that slipped out was one steeped in longing―
Then, that night…
As usual, after I finished having dinner alone, I went upstairs to my room. A New Year's program was playing on TV, but I just couldn't bring myself to watch it… In my daze, I stared blankly out my window.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hehe..."
The events that happened today replayed in my head, making me almost giddy. The night of New Year's Day drew to a close as I dwelled on those memories.