Chapter 4.5
This chapter was translated by dei-hime, and proofread by kuririn, yuugs, and dei-hime!
Chizuru Yukimura: "Haaaaa...aah..."
Hurriedly covering my mouth, I let out a very unladylike and rather large yawn. ...Well, even if I were to say that, there was no one around to see it at this time of day.
As the clock approached five in the morning, the street was devoid of anyone but myself.
It was just before 5 AM, on the first morning of the New Year.
I had just paid my respects at the shrine, and was on my way home, yawning all the way.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I sure talked a lot with Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai at the shrine… Osen-chan, Kosuzu-chan and I were at that restaurant for a long time, too..."
At any rate, I was going to hop straight into bed once I got home. On my way home from the shrine, I realized the scenery around me was very familiar.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh...right. I could take this route to reach the school, too." Trudging home with my sleepiness weighing down my legs, I approached the school gates, empty in the light of dawn. As I did...
Susumu Yamazaki: "......"
Chizuru Yukimura: "...Yamazaki-senpai...?"
Seeing his familiar face in the distance, I perked up. But, he shouldn't have been here of all places, and at this time of day… I pinched myself, wondering if I had dreamt it. Yamazaki-senpai caught sight of me, his eyes going wide.
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yukimura-kun!? Wh-Why are you here?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm just on my way home after paying my first respects of the year at the shrine..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Visiting the shrine? At this time of day? I don't normally approve of staying up late, but..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm sorry. I was talking with friends, and before I knew it, it was already morning. But what about you? I wouldn't think you'd have healthcare committee duties right from the first morning of the year, would you?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "I'm on my way to the roof to watch the sunrise with Saitou-kun and some other classmates."
Chizuru Yukimura: "As a class, you mean?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yeah. Of course, at this time of day, students can't just go up there on our own, so Nagakura-sensei agreed to come supervise. Everyone is supposed to arrive soon, but… Would you like to join us?"
In response, I said…
[I don't want to intrude…]
[Please let me join you]
Watching the first sunrise of the year was a chance that only came...well, once a year. Having this chance to see it with Yamazaki-senpai and the other seniors was enough to blow all my tiredness away.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'd also like to see the first sunrise. Please let me join you, if I won’t be a bother."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Sure. We'll be glad to have you there. I've no doubt everyone will be happy to see you. Nagakura-sensei especially… He was lamenting that he would be out watching it with just a bunch of boys..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hehe. Even if you say that, I don't think I have enough feminine charm to change much if I join, though."
Susumu Yamazaki: "That's not true. You're, um... You're plenty...charming."
Chizuru Yukimura: "...What? Just now, what did you...?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "N-Nothing! So, uh… I'm just saying that I'd also be happy if you joined us. Just now, nobody had shown up yet, and I was waiting all alone, so I didn't really know what to do with myself, either." Yamazaki-senpai looked almost sort of childlike as he laughed shyly.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Then, I'll take you up on your kind offer. Let's wait here together until the others show up!"
Meeting Yamazaki-senpai right at the start of the new year... somehow, I felt a thrill of excitement.
ーAnd so. I leisurely waited with Yamazaki-senpai for the others to show up. As we did, before long, his cell phone pinged with a message.
Susumu Yamazaki: "Hmm? It's from Nagakura-sensei."
« My bad! Something urgent came up, and it doesn't look like I'm gonna make it in time. We already got permission from Kondou-san, and the janitor, Shimada, already unlocked the doors for us. I'll head over later, so you guys go ahead! »
Chizuru Yukimura: "So he says, but… What do you think, senpai?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "Certainly, looking at the time, everyone should have arrived by about now… We can't just keep standing around in front of the school gates, either. Why don't we go on ahead?"
I hadn't visited the school since winter break began, so it'd been a week since I'd entered the school. Our footsteps echoed in the halls, and the school looked as it always did on this first morning of the year.
Chizuru Yukimura: "It's so quiet when there's nobody around. Pretty weird, isn't it..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "You're right. We might well be the only ones to have been here today."
Chizuru Yukimura: "In other words, we're the very first people to walk these halls this year, aren't we!"
I felt strangely happy after hearing what we said. The two of us excitedly climbed up to the roof, where the wintry wind whipped at our hair and clothes.
Chizuru Yukimura: "The wind sure is strong...As expected from a rooftop. ...Also, Yamazaki-senpai, when do you think everyone else will arrive?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "That's… Well, it's already past the time we agreed upon. It's odd that no one has contacted me, either."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Did you maybe get the time wrong? It looks like it might end up being just the two of us, at this rate..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Ahh, yeah. Just...the two of us…......H-hey, I didn't trick you or anything! We're only alone for now! Everyone else will definitely come soon. Believe me!"
I tilted my head at him. He was strangely worked up, shaking his head furiously. Still flustered, Yamazaki-senpai took out his phone.
Susumu Yamazaki: "O-Oh, yeah. Since it's this late, let's try mailing Saitou-kunー"
[phone dings]
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh. Could that be him now?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "He saved me the effort of writing a message..."
« Yamazaki? It's Saitou. Something came up, so it looks like I won't make it to see the sunrise. Sorry, but please let Nagakura-sensei know I won't be able to come. »
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Susumu Yamazaki: "W-Well, not all is lost if Saitou-kun can't make it, even if it is unfortunate that he won't be coming. After all, some of my other classmates are supposed to come, tooー W-What?! He can't come because he caught a cold?! And this guy ate so much he can't move!? What's going on...!"
And that was that. After reading the last of the messages from classmates who were supposed to show up, he sighed and put his phone back into his pocket.
Susumu Yamazaki: "In the end, they all canceled. Who knew not a single one would show up?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Well, it can't be helped if they're not well. Even if they pushed themselves to come, it could make things worse for them."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yeah, you're right… But if it weren't for you coming here, Yukimura-kun, I would've ended up being all alone. So, what should we do? It's not quite time for sunrise yet, and if you're cold, it might be best to give up on this and go back."
Yamazaki-senpai suggested that, but I said...
[Let's watch it together]
[What should we do…]
When I heard that, I shook my head.
Chizuru Yukimura: "We came all this way, and the sun will be rising soon. If we didn't wait to watch it now, it would be such a waste. So let's stay."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Is...that alright? You'll be stuck here with only me..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Of course. Any sunrise I get to see with you is sure to be beautiful, I think."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Thanks, Yukimura-kun."
(CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)
Approaching the rooftop's fence, we sat down and wait leisurely for the sun.
The sky began to lighten as we waited for daybreak. Not knowing what else to do with the time until daylight broke in the east, we talked about all kinds of things. Things like our favorite foods, and the New Year's TV programs. It was probably the first time I'd chatted so much with Yamazaki-kun about so many silly, pointless things. And thenー
Chizuru Yukimura: "Wow...!"
A line of light broke over the horizon, streaming over our faces. We squinted against the beautiful light of the beginning of the new year in stunned silence.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Look at it, senpai! Look, how it's getting brighter and brighter, and the shadows are pulling backー"
Susumu Yamazaki: "So this is the moment when night blends into day, huh… I suppose it's precisely because it can only be seen right now that it's so beautiful..."
It looked like the old year was being made anew. As if the first light of the year was painting right over the whole world. Before we knew it, the world was covered in a whole new color.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Until just now, it was so dark. I can't believe it got so light so fast..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Yeah. I can already see your face clearly."
Glancing over at him, my eyes and Yamazaki-senpai's met. Seeming somehow awkward, he smiled wryly and gave a faint laugh.
Susumu Yamazaki: "How about it, Yukimura-kun? What kind of year do you want the new one to be?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "The new year...what are my goals for this year, you mean?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "Yeah. Declaring your resolutions under the light of dawn like this is fitting, right?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-You won't laugh?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "Of course. Working hard in your studies, or getting more exercise… However many things are fine. Whatever your goals, I want to hear them."
Chizuru Yukimura:: "T-Then, I want to be healthy, and study well, and exercise…" I trailed off before adding, "...and fall in love..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...pft..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "D-Don't laugh! Didn't I say not to laugh!?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "N-No, I'm absolutely not laughing at you. It's just, I really didn't expect you to say something like that."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I-I'm a girl, after all, so of course I want to find love, too. Even a bit."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Is that so. That wish has already come true, though."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh...?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "There's already someone near you who feels that way about you. Although I won't say who."
‘Did that mean... Could it be?’ I wanted to ask, but I didn't have the courage, and I wordlessly looked up at the sky. After watching the first sunrise of the year, somehow, I didn't want to leave this place. I thought that maybe Yamazaki-senpai felt the same way.
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Right here, and now, I don't want to forget this sunrise I saw with you. Can we… Can we stay here for just a little longer?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
I was at a loss for words, and simply smiled, turning my eyes to the New Year's sky. We enjoyed the view to our hearts' content. Completely enveloped in the warm, soft light of the dawn, we stood there watching the sky for some time. After the sun had risen high in the sky, I wasn't sure which of us looked down first.
Susumu Yamazaki: "Phew... We've been here for quite a long time now," stretching out his arms over his head, Yamazaki-senpai gave me a smile. "I was worried when I realized no one else would be coming… But I'm glad I got to spend this time with you. Thanks for accompanying me."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Same here. Thank you so much for inviting me to join you. It's all thanks to you that I could see such a beautiful sunrise to start off the year."
Susumu Yamazaki: "I also got to hear your New Year's resolutions, too."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I-I'd rather you just forget about them, though..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Unfortunately, that won't be possible. I definitely heard it all with these ears of mine, so I simply can't forget."
Chizuru Yukimura: "...You're mean sometimes."
He tried to slip away, but I caught him by the arm and pulled him towards me. Right at that moment...
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Sorry guys! I'm a bit la...te..." He trailed off, stunned.
Susumu Yamazaki: "......"
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
Shinpachi Nagakura: [meekly] "Oh... I've interrupted you guys, huh. Take your time..." [shuts the rooftop door]
Susumu Yamazaki: "......"
Chizuru Yukimura: "......"
[door swings open again]
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Oh, I almost forgot! Have fun, stay safe, and make good choices!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "W-Wait a minute, please!"
Susumu Yamazaki: "Sensei! You're misunderstanding!"
But Nagakura-sensei had already left, while having completely misinterpreted the situation, it seemed. We both chased after him, hoping to set the record straight…
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.