Episode 394: The Aftermath of a Dream

The fun Christmas party ended. After we all saw off Mio-chan and the others who were looking sleepy from playing too much, we set to work on the final task… the aftermath of the dream, or rather, the final cleanup of the dream.

The scale became far larger than originally planned, so the cleanup became a correspondingly difficult task, but just like during the preparations, many helpers came to assist… Honestly, it was a huge help.

However…

「We will handle the cleanup, so please take a break, everyone.」

Even being told that, there was no way we could just leave everything to them.

「Fufu…」

「…Sara-san?」

Sara-san, who was paired with me to collect the outdoor decorations, suddenly let out a giggle.

We weren’t talking about anything in particular right now… so I figured she was probably remembering something from the party.

「No, I was just thinking that today’s party was truly fun.」

「That’s right. I really had fun too.」

「Yes. I’ve never welcomed such a fun Christmas before.」

「Haha, me neither, I guess.」

When I was little, we sometimes held parties because of Yuzuha’s selfishness, but this experience of being surrounded by so many friends and having such a lively, fun time was definitely a first for me.

And above all…

「Last year, I was invited by Natsumi and Eri, so the three of us did have a Christmas party… but we didn’t plan various things like this. I was just invited to Eri’s house, so there wasn’t much of a “Christmas” special feeling. It was more like an extension of a girls’ night.」

「Ah, I can kind of imagine that. Like Natsumi-senpai was being enthusiastic by herself?」

「Yes. Natsumi is a mood maker, so it was a fun party in its own way. But…」

Sara-san stopped her hand, which was removing a star-shaped decoration in front of her… and stared straight into my eyes with a gentle smile.

「Being surrounded by close friends like this, healed by the smiles of cute Mio-chan and the others, while being able to laugh together and spend the same time with the most precious, beloved person in the world. Being able to welcome such a wonderful and supreme Christmas, I’m truly…」

「I feel the same way. There are the others, Mio-chan and the kids are here, and Sara-san is right next to me…」

If we’d held a party with just our friends, it undoubtedly would’ve been fun in its own way. But the reason it was this fun, this happy, and this heartwarming was… because Sara-san was by my side.

「But to be honest, I also had a feeling that I wanted to go on a Christmas date with just the two of us. After all, it’s the first Christmas I’ve welcomed with Sara-san, so I feel even more apologetic… mugu.」

「It’s a no-no, okay? Didn’t we promise not to say that anymore?」

「Showry…」

Sara-san’s beautiful index finger snapped up to cover my mouth as I accidentally blurted out unnecessary things.

I messed up… even though I knew better, my feelings of guilt toward Sara-san just slipped out.

「I am still convinced that Kazunari-san’s judgment was correct. If we had left Mio-chan while she was still sad, I’m sure…」

「…You’re right.」

This is something I felt back then too, but if we hadn’t been able to make Mio-chan smile, then for us… for the kind Sara-san, she surely would’ve carried that weight somewhere in her heart even during a date on Christmas Day.

「Besides, I can even feel proud of Kazunari-san for being able to make a judgment like that. You weren’t misled by immediate pleasure, and you didn’t turn your eyes away from what was important. Because you’re that kind of Kazunari-san, I…」

「Sara-san…」

Sara-san’s dignified tone, which felt free of any hesitation or flattery, made it clear that those were her unwavering true feelings.

「And if it’s a date, can’t we go on as many as we want from now on? Even without a pretext like Christmas, just being able to be with Kazunari-san is a source of supreme joy for me.」

「That’s right. For me too…」

I shouldn’t be obsessed with the immediate pretext of「Christmas.」The truly important thing is that Sara-san and I are together. If the two of us are together, a pretext is a trivial matter, and there’s no reason to be fixated on it.

That’s what Sara-san is telling me, and for me too…

「…Hey, look at that young lady.」

「…Yeah. When I heard she got engaged, I thought it must be a partner with some deep circumstances.」

「…Fufu, to think she’d be able to laugh with such a wonderful smile. Love really changes a woman, doesn’t it?」

「…You lot, stop your useless chatter and move your hands. You’ll get kicked by a horse if you aren’t careful.」

「…We’d get kicked by the supervisor before that.」

…Oops, it looks like we were attracting attention.

While the cleanup is ongoing, it’s bad for the two of us to be slacking off.

「Sara-san.」

「Yes. Let’s focus on finishing the cleanup for now.」

「Right.」

For now, I’ll just finish the cleanup and go home soon. It’s normally cold to be out like this forever, and besides…

This「special day」isn’t over yet.

「Well then, let’s meet again at the year-end party.」

「Bye-bye!!」

We all saw off the「two」from the long-distance group who were leaving by car, and then we split up into our respective routes to head home.

First, Hayato headed in the opposite direction of his house to drop off Todo-san. Sara-san and I took our usual course toward the shopping district to drop off Hanako-san.

And for some reason Natsumi-senpai… it would be boorish to say it… but Yuji, who dared not to get in Nishikawa-san’s car, said he would walk her all the way to her house.

「Well then, see you later.」

「Yeah. Take care, Yuji.」

「It’s not that late yet, so maybe it’d be an idea to stop somewhere along the way?」

「I’m throwing that right back at you, Hayato.」

「Ahaha…」

I can’t talk about others, but I’m sure those two also feel that they can’t let this special day of「Christmas Eve」end with just today’s party. I understand that feeling very well… it hurts how much I understand it, yeah.

「Well then, Natsumi-san, we…」

「…Muu.」

「…Natsumi-san?」

Natsumi-senpai, who had been strangely quiet for a while, gave a vague reaction to Yuji’s question. The atmosphere made it feel like she was angry… no, is that a bit different?

「Haa… despite talking so much about others, Natsumi is as cowardly as ever at the crucial moment.」

「Wait, Sara!?」

「Isn’t it fine? It’s Christmas Eve, so for once, you should just be honest with the person precious to you…」

「I’m telling you, don’t say unnecessary things!!」

This time she wore an expression close to anger and rattled off rapidly, but the fact that it looked like nothing more than a cover-up for her embarrassment… the only one who didn’t notice was her.

「Honestly… you really aren’t honest, are you?」

「I don’t want to hear that from you…」

「I’ll be getting along with Kazunari-san to my heart’s content after I get home, you know?」

「Urgh, you’re just being defiant…」

「I am not being defiant. I simply have a policy of showing my affection for Kazunari-san anytime, anywhere, without caring about anyone else. Right, Kazunari-san♪」

「T-that’s right.」

「Fufu…」

Sara-san is truly someone who, just like those words, consistently and single-mindedly shows her affection for me.

That’s why I also…

「…This super stupid couple.」

「Sorry Kazunari, I can’t back you up.」

「Eh?」

For some reason, Natsumi-senpai looked at my face with an exasperated expression, and Yuji let out a wry smile while watching.

That’s strange. I thought that was a truly moving scene just now… in my mind.

「Haa… I’m starting to feel stupid for being so nervous.」

「Eh, Natsumi-san, were you nervous?」

「Listen here!! Even for me, being alone with my boyfriend on Christmas night is obviously going to make me nervous… gah!?」

Natsumi-senpai accidentally revealed her true feelings. Realizing that Yuji was watching her with a happy smirk, her face quickly turned bright red while she maintained a complicated expression.

「No, no, I’m happy about it, you know?」

「G-guuu… why are you so composed…」

「I wouldn’t say I’m composed, but I thought I should be the one to lead at a time like this.」

「R-Raaaaaaaagh!!」

Natsumi-senpai let out a strike to Yuji’s arm… it was a bit too intense to be called a light tap… and glared at him regretfully. Unfortunately for her, her face was already completely red.

She’s as much of a maiden as ever in these situations, Natsumi-senpai.

「Fufu…」

「…What?」

「No, after all that talk, Natsumi is also doing it in front of people…」

「Don’t group us with you guys!! We don’t flirt regardless of the location!!」

「Natsumi-senpai, you lack persuasiveness.」

「What!?」

At the sharp comeback delivered by Hanako-san with a cold stare, Natsumi-senpai wore a stunned expression…

「Well then, Kazunari, we’re heading out, okay?」

「Yeah, um, what was it… take care, okay?」

「Haha… it’s fine. I’m used to it, more or less.」

「I see…」

Well, when Natsumi-senpai is alone with Yuji, her maiden side seems to come out strongly… so it’ll be fine if I leave it to him.

「Come on, Natsumi-san, let’s go. Well then everyone, good work.」

「Yeah, good work, Yuji.」

「Bye-bye, Tachibana-kun!」

「Later.」

「Please take care of Natsumi, Tachibana-san.」

「Yes.」

「…I’m not part of a stupid couple… I’m not part of a stupid couple…」

Yuji waved at us and led away Natsumi-senpai, who continued to mutter something to herself.

At this rate, I wonder if things will actually develop as expected… well, I’m sure it’ll be fine.

「Well then, shall we go too, Marina-san?」

「Yeah. Sorry, always…」

「No, no, I’d actually be troubled if you didn’t rely on me at least this much.」

「Hayato-kun… ehehe.」

Todo-san let out a happy sound at Hayato’s words and smiled bashfully.

Looking at them like this, they’re more straightforward than the other two. Actually, they look like they’re flirting quite naturally even in front of people…

「Marina, watch out for the escort wolf.」

「Wait!?」

「Umm… Hayato-kun, what’s an escort wolf?」

「Ehh!? No, that’s…」

Hayato’s agitation was rare, but as expected of the pure angel, Todo-san. To think she doesn’t know what an escort wolf is…

「Um, Kazunari-san?」

「Yes?」

「What is an escort wolf?」

「E-err…」

Sara-san… you too?

No, since Sara-san is a goddess, it’s fine if she doesn’t know… but wait!!

「Kuku…」

Ignoring Hayato and me as we struggled for an answer, Hanako-san looked truly amused… Hey, why do you look so happy?

We’re in a huge pinch because of you.

「Kazunari-san?」

「Hayato-kun?」

「Umm, well…」

「That is…」

Setting aside Hanako-san for now…

How should I answer this?

After dropping off Hanako-san at her home (that topic ended up being left vague), Sara-san and I walked slowly through the shopping district where Christmas songs were playing.

We walked together through the street, which was different from its usual liveliness and was wrapped in a brilliant and warm atmosphere decorated with Christmas lights. When I naturally turned my gaze toward Sara-san next to me…

「Fufu… Kazunari-san♪」

My eyes met Sara-san’s, who was also looking at me. With our hands still joined… Sara-san leaned her body slightly against my right arm…

「…Sara-san, aren’t you cold?」

「I’m fine. When I’m like this, both my body and heart are toasty♪」

「Haha, then that’s good.」

「What about you, Kazunari-san? Are you cold?」

「When I’m with Sara-san like this, I’m so warm I feel like I’d be fine even without a coat.」

「Then may I stay like this until we reach the house?」

「Of course. Or rather, that’s exactly what I want.」

「Yes♪」

Sara-san smiled happily and increased the strength of her lean, which had been a bit modest. This time she firmly… almost as if acting spoiled… intertwined her arm deeply with my right arm.

It was a bit bolder than the usual Sara-san… no, of course, I couldn’t be happier.

「…So this is what the Christmas atmosphere is like.」

「Eh?」

As I naturally looked at the surroundings and the people passing by, Sara-san suddenly murmured that.

「To be honest, I didn’t have any particular attachment to Christmas. Of course, when I was little, I looked forward to presents and cake like any normal child. But especially after entering middle school… I only had the impression of it being an incredibly troublesome day, with groups of girls I wasn’t even close with persistently calling out to me, or receiving overly familiar invitations from mixed groups who were nothing more than classmates.」

「Haha… even if people suddenly invited Sara-san out when they usually have no contact with you, they’d probably just struggle with how to interact and everything.」

Though I suppose because they didn’t really know Sara-san’s personality, they simply and shortsightedly thought they just had to invite her out… They didn’t think at all about what would happen afterward, which is why they could invite her without considering the consequences.

「Yes. Well, I’m sure there were reasons for them to invite me… but since it was obvious what the boys were thinking, I only have memories of it being truly disgusting.」

「A-ahaha…」

As a boy myself, I can’t say I don’t understand the feelings of those who wanted to invite Sara-san… but if they saw Sara-san daily as classmates, wouldn’t they understand her nuances, or at least how she’d feel about it?

「Going back to the topic, in any case, I had no attachment to Christmas, so even when walking through town like this, I never cared about the surroundings. I didn’t understand at all what was supposed to be fun about it. It was truly someone else’s business that didn’t matter… but.」

Sara-san paused there. This time, she shifted her arm that was around mine, moved in front of me, and stared intently into my eyes…

「Just by having the person more precious and beloved than anyone or anything else… by having Kazunari-san by my side, it feels like my whole world has been colored… It’s strange even to me that I’ve noticed a world that I saw but wasn’t truly seeing.」

「…I see. I understand that feeling well too. Depending on one’s state of mind, the same world can feel like a completely different thing…」

Just as I was before I met Sara-san, the less room one has in their heart, the narrower their field of vision becomes. Their way of thinking becomes stubborn. So conversely, just by changing one’s mindset a little, the way things look and feel can change completely… humans are truly simple creatures.

「Yes. That is why I feel very deeply moved by the fact that I’ve become able to feel that the scenery and atmosphere in front of me right now are warm… Once again, I have no words to express my gratitude to Kazunari-san.」

「Sara-san, we’re in this together, so let’s not say things like that, okay?」

「Fufu… that’s right♪」

Since Sara-san and I are in a mutual relationship where we’ve helped each other, we’ve discussed before that gratitude is mutual as well.

So even if we continue to hold feelings of gratitude in our hearts, we’ve decided there’s no need to say it out loud again…

「Ah…」

「…It’s over, isn’t it?」

Because we were talking while walking, it felt like it happened in an instant, but we were already at the end of the shopping district… The station was right in front of us. From here on, it was just the usual road, with no Christmas mood or anything.

Well, what should we do now… even if it doesn’t go as far as being a substitute for a date, I’d like to do at least a little something more.

「Kazunari-san, shall we stop by the park?」

「Eh?」

As if she’d been thinking the same thing as me, Sara-san suddenly made that proposal.

The park… she means「that place」we always go to, right?

「It’s not that there’s anything specific there, but I wanted to stay like this with Kazunari-san for a little longer… before we go home.」

「…I was thinking the same thing. I wanted to do something a little more with Sara-san…」

「Yes♪」

「Haha.」

Thinking that I was sharing the same thoughts as Sara-san even on something like this made me happy, and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Besides…

I think this might be just the right opportunity to give her「that」…