Episode 380: This Year’s Christmas Is…

「Good evening, everyone.」

「Good evening!!!!」

A notification that everyone had joined popped up on the RAIN group chat screen, which had kicked off suddenly at Nishikawa-san’s request. With Nishikawa-san’s polite greeting overlapping with Tachikawa-san’s strangely high-tension one, the main topic of the day, whatever that was, officially got started.

「Eri-rin, what’s up so suddenly?」

「It’s rare for Eri to call for us. Was there something urgent?」

The ones who threw out the first questions were the classmates with the deepest ties to Nishikawa-san, Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai. Natsumi-senpai’s casual and friendly tone made it clear how friend-like their connection was, and Sara-san’s voice held a similar level of comfort.

「Hehe… it’s not exactly like that, but I thought I’d ask about your Christmas plans. This group has more couples now, so if you have a da… ahem, if you have plans…」

She definitely just tried to say「date」and quickly corrected herself. Well, regardless of that.

「Hmm? Do you have something going on too, Eri-rin?」

「Something… or rather, since we have all these good friends gathered here, it wouldn’t be bad to do something once in a while, right?」

「Yes, yes!! I’m all for it!! My Christmas plans are totally empty, I’m basically closed for business, but, that doesn’t mean I’m sad or anything!!」

「No one was actually thinking that, but…」

「No way, Takanashi-kun definitely pitied me just now. No doubt about it!!」

「Why are you coming at me!? And that’s a total false accusation!?」

I thought it would be rude to just ignore her, so I tried to offer a little follow-up(?), but I don’t get this!!

Leaving aside this weird high-tension energy, I really wasn’t thinking anything like that. In fact, if anything…

「Hehe… Takanashi-san is not the kind of person who would think such things.」

「That’s right. I won’t forgive you if you say strange things to Kazunari-san.」

「Yoko, you’ve got some nerve messing with Kazunari…」

「Hiee… it’s a j-joke, a joke, a mistake!! Takanashi-kun had a look like he wanted to say something, so I just thought for sure it was pity for me being all alone on Christmas!!」

「As if.」

Pressed by Sara-san and Hanako-san, who show absolutely no mercy when it comes to anything regarding me, Tachikawa-san began to tremble on the screen like a small prey animal.

Even among friends, she should know by now that messing with me in front of those two is basically suicide.

「The thing Kazunari-san was thinking about wasn’t that. He just felt bad that he’d have to decline Eri’s invitation despite her going through the trouble of asking.」

「Exactly. Anyone can tell that much just by looking at his face.」

「No, only Sara and Hanako-san can tell that.」

I can understand Natsumi-senpai’s feeling in making that rapid-fire comeback. Having my thoughts pinpointed so accurately, even by my own standards, I can’t help but wonder what’s going on.

Even if I am the easy-to-read type (simple?), I’m starting to seriously suspect those two are espers or something. Well, setting that aside.

「That makes sense, Takanashi-san and Sara would obviously…」

「No, it’s not that. We actually have other plans for Christmas.」

「Other plans?」

「Yeah. Do you remember the girl who was there during the school festival?」

「You mean Mio-chan? The one who was so attached to Takanashi-san…」

「That’s the one. We’re actually going to have a Christmas party with her.」

「Hehe… I see. That is a very wonderful story, isn’t it?」

「Eh?」

Nishikawa-san suddenly wore a soft smile and looked at me (well, at the screen) with a very gentle gaze.

I didn’t think she’d be disappointed that I declined for that reason, but being looked at like that…?

「Knowing Takanashi-san, you probably gave up on the mandatory lover’s event of Christmas just because you wanted to see Mio-chan smile, didn’t you?」

「N-no, well…」

「It seems I’ve hit the mark. That is so very like you, Takanashi-san.」

「Yes. That is exactly why he is my wonderful husband♪」

「Oh, Sara’s saying it now too.」

「Is it not obvious? There is no way I wouldn’t be proud that my husband is a person who is kind to children.」

「Hehe… you might be right. And because he thinks that way naturally, without any calculation… even more so.」

「As his sister, I am proud too. Kazunari is a very good boy.」

Sara-san and Hanako-san’s heavy praise was business as usual, but having Nishikawa-san join in on the hype this time made it hard to know how to react. What kind of face am I even supposed to make!?

「…Takanashi-san, are you blushing by any chance?」

「Kazunari-san, if you are embarrassed, you can come over here until you calm down…」

「You’re just saying that because you want to dote on Kazunari yourself.」

「And what if I am?」

「Ugh… such a bold admission…」

「Um, r-right now is a bit…」

The others probably couldn’t see it yet, but Sara-san was already reaching her hand toward my head. At this rate, my screen is going to end up saying「Sound Only」while I’m forced to show the pathetic sight of burying my face in her heaven!?

「…And there it is, the ‘Kazunari-kun Beloved Siege’ has started again.」

「…Satsukawa-senpai and Hanako-san are the same as ever, but lately even Nishikawa-san is participating.」

「…Ahaha… well, to be honest, I also think Takanashi-kun is a wonderful boy, you know?」

「…He really is liked by a specific type.」

「…Kazunari’s good points are clear to those who can see them.」

「Um, N-Nishikawa-san, so about the talk!?」

At this rate, I was going to be praised to death, so as a temporary measure, I threw the ball back to Nishikawa-san. That should shift everyone’s attention back to her.

「Hehe… before that, I would like to confirm something. Besides Takanashi-san and Sara, is anyone else at this Christmas party…」

「Ah, I’m participating too. Normally, I should have been the one to bring this up…」

「Since Marina-san is participating, of course I’m in too.」

「Hayato-kun…」

Hayato clearly stated his intention to join, overlapping with Todo-san’s words. Hearing his voice, Todo-san wore an apologetic expression…

「Marina-san, let’s not say anything more about that, okay? This is something we decided together.」

「Yeah… thanks.」

At Hayato’s words, Todo-san wore a smile that mixed happiness with guilt, but was mostly just happy. Seeing that, I and everyone else couldn’t help but smile too.

Really, those two are so charming…

「By the way, we’re participating too. Sara and Takanashi-kun are one thing, but with Todo-san and Yokogawa-kun joining like this…」

「Sigh… as blunt as ever. No one even asked you that…」

「Huh? Did you say something?」

「Nothing. I’m a mandatory forced participant so I have nothing to say. I’ll gladly accompany Natsumi-san.」

「You should have just said that from the start, honestly.」

Those two were also communicating well enough, in their own way?

But I felt bad for Yuji, so I thought I should at least apologize to him later.

「Eeeeek, so in the end, everyone is participating!? Even Hanako-san is in because Takanashi-kun is…」

「In my case, my participation is confirmed for the sake of both Kazunari and Mio-chan.」

「Right!? In that case…」

「Takanashi-san, would it be possible for me to participate in that party as well?」

「Eh? W-Well, of course, as long as you’re okay with it, Nishikawa-san… but is it really okay?」

I knew Mio-chan would be happy if more people came, and I was honestly glad to have everyone there. But especially in Nishikawa-san’s case, even if she didn’t have plans with us, I felt like she’d have all sorts of other parties related to her family or the company…

That was why I’d hesitated to ask her in the first place.

「It’s true there are party plans at my family home, and there will be a fair number of guests. But for me, being able to enjoy myself with all of you is much more important than something so stiff.」

「Me too!! I mean, if you leave me out of something that sounds this fun, I’ll hold a grudge!?」

「You two…」

This was originally something I’d decided on my own, which is why I’d tried not to involve everyone as much as possible, but now it turned out that everyone was willing to participate.

But it was also true that a part of me was happy it turned out this way…

「Kazunari, now that it’s come to this…」

「He’s right. I have a general idea of what you’re thinking, but this is something I and everyone else decided for ourselves, okay?」

「Takanashi-kun. I’ll thank everyone later too…」

「Look, look, now it just depends on the leader’s word!」

「If everyone can have fun together, that’s the best.」

「Kazunari-san… if this is everyone’s will, it is the leader’s duty to bring it together.」

「Sara-san… you’re right.」

It wasn’t out of reluctance or obligation. If everyone was expressing their desire to join of their own free will, then my position was to accept it with gratitude. Holding back here would be rude to everyone, and feeling bad would be even worse.

「Alright everyone… I’m counting on you.」

「「Yeah!!!!」」

As I gave my final word, everyone cheered with loud replies, and even loud applause echoed from the smartphone speaker.

And on the screen, there were the faces of everyone with overflowing smiles.

「Alright, now that it’s decided, we’re going to stage the best Christmas Eve ever!!」

「I’ll work hard on making the decorations too!」

「Marina-san, I’ll help out this weekend too.」

「Sigh… distance is so inconvenient at times like this.」

「True. Well, it can’t be helped, so I’ll at least join in on the weekends.」

「Takanashi-san, how are the preparations for the day’s shopping going?」

「Let’s see, for now we’ll get a certain amount of things this weekend…」

「In that case, please let me help. I’ll provide the car as well.」

「Hehe… then it looks like we can buy bulky items. We’ll leave the food ingredients for a bit later…」

「I’ll help too. Both with the shopping and the cooking.」

Everyone started coordinating all at once, and plans and roles were decided in the blink of an eye. I hadn’t expected it to become such a big deal, but just as Natsumi-senpai said, it looked like it was going to be the best Christmas ever!

「That’s wonderful, Kazunari-san.」

「Yeah, now Mio-chan will be…」

「Mio-chan is one thing, but it looks like it will be a wonderful day for us too. Besides… this is the first time in my life I’ve ever looked forward to Christmas this much.」

「Haha, me too. But for you, Sara-san…」

「Kazunari-san, that’s a no-no.」

「…Sara-san.」

At Sara-san’s joyful talk about Christmas, those words were about to slip out of my mouth, but she blocked them with her index finger and stared at me with a gentle smile.

「As long as I am with you, Kazunari-san, that alone makes me truly happy. So…」

「Sorry, I knew that, but… it just slipped out.」

I’m truly happy just to be with Sara-san too. That’s why, even though I know she feels the same way, I still…

「Hehe… let’s be happy together, Dear?」

「Yeah… Sara.」

I knew there were no lies in Sara-san’s words or her feelings.

Even so, as her lover and fiancé…

On the special night of Christmas, I wanted to give her a special memory.

「…Those two have completely forgotten about us, haven’t they?」

「…Isn’t it always like that? Just leave them alone.」

「…D-Dear? Sara…?」

「…Whoa, it’s… been a while…」

「…Nishikawa-san, falling any further into the dark side is too dangerous.」

「…Ah, ahaha… they really do get along, Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-senpai.」

「…Y-Yeah… they get along too well, or rather…」

Um… is this the usual pattern?

And Nishikawa-san… please stop with those eyes, it’s scary.

Through the screen, it’s like a low-budget horror…