SCPK 81

Chapter 81

 Moonlit Night and Christmas ①

It was Christmas of my second year in high school. I never imagined that I, of all people, would end up spending Christmas with a girl. And then, after that, it would turn into a full-blown Christmas party…

Last Christmas, I spent the day with my family reading books. Seiya was working a part-time job… I think our current group really started forming when Mizusato transferred at the beginning of the third term.

It’s amazing how much life can change in just one year.

I put my camera in my shoulder bag and did a final fashion check in the full-length mirror. Brown duffle coat, black skinny pants—everything looked good together.

I might have made the right decision by gathering the courage to consult Kudou-san.

“Please! Could you introduce the clothes I should wear for Christmas?”
“Relying on someone isn’t bad for you, usually so indifferent. I’ll send you fashion that suits you as it is.”
“What about advice…?”
“You can’t just wing it. Maybe for someone like Seiya, with good taste naturally, but for someone like you, more like an underling…”
“Wait… between ‘soldier’ and ‘underling,’ which is better…?”

I seriously considered which was less insulting, compared to what I was called at the summer festival.

A few days ago, the package arrived in the mail, and I was surprised it was reasonably priced. I even called to thank her…

“Thanks! If you and Seiya ever get together, let me give the wedding speech, okay?”
“Y-you idiot!? If you have time to think about that, focus on escorting Tsukiyo properly!”

And just like that, I got scolded. Kudou-san always seemed forward-looking, so I had thought I was being thoughtful—but apparently not.

After all that, I finally left my room. The meeting time was 2 PM at the station. Walking to the station takes twenty minutes… and honestly, it wasn’t even 1 PM yet. Somehow, I knew what to expect.

This station, where express trains stop, sees a lot of people—it’s one of the bustling areas of the city. It’s close to the main shopping district and draws people from all over.

The streets were already decorated in the Christmas spirit. At night, the illuminations would be spectacular.

1:15 PM. Still early… but, as I suspected, she was already there.

“Tsukiyo, sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Ah! Hello!”

Like a single flower blooming at the station’s meeting spot. She wore a brown coat and a longer white skirt. Her chestnut hair was fluffy and smooth, styled nicely for what seemed like our first date. She looked like she had prepared just for today.

When I appeared, Tsukiyo’s carefree smile was for me. The satisfaction of knowing that smile existed for me was overwhelming.

“You look different from usual today.”
“Hehe, and now… what do you think? I want you to put it into words.”

She was coaxing words out of me. All I could think was: cute, beautiful, charming! But saying too much would sound cliché… my face might turn red. I thought I’d gotten used to it, but Tsukiyo’s smile still hit like a bomb.

“You’re… the cutest you’ve ever been… I guess.”
“Yay! I received the word ‘cute’ from Taiyou-san!”

She’s ridiculously cute. Really. I want to tell my older brother that such a cute creature exists!

Tsukiyo naturally drew the eyes of passersby. We should move soon—I could already see shadows of guys eyeing her. But maybe when it’s obvious that she’s waiting with someone, they won’t approach.

We left the station together and headed toward the shopping mall.

“We’re 45 minutes early… when did you get here?”
“Since I made you wait last time, one hour earlier.”
“That kinda defeats the purpose of setting a time…”
“You came 45 minutes early too, Taiyou-san!”

Maybe next time we should just meet at each other’s houses. She’d probably come an hour early anyway…

“You look cool today, Taiyou-san. So manly.”
“R-really? I’m usually careless… but I thought I should make a little effort.”

It felt good to be complimented by her. Maybe I should pay more attention to fashion and studying? Not just for Tsukiyo, but to look presentable in general. By the way, I was told to keep the fact that Kudou-san coordinated my outfit a secret.

“Can I hold your hand?”
“Ah, sure.”

Today, Tsukiyo was more forward than usual. Normally, she would hesitate and then blush furiously when our hands touch…

But I wasn’t completely inexperienced either. Since she asked, I would be the one to take her hand first.

Our palms touched, soft and warm.

“By the way… don’t you usually wear gloves?”

I remembered she always wore cute gloves to school. Did she lose one, like I sometimes do, and go without?

“I do have them. But holding hands like this is warmer than gloves.”

Her cheeks flushed, and her gentle words made my heart beat faster. My grip tightened slightly.

Guh… hearing that, I couldn’t look away from her. The warmth from our hands sparked even more heat.

We finally arrived at the shopping mall.