Volume 3 - CH 3

New Year’s was not a very relaxing time for Yuzuru and the Takasegawa family.

This was because many relatives and people who do business with the Takasegawa family come to greet them.

Of course, there were parties and New Year’s gifts, so it’s not all bad.

And…naturally.

People who may become my family in the future also visit the Takasegawa family.

“Happy New Year. Takasegawa-san. I look forward to working with you again this year.”

“It’s my pleasure, Amagi-san. Congratulations on the new year. I look forward to working with you again this year as well.”

Kazuya Takasegawa.

Yuzuru Takasegawa.

Naoki Amagi.

Arisa Yukishiro.

Each of them faced each other, sat on the floor, and exchanged greetings.

The atmosphere of the old-fashioned Takasegawa residence helped to create a very solemn atmosphere.

Nevertheless…

The formal exchange and atmosphere soon ended.

“Well… Arisa-san. Consider this as a sentiment.”

Kazuya, with a gentle smile, handed the New Year’s gift bag to Arisa.

Arisa bowed her head deeply.

“Thank you very much.”

After Arisa received her New Year’s gift, Naoki took out a New Year’s gift bag from his bag.

He then presented it to Yuzuru.

“Well, Yuzuru-kun. From me as well … here”

“Thank you very much.”

Yuzuru also received the New Year’s gift.

Then Kazuya and Naoki looked at each other lightly.

“Then… Yuzuru. Show Arisa-san around.”

“Arisa, please do not be rude.”

Both of them nodded in agreement as their fathers ordered them to do so.

” “Yes.” “

Now, when he left the room and closed the sliding door, Yuzuru sighed loudly…

“Ha~a…”

Then Arisa asked Yuzuru, with a worried expression on her face.

“You look tired …Are a lot of people still coming for  greeting?”

“…Yeah, pretty much.”

Yuzuru nodded while holding his head.

… Actually, yesterday there was a party among the relatives of the Takasegawa family and he got carried away and drank too much alcohol.

This was why he had a slight hangover.

That’s about half of the reason why Yuzuru was tired.

“Well… let’s just head over there to collect your New Year’s gifts.”

“ahaha…”

Arisa chuckled.

Collecting the New Year’s gift, which means going to greet Yuzuru’s family (other than Kazuya).

“So, after that, I was wondering if you would like to go for a walk…?”

Yuzuru wanted to get some cool air outside.

And…, he wanted to take a walk around the neighborhood with Arisa.

During the summer festival, it was crowded with people, so it was hard to say that he was able to calmly show her around the neighborhood.

Besides…

(This would be my first date with Arisa …since I became clearly aware that I liked her.)

Not long ago, suggesting a date would have been a no-brainer.

Now, just suggesting a walk was enough to make his heart pound.

“Okay. It’s fine.”

Arisa gave a small smile.

It was a very beautiful expression.

After collecting Arisa’s New Year’s gifts, the two of them walked out of the mansion.

Arisa narrowed her eyes and murmured sincerely.

“Your garden is beautiful, isn’t it, Yuzuru-san? In winter, the atmosphere will be different again.”

“Oh well…”

The maintenance of the garden is very important.

That garden is a tool to show off the power of the Takasegawa family and to intimidate the people who visit the house.

That’s why it costs a good amount of money.

It is only natural that it is beautiful.

But…

“…I think you’re more beautiful.”

“W, wait, what are you talking about?”

When Yuzuru muttered this, Arisa’s white skin turned rosy.

Then she glared lightly at Yuzuru.

“W, we’re talking about your garden, aren’t we? My appearance …has nothing to do with it!”

“N, no …sorry. That was a bit out of context. But… it’s true that I thought you were beautiful… The kimono looks good on you.”

Beautiful flaxen hair.

Jade-colored eyes.

Long eyelashes and wide-round eyes.

Her nose is straight and her lips are plump and glossy.　

Her skin is as white as white porcelain, smooth and soft as marshmallows.

She was wearing a crimson kimono with a lucky charm pattern.

Her beautiful hair was tied up and held in place with a hairpin.

She was truly beautiful.

From the bottom of his heart, Yuzuru wished he could have her for himself.

Arisa lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

Then she nodded her head, her cheeks blushing.

“Thank you very much… This kimono was a memento of my mother. I’m very happy that Yuzuru-san praised it.”

“I see. That explains why it looks so good on you.”

He felt that when he became officially engaged to Arisa, he should greet her blood-related parents.

Slowly, Yuzuru extended his hand to Arisa.

“…… Yuzuru-san?”

“No, it’s… hard to walk in those slippers, isn’t it?　I thought I’d hold your hand to help.”

Yuzuru’s heart started to race.

His face naturally became hot.

Meanwhile, Arisa’s face was also red up to her ears, as if she had been taken in by Yuzuru.

Then, slowly she reached out her hand.

“Then… please.”

“Ah… leave it to me.”

Yuzuru took Arisa’s white hand.

The hand was very soft and warm.

Determined not to let go, Yuzuru intertwined his fingers with Arisa’s and regripped them.

It was a form called a lover’s connection.

(TN: Lover’s connection/Koibito Tsunagi – Intertwining fingers with palms facing each other. It’s a more intimate form of holding hands.)

Then he closed the distance between them so that their shoulders were touching.

“Oh, um… Yuzuru-san?”

She looked up at Yuzuru, who was standing right next to her, with a confused look in her eyes.

With a casual expression and tone of voice, Yuzuru replied to her.

“What’s up?”

“… No, it’s nothing.”

Arisa turned her face downcast in embarrassment.

Yuzuru wanted to put the hands they held in a pocket, but…

Unfortunately, both parties were wearing kimonos and there were no pockets, so he gave up.

Arisa’s New dere degree: 0% to 5%.