CH 26.1

Common Honorifics:

-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.

-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.

-chan: A common suffix among people you’re close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it’s cutesy and childlike.

It was December 24th, a day of pure snow.

The white-covered streets were decorated with aesthetic lights, and Christmas carols permeated the air throughout every crevice of the city. Even the downtown area I lived in was colored by the holidays.

Needless to say, it was a special time of the year, and I was too excited to spend Christmas Eve with this special person, Yuki, by my side. She cuddled next to me as we walked through the streets. Despite the grandeur of one of the most awaited days of the year, she shone brighter than all.

Her large, elegant scarf hung neatly from her neck, and her chic coat kept her warm. Yuki’s outfit was firmer on the top part and frilly on the bottom, as she wore a mini-skirt along with it. Black tights covered the entirety of her legs except for one small bit, which formed a small but alluring bump. Moreover the sleeves of her cardigan, underneath layers of clothing, covered up to just before her fingers, creating the cutesy sleeves that are popular all around.

Collectively, she was like a miracle winter gave unto the world.

We were both out shopping for tomorrow’s Christmas party. We had originally planned to have it at Rikka’s house, but due to family reasons that had to be canceled, and we had to change the location.

After the four of us had a discussion, it was decided that the venue for the party would be my house—not the apartment where Yuki and I live, but my parents’ house.

I thought it would be a bit much to hold a Christmas party in my dreary room, so I went downtown to buy some Christmas decorations. Akina and Rikka had been entrusted with the sweets and drinks for the event; I was looking forward to the surprise they had in store for us.

The things we needed were written down in the notepad on my phone, and they were a lot: braid for decorations, fancy pop-up crackers, so on and so forth. We were going to use the indoor Christmas tree that we have had since I was a little kid, but Yuki and I were going to go to the grocery store to buy everything else.

As I collected my thoughts, I noticed Yuki exhaling white clouds of cold, glancing sideways at me. She was fidgety and restless as we walked shoulder to shoulder, so I asked her if there was anything wrong.

“Is everything okay? You seem uncomfortable.”

“Ah, Haru-kun… Um, there’s just something on my mind.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“So, today’s plan is to go shopping for tomorrow’s party, so far so good. But then I thought about how this is just like a date, and I, um, started to get a bit nervous…” She smiled shyly.

She was right, and I felt so too. It was just a guy and a girl, walking side by side on Christmas Eve. Surely, it would look like we were a couple going out to enjoy ourselves. Still, even though we often got out together, due to the romantic atmosphere of the holiday, we both got a bit too conscious.

“Now that I think about it, this is the first time we ever went out together on Christmas Eve.”

“Huh, you’re right. When we were in elementary school, mom and dad would buy me things and you’d hang out at my house.”

“Mhm. That’s why going out with you on this date is very fresh for me, and it honestly fills me with joy…”

Her hand gently grazed mine before our fingers interlocked. With cheeks kissed red, she turned her head timidly to the side. I squeezed back, reaffirming her warmth under the cold, cold sky.

“…Since becoming a high school student and reuniting with you, I’ve had many happy firsts. Every day back in the day was fun, sure, but these new days with you are even more so. I’m so, so happy.”

“Mhm. Every day since you came back seems to shine brighter. So, let’s enjoy today’s shopping spree and tomorrow’s party together, Yuki.”

“Yeah! I want Akina-san and Rikka-san to enjoy themselves a lot, and I can’t wait to visit your parent’s house.”

“I’m not sure your excitement is greater than my parents, haha. I mean, they knew you were coming back long before I did, so they may be even more stoked than you are.”

“They are?” She asked cutely.

“For sure. I know my mother loved you since you walked into our lives, and my father sees you as his own daughter, too. Such a dear girl, visiting their house after many years—of course, they’d be excited.”

“Oh, that’s why they accepted a Christmas party at their place so eagerly.”

“That’s not what I mean though. They were happy to see you were making new friends, so both Akina and Rikka are very welcome as well. At any rate, they could even crash at the party.”

“If your family is going to be there as well, it’s going to be a very grand party.”

“No, I strongly refused… They might not fit in with the high school kids.”

Mom and Dad looked so sad when I said no. Well, I’m sure they’ll come and say hi, at least that much should be okay. Erm, I hope so.

As we talked, we spotted the general store we had been looking for. Eager for tomorrow’s party, we both walked hand-in-hand into the Christmas-stained store.