CH 26.2

An evening of shopping for the Christmas party with Yuki later, she and I made our way to my parent’s house. After taking up on her offer, she helped me decorate my room for the get-together. It’d been quite a few years since she’d been to my house. Standing before the front door, I could see nostalgic twinkles in her eyes.

“Sorry, you helped me not only with shopping but with tidying up as well.”

“Don’t be,” she admonished. “I’m looking forward to the party. And I’m stoked I can visit your old house after so many years.”

“If you put it that way, yeah. I’m stoked too,” I simpered. “Let’s go inside, though there won’t be anything awfully interesting there.”

Not hesitating any longer, I reached for the door and we both walked inside. I took note only my mother’s shoes were by the entrance, and not my father’s. Maybe he went out somehwere? Regardless, we both took off our shoes and walked down the corridor—or so I thought.

“Hm, Yuki?” For some reason, she stood right outside the front door, in the biting cold. I worried she might catch something unpleasant by staying there. “C’mon up. It’s cold, isn’t it?”

“Ah… sorry. I was just thinking, wow, this really is Haru-kun’s house. I missed it. Really did.”

“Nothing has changed since those days we played together, you know?”

“Yup. It’s just as I remember it,” she had this gentle flicker of woe. “I’m glad to be back here.”

“Damn. If you saw my old room or something, you might just pass out from nostalgitis.”

With that, she also stepped inside and crouched to take off her own pair of boots. I pointed at the living room soon as she wore indoor slippers, and we were both finally in. She was a step behind, nervous.

“I’m home, Mom.”

“Hi, sweetie.”

Mother was in the living room, watching TV as she coiled herself inside our kotatsu. A second later, Yuki paced and bowed greetings to her.

“My! Yuki, you’re here~! I’ve been dying waiting!”

“Thanks for always taking care of me, Haru-kun’s mother.”

“No, no, I’m the one indebted to you. Thank you for taking such good care of my boy,” she beamed. “Ah, we were about to prepare for the Christmas party today, weren’t we?”

“We might make a bit of noise, but… I look forward to tomorrow.”

“Make as much as you want! It’s just too quiet, sad, and lonely when it’s just me and Dad here. Tomorrow you and Haru will have your friends come too, right? I hanker for it.”

“Mom… Hanker?” A sigh escaped my lips. “Just, please, don’t barge in.”

“Hey, I’d just like to say hello to my child’s good friend! As your parent! Hey, hey, Yuki. Don’t you agree?”

“Don’t get her involved,” I butt in. “Anyway, tomorrow is off-limits, Mom.”

“You’re such a pain in the arse, you know that, son?”

Mom huffed gallingly, cheeks puffed out in protest. I still didn’t have the inkling to give in, either. After all, tomorrow’ party’s participants would all be cute girls. I’m afraid Mother may see me surrounded by them and misunderstand something.

“Oh, where’s Dad, by the way?”

“You told me earlier that Yuki would be here for today as well. Since it’s Christmas Eve, he went out shopping and decided to treat you to a homemade dinner. Since it’s a good opportunity, let’s feast together!”

“Eh. I planned to go back to the condo as soon as we were done with the prepping,” I raised an eyebrow.

“No, no, no. We want to have a Christmas Eve party with you both. It’s been years, you know?”

When I was a wee little kid, Yuki and I used to party the Holidays at my house every year, without fail. Knowing both Mom and Dad missed our little parties from back then, how could I possibly refuse? As if mirroring me, Yuki also dimpled at my mom’s explanation.

“I’d love to spend this Eve with you and your husband,” she started. “If you don’t mind, could you have me over then?”

“That’s a given! And, y’know, why don’t you stay over for more than just dinner? The night’s cold is a biting beast, and I hear it snows a lot. Moreso in this time of year.”

“Really? Is it okay if I stay over?” Her eyes sparked open.

“Why yes, you used to bunk here back in elementary school. Brings back memories, doesn’t it?”

“Hmm, where am I going to sleep then?”

“You can sleep in Haru’s room. We bought new beds for the apartment, so the old ones are still there.”

“Seriously…?”

“Seriously. It’s up to you, Yuki. So?”

“I’m so, so happy! Not only was I able to visit here again, but also have a party and sleepover… Am I dreaming, maybe?”

“This is reality, Yuki—Well then, it’s decided! Let’s have a lot of fun these few days!”

“Mhm! Can’t wait!”

Yuki was all smiles as she bowed her head. Seeing her so genuinely flustered made it clear how much she cared for my family. Mom smiled, too. Meanwhile, I’m just glad to see us back to the same routine we’ve always had since we were kids.

“Well, now that we’ve agreed, let’s go decorate the room for tomorrow’s party,” I motioned to her.

“Right. Let’s make the most beautiful decorations ever. Together! Akina-san and Rikka-san will be stoked once they see it all ready.”

“When you’re done decorating, please come back to the living room. Today’s party will be louder than ever before.”

Thus, today and tomorrow, we’d have two Christmas parties. One for our family, and another for our friends. So we could make them the busiest, loudest, and most fun parties out there, we swiftly scrambled to decorate.