CH 26.3

Translated and Edited by: ynlucca.

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.

T/N: Changing my writing style as I go. Please do leave your feedback below.

We decorated like there was no tomorrow.

My room, which hadn’t seen the sun since I moved out, had a sudden Christmas do-over. A sparkly fir tree stood tall in one of the corners, adjourned by braids and cute mini-reindeers.

Yuki stood at the entrance, clapped imaginary dust, and simpered in satisfaction — Her sense of style was quintessential. So much so, I don’t think I could’ve done what she did even with the same materials. The ornaments and such were done so tastefully, I couldn’t help but preserve the view as pictures.

“I bet this will make Akina-san and Rikka-san happy tomorrow,” I let a smile escape my lips.

“It will. You did an amazing job here, after all,” she praised.

“You’ve helped me out a lot here. Actually, I couldn’t have done decorations as beautiful as these without you here. Not even half as.”

“No, no. I was able to do it because you’re here. For one, even if I’d used a chair, I wouldn’t be able to reach the ceiling.”

“You’re small and cute, after all,” I nodded.

“Aw, Haru-kun!” She couldn’t hide her embarrassment behind her beaming.

“No, but for real. The idea of decorating the ceiling was amazing by itself. I never would’ve thought of that.”

“It’s my idea, yes, but I couldn’t have executed it myself. It’s all thanks to you,” she tried to hammer that point home.

“So, you’re saying we’re even? That this is an achievement of two?”

“Absolutely. It was only possible with you here.”

Compelled, I acted on Yuki’s cuteness. My hand gently patted the top of her head, and I felt the softness of her neat hair. In response, her eyes narrowed sweetly and she hummed in comfort — just like a cat. She’d always been adamant in acknowledging others’ achievements. It was in her nature to value cooperation and outside help, as small as it may be.

Her presence was natural and comfortable to me, and I enjoyed it very much. Because of that, I sincerely believe I’ve been infatuated with her even before her surgery, when her every patch of skin had been covered in bandages. What attracted me the most was her affectionate, warm heart. I didn’t even need a glimpse at her face for that. But I digress.

Ultimately, the decorations were done as nicely as could be, and Yuki got the reward she so deserved: unrelenting pampering. She wouldn’t be released from this ‘peril’ until dinner was done.

So, I sat on the bed and beckoned her to come over. She gleefully scooted over, attaching herself to me.

“Here, here. Yuki.”

“Haru-kun. Meow~!”

I hugged her tight, and she snuggled into my arms. Adorably, I might add. She was warm, and soft, and very, very soothing. Cherry on top, she smelled nice.

“I’m glad I can spend Christmas Eve with you, Haru-kun,” her words were tender.

“I am, too.”

For a moment, all I wished was for time to stop. That these sweet minutes we’d exchanged may be stretched into hours. Unfortunately, our respite ended abruptly — though we didn’t hear footsteps or any of the like. Instead, Yuki and I froze as soon as we saw a slight creak at the door, followed by it opening wide.

It was Mom. She’d seen the scene unfolding in the newly decorated room — of me and Yuki holding each other. She grinned through a small opening at the door, while a hand covered her mouth, and probably a grin as well. Her presence made us both quickly part hugs.

“M, Mom?!”

“My, oh my! Ehehe! I thought I’d call you since dinner is ready, but dear. Oh, dear…”

“Y, you should at least knock! I, I didn’t even hear your footsteps…”

“I felt a little curious, snoopy even, about what the two of you were doing alone in this room. So, I got a bit sneaky.”

“Slick. Crooked… No, more than that.”

“Ehehe, but I did see some good stuff!” She beamed unashamed. “I couldn’t help but smile after seeing you two squeezing each other to death. Great stuff,” she winked and gave me a thumbs-up as if to aggravate it all further.

Having the things I’d done recited to me by mouth made me impossibly embarrassed. I could feel the color red burning my face. Yuki’s was also flushed, but she turned her head down, intertwining her fingers with themselves to hide her own embarrassment.

“Anyway, dinner is ready. Come over to eat!” Mom was all smiles as she walked back to the living room.

“Um… I, in any case, let’s eat.”

“E, erm… Mhm.”

The two blushing blobs—Yuki and I—headed to the living room, joining Mom and Dad at the table. They were both waiting eagerly for us. And for the first time in several years, we were having a Christmas party together with Yuki.