Shirakawa Sawahei was montarily dazed, as if he had returned to the scene where he lay on Tsukimi Sakurazawa’s lap during forest school. Back then and now, almost nothing had changed, except the subject of his worries had shifted from Black Hearted Lolita to the cute little Ise Yu.
He sighed heavily, covering his brow with his hand and said, "There’s nothing more to consult about... Tsukimi, you can’t help with this."
"Who says that! How would I know if I can or can’t if you don’t tell ?" The whiny little monster retorted in dissatisfaction, "Shirakawa, we’re good buddies, right? Helping a friend solve problems is basic isn’t it?"
"But you really can’t help... It’s mainly my own problem."
"That, Shirakawa, why have you beco so wishy-washy... you weren’t like this before, you know."
Shirakawa Sawahei was silent for a mont, then chuckled lightly, "What was I like before?"
"Uh... let think~ At first, you were a bit silent and seed like an otaku... but later I realized you were just reluctant to talk to unfamiliar people... smart, brave, strong..."
"..."
"Try using different adjectives."
"Huh? Why, I’m complinting you here... okay, fine, then you’re smart and cute, very dedicated and focused in what you do, willing to tolerate my mischief..."
Shirakawa Sawahei retorted in frustration, "I’ve never tolerated your mischief."
"Look, see, this tsundere side of you, I also find very cute."
"..."
"I’m not a tsundere!"
"Alright, mm, got it."
Shirakawa Sawahei: "?"
Is this what they call karma?
Just a simple chat with Tsukimi Sakurazawa, and his initially tangled and confused feelings had cald down a lot. Much like that sophomore afternoon, when he dragged his weary body into the Calligraphy Club activity room and found redemption.
In the blink of an eye, another year had almost passed. The girl’s cheeks remained as bright and cute, the only change was in his mindset.
He recalled the words Ise Yu Yuzhijin had said during their confession, his gaze complicated, asking softly, "Tsukimi?"
"Mm?"
"We’re good friends, right?"
"Of course, Shirakawa, are you planning not to acknowledge as your best buddy anymore..."
"Why... are we friends?"
Tsukimi Sakurazawa’s body froze for a mont, and her hands stopped massaging.
"Shirakawa...?"
"There must be a reason or opportunity, right?" Shirakawa Sawahei closed his eyes, not looking at the girl’s expression, "No matter what kind of relationship it is, there must be a reason, right?"
"Of course."
"What was your reason?"
The girl resud massaging Shirakawa Sawahei’s temples, speaking lightheartedly, "This... maybe because I found you reliable, Shirakawa. Very suitable to be... a friend."
"Everyone would want to be with reliable people, right?"
"Security?"
"Of course not." Tsukimi Sakurazawa snapped, "Shirakawa, what are you talking about, do I seem like a weak girl to you?"
"True." Shirakawa Sawahei chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Sorry, that was presumptuous of ."
"Hmm~ It’s the first ti seeing such an arrogant Shirakawa, you have to treat to sothing to make up for it."
"Alright."
"Huh? You’re so easy-going, why aren’t you negotiating with ?"
"Nothing much, just feel like I’ve troubled you all along, in various ways."
"Trying to repay such a long-standing help with just one treat is too sly, at least make it two."
"Sure, alright."
Shirakawa Sawahei got up from the girl’s lap and stretched, "Haven’t felt this relaxed in a while, I’ll treat you tonight."
"Already cheered up?" The whiny little monster giggled, "Then I want sothing delicious, I’ll pick the place."
"I’ll go change clothes first."
"Okay, I’ll wait for you~"
He said as he headed upstairs. The girl sitting on the sofa watched his back, the expression in her eyes growing complex and conflicted.
An emotion nad unease gradually filled her heart. Along with the conversations she just had with Shirakawa Sawahei, lingering in her mind without dissipating.
It should be alright... if it’s Shirakawa...
The way they usually interacted... maybe he just had reflections due to other things, like the last ti at the forest school...
It’s okay... it’s okay...
Even if Shirakawa’s state was quite different from usual today... once it’s over, things will be like before...
Tsukimi Sakurazawa told herself this, and soon, the uneasiness in her eyes gradually faded, as if nothing had happened, she quietly sat there, waiting for Shirakawa Sawahei to co down and accompany her for dinner.
No matter what, sothing has to be done, just like before, and also after.
Shirakawa Sawahei changed his clothes, washed his face by the sink, and stared at himself in the mirror for a while, gently exhaling, his gaze gradually becoming firm.
"Sorry, Tsukimi, tonight let’s just grab a quick bite." Shirakawa Sawahei said as he walked down the stairs, "I have to go sowhere later."
"Huh...? Okay then." Tsukimi Sakurazawa nodded, not asking anything more.
"Let’s go."
"Where’s Koorikin?"
Shirakawa Sawahei paused for a mont and said calmly, "She’s gone out."
"Oh really? There’s such a thing..." Tsukimi Sakurazawa glanced at the nearby sofa, baffled and full of questions with no way to express them.
Koorikin... where did she go? Her favorite pillow is unexpectedly missing from the sofa... and her slippers seem to be gone from the doorway...
Could she be hiding in her room?
Unexpectedly, an odd thought flashed through Tsukimi Sakurazawa’s mind...
Shirakawa’s strange change... could it be related to Koorikin?
The al was unusually quiet, with both of them preoccupied with their own thoughts. Tsukimi Sakurazawa lowered her head, pondering Ise Yu Yuzhijin’s whereabouts. The staff bringing the dishes over noticed this and, assuming them to be a quarrelso couple, specially brought over a small cake. Unfortunately, Shirakawa Sawahei, deeply lost in thought, failed to notice the restaurant owner’s kind intent.
Before long, Shirakawa Sawahei and Tsukimi Sakurazawa settled the bill and left the restaurant.
Pedestrians on the street were gradually increasing, and the classic Christmas tune "Jingle Bells" was resonating along the streets. Many white-bearded ’Santa Clauses’ were carrying bags, trying to drum up business for their shops. Shirakawa Sawahei noticed the festive atmosphere around him, but didn’t pay much attention.
"You can get back on your own, right? Do you want to walk you ho?"
"No need, I’m not a kid..." Tsukimi Sakurazawa bit her lip, seemingly hesitant to speak.
"Shirakawa?"
"What’s up?"
"Are you going to et soone later?"
Shirakawa Sawahei shook his head, "No, I plan to see an elder and ask him sothing."
"I see... then for Christmas... can we... can everyone spend it together?"
"..."
"Is that... not okay?"
"Of course it is." Shirakawa Sawahei broke the brief silence with a light laugh, "If by then, we can still be together, that is."
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