Christmas had passed, and the world was now entering the end-of-year mood.
The night lights remained as they were, but the commonplace Christmas trees had been down, the various vibrant decorations replaced with Japanese ones.
The shops had begun selling New Year goodies and foods, and all signs of the Holy Night were nowhere to be seen.
Change sure cos quickly, so Amane thought as he looked at how everyone was preparing for the new year around him, burying his face in the muffler to keep warm.
The monotone checkered muffler was the Christmas present he received from Mahiru.
It is important to dress the neck too, or so he was told, before receiving such a great gift from her. It was really comfortable, great at keeping himself warm, practical, and trendy looking.
Amane was not one to wear mufflers, but seeing as how he had received it from Mahiru, he wore it gratefully. He checked the contents of the shopping bag in his hand.
While they were supposedly splitting the shopping duties, it was Amane who typically bought the ingredients according to the note he would bring along, all to alleviate Mahirus burden.
It was extrely cold, and a hotpot appeared to be on the nu, for the bag contained vegetables, mushrooms, at and the like. There were more vegetables, probably because of Mahirus insistence on balanced nutrition.
Once he saw that he did not miss out on any ingredient, he hurried ho, grumbling as the weather got colder.
Welco back.
It was evening when he returned, and Mahiru welcod him back.
It was a strange situation when an unrelated outsider welcod him ho, but recently, he was getting used to it.
Nn, Im backyou dont mind that I bought so sliced rice cakes?
You are intending to scrub the pot, no?
Oh. I bought so ran for later too.
I cannot eat that much, you know?
Its fine, Ill finish off most of it.
While Amane was not a big eater to begin with, thanks to Mahirus cooking, he was eating lots for dinner.
Her food intake was sufficient enough for her to not gain fat, for she might have been worried about the calories intake; Amane was a little worried as he would eat more than her, and had begun training his muscles.
Perhaps Mahiru was thinking Amane should have so extra at since he was so skinny. He hoped to gain muscles, and not fat.
Well, it is fine if you are eating that, Amane-kun. Please give that, I shall put it in the refrigerator. Do wash your hands, Amane-kun.
Got it.
Amane handed the shopping bag over to Mahiru, and went straight to the washroom.
Anyway Mahiru, how do you normally spend your New Year?
Amane finished the dinner that was really delicious, as usual, and was cleaning up when he suddenly asked Mahiru in the spur of the mont.
I find it pointless to head back during the New Yearso I remain here.
He realized his miscue when he heard such a flat tone from her, but Mahiru did not appear to mind.
She was not on familial terms with her parents, so she would always act aloof whenever they talked about her family.
But in that case, would Mahiru be spending the New Year alone?
Amane had a promise to et his own family once semi-annually, and before he t Mahiru, he had intended to take a long vacation at his hotown.
You are going back to your hotown, Amane-kun, no?
I guess. They told to show up anyway.
He glanced aside at Mahiru, and perhaps it was just him, but her eyes seed colder than usual.
It appeared she had expected to spend the New Year alone, and never doubted that Amane would return to his hotown.
I get the feeling that if I go back, Ill be questioned about you.
That will be tough.
I just need to explain to my dad, but mom probably wants to hear more about it.
That will be strange given that we are often in contact.
Seriously, since when did you get so familiar with my mom?
One had to wonder why and when Mahiru was on good terms with his mom, and for so reason, they were sharing photos and secrets he felt a little weary just thinking about it, but it appeared Mahiru was interacting with her willingly , unexpectedly well in fact, so he felt that was acceptable, sowhat.
Amane would have to hamr the point into Shihoko not to say anything unnecessary, but leaving that aside, he looked towards Mahiru, not knowing what to do.
He imagined her occasional hollow expression and forlorn eyes, and had the urgenot to leave her alone.
Well, you just t mom, so sorry about dad, but I think I dont have to return to my hotown this ti. Ill go back during Spring break after all.
Thus, if it was not trouble for her, he hoped to have dinner with her, like usual.
I see.
Nn, I want your Toshikoshi soba.
You are quite the glutton.
Because its your cooking.
Even though it is sold outside?
Thats good enough.
He was fine even though it was just soba bought from the market.
More importantly was the leisure ti they could spend eating together.
You are eccentric.
Shut up.
Mahiru curtly blurted, and Amane deliberately responded in annoyance, only to be t with a little smile.
Thank you very much.
For what?
Everything.
Mahiru said nothing more, and she embraced her favorite cushion, probably feeling sowhat better than before, her face looking brighter.
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