December 31st. New Year's Eve.
Outside, cold winter winds raged through the world as the year ca to an end. But inside my room, perfect peace reigned, wrapped in the warmth of the heater and the fragrance of Darjeeling tea.
Sitting across from at the table was Hiyori Shiina—who had beco my girlfriend on that special day called Christmas.
"—A thin, unbroken thread of ti stretching endlessly onward. I would like the path we weave together to be just the sa."
As I quietly spoke those words while eating the soba noodles we had cooked together in the kitchen—
"Fufu, yes. Next year, and the year after that too… just like these noodles, I want us to keep walking together forever."
Hiyori naturally understood my overly-stylish taphor perfectly and smiled at with a blooming, utterly adorable expression.
(Ahh… I'm way too happy. To think the day would co when I could spend such a peaceful New Year's Eve alone with Hiyori. We're literally just eating soba together, so why does this atmosphere feel so overwhelmingly healing? Even if I try rembering Nagumo's face, the thought gets purified and blown away in seconds.)
While secretly basking in bliss, I savored this gentle, sweet mont with her, accompanied by the soft sounds of year-end TV specials playing in the background.
Eventually, the clock struck midnight, and the sound of temple bells echoed from the television.
"—The night breaks. It seems a new ga board for us has just let out its first cry."
"Happy New Year, Sousuke-kun. Please take care of this year too."
"Ah. The seat beside shall always remain open for you."
We quietly clinked our warm tea cups together and celebrated the first New Year we would spend as a couple.
---
The year turned to January 1st.
Today, I was scheduled to visit the shrine on school grounds for Hatsumode together with Ichinose and the others from Class A. Since it was New Year's, we had rented traditional Japanese clothing from a kimono shop at Keyaki Mall beforehand.
I stood in the dorm lobby waiting for Hiyori, dressed in a jet-black kimono and hakama with a pure white haori draped over my shoulders.
(Oooooh…! Black kimono with a pure white haori! With this face and this outfit, I seriously look exactly like a captain from the Gotei 13! I didn't think it'd feel this authentic, but this is getting insanely hyped…!)
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sousuke-kun."
The elevator doors opened, followed by the sound of light footsteps rushing toward .
I turned around—and saw Hiyori.
Her silver hair was elegantly arranged, and she wore a beautiful furisode decorated with snowflakes and delicate flowers in pale blue and white tones.
(S-so cuteeeeeee!! What is this? A heavenly angel in traditional Japanese clothing?! My best friend—no, my girlfriend!! She looks too perfect in a furisode! The destructive power is too high—I can't look directly at her!!)
Internally, I scread.
I nearly let my face lt into a lovestruck grin, but imdiately mobilized every ounce of my "Aizen Specs" ntal fortitude to lock my facial muscles into place and activate my usual composed stylish mode.
"—A white blossom descending from the heavens… That alone is enough to steal my gaze."
"Ehehe… thank you. Sousuke-kun's outfit also looks really dignified… um, you look very handso."
Hiyori's cheeks turned pink as she smiled shyly.
"—Shall we go? Our companions await this celebration."
"Yes!"
I naturally extended my hand, and Hiyori happily took it.
Hand in hand, we headed toward the shrine inside the school grounds.
When we arrived beneath the shrine gate, the usual Class A mbers—Ichinose, Kanzaki, Shibata, Amikura, and Shiranami—were already there.
Ichinose wore a gorgeous pink furisode, while Amikura and Shiranami each wore colorful traditional outfits. Shibata and Kanzaki also looked sharp in their haori and kimono attire.
"Ah! Aizen-kun, Hiyori-chan! Happy New Year!"
Ichinose noticed us first—and imdiately winked mischievously after seeing our intertwined hands. Hiyori had already told her everything the day after the confession.
However, once the others followed her gaze to our hands, they froze in shock.
"""EEEEEEEEHHHHH!?"""
Shibata and the others shouted in disbelief beneath the shrine gate.
"H-hold on! Aizen and Shiina-chan are… holding hands!?"
"No way! You two are finally dating!?"
Shibata and Amikura pointed at us as though they'd seen a ghost.
"Fufu. Yes. Sousuke-kun and I started dating on Christmas."
Though embarrassed, Hiyori proudly declared it without letting go of my hand.
"WHOOOOA! Seriously, Aizen!? You sly bastard, getting ahead of us like that! Congrats!!"
"Kyaaah! Congrats, Hiyori-chan!! You two look sooo good together!"
"Ahaha! Actually, Hiyori-chan already told ! Once again, congratulations to both of you!"
Shibata repeatedly slapped my back while Amikura and Shiranami surrounded Hiyori with excited squeals. Ichinose smiled brightly in celebration.
Then—
Amidst the warm and cheerful atmosphere, one man stepped forward with his arms crossed and an absurdly serious expression.
Ryuuji Kanzaki.
"…Kanzaki?"
As I tilted my head, Kanzaki closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them dramatically.
"—To the birth of a new world woven from the resonance of two intertwining destinies, I offer my highest blessing. Even the gods seated in heaven shall bow before the trail of light you leave behind. I congratulate you, Aizen. Shiina."
...
...
......
An icy silence descended upon the shrine.
Shibata's smile twitched awkwardly. Amikura and Shiranami stared blankly with mouths open. Ichinose was clutching her head and trembling.
(KANZAKIIIIIIII!! You've been completely poisoned by my stylish disease!! Why are you reciting incomprehensible poetry with a straight face, you idiot?! Stop it, I'm dying of embarrassnt here!!)
Inside, I scread while desperately maintaining my demon-king facade.
Everyone's pleading gazes turned toward Hiyori.
Normally, no matter how incomprehensible my words were, the great angel Hiyori Shiina could instantly translate them. Everyone placed their hopes in her perfect translation ability.
However—
"Um…"
Hiyori tilted her head innocently before lowering her brows apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Kanzaki-kun… but what exactly are you trying to say…?"
"W-what…!?"
At Hiyori's pure and rciless rejection, Kanzaki staggered backward in shock.
(Well, obviously! Even I have no clue why Hiyori alone perfectly understands my poems! There's no way your cheap imitation poetry would work!)
"So… my soul-crafted words were rejected by Shiina's translation…? My philosophy still hasn't reached Aizen's realm…"
As Kanzaki muttered in despair, Ichinose finally snapped.
"Kanzaki-kun!! Please co back to your senses! You've been getting worse lately! Where did the cool and composed Kanzaki-kun go!?"
"Hah…! M-my apologies. I seem to have stared too deeply into the abyss while attempting to trace Aizen's thought process."
"Stop saying 'abyss' toooooo!!"
(I-Ichinoseeeee!! Stoppppp!! That's critically effective against too!! You think you're just roasting Kanzaki, but you're also shredding my soul because I use those stylish words casually all the ti!!)
While suffering fatal internal damage, I silently prayed for Kanzaki to return to his normal cool personality before any more of my embarrassing black history spread from his mouth.
At Ichinose's desperate retort, Shibata and the others burst into laughter.
The once-serene New Year shrine quickly beca lively with the laughter of Class A.
Afterward, we all approached the main shrine building and offered prayers for the new year.
"Alright! Next, let's draw fortunes!"
At Shibata's suggestion, we went to the shrine office to draw omikuji fortunes.
"Yay! I got 'Great Blessing'!"
"Ahh, I got 'Blessing.' Not bad, I guess."
While Amikura and Shiranami reacted to their fortunes, I elegantly unfolded my own slip marked Great Blessing.
"—I have no need for destiny granted by the gods, but if this paper claims it shall brilliantly color our future, then perhaps it is not so bad."
"Fufu. I got 'Great Blessing' too. I hope this year becos a wonderful one for you too, Sousuke-kun."
Hiyori happily showed her fortune as well. Both of us drawing great blessings felt wonderfully auspicious.
"…'Small Blessing,' huh. So heaven still intends to place trials upon my path…"
"Kanzaki-kun, seriously, stop with the act already!"
(Guhah!! 'That act'!? So in Ichinose's mind, my stylish poetry gets categorized as so cringey character gimmick too!? Please, Ichinose, stop! Don't reduce my life bar alongside Kanzaki's!!)
Ichinose rcilessly roasted Kanzaki again as he failed to completely shake off the stylish speech habit.
Watching this heartwarming (?!) exchange—while invisible stray bullets continuously pierced —I maintained my flawless smile and exchanged glances with Hiyori.
Thus ended our incredibly fun, incredibly lively first shrine visit… while thoroughly grinding down my ntal health in the process.
Several more days passed after the shrine visit, and winter break neared its end.
My New Year holiday had beco more fulfilling than ever before.
So days, Hiyori and I went to Keyaki Mall together for shopping dates and café visits. I was gradually getting used to holding hands with her, though the destructive power of her smile increased day by day.
Other days, I spent ti with classmates studying together or enjoying gas like bowling to deepen our friendships.
And occasionally, I invited Kiyotaka Ayanokouji from Class D to my room to play gas together.
"—Kiyotaka, let us add your spice to this tedious ga board. Co to my throne."
(Translation: Kiyotaka, I'm bored. Co over and play Smash Bros with .)
Whenever I invited him, Kiyotaka would arrive and silently pick up the controller.
"…Sousuke. Have you been intentionally reacting slightly slower this whole ti? And it also feels like you're deliberately leaving openings."
Without expression, Kiyotaka stared at the screen while asking in a normal tone.
On the surface, it looked like two childhood friends casually gaming together.
But internally—
(Another invitation to play gas… I don't understand. What exactly is this guy's objective? Is he using these matches as psychological warfare to analyze my reflexes and thought patterns for the next special exam? Sousuke truly is impossible to read.)
—he was intensely wary of .
Completely unaware of Kiyotaka's inner suspicions, I happily enjoyed the match.
"—You overthink too much, Kiyotaka. I simply wish to crush you on this ga board."
(Translation: Stop overanalyzing things. I just wanna beat you in the ga!)
As I dramatically attacked on-screen, Kiyotaka calmly dodged and maintained perfect spacing.
"…I see. You're intentionally throwing out large attacks to observe whether I counterattack or remain defensive. I can't imagine you charging in recklessly without a plan."
(…As expected, this isn't just casual gaming. Even this ga is another test to asure . He's analyzing exactly how much risk I tolerate and how I think during special exams… What a terrifying man.)
"—A aningless illusion. All I seek is to draw out the full extent of your abilities and trample them. Crawl upon the ground if you must, but co at my blade with everything you have."
(Translation: Stop overthinking! Don't hold back—co at seriously! I'm not losing!)
(Uwooooah! Kiyotaka's insanely good at gas like always! This razor-thin back-and-forth is aweso! His recovery routes from the edge are perfect! Gaming is so funnn!!)
Thus, my playful stylish poetry perfectly intertwined with Kiyotaka's abnormal paranoia, driving our catastrophic misunderstanding to even greater heights.
And then, winter break finally ca to an end.
January arrived, bringing even harsher cold.
The brutal third sester of the Advanced Nurturing High School was about to begin.
A never-before-seen special exam involving all grades lood close ahead.
Its details were still unknown, but one thing was certain—
The ga board would beco a chaotic battlefield overflowing with betrayal and sches.
(We suffered painful defeats during the sports festival and Paper Shuffle, but those frustrations definitely strengthened Ichinose and the class's determination and unity. I want to graduate smiling together with Hiyori and everyone else while staying in Class A. I'll give it everything I've got to keep us at the top during the third sester too…!)
As I made that vow internally, I tightly squeezed the hand of the girl walking beside .
Holding within my heart the resolve to protect my class's peace and victory, I turned toward the next battlefield with a fearless smile.
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