Christmas morning, the 25th, had arrived.
Until now, it had always been just another ordinary day for me—but today was different.
Truth be told, a little while ago, I got a message from Matsushita asking if I wanted to go out.
Apparently, Satou had invited Ayanokouji on a Christmas date but wasn't confident it would go well.
It wasn't exactly about being support, but Matsushita and Karuizawa had each decided to invite a close friend of the opposite sex to make it a triple date.
And, well, I was the one Matsushita chose.
Honestly, I'm not sure if me being there is a good idea.
Satou aside, Karuizawa probably doesn't have a great impression of me.
"Well, everyone else is from Class D too..."
The guys were Hirata, Ayanokouji, and me, while the girls were Satou, Matsushita, and Karuizawa.
I stuck out like a sore thumb in this lineup.
I asked Matsushita if this was really okay, but she said the others seemed fine with it.
"Guess it's about time."
The past few days had been pretty hectic.
Yesterday, I had a Christmas Eve party with Ishizaki, Ryuuen, Hiyori, and Ibuki—and during that, Hiyori and Ibuki both invited me out for Christmas.
Obviously, since I already had plans with Matsushita, I turned them down. But the moment I refused, they started panicking and trying to pry into my Christmas plans, nearly derailing the whole party.
Recalling that scene, I changed into my winter clothes and headed to the meeting spot.
If I remember right, we're supposed to watch a movie that just released today…
The weather was unfortunately cloudy, with thick clouds covering the sky the whole time.
The meetup was at 11:30, but I decided to leave early enough to arrive a little ahead of time.
....
On my way to the meeting spot, I happened to spot Matsushita.
She seemed to recognize me too—the moment our eyes met, she narrowed hers happily, waved enthusiastically, and ran over.
When she stopped in front of me, a pleasant, tickling fragrance drifted from her, just enough to tease my senses.
"Good morning, Hikigaya-kun! What a coincidence."
"Yeah. I thought I left a little early, though."
"Me too. Wanna go together?"
I nodded, slightly captivated by the way she tilted her head as she looked at me.
"Still, is it really okay for me to be there? I'm from another class, after all."
As we walked toward the meeting place, I brought up something that had been on my mind, treating it as small talk.
"If anything, I was worried I might've done something wrong. I mean, I was the one who invited you, but… you didn't have other plans, right?"
"It's fine. I didn't have anything else going on."
Truthfully, I had gotten a few other invites, but mentioning them here would've been pointless.
Hearing my answer, Matsushita relaxed, her shoulders dropping slightly.
"Um… also…"
"Hm? What's up?"
Lowering her gaze slightly, she hesitated, her voice quiet.
"...When I told Satou-san I wanted to invite you, I said it was because we're close, right?"
"Yeah, but…"
At that, Matsushita glanced around, as if unsure whether to continue.
Given that it was Christmas, the streets were packed. If she was checking her surroundings like this, whatever she wanted to say must've been difficult to voice…
Then, as if steeling herself, she rose slightly on her tiptoes, leaning close to my ear—
"Actually… even if Satou-san hadn't been involved… I still would've wanted to invite you."
Her clear voice whispered into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. My body stiffened for a second, caught between surprise and tension.
When I looked at Matsushita, her face was completely red—she must've really pushed herself to say that. She desperately tried to hide behind her scarf.
"O-oh… is that so?"
It was such a sudden confession that my response ended up embarrassingly flat.
After that, neither of us spoke the rest of the way to the meeting spot, both too flustered to break the silence.
....
When we arrived at the meeting spot, everyone else was already there.
Apparently, Matsushita and I were the last ones to show up.
Matsushita went to greet Satou and the others, while Karuizawa shot me a slightly suspicious glance. Well, that was to be expected.
"Good morning, Hikigaya-kun. Thanks for coming today."
A voice called out from behind me, and when I turned around, there stood Hirata Yousuke—with Ayanokouji behind him, wearing the scarf I'd given him before.
Hirata flashed me a refreshing smile and extended his right hand for a handshake. What a ridiculously good-looking guy… To think someone this protagonist-like actually existed…
"Thanks for inviting me. I appreciate it."
We shook hands and exchanged greetings.
Since Class D knew Ayanokouji and I were acquainted, I played along casually.
"Alright, let's go!"
Satou, who had been talking to Ayanokouji earlier in a reserved manner, suddenly regained her usual energy and clung to his side as we started walking.
Karuizawa and Hirata, Ayanokouji and Satou walked side by side in front, while Matsushita and I followed behind them toward the movie theater.
"...Aren't you a little too close?"
Matsushita was sticking even closer to me than Satou was to Ayanokouji.
If either of us moved even slightly, we'd bump into each other.
"Huh… Don't Satou-san and Matsushita-san look kinda… couple-y?"
Karuizawa muttered, glancing back and forth between me and Ayanokouji.
"R-Really?"
"Y-You think so?"
"No matter how you look at it, you two seem like a cozy Christmas couple~"
"Fufu~. Well, Hikigaya-kun—"
"Please don't drag me into this…"
Karuizawa wasn't just curious—she was clearly teasing us.
Oddly enough, Matsushita seemed to be in a better mood after being called out.
"Wait, Satou-san, you don't have a boyfriend, right?"
"U-Um, no…"
Karuizawa's relentless prying shifted from us to Satou, who averted her gaze. Ayanokouji beside her looked slightly bewildered.
"Karuizawa's really going at it, huh?"
"Yeah… I should probably help out, but…"
"Wouldn't that just get in the way?"
I subtly gestured toward Ayanokouji and Satou.
Since Satou was actively engaging him, interfering now would only ruin the mood.
"...You're right. They seem to be getting along fine."
Matsushita glanced at them and seemed to understand what I meant.
"Wait, you're not in any clubs now, right? Weren't you in track before?"
Maybe because their conversation was going well, Satou's voice gradually grew louder, reaching us.
"No, I've never joined a club."
"Really?! But you're so fast! You even outran the student council president!"
For some reason, Satou was getting excited, as if impressed by Ayanokouji's answer.
Noticing this, Karuizawa chimed in again.
"Well, if we're talking about speed, Hikigaya was technically ranked higher, right?"
And just like that, the conversation shifted to me.
"That's true! Hikigaya-kun was really fast too! Actually, how long have you two known each other? That scarf Ayanokouji-kun's wearing—you gave it to him, right?"
The scarf Ayanokouji had on was the one I'd given him for his birthday.
Since he'd already mentioned it in front of Class D before, everyone assumed we were close friends.
I had no choice but to play along.
"Ayanokouji and I go way back. We played together as kids and just happened to reunite here."
There were some lies in there, but most of it was true—just wrapped in a convenient layer of vagueness.
"Really?! I knew you two had similar vibes!"
"Ahh, now that you mention it, they kinda do~ Like, they both seem kinda aloof. I bet they even like the same type of girls~"
At that point, I took a step back, signaling my retreat from the conversation.
The rest was up to Ayanokouji and Hirata.
"You really distanced yourself fast."
Matsushita, who had been watching from behind, commented.
"If I stayed any longer, I wouldn't have known what to say…"
"Yeah, I get that. Oh, Ayanokouji-kun's being asked about his type now."
"Poor guy's got it rough…"
"Hey, Hikigaya-kun, what's your type?"
Maybe influenced by the earlier topic, Matsushita turned to me with sparkling eyes.
Honestly, I wasn't good with these kinds of questions.
I didn't even know my own preferences—if anything, I wanted to find out.
But for now, I had to answer. My type, huh…?
"Uh… the quiet type…?"
It was a half-hearted response, but if I had to pick, that was the closest.
Matsushita, however, didn't seem satisfied.
"That's kinda surprising. I didn't take you for someone who'd like that kind of girl."
The real reason is just that most girls I know are the quiet type…
"Hey, you six. Got a minute?"
Just as we were chatting near the theater, a voice called out from behind. We all turned around.
"Ayanokouji and Hikigaya, right?"
"...Yeah?"
The guy in front of us looked familiar—someone no student in this school wouldn't recognize.
Second-year Class A, Nanami Kakeru.
Surrounding him were a few other students, likely his friends, including the only first-year who had joined the student council:
First-year Class C, Ichinose Honami.
I'd heard she'd joined the student council, but I never expected to run into her here.
"You're first-years, right? Friends of Kakeru?"
While most upperclassmen ignored us, one girl turned her gaze toward us.
Her tone and demeanor suggested she was close with Nanami.
"We've never talked. Remember them? The two from the relay race who challenged Horikita-senpai."
"Ahh… Now that you mention it…"
"How about a quick chat? You've got time, right?"
It was obvious we were in the middle of a group outing, but you don't just brush off the student council president.
Satou froze up at the unexpected situation, and even Karuizawa and Matsushita looked uneasy.
Seeing this, Hirata immediately stepped forward—the only one among us who could face Nanami head-on.
"Good morning, Nanami-senpai."
"Hey, Hirata. How's soccer going?"
Before becoming student council president, Nanami had been in the soccer club. Hirata was using that to steer the conversation.
"We're working hard. Um… did Ayanokouji-kun and Hikigaya-kun do something wrong?"
Hirata sounded slightly anxious.
"Huh? Nah, nothing like that. I wouldn't bully my juniors. Just curious, is all."
Nanami smiled, but his eyes remained cold.
"Relax, would you? …Actually, never mind. You guys go on ahead."
"Don't take too long~"
"Yeah, yeah."
He sent his friends away but clearly had no intention of letting us leave yet.
Unless either Ayanokouji or I spoke up, this standoff wouldn't end.
"Did you need something?"
Ayanokouji answered first, sounding tense.
"Nothing serious. Just heard some rumors about Horikita-senpai taking an interest in you two."
"Senpai, are you talking about the relay race?"
Hirata smoothly stepped in to back Ayanokouji up.
"Yeah, you saw it too, right?"
"Yes, I knew Ayanokouji-kun was fast."
Whether that was true or not, Nanami had no way to verify.
"But other than that, I doubt we've done anything worth your attention."
"To most people, yeah. Other than being fast, there's nothing special about you… right?"
The next moment, Nanami suddenly grabbed Ayanokouji's arm.
The bizarre scene understandably shocked the others.
"But—unfortunately for you—I respect Horikita-senpai. If she saw something in you two, there's no way it's wrong."
"You hold the student council president in pretty high regard, huh?"
This time, I was the one to speak up.
"Former student council president. I'm looking forward to it, Ayanokouji, Hikigaya. Once he graduates, this school's gonna be boring for a whole year. You two better keep me entertained, got it?"
I knew there was some history between Horikita Manabu and Nanami, but I hadn't expected his obsession to extend to us.
"Can I ask you one thing?"
As Nanami released Ayanokouji, I spoke up.
For the first time, he grinned—probably because I'd finally engaged him directly.
"When you became student council president, you said you'd make the school more interesting and merit-based. What exactly did you mean by that?"
At this point, I had nothing to lose by asking.
"You first-years have only had dull, rigid exams so far, right? I'm sick of that crap. If we're gonna do this, let's make it fun."
"So you're planning to change the rules and types of special exams?"
"That's one way to put it."
Finally, he flashed us a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Sorry for interrupting your date. See you around."
With that, Nanami walked off toward the karaoke place where his friends had gone.
Silence fell over us.
"Whew. That was unexpected."
Hirata let out a relieved sigh, acting like nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, Satou, who had been frozen earlier, suddenly burst with excitement.
"Th-That was crazy! The student council president has his eyes on you two?!"
"Nah, it's nothing special."
"Yeah."
Despite Satou's enthusiasm, Ayanokouji and I played it down.
"I don't get it, though. It's just 'cause you're fast, right? Yousuke's, like, a hundred times more impressive. If anyone should get attention, it's him."
Karuizawa's remark made Hirata force a strained smile, choosing to ignore it.
"Hirata-kun is amazing, but… Ayanokouji-kun's just as cool!"
"I think so too~ Hikigaya-kun's got his own charm."
Following Satou's lead, Matsushita unexpectedly backed me up.
I'll pretend I didn't see her wink at me at the end…
Honestly, Karuizawa seemed less like she was supporting Satou and more like she was trying to trap me and Ayanokouji.
If this was Ayanokouji's fault, I was getting some serious collateral damage…
"The movie's starting soon. Let's go."
With a wry smile, Hirata smoothly redirected the conversation.
Now this is the power of a popular guy—reading the room like a pro. Respect.
Grateful for Hirata's intervention, we finally made our way into the theater.
...
The movie ended, we chatted over dinner at the reserved restaurant, and after wandering around Keyaki Mall, the time was nearly 5 PM.
After about five hours, this triple date was finally coming to an end.
Looking back, it had been a surprisingly fun day.
"Well then… we should probably head back, Yousuke-kun."
Karuizawa, who had been teasing Ayanokouji playfully all day, suddenly announced their departure.
With the group naturally splitting up, Hirata left with Karuizawa, Ayanokouji with Satou, and me with Matsushita.
The plan was clearly to leave Ayanokouji and Satou alone together from this point on.
I noticed Matsushita and Karuizawa exchanging meaningful glances with Satou.
Even someone like me could guess what those two were planning.
"Do you think Satou-san and Ayanokouji-kun… will work out?"
On the way back to the dorm, Matsushita spoke up, lost in thought.
"Who knows? It's up to them, isn't it?"
"Yeah…"
She nodded, then slowed her pace slightly, her gaze dropping.
"Hikigaya-kun… is there someone you like?"
An inevitable question—and the one I least wanted to answer.
"No. Not just 'someone I like'—I've never even had a first crush."
"…Then… that's okay."
Matsushita, who had been walking beside me, muttered something under her breath before suddenly stopping.
I paused as well, turning to look at her.
She rummaged through her bag, searching for something.
"Here."
Pulling out a rectangular box wrapped in red paper, she held it out to me.
"This is…?"
"A Christmas present. Open it?"
Carefully, I undid the neatly wrapped packaging, trying not to tear it.
Inside was—
"A bracelet…?"
A simple yet beautifully crafted silver bracelet.
"Here…"
Matsushita took it out and fastened it around my wrist.
"How is it?"
"I'm… really happy. Just a little surprised."
"Eh? Why?"
Ignoring her puzzled look, I reached into my bag and pulled out a similarly wrapped box.
"…Huh?"
"Talk about… one hell of a coincidence."
I opened the box and handed her a bracelet—different in design but similar in style.
What were the odds? I never expected we'd both pick the same kind of gift…
"Will you take it?"
"W-Wait, um…"
Had she assumed she was the only one giving a present? Matsushita flustered for a moment before her face turned bright red.
"P-Put it on me… please."
Shyly, she held out the same wrist I had, squeezing her eyes shut in nervous anticipation.
I took her hand and carefully fastened the bracelet.
"How is it…?"
"Th-Thank you! I'm so happy!"
Her ears burning red, Matsushita beamed, admiring the bracelet like it was something precious.
"Thanks, Matsushita."
"Mhm! Thank you too. I never thought we'd match, though~"
That part really was a coincidence. I was just as shocked.
"Unintentional, but… guess we're matching now."
"Do you… hate it?"
"No way. Of course not. Actually…"
She shook her head vigorously, then smiled.
"I'm really, really happy. What about you, Hikigaya-kun?"
Gently touching the bracelet on her wrist, she looked up at me.
"…I'm happy too."
My voice came out quieter than I intended, but she heard it—her face blooming into a radiant smile.
"Let's go?"
She stepped closer, naturally intertwining her fingers with mine.
"…Yeah."
Normally, I'd have some kind of reaction, but seeing Matsushita so happy beside me, I just let it be as we walked back to the dorm.
=================================
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