Chapter 18 – Christmas Night Means Flying Through the Sky and Seizing the Ring
Christmas.
It’s the day when a pair, reminiscent of amphibious mobility suits with round heads, walks through the streets with blissful expressions and disappears into a hotel.
There are various theories, but at least that’s how I perceive it.
My last memory of Christmas before reincarnation was spending the night at the office handling complaints.
Instead of cake, the company president had offered me a nutritional drink.
To this day, I’m not sure what the substitution was about—maybe sugar content?
-0-
For high school students, spending Christmas with friends is common.
The fact that I have to express it as ‘common’ is somewhat sad.
But wait!
This time is different!
I’m getting along well (hopefully) with my classmates!
Maybe I have a good chance of being invited.
Some might suggest I take charge as the organizer, but the word ‘organizer’ gives me a headache. It reminds me of my days as a black company employee and the power harassment I endured….
-0-
Now, two weeks before Christmas, after school, everyone is starting to head home.
The one who stops them is the class president, Watanabe.
「This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday, so let’s have a Christmas party at the karaoke place near the station after school! If you want to join, let me know by this weekend! We’ve already got ten participants, and we’ve booked a spacious room, so it’d be great if more people could join!」
The classroom buzzes with excitement at Watanabe’s announcement.
She’s already gathered quite a crowd, she’s quite skilled.
Usually, events like this are hard to attend if you’re not part of the usual group.
But with ten people already signed up, some might think it’s okay to join.
「Since Watanabe is organizing it, the popular kids will probably be there, right? Are you going?」
「Well, um… I think I’ll pass.」
「Watanabe-chan, count me in!」
「Oh, then I’ll join too!」
「Hey, Tanaka, don’t tell me you plan to….」
「N-No, it’s not what you think!」
The classroom is truly in the midst of youth.
Ah, it’s dazzling…
Amidst this, Watanabe approached our seats, addressing both me and Yui.
「Christmas party—what do you two think?」
Her words drew the class’s attention.
If it were the old Yui, who used to be as cold as ice due to her mission, she wouldn’t have been invited.
In my memories from my first life, when Watanabe started talking about the Christmas party, Yui had already left the classroom.
It seems Yui has changed for the better.
While we’re unofficially considered a couple, having a beauty like Yui attend would likely increase the male participation rate.
I’m not good with events like this—I’m an introvert at heart.
But I’m genuinely curious.
What kind of festivities do the extroverted groups engage in?
I glanced at Yui.
She seemed like she wanted to say something but forced it down.
I know the reason behind that expression.
Maid Saotome had informed me.
Apparently, Yui wants to spend Christmas with us.
She’s secretly preparing something.
Perhaps her sense of ‘Christmas is a family affair’ stems from her Scandinavian heritage.
Yui’s feelings and my curiosity—there’s no need to deliberate which one takes priority.
「Sorry, but I’ll be spending Christmas with my family.」
「Wow, going for the Western-style approach? Well, it can’t be helped. And Shiratori?」
「I’ll be with my family too. I apologize.」
「Shiratori is the same, huh? It’s a shame, but can’t be helped.」
Watanabe looked at Yui and me one after another while intentionally showing a surprised expression.
「Could it be you two are spending it together?」
I can’t let Yui answer that question.
While I haven’t made any plans yet, Yui has.
I don’t want her to lie.
「I don’t have any such plans. Besides, I have my little sister.」
「I see.」
What does that relieved expression mean?
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