“She truly is impossible to read. And she’s quite good at reading everyone else. It’s possible that Remia’s the one who’s been giving the most thought to the future out of everyone.”
“Umm, Tio...” Hajime muttered, pointing to the fan in her hands. He had no idea where she’d gotten it from, but it read “Great Job!”
“In truth, I have the same feeling. I suspect that next year will be quite a tumultuous one. But I suppose we all knew our lives would be eventful when we decided to spend them with you, master. You had best steel yourself for the year to come.”
“I’d really rather just have a peaceful year, you know...? But anyway, Happy New Year, Tio.”
“Happy New Year to you as well, master. I’ll work hard for you this year as well, so be sure to punish—ahem, I mean, reward me once more.”
“Why do you even bother correcting yourself at this point?” Hajime asked with a shake of his head as he watched Tio also walk off to where Shu and Sumire were.
“Happy New Year, Hajime-san! Let’s have a lot of fun this year too!” Shea shouted, hugging Hajime from behind. Hajime leaned forward a little to pick her up a few inches off the ground and placed his hands over her own. He then patted them gently, as if caressing a treasure. Shea smiled happily in response.
“I’m really grateful to you, you know? It’s thanks to you that the Nagumo house gets three healthy meals a day. You also do most of the housework for us. Mom and dad are really happy about that as well.”
Hajime looked at Shea, their faces close enough for their lips to touch.
“Thank you so much. I’m glad I get to spend the next year with you.”
“He he he, you can just leave everything to me! I heard rabbits are a symbol of good luck and happiness in this world, so I’ve gotta do my best to bring happiness to everyone!”
Shea kissed Hajime lightly, then ran over to Tio and Yue, who were discussing something with a serious expression on their face. As she left, Liliana stepped forward.
“Hajime-san...”
“Wh-What is it, Lily?”
Liliana looked like a tragic warrior who was about to go out and meet their grisly doom.
“I’ve learned the truth of this world.”
“Uhhh, let me call a medic over.”
“Rome wasn’t built in a day! No work, no pay! Those who don’t work don’t deserve to eat! I’ll keep working until the end of time, as my duty compels me!”
“I’m glad you’re trying to learn more about Earth culture, but please...not like this.”
Hajime could tell that Liliana was depressed now that she’d remembered the duties that awaited her when she returned to Tortus. What Hajime was scared of, though, was that she might force insane work hours on her ministers and advisors as well.
“Well, when all’s said and done, I do respect you for working so hard for the sake of your country. I’ll keep on working to make travel between our worlds easier, so just call me if you ever need anything.”
“Hajime-san...thank you. I’ll be counting on you this year as well! I mean it!”
“O-Of course.”
Liliana grabbed Hajime’s hand and squeezed it tight. Hajime suddenly had a feeling he’d be asked to do quite a lot for Heiligh in the near future. For a moment, he was worried he might have promised too much, but upon seeing Liliana hum happily as she walked over to where Yue and the others were, he decided it was worth it.
Finally, Sumire and Shu walked up to Hajime.
“Happy New Year, Hajime. Any resolutions you have planned for this year?” Sumire asked.
“Happy New Year, mom. I was hoping to just live a peaceful life as a student this year, honestly.”
“Happy New Year, Hajime. By the way, when do you think you’ll be able to introduce us to Shea-chan’s and Tio’s families? I want to meet the people who helped you out in Tortus. Gotta give them my thanks as your dad, you know?”
Though they were both trying to act normal, Hajime could tell they were trying to hide their excitement. There was something else they weren’t saying.
“Okay, be honest, what is it you really want?”
“We wanna visit that fantasy world too! Take us there, son!” they shouted, their feigned aura of dignity vanishing immediately. It looked like they were about to cry. As hardcore otaku, it was only natural that they’d want to visit other worlds now that they knew there was a way to travel between them. Though of course, they did also want to meet Cam and Adul as well.
“All right, all right, I’ll plan a trip.”
“You better! If you go back on your word, we’re kicking you out of the house!” Shu shouted, but then he and Sumire walked away so that Yue could step forward. She was the last person who needed to give Hajime his New Year greetings.
“Happy New Year, Hajime,” she said with a smile.
“Happy New Year, Yue.”
Yue walked next to Hajime and took his hand, but she said nothing more. She just looked quietly and thoughtfully up into his eyes.
Hajime could almost see that the events of the past reflected in her ruby-red eyes as he sensed her reminisce. He waited quietly for her to finish, listening to the boom of the fireworks and the cheers of the people around them in the meantime.
Finally, after a few minutes, Yue started speaking in a soft voice that carried surprisingly far for how quiet it was.
“It’s strange...”
“What is?” Hajime asked in an equally soft voice.
She rested her head on his shoulder and said, “We started our journey with just the two of us down in the depths of the abyss, determined to fight the whole world if we had to, but before we knew it we were surrounded by people we care about, and now we’re greeting the new year in a completely different world while fireworks light up the sky.”
“True.”
“Objectively, I’ve spent far more of my life suffering than being happy. It’s only been a short while since I was saved by you, met everyone else, and learned that my uncle never really betrayed me. Compared to the centuries I spent trapped, that time is like the blink of an eye.”
“......”
“But right now, it feels like those centuries are what passed in the blink of an eye, like they were just a bad nightmare. It feels like I’ve been with you since forever, surrounded by happiness.”
Another firework burst, illuminating the side of Yue’s face. She looked at once like a sage who’d lived a million lifetimes and an innocent young girl.
Hajime hugged Yue...and she buried her face in his neck. The glasses got in the way, so she chuckled to herself and took them off. Though, even if that meant people in the crowd could see her now, no one would dare interrupt them.
“The world is cruel, unfair, and hostile...but every now and again, it’s kind enough to reward those who keep trying. After meeting you, that’s what I’ve come to believe,” Yue said.
“Yeah...I think you’re right. If you keep struggling no matter what hardships you face, then eventually, you’ll make it to a place like this.”
“Mmm...”
Yue playfully bit Hajime’s neck, then looked up at him. He gently kissed her forehead in response, so Yue smiled happily. They hugged once more, then Yue looked over at Shea and the others from over Hajime’s shoulder. Shea gave her a thumbs up, while Liliana just shook her head in exasperation. Sumire and Shu smiled warmly at her, while Tio and Remia both shot her playful winks. Their expressions were all filled with love.
Yue let go of Hajime and took a step back so that she could look up at him while also looking at everyone else who’d helped bring her to this wonderful place. Then, with a beaming smile, she said, “Thank you so much. Let’s have a wonderful year.”
At that exact moment another firework exploded, lighting up the night sky.