Chapter 3:
A University Student’s Winter Break
LOOKING BACK, MY FIRST YEAR IN UNIVERSITY had felt like the most fulfilling time in my life. My first school circle, my first time living alone, a cute girlfriend. I’d gotten decent grades too. Everything was going well.
But settling into routine was a scary thing. The joy faded over time. I’d taken my life for granted. I’d started attending circle meetings less often, and my girlfriend cheated on me. Normal things. But these absences made me realize just how much space in my heart they’d actually occupied.
All I had left now was my leisurely bachelor life, and even that was hardly fulfilling now.
“I really screwed up…” The words spilled from my mouth as I touched the kitchen sink.
Slacking off on cleaning had come back to bite me. I wiped sticky fluid off of my rubber gloves with a paper towel.
The benefits of living alone varied from person to person. For me, they included no parental supervision, a quiet life, and being able to invite friends and girls over whenever I wanted. But right now, the bad outweighed the good.
I tossed the gloves into the trash and stopped cleaning for now.
Today, I needed to go to class and turn in my seminar report. The deadline was three days ago, but my professor was lenient since I’d cultivated a good relationship with them. I was confident that my work was higher quality than usual, so they’d surely be satisfied.
When I opened the front door a few centimeters, cold air rushed in.
“Brrr.” I shuddered and stepped outside.
Soft sunlight, uncharacteristic of the peak of winter, welcomed me.
✦ ✦ ✦
My university was just the right size. There were plenty of places to go, so the population was spread out enough that it was never too busy except around lunchtime. Some campuses were so big that it was hard to find friends, but this one provided a good environment for mingling with peers.
But even this school recognized winter break. After I turned in my report, I strolled around campus for a while. There were almost no other students to be found, let alone anyone I knew. I’d have to get back to cleaning when I went home, so I was really taking my time today.
When I found a vending machine, I languidly pulled out my wallet. Might as well kick back with a café au lait and try to escape reality for a while.
As soon as I put my coin in, a coffee can fell down with a clunk.
“What…?” I dubiously picked it up.
When I did, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Heh heh heh. Thanks for that, Senpai!”
I turned around to see Shinohara Mayu, the former Santa. She was so attractive that she still made my eyes pop. Not many girls can rock a Santa outfit like her, I’m sure.
She took the can of coffee from me and happily tried to open it.
Bold of you to so gleefully drink something bought with someone else’s money. Well, maybe that’s why she’s so happy.
“What are you doing here? It’s winter break.”
Apparently not happy with my question, she groaned and puffed out her cheeks. “I’d think you’d be happy to see me again during our time off.”
“Okay, whatever. Cough it up.”
Maybe a little childishly, I pointed at the vending machine. Realizing what I wanted, she took a wallet out of her bag. It was a trendy branded bag for girls, and it made her shine just a little more.
“Don’t be testy. I was planning to pay you back anyway. What were you trying to buy?”
“Café au lait.”
“’Kaaaay.” She pressed the button and retrieved the drink without fuss. “It’s cold. You still want it?”
“That’s fine. I like it cold.”
“You’re gonna be chilly.” She sounded a little worried.
Even in the winter, I always bought cold drinks. I opened my coffee and took a sip. A perfect level of sweetness danced on my taste buds, relaxing me even more than smoking did.
“Hey, thanks again for yesterday,” Shinohara said suddenly.
“Hmm?”
“Don’t ‘hmm’ at me like you’re confused. I mean the stuff with Yuudou.”
“Oh, that? C’mon, you already thanked me.”
“I know that. That’s why I said thanks again.” She slowly opened her can of coffee and then chugged it all down at once. “Bleh, bitter!”
“Then why did you drink it…?”
The label literally said reduced sugar, but she’d picked and downed it anyway.
“I shouldn’t have just smashed a random button,” she whined before throwing her empty can away. The trash can was close to empty given the time of year, accepting the garbage without a sound. “So, Senpai. Since we’ve been fortuitously reunited so soon, I’m gonna use the opportunity to make things up to you.”
“Excuse me?” I lowered my drink and furrowed my brow. “I don’t need that. By the way, why make it up to me specifically?”
Ayaka was the one who’d planned the mixer, so make it up to her. Though there was no way Ayaka herself would demand such a thing.
Shinohara shook her head. “Actually, call it returning the favor. You did help me out a lot, after all.”
“Me? I didn’t do a thing.”
“Well, I feel grateful either way, so shush.”
“You’re shameless…”
If I had actually done anything that day, it didn’t go much further than sharing my opinion. I didn’t feel comfortable accepting gratitude for that.
“Normally, I’d say we’re even since you get to be blessed with my glorious presence, but you don’t seem like the kind of guy that would work on… Oh, I know.” Shinohara continued the conversation all on her own. I tried to stop her, but she ignored me. “I am Santa, after all. How about I grant one wish of yours? Anything you want.”
“I don’t really want—”
Before I could finish the sentence, the image of my dirty sink came to mind. That was something I’d been especially putting off.
“Housework,” I finally said. Shinohara looked at me blankly.
It didn’t take her long to burst out laughing.