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“Just a few more minutes until it’s the New Year’s,” he remarked.
“It’s finally happening.”
Asahi and Fuyuka were both reclining upon the sofa after they’d enjoyed their meal of toshikoshi soba. The noodles had been pleasant—both chewy in texture and extremely flavorful due to the dashi present in the broth.
The TV broadcast they’d tuned into ushered in the realization that the year was coming to an end. The camera highlighted the buzzing crowds that were walking around a famous shrine’s grounds, coupled with the solemn ringing of the joya-no-kane—an ancient custom where a temple bell is rung 108 times on New Year’s Eve.
“It feels somewhat strange to greet the new year together, doesn’t it?” she asked.
“I know what you mean. I never would’ve expected it, given how you were a few months back.”
“C-Can’t we consider that water under the bridge?” she pleaded in a low voice.
Despite her objections, Asahi could never truly forget.
It had all started when he’d nursed her back to health after she’d fallen ill with a fever. After that incident, Fuyuka had gradually allowed him to meddle in her life, and they’d deepened their relationship. The result was obvious, given that she now sat next to him at his house. Asahi cherished every little interaction they had together, even when she was still “The Ice Queen.”
A pleasantly warm, comfortable atmosphere predominanted the room. They both broke into smiles.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me this year, Asahi,” she said.
“Same here. You were a great help,” he replied, returning her heartfelt gratitude. “Say, you got any New Year’s resolutions?”
“Maybe one. I want to become as skilled as you are at cooking.”
“That’s a good one. Might take you a few years to make it a reality, but hey.”
“Although it hurts me to admit it, you’re not wrong. Still, I’m confident that I’ll get there if you continue to tutor me,” she pointed out.
Which means... we’re gonna keep this up next year? Maybe even longer? Asahi’s intention had been to tease her with his previous comment, but she’d blindsided him with her counter. He could feel himself blushing. Whatever the case, seems like we’ll be spending more time together.
“I’m really looking forward to next year’s lessons,” she said, her eyes closing to half-moons as she smiled endearingly. Asahi’s heart was set ablaze with an undefinable emotion he’d never experienced before.
I can’t put my finger on it. Chiaki and Hinami are also my friends, but this is definitely a different feeling from when I’m with them. Whatever the enigmatic sensation was, it flickered in Asahi’s vision like a quivering mirage in the distance. I still feel I’m getting closer to figuring it out. I’m sure I’ll get to the bottom of it someday, one step at a time.
“Ten, nine, eight...” several voices on the TV began counting in unison, snapping Asahi out of his thoughts. “Seven, six, five...”
Asahi and Fuyuka stood shoulder-to-shoulder, waiting for them to finish.
Four, three, two, one... brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky as the countdown reached zero. The brilliant display was accompanied by the deafening sound of the temple bells which rang for the final 108th time.
“Happy New Year!” “Hope you have a wonderful year ahead!” Asahi and Fuyuka blurted at the same time, straightening their posture for the standard bow.
Alerts from Asahi’s phone—which had been left on the table—began a set of rhythmic beeps at the same time.
Must be a message from Chiaki or Hinami or something, Asahi told himself.
Prompted by Fuyuka, he picked up his phone. His assumptions were immediately validated—it was from the “Obnoxious Couple.” They, along with a few other of his close friends, wished him a happy new year. He scrolled further down and saw a few notifications from a chat group labeled, “The Kagami Bunch.”
Asahi decided to check his parents’ messages so he could reply to them. As he examined his phone, his expression grew increasingly perplexed, and he exclaimed, “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Just got a message from my parents. They’re coming to visit and spend the night.”
“It’s shaping up to be a bustling New Year’s Day.”
“I just hope they don’t get too excited and disturb the neighbors,” he groaned. I say that, but they’re adults. They know their manners and all, so I’m sure it’ll be fine... Nah, I take that back. My dad and common sense are polar opposites. He’ll lose his mind just like he did on Christmas Eve if he comes across Fuyuka who happens to live next to me. I don’t see mom reigning him in if that happens.
“I suppose that means that today’s lesson is postponed,” she said. “I’ll just stay in my apartment.”
“Yeah. Sorry for that, especially on New Year’s Day.”
“No, no, don’t worry about it,” she reassured him.
They’d both reached the same conclusion: if Fuyuka didn’t visit, then they’d avoid another incident like when she’d bumped heads with Chiaki and Hinami during their stay at Asahi’s apartment.
Man, she looks kinda sad. I thought my parents would show up at noon, then return to the restaurant. I wanted to spend the evening with her. I really did. But now she’ll be all by herself, he brooded, guilt-tripping himself over the abrupt change in their schedule.
Can’t we find some middle groun—his contemplation was interrupted by the familiar intercom bleep. “Who could it be at this hour?” he asked cautiously.
Asahi hadn’t invited anybody but Fuyuka, and he couldn’t for the life of him think of an acquaintance who would drop by at this hour. That left him with one of two possibilities: either it was the first prank of the year, or some sketchy, unsavory visitor.
He tossed Fuyuka—who was visibly anxious—a reassuring glance, then attempted to discern the visitors through the intercom’s monitor. Up popped a large, boisterous man, and a stern-looking woman looking into the camera.
“So who is it?” Fuyuka inquired.
“My mom and dad.”
There was a pause, and her eyes widened in shock. “Did I hear you correctly?”
“Yup.”
“I thought they were coming over at noon.”
“So did I. I’m pretty confused myself, honestly.”
“Well, let’s open the door for them. We can worry about the other details later.”
“Wait, wait, wait, hold up! If we open it right now, they’ll see you here with me!”
“O-Oh, you’re right. What should we do? We’re backed up against the wall.”
“Okay, what if you hid in the bathroom and waited for the right chance to—crap, no. They’d find out if they use the bathroom. Maybe if I hid you in my room... tch, no. It’s too far away from the entrance,” he mumbled. The intercom chimed a second time as he tried to conjure up a solution. “I’m just gonna talk to them for now and see what happens.”