SS 6 The Two on New Year's Day (2)

The Two on New Year’s Day (2)

We headed to the nearby shrine. As expected on New Year’s, it was bustling with people. Food stalls that weren’t usually there lined the path, adding to the lively atmosphere. Ai-san, perhaps because she wasn’t used to wearing a kimono, seemed to have a harder time walking than usual. I slowed my pace to match hers, walking slowly alongside her. People around us kept glancing over, their expressions a mix of surprise and envy at how stunning she looked in her kimono. Just seeing her like that was enough to make my heart race.

“Thank you for slowing down your pace for me, Senpai.”

“It’s nothing. There are so many people; let’s just take it slow.”

“It makes me really happy that you’re so considerate. Thank you.”

The deeper we went into the shrine grounds, the more packed the crowd became. I kept glancing at her to make sure she didn’t get separated. Noticing this, she whispered softly, “Senpai, I’m just going to hold on, okay?” When I slowly turned to look, I saw her clutching the hem of my coat.

Seeing her dressed up and looking a little embarrassed like that, she was so adorable I completely lost my words.

“Do you want to take a break?”

“I’m okay for now, just a little further. But once we’re done praying, I might want to sit for a bit.”

“Got it.”

Judging by the crowd, we’d probably reach our turn in about five minutes. Once we were done, I thought I’d find a place for Ai-san to sit and get us some warm amazake to enjoy. But before that…

“Ah.”

I gently twisted my body and slowly took her left hand, which had been holding onto my coat. She let out a small, surprised sound. Her hand was soft and cold, like I was holding onto snow—so delicate it felt like it might disappear if I held on too tightly.

“This way is warmer, and you don’t have to worry about getting separated.”

“Okay.”

She smiled so brightly it was almost blinding, and I couldn’t even look at her directly.

Ai’s PoV

I sat on a bench in a nearby park, feeling a little guilty that I might have inconvenienced him. Walking in a crowd, which I’m not very good at, in these unfamiliar clothes turned out to be more tiring than I had expected.

My breath turned white in the cold air. Even though we had only moved a little way from the shrine grounds, it felt like an entirely different world—quiet and peaceful. In the distance, some children, perhaps with their father, were flying kites. This spot was far from any power lines, so it seemed safe. They might have been brothers, an older one and a younger one. The two of them were laughing happily together.

I used to love playing outside when I was little. I’d often pester my busy parents to play with me, causing them no end of trouble.

“Here you go. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

He had gone all the way back to the shrine to buy amazake for me. Warm steam rose invitingly from the paper cup he handed me.

“Thank you. You went out of your way to get this for me.”

“Yeah. Drinking it from a paper cup like this feels more like New Year’s, doesn’t it?”

My cold hands gradually warmed as I held the cup.

“Cheers,” he said, and I hurriedly replied, “Ch-Cheers.” It had been so long since I’d spent New Year’s like this that I felt a little awkward.

As I took a sip of the amazake, a gentle sweetness spread through my mouth. The flavor was nostalgic.

“What did you wish for?”

When I asked him the typical question, he pulled the cup away from his mouth and replied, “For my family’s health. Of course, that includes you, Ai-san.” His words warmed my heart. It was just like him, treating me as if I were already part of his family.

“What about you, Ai-san?” he asked, and though I felt a little embarrassed, I answered with a happy expression.

“I wished for this happiness to last forever.”

Not wanting the cheerful family nearby to notice, we shared a sweet kiss. It tasted faintly of amazake.