On New Year’s Eve, Kiyotaka and Yuzuki walked toward Izumi’s house.
On the way, they met Ryuen and Arisu, who already looked very close to each other.
However, Kiyotaka suddenly said,
“I’m going to the restroom for a bit.”
Yuzuki nodded and waited near the roadside.
Not long after that, several guys approached her.
“You’re alone? Why not come with us?”
“We could even go to your place too…”
Yuzuki firmly refused.
“Sorry, I’m on my way to a friend’s house.”
However, they kept insisting.
One of them even grabbed Yuzuki’s hand tightly.
At that moment, Kiyotaka arrived.
“Let go of her.”
Yuzuki immediately pulled herself free and ran toward Kiyotaka.
“Who are you people?” Kiyotaka asked coldly.
“What’s it to you?” one of them replied.
Kiyotaka stared at them sharply.
“I’m her boyfriend.”
After hearing that, they finally backed away and left.
Kiyotaka and Yuzuki continued their journey.
When they arrived at Izumi’s house, the atmosphere was already lively.
They celebrated the New Year together, laughing and enjoying their time with each other.
At midnight, they went outside to light fireworks.
The night sky was filled with colorful lights.
Since it was late, they decided to sleep together in the living room.
Just before going to sleep, Arisu quietly said, “Can I… sleep on your arm?”
Ryuen froze, unsure of what to do.
Suddenly, Kiyotaka appeared beside him and whispered, “Just go with it.”
Ryuen eventually nodded.
Meanwhile, Izumi offered the same thing to Shikimori, and Shikimori accepted it with a small smile.
Outside, Nagumo, Ichinose, and Hirata were still talking together.
Suddenly, Hirata seriously said,
“I… like you. Will you be my girlfriend?”
Ichinose looked surprised, but smiled.
“I accept.”
Hirata looked relieved.
Ichinose then asked,
“Should we keep it secret, or tell the others?”
Hirata replied,
“Let’s just tell them.”
The two of them then went back inside the house.
Inside, almost everyone had already fallen asleep.
Nagumo was sleeping surprisingly close to Fumino, making Ichinose smile slightly.
“Let’s sleep too,” she said.
The next morning, everyone said goodbye and returned home.
Kiyotaka and Yuzuki walked together through a park covered in snow.
Yuzuki smiled.
“Let’s play in the snow!” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
The two of them played together, throwing snow at each other while laughing.
Afterward, Yuzuki softly said,
“Thank you… for everything.”
“So when’s my reward?” she teased.
Kiyotaka casually replied,
“There doesn’t need to be one.”
When they arrived home, Yuzuki immediately started cooking.
Kiyotaka went to take a bath.
After that, Yuzuki said,
“Can you cut the carrots for me?”
Kiyotaka, who wasn’t used to cooking, looked confused.
Just as he was about to start, Yuzuki suddenly said, “Wait a second… look over here.”
Kiyotaka turned toward the bathroom— and immediately froze.
Yuzuki looked different—more elegant, and even more beautiful than usual.
“Well?” she asked shyly.
Kiyotaka could only give a thumbs up.
Deep inside, he thought,
I’m… not ready for this yet.
Yuzuki smiled and slowly stepped closer.
Without realizing it, Kiyotaka took a small step back, still nervous.
The atmosphere became quiet— but warm.