"I saw her today. Seems like she was out gathering with her friends."
Glancing toward the opposite apartment, Haruto noticed that Sayu's place was completely dark. She probably wasn't home. Setsuna nodded and didn't dwell on it, returning to the living room with Haruto to host the Saionji mother and daughter.
Yoko hadn't seen Haruto in a while either. The last time, through Mai, she had learned about his little accident and had even visited him in the hospital while he was still unconscious.
"Long time no see. It's been quite a while. How's your recovery?"
"I'm fine now. Has work been tough recently?"
"When it's holiday season, more people come by. The restaurant is still a bit short-handed. That girl, Ogiwara… isn't she here?"
"She went out with her friends."
The five of them chatted in the living room. Mai watched Yoko conversing with Haruto, and when the conversation ended, Yoko took out two bottles of red wine.
"This is red wine I bought on the way here. Normally, I don't have time to drink properly. Tonight, let's enjoy it."
Seeing the wine, Mai suddenly remembered what had happened at the hotel that day. She glanced at Yoko, then at Haruto, who was engrossed in talking with the girls and didn't notice her.
Mai's gaze lingered on Yoko's face, noting the faint, almost imperceptible smile. She intended to refuse, but then thought: it had been a long time since she had a drink, and today was New Year's Eve. No need to be too serious.
"Just a little."
"Hm?"
Hearing Mai's words, Yoko looked puzzled. But seeing the seriousness in her eyes, she couldn't help but smile softly.
"Fair enough, just a little tonight."
Dinner had already been prepared before the Saionji mother and daughter arrived. With everyone now present, they all took their seats and began eating.
"Cheers~"
The two underage girls and one boy drank juice, while Mai and Yoko had red wine.
During the toast, Yoko glanced at Haruto, but he didn't notice. After toasting, they began eating while talking about the past year and hopes for the next.
"Work hasn't been too busy, but I hope I can get a promotion next year."
Mai's work wasn't heavy. Compared to other staff, she was a minor leader in the office, not handling troublesome matters. Her relationship with colleagues was fine; she only hoped for a promotion to slightly increase her stable salary.
"I want a quiet life at work too. At the restaurant, I have to manage accounts and deal with difficult customers every day."
Hearing Mai, Yoko started talking about her own work. Even running a restaurant wasn't easy; there was always a lot to do. During holidays, teaching part-time students how to serve customers could be quite troublesome.
"But doesn't that pay much better than mine?"
"Well…"
Yoko sighed. She always kept an eye on the part-timers, fearing that if she wasn't around, something might happen that could seriously affect the restaurant's operations. She couldn't relax even for a moment.
Setsuna and Sekai didn't know much about work matters. Sekai only helped at the restaurant occasionally and hadn't touched the accounts. Even Yoko hadn't introduced her daughter to those responsibilities yet.
"Next year you'll move up to second grade, right? Time to fill out your application form?"
"Have you decided on your course direction, Setsuna?"
Sekai thought about herself. She'd be entering second grade next spring and would need to decide on her preferences. By third grade, classes would be divided based on these choices. She had considered this before but wasn't sure what to choose.
"Liberal arts."
"Same as Haruto, right?"
"Mm."
Having discussed this with Setsuna before, Sekai didn't find it surprising.
"Are you two aiming for the same college?"
"We haven't considered that yet. It depends on whether we get into our preferred college."
Haruto already had a clear target, but he wasn't sure about Setsuna's. Whether it would be the same college wasn't certain but aiming for the same one was possible.
"Then should I aim for liberal arts too?"
Sekai's expression grew thoughtful. Both of them were aiming for liberal arts. Wouldn't it feel odd if she didn't follow suit?
"No need. Choose the field you like. Otherwise, you might regret it in society later."
"You're right. I'll think carefully."
After this discussion, Sekai began seriously considering her future. Closing her eyes, she contemplated her path. Perhaps becoming a teacher?
"How about being a teacher? A high school teacher could be interesting."
Setsuna didn't comment, silently imagining her friend as a teacher. Haruto smiled faintly.
"Being a teacher isn't bad."
"…You two's reactions are kind of subtle, aren't they?"
Hearing Sekai's words, Yoko glanced at her daughter. Imagining her daughter becoming a teacher made her feel strangely uneasy.
"Why not consider another career? Being an ordinary office worker isn't bad either."
After dinner, everyone sat in the living room to relax. Haruto was sandwiched between the two girls, while Mai and Yoko sat around the neatly arranged dining table, sipping red wine as they watched the teenagers in front of the TV.
"Is it okay if I stay over tonight?"
"I don't mind. I don't plan to stay up late tonight, probably going to sleep early. How about you?"
"Sleep?"
"Don't let your imagination run wild."
"Don't you feel lonely?"
Mai looked at Yoko and couldn't help but smile slightly. She didn't really feel lonely herself, but Yoko might.
Under Mai's gaze, Yoko took her glass of red wine, drank it in one gulp, set it down, and looked at the two girls and the lone boy in the living room, feeling slightly disappointed.
She had thought her daughter might have a chance, but now it seemed Haruto was much closer to Setsuna, making her daughter feel somewhat insignificant.
At this time of year, the most famous program was probably the New Year's Eve "Red and White Song Festival."
Starting in 1951, it had been held 64 times; this year marked the 65th edition. Guest performers and singers were divided into two groups: red and white.
Viewers would vote for their favorite performances, and at the end, the total votes were tallied. The winning team would receive a victory flag, presented by the team captain or host. Popular singers and idols were always invited.
The show began at 19:15 and ended at 23:45, divided into two halves, with a five-minute news segment in between. After all performances, the host would lead the countdown, and everyone would celebrate the arrival of the new year at 0:00, concluding the program.
As they sat in front of the TV, the show had already started. Natsuko Godai performed "Hitori Sake," dressed in traditional attire, singing a classic song. It evoked nostalgia, reminding viewers of the passage of time and the value of youth.
"Haruto, do you like it?"
Setsuna asked suddenly. Haruto, watching the show, turned to glance at her.
"Rather than like, I feel the passage of time through her performance. It's kind of moving."
Setsuna didn't fully understand his abstract reply. She looked back at the TV and didn't feel much interest in the song's nostalgic vibe.
Songs from different eras had distinctive characteristics; even listening to the intro could reveal how different they were from modern music.
After Natsuko Godai's performance, the popular group "Sandaime J Soul Brothers," nicknamed the "Laborer Group," took the stage.
"The host, Yuriko Yoshitaka, seems cute, doesn't she?"
"Doesn't her accent sound strong? A bit of a tongue-twist?"
"It actually makes her even cuter. Guys probably like girls like this, right?"
Sekai looked at Haruto. Since he was the only boy present, his opinion mattered as a reference.
Giving a straightforward opinion about a stranger could be tricky, especially with two girls so close to him. Any comment might affect their feelings.
"She sounds a bit cute, but somewhat fake."
"Don't you like her?"
"If you ask whether I like her... my answer is average. She's cute, but not my type. Maybe okay at first sight, but long-term, it'd be difficult."
He returned his gaze to the TV, eyeing Yuriko Yoshitaka calmly.
"A girl like this in real life could actually be quite troublesome."
After briefly evaluating the female host, Haruto turned to the two girls beside him, asking their thoughts on the male idols. Setsuna bluntly said she didn't like idols, while Sekai pondered for a moment.
"In 'Arashi,' Matsumoto Jun and Sakurai Sho seem very elegant. Most girls would like them, I guess."
"You like those two?"
"Sakurai Sho graduated from Keio University, making him a popular 'Keio boy' among girls. Many like him, but I'm just somewhat fond. I don't follow idols obsessively."
Sekai didn't have any particular idol obsession. She just felt a distant admiration for the performers, which gave a special impression.
"They're all J-family idols. Most likely, before their groups disband, they wouldn't date girls."
Among talent agencies, J-family strictly manages its idols. Almost all programs require permission for their images to be used; appearing without consent could lead to lawsuits.
Faced with such an industry giant, no one dared to provoke J-family.
By around 9 PM, Mai started feeling sleepy and went to rest. Yoko smiled and accompanied her to the bath.
"Are you staying over tonight?"
When Sekai heard what her mother said, her face was full of disbelief.
"Going home is troublesome, so I'll stay here tonight. Do you have anything urgent to go back for?"
"N… no."
"Setsuna, is it alright for Sekai to stay with you tonight?"
"It's fine."
"Then, good night~"
Yoko Saionji smiled as she said goodbye to the two of them and went into the bathroom. The remaining three stayed in the living room, watching the program. Haruto felt a bit drowsy... spring fatigue, autumn sleepiness, summer hibernation, and winter slumber. In such cold weather, feeling warm and sleepy was perfectly normal.
He turned onto Setsuna's lap, though her legs were so slender that they didn't feel like her mother's sturdy legs.
Beside them, Sekai watched Haruto relax so easily, feeling a mix of emotions, she couldn't quite define... slight envy, and… something more she didn't admit.
About half an hour later, Mai and Yoko, wearing pajamas, came out of the bathroom.
~~~~~~~~~~
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