New Year's Eve is a time for family reunion.
At 8:00 PM, at the Hiratsuka house.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, sitting with the two house cats, looked at the girl sitting next to Ryosuke. She asked with a hint of resentment, "Hey, Shinka-chan, is it really okay for you to be at my house on a day like this?"
Meow~Meow~
The two female cats, who usually weren't on friendly terms with Hiratsuka Shizuka, seemed to stand on the same side now.
Nibutani Shinka turned her head, blinked her moist eyes, and smiled. "I ate my New Year's Eve dinner at home, and my mom and dad know I'm playing next door."
Hiratsuka Shizuka remained silent, merely folding her arms across her chest and starting to jiggle her round, long leg. In previous years, they celebrated in Chiba, and after dinner, it was just her and Ryosuke. Hiratsuka Shizuka had a small wish tonight: she wanted Ryosuke to call her Onee-chan a few times at home. That form of address was a little addictive, and she loved it. But with an outsider present, she certainly felt too embarrassed to ask.
Ryosuke noticed his sister's gaze and felt puzzled. What's with that look, like she's going through withdrawal? Didn't Shizuka-nee just have a drink?
The voice of the girl next to him pulled his thoughts back.
Nibutani Shinka frowned, counting on her fingers and murmuring to herself, "First shrine visit (Hatsumōde), putting up kadomatsu (gate pines), hanging shimenawa (sacred ropes), and so many things left to do." She then turned and looked at Ryosuke with her beautiful, clear eyes, carefully instructing him. "The most important thing is tonight. This is our first time crossing into the New Year together. We only have about four hours left, so hang in there! You absolutely can't fall asleep early. Keep your eyes wide open and witness the arrival of the New Year with me!"
Ryosuke waved his hand, replying helplessly, "Just try not to fall asleep before me. It's cold outside, and I'll have to take you home later."
Nibutani Shinka paused, then nodded with a broad smile. She then turned her head and, at an angle unseen by others, her eyes rolled mischievously twice.
Meanwhile, in Chiba Prefecture.
"I apologize, Miss Yukinoshita. My young master will not be returning from Tokyo this year."
"I see."
Yukino was expressionless, her voice devoid of emotional fluctuation. She clutched a 1,000 yen bill, glanced at the Hiratsuka main gate, and turned to leave. Didn't he say he would be back for the New Year?I was hoping to redeem my pouch. Looks like I'll have to wait until next time.
Just past midnight, the new year had begun.
Dong, dong, dong~
The New Year's bell rang simultaneously in reality and on TV.
Ryosuke sat on the sofa, glancing sideways at Shinka, who was sound asleep leaning on his shoulder. She said she wanted to cross into the New Year together, but she fell asleep.
New Year's greetings via text message were an annual tradition. Ryosuke had just taken out his phone and hadn't even begun editing his message when several new messages popped up in quick succession. They all arrived exactly at midnight.
"Ryosuke, Happy New Year! Umm... do the gloves still fit?"
"Idiot, you haven't fallen asleep, have you? We have to keep trying hard together this year too!"
"Hiratsuka-kun, Happy New Year."
Ryosuke replied to them one by one. He had few friends when he was in elementary school. Now, there were people other than family who would send him New Year's greetings. This feeling of being cared for didn't seem so bad.
Ryosuke put down his phone, planning to take Shinka home. He gently and carefully lifted Shinka in a "princess carry" position. The girl was very light; he hardly needed to use any strength. He adjusted his posture and turned his head to say softly, "Sister, I'm taking her back first."
Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded.
Just as Ryosuke reached the door, he heard the soft, boneless girl in his arms let out a cat-like, unconscious murmur.
"Ryosuke, Hatsumōde (First Shrine Visit) in the New Year, together."
A faint smile appeared on his face at her behavior. Shinka is really looking forward to it. She's talking in her sleep even though she's asleep. So, regardless of whether the girl in his arms could hear him, he quietly replied, "Mm, we'll go together."
For some reason, the door to the house next door was ajar, not fully closed. He gently kicked the door open and entered the Nibutani house. As he passed the living room, Mr. and Mrs. Nibutani seemed utterly absorbed in the TV program, completely oblivious to the movement behind them.
Ryosuke carried Shinka to her bedroom. The entire space was filled with that faint, distinct scent of the young girl. He slowly laid the girl on the bed, careful not to wake her.
When Ryosuke passed the living room again, he walked to the side of the sofa and whispered to Mrs. Nibutani, "Mrs. Nibutani, Shinka fell asleep, so I brought her home."
Mrs. Nibutani said with a beaming smile, "Ah, thank you, Ryosuke. I'll take care of the rest."
Ryosuke nodded and walked toward the door.
Mrs. Nibutani entered her daughter's bedroom to check on her. The moment she walked in, she was stunned. Her daughter was sitting up in bed, resting her face on her hand, showing no sign of being asleep. She was completely different from the groggy state she'd appeared to be in moments earlier.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Shinka turned her head and asked curiously, seeing her mother look dazed upon entering.
Mrs. Nibutani narrowed her eyes, as if she were seeing her daughter anew at that moment. She pointed toward the direction of the next-door house and asked with a hint of uncertainty, "Shinka, just now, you...?"
Shinka looked at her mother with incredibly innocent eyes and smiled, replying, "I just accidentally fell asleep, and Ryosuke brought me back~"
Mrs. Nibutani suddenly understood; it was all her daughter's scheme. She thought her silly girl only knew how to fantasize all day about being a magical elf or whatever. Turns out my silly daughter isn't silly at all.
Mrs. Nibutani raised an eyebrow, naturally exiting the room and closing the door.
Shinka took out her phone, humming an unfamiliar tune, and started recording a new memo.
"Ryosuke carried me home in a princess carry today, but I was faking sleep. He probably didn't notice, right? Today is still Shinka-sama's great victory! Hehe."
As soon as Ryosuke returned home and closed the door, he found Hiratsuka Shizuka looking awkward and hesitant, as if she had something she wanted to say but couldn't. This was overly unusual compared to her usual cheerful and generous self.
"Shizuka-nee, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Ryosuke asked with concern.
"Ah, I'm fine. You're back. Go rest early." Hiratsuka Shizuka felt too embarrassed to speak now, seeing the concerned look in Ryosuke's eyes. She kept thinking, Hiratsuka Shizuka, how can you be so degraded? Only a faint sense of loss welled up in her heart.
Ryosuke thought for a moment and tentatively asked, "Then I'm going to sleep? Good night, Onee-chan."
Hiratsuka Shizuka's sense of loss instantly vanished, and her mood became joyous and cheerful.
Ah~
That's the feeling! Perfect!
She yelled out with renewed energy, like a fully charged phone, "Go on! Good night!"
Seeing his sister restored to her usual vitality, Ryosuke felt relieved. He turned around, smiled slightly, and bowed to Hiratsuka Shizuka. "Please take good care of me in the new year too, Onee-chan."
Hiratsuka Shizuka got up, a gentle smile on her face, and went forward to stroke Ryosuke's head. She thought to herself, Not just this year. All these years, I've been the one taken care of by you, my foolish little brother.