I received such a consultation from Satou-san, and on the way back from the cafe. The two of us, while chatting away, headed towards the dormitory.
"This morning it piled up quite a bit but it seems from tomorrow onwards, it will be snowing even more".
Receiving such words from Satou-san, I looked around at the scenery surrounding me. Even though it had started to melt slightly, there were still snow remnants scattered about. If this continues, it might even be snowing all year round.
Ahh---so it's snow. Speaking of which, it was about two years back. I pretended that some muddy snow was chocolate kakigori and stuffed it into my mouth. Nostalgically remembering those old memories, I recalled that. For some reason, I felt that was something from a long time ago.
"I wonder what was so enjoyable about doing something like that".
"Ehh?".
"Sorry, sorry. I was just talking to myself. Sorry about that".
Perhaps it's because the events of yesterday happened, but I always end up remembering that. And as I did, Satou-san's expression changed into a slightly hard one. I had thought it was because I had been talking to myself, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"The thing is, I wasn't able to say it earlier but there's one more thing I want to ask you".
"You've already started? So, don't hesitate to consult me".
I struck my chest with a 'don' and answered her like that.
"Thank you, Karuizawa-san. Umm, well, I'm happy I got to go on a date but........".
Perhaps she's harboring some anxieties towards her important date, but Satou-san continued.
"Truth is, this is the first date I've ever gone on in my life....so, I don't know what I should do"
"You've never gone out with another boy before?".
Satou-san who looked embarrassed. Well, from the flow of our conversation, I did have a feeling that was the case but........
I thought a modern, trendy girl like Satou-san would have done it earlier so that was surprising.
"I'm only telling this because it's you, Karuizawa-san, ok? Soon I'll be a 2nd year high schooler and if I still haven't gone on a date, if I told anyone else I'd definitely be made fun of. That I'm too slow. As expected, Karuizawa-san thinks so too?".
"I-I guess so. You're a bit too slow. But doesn't it only mean that you haven't found someone you really liked? It can also mean that you're treasuring yourself".
"It makes me happy you'd say that". While deceiving her like that, I followed up. Not to Satou-san but to myself.
"And you see? I think I'd be too nervous and won't be able to properly hold things. That's why including Karuizawa-san and Hirata-kun.......I was thinkig if we could have a double date. To make sure things go well with me and Ayanokouji-kun, I want you to assist me!".
She requested me like that. Not able to comprehend the contents of the proposal, for a moment, I was thrown into confusion.
"D-Double date? A-Assist?"
"I should have really said this sooner, right? It's after I had various reservations about it".
Satou-san who apologizes with a sorry expression. Reservations like that end after a few minutes anyways so it's not a big problem. The important thing is, to me, in other words, an existence without romantic experience, she's requesting the role of Cupid in love. I wonder if something as absurd as this could even be.
"Is it.....impossible?".
"That's---".
Undoubtedly, I should decline. With the shallow knowledge I possess, mistakes will definitely be exposed. Ahh but, since this is also her first date for Satou-san maybe I can deceive her? Should I go formal here and pleasantly acquiesce?
"As I thought, I think I'd like to spend Christmas alone together with Hirata-kun".
"Ehh?".
As I fretted over what to do, Satou-san again made an anxious face. I see. If it's ordinary lovers, a lot of them would be likely to spend tomorrow and the day after tomorrow together. If it were the usual me, I would have been able to discern that fact properly but my head was full of thoughts about the closing ceremony.
"Like Karuizawa-san and Hirata-kun, I also want to become an ideal couple".
Looking at it from the perspective of Satou-san who thinks I'm smoothly sailing through school life, this sort of request is neither strange nor distorted. But my heart was bothered. It doesn't have anything to do with Kiyotaka. It's not like I ever liked Yousuke-kun. And it's not like we were truly going out. A false couple.
But, as long as we continue to be a false couple. Neither me nor Yousuke-kun will be able to find true love.
Prologue
My First Winter.
Outside, even as morning came, snow continued to fall. The 25th. The world was right in the midst of Christmas. Around the world, all over, will be overflowing with people spending time with precious family members or lovers. Even in this school, even though it's only a few, there are lovers like that too.
As the promised time drew closer, I get my body ready.
"........it's already been more than 8 months huh?".
The passage of time ever since I enrolled in this school, is really fast. I wonder if it means that I enjoyed this school just that much. As I opened up the window that leads to the veranda slightly, a cold wind blew in. At the same time as that, the laughing voices of girls also came into my room. It seems from now, they will be heading over to Keyaki Mall to play.
"I should head out soon too".
As I noticed it was already past 11:30, I shut the window. Today is the day of my promised date with Satou Maya.
In this one day, whether something will change or not........is something I don't know. But at the very least, I believe this one day will be a significant one for me. If not, I wouldn't even think of going on a date. To fall in love with someone. To think of someone as precious to you. Just by spending time with each other, to share happiness with one another. They become an irreplaceable existence to you. Those sorts of feelings and events, I wonder if I will be able to experience them too.
This small story of the winter vacation, the curtains open on the night of the 23rd before Christmas Eve.
I received such a consultation from Satou-san, and on the way back from the cafe. The two of us, while chatting away, headed towards the dormitory.
"This morning it piled up quite a bit but it seems from tomorrow onwards, it will be snowing even more".
Receiving such words from Satou-san, I looked around at the scenery surrounding me. Even though it had started to melt slightly, there were still snow remnants scattered about. If this continues, it might even be snowing all year round.
Ahh---so it's snow. Speaking of which, it was about two years back. I pretended that some muddy snow was chocolate kakigori and stuffed it into my mouth. Nostalgically remembering those old memories, I recalled that. For some reason, I felt that was something from a long time ago.
"I wonder what was so enjoyable about doing something like that".
"Ehh?".
"Sorry, sorry. I was just talking to myself. Sorry about that".
Perhaps it's because the events of yesterday happened, but I always end up remembering that. And as I did, Satou-san's expression changed into a slightly hard one. I had thought it was because I had been talking to myself, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"The thing is, I wasn't able to say it earlier but there's one more thing I want to ask you".
"You've already started? So, don't hesitate to consult me".
I struck my chest with a 'don' and answered her like that.
"Thank you, Karuizawa-san. Umm, well, I'm happy I got to go on a date but........".
Perhaps she's harboring some anxieties towards her important date, but Satou-san continued.
"Truth is, this is the first date I've ever gone on in my life....so, I don't know what I should do"
"You've never gone out with another boy before?".
Satou-san who looked embarrassed. Well, from the flow of our conversation, I did have a feeling that was the case but........
I thought a modern, trendy girl like Satou-san would have done it earlier so that was surprising.
"I'm only telling this because it's you, Karuizawa-san, ok? Soon I'll be a 2nd year high schooler and if I still haven't gone on a date, if I told anyone else I'd definitely be made fun of. That I'm too slow. As expected, Karuizawa-san thinks so too?".
"I-I guess so. You're a bit too slow. But doesn't it only mean that you haven't found someone you really liked? It can also mean that you're treasuring yourself".
"It makes me happy you'd say that". While deceiving her like that, I followed up. Not to Satou-san but to myself.
"And you see? I think I'd be too nervous and won't be able to properly hold things. That's why including Karuizawa-san and Hirata-kun.......I was thinkig if we could have a double date. To make sure things go well with me and Ayanokouji-kun, I want you to assist me!".
She requested me like that. Not able to comprehend the contents of the proposal, for a moment, I was thrown into confusion.
"D-Double date? A-Assist?"
"I should have really said this sooner, right? It's after I had various reservations about it".
Satou-san who apologizes with a sorry expression. Reservations like that end after a few minutes anyways so it's not a big problem. The important thing is, to me, in other words, an existence without romantic experience, she's requesting the role of Cupid in love. I wonder if something as absurd as this could even be.
"Is it.....impossible?".
"That's---".
Undoubtedly, I should decline. With the shallow knowledge I possess, mistakes will definitely be exposed. Ahh but, since this is also her first date for Satou-san maybe I can deceive her? Should I go formal here and pleasantly acquiesce?
"As I thought, I think I'd like to spend Christmas alone together with Hirata-kun".
"Ehh?".
As I fretted over what to do, Satou-san again made an anxious face. I see. If it's ordinary lovers, a lot of them would be likely to spend tomorrow and the day after tomorrow together. If it were the usual me, I would have been able to discern that fact properly but my head was full of thoughts about the closing ceremony.
"Like Karuizawa-san and Hirata-kun, I also want to become an ideal couple".
Looking at it from the perspective of Satou-san who thinks I'm smoothly sailing through school life, this sort of request is neither strange nor distorted. But my heart was bothered. It doesn't have anything to do with Kiyotaka. It's not like I ever liked Yousuke-kun. And it's not like we were truly going out. A false couple.
But, as long as we continue to be a false couple. Neither me nor Yousuke-kun will be able to find true love.
Prologue
My First Winter.
Outside, even as morning came, snow continued to fall. The 25th. The world was right in the midst of Christmas. Around the world, all over, will be overflowing with people spending time with precious family members or lovers. Even in this school, even though it's only a few, there are lovers like that too.
As the promised time drew closer, I get my body ready.
"........it's already been more than 8 months huh?".
The passage of time ever since I enrolled in this school, is really fast. I wonder if it means that I enjoyed this school just that much. As I opened up the window that leads to the veranda slightly, a cold wind blew in. At the same time as that, the laughing voices of girls also came into my room. It seems from now, they will be heading over to Keyaki Mall to play.
"I should head out soon too".
As I noticed it was already past 11:30, I shut the window. Today is the day of my promised date with Satou Maya.
In this one day, whether something will change or not........is something I don't know. But at the very least, I believe this one day will be a significant one for me. If not, I wouldn't even think of going on a date. To fall in love with someone. To think of someone as precious to you. Just by spending time with each other, to share happiness with one another. They become an irreplaceable existence to you. Those sorts of feelings and events, I wonder if I will be able to experience them too.
This small story of the winter vacation, the curtains open on the night of the 23rd before Christmas Eve.
