Chapter 46

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

Still continuing the date.

Title: Maybe you’re just being nice, Satou-san

After purchasing the black fabric for the skirt, we also stopped at a nearby grocery store. We looked for a pair of white full-body tights at the store, which carries party supplies. Unfortunately, they were normal.

“It’s a lot of money for tights.”(Y)

“Really?”(S)

Satou-san joined in and looked into my hand.

A pair of full-body tights labeled ‘men’s size, up to 180 centimeters tall’. The price is 3,500 yen.

“Wow, it’s surprisingly expensive.”(S)

It’s an awful lot of money. I can’t believe I have to buy all this stuff for a one-time play. Once the festival is over, I won’t be wearing it again – or rather, I don’t want to wear it again. I want to wear it once and for all. The only saving grace is that the fabric is surprisingly thick, and it seems to be harder to show the lines of your body than you thought. Since it’s called full-body tights, I was wondering what I would do if the material was really like tights. I think my honor will be somewhat protected.

“Well, I’ll go get some.”(Y)

“Yeah. Please do.”(S)

The friendly Satou-san waved me over and I roused myself and headed for the bill. As I stood in front of the cash register, my resolve to spend 3,500 yen was finally decided. The clerk was unsympathetic and shoved my full body tights into a plastic bag. She didn’t smirk at me, though it would have been easier if she had laughed at me. I couldn’t bring myself to walk around with the bag I received and immediately put it away in my bag. It would be nice if I didn’t have to take it out like this, but that’s not going to happen.

After I finished paying the bill, I went back to Satou-san. She was still looking at the party goods section. I don’t know if she comes to these stores very often, but her eyes were shining like a child’s as she gazed at the items. Her profile was unexpectedly serious and I wondered what she was looking at.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,”(Y)

I call out to her, and she turns around happily.

“….Oh, welcome back.”(S)

She smiled and held out an item she had been looking at before I asked.

“Hey, look, look! A Santa Claus costume!”(S)

She’s holding a red costume with white trim. It’s packed with pictures of a foreign model wearing it with a smile on his face.

“Oh, come to think of it, it’s that time of year.”(Y)

I was so busy preparing for the school festival that I tended to forget about it, but then I realized that it’s already next month. I couldn’t help but laugh and then half-jokingly asked,

“Are you going to wear it, Satou-san?”(Y)

“I’d love to wear it, but I don’t look good in a beard, so…”(S)

It was returned with surprising seriousness.

“And I’d rather be on the receiving end of presents. I’m at the age where Santa doesn’t even come to me anymore.”(S)

She smiles at me with a hefty smile, and I think about it for a moment. Christmas, I wondered. I wonder what she would like for a present. No, there’s something else I need to find out first.

“Do you have a plan for how you’re going to spend Christmas, Satou-san?”(Y)

I thought I was trying to be calm, but it turned into a spirited question. She stared at me in surprise and then shook her head.

“No, I think I’m going to spend the rest of the year at home. How is Yamaguchi-kun?”(S)

For me, it’s up to them. I answer only in my chest, but ask more questions.

“Do you have plans with your friends or something?”(Y)

“I don’t. They’re all exams. It’s hard to ask them out.”(S)

Only when she said that did she look sad. Apparently, it’s not all good to have a career path already decided. It’s convenient for me, though.

“I’m free.”(Y)

When I told her immediately, she was surprised again.

“But, Yamaguchi-kun, how are you studying for your exams? Isn’t it time to push the envelope?”(S)

I laughed as he asked back fearfully. I tried to laugh as nonchalantly as possible, I thought. Only Satou-san knows what I actually look like.

“I don’t mind slacking off for a day or so, I just need a break.”(Y)

I’d rather be desperate on other days, which is good. That’s how important my Christmas plans are. I can’t let this opportunity pass me by, since Satou-san was the one who cut me off. I shake my voice out of my throat, aware of the tightness in my mouth.

“So, if you want, let’s go out for a cake or something,”(Y)

It seems I’m not much different from Satou-san when it comes to using food as an excuse. But I didn’t want to let things like studying for exams or differences in career paths be an obstacle. I want to be next to her from now on. I wanted to be with her every time we could be together. Without realizing how desperate I was, Satuo-san smiled at me.

“Yeah! Thanks for inviting me out, Yamaguchi-kun.”(S)

Good, good. I shouted in my mind. Of course, on the surface, I calmly and calmly thanked her.

“Thank you too. I’ll let you know when we are closer to christmas.”(Y)

“Do you trust your schedule?”(S)

“Of course.”(Y)

“Well, I’ll take care of it. I’ll wait for you.”(S)

Satou-san responded with a smile that I didn’t expect. She seemed to be pleased with me. When I was relieved at the good feeling, she said,

“To tell you the truth, I’ve been wanting to see you for Christmas, too, Yamaguchi-kun.”(S)

“Eh….”(Y)

The combination of trying to speak up and gasping for air didn’t speak well.

What’s that line that makes you want to read deeper into it? What does it mean? Can we interpret it in a good way? I’d like to think about it. I’d love to.

Putting aside my rapt attention, she continued her story.

“You’ve been doing a lot of work for me, Yamaguchi-kun. I wanted to thank you properly.”(S)

“Thank you…?”(Y)

“Yeah. Oh, it’s a secret for now.”(S)

Happily, Satou-san held up her index finger in front of her lips. Then I looked at the Santa costume still in her hand and laughed a bit.

“Maybe I should buy this costume.”(S)

“…Seriously?”(Y)

I like you, Satou-san, but it would be very embarrassing if you came to me dressed as Santa Claus for Christmas. It might be cute, but I think you want to wear a beard, Satou-san. I can’t do it. Seeing the expression on my face, Satou-san put the pack back on the shelf.

“A year goes by in a flash, doesn’t it?”(S)

She said those words with a sincere smile.

“It’s already Christmas after the cultural festival, and we’ll graduate soon after the new year. It’s too early.”(S)

“Yes.”(Y)

I totally agreed. The next thing I knew, there was no more time left until graduation. Christmas was probably the last chance we would have to spend together before graduation. The school festival that comes before it is depressing, but – in truth, I was hoping that I would be able to confirm Satou-san’s feelings again there. It’s already been five months since I confessed my feelings to her, and next month it will be six months. We’ve been spending more time together, and I think we’ve gotten closer than ever before. But it’s time for me to get a definitive answer. I was hoping to ask that question at the school festival, but as expected, it’s hard to look good after dressing up as a mouse. But now that I’ve got a promise for Christmas, I’m going to bet on this one.

We took a moment to chill our party goods before leaving the shop. We walked through the chilly windy shopping street to our final destination, a nice crepe shop.

“It’s just around the corner.”(S)

Satou-san, walking next to me, said in an encouraging tone. She seemed to notice that I had shrunk back from the cold.

“Let’s have something warm to drink when we get there,”(S)

“I like that.”(Y)

I reply shortly. Just opening my mouth brings a cold breeze and I can’t wait to talk. I don’t like the cold weather.

“But I’m relieved. Yamaguchi-kun, you’re looking good.”(S)

Satou-san doesn’t seem to be too lazy to talk. She looks at me with a smirk on her face. Her cheeks and ears have turned bright red, but her expression is very soft.

“I’ve been wondering why you’ve been so down lately.”(S)

“Yeah, yeah well, you know.”(Y)

“It was like I met you at the train station today and you looked like you were trying to kill yourself.”(S)

I cringed at the insinuation. It wasn’t that – I wasn’t depressed when I met her at the station. I was just surprised to be reminded of something quite obvious. You are on a different path than me. I had known that for a long time, but now that it was confirmed, I knew I had to accept it. I hope that I can be next to her for the rest of my life. I wanted to think that now, and Christmas, was the time for that. It’s never for nothing. We’re seeing each other because we have an excuse, and it’s not just that.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”(S)

I wanted to think that the reason she seemed to care about me made sense, too.

As for Satou-san, she’s a sweetheart, so maybe she’s just being nice. But I hope not. I’ve always hoped she was not.

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