Friendship Woes
Ah, that bell just rang again.
It felt like it rang just a teensy bit louder than it did last time. And it was definitely louder than it was when I heard it the first time. With how loud it is now, we must be getting pretty close to where it’s coming from.
“That bell’s from the nearby Buddhist temple.”
So explains Yuna as she walks beside the person beside me. Oh, so that’s where that ringing’s been coming from~
“It was originally a combined Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine, but the two separated back during the Meiji Period. Well, they’re still located right next to each other, though.”
“Mm. We learned that during elementary school.”
Oh yeah, we learned about that kind of stuff, didn’t we? What was the class again... Local History? Back during elementary school, right? I remember learning about my hometown’s history, too~ Although I’ve forgotten a lot of it. Yuna and Hina-chan are neighbors, so of course they would’ve learned the same things from going to the same school. My school must’ve covered different material.
“The shinbutsu bunri.”
“That’s right. I’m impressed that you could remember.”
“Mm.”
I’m sure Hina-chan’s walking between me and Yuna right now with a big smile on her face. I can tell without even looking at her. But even though I know Hina-chan well enough to even be able to pick up on the differences between her “Mm”s, Yuna’s relationship with her is on a whole other level. These two are like really close sisters. Well, they are childhood friends, so they’ve probably always been like this, but I’m still surprised that they haven’t completely changed the way they act at all.
I mean, they aren’t just childhood friends anymore, right? It’s like, they started going out, right? How do I say it... you’d think that they’d be all lovey-dovey and flirty, or that they’d be drowning in awkwardness because they’re too embarrassed to be around each other, or something like that, right? I used to think the same thing, too. But, well, maybe they’ve just been around each other for too long to be changing up their behavior now.
Back when they started dating, Yuna was a bit concerned on how to handle their relationship, at least from what I could tell. She spent so much time thinking about how to respond to Hina-chan’s confession, after all. But, with how laid-back Hina-chan was about their relationship—or, well, with how much Hina-chan’s behavior didn’t change—I think Yuna had that attitude rub off on her. That’s not to say she doesn’t worry at all: after all, she was pretty worried during the five days they spent apart during the school trip. Every time we’d have something to eat, Yuna would worry about whether Hina-chan was eating properly. But, wait, is that what you should be worrying about?! What are you, her mom?!
“Fuaaahhh~”
I accidentally let a big, stupid-sounding yawn slip out of my mouth. Maybe it’s my body’s way of punishing me for that mental quip I just made.
“Ano, are you okay? Aren’t you tired?”
“Oh, no, I’m fine~”
“Didn’t you just come back?”
She’s right. I just came back from Tokyo six hours ago. That’s because this year, just like every other year, I spent most of these four days at my aunt’s place in Tokyo. Why? To go to Comiket, of course! Today, on day three of four, I got out of Ariake some time past noon, packed my bags at my aunt’s house, and came back here. Then, after popping in at my house for a bit, I headed to Yuna’s house, had some New Year’s Eve toshikoshi soba noodles there, and then headed out with these two to welcome in the new year at the temple.
“I’m fine, I’m fine~ Besides, it was like this last year, too~”
That’s right. I was also at my aunt’s place last New Year’s Eve, but back then, I only managed to get back home late at night. Yuna didn’t know that Comiket ran until New Year’s Eve, so she ended up inviting me on a temple visit that year, too. Fufu, Comiket’s more hardcore than that, don’t you know~? After Yuna learned that I just came back home, she told me not to push myself, but I pushed myself anyway~ After all, who would want to miss out on a friendship event like that!?
But, even though I did accept her invitation, part of me might have regretted going along. Since, y’know...
“Hina, aren’t you cold?”
“Mm. I’m okay.”
Hina-chan’s dressed in her usual tracksuit jacket, windbreaker, and shorts. When I see her bare legs escape from the comfort of her warm windbreaker into the cold winter air, it makes me feel chilly just looking at them. And when I remember that Yuna and I both wore an extra coat and two layers of stockings, I feel even chillier. Apparently, it snowed the day before yesterday, so I can hear the frozen snow crunch beneath my feet with every step I take. Sheesh, it’s really cold. Even Hina-chan’s trying to warm her hands up by breathing on them and rubbing them together. Geez, she didn’t bring gloves, either?
“Hina-chan, are you really okay? Do you want to use my mittens?”
“Mm...”
I take my mittens off, wanting to almost force them on her. Yikes, it’s freezing. I can feel my fingertips chill to the bone the second I take them off.
Hina-chan stares at my hand that’s holding the mittens, and after some time...
“Mm.”
“Hwaaah!?”
Hina-chan lunges toward me. Not to grab my mittens, but my hand.
“Wow, Ano-chan’s hand is warm.”
“W-w-wait a minute! Hina-chan!?”
Hina-chan, still holding my hand, tucks both of our hands into the pocket of her windbreaker.
“This way’s warmer.”
She says that with a smile on her face. I mean, it’s a very nice, bright smile, but... b-but...
“Oh, really?”
“Mm. It’s like a hand warmer.”
“Let me try.”
“H-hey Yuna, you too!?”
Yuna sneaks behind me and passes over to my opposite side. Then, she takes away my mitten, grabs my hand, and...!
“Oh wow, it really is!”
...puts it in her coat pocket, too.
“Wh-wh-wha..!”
Of course my hands are warm! I’m getting all hot and bothered here! I’m blushing up a storm!
“C’mon, cut it out~!”
The two surround me and drag me along, laughing all the way. I tell them to cut it out, but I’m laughing too. What’s with this group of high school girls, walking together late at night on New Year’s Eve, appearing on the road to the shrine? We slowly walk together, giggling and making all sorts of noise. C’mon, what’s with these two~ They’re all huddled close to me, acting the same way as they were not so long ago—or wait, maybe acting even friendlier than that? I mean, I’m happy that they’re acting like this, even with how embarrassed I am... But, it’s because I’m happy about it... that I’m so worried. Because I’m so relieved that they’re acting like this. Because, y’know. Y’know...
“Ah.”
These two really won’t let me go. They’re still holding my hands inside my coat pockets. I’m starting to reach my limit here, can you please let go of me...?
“Yuna-nee, over there.”
“Hm?”
Hina-chan points into the distance with her free hand. Yuna and I shift our gazes to where she’s pointing.
“Oh, is that Futano-san?”
As expected, out of everyone in the crowd, Sasa-chan stands out the most. Her slightly tall stature makes her stand out already, but the white lace headdress she’s wearing contrasts against her black hair, making her stand out even more. But if Sasa-chan’s here, that means... Ah, there’s the rest of the broadcasting club trio.
The path to the shrine is lined with food stalls as part of the New Year’s festivities, and the three of them are a short distance ahead of us on that path, by its edge. Those three are slowly walking through the crowd, just like the three of us.
“N-Nenaaa!”
I call out to her with all my might. If we’re this close to her, I’m sure she’ll be able to hear my cry for help. Sure, it’s embarrassing to shout this loudly around all these people, but it’s nothing compared to how embarrassed I am right now! These two really won’t let go of me!
“Oh, is that Toomi-chan and the others?”
“...Hey.”
Unsurprisingly, the last one of the three doesn’t give a response. She’s probably fast asleep from the cold. Umi-chan and Sasa-chan drag her through the crowd over to us.
“You’re here with your friends too, Ichiki-san?”
“Mhm!”
Despite the freezing weather, Umi-chan looks like she’s still full of energy. That’s not to say she isn’t completely bundled up in winter wear too, but still. Sasa-chan, on the other hand, seems to be in a bit of a sour mood. The cold’s probably getting to her. Nena looks like she’s already started hibernating.
“But this shrine’s on the Yatsugishi side. Don’t you three take the train from Shinmachi? ”
That’s what I was thinking. I’m from the Shinmachi side too, after all. Our school’s surrounded by two train stations, Yatsugishi Station and Shinmachi Station, and they’re located on opposite sides of the school. This is the first time I’ve come to this shrine for New Year’s, and given its location, I don’t think I’d ever have come here if Yuna didn’t invite me. What made them decide to come all the way over here?
“Yeah, we do. But this shrine’s pretty big and close to the school, right? Plus, there’s a temple right next door! It’s gotta be a popular spot for Shirojo students, right?!”
“I see... Well, I’m sure a lot of people from school come here, but...”
Still, that’s not really a solid reason for people from the Shinmachi side to be coming here. That side’s not lacking in shrines and temples either, after all.
“Right?! So this year...? Next year? Oh, it doesn’t matter. Anyways, this New Year’s, we’re going on a trip to visit a bunch of shrines and temples all across both Shinmachi and Yatsugishi!”
Ah, so that’s what they’re up to. Well, there probably are some people out there who visit a lot of different shrines during New Year’s... But still, Umi-chan’s really a force to be reckoned with.
“Haaah...”
Sasa follows up with a straightforward sigh. Umi-chan must’ve dragged her along. Umi-chan probably did the same thing to Nena, too.
“We’ll be doing a bunch of research, so make sure to look forward to our next episode of Kyusei Radio!”
“Oh, so you’re gathering new material for your show.”
Aah, so that’s what they’re up to. Even Yuna’s been interested in their broadcasts these days. She’s said she’s almost never listened to their lunchtime program until this fall, but recently, on the days when the three have their show, Yuna’s been choosing to eat lunch with me in the classroom.
“C’mon, Nena, give me a break... Hurry up and get up already. Walk on your own for once.”
Sasa-chan complains like that, but she’s still going along with Umi and her plans. It seems like the two—or, well, mostly Sasa?—have been dragging Nena along the whole way. And even though Nena keeps grumbling about being tired, she still couldn’t turn Umi down either~ But, with Nena’s weight, the two are probably having a rough time moving around...
“Sasa-chan, want me to carry Nena for you~?”
“Huh? Um, n-, wait, uh...”
“Oh no, we couldn’t make you do that!”
While Sasa-chan was lost in thought about how to answer, Umi-chan butted in with her response. And here I was, admiring how close I thought the three were with each other...
“........”
“Hoeh?”
The seemingly-slumbering Nena then woke up, lifting her head off of Sasa-chan’s shoulder... only to start leaning on me, instead.
“Ne-Nena!?”
Uwawawah... That’s a little too direct there, Nena, don’t you think? Her surprise attack catches me off guard, and my face starts to glow bright red.
“N-Nena, wait! Can’t you see that Ano-chan’s totally panicking right now?!”
“......It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”
Nena, still leaning on me, wags her arm to wave off their concerns. I want to comment that she shouldn’t be one saying that, but the words just won’t come out.
“Ah, well... Ano, could we leave her to you for a bit?”
“S-sure, no problem~”
But whoa, it’s pretty hard to walk when someone’s leaning on you. Even with someone as light as Nena, it’s still a lot of extra weight.
“Sorry about that~ Oh, but Toomi-chan, you and the others are going to go pray at the shrine, right? Let’s all head there together!”
“Sure, that’s fine by me.”
“Thanks! Oh, also, could you teach us stuff about this shrine, too?!”
Ah, but well... this is fine, too. Bringing Umi-chan and the others along has really livened things up, so I’ve been able to let my guard down a bit more. Plus my hands have finally been freed from the Yuna-Hina sandwich. Well, now I have to deal with Nena seizing control of half my body, but still. Oh, but, I mean, it’s not like I didn’t like being alone with just Yuna and Hina or anything. I really mean it. But, it’s just... Y’know.
※ ※ ※
“Oh, yeah, it’d be pretty easy to tell that this is the right spot.”
“Right? Just as you’d expect from Yuna.”
“Oh, so this spot was Yuna’s idea?”
From where we are, you can get a good view of both the shrine’s oratory and the path to it. You’re meant to stop by this place after you pray at the shrine—basically, it’s a rest stop on the way back—but Nena and I skipped ahead and headed here early. We were lucky enough to find an empty bench, so we’ve been sitting down, spending our time watching the hustle and bustle of the crowd. Or, well, in other words, we just got lost after getting separated from the others.
“Mhm. Yuna told us to meet up here in case any of us got lost.”
Yuna’s really diligent about this kind of stuff, isn’t she? We were heading to a large shrine at New Year’s, after all. Of course there’d be a huge crowd. And because of that, as a precaution, Yuna told me where to go in case I got separated from the group, with an easy-to-understand map included. Yuna-mama’s the best.
“Well, this sort of thing is part of the basics of planning any group activity. Not that we’ve ever done anything like that...”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I mean, I’m not sure Umi even understands the concept of getting separated from us in the first place.”
“Ahaha, yeah, I get that.”
I’m passing the time by chatting with the now-fully-awake Nena while warming my hands up with the drink I bought from the nearby stall.
“Actually, we only did this once, but back in middle school, Sasa and I pulled a prank together on Umi. We made her think she got lost on her own.”
“Whoa, that’s horrible.”
“Yeah, that really was a horrible thing to do to her. I’d never think of pulling anything like that ever again.”
I wonder if Umi-chan cried when they did that to her. From how Nena put it, I can imagine even something like that happening.
“Well, everyone else should be arriving here soon.”
We already got in touch with everyone else earlier to let them know what happened.
After merging groups with Nena’s, we were all together for a while, but after getting pulled around by the vendors and all the other stuff, before we knew it, our whole group had already split apart. I was too busy talking to Nena, who was stuck on my back, so by the time I looked back at the group, I’d ended up losing sight of not just Yuna and Hina-chan, but Umi-chan and Sasa-chan too. That obviously caught me by surprise, and I might’ve been feeling a little bit helpless there, but thanks to Nena, I was able to somehow stop myself from panicking. She just kept telling me that it’d be alright, that I didn’t have to worry—things like that. Well, I’m a little too old to be panicking just from getting lost, but, it’s lonely when it happens, y’know?
For starters, we moved to the spot that Yuna told us about and contacted everyone else via cell. Yuna was with Hina-chan, as expected. Umi-chan was also with Sasa-chan, and while we were on the phone with Sasa-chan, we kept hearing Umi-chan being all worried about Nena in the background.
“I asked them to meet up here in thirty minutes, but is that ok?”
“Yeah, that’s fine~”
Since Nena told Sasa-chan to meet up at that time during her call earlier, I told Yuna to meet up then. Nena ended her call by telling Sasa not to bother with going to our meeting spot right away since we wouldn’t be there, but... we ended up coming here early anyway, since walking around is kind of a pain.
“I knew Umi and Sasa wouldn’t have split up in the first place. You aren’t worried either, right, Ano? Since Yuna and Hina-chan are together.”
“Well, yeah, that’s true~”
Should I really be feeling a little relieved because of that? Well, if it was a visit with just the three of us, I’d probably be feeling lonely after being split up from the group like this. But with Nena here, I’m not feeling that way.
“Hey Ano, is your outfit from that one thing? Rune-master of the World Tree?”
“Hm? Oh, yeah, it is. So you’ve noticed, have you~”
“Yeah, I did. The hat tipped me off.”
“I came across it by chance, so I had to rush to get a matching coat, too, y’know? Well, the sleeve pattern and the color’s kinda off, since I couldn’t find a perfect match~”
“I like it, though. It’s like a new alt color outfit.”
We pass the time by having these kinds of conversations. Nena and I have a lot of common interests, so it’s easy to talk to her about things like this.
Well, that’s what I was thinking, when...
“So, are you still worried about Yuna?”
“Fueh?!”
Nena suddenly barges in with that topic mid-conversation.
“Is it bothering you that you came along on a visit with those two?”
“Uh, that’s, umm, n-not really what’s...”
How’d it come to this? We were talking about video games just a second ago.
“going on, so...”
Nena stares at me with those eyes of hers, resting her arms on the table in front of us. They’re still the same sleepy eyes as usual, and her gaze is the opposite of sharp, but still...
“...Aaah, how’d she manage to figure it out...?”
“Well, I just picked up on it, I guess. I had a lot of chances to observe you after all. On the school trip, for example.”
“The school trip, huh...”
Nena mentioned the school trip, but we really only spent time together on the third day, right? She really is surprisingly sharp about these kinds of things.
“Well, it’s just... I was thinking that, maybe, I might’ve been getting in their way, y’know?”
I mean, it’s like... I like being with Yuna. And I like being with Hina-chan. To the point where I was giddy with excitement earlier today just thinking about going on this shrine visit with them. And I was really happy back when they invited me, too.
But, I can’t help but be worried. I know Yuna and Hina-chan are dating. And I know how much they love each other. I know how long Yuna spent agonizing about how to respond to Hina-chan, too. And because I know that, it makes me really happy to see that their new relationship hasn’t changed how close they are to each other—rather, it’s only drawn them even closer together. Since it’s Yuna and Hina-chan we’re talking about, I’m sure they’d be able to make time for themselves without me fussing over everything, but still... it really makes me worry about whether I’m allowed to intrude on these kinds of special events.
It makes me think back to the end of last November, at the school marathon.
Hina-chan had just come back to the school grounds, racing neck and neck with another girl for first place. That girl was another girl on the track team... Kita-... something-san, I think. That’s what Yuna told me, anyway. Both of them had already run almost ten kilometers, but they were still at a full sprint all the way to the finish line. The school marathon isn’t a popular event, and most of us second years were all a bit gloomy—or rather just fed up—about having to run next, but even we were at the edge of our seats, looking to see who’d come ahead out of that dead heat. Before I realized it, I was loudly cheering Hina-chan on, too.
At the very, very end, when Hina-chan took the lead for first place and crossed the finish line—in utter contrast to me, who had let out a scream of joy after Hina won the race—Yuna let out a deep breath, releasing all the tension she had pent up during the race... and dashed toward Hina-chan’s side. She had been the same Yuna as usual, even up to the point where she let me know she’d be back in a bit, but... what was it that she was feeling then? Happiness? Relief? Pride? Her gaze at Hina-chan was filled with all of those different emotions. And then she ran off to meet Hina-chan. I’d never seen that kind of expression on Yuna’s face before. And I’d never seen that look of joy on Hina-chan’s face as she spotted Yuna running out to meet her, either.
...When you see something like that, you can’t stop yourself from having those kinds of thoughts. Thinking that you shouldn’t be getting in their way.
“Hm...”
Nena’s voice was the same as usual. That one where you can’t tell if she’s bored or just tired.
“Hmm, well...”
But, from her perspective, maybe she’s trying to give a serious response to what I told her.
“Ano, you’re worrying too much.”
She gave me such a short, succinct answer. But wait, is it really that simple?
“I am~?”
“Mhm. Well, I think there definitely are some situations where they’re trying to be considerate for your sake, but I don’t think you have to get all worried just because they’re choosing to act that way.”
“I don’t have to~?”
“Yeah, that’s just how it goes. We really go through the same stuff, don’t we?”
“Huh? G-go through the same...?”
“Eh, don’t worry about it.”
Hm? Was she referring to her advice from earlier? After making that remark, Nena sleepily averted her eyes. With how she’s acting, it’d probably be useless to prod any further.
“Hmm...”
Do I really not have to worry about it? I mean, it’s not like I want to be with Yuna all the time. Doing things together with Hina-chan’s fun too. I’d be happy if both of them invited me out to do something. Yuna’s my friend, after all. Is it okay as long as I’m not getting in their way? But up to what point do things count as not getting in their way? Is it as long as I’m doing the same stuff I would’ve done before they started going out? Is it only okay if I get invited? Aaagh, I don’t know...
“It’s okay to just act the same as you were acting before. You don’t have to keep worrying about everything. At least when you’re alone with Yuna, anyway.”
“I see...”
“Y’know, Ano, you’ll start acting weird if you worry so much~ You’re gonna creep them out~”
“W-w-what’s that supposed to mean...!”
Urgh, don’t get all smug on me, Nena~! When you’re only smiling with your mouth like that, it just makes me feel like I’m being made fun of even more!
Now I’m super embarrassed that I’m even talking about this stuff to Nena in the first place! And when I start thinking about how embarrassed I am, I start blushing, too. C’mon, stop looking at me all smug like that, please~!
“Hey, Ano~”
“W-what?!”
“You blush an awful lot, don’t you? It’s been getting even worse lately, too. Why don’t you just run off somewhere when you get embarrassed, like you did before?”
“N-nya?!”
W-w-w-what are you saying, Nena-san?! Saying that I blush too much, and all that... Well, it’s true, but..! Saying that it’s gotten even worse lately?! That I should run off somewhere like I did before...?
“Urgh, auugh~”
“Well, this kind of Ano’s fine, too.”
W-what’s with this girl?! Urgh, she keeps seeing right through me!
“But hmm, shouldn’t be too long until everyone’s here~”
“Eh?!”
“It’d be nice if your cheeks went back to normal before then, don’t you think?”
“Augh, c’mon~!”
My face is absolutely steaming hot right now! God, just how red am I? And after making me all like this, Nena’s gone and started laying face down on the table. Is she really planning to fall back asleep in this cold?
I’m not super opposed to it or anything, but still, I can’t show this face to Yuna and the others. I can’t show it to them, so I take a page out of Nena’s playbook and hide my face on the table too. I really hope this blushing goes away soon.
Ah, but still.
I don't want to run back home in embarrassment or anything. Yuna and the others are coming back soon, after all.
※ ※ ※
“Hey, are you two awake? Don’t tell me that you really fell asleep...”
...Whew, I’m safe, somehow. I stopped blushing just in time.
“Oh no, it’s okay, I’m awake~”
“Sorry about that, Ano-chan.”
“It was nothing, really~ Not a problem at all.”
I raise my head to face Yuna and the others. My cheeks might still be a bit red, but well, hell if I care.
“Nena! Wake up! Nap time’s over!”
“You’re too loud~ I’m already awake...”
Ah, so Umi-chan and Sasa-chan are here too.
Damn, Nena’s still the same as usual. I guess I was the only victim of that embarrassing conversation we had earlier.
“Sorry, Ano. By the time I noticed you were gone, we were already all separated from each other.”
“Ah, it’s no big deal, don’t worry about it~ With this many people around, it was bound to happen~”
Besides, it’s not like either of us were in the wrong here. When Yuna says these kinds of things, it’s really more just her personality speaking than her trying to be considerate.
“Geez, don’t run off like that, Nena! We tried really hard to look for you, you know?!”
“Umi, you’re the one that ran off on your own, not me~ You’re the one who was wandering around everywhere~”
“Yeah, she’s right. Umi, you were obviously the one running around everywhere.”
“Eh?! That’s so mean! But Sasa, you were following me around the whole time!”
“Huh? Well, that’s, uh, um...”
Those three seem to be the same as usual, too. I’m kind of relieved.
“Now that we’re all together, let’s go and get our prayers over with.”
Yeah, that’s right. On hearing Yuna’s words, I get up from the bench. Nena does too, with the help of Umi-chan and Sasa-chan.
Does that mean we have to go all the way back to the end of the line? Yeah, we probably do. The line of people waiting to pray goes so far back that I can’t even see the end of it from here. But well, we’re all together, so we probably won’t get bored waiting. I guess it’s fine.
“Ano-chan.”
Hina-chan came to my side after we all started walking together. She rummaged through the paper bag she was holding and pulled something out of it.
“Mm.”
“...Thanks.”
What’s this? A beef skewer? As expected of Hina-chan, she sure likes her meat. Did she get Yuna to buy it for her? It’s still warm, and I can see steam rising from it. Grr, this girl really is cute, isn’t she?!
“You’ll feel better if you eat it.”
“Huh?”
I-I wonder what she meant by that. I-is she just being straightforward with what she means?
“Umm... D-did I look like I wasn’t feeling well?”
“Mm...”
I couldn’t really tell what she meant by that, so I just asked her straight up. Since she kept staring at my face.
“Maybe not. But, it seemed like you were.”
O-oh, really? But eating meat to feel better... who am I, Hina-chan? Well, it’s very Hina-chan-like of her to suggest something like that. I graciously receive the skewer and take a single bite of it.
“Hey, Hina-chan.”
I try to be straightforward with my feelings, too.
“Invite me again next year, too.”
I say so honestly. Just as I mean it.
It’s true that I don’t want to get in Yuna and Hina-chan’s way. But it’s also true that I want to have fun with these two like this again. So it’s okay, right? Yuna will invite me again. Because we’re friends. And I can say that I want to spend time together with them when I want to. Since, y’know.
“Mm. Of course.”
Whoa, this girl’s smile is really just way too cute~! Yuna probably can’t get enough of this, huh. She probably puts in her all when she’s cooking just to see this smile. I’ll be in trouble if we don’t stay friends forever after this. It’s just, I’ll be in trouble, really.
“Hey, hey!”
Umi-chan, walking just a bit ahead of us, turns around and calls out to the group.
“It’s already the new year, right?!”
She’s right. The Joya no Kane midnight bell had already finished ringing while Nena and I were waiting for everyone else to arrive. We were already well into the new year.
“New Years’ greetings time! C’mon, let’s all do them together at the same time!”
“We’re really doing them together...?”
“No complaining! That’s what you’re supposed to do with these kinds of things!”
Ahahah, what’s this? What’s with this event that’s just the definition of youth? I’m having so much fun, I’m starting to get embarrassed!
“On one, two, three...!”
What sorts of things will this new year bring? We’ll be third-years soon, and then we’ll have to start studying for exams... Ah, well, no need to worry about that now.
“Happy New Year!”
We say our greetings all together. I ended up letting mine out with a loud cheer. It was almost as loud as Umi-chan’s. Ah, Yuna seemed to have fun with hers, too. Sasa-chan’s was filled with annoyance, with a subtle hint of embarrassment. Nena’s was sleepy. And Hina’s was in her usual tone of voice. It’s a bit embarrassing that we’re the only ones in the crowd shouting out, “Happy New Year!” but well, that’s fine too.
I hope that this year will be another good year.