Chapter 282: The Upcoming Winter Camping Trip
Breakfast table.
Sakurai Saki had just come back after delivering a batch of wagashi to a regular customer.
"What's wrong? Kaguya-san, why are you looking at me like that?" Sakurai noticed Shinomiya Kaguya staring at him as if he were a murderer.
Kaguya: (≖_≖)
"I didn't even do anything to you, you know? Yesterday you got drunk on sake, babbled nonsense, and I didn't say a word about it."
"..." Shinomiya Kaguya bit her chopsticks, her movements lacking any trace of an elegant Ojou-sama.
This morning she had listened to their "morning exercise" for more than an hour.
A normal man isn't it supposed to be only a dozen minutes or so? She knew this from her biology books—she'd heard that was the most harmonious length of time; too long isn't good for the body.
"Whatever, it's not the first time you've glared at me." Sakurai Saki spoke while sitting down at the table.
"Where's Ai-chan?" he asked.
On the table, Sakurai's breakfast was already prepared. All New Year dishes made by his mother yesterday, considered one of Japan's customs. Most were cold dishes that could keep for a long time.
"She went with Jinguuji-san to the Inari shrine, said she wanted to discuss cooperation with the Shinomiya family." Shinomiya Kaguya lifted a bowl and sipped the still-warm miso soup.
Hearing that, Sakurai remembered that his mother also held the status as Inari God—though she really didn't have any majestic air about her, when she faced outsiders she could be quite imposing.
As for the so-called cooperation Kaguya mentioned, Sakurai Saki felt it wasn't cooperation at all, just a way to collect "offering tributes."
Among human high society, many were aware of the existence of the supernatural world. Behind the four great conglomerates loomed supernatural powers. The backing the Shinomiya family sought was Jinguuji Tamaki, a newly ascended deity they supported.
"You're not going?"
"I just got my freedom yesterday, how could I go back so soon?" Shinomiya Kaguya said with annoyance.
Staying at Sakurai's home was truly carefree; compared to the strict Shinomiya household, this place was paradise.
Only, Sakurai Saki's mother was overly friendly toward her, which made Kaguya feel uneasy. Just now when she went out, her tone had been quite suggestive.
'Ara, Kaguya-chan, later you and my treasure will have some time alone together, make sure you seize the chance, we'll be back late today.'
Tamaki: (,,¬ω¬,,)~
Kaguya: (⁄ ⁄•⁄Д⁄•⁄ ⁄)
Shinomiya Kaguya felt a little sense of danger.
It was rare for her to be alone with Sakurai Saki, especially now that their relationship had softened and was no longer openly hostile.
'Besides, every time I meet him my heart beats faster—so strange.'
Could Sakurai-san have some odd illness? One that makes the hearts of the girls around him beat faster?
"Sakurai-san, it's the end of the year, shouldn't you go to the hospital for a full check-up? Maybe there's some serious illness that hasn't been found yet." Shinomiya Kaguya snapped out of her thoughts and turned to ask Sakurai Saki.
"Are you stupid?" Sakurai Saki replied bluntly.
An Esper doesn't get sick.
Except for hay fever—and hay fever doesn't count as a serious illness.
There was no way he could have a major disease, but Sakurai Saki felt it was actually Shinomiya Kaguya who seemed like she had something wrong with her.
When interacting with him, she never treated him as an outsider; words just slipped out unconsciously. Maybe that was how she expressed friendliness? Like a small hedgehog showing its belly to a friend. Honestly, it was kind of cute.
"I'm just concerned about your health, that's all." Shinomiya Kaguya wasn't the least bit bothered by his insult; she was already used to it.
Ordinary guys wouldn't casually curse at girls, but Sakurai Saki wasn't like that. He never cared about gender and truly supported equality. If a girl hit him, he would hit back.
Kazuma, Touma and Seiya: ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧
...
Sakurai Saki finished breakfast and began scrolling through the New Year's greetings his friends had sent.
There were so many—practically everyone he knew had sent one.
Shirogane Miyuki: [Happy New Year, I hope to rely on your help even more this year!]
It was so standardized he didn't know how to reply, Sakurai Saki only felt that guy was too stiff.
He simply replied with the exact same message.
A few seconds later, the message was read right away. Looks like even Shirogane Miyuki was just lazily staying home enjoying the holiday.
Shirogane Miyuki: [What are you doing? My family's eating zouni.]
Eating zouni first thing in the morning? Sounds way too heavy.
Sakurai Saki replied: [Watching the house at home. I already went hatsumoude last night, so I don't need to go again today.]
[We also celebrated New Year's at the shrine last night—hearing the New Year's bell really gives you that feeling of 'indeed, it has to be like this every year to feel like New Year.']
After chatting with Shirogane Miyuki for a few more minutes, Sakurai Saki switched targets.
"Who are you texting?" Shinomiya Kaguya asked curiously.
She spoke while standing up, picking up both her own bowl and chopsticks and Sakurai Saki's, heading toward the kitchen.
"Was texting Shirogane just now, now it's Maki."
"You're really close with Maki-san."
"She's way cuter than you," Sakurai Saki typed.
"Even if she's cute, she won't help you wash the dishes." Shinomiya Kaguya started washing.
"Thanks. I was going to wash them myself, but since Kaguya-san is willing, I'll let you do it."
"How can someone who's receiving someone else's help shamelessly say something like that?" Shinomiya Kaguya finished washing, put the bowls in the cupboard, wiped her hands, and returned to the dining room.
"Because I have no shame," Sakurai Saki answered with a grin.
Sakurai: ദ്ദി(ᵔᗜᵔ)
A thick-skinned person is invincible.
"You win."
Shinomiya Kaguya spoke with admiration.
Sakurai Saki stopped chatting with her and continued sending New Year's greetings on his phone, which also took up quite a bit of his time.
They had red bean soup for lunch, and it was afternoon by the time Jinguuji Tamaki brought Hayasaka Ai back.
In the evening, everyone joined Shinomiya Kaguya for a small birthday party.
...
The three days of New Year passed quickly and were over before they realized.
They had originally planned to visit Hakone for hot springs during the winter break, but in the end everyone was too lazy to leave home. The holiday was only two weeks long, from Christmas until January 8. Spending days on a distant trip? That really was too leisurely. Besides, Kyoto itself had plenty of hot springs—no need to go far.
Ai-chan had first planned to travel alone with Sakurai Saki, but she didn't feel at ease leaving Shinomiya Kaguya alone here with Jinguuji Tamaki for the rest of the break.
To win favor with her future mother-in-law, Hayasaka Ai had racked her brains, it really was a bit like the palace intrigue dramas of emperors in old dynasties. Hayasaka Ai was the official wife in the inner court, while Shinomiya Kaguya resembled a concubine aiming to become the main wife.
When only one day of winter vacation remained, the three of them returned together to Tokyo.
...
Opening day of the new term.
In class, during the morning homeroom, their homeroom teacher Masaki-sensei was speaking.
"Everyone, the second week after the start of the term we will have the monthly test, and after it's over Shuchiin will hold a winter camp. Even though you've just had a pleasant winter vacation, please do not slack off or be lazy."
The students below all groaned in unison upon hearing there would be a test.
Winter camp sounded fun, but only after the test? That's really too cruel, isn't it?
Sakurai Saki slumped over his desk, feeling no energy at all.
Today his ability was a bit troublesome.
[Today's Superpower: Reversal]
[Effect: Can reverse all existence]
[Side Effect: Your words and thoughts may appear in a reversed state]