Christmas was fast approaching, and in Japan, where dreams of "leaving Asia for Europe" ran deep, the Western holiday was eagerly embraced. Unlike the family gatherings of the West, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Japan were prime time for couples to go on dates and flaunt their romance.
At twenty-two, Shuichi Hayashi, a fourth-year student at Tokyo University, had been swamped since morning, his pager buzzing non-stop.
"You've got a lot of dates lined up today, huh?" his dorm roommate teased. "So many people blowing up your pager."
"Too many, and that's the problem…" Shuichi sighed, throwing on his clothes and grabbing his pager before rushing to the public phone booth at the dorm entrance.
On a day like this, the phone booth was in high demand. When Shuichi finally got his turn, he stared at the dozen-plus messages on his pager, head throbbing. Who should he call first?
"Hey, you making a call or what?" an impatient student behind him grumbled.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it!"
Shuichi flipped to a message from Reiko Kujo and dialed her number.
Reiko's voice came through with a huff. "Onii-chan, why'd it take you so long to call back? You're not with another woman, are you? Eri-neesan, Yukiko-neesan, Midori-neesan, or…?"
"Enough already," Shuichi cut in. "I just woke up. The phone's been crazy today, and I had to wait in line. You're the first one I'm calling, aren't you?"
"Really?"
"Of course! Would I ever lie to my favorite little sister?"
"Then let's have a date tonight!"
"Well…"
"Onii-chan, you hesitated! You were lying!"
"I was just thinking about what gift to get you!"
"So you're saying you'll go out with me?"
"Yeah, but only in the afternoon. I've got a report to finish tonight—probably pulling an all-nighter."
…
After sorting things out with Reiko, Shuichi flipped to a message from Midori and dialed her number.
"Senpai, it's Christmas Eve…" Midori's voice was shy on the other end.
"I'm free this morning. I'll head over soon," Shuichi said with a smile.
"Great! Senpai, I'll be waiting at the flower shop!"
…
After a brief chat and hanging up with Midori, Shuichi noticed a message from Yukiko Fujimine:
Back in Tokyo tonight. 11 PM, airport, don't stand me up.
New York to Tokyo was a twelve-hour flight. She was probably already in the air.
As he mused, Shuichi kept scrolling through his pager. Oddly, there was nothing from Eri. Hadn't she been going on about spending Christmas Eve together just a few days ago?
Lost in thought, a voice beside him said, "Lots of messages today, huh? Got enough time for all those dates?"
"It's manageable. You know what they say—time's like a sponge, squeeze it and…"
Shuichi trailed off, realizing something was off. He looked up and froze. Standing there was none other than Eri Kisaki.
Unlike the teenage girl from six years ago, the grown-up Eri was stunning, her figure rivaling Yukiko's. Dressed in a tailored suit skirt, her curves were unmistakable, and the sheer stockings on her legs radiated feminine allure.
While Shuichi was still figuring out his future, Eri was juggling a PhD program and a job at a top Tokyo law firm, building her experience.
"Uh," Shuichi gave an awkward laugh, "Eri, what are you doing here?"
Eri's smile was half-amused, half-knowing. "If I didn't show up, you'd probably claim you're 'too busy' for our Christmas Eve date, right?"
"No way!" Shuichi protested. "Tonight's Christmas Eve, and I'm all yours. I swear!"
"Because that stinking fox hasn't come back yet," Eri muttered with a cold huff, brushing it off.
"Seven o'clock tonight, Mihama Central Tower's Sky Restaurant. I've booked a table. Don't be late. And…"
She leaned in, her voice sultry as she whispered in his ear, "I've reserved a hotel room too. Tonight, neither of us is sleeping."
With that, Eri planted a bold kiss on his cheek, leaving a vivid lipstick mark. "Don't wipe it off! I've got work during the day, but I'll be checking at the restaurant tonight."
…
After Eri left, Shuichi stood before a mirror, staring at the lipstick mark and wincing.
Taking this to see Midori and Reiko? They'd tear him apart.
…
Half an hour later, Shuichi, a bandage plastered on his face, stepped into a flower shop on Mihama's commercial street.
Midori rushed to greet him, beaming. "Senpai, you're here—wait, what happened to your face?"
Unlike the rebellious teen from six years ago, the grown-up Midori was even more beautiful, her once fierce demeanor softened into gentle elegance.
"It's nothing. Got bitten by a huge mosquito, scratched it too much, and had to get it patched up at the hospital," Shuichi said, glancing around the shop. It was packed with men picking out flowers for their girlfriends. "Business is booming today."
"Sorry," Midori said sheepishly. "I wanted to go out with you, Senpai, but Mom's swamped, and I can't leave her to handle this alone…"
"No worries. I'll help out," Shuichi said, rolling up his sleeves. "Being with you is the same no matter where we are."
Midori nodded happily, about to lead him inside when the shop door swung open again.
It was Officer Megure Juzo, a familiar face from the police department. Spotting Shuichi, Megure's expression turned awkward. "Shuichi, you're… here too."
Midori's brow furrowed. "Officer Megure, I've told you I have a boyfriend. Please stop bothering me."
"Look, Midori, I came to talk about that," Megure said, steeling himself. He glanced at Shuichi, hesitating before continuing, "If your boyfriend is Shuichi-kun, you might not know—"
Before he could finish, Midori cut him off, exasperated. "If you're here to badmouth Senpai, leave now!"
"No matter what you say, I won't believe it."
"Midori, I—"
Megure tried to explain, but Midori grabbed a wooden sword from a nearby rack.
"Get out, or don't blame me for getting rough!"
Seeing her mean business, Megure slunk out, defeated.
Once he was gone, Shuichi couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you let him finish? I—"
"No, Senpai," Midori said, pressing a slender finger to his lips. She leaned into his chest, her voice soft and wistful. "Not today. I don't want to hear it…"
…
At 2:30 PM, Shuichi arrived at the amusement park entrance, ready to meet his cousin. Suddenly, his vision went dark—someone covered his eyes from behind.
"Guess who!"
"Eri?"
"Nope, try again!"
"Yukiko?"
"Onii-chan, I'm really getting mad now!"
"Oh, I know! My adorable little cousin, Reiko!"
"Hmph," Reiko huffed, releasing his eyes. "It's Christmas Eve, and you're still teasing me…"
She trailed off, noticing the bandage on Shuichi's face. "Onii-chan, are you hurt?"
"Nah, just a mosquito bite," Shuichi said, subtly tugging his collar higher.
Earlier, when parting at the flower shop, Midori had inexplicably gotten upset and bitten his neck hard. It didn't draw blood, but it left two rows of teeth marks.
"Come on, Onii-chan!" Reiko grabbed his hand, practically skipping toward the amusement park. "I've been studying my butt off for college entrance exams this past half-year, no time for fun. You've gotta make today a blast!"
Shuichi looked at his cousin's noticeably thinner face, feeling a pang of sympathy.
Reiko had always seen Eri as her rival. With Eri at Tokyo University, Reiko set her sights there too.
Her grades were solid—not quite Eri's natural brilliance, but with hard work, Tokyo University was within reach.
"Alright, let's make today unforgettable!" Shuichi laughed, scooping Reiko up in his arms. Amid her delighted squeals, the cousins charged into the amusement park…
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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