"Good evening, everyone."
"Good evening—!!"
A notification appeared on the RAIN group chat screen, confirming that everyone had joined the session hurriedly requested by Nishikawa-san. Between Nishikawa-san’s polite greeting and Tachikawa-san’s inexplicably high-tension response, the discussion regarding today’s main topic officially began—even if I still didn't actually know what that topic was.
"Eririn, what’s up all of a sudden?"
"It’s rare for Eri to be the one calling us together. Is there some kind of emergency?"
The first ones to speak up were, as expected, the classmates with the closest ties to Nishikawa-san—Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai. Natsumi-senpai’s casual, frank tone made it vividly clear just how much of a friendly connection the two shared. Even Sara-san’s voice carried a similar level of ease.
"Fufu... It’s nothing like that. I just thought I’d ask about everyone’s Christmas plans. We have more couples in this group now, so if you have a da—ahem, if you have other business..."
She definitely started to say "date" before quickly correcting herself. Well, anyway.
"Hm? Does that mean you have something in mind too, Eririn?"
"Something... or rather, since we’re a group of close friends gathered like this, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to do something together once in a while, right?"
"Yes, yes! I’m all for it! My Christmas schedule is wide open, a total graveyard shift... and hey, I’m not sad about it at all, okay!"
"I don't think anyone was implying you were..."
"No way, Takanashi-kun definitely just looked at me with pity! I know it!"
"Why are you attacking me!? That’s a total false accusation!"
Since ignoring her seemed a bit harsh, I had tried to offer a light bit of support, but this was incomprehensible. Setting aside her oddly hyper mood, I really hadn't been thinking anything of the sort. If anything...
"Fufu... Kazunari-san isn't the type of person to think such things."
"Exactly. I won't forgive you if you say weird things to Kazunari-san."
"Yoko, you've got some nerve picking on Kazunari..."
"Hiee... I-It’s a joke! A joke! A mistake! Takanashi-kun had a look on his face like he wanted to say something, so I just thought he was pitying me for being alone on Christmas!!"
"Like hell he was."
Faced with the relentless pressure of Sara-san and Hanako-san, who showed no mercy regarding anything involving me, Tachikawa-san’s icon seemed to tremble like a small animal on the screen.
Even among friends, she should have known that messing with me in front of those two was essentially a suicide mission. Honestly.
"Kazunari-san wasn't thinking anything of the sort. He was simply feeling bad that he might have to decline Eri’s invitation, even though she went through the trouble of reaching out."
"Precisely. Anyone could tell that just by looking at his face."
"No, the only ones who can tell that are you, Sara, and Hanako-san."
I could empathize with Natsumi-senpai’s lightning-fast retort. Even I was starting to seriously wonder if the two of them were espers. No matter how easy to read or "simple" I might be, their ability to pinpoint my thoughts was uncanny. But putting that aside...
"I see. As expected of Takanashi-san and Sara..."
"No, it's not like that... The truth is, we already have other plans for Christmas."
"Other plans?"
"Yeah. Do you remember the little girl who was at the school festival?"
"You mean Mio-chan? The one who was so attached to Takanashi-san..."
"That’s the one. We’ve actually decided to throw a Christmas party with her."
"Fufu... I see. That is a truly wonderful story, isn't it?"
"Eh?"
Nishikawa-san suddenly wore a soft, gentle smile, gazing at me through the screen with a look of pure kindness. I hadn't expected her to be disappointed by my refusal, but being looked at like that felt... intense.
"Knowing Takanashi-san, I’m sure you chose to set aside the 'must-attend' romantic event of the year because you wanted to make Mio-chan smile, right?"
"I-I mean, it's just..."
"It seems I hit the bullseye. It’s very much like you, Takanashi-san."
"Yes. That is precisely why he is my wonderful husband♪"
"My, Sara, you're quite bold."
"Is it not natural? Why wouldn't I be proud that my husband is so kind to children?"
"Fufu... I suppose you're right. Especially since he does it so naturally, without any ulterior motives... that makes it all the more special."
"As his sister, I’m proud too. Kazunari is a very good boy."
Setting aside the usual excessive praise from Sara-san and Hanako-san, even Nishikawa-san was talking me up now. I was honestly at a loss for how to react. What kind of face was I even supposed to make!?
"...Takanashi-san, are you blushing?"
"Kazunari-san, if you're embarrassed, please come over here until you calm down..."
"You say that, but you just want to dote on Kazunari yourself."
"And what if I do?"
"Kuh... Such shamelessness..."
"U-Umm, not right now..."
They probably couldn't see it yet, but Sara-san was already reaching her hand toward my head. At this rate, I’d be the only one with 'Sound Only' displayed on the screen, and if I let my guard down, I’d end up exposing the pathetic sight of me burying my face in heaven.
"...There it goes again, the 'I Love Takanashi-kun Encirclement.'"
"...Satsukawa-senpai and Hanako-san are the same as ever... but lately even Nishikawa-san has been joining in."
"...Ahaha... W-Well, I actually think Takanashi-kun is a wonderful boy too, you know?"
"...That guy really has a knack for attracting a specific type of person."
"...Kazunari’s good points are clear to those who truly understand him."
"U-Umm, Nishikawa-san, about the discussion!?"
Since I was about to be praised to death, I hurriedly threw the ball back to Nishikawa-san as a defensive measure. That should shift everyone’s attention back to her.
"Fufu... Before we continue, I’d like to confirm something. Besides Takanashi-san and Sara, is anyone else attending this Christmas party...?"
"Ah, I’m going too. Actually, I was the one who was supposed to say something..."
"If Marina-san is going, then obviously I’m in too."
"Hayato-kun..."
Hayato clearly stated his intention to participate, speaking over Todo-san’s words. Hearing him, Todo-san wore a sheepish yet touched expression.
"Marina-san, don't say another word about it, okay? This is something we decided together."
"Yeah... thank you."
At Hayato’s words, a mix of joy and apology crossed Todo-san’s face, but she looked truly happy. Everyone on the call couldn't help but smile at the sight. They really were a heartwarming couple.
"For the record, we’re joining too. I don't care about Sara and Takanashi-kun, but if Todo-san and Yokokawa-kun are participating..."
"Haa... You're as dishonest as ever. No one even asked..."
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"Nothing. Since my participation is mandatory and beyond my control, I have nothing to say. I shall gladly serve as Natsumi-san’s escort."
"You should have just said that from the start."
Those two also had their own unique way of communicating... I think. Still, I felt a bit bad for Yuji, so I made a mental note to apologize to him later.
"Eeeeh, so in the end, everyone is joining!? Even Hanako-san is a lock since Takanashi-kun is going..."
"In my case, my participation was guaranteed for the sake of both Kazunari and Mio-chan."
"Figures! Then..."
"Takanashi-san, would it be possible for me to participate in this party as well?"
"Eh? O-Of course, as long as it’s okay with you, Nishikawa-san... but are you sure?"
I knew Mio-chan would be thrilled to have more guests, and I was honestly happy to have everyone there. But in Nishikawa-san’s case, I assumed she’d have various high-society parties to attend with her family or the company. That was why I hadn't invited her in the first place.
"It’s true that there are party plans at my family home with quite a few guests... but for me, being able to enjoy myself with all of you is far more important than those stiff formal events."
"Me too!! I mean, if you leave me out of something this fun, I’ll never forgive you!"
"You two..."
This was a plan I’d started on my own initiative, so I had tried not to drag everyone else into it, yet here we were with a full house. I couldn't deny that I was truly happy it turned out this way.
"Kazunari, now that it's come to this..."
"That’s right. I can guess what you're worried about, but the rest of us decided this for ourselves, okay?"
"Takanashi-kun. I’ll make sure to thank everyone properly later too..."
"Come on, come on, all we need is the leader to give the signal!"
"If we can all have fun together, that’s the best result."
"Kazunari-san... if this is everyone’s will, then it is the leader’s duty to bring us together."
"Sara-san... You're right."
If everyone was expressing their desire to join out of their own volition and not out of obligation, then the least I could do was accept it with gratitude. It would be rude to hold back now, and it would be wrong to feel guilty about it.
"Then, everyone... I’m counting on you."
""Ohhh!!""
As I closed the matter, a great cheer rose from the group, and a loud round of applause echoed from the smartphone’s speaker. On the screen, everyone wore wide, beaming smiles.
"Alright! Now that that’s settled, we’re going to make this the best Christmas Eve ever!!"
"I’ll do my best with the decorations too!"
"Marina-san, I’ll help you this weekend."
"Ah... at times like this, being so far away is a pain."
"Yeah. Well, it can't be helped. We'll just have to make the most of the weekend."
"Takanashi-san, what’s the status on shopping for the big day?"
"Let’s see, I was planning to get most of the supplies this weekend..."
"In that case, please let me help. I’ll provide the car."
"Fufu... then we can buy even the bulky items. We can leave the food ingredients for a bit later..."
"I’ll help too. With the shopping and the cooking."
Everyone began coordinating at once, and in the blink of an eye, the schedule and roles were assigned. I hadn't expected it to balloon into such a large-scale event, but just as Natsumi-senpai said, it looked like it was going to be an incredible Christmas!
"I’m so glad, Kazunari-san."
"Yeah. Now Mio-chan will be..."
"Mio-chan will be happy, of course, but I think it will be a wonderful day for us too. To be honest... this is the first time in my life I've been this excited for Christmas."
"Haha, me too. But for you, Sara-san, I wanted to..."
"Kazunari-san, shh."
"...Sara-san."
The words almost slipped out as I looked at her happy face, but Sara-san gently pressed her index finger against my lips to silence me, gazing at me with a tender smile.
"As long as I am with Kazunari-san, I am truly happy. So..."
"Sorry. I knew that, but... I just..."
I felt exactly the same way. Being with her was all the happiness I needed. Even though I knew she felt the same, I still found myself wanting more for her.
"Fufu... let’s be happy together, Darling?"
"Yeah... Sara."
I knew there wasn't a single lie in her words or her feelings. Still, as her lover and her fiancé, I wanted to ensure that this special night became a memory Sara-san would treasure forever.
"...Those two have completely forgotten we’re here, haven't they?"
"...Isn't that the usual? Just leave them to it."
"...D-Darling? Sara...?"
"...Whoa, h-here it comes for the first time in a while..."
"...Nishikawa-san, falling any further into the dark side is dangerous."
"...Ah-ahaha... They really are close, aren't they? Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-senpai."
"...Y-Yeah... maybe a little too close..."
Umm... is this the part where we end up in the usual pattern? And Nishikawa-san... please stop looking like that; it’s terrifying. Through the screen, it’s basically a horror movie... seriously.