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Thanks to my big lying mouth I now had a sword above my head.

And I put it there!

When are you going to learn your lesson already, Reika!?

Do you have the brain of a goldfish or something!?

I immediately sent Akimi-san an SOS.

I obviously couldn’t bring homemade nimono to his party.

To begin with I couldn’t cook nimono!

And to think that just a few days after picking home cooking over party foods I’d need to know how to cook party foods.

Haah, I’m so beat~

*

Enjou spoke to me first thing next morning.

“Yukino tells me that apparently you’re going to be coming to his birthday party. And with your own cooking no less.”

Uuu…

Yukino-kun, have you already told your whole family?

My escape was looking less and less likely.

“Yes… But bringing poor food on such an important day feels like an insult instead of a gift, so I was thinking of declining this time…”

“Yukino was ecstatic, you know. Apparently he’s already looking forward to it.”

“I…”

Yukino-kuuuun…

I felt like I was going to lose my eyebrows over the pressure again.

“It’s not that big of a party since we have to take care of his condition too. It’ll just be a few of his friends from primary, so don’t worry so much. Well, I won’t force you though,” he said as he glanced at my fingers.

Don’t tell me he could tell my skill?

I didn’t want to disappoint Yukino-kun by refusing.

But I didn’t want to disappoint him with my actual cooking either.

Akimi-san, save me.

You’re my only hope, Akimi-san!

I’ll practice cutting vegetables every day!

I’ll even memorise all the recipes so please, lend me your strength!

Still…

“Please at least tell him not to expect too much…”

‘Food-Poisoning at the Enjou Residence!’

I’d do my best not to make that headline a reality.

*

*

*

After school, Class Rep and I were headed for the staff room to submit the reports our classmates did.

Apparently Class Rep had gone with the other three for their New Year’s shrine visit.

“We all got our fortunes and wrote our wishes on ema,” he bashfully told me.

Going on your New Year’s shrine visit with your crush…

What the hell, that sounded super fun.

Why wasn’t I invited?

In-vi-t-e me.

Aren’t I the one who introduced you all to begin with~?

“And I prayed that Honda-san and I would grow closer this year.”

“Hmm~”

“And Honda-san and Nonose-san are making their Valentine’s chocolates together, and they said they’d give some to Iwamuro-kun and I… Ah, as friends of course! I already knew that. Mn.”

“Hmmm~”

“But I hope one day I’ll be able to get a real one from her.”

“Hmmmm~”

Valentine’s huh.

I didn’t even have somebody to give romantic chocolates to this year.

I was running out of time…

I only had one year left in high school.

I wanted to have a dreamy Valentine’s too.

Maybe I could just bite the bullet and give it to Naru-kun.

But then how would a real guy feel about being given chocolates by complete stranger?

It was how they did things in shoujo manga though.

Plus, I didn’t know what I wanted to make this year.

“Kisshouin-san? Still listening?”

Oops, he realised I was just nodding along.

“Why don’t you take those feelings and make her chocolates instead?” I joked.

His eyes sparkled.

Eh? Really?

After we handed over the reports we said goodbye and headed to our respective clubs.

I was already done with the belly warmer so I needed to make something else this year.

“Kisshouin-san,” came a voice from behind.

It turned out to be Wakaba-chan.

“Is something the matter, Takamichi-san?”

She looked around to check that we were alone before walking over to me.

“Say, are you free to come over?”

“Eh!?”

Wakaba-chan was inviting me over!?

Why so suddenly!?

She lowered her voice further before speaking again.

“Don’t you remember? You gave me your uniform the other day. That’s why I wanted to thank you.”

“I, you really should not worry about that. To begin with I was never going to wear those again.”

“Yeah, but still I got something so expensive for free. I’ve been wondering how I could make it up to you all this time, you know. Not that just a cake could really pay you back this time…”

“You really need not worry about that. I mean it. Still, I am very happy that you have invited me over.”

“Really? Then is there anything you want, or that you’d like me to do? There isn’t much I can help you with though.”

“Just being able to eat your family’s cakes is more than enough.”

“And I’ve been saying that that isn’t enough.”

We were going down the stairs together when I suddenly remembered the manga.

There was a scene when Kisshouin Reika had shoved Wakaba-chan down stairs just like these.

I quickly put some distance between us.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing to worry about.”

Not that I’d ever do that now, but I stayed away just in case.

Wakaba-chan seemed perplexed about it.

“Ah, by the way. Takamichi-san, could you teach me how to make Valentine’s chocolates?”

“Valentine’s?” she asked.

“Yes.”

What a great idea.

Wakaba-chan loved making desserts.

If I made it together with her then I’m sure something delicious would come of it.

Not that there was anybody to receive it but my family though!

“You could have asked for that whenever,” she objected.

“It seems that I shall be in your care then,” I smiled broadly.

*

*

*

After I bought the claw grip protector I stopped cutting myself.

The cut from the first day was almost healed too.

I was putting a new bandage on it when Oniisama came home with Imari-sama as well.

“Imari-sama, long time no see!”

“Belated Happy New Year, Reika-chan.”

“Happy New Year, Imari-sama.”

You’re sparkling as usual, Imari-sama. You look wonderful in that suit.

“I’ve actually got something to give you, Reika-chan.”

“What is it?”

He reached into his bag and brought out a ribboned box.

“Here. A souvenir from Nagasaki.”

“Wahh, thank you very much. Your parents live there, no?”

“Yep. I showed up for New Year’s. My younger brother had just come back from America so we went there together.”

“I see.”

Imari-sama’s younger brother was staying in America as an exchange student at the moment.

Apparently he liked it better than stuffy old Japan.

I unsealed my present.

In the past Imari-sama had gifted me cute marbles from Nagasaki, or castella sponge cakes.

I still loved those marbles.

Imari-sama had a good sense of what girls liked.

“Wah! Pearls!?”

I opened the velvet case to find a necklace, with a pearl embedded in a silver heart like a teardrop.

“How lovely!”

“Nagasaki is famous for its pearls, after all. I think they suit you. Shall I put it on for you?”

“Don’t touch people’s little sisters whenever you want, Imari,” Oniisama said with a chilling glare.

“Reika-chan, your oniisan is so scary. You know, people say that pearls are the tears of mermaids and fairies, but if that’s true I’d rather that girls cry tears of joy than sadness.”

Oniisama brought down an iron fist onto the smiling Casanova Village Chief’s head.

“Owowowow!”

“Die. Kill yourself! Drown at sea and become the core of some pearl!”

He began strangling Imari-sama with force.

How rare for somebody as kind and peaceful as Oniisama.

They sure got along.

“Thank you for the wonderful present, Imari-sama. Oh, I know! I shall make a pearl chocolate for you for Valentine’s!”

“Ehh? Chocolate from Reika-chan? That sounds great,” he smiled happily, even as he was being beaten across the head.

Having someone outside of your family to give chocolates to really got your motivation up, after all!

“Reika, that…”

You can look forward to it too, Oniisama!

Hmmm, and I also need to get started on Yukino-kun’s birthday food, and…

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Daji was the favorite consort of King Zhou of Shang, the last king of the Shang dynasty in ancient China. She is portrayed as a malevolent fox spirit in legends as well as novels.

Daji was from a noble family called Su (蘇) from the state of Yousu (有蘇). Hence, she is also known as Su Daji. In 1047 BC, King Zhou of Shang invaded Yousu and took Daji as his prize.

King Zhou became extremely infatuated with Daji and started to neglect state affairs in order to keep her company. He used any means necessary to ingratiate himself with her and to please her. Daji liked animals so he built her a zoological Xanadu with several rare species of birds and animals. He also ordered artists to compose lewd music and choreograph bawdy dances to satisfy her musical taste. He gathered 3000 guests at one party to indulge in his “pond of wine” and “forest of meat”. He allowed the guests to play a cat and mouse game nude in the forest to amuse Daji. When one of King Zhou’s concubines, the daughter of Lord Jiu, protested, King Zhou had her executed. Her father was ground in pieces and his flesh fed to King Zhou’s vassals.

Daji’s greatest joy was to hear people cry in physical torment. Once, she saw a farmer walking barefoot on ice and ordered his feet cut off so she could study them and figure out why they were so resistant to low temperatures. On another occasion, she had a pregnant woman’s belly cut open so it satisfied her curiosity to find out what happened inside. To verify an ancient saying that “a good man’s heart has seven apertures”, she even had the heart of the minister Bi Gan (King Zhou’s uncle) dug out and subjected to her scrutiny.

Daji was best known for her invention of a method of torture known as Paolao (炮烙). A bronze cylinder covered with oil was heated like a furnace with charcoal beneath until its sides became extremely hot. The victim was made to walk on top of the slowly heating cylinder and he was forced to shift his feet to avoid the burning. The oily surface made it difficult for the victim to maintain his position and balance. If the victim fell into the charcoal below, he would be burnt to death. The victim was forced to dance and scream in agony before dying while the observing King Zhou and Daji would laugh in delight.

Daji was executed on the orders of King Wu of Zhou after the fall of the Shang dynasty on the advice of Jiang Ziya.

In Japan she is sometimes conflated with Tamamo no Mae.

Boy were my arms sore.

I spent a long time cutting vegetables at Akimi-san’s cooking class.

Because I was so worried about slipping and cutting myself I held onto the knife for dear life.

And even when I wanted to peel things thinly I couldn’t help but imagine cutting my thumb. In the end they all ended up with large chunks hewn off.

Akimi-san peeled them all so smoothly but I was awkward and stiff.

Maybe it was time to give up and just use a peeler.

Even when we were slicing vegetables with the claw grip I kept picturing cutting my own joints and couldn’t hold it properly.

Why are you such a coward, Reika!

In the end she lent me protectors especially for that. You inserted it between your knife and the vegetables.

It didn’t look very cool though…

Akimi-san said we should take it easy and start with the basics first.

That’s why I wanted to hurry up and master them.

When I got home I began practising with a carrot in the corner of the kitchen.

I think maybe I was a little better now.

Ah, I got ahead of myself.

I cut my finger.

I decided to buy a protector tomorrow.

*

*

*

When the school term began I could see Tsuruhana-san and her friends growing more imperious again.

Apparently over Christmas they hired an event hall and had their own party.

Among the attendees were External boys from 2nd and 3rd year, and it got pretty big.

Thanks to the party they all deepened their bonds, and even got some new members or something.

That was bad news.

They weren’t the only other minor faction in our school either.

If the Pivoine was content to just coast on their authority they might get the rug pulled from under them.

So far I had been pretty assured in my position thanks to the Pivoine, but this year the president was Kaburagi.

Youko-sama would have protected any Pivoine member without a thought.

On the other hand, I couldn’t see that indifferent guy lending me a hand.

This year I had to protect my position on my own.

Hmmm…

I had been hoping to spend the year peacefully, too…

Unaware of my worries, the new President of the Pivoine spent each day sipping tea peacefully in the salon.

Ah crap.

Had it been a mistake to let this guy become the president?

But there wasn’t anyone else either…

Maybe if only I had somehow gotten Enjou to accept…

Ah, but then Enjou wasn’t the type to butt into fights between girls either.

Maybe it would be best to quietly discuss this with my group first.

*

*

*

I discussed it with my group.

The result was that they were raring for a fight now.

“You’re completely right, Reika-sama! We’ve all been thinking that those girls have been getting arrogant lately!”

“Ever since we became high schoolers they’ve been strutting about like they own the place. They even provoke us sometimes.”

“It looks like they’re already forgotten the lesson you taught them in middle school, Reika-sama.”

“Speaking of which, thsoe externals that cosy up with the Student Council have been more audacious too, I think.”

“Yeah, yeah! Ever since high school began they’ve all been really arrogant for Externals. They’ve really forgotten whose school this is.”

Huh?

…All I said was, ‘It seems that Tsuruhana-san, as well as the External Students have been building up power. What should we do if they challenge us?’

Never, ever did I say ‘Those bitches piss me off so let’s fuck ’em up!’

“Umm, everyone, perhaps a more peaceful…”

“And you know what else! I overheard a most outrageous plot!”

“What’s this? A plot?”

“A horrendous plot devised by the External lackeys to pair Takamichi Wakaba and Kaburagi-sama together!”

“Oh my god!”

“What’s the meaning of this!?”

Everyone was practically frothing at the mouth.

“Apparently they think they can use Takamichi Wakaba to make the Emperor their ally and then take over the school.”

“What the hell!? Is she Daji!?”

“Unforgivable!”

Eeehh…

“Ummm… Do all of the Externals think this way?”

“No, just a portion of them. There are a lot of Externals who admire Kaburagi-sama instead and aren’t really pleased with Takamichi Wakaba themselves. The External Students aren’t a monolith after all.”

“I see…”

Wakaba-chan, somehow you’ve gotten yourself into something crazy again.

I wonder if she’d be okay…

“That’s why you need to try harder, Reika-sama!”

“Eh, me?” I asked.

“Yes! You need to punish Tsuruhana’s gang and that insolent Takamichi Wakaba too!”

“And then take the Emperor’s heart for yourself!”

“Haah!?”

And so they sunk into a sea of delusions, far beyond my reach.

And thanks to this chat, things had gotten even messier…

Scary.

*

*

*

To heal my weary heart I headed to my garden of angels.

“Welcome, Reika-oneesan!”

“Gokigen’yoh, Yukino-kun.”

I had been greeted with a beaming smile when I opened the door to the Petit salon.

Haah, my worries were melting away.

Yukino-kun and I sat on the couch and chatted between snacks.

“Yukino-kun, did you have fun with your parents in Okinawa?”

“Yes. We went to the aquarium and went whale watching too.”

“I see. I love aquariums too.”

“There was this huge manatee at the aquarium and…” he began recounting.

I wanted to see some manatees too.

“Did you go anywhere, Reika-oneesan?” he asked.

“I went to Kyoto. My mother has family there,” I explained.

It was so cold I thought I would die.

The chill in Kyoto reached right into my bones.

I’d bought the kids some fox mask rice crackers and konpeitoh as souvenirs.

I was particularly proud of the crackers. They were cute, so perfect for children.

“Here, these are for you,” I said as I began handing them out to Mao and the others too.

“Wah! Thank you very much!”

The kids seemed overjoyed.

Yay!

“Huh? Reika-oneesan, what happened to your finger?” asked Yukino-kun.

He gazed at my bandaged hand in worry.

“This? How embarrassing. I was doing a little cooking and slipped up a tad.”

“You can cook, Reika-oneesan?” Yukino-kun asked with sparkling eyes.

“Ehh, well, just a little bit of home cooking.”

“Why kind of foods do you make?”

“Only very simple dishes. Nimono and the like.”

I may have boasted a little to keep him impressed.

“That’s amazing,” he gushed-

-before dropping a bombshell.

“I want to try your cooking too, Reika-oneesan!”

“…Eh!?”

“My birthday is coming up soon. Do you think I could try some on the day?”

“…Eh!?”

I just got landed a crazy request.

Akimi-saaaaaan!! What do I dooo!?

Is Yukino-kun’s stomach going to be okay…!?

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

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Last year I asked Akimi-san to teach me cooking.

We had a talk over the phone recently to discuss exactly what type of cooking she’d be teaching me.

The type of dishes I’d bring out at a house party? Or did I want her to teach me home cooking instead?

In the end I chose the latter without hesitation.

I wasn’t exactly planning on too many house parties, and even if I was I could just ask for catering services.

On the other hand, if I was ever going to live alone, or get married and live without a maid, I was going to need to know how to cook.

Plus, in the short term I wanted something like Aoi-chan had! She was cooking meals for her boyfriend right now!

Then she asked if I wanted to learn Japanese dishes or Western dishes, so I went with the former for now.

If I got down basic traditional stuff like nimono would it make me seem more filial and down-to-earth?

Well, whatever else aside I liked Japanese foods. That was the biggest reason.

Anyway, after getting all of this sorted out eventually I visited her house.

“Welcome, Reika-san.”

“Akimi-san, gokigen’yoh. I will be in your care today.”

I had heard that her family was well-off, and now it showed.

Her house was both newly built and large.

“Please just make yourself at home. My father is out playing golf, and my mother is having lunch out with her friends right now.”

“Thank you.”

After handing over my gift to her I followed Akimi-san into the house.

“Just like we discussed, first I’ll have you try some of my food, and then if you like it I’ll teach you how to make it. Does that sound okay?”

“Yes.”

“They’re all just simple dishes today. Would you like to try them now?”

“My, you prepared them in advanced for me?”

“Yes. It’s just simple soups and side dishes though.”

She guided me into her large living room where a number of dishes sat ready.

Whoa! They looked good.

But for some reason there were two of everything.

“They’re the same dishes but I prepared them in different ways.”

“Different ways?”

“Yes. I…”

“A guest, Akimi?” called a male voice.

Turning around, I saw a familiar face enter the dining room.

It was the guy who I exacted demiglace revenge on for being rude to Akimi-san, Demiglace!

“Oniisama…”

“Oniisama!?”

Demiglace was Akimi-san’s oniisan!?

No way!

I framed him with demiglace without even knowing who he was!?

“You must be Reika-san from the Kisshouin family.”

“Y-Yes. Forgive my late introduction. I am Kisshouin Reika. Thank you for having me today.”

“What brings you to our home, Reika-san?”

“Akimi-san was going to teach me cooking today.”

“Cooking? Akimi?”

Demiglace, now identified as Akimi-san’s oniisan, looked at the dishes on the table only to frown.

“Akimi, don’t tell me you were planning on teaching Reika-san how to cook menial dishes like these.”

Hah?

I looked at the table.

There was chikuzenni, buridaikon, and shiraae with spinach and fried tofu.

“You brought out these lowly meals for the daughter of the Kisshouin family? What the hell were you thinking.”

“Wait-”

Akimi-san hung her head sadly.

“Please wait. I asked her for this, and these are my favourite dishes. Is there something wrong with buridaikon? Eating fresh seasonal ingredients is the height of luxury!”

Huh. Yellowtail was in season, right…?

I swear I heard somewhere that yellowtail was in winter…

Gods above, please let me have been right.

“Well, if you say so, Reika-san,” he said hesitantly, before continuing. “But Akimi, are you even fit to teach somebody like Reika-san? You should be getting her to teach you manners and grace instead.”

“In my eyes, Akimi-san is already a splendid lady,” I countered.

Akimi-san is curling up here, so could you go away already?

“Well then, I have plans, so please excuse me Reika-san.”

Maybe my prayers had worked because Demi-brother left after excusing himself.

“…Sorry, Reika-san. I put you through something unpleasant.”

“Nothing of the sort! But I had no idea that man was your oniisama…”

“Yes… It seems that he detests me for being so fat and unsightly…”

“…”

But demi-brother seemed pretty plump himself.

Her okaasama was round too, so maybe the Narutomi family was just like that.

“More importantly, I’ll have go reheat the food. I only hope it suits you.”

“I look forward to it.”

Right.

Now that the rude interlopers were gone, it was time to get back to the food sampling.

Akimi-san came back with the reheated food and placed it in front of me.

“The reason I actually have two of each is because I’ve made them different ways. One is made with a standard recipe and proper ingredients, while the other is the kind of commoners’ flavour that I prefer. I thought it would help to see what you liked.”

“I see. Then may I help myself?”

“Please do.”

I began with some of the miso soup with green onions and tofu.

Mn, yummy!

So this was the standard one.

Next was her commoner recipe, huh.

Oh…

“What’s wrong, Reika-san?”

This tasted like… the way Mum used to make it…

“Reika-san?”

Oh no, my eyes were tearing up.

It was Mum’s miso soup.

“Reika-san… Was it not to your taste…?”

“…No. It was… very delicious.”

“Really? You don’t have to force yourself. I didn’t use much katsuobushi in this one so it might not taste that good…”

“No. Please teach me how to make it like this.”

“This one? Are you sure it isn’t too common tasting for you?”

“Please.”

I lowered my head to her.

I never had Mum teach me so I was sure I’d never get to eat it again.

But now the taste was almost in reach.

If I learnt how to make Akimi-san’s food, then perhaps one day I could recreate Mum’s.

That was my goal now.

“Please.”

“Well, if you insist…”

In the end, all of the side dishes were delicious.

And unsurprisingly, the commoner versions were nostalgic.

Mn.

I’d definitely go with those ones.

Akimi-san seemed a little taken aback when I asked though.

“I never would have imagined that you’d prefer these ones. It makes me happy though.”

“Is this how you normally cook these dishes?”

“Oh no, when my family is eating I use the expensive ones,” she smiled. “It’s embarrassing, but my family are nouveau riche. Did you know?”

Oh, come to think of it, her father had built his fortune with real estate, hadn’t he…

“In my grandmother’s generation we were an average farming family in the outskirts of the city. It was nothing but mountains and fields and countryside where we lived, but the value of the land jumped up with suburban planning, so the money from that helped my father’s business.”

“I see.”

“When my brother and I were born, our family was already wealthy. We grew up in luxury. But my grandmother still kept her habits of economising, or being a poor person if you like.”

“Right.”

“My brother often tells me this too, but I’ve been clumsy since I was little. Sometimes other children would call me an upstart as well, so whenever that happened I’d run crying to my grandmother’s house.”

“My…”

“After helping her cook for a while, I grew to love cooking as well. I mentioned earlier though that my grandmother’s habits were set. She was stingy with her cooking too.”

“Stingy?”

“Yes. She was quite stingy when making broth. She wouldn’t use much stock base, and even made second or third brew, you know?”

“I see.”

Second or third brew…?

I just nodded like I knew what she was talking about.

“You might find this hard to believe but you can actually use the katsuobushi to make furikake afterwards. You can also actually eat the leaves of the daikon and turnip, and even grow them yourself.”

“Grow them?”

“Yes. You water them near the top and they’ll start to grow leaves.”

Oh!

Mum used to do that in the kitchen!

For a while I thought it was for decoration or something.

“When I cook for others I’m generous with ingredients. But I’d still like to cherish the taste of my grandmother’s cooking too. I think this is actually what food is like in normal households, you know?”

“I understand.”

Come to think of it, at home I sometimes saw the cook fill the entire pot full of katsuobushi.

I never saw Mum do that in my old life though.

Thinking about it, Mum had been pretty stingy herself, hadn’t she.

Her food was yummy though.

“Huhu. I never would have thought a genuine ojousama like you would have picked these ones though. Obaachan might be happy to hear that.”

“I will be in your care, Sensei.”

“Gosh, don’t call me that.”

Akimi-san was a genuinely good person.

If I was in her position I’d never admit that I was from an upstart family.

I was convinced now. Akimi-san would never laugh if I admitted I couldn’t really use a kitchen knife.

“Akimi-san, the truth is, um, I cannot even cut vegetables with a knife properly…”

And I was just pretending before, so please tell me what that second broth thing is.

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

Everybody, please check the FAQ first before asking me questions.
If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!

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Apparently Fellow Stalking Horse was quite popular.

His looks were pretty good and he demonstrated ability in his role as Student Council President.

He treated everyone the same, even if they were a Pivoine, and he was both trustworthy and reliable.

As a result he was popular with both sexes.

I suppose it just came down to the author’s taste, but in the manga he and the Emperor were kind of similar.

Both of them were charismatic and had presence, and masculine faces.

In the colour illustrations their hair colours had made them look like a black panther and silver wolf.

In any other romance novel you’d expect them to be complete opposites though.

That fact that they weren’t had pretty much convinced me back in the day that the author was simply into this type of overbearing guy.

I suppose there was only one huge difference between them.

While the Emperor was cold and aloof, the Student Council President was approachable as you’d expect from his position.

He was sincere with everyone he spoke to.

The result was a boatload of confessions.

“Apparently the StuCo President was confessed to again.”

“Who was it this time?”

“That first year, I hear. The one that’s supposedly somewhat cute. You know the one.”

We had barely begun the new term and already somebody had confessed to him?

For a man that was supposed to be the vice-chief, why was he so different to the chief?

Anyway, whether you were cute or not, Fellow Stalking Horse treated you equally and was never cruel in his rejection.

It was admirable.

After all, there were plenty of guys who changed their attitude based on who was confessing.

‘You don’t have to go out with me. I just wanted you to know how I felt.’

Girls who told him this were never-ending.

Huh.

I supposed the Emperor was like that too.

After all, whether you were cute or not, the Emperor treated you equally. If you weren’t Yurie-sama it was a frosty “Not interested.”

That’s why almost nobody confessed to him, despite his popularity.

Speaking of which, I wonder how Maihama-san was doing~

Anyway, going back to Stalking Horse, rumour had it that he had his first shrine visit of the New Year with Wakaba-chan.

It was a famous shrine, so apparently plenty of people spotted them.

When girls questioned him about it, he claimed that he had gone with the entire Student Council, not just with her. Still, it hadn’t changed the fact that in the bustle of the shrine the pair had been together the entire time, and looked awfully close.

Making matters worse, Emperor Kaburagi was still greeting Wakaba-chan just like last year, and would strike up a chat whenever he went to Enjou’s class.

Whether the StuCo Pres or the Emperor, Wakaba-chan’s intimacy with the two was already seeing her glared at with jealous eyes.

*

*

*

I was on my way back from club activities.

There was a textbook that I needed for studies tonight, so I was heading by my locker to pick it up.

I was walking down the empty hallway when I spotted one Wakaba-chan heading into the bathroom.

Since there was nobody else around, I figured I may as well wish her a belated Happy New Year.

That’s why I followed her in, only to find her in just her blouse, washing her jacket in the clean washbasin.

“…Takamichi-san?” I called out quietly.

Wakaba-chan turned around with a start.

“Oh, it was you, Kisshouin-san. What’s up?”

“What’s up, you ask? I wanted to ask that.”

I glanced at the dirtied white jacket in her hands.

Now that I was looking carefully, I realised her skirt was in the same condition.

“Is that… paint water…?”

“Eh? Yeah, I bumped into somebody earlier.”

“Bumped into whom?”

“I didn’t really see their face. They said sorry, and then disappeared.”

“Disappeared? They dirtied your clothes and then ran!?”

“Ahh~ Yeah…”

That was absolutely intentional. Even their membership in the Art Club was dubious.

“But I can’t get the stains out of white clothing. I might have to send it for dry cleaning…”

“This is horrible. You should find the culprit and demand the dry cleaning funds! And from the looks of these stains, who knows if even that would do the job!”

“I’ve got a coupon for dry cleaning, so don’t worry about that. I got a bonus from last year’s term-end exams too. I’ll just have to rely on the dry cleaners to do their best… It’s going to be rough without a jacket tomorrow thoughhh.”

“Eh!? Is this your only one!?”

“Mmn.”

Overcoat or not, commuting by train without a jacket in this weather was unreasonable.

And to begin with, although I wasn’t sure if it was actually against regulations, not wearing the jacket could make her stand out as much as the gum boots did for all I knew.

“Coming here without a jacket may be a problem. Particularly when it comes to the former president of the Pivoine.”

“Ah, thought so.”

Wakaba-chan frowned.

“And I don’t even know if the stains will even come out. I guess I have no choice but to buy one then. Man, this is going to be tough on expenses…”

I was hesitant, but I couldn’t help but speak after seeing how troubled she looked.

“Umm, I have a spare set so, what if I gave it to you?”

“Ehh!? Even I’d feel bad about that!”

I had a number of spare uniforms in case some got dirty.

Giving her one wasn’t an issue at all.

Stains just wouldn’t do on white clothing after all.

“These uniforms are expensive. I can’t take something like that from you! This is completely different to slippers, you know!”

“But at this rate you will have to pay yourself, no?”

“Hmmmm…”

The school uniforms were expensive.

I wasn’t sure exactly how expensive but I wouldn’t be surprised if a set cost more than ¥100,000.

“Ah!”

“Eh?”

Oh! I did have one I didn’t need! One that I’d probably never wear again!

“I have one spoilt one that I wear no longer. It would put me at ease if you could find a use for it.”

“Ummm… Is this spoilt one cleaner than what I’m wearing?”

“Yes. I had it sent to the dry cleaners so it should be clean. However… originally it had bird faeces on it…”

“Eh!? Again!?”

“Indeed,” I nodded gravely.

It happened on a chilly afternoon.

I was going on an after-lunch walk with my friends.

I had been looking to the side at the time when from the skies above a bird dropped its poop onto my head!

Even though it missed my head, it still landed on my skirt.

Since it was soft and still steaming fresh it bounced off my skirt and ended up dirtying my jacket too.

“A bird pooped on Reika-sama again!”

“Hold on, Reika-sama! It’s not too bad! It only hit your uniform today!”

Everyone brought me to the school infirmary as my mind struggled to reboot from shock and it somehow managed to get off with detergent.

After that I immediately had somebody bring me a new change of clothes from home, and then sent the bird-poop set to the cleaners.

Still, I didn’t feel too good about it and never ended up wearing it again.

Why was it just me that had to get pooped on. Grrrr, it was outrageous!

I suppose it was a matter of outlook though.

There were islands made of bird poop in the world that you could get phosphate from and make a fortune, so maybe the bird pooping on me would one day lead to the same.

Yeah. No. It’s impossible after all.

Anyway, although she was hesitant I managed to convince Wakaba-chan and I brought her home with me in my family car.

“What a huge house~”

Wakaba-chan was just staring in shock with her mouth gaping.

Thank goodness, my parents weren’t home yet.

We headed to my room.

I took out the poop uniform and handed it to her.

“How is it?”

“Wah! It isn’t dirtied at all! Can I really take such a new uniform off you?”

“I do not intend on wearing it again, and have plenty of spares besides. Please stop hesitating and take it.”

“Really? Thank you! Ah, but will the size fit? We’re about the same height, but I’m pretty thick, you know? I’m not skinny like you are.”

“Nonsense~ We look the same~ Ohohoho.”

I was in a pretty good mood.

Wakaba-chan tried it on.

“Hmmm…?”

Apparently the waist for my uniform was loose on her──

“…Shall I lend you a sewing set?”

“Umm, I can do it at home!”

Out of consideration, Wakaba-chan just smiled past the awkwardness.

Not that I’m making excuses, but that uniform was back from when I was eating out with Ichinokura-san, okay!

I’m way skinnier now!

“Thanks for this, really. I want to pay you back so come over and play sometime, okay? My family wants to meet you too!”

“Yes, I look forward to it.”

I saw Wakaba-chan off at the nearest station.

After passing through the ticket gates, she turned and waved at me with energy before leaving.

I couldn’t help but wonder who had done this.

A fan of the Emperor, or a fan of Fellow Stalking Horse…

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The ūrṇā is the thirty-first physical characteristic of Buddha. It is generally thought to be a whorl of hair and be a mark or sign of the Buddha as a mahāpuruṣa or great being.

Happy New Year. I gained an urna.

Well, strictly speaking it’s just a straight white hair on the right edge of my hairline, so maybe it’s not an urna but just a lucky hair?

I realised it after the New Year’s holiday, just as everyone was returning to their jobs and school.

I was tying up my hair as always to dab medicine onto my eyebrows when I discovered on my forehead what seemed to be a shining clear thread.

What a shock. Apparently I was the reincarnation of a bodhisattva.

Late last year was just packed with so much trouble that I even lost hair.

That’s why on New Year’s I very thoroughly purified myself.

I even used my own money for very generous donations.

Maybe that’s why a few hairs on my eyebrows were starting to grow back.

You’ve been working hard, my hair roots! Still kind of sparse though.

But still, I bet this was because my biggest cause of stress was gone now.

As for this urna, or lucky hair or whatever, didn’t this mean I was bound to be lucky this year!? Both in money and love.

Ah, but as a young girl I couldn’t exactly just leave some random hair growing on my forehead…

Maybe it would be fine if I covered it with my fringe?

*

*

*

It was nice seeing all the familiar faces again after the break. I think every school was like this.

“Happy New Year,” I said as I stepped into my group.

“Happy New Year, Reika-sama!” they replied.

We began to chat about winter break.

“I’m fat from all the food I had on New Year’s day.”

“Don’t say that, Kikuno-san. I’ve gotten fatter too~”

“Me too, me too.”

It was the same conversation that every girl had after New Year’s.

Why did New Year’s food make you so fat?

Maybe it was all the rice cakes.

Ozouni.

Oshiruko.

Isobeyaki had rice cakes too.

Every New Year’s you ended up with this weird sense of duty to finish the rice cakes off. Thanks to that you just ended up eating, didn’t you.

I wasn’t that fond of ozouni, but isobeyaki was delicious.

“Goodness! What a precious watch you have, Reika-sama!”

“Oh, this was my parents’ Christmas present to me,” I explained.

“My!”

“How did you spend your Christmas?” somebody asked.

“Nothing special,” I said. “I just spent it with a small gathering of friends. And you all?”

“I went out to eat with my family, and then they got me the bag I wanted,” said one girl.

“I was invited to a party,” answered another.

“I was abroad the entire winter break,” explained a third.

How nice. I wish I could have spent Christmas and New Year’s overseas.

When I was little my family went to Hawaii for Christmas.

The mood was great, with costumed merrymakers all across town.

I could still remember being stunned by my first encounter with a real drag queen. Oniisama had gotten a kiss on the cheek…

Lately Oniisama was too busy to travel though. Without someone to have fun with, vacations hadn’t been as fun recently.

What was fun about swimming in a pool by yourself.

It’d be nice if I had a sister my age, or maybe a friend to go vacationing with.

While I was daydreaming the hallway grew noisy.

“It’s Kaburagi-sama and Enjou-sama!”

The girl’s voice heralded their first appearance of the year.

Every girl began to vacate their classrooms to watch.

“Let’s go too, Reika-sama!”

“Ehh…”

I couldn’t be bothered, but if everyone else was going… Up we go…

Did the pair seem more tan before? Maybe it was my imagination. Then again, maybe they went somewhere.

The girls around them sent their New Year’s greetings. While Enjou responded with a smile, Kaburagi’s responses were uninterested.

“So cool~”

“I greeted them!”

“Don’t they seem even more masculine than before the break?”

The girls in my group were watching with their hands clapsed together, entranced.

“Has it also been since before the break for you, Reika-sama?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a shame, isn’t it.”

Um, not really…

Anyhow, since today was just the ceremony, we were out of school before noon.

The Pivoine had its own greetings, so we all gathered at the salon.

When I arrived, my first greetings were for the new President of the Pivoine for this year. Not that the Presidents of the Pivoine really did anything.

Very Kaburagi of him, I supposed.

After that we relaxed, and greeted each other with some tea.

I was just doing so when Enjou and Kaburagi came along, so I said hello again.

“Happy New Year, Enjou-sama, Kaburagi-sama.”

“Happy New Year, Kisshouin-san.”

“Happy New Year.”

They really did seem kind of tanned, now that I was looking from up close…

I said as much, and they responded that they’d gone skiing in Canada.

Hmm~ Skiing gracefully in Canada, huh.

Quite different from how they spent their last winter, I had to say.

Ah, but I suppose the cold was the same.

“Oh, this is your souvenir, Kisshouin-san. Maple syrup.”

“It was the tastiest one,” Kaburagi added.

“Why thank you!”

Quite unlike the unlucky souvenir of last year.

I wanted to cook up some pancakes already.

Incidentally by that ‘tastiest one’ comment, Kaburagi, don’t tell me you went and compared them all?

Anyway, if the two of them were on holiday then I wonder what Yukino-kun was doing.

He wasn’t well, so I couldn’t imagine he could have gone skiing.

“Was Yukino-kun alone at home?” I asked.

“He went with my parents to Okinawa,” Enjou replied. “I think he’s looking a little better after relaxing somewhere warmer.”

“That sounds wonderful!”

I was finding it hard to mesh Yukino-kun and the tropics, but still, Okinawa was a nice place!

“But can Yukino-kun swim?”

“Technically. He’s been doing it to help his endurance.”

“I had no idea.”

“Apparently he was swimming in Okinawa too. I’ve seen some photos of my him and my parents at the beach or in the pool.”

“My, that sounds like fun. I hope to see these photos too.”

“We should visit the Petit Pivoine again sometime.”

“Indeed.”

But I have to wonder if Yukino-kun hadn’t wanted to go with his oniichan.

Damned Kaburagi, how could you separate the two.

By instinct I sent him a look of blame.

He looked back at me and said,

“Miruku.”

Ha? Miruku?

“Ah, nothing. Sorry, I was thinking about Okinawa when I saw your face and that word just came to mind.”

“I see…”

“Don’t worry about it, Kisshouin-san,” agreed Enjou.

“I see…”

Wondering what on earth was going on, when I got home I looked the word up.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Kaburagiiiiiiiiii!

My face brought Miruku to mind!? Are you saying I look like him!? This ridiculous face!?

You’re slandering a bodhisattva like me!?

Unforgivable!

I ended up venting to Hoya-chan the hoya kerii.

After all, people said that talking to plants would make them grow faster!

I spoke to Hoya-chan every day.

Later on I had some pancakes made, and then I ate them with the Canadian maple syrup.

What the hell!?

So delicious!

…In light of this wonderful maple syrup, I’ll forgive you just this once, Kaburagi.

Mn. I’ll upload some pics this weekend then.

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

Everybody, please check the FAQ first before asking me questions.
If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!

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I was attending a special winter holiday course at my cram school.

My marks had fallen in the most recent exam so I had to get it together!

A student’s main concern was studying, so naturally Christmas wasn’t a priority.

Christmas had nothing to do with students.

Naturally.

With that in mind I strode into cram school only to be invited by Umewaka-kun and the others to a 1000 yen random present exchange.

Present exchange?!

Count me in!

This kind of thing really brought back memories.

In my old life my friends and I had gathered together to do a 500 yen random present exchange.

It was extra hard getting presents without knowing who would get it.

If I knew that then I could at least try to get something they’d like.

It was even worse this time because we had both sexes in the pool.

If it was all girls then I could get some cute lip gloss or a nail set, but I didn’t think the boys would appreciate that.

Oh, well maybe Iwamuro-kun might, but…

After agonising over it for a while, in the end I decided on a famous onsen bath salt set.

It wasn’t something you’d have to keep around after using, and if you didn’t like it then your family could.

I wondered if this was the right choice.

It was better than some cute bath bombs at least, since the scent of those might be too sweet for a boy.

During our lunch break on Christmas Eve, we had lunch together in the classroom before singing some songs and exchanging presents.

It was a little embarrassing because there were other people in the classroom, but it was best to be festive for these things, wasn’t it!

I wondered who would get my present.

We sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as we passed the presents along in a circle.

When the song was done I ended up with a green-ribboned present, just about large enough to fit in both hands.

I wonder whose this was.

My present ended up in Sasaki-san’s hands. Ahh, had I known it’d end up with a girl I would have just gone for the bath bombs!

How was she going to react!

“Wah, bath salts. There’s actually quite a bit here. Whose was this?”

“It was mine,” I raised my hand to looks of surprise.

“This is yours!? Wouldn’t have really expected this from you.”

“Yeah. I thought Kisshouin-san would have picked something more, rich person? High roller?”

“Uu… Sorry for failing to meet expectations…”

I see. So they weren’t expecting a young lady of Zui’ran to have chosen something so plebeian. Sorry. I messed up.

“No, no! Sorry! That’s not what I meant! I was just surprised, that’s all! I love bath salts, so I’m really glad to get this. Onsen bath salts though. You’ve got some pretty mature taste, huh.”

I knew I should have just gone with some la bath salts français! Who cares if they had salts from Beppu and Arima…

After that I opened up the present I got myself. Inside was a single heart-shaped plant of some sort in a little pot…?

“Oh, I got that one. Isn’t it cute? It’s a hoya kerii. Sometimes people call it the love-heart plant.”

“The hoya kerii,” I read, and began looking at the attached instructions for raising it.

Bad with the cold, less water needed in winter… Huh, and you didn’t need to water it every day. Maybe it would be easy to keep it.

“Thank you, Kitazawa-kun. I will try my best to take care of it!”

“Yeah!”

A plant shaped like a heart though. Guy or not, I had to admit it was a pretty stylish choice.

Everyone else excitedly opened their own presents too.

Hand creams, sweets, Christmas mugs and citrus-scented soaps…

My onsen bath salts were the least cute thing here…

Still, the Christmas mood was great! I handed out the sweets I had left over from the Petit salon, and we had that instead of Christmas cake. Yummy.

*

*

When I got home my parents were about to head out for a party.

Naturally they invited me, but I declined. Have fun.

When I got back to my room I put in ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. I ended up watching it while I had dried squid from the convenience store, with soy sauce and mayonnaise.

Somehow or other I ended up watching this every year, didn’t I~

Munch munch.

I gulped down some green tea.

Oniichan was going to be out late with work and then the party, but that was fine.

I was fine just watching DVDs all by my lonesome and then falling asleep.

I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to watch after this one yet.

Wakaba-chan was probably quite busy at her family store right now.

Sakura-chan was going to be ringing bells at the church before heading to a party at Akizawa-kun’s place as I recalled.

And Aoi-chan was… on a date? Maybe I’d email her.

Ah wait, no, then she’d realise that I had nothing better to do right now.

I had to control myself…

Umewaka-kun sent me a photo of Beatrice in a red nose and antlers.

I was expecting a photo like this, but I had expected a Santa costume instead.

But with those antlers on, considering the Cerberus incident Kaburagi would probably call her a baphomet or something.

‘I had Christmas cake with A-tan!

He got me a flower collar as a present.

Isn’t it cute?

Merry Christmas, Reika-tan!’

Merry Christmas, Bea-tan.

*

*

Late at night I sensed a presence and shot to my feet.

There was a suspicious figure in the dark!

“Ghooooost!!”

I leapt onto my bed so that I wouldn’t be possessed.

Spirit begone! Spirit begone!

Why!? I thought ghosts were meant to appear on Halloween, not Christmas!

“Reika, Reika! It’s your Otousama! I’m not a ghost!”

“…Otousama?”

I turned on my bed lamp.

In its dim lighting stood a tanuki.

“What are you doing, Otousama!”

My heart almost goddamn stopped you know! You stupid tanuki!

I’m all dizzy from standing up too fast now!

“Ah, I mean, you were at home all by yourself, so your Otousama thought he’d leave you a present by your side.”

“Present?”

I looked around and found something left by my bedside.

A present whose wrapping paper was a little ruffled. I must have stepped on it in the confusion.

Still trying to play Santa at this age, huh. You’re wasting your life on dreams, Tanuki.

“Well thank you. At any rate I am going back to sleep, so please return to your room.”

“Okay…”

Otousama left my room dejectedly.

I heard Okaasama talking to him from just outside.

“Didn’t I tell you this would happen?”

Okaasama, if you’re going to dissuade him then do it properly please.

*

When I woke up the next morning I opened Santa Tanuki’s present.

It turned out to be a ladies watch with diamonds that tumbled above the dial.

Cute.

I had no doubt that it was Okaasama who chose this…

When I arrived at breakfast two Christmas cakes from Otousama and Oniisama sat there, staring at me.

Just who was supposed to eat these.

Maybe if I brought them with me to cram school everyone would finish them for me…

*

I received a message from Sakura-chan.

For Christmas, Akizawa-kun had given her a ring.

What the heeeeeell!?

I gave a prayer to my love-heart plant as I watered it.

I think I should upload some of my photos from my holiday in Japan sometime.

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

Everybody, please check the FAQ first before asking me questions.
If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!

Join the Evil God Army on discord!
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Today I had two nuisances along on my trip to the Petit salon. This was supposed to be my sanctuary…

I ended up swinging the bags in both hands as I walked.

Seeing this, Enjou spoke up.

“That looks pretty heavy. I’ll help you carry it.”

Oh? Well in that case.

I handed him the largest one.

“Whoa. This is pretty heavy. What’s inside?”

“Some season-limited Christmas chocolates for the kids.”

Since I was told that Yukino-kun had gotten me a present, I thought about getting presents for him, Mao-chan and Yuuri-kun.

Then I thought about how bad I would feel for the other kids, so in the end I decided to prepare enough chocolate for all of them.

Food and consumables were great for casual presents.

“Huh. I didn’t realise that brand produced Christmas chocolat,” Kaburagi mused.

“It is an assorted set. Some of them are shaped like Christmas trees and the like,” I replied.

“You’re pretty knowledgeable about time-limited products, huh,” he said as he peered into Enjou’s bag from the side.

Also we weren’t close enough for him to know that about me. Oh, was it the peach marshmallow that I gave him to ward off evil?

When we arrived at the Petit salon we were immediately greeted by smiles.

“Reika-oneesan!”

“Gokigen’yoh, Yukino-kun. Gokigen’yoh to you as well, Mao-chan, Yuuri-kun.”

“Gokigen’yoh, Reika-oneesama!”

“Hello Reika… oneesan…”

Yuuri-kun was still as shy about calling me that as ever.

Mhm, mhm, he was a boy after all.

If it’s too hard for you, Yuuri-kun, you can just call me Reika-chan instead, you know?

Anyhow, nobody had any idea that Enjou and Kaburagi were coming. Given how standoffish they generally were, the kids were excited about the rare opportunity to meet them, and immediately crowded them.

Huh.

All this time I was the only visitor here. I’d been monopolising the popularity of being a visiting upperclassman and yet today all their hearts were taken away in an instant.

Even Mao-chan who was like a little sister to me was taking glances over at those two!

Arghhh! I really shouldn’t have brought them here!

“Reika-oneesan? What’s wrong. Come sit down?”

Aaah! Yukino-kun! You’re my only ally here!

I did as he suggested and took my seat on the sofa. Ah, Enjou-sama, please just give out the chocolates however you like.

“You know, there was actually something I wanted to give you, Reika-oneesan.”

Yukino-kun held out a red-ribboned box in his two small hands.

“Reika-oneesan, it’s a little early, but Merry Christmas!”

“Thank you, Yukino-kun!”

I opened the box.

Inside was a snow globe with a boy creating a snowman in front of a Christmas tree. So cute!

“Is this boy you, Yukino-kun?”

“Mhm!” he nodded with a smile.

Given how frail his body was, perhaps he’d never done this before in real life.

I think I remember being told that Enjou and Kaburagi would build snowmen in view of his window when he was sick.

I hoped that he could one day build one himself.

“Then it is my turn next. Merry Christmas, Yukino-kun.”

My present for him was a thick scarf to match his uniform. At the ends of it were little white snowflakes.

I wasn’t sure though, since he might not have much need for a muffler being driven to school and all.

He wrapped it around his neck.

“Wahh! It’s so warm~!” exclaimed Yukino-kun as he rubbed his face against the scarf fringe. “Is the snowflake because my name is Yukino(snowfield)?”

“It is. The snowflake is your symbol.”

“Thank you,” he beamed.

I specially ordered it, actually. I was glad that he liked it.

As for Mao-chan and Yuuri-kun, I got them matching lesson bags; tote bags large enough to carry things for both school and extracurricular lessons. Having matching things sure was nice for a couple~

I wanted to try something like that myself one day. Ah, not matching clothing though.

“Thank you, Reika-oneesama! I’ll take care of it. Also Yuuri-kun and I got you something too!”

The two of them had gotten me fluffy boots for indoor use. It was completely adorable with little ribboned bonbons attached!

“My! Thank you! I think I shall be using them quite a bit considering how bad I am with the cold.”

They were pink and would match my belly warmer perfectly. With this I was set for winter.

We relaxed for a while, before Enjou and Kaburagi came over having distributed the chocolates.

Mmn. Well done, you two.

You can keep the remaining chocolates as thanks for your hard work.

“Yukino, did Kisshouin-san give you that muffler? Thank you, Kisshouin-san.”

“My pleasure. I should be giving thanks instead for these cute presents I received. Thank you very much.”

That was when the other kids began to thank me for the chocolate, and I ended up surrounded by smiling children myself.

Nuhoho, the presents were super effective.

“I wish you could come to my Christmas party though, Reika-oneesama,” pouted Mao-chan.

“Mao. Reika… oneesan, also has her own plans, so you can’t be so selfish.”

“But…”

Uuu, I want to go too, Mao-chan!

Why did my pride have to get in the way back there! Reika, you idiot! What if I told her that I could come now…

“You’re coming too, right, Yukino? Thanks for looking after him,” Enjou smiled.

“Yes!” said Mao-chan as she blushed.

Mao-chan! Yuuri-kun is right next to you!

“By the way, Masaya’s mum said it was a shame you couldn’t come to her party, Kisshouin-san.”

“Yeah,” Kaburagi nodded without much care.

During my family’s party last month his mother had invited me, and then my parents told me a number of times to go, but I completely refused.

It was tiring having to keep up appearances. All those parties were like that.

My parents had stopped trying once the thing with my eyebrows happened though.

All it took was some fake tears and a “I cannot possibly show up like this!”

As a fellow woman, Okaasama could sympathise.

Life is all about turning misfortune into fortune.

“Will you be attending their party, Enjou-sama?”

“Nah, I’ve got some things to do that day.”

Oh? All right then.

Seeing Yukino-kun turn with a pout, Enjou smiled helplessly and patted him on the head.

“I’ll be right back,” he said.

So the little angel showed his brother these kinds of faces.

How cute~

“Will you be attending your family’s party then, Kaburagi-sama?”

“Pretty much. I didn’t last year, so this year my mother told me to at least make an appearance. I’m planning on heading right home though.”

“I see.”

Last year… Oh, you were on your journey, weren’t you.

Kaburagi seemed bored, because he got up and began gathering the children.

What was he planning.

“You said you were going to spend Christmas with your friends, Kisshouin-san?”

“Well, yes,” I told Enjou.

He was a sharp person. What if he realised I was spending time with my air friends…

What if he realised and then thought of me as some sad case…

I had to change the subject somehow…

“Yukino-kun, what are you hoping from Mr. Santa this year?”

“Eh?”

He looked startled. How come?

“As long as Mr. Santa chooses it, I’m okay with anything,” he replied with a smile.

What age did children stop believing in Santa Claus again?

*

Kaburagi made a coin disappear, and then made a tissue float, and then some other stuff to the applause of the children.

Party tricks?

*

*

*

And so Zui’ran entered its winter break.

I found the Tohsaka house.

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Today I was picking up the yule log. As planned, we met at the train station closest to her house.

“Here it is! I feel bad making you come all the way here just to get it!”

“No, no. I am feeling rather shameless for having you make a cake just for me.”

“Don’t be! Yule logs are pretty easy to make. Ah, but it wasn’t sloppy work, okay?”

“Of course. I already knew that.”

The reason why we met here was because Wakaba-chan had a train to catch today. Since home was in the same direction we were waiting to catch the train together.

“So you use the train too, Kisshouin-san…”

“My, my, that was how I arrived here today.”

She seemed surprised to hear that.

I suppose she couldn’t help it. I was driven to school each day, after all.

“I thought people from the Pivoine never rode public transport.”

“I suppose there certainly are many like that.”

“Then could it be that you’ve ridden a bike before, Kisshouin-san?”

“Of course.”

“Eh!? Really!?”

Was it that surprising?

I used to ride my bike every day in my old life, and in this life I had taken bicycle classes for my primary school entrance exam too. Not that I had touched one since though.

Since a pair of seats were free we sat next to each other.

Wakaba-chan was wearing a red duffel coat today. I felt that it suited her energy.

“Where are you headed today?”

“Well it’s nearly Christmas, right? I’ve gotta buy my little siblings their presents.”

“I see.”

It had to be tough with as many siblings as she had.

“Speaking of Christmas, what are you doing this year, Takamichi-san?”

“Me? I’m just going to be helping at the store, same as always. It’s always busiest near Christmas. It’s almost winter now, so every day I’ve been hard at work since the morning, you know~”

“That must be tiring.”

“Yeah. Some of the orders from a while ago had overlapping delivery times. It was a nightmare. And for some reason it’s always at times like that that random customers pop into our store.”

“Oh my~ In that case you are certainly not going to be spending Christmas with a special someone.”

“Unfortunately~ But once opening hours are over my family is going to have a party. Well, probably not the types of grand parties that you’re used to, though,” she laughed. “After all, the parties at Kaburagi-kun’s house hire orchestras and opera singers and magicians and stuff, right? That must be so cool~”

“Did you hear that from him?”

“Eh? Yeah.”

“Could it be he invited you?”

“Yeah…”

That idiot…

“But I’ve got to help out at my store. And besides, I’d be so out of place there it wouldn’t be funny. It’s kind of a shame I’ll miss out on a real magician’s show though.”

“I see.”

“And I bet the cakes are going to be amazing too, right~?”

“My. I think the cake you gave me today will outshine them by far.”

“Ehhh~ But my dad didn’t make that one, you know? I did. I’m a bit worried about the taste. If it was one of Dad’s I could definitely boast about it.”

“Huhuhu.”

“…So when you defended our family’s cakes I was really very happy. Thank you.”

“Takamichi-san…”

“Ah, this is my stop. Cya then, Kisshouin-san!”

“Sure. Gokigen’yoh.”

As my train left, Wakaba-chan waved at me from the platform.

When I got home, I discovered that it came with a little meringue Santa Claus, standing besides a little meringue girl with ringlets.

Ehh!? Could that be me!? This was sooo cute! Thank you, Wakaba-chan! I had to take a picture!

It was so cute that I couldn’t bear to eat them, so I left the meringue girl in my room’s refrigerator.

I was going to show it off to Oniisama later!

I took a photo of myself with the meringue figure and sent it with a thank you message to Wakaba-chan.

*

*

When I passed by Kaburagi in the salon it took everything I had not to show off about the meringue doll. I wonder if he’d feel bitter though.

Casually asking Wakaba-chan out though. That was pretty assertive of him. Too bad she turned him down, though. Uupfftpfftpfft.

Maybe he read my mind or something because he sent me a questioning look. Oops, put on a neutral expression, Reika.

“Oh yeah, Kisshouin-san,” began Enjou, “apparently Yukino has something he wants to give to you, so do you think you could visit the Petit salon sometime before the day of the closing ceremony?”

“Yukino-kun? What does he want?”

“Apparently he has a Christmas present for you. He actually wanted to hand it to you on the day, but none of us will be at school on Christmas.”

“Heavens! A present from Yukino-kun!?”

Oh my god! I was going to get a Christmas present from an angel!?

I didn’t think I could quite make it on the day of the closing ceremony, so I told Enjou I would go some day before then. For some reason Kaburagi said he’d come with.

“I kinda wanna see how he’s doing in the Petit.”

Ehhh!? Then just go on your own sometime! You’re completely uninvited, you know!

*

*

*

Today was the day of the Handicrafts Club tea party. Last year I wasn’t invited.

This year however, I could brazenly participate. After all, I was a full member, and the Club President. Ku hu hu!

Ordinarily we were forbidden from bringing snacks to school, but the teachers turned a blind eye on special days like this. We put down the tea and sweets on the table. This was so fun.

After that a number of club members brought out home-made foods like quiche and stollen.

“I made this, if you feel like it.”

“Waah! It looks delicious!”

Teacakes were all rather sweet so I was glad for something else. Bread with dried fruits is good stuff, isn’t it~

Everyone enjoyed the food as we chatted happily about our year.

“It’s embarrassing but I’ve almost never cooked,” said a nearby girl with quiche.

“Actually, neither have I,” admitted another girl, and then another.

“There just isn’t much chance to cook at home.”

“Yeah. There’s never really a reason to.”

“What about you, Reika-sama?”

Ugh! Me!?

“I suppose if I had to say something, I enjoy baking sweets. Nothing complex though, all right? Hmm, my father and brother like chocolate brownies so I make them each Valentine’s. Hmm, and some yoghurt, or cookies with garden roses mixed in…”

“That sounds wonderful!”

“Not really. It was not anything special. Although you can make something feel more home-made by adding your own touches.”

“I never realised. As expected of you, Reika-sama.”

“We’d all love to try your sweets, Reika-sama.”

“Uhuhu, but my brother made me promise to only let my family try my desserts.”

“Really? Your oniisama really dotes on you, Reika-sama.”

“You think?” I asked.

“Uhuhu,” we all chuckled in harmony.

Phew. I somehow made it out of that topic alive.

I really needed to start Akimi-san’s lessons. We agreed to start after the New Year.

No way could I have told everyone that I couldn’t even use a kitchen knife properly.

Speaking of cooking through, Wakaba-chan’s yule log really was amazing. The mix of tart strawberries inside the sweet chocolate was just perfect!

Wakaba-chan said it was easy to make, so I was thinking of trying my own hand at it. Oh, maybe using lavender jam instead of the strawberries might be nice. It was worth trying out.

Minami-kun, the only male here, had looked a bit uncomfortable at the start, but once the topic changed to handicrafts he turned lively and participated.

“Minami-kun, whatever happened to Ririna, anyhow?”

“She was a little sulky but she accepted it.”

“Good. That girl must always be causing you guys so much trouble.”

“Not at all. It’s easy to misunderstand Kotou-san, but she’s kind and cares a lot about her friends.”

A red-faced Minami-kun took a sip of his tea.

Hmmm~ Heeeh~

To each his own, I guess~

Well anyway, club members, I hope we’ll have another great year together!

I went to Kyoto and bought some konpeitoh.

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I used a waterproof liner to carefully draw in a natural looking eyebrow.

Since it wasn’t all gone, it wasn’t so noticeable if you weren’t looking carefully.

And besides, if you took everyone’s make-up off there were plenty of women who had plucked their eyebrows off! Compared to them I still had the ends!

Plus, my hair was long enough, so as long as I didn’t run and was careful in the wind it could be fine! Thank god for being driven to school.

After having a seaweed-based breakfast I prepared to leave for school.

*

*

When I arrived, my group was really concerned because I had suddenly skipped a day.

“You seemed healthy enough until the other day. I was so worried to hear you’d suddenly caught a cold, you know?”

“I apologise for worrying you. I felt ill when I woke up in the morning… Perhaps it was just fatigue.”

“Gosh, please don’t push yourself.”

“I know. We visited the hospital too. I am fine now.”

“Thank goodness. It’s almost winter break, and Christmas is coming up too!”

Christmas…

“What is everyone doing for Christmas?” I asked.

All sorts of answers came out, like going to a party, or going on a trip with family. Everyone’s schedules were filled.

Tsk. So it really was just me with nothing to do.

“What are your plans, Reika-sama?”

“Just a small party with some close friends…”

“My! Any party that you’d attend could only be magnificent!”

“No, it truly is nothing like that.”

It’s just a party with some imaginary friends.

I changed the topic to avoid letting something slip.

“Has anything changed while I was away?” I asked.

“No, not really.”

“No, there was, wasn’t there! Huge news too, Reika-sama!”

“Yeah! Yesterday everyone was talking about how Kaburagi-sama was going to be the next President of the Pivoine!”

Oh, that. Thanks to waking up to bald eyebrows my day was quite hectic yesterday, so I had completely forgotten about it. That tea party felt like so long ago.

“Who would have thought that Kaburagi-sama would be President!”

“Fuyuko-sama said that he volunteered himself, or something? Nobody could have imagined he’d ever do that.”

“Actually we were talking about it yesterday, but Kaburagi-sama led his classes during the athletics carnivals and school festivals, didn’t he? He’s perfect for leading the Pivoine.”

“True~ I’m so looking forward to next year!”

“But the people from the Student Council seemed pretty tense…”

“Really?” I prompted.

“The Student Council President didn’t look like he cared, but everyone else had serious expressions.”

“They all looked pretty grim when they realised they’d have Kaburagi as their opponent next year.”

“I think only the Student Council President and Takamichi Wakaba didn’t seem all that worried.”

“Takamichi-san?”

“I bet her head was empty as always. She’s always looking into space like an idiot, after all. It makes you wonder if she’s really smart enough for the scholarship. Honestly unbelievable.”

“But apparently in the Student Council she’s the best with the calculator.”

“What is that even supposed to mean. Does that have anything to do with being smart?”

“Beats me.”

Hmmm. Quite a lot happened while I was away. Naturally the news about Kaburagi was blowing up. Well, basically any news about Kaburagi blew up.

I doubt everyone would have cared so much if I had taken the seat.

Thinking about it again, though, thank god I hadn’t. I was grateful to Kaburagi for this.

Had I ended up pushed into being President both my eyebrows would have fallen off completely, no doubt.

Whoa ho! Could you please not thoughtlessly open the window, guy over there? Won’t my fringe fly about if you do that?

*

*

*

When I arrived at the salon everyone asked about my cold.

People worrying about my fake illness all day was really doing a number on my conscience…

I was sitting in my usual spot with some camomile tea when Kaburagi and Enjou arrived.

“Kisshouin-san, I heard you were down with a cold yesterday. Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes…”

I gave a weak smile to play up the ‘getting better’ thing.

“Karin fruits are good for coughing, you know. Yukino drinks a lot of karin tea when he has an attack.”

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

Of course, the truth was that I was fine besides my eyebrows. I’d prefer him telling me some medicine for hair growth instead.

“When I came back today I was surprised at how quickly the news of Kaburagi-sama had spread.”

Kaburagi had been sitting there legs crossed and enjoying some black tea. He looked up at me when he heard that.

“Pretty much…” he agreed.

“It was even crazier yesterday,” added Enjou.

“Really?” I asked.

“I mean, Masaya hates being bothered, so everyone was sure he’d never do it, right?”

“That I can understand.”

“I wonder what changed his mind,” Enjou smirked.

Kaburagi suddenly looked away.

I stared at him for a while. When he realised he looked back with a frown.

“What.”

“Oh no, nothing.”

Why on earth did you decide to do that, Kaburagi?

Enjou had left for some new tea, so it was just the two of us when he muttered,

“…There are a lot of people in the Pivoine who don’t think well of her.”

His voice was low and quiet, but I heard every word.

Hmmm… So it really was for Wakaba-chan’s sake. He really was the type to do anything for his special person.

“What do you…”

“Eh?”

“What do you think about her…?”

I felt my heart thump as I was fixed by his strong gaze.

“Nothing in particular.”

“…I see.”

Scary.

Maybe it would have been better had I emphasised that I wasn’t her enemy instead.

Maybe it’d have helped avoid any misunderstandings that would lead to my family being destroyed.

I was about to say something but Enjou returned, and Kaburagi left his seat instead.

I had missed my chance.

Oh dear, don’t tell me my left eyebrow was next…!?

The moment I returned home, I made sure to apply the medicine.

*

*

We agreed that I’d be coming over during the weekend to pick up my specially made yule log.

Yaay! I was looking forward to it!

I wonder what Wakaba-chan would be doing for Christmas.

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