"Dong…"
As soon as the video connected, Tsuna noticed Shouko's unusual behavior.
"Why is your face so red?"
"It's hot," Shouko pouted.
"..."
Tsuna guessed that Yaeko had probably mentioned that matter to her, but since she didn't want to ask more, he didn't plan to say more either.
The two chatted about everyday things for a few more sentences, then gradually fell silent, each busy with their own tasks.
Tsuna on the other end of the video seemed to be drawn to Jun's message, excitedly discussing the details of the new book releasing in a few days.
Shouko, meanwhile, opened her digital drawing tablet and used her pen to trace an unfinished line drawing on the screen.
Whenever Tsuna's voice sounded again, she immediately stopped writing, her body subconsciously leaning slightly forward, her gaze focusing on the small phone screen, carefully following his opening and closing lips.
Only by capturing each of those subtle lip shape changes could she piece together what he was saying at the moment, and then respond softly.
When Shouko put down her digital pen, rubbed her already stiff and sore wrist, and looked up, she noticed the moonlight pouring in through the window:
"How is it almost twelve-thirty!"
She looked at the time at the top of the screen, a little disbelieving.
Her gaze fell to the phone screen beside her, which was still connected to the video.
In the dim picture, there was only faint moonlight; Tsuna had fallen asleep at some point, his head resting diagonally on the pillow, emitting a faint, rhythmic rise and fall of breath.
It was a pity she couldn't hear that sound.
Switching to the background, she also saw the messages he had sent on 'LINE'.
"Sleep early, I'm a bit sleepy, going to bed first."
"Good night."
Both messages showed they were sent at 11:30 PM, there was a notification sound, but she was too engrossed at the time and didn't hear it.
"Good night Tsuna."
After tidying up, she gently pressed the switch, and the room instantly plunged into darkness, with only the phone screen still glowing faintly.
Shouko quickly burrowed into the covers and curled up, kissed the sleeping profile on the screen, then closed her eyes peacefully, cradled by that silent calm, and soon drifted into dreams.
The next morning, bright and early.
Tsuna woke up to go for his morning run and found that the video had been on all night, but Shouko was no longer in bed or in the room.
——————
Shouko had specially circled the release date of "i want to eat your pancreas" on her calendar.
The next two days felt as if the second hand had been stretched, counting down the days on her fingers.
Finally, the winter break arrived as scheduled, and plans were made with friends for outings.
But a sudden incident on the twenty-seventh caused the release date of 'i want to eat your pancreas' to be pushed back to January 8th, after the New Year.
On that day, because of the delay, the announcement of the postponement published by Futaba Publishing on 'Twitter' received a large number of comments.
Whether they were positive or negative reviews, that was unclear.
Yaeko also welcomed her nearly two-week holiday on that day.
On the evening of the thirty-first, New Year's Eve (Omisoka), during the family dinner, Yaeko got drunk for once, then hugged Shizuka and began to cry and vent.
The children were sent out to play by Daisuke, who also chose to go for a walk.
This New Year, Shouko and Takagi went to visit the shrine on Futaba's hillside for New Year's prayers.
Ajitani lost a lot of her pocket money to the Miko, yet she was still foolishly happy.
Tsuna, meanwhile, was kept at home by Daisuke to entertain visiting relatives and friends.
On the third, he went with Daisuke and his wife to visit a few friends' homes.
The thin sunlight of January 7th offered little warmth.
People were sparse in the streets and alleys; office workers, bundled in thick clothes, clutched their briefcases and, dragging steps softened by the holiday, squeezed back into the office buildings segmented by glass curtain walls.
Except for Daisuke.
Yaeko was also promoted to an important position on the day work resumed, completely stunned, without any prior notice.
She couldn't help but think of what happened on New Year's Eve.
...
"I don't want it!!!"
"What's wrong with the class monitor?"
Nishikata, wearing a dessert shop apron, stopped in the aisle by their table with a tray of drinks, casting a questioning look at Tsuna and the others.
'Just her usual craziness, you'll get used to it,' Tsuna silently told him.
"..."
"It's nothing," Takagi shook her head, taking the drink he offered: "Ajitani-chan is just complaining about school starting the day after tomorrow."
Nishikata chuckled twice, placed all the sweet drinks they ordered on the table, then tucked the tray under his arm and turned to leave.
"Holiday on the 27th, school starts on the 10th, I suggest the school give me back my delayed holiday."
Tsuna took a sip through his straw, faintly retorting: "The school won't listen to your suggestion."
As soon as he finished speaking, he was met with a fierce glare from Ajitani, but it had no effect, and he even felt like laughing a little.
"Miyamura, if you're like this, I won't support your new book tomorrow."
"Actually…" Tsuna paused: "I can send them directly to you, no need to buy them specifically."
"That's right, Ajitani-chan," Shouko nodded in agreement:
"Yesterday, Futaba Publishing sent me and Tsuna several unopened copies of 'i want to eat your pancreas'."
"That's not the same!" Ajitani shook her head repeatedly.
"..."
Tsuna was helpless and a little speechless, of course, paying for something and getting it for free are not the same…
"But… tomorrow you have to be the first to sign for me, and you have to write the time too!" Ajitani held up her index finger, wiggling it in front of them both.
The two exchanged glances and nodded in agreement, Shouko nodded decisively, while Tsuna slowly gave a slight nod a beat later.
The topic didn't last long and soon shifted to where to go for fun.
...
"Miyamura's old book is releasing tomorrow, still don't know if it'll be a tearjerker this time."
"No need to look, I guessed the heroine would die from the preview synopsis published by Futaba Publishing."
"I agree with the person above, the heroine has a pancreatic disease, if she doesn't die, who will?"
"When will there be a signing event? On behalf of Menma, I have a gift for Teacher Miyamura."
"Miyamura's old skill has declined, it's so easy to guess who dies this time."
"Teacher Nishimiya and Teacher Miyamura seem to be a couple."
"To be fair, it's commendable that this time it's not divided into two volumes."
"Menma is my wife!!!"
Tsuna leaned back on the sofa, scrolling through Futaba Publishing's forum, the myriad of posts making his eyes dizzy.
Finally, he simply turned off his phone screen, tossed it aside, and closed his eyes to rest.
As soon as his eyelids closed, a soft, fragrant mass "whooshed" into his arm, carrying a sweet, lime-like scent.
Her fluffy head fit precisely into the hollow of his neck, her warm breath brushed his Adam's apple, and she was giggling.
Tsuna didn't even have the strength to lift his eyelids, only letting out a deep "Hmm" from his nose, the blurred ending sound unclear whether it was a question or resignation.
In the end, he didn't push her away, letting her, like a triumphant cat, find the best spot in his embrace and hug him.
"Tsuna~ You smell so good!"