The first snow. It signifies the day when untainted white snowflakes first cover the world that year.
That tingling feeling that stirs up childhood innocence. The warmth felt while admiring the white crystals embroidering the world with a loved one.
They say that for those who have completed their military service, the sight of snow triggers a visceral sense of dread, but I've never served, so it doesn't matter to me. (TN: In South Korea, men who have completed their mandatory military service are called "gunpil." They often dislike snow due to the arduous task of shoveling it.)
In this day and age, with severe air pollution and acid rain being long-standing problems, there's no way the snow is actually clean, but...
Thankfully, the environment of our Kivotos is protected by Millennium's technology. So, residents of Kivotos, you can rest assured and roll around in the snow to your heart's content.
"Hey, you two feel... extra clingy today, don't you?"
"And are you saying you dislike it?"
"No, well, if we're talking likes and dislikes, of course I like it. But isn't it a bit of a nuisance to others if we walk around like this...?"
To dislike having your arms held tightly by your girlfriends on both sides would make you impotent... no, wait, I guess I am impotent. Not that I'm a man... or anything.
Even setting that triviality aside, it would be strange to dislike this situation. It might be a different story in the sweltering summer when the discomfort index is sky-high, but when the temperature is low enough for snow to fall, human warmth is more than welcome.
"...If we stick closer together, it'll be fine."
"W-Well, that's true. But people are staring so much."
"Why is someone who's going to be an idol pretending to be bothered by that? We're the ones who should be embarrassed."
"Nagisa is right. If anything, we're the ones who should feel more awkward."
"Ahaha..."
With my arms linked by Hina and Nagisa, I strolled down a park path in a snowy D.U. The sound of the snow crunching under my feet was quite pleasant to the ear.
The wind wasn't blowing much, so the flurry of snowflakes was a beautiful sight. The air was clean, too. Aside from the cold, it was a perfect day to be out and about like this.
"...Nagisa, may I ask what your plans are for Christmas this year?"
"Oh my. We haven't discussed that yet, have we?"
...Ah.
Come to think of it, who wouldn't want to spend Christmas with their lover? I have a chilly feeling that a heated debate is about to unfold...
"I will concede to Hina-ssi until the evening of Christmas Eve. In exchange, I will be taking Christmas Day, so please ensure Mika-ssi is home before the day changes."
"...If it's just that much, then, mm. Understood. Thank you for your consideration, Nagisa."
Huh, my premonition was wrong?
The fact that they're talking about me like I'm an object is just my karma, so I'll let that slide. But I didn't expect Nagisa to divide the schedule so readily.
But on second thought, Nagisa managed to make it seem like a grand gesture while securing all the benefits for herself. Hina was only allowed a dinner date on Christmas Eve, while Nagisa got the entire Christmas Day. Considering that day is a Holy Day of Obligation, it felt like she had proposed a compromise that was somewhat acceptable to both.
"Why, Mika-ssi? Is there something you wish to say?"
"Nope, nothing at all. Yes, as long as I can spend it with both of you, I'm all for it."
"Fufu. I'm glad to hear that."
This whole situation arose because of my own greed, so how could I possibly complain? Even if I had complaints, I didn't. And if I didn't, well, I just didn't.
Unfortunately, the snow hadn't piled up that much, so after walking the entire path, taking some pictures, and sitting on a bench for a while to drink warm tea, we returned to the streets of D.U.
"Hina-chan, is there anything you want for a Christmas present?"
"Anything you give me is fine, Mika. The hairpin you gave me last time... um, I'm sure I'll have a use for it someday."
"Hmm. Should I have just sent you some tea instead?"
"Even if you had sent that, I probably would have just kept it at my place and brewed it for you whenever you came over. Ako can't brew tea... and honestly, it's a bother for me to do it."
"...Ahaha."
Come to think of it, Hina also says things are a "bother" quite often. It's both funny and sad that she still gets everything done, but lately, as she's been getting more free time, she's always wrapped in a blanket whenever we video call.
That's all coming to an end this week, though. And I'm not even the one taking away Hina's rest time. This is just Hina cleaning up her own mess.
"I want to retire."
"Whoa... You wanted to be an idol that badly?"
"...This won't do. Mika, let's have a match at the shooting range. Right now."
"Hmph. Are you confident, Hina-chan?"
Just as a strange tension began to flow between Hina and me, a small sigh from the other side dissipated the mood.
"Excuse me. You two, a shooting range? Please go on a day when it's just the two of you. And Mika-ssi, why aren't you asking me?"
"Because I've already prepared your gift, Nagi-chan. Isn't that obvious? Surely you're not saying otherwise."
"Ah, there are still three weeks until Christmas. Ahem. In any case, if that's the situation, then I suppose it can't be helped... Yes, I'll let it go this time."
"Oh? And what were you going to do if you didn't let it go?"
"Pardon?"
"You're the one who clings to me first every night..."
"Th-That's enough! Stop right there. Why are you bringing that up in a public place? Besides, the way you said it could be completely misunderstood."
A laugh burst out of me seeing Nagisa, her face beet red, at a complete loss. But for some reason, after hearing my words, Hina suddenly bowed her head.
"Huh, Hina-chan?"
"...It's nothing. I think I just, um. Stepped on something."
"Really? Then maybe we should unlink arms..."
"I-It's fine. Don't worry about it. There's no problem."
She said there was no problem, but when Hina looked at me a moment ago, her face was also blazing for some reason.
"Hmm. Do you have a fever, maybe?"
"That's not... Uh, ugh?! Wait, Mika. That's, that's too close..."
Since my arm was still linked with hers, the best I could do was gently press my forehead against Hina's. Whether it was because of the cold weather or something else, it didn't seem like she had a fever.
"Really, how can a person like this have never dated before...?"
Nagisa's quiet mutter from beside me flew like a fastball and lodged itself in my chest.
Nagisa, I can let most things slide, but that one really hurts...
"Um. Anyway, Mika-ssi, shall we go look at some clothes first...?"
Nagisa said, glancing at the sign of a famous fashion brand. It seems Nagisa wants to see our closets explode.
"Hmm..."
I turned my gaze and scanned Hina's outfit. It was decent, but not the best. Our Hina could be even prettier than this.
"Alright, let's go. But before that..."
I took out my phone and called someone. The person on the other end picked up in less than five seconds.
[Hello. What is it? Did something happen to the Prefect Leader?]
"Hi, Ako-chan. It's nothing major. I'm about to go look at some clothes for your Prefect Leader. Do you want to watch in real-time, or see pictures?"
[...R-Real-time! I'll watch in real-time, Mika-ssi. No, that's not right. Please, you have to let me watch!]
"...Ako, don't you think you're being a little too blatant lately?"
[I don't care about that as long as I can behold the Prefect Leader's form!]
"Haaah..."
"Alright, I'll switch to a video call right away☆"
It was the beginning of a strange 3+1 person shopping spree that would last for a full five hours.
***
After the long shopping trip was over, we loaded our shopping bags into the cars driven by our respective escorts and Prefect Team members and had dinner at a popular malatang restaurant.
For Nagisa, who can't handle spicy food, I ordered guobaorou and the mildest level of malatang for us to share, while Hina went for a safe medium.
I don't think I used to like malatang that much, but I have no idea why it tasted so delicious today...
As it was getting dark, it was nearly time to head back. We decided to part ways after sitting on a bench overlooking a lake, sharing some tea, and chatting for a bit.
"Next time the three of us go out, I think we should spend more time doing things other than shopping."
"Hearing that from you, Nagi-chan, who was the most enthusiastic one picking out clothes, feels incredibly dissonant. Yes."
"Ugh, that's... I mean..."
"I don't think we can blame Nagisa. If Ako hadn't been there, we could have finished two hours earlier."
"Yes, Hina-ssi is right. The problem was with Ako-san, not with me."
Even Nagisa, who said that so shamelessly, seemed to know how ridiculous her words sounded, as her forced smile couldn't hold.
"Ahaha. Then next time, should we invite Ako-chan and all four of us can hang out?"
"Th-That wouldn't be a date anymore, would it?"
"But, I want you to get to know and be friends with more people, Nagi-chan."
"...If you put it that way, it makes my social circle sound incredibly narrow."
Yep, that's right. Pouting won't change a thing.
"How many people do you keep in regular contact with, Nagi-chan?"
"Four... no, five...?"
"Me, Seia-chan, Hifumi-chan, and Hina-chan. Who else?"
"...Four."
"See? It's not like you have a difficult personality or anything, Nagi-chan. You could stand to have a few more friends, right?"
"Phew... I understand."
Sighing like that won't magically increase your number of friends.
Anyway, it was about time to part.
It wasn't that I didn't want to stay like this longer, with the two of them leaning against me on either side... but they were all people who had to be up early tomorrow for their busy schedules.
"Still, just as Nagi-chan said, it didn't really feel like a date since we were just shopping... so let's ban shopping next time☆"
"...I think that's a good idea."
Hina, who had been the main target of my and Ako's efforts, agreed with such a tired expression that she must have been really exhausted. Come to think of it, out of all the shopping trips we've had, today's was probably the most comfortable for me.
"...You went through a lot today, Hina-ssi."
"Yeah. You too, Nagisa."
Watching the two of them stand up, face each other, and exchange awkward greetings made me want to laugh. I guess they still weren't completely comfortable with each other yet.
"What kind of greeting is that! You should give each other a big hug and say 'see you next time'. Yes, like this."
I went over and pulled them both into a tight embrace at the same time. The looks I got in return weren't exactly friendly, but what did it matter? Once you've brazened it out once, doing it a second or third time is easy. And at this point, I'd done it dozens of times.
It might be the most shameless thing to say, but I want the two people I like to be close friends.
"Hey. You both know that I really, really like you a lot, right?"
"We know, so can you please let go..."
"Mika-ssi, I, I can't breathe..."
"Ah."
...When I made the excuse that I was just hugging them as hard as I liked them, I got the cold response that I should like them a little less.
Life. Being excessively strong wasn't always a good thing.
***
[Hoshino-chan]
[Uhe~ Mika-chan, look at this. I picked up a wolf... no, a freshman off the street.]
[Photo]
[What do you think of our kouhai? Cute, right?] (TN: Kouhai is a Japanese term for a junior.)
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Sorry for not uploading these past 2 days
I had to attend a wedding and was very tired afterwards.