‘Love Gathers in the Classroom After School’ Christmas Short Story (Post-Epilogue)

Supporters-Only Article To All Our Supporters

Thank you so much for your continued support!

This time, we are releasing a Christmas short story set after the epilogue of ‘Love Gathers in the Classroom After School’.

By the way, there is one difference between the KakuYomu version and the book version regarding the Christmas party in the main story, did any of you readers spot it?

In the KakuYomu version, Rio drinks champagne, whereas in the book version, she drinks ginger ale.

If you would be so kind, I would be delighted if you could read this work again today, on the first anniversary of the final chapter!

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Since Christmas fell on a Friday this year, Meisa and I held a small Christmas party after work.

‘Merry Christmas.’

We clinked our glasses of champagne and toasted. Even though she’s still young, Meisa, sitting opposite me, looked very elegant as she tilted her glass.

‘It reminds me of the Christmas parties when I was in high school. That day, I was so happy and content… I just lingered in that feeling for a while, thinking, “So this is what Christmas is really like.”’

Although she’d always seemed mature even as a teenager, the sweet smile she showed now, as an adult, drinking alcohol, was exactly the same as the ‘Uehara-san’ I’d seen so many times in the classroom after lessons.

　A wave of nostalgia washed over me, and with it, the feelings I’d locked away back then, trying not to acknowledge them, resurfaced, threatening to spill over.

‘I had a wonderful time too. It’s just that back then… I never could have imagined a future where I’d be drinking with Meisa.’

Unlike me, Meisa had held the promise of endless possibilities for the future. It was unthinkable that I should ever limit her choices.

“I’ve been imagining it all along, you know? A future where I’d eat Christmas cake with Rio again. Remember, even at that Christmas party back then, we talked about what we’d do ‘next year’, didn’t we? I just never thought it would be five years later.”

I found myself gazing, spellbound, at Meisa as she smiled and said that. This is probably why Meisa always seems to shine so brightly.

She’s so straightforward, so devoted… and that’s precisely why I…

‘…I love you.’

‘Huh?’

Seeing me let my feelings slip and speak them aloud, Meisa’s expression softened.

‘No matter how many times Rio tells me she loves me, it still makes me so happy I can’t help but grin.’

‘…Because I promised I’d tell you I love you, time and time again.’

That day, in the classroom after school. Ever since that moment when I swore to be true to my feelings and to cherish the girl standing before me, I’ve been keeping that promise in my own way.

‘Rio, I’m sure you have no idea just how much that single phrase fills me up. …I love you. I love you so much, Rio.’

Just having her hold my hand and look at me, I could feel my body temperature rising.

　――Meisa doesn’t understand the depth of my feelings either. Even though I’m an adult, just being touched like this makes me feel as though I might lose control.

　I’ll never be a match for her.

　To begin with, there’s nothing I can beat her at, not her looks, her charm, or her dexterity. The only things I have over her are my age and… the intensity of my love.

　But even if I told Meisa that, she’d just say, ‘I love you more,’ and make me understand it with those sweet words and the touch of her fingertips.

So today, I’ve prepared a pre-emptive move.

‘Me… Meisa, there’s something I’d like to give you.’

Reluctantly, I step away from Meisa and fetch a small shopping bag from another room. She knows her designer labels. I’m sure she’s already guessed what’s inside just from this.

‘A Christmas present. …I’ve no sense of style, so I’m not sure if you’ll like it.’

I’m so afraid of Meisa’s reaction that I’ve even gone so far as to cover my back.

‘Oh, thank you…! Er, I’m a bit taken aback, I’m not quite prepared for this, you see… Um, may I open it?’

“Sure. …We’ll go and buy a proper one together… someday.”

As she looked at the small square box I’d taken out of the carrier bag, Meisa’s eyes seemed to well up slightly.

Is kneeling down to present the box the right thing to do? For me, having never bought or given a present like this before, I really don’t know.

But… even though there are so many things I don’t understand, the feeling that I truly want to give this to her is, without a doubt, genuine.

　Spotting the gold ring sitting in the centre of the open box, Meisa looked up and gazed at me with a slightly upturned gaze.

‘…Will you put it on for me, Rio?’

There was no reason to refuse such a sweet request. Sitting down beside Meisa, I slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her outstretched left hand; perhaps due to the synergy with her own charm, it seemed to shine even brighter.

‘…Thank you. I’m really, really, so happy…!’

‘I’m glad you like it.’

‘But how did you know my size? Magic?’

‘Magic? No, just… I suppose if you hold hands with Meisa, you’d know…’

Meisa stared at me intently and let out a soft sigh.

‘…Rio, you’ve always been like that, haven’t you?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Nothing, really. I’m just glad you fell for me so quickly! I’m not giving you to anyone else now, you know.’

She caught me off guard with a kiss.

‘…I’ll take good care of you. Both the ring and you, Rio.’

‘Ah, thank you… very much…’

“Hehe… Rio, you’re using formal language now, aren’t you?…”

She called me by my old nickname, whispering it in my ear. Unable to control the pounding of my heart, I closed my eyes as her lips touched mine once more.

I could feel the ring I’d given her on her intertwined fingers.

　From now on, I’ll spend Christmas with her time and time again. …I’ll live my life with her. I want to live my life with her.

Holding onto that wish, I parted my lips of my own accord.

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Well then, it’s a little early, but… Merry Christmas!

I look forward to your continued support! Hibiki Tsuzuro

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