Episode 112: The Christmas Party

In the end, as Mai had suggested holding the Christmas party at her place, it was decided that the three of us would celebrate at her home.

‘Welcome, Hoshizora! Come on in! Hina’s already here, too.’

Encouraged by Mai’s cheerful voice, I stepped inside.

‘Welcome. Thank you for always looking after Mai.’

A woman with a cheerful demeanour came out to greet us.

“No, no, it’s us who are always in Mai’s care.”

I bowed deeply. Perhaps because she looked exactly like Mai, I managed to greet her without feeling too nervous.

“That’s right, I’m the one who’s always looking after you, aren’t I!”

She said something I didn’t quite understand whilst patting me firmly on the back, but if her mum hadn’t been there, I’m sure I would have wrapped an arm around her neck.

“I know Mai causes you trouble, so please make yourself at home today.”

With a smile, Mai’s mother returned to the living room.

“Hina’s waiting in my room, so go on ahead. I’ll grab some drinks.”

I headed to the room as Mai had told me. When I opened the door, Endo-san was there.

‘Takizawa, it’s been a whole day, hasn’t it?’
‘A whole day.’

　When I repeated the same words back to her, Endo-san looked delighted. I never quite understand what amuses her; I can never quite figure out her sense of humour.

‘We’re ordering in, so let’s decide what we want!’

　Mai was full of enthusiasm and ordered loads of food. Chicken, chips, pizza, cake…

　I think it’s truly amazing that you can even get cake delivered these days. Just as our stomachs were starting to feel full from all the food, we began exchanging presents.

“Right then, I’ll go first!”

　Mai handed us the presents with great enthusiasm. I’d never exchanged presents with friends like this before, so the whole exchange made my heart flutter.

“Can I open it?”
“You’ve already opened it, haven’t you?”
“Hehe.”

　Before Mai could even say it was okay, Endo-san had already opened hers, like an innocent child. I found their interaction utterly heart-warming.

Since Endo-san was opening hers, I decided to open mine too.

“Wow, I absolutely love this scent. I’m so happy, thank you!”

Mine was a different scent to Endo-san’s, but it was the same type of hand cream.

Endo-san immediately rubbed some onto her hands and brought them close to my nose.

“Doesn’t it smell lovely?”

　As Endo-san brought her hand close to my face, I had no choice but to take a sniff. The scent was mature and slightly intoxicating.

“It does smell lovely.”

　When I said that, Endo-san looked delighted and thanked Mai. I tried applying the hand cream I’d received to my own hands.

　It had a citrusy scent that made my heart feel light and airy.

‘What does Takizawa’s smell like?’

　Endo-san grabbed my arm without asking and brought it close to her face. I’m always exasperated by how pushy Endo-san is.

‘Citrus, eh? This is nice too. I reckon Takizawa would probably sniff it and think it smells like something tasty.’
‘That’s true.’

　The two of them laughed together with a little hehe, and I wasn’t pleased about it. Do they have me mistaken for some kind of glutton?

“Come on, Takizawa, don’t pull a face like that. Right, my turn now.”

Next, Endo-san handed us a present. When we opened it, there were about three stylish bath bombs inside.

“These are those famous Rats bath bombs, aren’t they! They’re too expensive for me to buy for myself, so I never did, but I’ve always wanted to try them at least once!”
“You’re exhausted from exam season, so I hope you’ll use them as a treat on days when you’ve worked hard.”
“Thank you!”

　Listening to their conversation, I checked the scent of each one in turn.

There was just one scent that made my chest tighten. It was the same floral fragrance as the one that comes from Endo-san. Endo-san always smells of lavender; it’s mature, calming and soothing.

　I think I like Endo-san’s scent.

　It’s not as if I’ve ever paid much attention to other people’s smells before, but Endo-san is always so close that my nose picks it up whether I like it or not.

‘Hoshizora, you really like that scented bath bomb, don’t you?’

　When Mai said that offhand, I hurriedly hid the bath bomb inside my bag. I panicked, wondering if Endo-san had seen it.

‘It’s nothing special.’

　Saying that, I didn’t want the topic to be brought up again, so I handed the presents to the two of them as well.

‘I think I was looking forward to Hoshizora’s present the most.’
‘I know… But Mai, don’t get your hopes up.’
‘Why not? Hina always tries to hog Hoshizora all to herself.’
‘Shut up.’

The two of them started their usual squabble again, but I wanted to ask why she’d been looking forward to it. They were talking so animatedly that I couldn’t get a word in, though…

　Even if I asked why, I couldn’t change what I’d bought at this late stage, so I gave up and pressed the presents firmly against their chests. They eagerly set about opening the bags.

“C-cute… I can’t believe Hoshizora chose a present like this…”

　Mai said it in a joking tone.
　Endo-san was grinning as she looked at the present.

‘I thought a make-up pouch might be nice, as you both wear make-up. You’re going to be university students, after all.’
‘Takizawa, I always think this, but you’ve got great taste in presents, don’t you?’

　Endo-san said it in a genuinely serious tone, and the embarrassment of it made my eyes unable to look at anything but the floor.

‘“Always”? Have you received other things from Hoshizora before?’

　Mai was speaking in the kind of tone she uses when she’s in a mischievous mood.

　You idiot, Endo-san…

I hadn’t told Mai that we’d celebrated Endo’s birthday or that I’d given her a Christmas present last year.

When I glared at Endo, she seemed flustered and cowered, trying to make some sort of excuse to Mai. Mai has a keen eye for the oddest things, so I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders, knowing she’d probably ask me all sorts of questions later.

The Christmas party ended on a high note, and we set off for home.

‘Thanks for today! Come back again!’

　Mai was waving her hand vigorously, so I waved back, feeling a bit shy.

　Of course, I walked home with Endo-san.

“That was fun today, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Takizawa, thanks for the pouch.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll use it for the rest of my life.”
“Don’t be silly. Just throw it away if it breaks.”
“No way. It’s precious to me.”

　Endo-san was smiling happily. Knowing Endo-san, she really would probably keep using it even if it got a hole in it.

“If it breaks, I’ll buy you another one, so just throw it away.”
“You’ll buy me another one?”

　I’d meant to tell her I wanted her to throw it away if it broke, but Endo-san always picks up on the very things I don’t want her to pick up on.

“Stop nagging.”

　When I said that, Endo-san looked dejected. It was the sort of reaction a dog might have when it thought it was going to get a treat but didn’t.

“Takizawa, what are you doing over the New Year holidays?”
“Studying.”
“And apart from that?”
“Nothing. What about you, Endo-san?”
“I’m studying too.”
“Aren’t you going back to your grandparents’ house or anything?”
“No, I don’t think I’d go back because I reckon Grandma and Grandad would feel they had to look after me if I was there.”
“Are you home alone?”

　I regretted asking such a tactless question.

“Yeah…”

　Endo-san looked clearly sad.
　However, she immediately put on her usual forced smile and started talking.

‘It’s exam season this year, so I reckon I’ll be able to concentrate better on my own, it’s just right!’
‘Stop pulling that face.’

My comment had made Endo-san sad, and she was forcing a smile. Even though it was my fault, I think my words came across as rather cold.

“I’m sorry…”

　I didn’t actually want her to apologise, but because I hadn’t said enough, things didn’t go well. I said goodbye to Endo-san whilst that awkward atmosphere still hung in the air.

　I suppose the next time we meet will be after the New Year.

　Will I be able to see her with a normal expression on my face then?
　With those thoughts in mind, I saw in the New Year.