Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093083511177921/episodes/16818622176546198379
The first three days of the New Year. At the Matsumura household, Hina and Sakine were spending a relaxing day at home. I had been invited by Hina to spend the day at the Matsumura house. Since talking with Mukai at the end of the year, my feelings for Hina had grown even stronger. With those feelings in mind, I pressed the doorbell at the entrance. From inside, I could hear lively voices and the aroma of delicious food wafting out.
“Hikaru, welcome!”
Hina greeted me at the entrance with a smile. She was wearing a cute traditional Japanese-style apron, which suited her perfectly. Just seeing her like that made my heart warm, as if the conversation I had with Mukai yesterday had vanished.
“Excuse me for intruding. It’s lively here.”
“Yeah. Sakine has been in a high spirits since earlier.”
Hina said with a wry smile, and I could hear Sakine’s cheerful voice from the back of the living room.
“Hikaru-nii-chan!”
Sakine jumped out of the living room. In her hand, she was holding colorful feathers for a game called “hanezuki.”
“Hello, Sakine chan. Were you playing hanezuki?”
“Yes! I was playing with nee chan! Hikaru-nii-chan, let’s play too!”
Sakura-chan pulled my hand with a big smile. Her innocent expression made me smile naturally.
When I entered the living room, a warm, New Year’s-like scene spread out before me. Hina and Sakine-chan were chatting happily around the kotatsu. On the table were luxurious dishes such as osechi ryori, ozoni, and sashimi, which Hina had probably made, arranged tightly.
“Come on, Hikaru, don’t be shy, sit down.”
Hina urged me, and I sat down next to her.
“Did you make all this, Hina? That’s amazing.”
When I asked her, Hina smiled a little shyly.
“Yes. Sakne and I worked hard on it. My mother taught me how to make the osechi dishes.”
I was convinced by her words. With Hina’s skill, she could certainly make such a meal.
“Come on, everyone, let’s eat!”
With Hina’s words, the meal began. The osechi dishes were beautifully arranged, each one resembling a work of art.
“This is called datemaki. It’s sweet and delicious.”
Hina placed the datemaki on my plate. When I put it in my mouth, a gentle sweetness spread throughout.
“It’s delicious! It’s really delicious, Hina.”
When I expressed my honest opinion, Hina smiled happily.
During the meal, Hina talked to me about school and the events of the New Year’s holiday. Sakine-chan also happily talked about her New Year’s money. I could feel that everyone was concerned about me, and it was a bit embarrassing but also heartwarming.
Hina sat next to me, occasionally looking at my face and smiling kindly. Her presence was a great support to me.
When we finished eating, Hina brought a deck of cards from the back room.
“Sakine, wants play cards with Hikaru-nii!”
Sakine sat next to me with sparkling eyes and eagerly taught me how to play cards.
“Hikaru-nii, you play it like this!”
“Oh, I see.”
Following Sakine’s instructions, I joined in the card game. Hina watched us playing and smiled gently.
It was evening, and it was time for me to go home.
“Thank you so much for today, Hikaru. It was lively, but you had fun, right?”
Hina asked me.
“Yes, I had a lot of fun. Hina and Sakine chan welcomed me warmly, and I felt very comfortable.”
When I told her how I truly felt, Hina smiled happily.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Hina served me a cup of warm tea.
“Hikaru, be careful on your way home.”
I nodded at Hina’s words. Then I looked into her eyes. I felt that her eyes contained the warm memories of today and her true feelings for me.
“Yes. Thank you, Hina. Thank you for having me.”
I bowed to Hina and Sakine and left the house.
The winter night sky was clear, and the stars were twinkling. The warm New Year’s celebration at the Matsumura household had filled my heart with warmth. The fact that Hina and Sakine-chan had welcomed me like family was what made me happiest of all.
I wanted to cherish this warm relationship forever. And I wanted to make my future with Hina even more certain. With those thoughts in my heart, I continued walking home.
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