Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817139554722565664/episodes/16817330650870579083
“Chifuyu, has Haruka gone to bed yet?”
“Yes. Today, too, she cried a lot. She’s growing up nicely and healthy.”
I smiled at my beloved while holding my child who was born this spring.
“Haha she is really energic. I wonder if she looks more like me than Chifuyu.”
“I’m pleased to hear that. Toma kun, because your eyes are so bright and pretty.”
“I want her to be beautiful like Chifuyu. I think she will be a more gentle girl.”
“Toma-kun is kinder than me. Right, Haruka-chan. Dad is a kind and wonderful person, isn’t he?”
I smiled at my sleeping daughter, and Toma kun, who was watching, chuckled.
“Toma-kun, is there something wrong?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. No, I just remembered the old Chifuyu, and I felt funny.”
“I see. I never used to laugh so much.”
“A lot of things happened. I liked Chifuyu back then, but I like her even more when she’s smiling like she is now.”
“It’s thanks to Toma kun. Because you have always supported me. Also, that day, I was able to meet Haruka-chan because you accepted everything about me.”
“It’s already been two years since then. How nostalgic.”
“Yeah. I will never forget that day.”
“By the way, how is Madoka-san? you said she’s been busy lately and you haven’t been able to see her.”
“Yeah, she’s been busy since she got a new job. But I won’t forget Madoka either.”
“Haha, if you talk like that, she’ll get angry and say, ‘Why are you making me a part of your memories?’”
“Fufu, I’ll never forget Madoka. Yeah I’ve promised to see her after the new year.”
Today is a special day.
With Toma-kun.
Today is Christmas Eve.
Every year we have celebrated this day together, and it is full of precious memories.
So just remembering any Christmas makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
Christmas Eve two years ago was a little bit special.
No matter what happens, I will never forget it.
I will try to remember that time just a little bit.
◇
“Hey why are you looking so sad, Chifuyu? You’re going to dinner with junior today, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. But He has been busy since this morning and haven’t been able to contact Toma kun at all, so I’m lonely.”
“What are you talking about now, even though you live together and are together 24/7? Besides, you’ve already decided to graduate and get a job, right?”
“Yes, because he passed the teacher employment exam. From spring, both of us will be working and I think we will be busy. I’m a little sad about that, too.”
Kayamori Chifuyu is twenty-three years old.
Right now, I’m taking a break with my best friend Madoka, drinking coffee in the water heater room at work.
Madoka and I went to the same university in our hometown, and then we got a job as a secretary at the local small town office.
Madoka could have gotten a job at a bigger company or something, but she dared to choose the same path as me.
No, she chose the same path as me.
She had been accepted to a famous private university in Tokyo, but she said, “I want to go to the same university as Chifuyu.”
I know she did it because she was worried about me.
Thanks to Madoka, who is always with me and is always kind to me, I am enjoying my college life, and even though I can’t do anything, I am getting by as a member of society.
It’s been a little more than half a year since I started working.
Today is Christmas Eve.
“It won’t be scheduled in another hour. Instead of thinking about the future, savor the happiness in front of you.”
“Yeah. Madoka is always so kind. If Toma kun hadn’t been here, I would have spent Christmas with Madoka.”
“Yeah yeah. Or rather, I’m a bit lonely this year as well.”
“Yeah, I know. But I’m alone with Toma-kun today, so it’s no good if even Madoka gets in the way.”
“I’m not going to do that. In fact, even if I’m invited, I’ll refuse. As long as Chifuyu is happy, that’s fine with me.”
“Madoka …… is my second favorite after Toma kun.”
“You don’t need to say anything. Come on, we are going be back.”
As you can see, I am always heartless and selfish.
Even though I’m always pushing Madoka around and trying to make up for the loneliness of not being able to meet Toma-kun, I always prioritize being with Toma-kun over Madoka.
There was a time when I didn’t even think that was wrong.
But Madoka has always been there for me, and I really love Madoka, even though I may sound a bit mean.
Someday, I hope Madoka will find someone wonderful and we can share happiness together.
Recently, I am able to wish happiness for others.
It is all thanks to Madoka.
And of course thanks to …… my precious Toma-kun.
I’m going to be able to see Toma kun soon.
“…Ah, on time. Chifuyu, let’s get up.”
“Yeah. Thank you for your hard work, Enka.”
In the evening, I quickly put away the papers and leave the office.
And normally I would ask Madoka to take me home, but today I had to say goodbye right away.
“Thank you for your hard work, Chifuyu. Madoka-san too.”
Toma-kun is picking me up today.
“Oh, junior-kun, long time no see. Well then, take care of Chifuyu.”
“Thank you very much. Chifuyu, let’s go”
“Yes. I’m so glad you’re here, Toma kun.”
After saying goodbye to Madoka, it was just the two of us from here on out.
The time I’ve been waiting for
“Hehehe, it’s Toma kun.”
“Chifuyu, did you give Madoka san any trouble?”
“It’s fine. I bother her every day.”
“Hahaha, that’s not good.”
“Hehehe. Let’s go have dinner soon.”
“I guess so. Chifuyu, hold my hand.”
“Yes.”
Toma kun’s hand is warm even though it’s winter.
My hands are always cold, even when it’s not winter.
Just like my heart used to be.
But he says he likes my hands like this.
He says it’s just like me.
Even though I’m still useless no matter how much time passes.
“Chifuyu, we’re here.”
Holding hands, we headed for a restaurant about a five-minute walk from the apartment we were renting.
It’s not a special place, it’s just a restaurant I often go to when I go out to eat, but at my request, I come here every Christmas.
The only reason is that there are no women in the wait staff.
He laughs at me and says it is very typical of me.
Toma-kun has a good part-time job and has a lot of savings even though he is a student.
I have a low salary and can’t even get a good job.
I really can’t live without Madoka and Toma kun.
And yet, every year on this day, I’m always pestering them.
“What do you want to eat, Chifuyu?”
“Well, I’m going to go out on a limb and get a steak or something.”
“Oh, that sounds good. Do that. What else do you want? You know, for Christmas.”
“……”
Every year, Toma-kun asks me what I want.
But if you ask me what I want, I can only think of one thing in my head.
“……I want a child, after all.”
Ever since I was a freshman in college.
Every year I ask for the same thing, much to his embarrasment.
I’ve come to understand over the past few years that this kind of request is a bit out of line.
But I also don’t know how to hold back my desire to have a child with my beloved Toma-kun.
Madoka always laughs at me like this, saying, “You’re sick.”
No matter what she says, I can’t help it because I am serious.
“Child, huh?”
Toma-kun laughs like a fool.
In the beginning, he was puzzled, his eyes swimming, but these days he seems to have gotten used to it.
He always says, “Wait until I graduate.”
It’s only natural, and I know it’s the right thing to do.
Toma-kun has always worked hard to be with me.
He chose the same university as me, and when it came to finding a job, he always prioritized how he could avoid being separated from me.
And yet.
I always feel uneasy and doubtful that his words are just excuses to postpone the problem.
We lived together as I had hoped, stayed together during college, and stayed together after I graduated first, after his school and my work.
But I still feel like it’s not enough, and I’m a really selfish and annoying woman.
Even today, when Toma-kun was thinking of me and asking me about it.
“I’m sorry, I say this every year.”
“About that, you know”
“…..After all you don’t like people like me?”
I know that Toma-kun would never say such a thing.
I say such mean things.
However, Toma-kun’s face is gloomy today.
Seeing that makes me uneasy again.
“How can I dislike …… you?”
“Why is your face so dark? Do you still think it’s troublesome?”
“I’m sorry, Chifuyu would be worried if I looked like this. Yeah, I’ll say it properly too.”
Toma-kun nodded and took something out of his pocket.
A small box?
“Chifuyu, let’s get married. I’m sorry I made you wait so long. I also want to have a baby with you.”
“…… Eh?
“Don’t be surprised. I always wanted to marry Chifuyu too. However, I’m sorry for making you wait for my convenience and making you feel so bad about what’s to come. I want you to be with me forever, even from spring onwards.”
After saying this, Toma opened the box.
There is one ring with a sparkling jewel on it.
“That’s….”
“Actually, how many months worth of salary is it? But I’m still a student, so this is the best I can do. Actually, I wanted to propose after I got a job, but I’ve already decided to graduate, so I thought it would be okay.”
“…Is it okay with me?”
“I don’t want it to be other than Chifuyu. For the rest of my life, no matter what happens, the two of us will always be together…Well, once our family grows, we’ll all be together until we die.”
“Toma kun,……, yes, I am happy. I can be your wife”
“Will you be?”
“If I don’t do that, I’ll die. No, I don’t want to die. I want to be with you forever.”
“Yeah. We need to take care of each other’s health.”
“Yeah. I love you, Toma-kun.”
He put the ring on my finger.
And while I was enjoying the shine and weight of the ring, the food was brought out.
I wonder how many times we have had dinner together.
In the past, my heart used to flutter with excitement after just one meal.
But gradually, it has become more and more.
As we ate together every day, morning and night, it became a matter of course.
I also began to feel that it was natural for me to be with Toma-kun like this.
But…
Nothing is natural.
There is no guarantee that he will always love me, and there is no guaranteed future.
That is why
I have to do my best so that he won’t regret choosing me.
“Toma-kun,……, I’ll give you a present.”
“Eh, I said I don’t want it,…… but I’m happy with anything I get from Chifuyu, but you don’t have to go overboard.”
“I’m not forcing myself,……I’ll give everything I have to Toma-kun. Even if you say you don’t want it, I’ll force it on you. You do not need?”
“Chifuyu,……, I’m glad. Then, I’ll take responsibility and take good care of what I’ve received. I’ll always protect you.”
“Yes. I’ll be with you forever and ever.”
My mother used to say that marriage was nothing more than a piece of paper.
That’s why I was told not to get too caught up in the form.
I am still sick.
No matter how kind he was to me, no matter how much he cared for me, I always felt insecure.
That’s why I want something solid.
Even my selfishness to think that way was fulfilled by Toma-kun.
“I became Toma kun’s wife.”
“Not exactly yet, though. I’ll contact my parents and Chifuyu’s mother tomorrow, and then we’ll go to the government office.”
“Yeah. I’m going to use my paid time off tomorrow. I’m going to put all the work on Madoka.”
“She’s going to get mad again. It’s no good if you cause too much trouble, okay?”
“Yes. But is it okay for the wife to cause trouble for the husband?”
“Yes, of course. I think I’ll cause a lot of trouble for Chifuyu too. But please don’t hate me.”
“No, I want you to bother me only. I don’t want you to rely on others. I’m the only one who will support Toma-kun.”
“Me too. I will always love only Chifuyu.”
It was very cold and snowy that night.
But when I put my hands in his pockets on the way home, and after we got home, we huddled together and held each other in the same bedclothes, I felt warm to the core.
My cold hands were also much warmer.
My feet, which I couldn’t even feel in the winter, were so hot.
On this day when Toma-kun accepted all of me.
I felt free from all my anxieties.
◇
“…… I’m so happy”
“What’s wrong, Chifuyu? saying that suddenly”
“No. Because I remembered that day.”
“Well, we were together for a long time up until then, but Chifuyu’s lonely side never got over during college. But from that day on, she was able to go shopping by herself.”
“For me, being Toma kun’s wife was the best tranquilizer of all.”
“The reason why each person is able to overcome something is different. I’m glad I can be of help to Chifuyu.”
“Yeah me too. I’m glad you chose me, Toma kun.”
I gently kiss him while holding in my hands the child I’ve been waiting for so long to have with such a beloved person.
Then, Toma-kun smiles shyly.
“Haha, we did it in front of Haruka.”
“Fufu, Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary, so I’m sure she’ll let it slide.”
“Yeah. I hope Haruka will meet a wonderful person someday.”
“I hope she will meet someone like Toma kun. But before that, Madoka.”
“Yeah. What is Madoka san doing now that you mention it?”
“She’ll going out for a drink by herself. Hey, if she’s nearby, can I call her?”
“Of course. Let’s all have a party.”
“Sure”. I’ll call him.
In the past, I would never have said such a thing.
I was the kind of person who would have been jealous of even my best friend Madoka, who sacrificed so much for me.
I think it’s partly because I didn’t have confidence in myself as a person.
I thought that a girl like Madoka, who was cute, strong, and took good care of me, would be better than me.
I lost count of the number of times Madoka was angry with me for saying such things.
Finally, I came to believe in myself.
Finally, I was able to trust others.
“Ah, Madoka will be here soon. She seems to be annoyed that some guy is picking on her again.”
“Madoka san is such a waste of a popular girl, isn’t she?”
“But I’m sure she will find someone good. That’s a bit sad though.”
“I guess so. Well then, let Haruka sleep. I’ll prepare to entertain her.”
“Okay. Thanks, Papa.”
I kissed him again.
After putting Haruka down on the futon, I quietly put one of the boxes I had hidden in the closet under her pillow.
“It’s a present from Mama and Papa. Tomorrow is Christmas, so I got a little extravagant. Because It’s mama and Papa’s anniversary.”
I had never believed in Santa Claus.
I was cold and negative about everything, and after my parents divorced, we had a hard time making a living, so there was a time when I didn’t care about Santa.
But recently I have come to believe that Santa Claus exists.
Santa Claus is the most important person in my life.
When I was born, it was my parents.
They gave me unconditional love.
When I grew up, it was my friend.
Madoka.
She was always by my side and taught me important things.
And then I met someone I love.
Toma kun.
He saved me.
He gave me love.
He made my dreams come true.
And after my dream came true.
It’s my turn to be Santa Claus.
Our beloved child.
Haruka chan
It’s my turn to give the gift I have received to her.
Then, I will understand for the first time when I am in such a position.
Gifts can sometimes make the person giving them a happier feeling than the person receiving them.
I’m so happy that you received my gift like this.
I have been learning everything from Madoka.
But I think I found out about this first.
Fufu, I’m so proud to talk about it.
“Excuse me. Oh, it smells so good, doesn’t it?”
Madoka came over.
“Madoka san, thank you for your hard work. It must have been cold.”
“Yes, it was cold. I wonder when I will be able to get over this winter season.”
I hear Madoka voice talking with Toma at the entrance.
I’m going over there right away.
“Madoka, Merry Christmas.”
“What do you mean, Merry Christmas? Ah, Haruka-chan, has she slept yet? I just bought her a present.”
“Thank you, Madoka. She’s already asleep, so I’ll give it to her tomorrow. It’s a gift from her kind aunt.”
“Auntie huh. I’m still a young office worker.”
Madoka, a little drunk, says this and then giggles.
Toma-kun, wearing an apron, also comes next to me and greets her, saying, “I’m making snacks.”
My heart softens as I watch them.
The people I love are by my side.
It’s the best present I could ever ask for.
Madoka, you’re going to drink today, right? Then do you want to stay over?”
“Is it okay? But tomorrow is your wedding anniversary.”
“No, it’s fine. If you take the first train home.”
“Eh, Isn’t that too hard?”
“Fufu…that’s a joke. Let’s have breakfast together. I want Madoka to celebrate with me.”
“Heeeee, so that’s how you make me give you a gift every year, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I think Haruka-chan’s toys are good this year.”
“That’s really brazen. Well, I’m going to have a feast today, so I’ll stop by again tomorrow after work. I’m free anyway.”
“Even though it’s Christmas?”
“What a jerk.”
“Hahaha, Madoka is so scary. I was only joking.”
“I know, I know. I know what you’re thinking. I’m still no better than her husband when it comes to Chifuyu.”
Madoka was proud of me, and Toma kun compete with her, saying, “I won’t lose to you either,” in response.
I was able to come this far because of the love of these people.
“Ehehe, Don’t compete with each other. I belong to Toma-kun.”
“Hey, aren’t you going to dump me even if I come here? Enough is enough, booze, booze. Since Chifuyu can’t drink, junior should hang out.”
“Yes, I’ll accompany you. Chifuyu, let’s toast with some juice.”
“Yeah. I hope Madoka finds a good person next year.”
“I wonder if Santa will come to me too?”
Laughing at such jokes.
We moved to the next room overlooking the bedroom and quietly prepared drinks.
“Cheers.”
I clinked my glass and toasted.
With Haruka chan sleeping right next to us, we celebrated the holy night in a slightly subdued manner.
I dream of a future where we can celebrate like this every year for years to come.
Hoping that days like this will continue forever.
It’s a little early but.
Merry Christmas.
(TL/N : Phew…It’s really the end. This story really caught me in the end, especially this chapter, so happy for Chifuyu…..Anyway, thank you for reading this ! See you on the next one!
Ah yeah don’t forget that you can recommend some novels to us by filling the request form or just write it in the comments ! Thank you all!)
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Thanks for the Chapter ^^ a shame that madoka did Not quite get her Happy ending though