Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093083511177921/episodes/16818622176113051353
First, we assembled the Christmas tree.
Hina took a large box out from the back of the closet.
Inside, there were tree branches divided into parts and decorative lights packed tightly together.
“It’s pretty heavy,”
Hina frowned a little as she tried to lift the box.
I immediately took the box from her.
“I’ll do it,”
Hina smiled and said, “Thank you, Hikaru.”
We worked together to assemble the tree parts while looking at the instructions.
Inserting each branch one by one and spreading them out required more patience than I expected.
“Are we doing this right?”
Hina tilted her head as she compared the instructions with the tree.
Her slightly clumsy appearance was somehow cute, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I think this is fine. Look, do it like this…”
As I helped her, the tree gradually took shape.
The scent of pine began to waft through the living room.
“Wow! It’s a tree!”
At that moment, the front door opened and we heard a cheerful voice.
It must be Sakine chan.
She must have been playing with her friends, because she ran into the living room with her cheeks bright red and out of breath.
“Sakine chan, welcome home. You’re back early.”
Hina gently stroked Sakine ‘san head.
Sakine chan’s eyes lit up when she saw the tree that was being assembled.
“Hikaru ni chan, onee,chan wow! It’s a tree!”
Sakine chan ran around the tree.
Her innocent behavior made both Hina and me smile.
“It’s still a work in progress. We’re going to decorate it now.”
“Yes! Sakine will help too!”
Sakine’s energetic response further increased our motivation.
It was finally time to decorate.
We spread out the colorful felt, tinsel, and glittery sequins we had bought the other day on the table.
Hina carefully taught Sakine how to make Christmas ornaments.
“Cut out the felt with scissors like this, and then stick these glittery sequins on it.”
Hina showed Sakine the felt cut into animal shapes.
Sakine held the scissors with a serious expression and began cutting the felt by imitating what she saw.
I twisted tinsel to make stars and snowflakes, and tied ribbons to make small presents. I remembered how much I liked art class when I was a child.
“Hikaru, you’re so skilled.”
Hina’s eyes widened when she saw the glittering stars I had made.
“No, I just made a few when I was younger.”
I answered casually, but inside I was doing a victory pose at Hina’s compliment.
“Can I put this on top of the Christmas tree?”
Sakine asked, holding up the colorful round ornament she had made.
“Yes, it’s cute. I’m sure you can put it on top.”
Hina replied gently, and Sakine nodded happily.
After a while, Sakine seemed to lose concentration and started running around the living room with the ornament she had made in her hand.
“Sakine, don’t run around! You haven’t finished decorating yet!”
Hina warned her, but Sakine replied, “Eeeh, I’m tired!” and dove onto the sofa.
“Well, I guess so… Sakine, let’s take a little break.”
When Hina said that, Sakine happily jumped on the sofa.
“Yay! Let’s have a snack!”
Hina smiled wryly and headed to the kitchen to prepare snacks.
Left alone in the living room, I picked up the felt Santa Claus that Hina had been making.
It was a bit awkward-looking, but I could tell that Hina had put a lot of effort into it, and it felt somehow endearing.
I carefully tidied up the white beard part of the Santa Claus and attached the eye and mouth parts with adhesive.
It felt like Hina’s Santa Claus had gained a slightly more lively expression.
When Hina returned from the kitchen, she saw the Santa Claus I was holding and her eyes widened in surprise.
“Oh, Hikaru! The Santa Claus I was making!”
“Yeah, I fixed it up a little. How does it look?”
Hina stared at the Santa Claus I had fixed up, then smiled softly.
“Yes! It’s so cute! Thank you, Hikaru.”
My heart raced at her smile. I was so happy that Hina was pleased.
After a snack break, we started the second half of the decorating. It was finally time to put the ornaments on the tree.
The three of us decorated the tree with a good balance of handmade ornaments, glittery balls we had bought, and tinsel.
Sakine couldn’t reach the top, so Hina lifted her up and I gave her a piggyback ride to help her decorate the higher branches.
“Hikaru-nii, higher! Higher!”
Sakine gave me instructions excitedly from atop my shoulders.
Her weight and her cheerful voice warmed my back.
Hina smiled gently as she watched us.
“It’s so much fun to decorate together!”
Hina nodded in agreement with Sakine’s words.
“That’s right, Sakine. Hikaru’s help is a great help.”
Hina’s words of gratitude warmed my heart. Even though it was just decorating, I felt so happy, probably because her and Sakine’s smiles were right next to me.
When all the decorations were finished, the living room had been transformed into a completely different world. The sparkling tree, the garlands on the walls, and the warm handmade ornaments. All of them were the fruits of the three of us’ efforts.
“Wow! It’s perfect!”
Sakine jumped in front of the tree. Seeing her beaming smile, Hina and I also felt a sense of accomplishment.
“Hey, Hikaru. Let’s turn on the lights.”
Hina reached for the switch on the tree’s lights. There was a click, and the entire tree began to shine brightly. Red, green, blue, yellow… Lights of various colors twinkled, illuminating the living room in a fantastical way.
Seeing that scene, Hina and I looked at each other without thinking.
“Wow…”
I muttered, and Hina’s eyes sparkled in the same way.
“Yes. It’s very beautiful.”
The sparkle of the lights flickered in Hina’s eyes. Her profile was as beautiful as the lights themselves. A quiet and warm atmosphere flowed between us.
“Hey, nee chan! Hikaru nii chan! Let’s take a picture!”
Sakine’s cheerful voice brought us back to reality. Sakine held her smartphone in her hand and urged us to hurry up and take the photo.
“Okay, Sakine. Just a moment, please.”
Hina stood next to Sakine, and I stood next to them. Sakine held her smartphone and set the timer. The shutter clicked, and the smiles of the three of us were captured in the photo.
The photo, taken with our best smiles, showed the sparkling Christmas tree and the three of us huddled together like a real family. I wished that this moment would last forever. I felt that wish quietly growing in my heart.
After finishing the decorations, we moved on to preparing dinner.
Hina stood in the kitchen and began cooking efficiently. She washed the vegetables she had taken out of the refrigerator and cut them skillfully with a knife.
“I was thinking of making stew tonight. And the chicken we bought. It’ll warm us up.”
Hina called out to me.
Her movements were confident, showing that she cooks regularly.
“Are you making it, Hina? That’s amazing.”
“Yes. It’s easy, though. Hikaru, is there anything you can help with?”
Hina turned around and asked me with a smile.
“Then I’ll help you cut the vegetables.”
I said that and took the cutting board and knife.
I stood next to Hina and carefully cut the potatoes and carrots.
“nii chan, you’re terrible at cutting green peppers!”
Sakine laughed loudly when she saw the shape of the green peppers I had cut.
“Sakine chaan. I don’t usually cook.”
When I replied a little heatedly, Hina laughed softly.
“It’s okay, Hikaru. Sakine, don’t tease onii chan. Come on, Sakine, go make a cake over there!”
In the end, Sakine and I were appointed to be in charge of making the cake because we were considered a hindrance.
“Hikaru-nii, hurry up! Let’s make a cake!”
Sakine pulled my hand and led me to the dining table.
Hina followed us and neatly arranged the ingredients.
“Okay, let’s get started!”
At Sakine’s signal, the three of us began making the cake.
I opened the recipe book Hina had given me and checked the instructions with a serious expression.
“First, sift the flour and sugar. Sakine chan, can you hold this?”
I handed the bowl to Sakine.
Sakine held the bowl firmly and watched with interest as I sifted the flour.
Sakine’s eyes widened as she watched the pure white powder fall smoothly into the bowl.
Next, I break the eggs and mix them with a whisk.
I don’t usually cook much, so whisking eggs is a struggle.
If I put too much force into my arm, the bowl shakes.
“Come on, come on, yeah!”
Sakine-chan cheers me on in a small voice.
She looks so cute that I can’t help but laugh.
“Hikaru, are you okay? Aren’t you using too much force?”
Hina watched my struggles from the kitchen and said with a slightly exasperated tone.
“Uh, yeah. I’m not used to it, so I tend to…”
Hina stopped cooking, came over to me, and gently placed her hand over mine holding the whisk.
“Use your wrist softly like this.”
Hina’s fingertips touched my hand.
The warmth spread from my fingers to my entire arm, and my heart skipped a beat.
In the sweet-smelling air, my hands were intertwined with Hina’s.
It felt as though we were creating a single work of art together, and I was enveloped in an indescribable sense of happiness.
Under Hina’s guidance, my whisking speed gradually increased, and the eggs began to foam lightly. Hina kept her hand on mine and smiled gently.
“Yes, you’re getting better, Hikaru.”
I felt a little embarrassed by Hina’s praise.
The batter was ready, so we poured it into the mold and put it in the oven.
The sweet aroma wafting from the oven spread throughout the kitchen. Sakine was fidgeting in front of the oven.
“I can’t wait for it to bake!”
“Just a little longer, Sakine. In the meantime, let’s prepare the cream.”
Hina took out a bowl and a whisk.
Now it’s time to whip the cream.
“This is even harder, isn’t it?”
When I said that, Hina smiled and said, “Yes, it is.”
“But you can do it, Hikaru.”
Hina’s words gave me new energy. I started whipping the cream, keeping in mind the technique Hina had just taught me.
After a while, my arms started to feel sore.
The hand holding the whisk began to tremble.
“Ugh… Cream is so tough…”
When I complained, Hina chuckled and stood beside me.
“Are you okay? Then I’ll help you.”
Hina gently placed her hand on the whisk I was holding.
Once again, our hands came together. This time, our combined strength caused the whipped cream to foam up in no time.
“Wow, that’s amazing! It foamed up so quickly!”
“Right? It’s faster when we work together.”
Hina smiled happily. I smiled back at her smile. Our hands moved rhythmically, and the white cream turned into fluffy foam.
“Wow! It’s completely white now!”
Sakine peered into the bowl with sparkling eyes.
“Now we can spread it on the cake.”
Hina nodded with satisfaction.
We took the baked sponge cake out of the oven and let it cool.
The warm scent of the cake filled the room.
It was finally time for decoration. Hina carefully sliced the sponge cake into two layers, sandwiching whipped cream and sliced strawberries between them. Her movements were like those of a professional pastry chef.
“You’re so good at this, sis.”
When I said that, Hina smiled shyly.
“Really? It’s quite difficult to spread the cream.”
Hina spread the whipped cream over the entire cake with a palette knife. Sakine and I were in charge of arranging the strawberries and sprinkling the almond sprinkles.
“Let’s put strawberries here too!”
Sakine gives instructions in a loud voice. I carefully arrange the strawberries according to Sakine’s requests.
“Nii chan, move it a little more to the right!”
Sakine gives instructions, and I move the strawberries as she says. Hina watches our interaction with a gentle smile on her face.
“It’s fun when we all work together!”
Hina murmurs. I nod in agreement. Working together with important people like this is so much more fun and heartwarming than working alone in silence.
Once all the decorations are finished, a stunning Christmas cake is complete. The white whipped cream, vibrant red strawberries, and sparkling sprinkles all contribute to the Christmas atmosphere.
“Wow! Amazing! We made it!”
Sakine clapped her hands with her eyes shining. Seeing her smile, Hina and I felt a sense of accomplishment.
“Yes. It’s the best cake we’ve ever made together.”
Hina looked at the cake with satisfaction.
Her profile was slightly sweaty, but she looked very happy.
I stared intently at Hina’s profile. The fact that she could find happiness in her everyday life with Sakine and me. That was the greatest joy for me. I want to protect this warm space forever. That strong feeling welled up in my heart.
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