{It’s Probably Just Satou-san’s Kindness}

After purchasing the black fabric for the skirt, we stopped by a nearby miscellaneous goods store.

In the store that sells party supplies, we looked for white full-body tights. Unfortunately, they had them in stock.

“Full-body tights are pretty expensive, huh?”

Seeing the price tag made me hesitate.

“Really?”

Satou-san peered at the tights I was holding.

The tights were labeled for men, up to a height of 180 cm, and cost 3,500 yen.

“Wow, that’s surprisingly high.”

“It’s an entirely unnecessary expense. I can’t believe I have to buy something like this for a one-time performance.”

I’ll probably never wear it again after the cultural festival—actually, I don’t want to wear it again. I want this to be the last time.

The only consolation was that the fabric was thicker than I expected, so it seemed less likely to show body lines. Since it’s a full-body tight, I was worried it would be like regular tights. At least my dignity might be somewhat preserved.

“Well, I’ll go ahead and buy it.”

“Okay. I will wait for you.”

Waving goodbye to the considerate Satou-san, I steeled myself and headed to the checkout.

My resolve to spend 3,500 yen was only finalized when I stood in front of the cashier. The clerk coldly shoved the tights into a plastic bag. It would have been better if they had at least smiled, but they didn’t.

I wasn’t in the mood to walk around with the bag, so I immediately stowed it in my backpack. I hoped I wouldn’t have to take it out again, but that was unlikely.

After finishing the purchase, I returned to Satou-san.

She was still looking at the party supplies section. She seemed to rarely visit such stores and was gazing at the items with childlike excitement. Her profile looked unexpectedly serious, and I wondered what she was looking at.

“Sorry for the wait.”

When I called out to her, she turned around with a happy expression.

“…Oh, welcome back.”

She smiled brightly and handed me the item she had been looking at before I could ask.

“Look, look! A Santa Claus costume!”

She was holding a red costume with white trim, packed with a photo of a smiling foreign model wearing it.

“Oh, I see, it’s that time of year.”

I had forgotten with all the cultural festival preparations, but it was already next month. I couldn’t help but laugh, and then half-jokingly asked:

“Satou-san, are you going to wear it?”

“I’d like to try it, but I don’t think I would look good with a mustache…”

Her response was surprisingly serious.

“And I’d prefer to be on the receiving end of presents. I’m at an age where Santa doesn’t come anymore.”

She laughed a little, and I thought about it for a moment.

Christmas. I wondered what kind of present would make Satou-san happy.

No, more importantly, there was something I should confirm first.

“Satou-san, have you decided how you’re going to spend Christmas?”

I intended to keep a calm attitude, but it came out more forceful than I planned.

She looked surprised and then shook her head.

“Um, I’m thinking of spending it quietly at home this year. What about you, Yamaguchi-kun?”

For me, it depends on the other person.

Answering only in my heart, I asked another question.

“Have you made any plans with friends?”

“No, I haven’t. Everyone is busy with exams, so it’s hard to invite them.”

She looked a bit lonely when she said that. It seems that having a decided future isn’t all good.

It works out for me.

“I’m free.”

I said quickly, and she looked surprised again.

“Eh… But Yamaguchi-kun, what about your exam preparations? Isn’t this a crucial time?”

She asked back tentatively, and I laughed. I tried to laugh as casually as possible, or at least that was the intention.

Only Satou-san knows what my actual expression looked like.

“It’s fine to skip one day. Taking a break is important too.”

It’s better to focus on other days.

Christmas plans are important to me. Since Satou-san brought it up, I couldn’t miss this chance.

I was aware of the tightness in my mouth and mustered my voice from my parched throat.

“So, if you’d like, how about we go out for cake together?”

Using food as an excuse, I guess I’m not much different from Satou-san.

But I didn’t want obstacles like exam studies or different paths to get in the way. I want to be beside Satou-san, and I wanted to spend every possible moment together.

Unaware of my desperation, Satou-san smiled brightly.

“Yes! Thank you for inviting me, Yamaguchi-kun.”

Alright. I silently cheered inside.

Of course, I thanked her calmly and gently on the surface.

“Thank you too. I’ll contact you as it gets closer.”

“Is it okay if I leave the plans to you?”

“Of course.”

“Then, I’ll leave it to you. I’ll be waiting.”

Satou-san responded with an unexpectedly good smile.

She seemed pleased. Feeling relieved, she added:

“Actually, I was also thinking I’d like to see you on Christmas.”

“Eh…”

My attempt to speak and my gasp collided, and I couldn’t form the words.

What does that meaning-laden line mean?

What does it mean? Can I interpret it in a positive way? I really want to.

Leaving me speechless, she continued:

“After all, you’ve helped me a lot, Yamaguchi-kun. I wanted to thank you properly.”

“Thank… me?”

“Yes. Oh, it’s still a secret for now.”

Satou-san, looking delighted, held up her index finger in front of her lips.

Then, she looked at the Santa costume she was holding and chuckled a little.

“I’m thinking of buying this costume.”

“…Seriously?”

I thought.

I like Satou-san, but if she showed up dressed as Santa on Christmas, I’d be in trouble. It might be cute, but she wants to wear a mustache, so that’s definitely a no.

Perhaps seeing my expression, Satou-san returned the costume pack to the shelf.

“Time flies so quickly.”

She said with a deep sense of reflection.

“After the cultural festival, it’ll be Christmas, and then after the New Year, graduation. It’s all too fast.”

“Yeah.”

I agreed wholeheartedly.

Before I knew it, there’s not much time left until graduation. Christmas might be the last chance for us to spend time together before graduation.

The upcoming cultural festival is a drag, but I hoped I could confirm Satou-san’s feelings there once more. It’s been five months since my confession, and it’ll be six months next month. We’ve spent more time together and gotten closer, but I’d like a clear answer soon. I hoped to hear it at the cultural festival, but after dressing up as a mouse, it would be hard to look good.

But now that we have made plans for Christmas, I’ll focus on that.

We left the store after browsing the party supplies.

We walked through the cold shopping street to our final destination, a café famous for its delicious crepes.

“The café is really close.”

Satou-san, walking beside me, said encouragingly. It seemed she noticed me huddling from the cold.

“When we get there, let’s have something warm.”

“Sounds good.”

I answered briefly.

The cold wind blew into my mouth every time I opened it, making talking a chore. I don’t like the cold season.

“But I’m relieved. You seem to be in good spirits, Yamaguchi-kun.”

Satou-san seemed not to mind speaking. She smiled at me, her cheeks and ears red, but her expression was very soft.

“I was worried because you’ve seemed down recently.”

“Oh, yeah… well.”

“You looked a bit down when we met at the station today, too.”

Her accurate observation startled me.

At that time—I wasn’t actually feeling down when we met at the station.

I was just surprised by a realization.

Satou-san and I are on different paths. I’ve known that for a long time, but now that it’s certain, I need to accept it. I want to be beside her in the future.

Even now, and on Christmas, I wanted to think of it as time for that.

It’s not pointless. I want to believe that our meetings aren’t just excuses.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

I wanted to believe that her concern for me had meaning.

Since it’s Satou-san, she’s kind, and it might just be simple kindness.

But I hope it’s not just that. I’ve wished for that all along.