Chapter 4

RAW

And so, we each returned to our respective homes.

Along the way, there was a brief moment where it seemed like Suzuka-san was getting a bit exasperated by how overly expressive Chinatsu was, but we both got off at Hachioji Station, then boarded different trains to head home.

Afterward, I suddenly swapped shifts with someone at my part-time job, caught up on some school homework, went to play street basketball for the first time in a while, and there was a moment where Chinatsu got caught talking to Kana-san, which quickly spread to Shinji and Gen-san, who for some reason all ended up celebrating with what could only be called overly enthusiastic communication. But now, as we're about to ring in the New Year, there haven't been any major events.

Haven't been.

The reason I emphasize this is because, now, Chinatsu and I are spending the New Year together, but we’re not in the usual living room — we’re in my room.

It’s not clear whether it was really 108 strikes, but the sound of the New Year's bell gradually faded away.

This is the first time Chinatsu has stayed at my house since the short period we lived together, and it’s the first time we’re alone at night since the visit to her grandmother’s house in Nagano.

“Hey, Hajime. I think I've completely let go of everything with my mom and dad. So, for New Year's, I’m spending it with friends, and I want to spend it with you and see the new year together,” Chinatsu had said to me before I could say anything.

I had already wanted to spend the New Year with her, but it was initially just something I thought would be nice if I could join her and Suzuka-san. But suddenly, spending the night alone with Chinatsu at my house had me feeling more self-conscious than I expected. I’m sure I’ve been acting a little strange since she arrived in the late afternoon.

I made sure to prepare in advance by buying some things at the pharmacy. Embarrassed, I slipped them in with some other household items and watched as the cashier put them in a separate black bag, realizing the futility of trying to hide it.

Now, in the drawer of my desk, it quietly waits its turn.

After dinner, we took a bath and watched TV, listening to the countdown.

"Happy New Year. I hope this year is good to us, Chinatsu."

"Thank you so much for everything last year. I’m looking forward to this year too, Hajime."

We exchanged those words, and then Chinatsu, looking at me with slightly wet eyes, wore a cute cardigan over a thin pajama set, making her look somehow more beautiful and, for some reason, very alluring.

“We’ll go to the first shrine visit too, but it’s almost time for bed... Wanna come to my room?”

“...Yeah.”

Miraculously, I managed to keep my composure, and nothing went wrong.

Chinatsu nodded to my words, and for the first time, I welcomed her into my room. I had made sure the sheets and blankets were cleaned in the dryer earlier.

As we sat down on the bed, we heard the bell toll. We both fell silent, without a word, at the sound.

It was the sound of the New Year’s bell, a tranquil sound. We didn’t lose ourselves in any other thoughts, just listening to it in the quiet.

After a while, Chinatsu gently laid her head on my shoulder.

No matter how many times I see her, I can’t help but think how beautiful she is. The scent of her always intoxicates me, and now, it was so close, overwhelming me.

“…Hm.”

Tentatively, I wrapped my arm around her and kissed her.

The first kiss was gentle, but the second was deeper, more deliberate.

We pulled back slightly to catch our breath, and Chinatsu, looking at me, asked softly, “...So, with the bell, does that mean our worldly desires are gone now?”

Then, in a small, almost shy voice, she added, “But... mine didn’t disappear at all.”

I was entranced by the sight of my beloved’s flushed face and her moist eyes, and without thinking, I gently pushed her down.

As the new year began, I lost my chance to become a wizard.

◇◆

Chinatsu was enveloped in a strange sense of fatigue and happiness. As Hajime gently stroked her head, she mumbled softly.

“I don’t know, I just feel really happy. What should I do?”

Fortunately, though it’s not quite the right word, there was no blood, and there was hardly any pain. There was no latex allergy, and her body didn’t react as much as she’d feared. Perhaps it was because Hajime was so gentle, and Chinatsu was so happy that she didn’t even feel nervous.

Hajime, hearing her words, let out a relieved sigh and shyly said, “I’m glad... it wasn’t just me, and that you didn’t feel pain... and that you’re okay with it.”

Despite everything, Hajime smiled with a bit of embarrassment, exuding an overwhelming aura of happiness for Chinatsu’s sake.

Flustered, Chinatsu clung to him and hid her face, realizing that even after everything, her sense of shame hadn’t changed.

As she felt his warmth, the anxiety faded away, and before she knew it, Chinatsu fell asleep, knowing that with Hajime, she had taken another step forward in their relationship.