118. It would be better if spring arrived a little later.

Inside the karaoke room, the two young women seemed so engrossed in their own world that they had effectively ignored the boy sitting beside them.

Jinguji Tsuki felt exactly like a man who, after transmigrating and marrying a beauty, discovered on his wedding night that his wife was not only a lesbian but had also brought her girlfriend home to live with them as a trio.

The boy reconsidered; although it was just a metaphor, surely there couldn't be anyone in the world that unlucky.

(*Note: There is.)

As he sat in the corner of the booth, his phone suddenly rang. Jinguji Tsuki glanced at the caller ID, which displayed "Electric Library Publishing."

After a quick look at the two girls, he stepped out of the booth to find a quiet spot to answer the call.

When Sakurakoji Sakura finished her song and intended to ask for Jinguji Tsuki's thoughts, she realized that only she and Hoshinomori Hoshino remained in the room.

"Huh? Where’s Tsuki?"

"He must have gone out to take a call."

"That guy, I wonder if he's talking to a girl," Sakurakoji Sakura pouted.

Hoshinomori Hoshino chuckled softly. "Who knows?"

Feeling her throat go dry, Sakurakoji Sakura sat on the sofa and began to gulp down fruit juice.

Neither of them continued singing; the speakers played an instrumental backing track, the long, melodic tune echoing around them.

"Are you really okay with this? It’s a rare Christmas date, and you even invited me along. You probably would have preferred to be alone with him," Hoshinomori Hoshino said suddenly.

Sakurakoji Sakura’s expression remained unchanged as she sipped her juice, occasionally stirring the cup with her plastic straw.

"Hmm... at this point, I don't really care anymore. Maybe it's even more relaxed with the three of us."

"Oh? Did something happen with Jinguji-kun?"

"It’s precisely because nothing happened that I’m saying this."

Hoshinomori Hoshino nodded, seemingly understanding.

"Speaking of which, you’ve already made up your mind, haven't you, Senior?" Sakurakoji Sakura changed the subject with a smile.

"Hasn't the junior Sakurakoji been hiding things from him, too, without saying a word?"

"It’s fine as it is now. I can’t just stand still, waiting for him in one place forever."

"I see," Hoshinomori Hoshino replied.

"Yeah. I won't wait in place; I’m going to take the initiative."

"I think that’s a wonderful idea."

Sakurakoji Sakura giggled. "Right? Even if the line was copied from somewhere, that’s exactly how I feel. To do that, I have to become a better person."

"In my view, Jinguji-kun isn't the type to care about such things. No matter how 'excellent' you become, your position in his heart won't change."

"That’s exactly why I hate it."

Hoshinomori Hoshino fell silent, listening quietly to Sakurakoji Sakura’s words.

"It’s precisely because it won't change that I hate it. I want a more defined image in his heart—not just the single adjective of 'childhood friend,' but something so distinct that he can't describe it in a few words."

"I don't want him to stay by my side just because I'm Sakurakoji Sakura; I want to become the most beautiful version of myself in his eyes, so that he can't help but be attached to me from the bottom of his heart."

"Junior Sakurakoji, you’ve finally realized what you want. That’s nice."

Hoshinomori Hoshino said this with a hint of envy in her eyes.

Sakurakoji Sakura looked at her and said softly, "Hey, Senior."

"Hmm?"

"I was thinking, that 'Junior Sakurakoji' thing... we can probably drop it."

"Eh?"

"Just call me Sakura. It’ll make me feel more at ease. Also, there’s no need for honorifics. You’re only seen as hard to approach because you use them with everyone."

"Are you sure? I thought you disliked me."

"That's not it at all. Love is love, life is life. My personality isn't so twisted that I’d hate someone who once guided me."

"I see."

"Yeah, so, Sakura is fine."

The two girls exchanged glances. Hoshinomori Hoshino felt that the junior before her was speaking from the heart and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her actions. She thought to herself that if she were in Hoshinomori Hoshino’s position, she probably wouldn't be able to be so generous toward a romantic rival.

Precisely because she had never possessed anything, once she truly gained something, she would never be willing to let go.

Hoshinomori Hoshino believed that she was exactly that kind of woman.

"In that case, you should just call me Hoshino as well."

"I can't do that; you're my senior."

"Graduation isn't that far off anyway. Oh, and no need for honorifics either."

"Umm... I kn-know, Hosh... Hoshino."

"Yes, that's it, Sakura."

A sudden silence fell, and both girls giggled with a touch of embarrassment.

"Honestly, it sounds like we're about to elope behind his back," Hoshinomori Hoshino said with a laugh.

"That doesn't sound too bad, if it’s with you, Senior."

"Pffft, haha!"

Standing outside the booth, Jinguji Tsuki was just about to push the door open, but his sharp hearing had caught their declaration of elopement perfectly.

The boy hesitated at the door, fearing that if he walked in, he might witness something inappropriate for children.

Regardless, looking at it from another angle, at least they seemed like good friends, and for now, that was enough.

Yeah, please don't take it any further. Please.

...

...

Night fell. As they walked through the streets, both the roads and the shopping malls were filled with the atmosphere of Christmas. Everywhere he went, he could hear Christmas songs. Brighter than the moonlight were the strings of silver-white lights hanging in the air.

This year's Christmas Eve seemed destined to be a day Jinguji Tsuki would remember. He couldn't understand why, on a holiday filled with the scent of romance, he had to watch them show off their affection at a street-side accessory shop.

"Eh~~~ isn't it common sense for girls to exchange Christmas gifts?"

That was Hoshinomori Hoshino’s explanation.

It was the first time Jinguji Tsuki had heard that exchanging Christmas gifts meant putting necklaces on each other. The two of them radiated such a genuine romantic atmosphere that he got goosebumps.

"Ah~~ I get it now. Jinguji-kun, you're lonely because you didn't receive a gift from us, right?"

"That's not it at all," Jinguji Tsuki immediately denied.

"Puhuhu~~ Tsuki, it seems no girl gave you a gift this year. You must feel quite a sense of disparity, right?"

"I don't need one," the boy replied expressionlessly.

"A-re-re~~ really? Are you sure? Are you really sure?" Sakurakoji Sakura smirked as she leaned toward the boy, nudging his arm with her shoulder.

"Why do you sound like there's a hidden meaning behind that?"

Hoshinomori Hoshino watched their interaction, a gentle smile appearing on her face. "Sakura, take it out."

"Ehh~~ but I wanted to tease him a little longer."

"Don't talk like you're teasing a cat," Jinguji Tsuki said.

Despite his words, Jinguji Tsuki caught a glimmer of what was happening through their conversation.

Sakurakoji Sakura took a flat gift box from her bag. It was tied with a flashy ribbon that had been slightly flattened from being in her bag all day.

"Here, Merry Christmas."

Jinguji Tsuki didn't react for a moment, staring blankly at the gift box offered by Sakurakoji Sakura’s two hands.

"Hoshino and I picked this out together last week. It’s a gift from both of us. Didn't expect that, did you?" Sakurakoji Sakura said.

"Eh? Both of you?"

"We caused you a lot of trouble during the school festival, so consider this a return gift for that time."

Compared to the lively Sakurakoji Sakura, Hoshinomori Hoshino’s tone was much softer, and she provided a very reasonable justification.

Jinguji Tsuki didn't dare reach out. He hadn't prepared anything, yet he was receiving a gift out of the blue—and one from both Hoshinomori Hoshino and Sakurakoji Sakura at that.

He had to say something, he thought.

"Sakura's allowance is one thing, but for you to use money you earned from your part-time job to buy me a gift..."

Sakurakoji Sakura puffed out her cheeks, waving her arms in mock frustration. "Hey! Jinguji Tsuki! Are you trying to pick a fight with me?!"

"Jinguji-kun, I know this is just your way of masking your embarrassment, so I won't blame you. I already know you're that kind of person. But before that, you have something more important to say to Sakura and me, don't you?"

"..."

Jinguji Tsuki admitted he had been cornered.

She saw through his personality, which was twisted to the core. Even though he had grown, the fundamental parts still lingered deep within, yet she didn't mind at all. She used sharp methods to correct him—that was the composure unique to Hoshinomori Hoshino.

Jinguji Tsuki took the gift, looked at the pouting Sakurakoji Sakura, then at Hoshinomori Hoshino, and opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

"It’s okay, Jinguji-kun. Just say what you're thinking right now."

Jinguji Tsuki thought that his racing heart at this moment wasn't due to love or affection.

It was some other emotion, completely unrelated and drifting beyond the scope of romantic feelings.

After thinking deeply, Jinguji Tsuki found his vocabulary lacking and felt regretful for it.

In the end, all he could think of was "gratitude."

It wasn't just gratitude for the gift; looking back at everything that had happened this entire semester, every step he had taken had been prompted by these girls.

Joining the student council, being gradually accepted by his classmates—all of it was because of their push.

That was something he could never have done alone.

"Hoshinomori-senpai, Sakura... thank you."

As expected, his limited vocabulary actually made him feel a sense of relief.

"You're welcome."

That was Hoshinomori Hoshino’s reply, as calm and reassuring as ever. Jinguji Tsuki couldn't help but wonder what on earth could ever make this person lose her composure.

As for Sakurakoji Sakura, she turned her head away with her arms crossed. Although her face was clearly filled with triumph, she could only say ridiculous things like, "If you don't like it, I'll kick you!"

The three of them strolled through the bustling streets. In a nearby square, in front of a giant Christmas tree covered in lights, many people were taking photos.

Sakurakoji Sakura happily pulled both of them over and asked a passerby to take a photo for them. Jinguji Tsuki was still not used to this and didn't know what expression to make. When the passerby kindly shouted, "Handsome, please smile!", the two girls laughed until they were shaking.

Afterward, Sakurakoji Sakura kept teasing Jinguji Tsuki about his awkward smile while looking at her phone.

Although he was good at wearing a smile to charm girls, Jinguji Tsuki hadn't done that in a long time. He rejected such behavior from the bottom of his heart, gradually becoming a man who rarely smiled.

But when he was with these two girls, scenes that made him want to laugh always seemed to happen.

Perhaps this was also a form of healing.

The boy, once scarred by self-loathing, was gradually finding his original self.

On the night street, a girl band was performing in the open air. Like the other passersby, they stood by the side of the road to listen.

The lead singer played the guitar. She was quite petite, barely taller than Yomiya Yo, and although she looked very frail, her voice was quite infectious. Before he knew it, he had listened to the entire song.

"We are Blessing Star. Please support us and follow our account."

Jinguji Tsuki stood there calmly, but the two girls beside him actually took out their phones to scan the code and follow them.

"The lead singer's name is Sora. I've never heard of the band name or the singer's name," Sakurakoji Sakura muttered, looking at the follower count of only 700 on her screen.

"Why are you looking down on them? Where did you come from, some music critic?" Jinguji Tsuki said helplessly.

"But they sang well. It makes you want to support them," Hoshinomori Hoshino said from the side.

"People who chase their dreams are always shining."

Hoshinomori Hoshino looked at the boy in surprise. "Oh? I didn't expect Jinguji-kun to say something like that. I'm a bit surprised."

"Don't mock me."

"Hey, hey, Tsuki, Hoshino, there seems to be another performance over there. Let's go watch!"

Tonight, Sakurakoji Sakura seemed far happier than when she was alone with Jinguji Tsuki.

Just as Jinguji Tsuki had been pushed forward by Hoshinomori Hoshino, in places the boy couldn't see, Sakurakoji Sakura must have been influenced by her as well.

And relationships in this world must be reciprocal. Hoshinomori Hoshino must have gained something from them, too, which was why they were able to maintain this trio state and fully enjoy this Christmas night.

Jinguji Tsuki suddenly had a very absurd delusion. Knowing it was impossible, knowing that separation was not far off, he still felt a sense of attachment—to specific things, to specific people.

I hope to spend next Christmas with them too.

He thought.

But this would likely never come to pass. By the time the sunny spring arrived, by the time the lonely slope was covered in cherry blossoms...

Jinguji Tsuki couldn't help but look at Hoshinomori Hoshino. She was silently admiring the Christmas night view, her mind filled with countless thoughts, while Sakurakoji Sakura beside him was staring at the boy, also silent.

They were all thinking.

Thinking that if only that spring could come a little later.