Part 192: 12/24/09

12/24/09

Ryoji’s supposed to return next week.



Although unlike in Japan, December 25th—Christmas Day—is even more important.
Do you all know why we celebrate Christmas in the first place?
In Japan, Christmas Eve is just a day for couples to spend time together and give gifts…
It’s interesting that a day which is celebrated worldwide is observed differently from country to country.
Another example is Valentine’s Day. Try looking it up online, if you’re interested.

Much more importantly, today was Christmas Eve.



> You received a text message.
Message from Akihiko: > “Are you free tonight?”
> “I’ll come get you after school.”
> You promised to spend time with Akihiko.

He didn’t even make me meet him at some secret location, he actually picked me up from class!



L-Let’s get going.
> The female students in the class are squealing and cooing over Akihiko’s presence…
> You followed Akihiko out under their intense stares…

Okay enough being a jerk, because he really was so sweet today.



Wow, this is impressive.
The Paulownia Mall looks pretty fancy with all this stuff up.
What do we do afterward?
A-Afterward!?
W-Well, uh… I haven’t thought about it.
> Akihiko is panicking…
Hey look, there are decorations over there, too. Let’s go see.
> You walk around and enjoy the lights with Akihiko.

Also I guess he was visited by the ghost of don’t give a girl a training regimen in the night. Which is good because what I made for him would have spoiled it like right away.



I-I… I have a present for you.
> Obtained Music Box.
I-I’ve never had to pick out something like this before…
So…
Ah, never mind.
You got me one, too…?
They look delicious. Let’s eat together.
Open your mouth…
See? It’s good, huh?
> Akihiko seems proud for some reason…
> It seems Akihiko liked your gift.
Christmas never meant much to me.
…In fact, it was more painful than anything.
The town might get all lit up, but “Santa” never visited me…
…He came for Miki, of course.
But this year… He gave me a gift, too.
> You’ve shared a tender moment with Akihiko.

We were out pretty late, just hanging out.



……
About that present I gave you… You can open it and put stuff inside.
The saleswoman said it’s for storing jewelry…
……
I think I’ll give you something new to put in it every year…
…D-Don’t make that face to me.
……
Can I move closer?
What, are you cold?
……
Your ears are like ice…
……
You wanna come over to my room…?
> You spent time with Akihiko until night fell.

In fact that is my official stance if asked as to where we were, because it is none of your damn business what we were up to.