Under the cold night sky. I was sitting alone on a swing set in the park. I was wearing a down jacket, scarf, and gloves for full protection, but even so, my body got cold when I sat still. The year was about to change, and I wondered what I was doing.
“I can’t wait for you to come… Yoshizumi.”
Muttering the name of the person waiting for me, I rocked the swing. I couldn’t complain because I was the one who called you out of the blue at this hour. I should be grateful to him for agreeing to my selfishness.
“It’s really like a dream…”
I felt too embarrassed to say anything else, so I paddled the swing as hard as I could to cool my heated cheeks. It made an annoying squeaking sound, but I didn’t care, I just swung my legs. I couldn’t have done it in a skirt. I wonder if Yoshizumi likes skirts too?
“Sorry, Nikaido. I’m late… Why are you on the swing set?”
“I wanted to move my body since Yoshizumi didn’t come around. That’s it!”
I jumped from the swing and landed on my feet. I hurried over to Yoshizumi, who had a dumbfounded look on his face. I could see the sweat on his forehead even though it was the middle of winter night. I’m sure he must have rushed all the way here.
“I’m sorry, Yoshizumi. I’m sorry for making you go along with my selfishness.”
“I guess so. I got a phone call out of the blue, and the first thing you said was, “I want to spend New Year’s Eve with you.” I was surprised to hear that.”
Yoshizumi laughed dumbly, “Hahahaha. Uuh. You don’t have to smile at me like that. What’s wrong with wanting to spend the year with the person you love.”
“No, I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. It’s just that I wanted to be with Nikaido too. Because we’re going out.”
Yoshizumi scratched her cheek and said bluntly, “Yes. Yes, Yoshizumi and I are in a relationship. I asked her out on Christmas Day, and on the Ferris wheel, I confessed my feelings for her. This simple-minded girl seemed to be unaware of my favoritism and was very surprised. She looked like a pigeon that had been hit by a machine gun, but she quickly nodded and gave me an answer.
“I’m happy to listen to the cute selfishness of someone I love. As for me, I wish I could say more.”
The reason why the smiling face of Yoshizumi looked so dazzling and cool was probably because I really like him. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t get nervous just because he smiled at me, and my cheeks wouldn’t get hot.
“Mou! Soon Yoshizumi will say something rude like that! If you say it to the other girls, they won’t understand, okay?”
“How could I tell that to others? The only person I call cute is Nikaido.”
“That’s what I’m talking about, Yoshizumi! Don’t say that line out loud! But… I’m so happy.”
At school, I was called cool, handsome, and a prince, but only Yoshizumi saw me as a girl. He is a prince to me. And only in front of Yoshizumi can I be a princess.
“There’s still time until the date changes, but what should we do? Do you want to go and listen to the temple bell?”
“That’s right. Let’s take this opportunity to get rid of Yoshizumi’s troubles.”
“Hey, Cora. What’s that supposed to mean? Look, all adolescent boys are full of worries… !?”
Before Yoshizumi could finish, I hugged him with my arms. He froze in surprise, but I didn’t care. I hugged him as hard as I could. Because he was my own prince!
“Aah… Nikaido. It’s okay to hug my arms, but… well”
“What is it? If you have something to say, say it clearly.”
“I’ll say it then. I mean… you’re right, but… Nikaido’s that… mou! Don’t make me say it!”
Yoshizumi protested, his face turning red. Fufu. If I tell a boy he’s cute, he might get angry again, but the gap between saying something that makes me embarrassed and blushing like an apple when I press my bossom against him was really cute.
“Fufu. You’re so cute and shy.”
“You’re sure about that!? I’m not saying stay away, but at least don’t hit me!”
“Eh? What should I do? If Yoshizumi insists, I’ll leave you alone… but I’d rather walk with my arms around you… No?”
Yoshizumi made a troubled face. It made me want to tease him even more when he reacts like that. But it was true that he wanted to let go of the arms that were hugging him tightly. Now, what do you think Yoshizumi would do?
“Haa… Nikaido doesn’t know what she’s doing, does she.”
“Eh? What are you talking about?”
“Nikaido is a very cute and attractive girl.”
In a slightly angry voice, Yoshizumi wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into a hug. Inevitably, I was wrapped up in his chest. Eh? Was it possible that I’m being hugged by Yoshizumi right now?
“If you get too carried away… I mean, what the h**l. Because I’m a man too, and I’m not going to
let you stop me, okay? So, you know, in moderation, right?”
“Yes, yes… okay”
I nodded my head, but that was not the point. For the first time in my life, I was hugged by Yoshizumi, and he smelled so good. In addition, he was warm and comfortable. How happy I would be if I could sleep with him in my arms. I didn’t want to leave him, so I found myself wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Aah… Nikaido-san? What’s going on?”
“Just a little more… just a little more, just like this… please, Yoshizumi. Don’t let go. Give me a hug.”
“What a… troubled princess you are!”
What could I say, Yoshizumi hugged me tightly. It must have been cold when I was waiting alone, but now it’s rather hot. I could hear the sound of Yoshizumi’s heartbeat. I could tell that his heart was beating fast and he was very nervous. But I’m sure I was even more nervous than that. It was my first time.
“I think we should get going? We’re running out of time.”
“Mmm… I like it a little better this way”
“You really are a helpless princess.”
That seems fine. It was only in front of Yoshizumi that I’m spoiled like this. Let me do what I want at least for now. As I put even more strength into my arms, Yoshizumi brushed away my bangs and kissed me on the forehead.
“Yo, Yoshizumi!!!???”
“Time to wake up from your dream, Ai-chan”
Aah. He called me by name. You said it was too embarrassing to do right away, but that you’d get used to it gradually! And now you call me by my name, that was not fair! Foul play! You’re making me not wanting to leave more and more!
“Fufu. Nikaido is not as sweet as she seems.”
Yoshizumi smiled bitterly and patted me on the head. He treated me completely like a child, but instead of getting angry, I was so happy that my face was almost smiling.
“Here. You can hug me anytime you want, but this is the only time you can hear the New Year’s Eve bell?”
“Did you just say that, Yoshizumi? Didn’t you just say we can do this anytime we want? I got your word for it!”
“Of course, of course. It’s natural to want to hug someone you love, isn’t it?”
It was no good. Each of Yoshizumi’s words made me happy, and I couldn’t seem to suppress the grin on my face. I wish days like this could go on forever.
“Ehehe. Eh, Yoshizumi. I’m so happy right now!”
“Aah… I’m happy too, Nikaido.”
“Mou, I’d like you to call me Ai-chan. In return, I’ll call you “Yuya-kun” too.”
It was embarrassing, I added in my mind. You couldn’t just demand things from Yoshizumi, you know. It was called the principle of equal exchange.
“Yuya-kun. Eh, kiss me… ? I want to kiss you.”
“… Yeah. I love you too, Ai-chan.”
Yuya-kun’s face approached me. I gently closed my eyes and awaited for the moment when our lips would meet.
B— —- B—
“Yuya-kun… was it a dream!?”
I got up from the futon with a start. I looked at the clock and saw that it was just after 6:30 in the morning.
“Haa… this sucks. What kind of face should I make when I face Yoshizumi.”
Yoshizumi confessed to Hitotsuba the other day at an extracurricular camp, and they ended up dating… although they had been the topic of gossips even before that… and of all things, I dreamt that I was in a relationship with Yoshizumi and that we were spending the New Year’s Eve together. And in my dream, it was as if I had confessed myself. Unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of courage in real life.
“What do you mean, “Let’s kiss?” It was a dream! But the Yoshizumi in my dream was pretty cool too”
It was an embarrassing exchange to remember. It took me a while to calm my racing heart and burning cheeks, and I was almost late.
Under the cold night sky. I was sitting alone on a swing set in the park. I was wearing a down jacket, scarf, and gloves for full protection, but even so, my body got cold when I sat still. The year was about to change, and I wondered what I was doing.
“I can’t wait for you to come… Yoshizumi.”
Muttering the name of the person waiting for me, I rocked the swing. I couldn’t complain because I was the one who called you out of the blue at this hour. I should be grateful to him for agreeing to my selfishness.
“It’s really like a dream…”
I felt too embarrassed to say anything else, so I paddled the swing as hard as I could to cool my heated cheeks. It made an annoying squeaking sound, but I didn’t care, I just swung my legs. I couldn’t have done it in a skirt. I wonder if Yoshizumi likes skirts too?
“Sorry, Nikaido. I’m late… Why are you on the swing set?”
“I wanted to move my body since Yoshizumi didn’t come around. That’s it!”
I jumped from the swing and landed on my feet. I hurried over to Yoshizumi, who had a dumbfounded look on his face. I could see the sweat on his forehead even though it was the middle of winter night. I’m sure he must have rushed all the way here.
“I’m sorry, Yoshizumi. I’m sorry for making you go along with my selfishness.”
“I guess so. I got a phone call out of the blue, and the first thing you said was, “I want to spend New Year’s Eve with you.” I was surprised to hear that.”
Yoshizumi laughed dumbly, “Hahahaha. Uuh. You don’t have to smile at me like that. What’s wrong with wanting to spend the year with the person you love.”
“No, I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. It’s just that I wanted to be with Nikaido too. Because we’re going out.”
Yoshizumi scratched her cheek and said bluntly, “Yes. Yes, Yoshizumi and I are in a relationship. I asked her out on Christmas Day, and on the Ferris wheel, I confessed my feelings for her. This simple-minded girl seemed to be unaware of my favoritism and was very surprised. She looked like a pigeon that had been hit by a machine gun, but she quickly nodded and gave me an answer.
“I’m happy to listen to the cute selfishness of someone I love. As for me, I wish I could say more.”
The reason why the smiling face of Yoshizumi looked so dazzling and cool was probably because I really like him. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t get nervous just because he smiled at me, and my cheeks wouldn’t get hot.
“Mou! Soon Yoshizumi will say something rude like that! If you say it to the other girls, they won’t understand, okay?”
“How could I tell that to others? The only person I call cute is Nikaido.”
“That’s what I’m talking about, Yoshizumi! Don’t say that line out loud! But… I’m so happy.”
At school, I was called cool, handsome, and a prince, but only Yoshizumi saw me as a girl. He is a prince to me. And only in front of Yoshizumi can I be a princess.
“There’s still time until the date changes, but what should we do? Do you want to go and listen to the temple bell?”
“That’s right. Let’s take this opportunity to get rid of Yoshizumi’s troubles.”
“Hey, Cora. What’s that supposed to mean? Look, all adolescent boys are full of worries… !?”
Before Yoshizumi could finish, I hugged him with my arms. He froze in surprise, but I didn’t care. I hugged him as hard as I could. Because he was my own prince!
“Aah… Nikaido. It’s okay to hug my arms, but… well”
“What is it? If you have something to say, say it clearly.”
“I’ll say it then. I mean… you’re right, but… Nikaido’s that… mou! Don’t make me say it!”
Yoshizumi protested, his face turning red. Fufu. If I tell a boy he’s cute, he might get angry again, but the gap between saying something that makes me embarrassed and blushing like an apple when I press my bossom against him was really cute.
“Fufu. You’re so cute and shy.”
“You’re sure about that!? I’m not saying stay away, but at least don’t hit me!”
“Eh? What should I do? If Yoshizumi insists, I’ll leave you alone… but I’d rather walk with my arms around you… No?”
Yoshizumi made a troubled face. It made me want to tease him even more when he reacts like that. But it was true that he wanted to let go of the arms that were hugging him tightly. Now, what do you think Yoshizumi would do?
“Haa… Nikaido doesn’t know what she’s doing, does she.”
“Eh? What are you talking about?”
“Nikaido is a very cute and attractive girl.”
In a slightly angry voice, Yoshizumi wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into a hug. Inevitably, I was wrapped up in his chest. Eh? Was it possible that I’m being hugged by Yoshizumi right now?
“If you get too carried away… I mean, what the h**l. Because I’m a man too, and I’m not going to
let you stop me, okay? So, you know, in moderation, right?”
“Yes, yes… okay”
I nodded my head, but that was not the point. For the first time in my life, I was hugged by Yoshizumi, and he smelled so good. In addition, he was warm and comfortable. How happy I would be if I could sleep with him in my arms. I didn’t want to leave him, so I found myself wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Aah… Nikaido-san? What’s going on?”
“Just a little more… just a little more, just like this… please, Yoshizumi. Don’t let go. Give me a hug.”
“What a… troubled princess you are!”
What could I say, Yoshizumi hugged me tightly. It must have been cold when I was waiting alone, but now it’s rather hot. I could hear the sound of Yoshizumi’s heartbeat. I could tell that his heart was beating fast and he was very nervous. But I’m sure I was even more nervous than that. It was my first time.
“I think we should get going? We’re running out of time.”
“Mmm… I like it a little better this way”
“You really are a helpless princess.”
That seems fine. It was only in front of Yoshizumi that I’m spoiled like this. Let me do what I want at least for now. As I put even more strength into my arms, Yoshizumi brushed away my bangs and kissed me on the forehead.
“Yo, Yoshizumi!!!???”
“Time to wake up from your dream, Ai-chan”
Aah. He called me by name. You said it was too embarrassing to do right away, but that you’d get used to it gradually! And now you call me by my name, that was not fair! Foul play! You’re making me not wanting to leave more and more!
“Fufu. Nikaido is not as sweet as she seems.”
Yoshizumi smiled bitterly and patted me on the head. He treated me completely like a child, but instead of getting angry, I was so happy that my face was almost smiling.
“Here. You can hug me anytime you want, but this is the only time you can hear the New Year’s Eve bell?”
“Did you just say that, Yoshizumi? Didn’t you just say we can do this anytime we want? I got your word for it!”
“Of course, of course. It’s natural to want to hug someone you love, isn’t it?”
It was no good. Each of Yoshizumi’s words made me happy, and I couldn’t seem to suppress the grin on my face. I wish days like this could go on forever.
“Ehehe. Eh, Yoshizumi. I’m so happy right now!”
“Aah… I’m happy too, Nikaido.”
“Mou, I’d like you to call me Ai-chan. In return, I’ll call you “Yuya-kun” too.”
It was embarrassing, I added in my mind. You couldn’t just demand things from Yoshizumi, you know. It was called the principle of equal exchange.
“Yuya-kun. Eh, kiss me… ? I want to kiss you.”
“… Yeah. I love you too, Ai-chan.”
Yuya-kun’s face approached me. I gently closed my eyes and awaited for the moment when our lips would meet.
B— —- B—
“Yuya-kun… was it a dream!?”
I got up from the futon with a start. I looked at the clock and saw that it was just after 6:30 in the morning.
“Haa… this sucks. What kind of face should I make when I face Yoshizumi.”
Yoshizumi confessed to Hitotsuba the other day at an extracurricular camp, and they ended up dating… although they had been the topic of gossips even before that… and of all things, I dreamt that I was in a relationship with Yoshizumi and that we were spending the New Year’s Eve together. And in my dream, it was as if I had confessed myself. Unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of courage in real life.
“What do you mean, “Let’s kiss?” It was a dream! But the Yoshizumi in my dream was pretty cool too”
It was an embarrassing exchange to remember. It took me a while to calm my racing heart and burning cheeks, and I was almost late.
