Private Room The wooden door closed again, cutting off the parent's sight, and the corridor became silent again.
"It seems that this level has been passed."
Kazehara Tetsu turned his head and looked at the girl beside him who was putting on the White Beret hat again.
"Rather than 'passing', it's better to say it's the establishment of 'accomplice'."
Sakayanagi Arisu gently straightened his slightly messy silver temple hair.
The two of them didn't stay long in the retro cafe, and quickly opened the wooden door and left.
The outside world has long been completely covered by winter nights.
Only the dim yellow halo of the street lights shined brightly amidst the heavy snow.
A biting chill hit my face.
"Huh..."
Sakayanagi Arisu shrank her neck subconsciously. Although the thick plush clothes kept heat well, in front of Low Temperature like this, it still seemed a bit thin for her already weak body.
A cloud of white mist dispersed along with her breath, and was blown away by the wind in an instant.
"It's still very cold."
Kazehara Tetsu glanced at her pale cheeks, and naturally took a step to the side in the direction of the wind, blocking most of the wind and snow for her.
"Stop standing around outside and go back quickly."
"Haha, Tetsu-kun is still as considerate as ever."
Sakayanagi Arisu did not refuse this kindness. She stretched out a small gloved hand, gently grabbed the corner of Kazehara Tetsu's coat, and took a step forward.
The two walked side by side on Tree-lined Path leading to Dormitory area.
"Na, Tetsu-kun."
Sakayanagi Arisu's voice was mixed in the wind and snow, and sounded a little blurry.
"There seems to be something about you that even I don't know about."
"Huh?"
Kazehara Tetsu looked intently, as if concentrating on the road conditions under his feet.
"What?"
"Don't act stupid."
Sakayanagi Arisu gently pulled the corner of his clothes, and the eye mask tightly locked the side of his face.
"Of course it's about your 'family background'."
She recalled her father's attitude in Private Room, which although vague, was full of some kind of "approval".
With her understanding of her father, she could never be wrong.
"Although my father is usually kind, his vision is extremely high. He can make him take the initiative to mention you, and even put you in a position that requires special consideration in the conversation just now..."
"That must not be an ordinary background, right?"
Sakayanagi Arisu tilted his head slightly, like a curious cat.
"It's not a big deal. I didn't want others to know about it."
"The so-called background is just a small business with a little bit of industry in my family. Compared with the Sakayanagi Family controlling the huge educational resources of the school, the little business my family has is just a way to make ends meet at best."
"Small business...?"
Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled. The laughter was full of disbelief, but it didn't break through.
"There are probably not many 'small businesses' in this country that even the chairman of This School can weigh in on."
She was smart enough not to pursue the question any further.
If the other party doesn't want to talk, being too aggressive and digging deeper will destroy the rare tacit understanding and beauty.
"But..."
Sakayanagi Arisu withdrew his gaze and looked again at the long Snow Road ahead.
"Since Tetsu-kun doesn't want to elaborate, there must be something unspeakable."
"If I force you to confess too much, it will be bad for our current relationship, right?"
This just right understanding and concession made Kazehara Tetsu secretly admire in his heart.
"You are so considerate, Arisu."
'It seems... I have to get it as soon as possible.'
"Tetsu-kun's eyes suddenly became very eager."
"It seems that you are not thinking about anything bad, but you are thinking about something... that has an intention for me?"
"Your intuition is really a bit foul."
Kazehara Tetsu smiled helplessly and took two quick steps to return to the position side by side with her.
"It's true that I have an intention. I'm thinking... since I have such a considerate girlfriend, should I work harder and get something that can make you truly 'free' as soon as possible."
"What is truly free...?"
Sakayanagi Arisu was stunned for a moment.
"Compared to those distant futures, Tetsu-kun really doesn't know how to hide his desires."
"So..."
She changed the subject and her tone became more expectant.
"What are your plans for the next Christmas, Tetsu-kun?"
"For the lovers in This School, that is an important day when something must be done."
"Christmas ah..."
Kazehara Tetsu raised his head and glanced at the tree on the roadside that was covered with Fairy Lights and decorated in a festive atmosphere.
"What else can I do? The Commercial Street in the school must be overcrowded at that time, and there are couples with pink bubbles everywhere. For someone like me who doesn't like to join in the fun, I probably just sleep in the Dormitory, or find a quiet place to read."
He spread his hands, looking uninterested.
"I have nothing to do, and I don't have anything special to do."
"Really?"
Sakayanagi Arisu stopped.
"Really? Tetsu-kun."
The corners of her mouth raised into a sly smile, and her eyes looked at him playfully.
"How do I feel... when the time comes, there will be a lot of people around you?"
"For Tetsu-kun who wants to 'have it all', isn't Christmas a scene that requires careful planning?"
"Hey hey..."
Kazehara Tetsu smiled bitterly and held his forehead.
"You think too highly of me. I'm not a popular idol. At this time when Final Exam has just ended and everyone is busy enjoying the holidays, who would think of me, an idle person."
"But..."
Kazehara Tetsu suddenly took a step forward, shortening the distance between the two.
He lowered his head and got closer to Sakayanagi Arisu's delicate face.
"If... there are a bunch of people like you said."
"So...Arisu, will you be one of them?"
"Will you appear in front of me in that Special Day for me?"
This is a rhetorical question.
It is also an invitation.
Sakayanagi Arisu didn't back down.
She met Kazehara Tetsu's gaze and even stood on her toes slightly.
"Who knows..."
"I might play chess in the room, maybe..."
"I'm ready... I might give you a 'surprise'. That depends on Tetsu-kun's performance."
"It's really appetizing."
"Each other."
The whole journey was silent.
The two finally arrived at Dormitory Building.
Pushing open the door, the long-lost heating inside Lobby makes all the Pores feel relaxed.
Kazehara Tetsu and Sakayanagi Arisu walked into the elevator together.
"Ding."
In the small metal space, only the elevator is running.
The numbers keep jumping.
First floor... second floor...
"Ding."
The third floor has arrived.
Kazehara Tetsu did not go out immediately.
He pressed the door open button and turned around to look at Sakayanagi Arisu who was still standing in the corner.
Her cheeks had a nice flush from the cold to the warmth.
"Then, I'll go down here first."
Kazehara Tetsu waved his hand towards her.
"Be careful on the road. Even though we have already arrived, we still need to be careful."
"Haha, thank you for your concern." Sakayanagi Arisu smiled and nodded.
"Good night, Tetsu-kun. Looking forward to our next meeting... maybe at Christmas?"
"Good night."
Kazehara Tetsu released the button and stepped out of the elevator.
Behind him, the metal door slowly closed, covering the girl's smile.
Watching the numbers above the elevator continue to beat and climb towards higher floors, Kazehara Tetsu stood in the empty corridor on the third floor and exhaled softly.
"Christmas..."
He whispered to himself, turned around and walked towards his room.