The girl's shoulders trembled slightly, and at last, she couldn't hold back her tears.
She sniffled, her voice nasal and halting as she began, "I... My little sister's birthday is in a few days. She's always been a good girl and never asked for anything before. This is the first time she's ever asked for this limited-edition hair clip..."
She clenched her pocket, then gradually relaxed her fingers. Helplessness filled her eyes. "My mom fell ill from the stress of her part-time job, and all the money we have has to go toward her treatment. I'm still a student, so there's no way I can scrape together 28,000 yen... I came to ask about the price last time, and I even cried over it. But my sister looks so excited. I just can't bear to disappoint her..."
Her voice choked as she lowered her head. Her pink hair was damp with tears and clung to her cheeks. "I know stealing is wrong, but I really have no other choice... This is the last one. If I miss it, I'll never be able to buy it..."
Hoshida No listened quietly, his gaze resting on the corners of her reddened eyes. His expression remained unruffled. He didn't know how to comfort people, and his fingertips rubbed against his palm.
Only after her sobs gradually subsided did he speak, his tone gentler than before. "I see."
He turned and walked to the checkout counter, picked up the scanner, and scanned the price tag on the shelf. After printing a receipt, he gently took the hair clip from beside the girl's pocket.
He placed the hair clip in a clear bag and held it out to her, then crumpled the receipt and tossed it in the trash. "Take it. Consider it a thank-you for telling me such a good story."
The girl jerked her head up and looked at him through tear-blurred eyes, astonishment in her gaze. "B-but it costs 28,000 yen..."
"It's all right." Hoshida No interrupted her, looking out the window as he spoke in an even tone. "Compared to the price of a hair clip, a wish to keep your sister from being disappointed is more deserving of being granted."
He paused, then added, "If you need something next time, you can just tell me. You don't have to do something you'll regret."
The girl accepted the bag in a daze. It still bore the dents left by fingers pressing against it, but a warmth welled up inside her.
She bit her lip as tears slipped down her cheeks again, though this time they came with relief and gratitude. "Thank you... Thank you so much..."
People's joys and sorrows were never truly shared. To Hoshida No, her troubles were merely an unexpected little interlude he'd happened to hear about.
But when she mentioned her sister, he couldn't help thinking of Karuizawa Kei. Back then, Karuizawa Kei had cried in front of him just like this girl.
After they said goodbye, Hoshida No returned to slacking off as if nothing had happened.
After that, whenever the girl had time, she came by and volunteered to take on some of Hoshida No's work—cleaning and helping move small items. That was how he learned her name was Ichinose Honami.
On her little sister's birthday, Hoshida No even went out of his way to prepare a small cake. It wasn't very big, and he got a slice for himself, too.
On the eve of the New Year, the streetlights came on early, tinting the snow with warm yellow patches of light.
Hoshida No had rarely taken a day off, but today he did. A pale scarf was tucked into the collar of his gray coat, his fingers were in his pockets, and he followed at an unhurried pace behind Karuizawa Kei.
Karuizawa was clearly especially excited by the year-end festivities. Her cream-colored wool coat made her features look even more vivid.
She stopped in front of a shop decked out in New Year's decorations and looked at Hoshida No with a wink.
Hoshida No understood. They went into the shop together and picked out two red-cord omamori. The "Academic Success" charm went to Karuizawa Kei, who was nearing graduation, while Hoshida No wore the "Safety and Good Health" charm on his wrist.
The two of them then went to a clothing store, where the warm air from the heating chased away the chill and yellow lights illuminated the winter clothes on display.
Karuizawa Kei immediately took a liking to a cream-colored turtleneck sweater in the corner. She touched the soft fabric, then turned to Hoshida No. "What do you think? It won't be too heavy to wear in spring."
Hoshida No's gaze fell on her. "It suits you."
The fitting-room curtain opened, and Karuizawa came out wearing the sweater. She tugged at the hem. "Is it too tight?"
"It fits just right. It looks nice and simple," Hoshida No replied decisively. He turned toward the checkout counter, picking up a matching light-gray cardigan on the way.
Seeing this, Karuizawa Kei was about to speak. "Brother No, let me help you pick something..." But before she could finish—
Hoshida No had already paid. He handed her the bag with the cardigan. "It's for you. You can wear them together. It's colder outside."
Karuizawa's cheeks reddened as she clutched the shopping bag and quietly thanked him. Hmph, Brother No. He never tells me ahead of time before doing things like this.
Karuizawa Kei ultimately got her wish and picked out a gray sweater for Hoshida No, the same style as hers. Hoshida No didn't mind.
They didn't have many things to buy. Hoshida No carried their purchases in his left hand while Karuizawa Kei clung to his right arm. The two of them walked home together like real siblings.
Before they knew it, New Year's Day had arrived, and the home of Uncle Kenichi was filled with warmth. Red couplets decorated the entrance, and the low table inside was laden with pickles, sea bream, tempura, and steaming miso soup. The lantern's warm glow mingled with the aroma of the food.
"Come sit down, Hoshida!" Uncle Kenichi said, bringing over freshly fried tempura with an apron tied around his waist. Auntie followed with more rice, smiling warmly.
Hoshida No thanked them and sat beside Karuizawa Kei. They were wearing the matching sweaters they'd bought that day and sat very close together. Karuizawa Kei's face turned red again.
During the meal, Uncle Kenichi talked about when he had first met Hoshida No, while Auntie praised how capable he was.
Karuizawa Kei sat beside them, seeming to focus on her food, but every so often her gaze drifted toward the three people talking, and the corners of her mouth lifted without her noticing. Firecrackers sounded sporadically outside the window, while the clink of bowls and chopsticks made the room feel especially cozy.
After the meal, Auntie handed them red envelopes. "Happy New Year!" They both thanked her, but later, in private, Hoshida No passed his envelope to Karuizawa Kei.
"Ding-dong—"
Hoshida No's phone chimed twice. As the screen lit up, two new messages appeared in his friends list.
The lady from the shop sent, "Happy New Year, Hoshida!" along with a sticker. Right after that came a message from Ichinose Honami, neatly written: "Happy New Year, Hoshida. I hope everything goes smoothly for you in the new year."
He tapped the screen and replied to each of them with a simple "Happy New Year," then casually slipped his phone back into his pocket and turned his gaze toward Karuizawa Kei beside him.
Unlike his own leisurely state, Karuizawa Kei had been holding her phone in her arms the whole time, her fingers flying across the screen. A faint smile played on her lips as she occasionally looked down to reply. Her hair swayed gently with her movements.
As if noticing his gaze, Karuizawa Kei looked up at him. Her brows curved into a gentle smile, warmth shining in her eyes as she said brightly, "Happy New Year, Brother No!"
Hoshida No nodded slightly. At last, a smile spread across his face, dispelling his usual reserve. Warmth entered his voice. "Happy New Year, Kei."