In all the long time since Sherlock had transmigrated, this was the first time he had felt the warmth and happiness of celebrating the New Year as a child in his previous life.
The little house was like another world, separating the world inside from the one outside.
Outside, they were the head of the Gojo Clan, a Special Grade Curse User, and Jujutsu High's dedicated healer, but inside, they were simply former classmates, teachers, students, and friends.
The four young people gathered with the two little girls, eating the lavish New Year's feast Sherlock had prepared, accompanied by the languid, carefree singing of "Mayonaka no Door ~ Stay with Me" from the Kōhaku Uta Gassen on television.
Just like any ordinary family among the countless lit-up homes, they laughed and followed the singing on television as they waited for the New Year to arrive.
Everyone unconsciously ignored the bad things and focused on the warmth and happiness before them. As the countdown on television ended and fireworks burst in the sky, they smiled and wished one another a happy New Year.
As soon as the New Year arrived, Sherlock received New Year's money of his own for the first time in ages. Satoru Gojo, Shoko, and a somewhat reluctant Suguru Geto each offered Sherlock, nominally their junior, their own particular tenderness.
Sherlock accepted their New Year's money without the slightest embarrassment and carefully put it away, envelopes and all.
In return, Sherlock had prepared gifts of his own for everyone.
With Sherlock's Cursed Technique Reversal, several large gift boxes appeared in the living room in an instant, and he handed the gifts to everyone one by one.
Shoko's gift was two palm-sized dolls: one a chibi version of Satoru Gojo as Tamamo-no-Mae, the other a chibi Suguru Geto