Fikush-ON!

Ch. 15: New Year's Concert

December rolled in, the temperature being around zero degrees Celsius. Despite that, there still wasn't any snow. It was a bright but cold Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at the living room's kotatsu with my sister, sipping my coffee and watching TV. I glanced to my side, where my big brother, Daichi, would usually be sitting, but not this time. Our uncle, who owns a construction company in a town tens of kilometers away from here, offered him a job. Daichi, who has so far been doing only dead-end part-time jobs, accepted the offer, and moved away last month. I'll surely miss him, but everyone has to move away at some point. Only a couple of years, and I'd have to do the same.

As I finished my coffee, I got up, stopped by the kitchen to throw the mug into the sink, and walked to the foyer to get my boots and coat on. I noticed Dash getting up from her bed.

"No, we're not going for a walk. You can laze around for a bit longer."

Dash seemed to understand me, but instead of laying back down, it walked to the living room, probably to get scratches from Tamiko.

"Are you going somewhere?" I could hear my sister asking.

"Yeah, I'll be gone for maybe an hour or two," I answered.

"Alright, but be sure to come back before dinner."

I stepped outside, and almost slipped. Damn cold has made the wooden porch's surface slippery. With careful steps, I finally got down from the porch to more secure asphalt, and began walking.

An hour later I stepped out of a bookstore, holding my newest purchase; the fourth volume of Warriors of Lotus. Sweet, I'll spend the whole winter reading this. My coat's inside pocket is ridiculously big, so I could easily slip the book in there. Now then, back to home.

Half an hour later I started recognizing some houses. I was in a very familiar neighborhood. It gave me an idea. I dug out my phone and sent Ui a text message. She responded quickly, telling me that she's currently at a grocery store with her sister. I scoped my surroundings. If I remember correctly, the store should be nearby. I wonder if I can find it. Besides, I felt like buying a soda.

After roaming around for some minutes, I finally found the store and stepped inside. I began walking around the store, looking for the Hirasawa sister. Did I come too late...? No, wait, there they are, right next to the milk shelves.

"Yo," I greeted them, getting their attention.

"Eiji-kun? You could have waited for us at the house," Ui said, surprised about my presence.

I shrugged. "Eh, I just happened to be nearby."

"Eiji-kun, Eiji-kun!" Yui called out for me enthusiastically. "Which sounds better: marshmallow-soy-milk hotpot or chocolate-curry hotpot?"

"A what now?" I muttered, very confused. Yui, however, was still waiting for my answer. "...if I was threatened with a gun, I'd eat the latter."

My answer fell on deaf ears, since Yui was busy texting on her phone. "I'll ask the others."

I wanted to say something, but just sighed out of frustration, and turned to Ui.

"Is there something I can help with?"

She seemed to think about my offer. "Well, not right now, but you could later help with the grocery bags."

"Roger that," I said with a nod.

Since I had nothing better to do, I just followed the girls as they did their shopping, making a small chitchat.

After a while, Yui checked her phone and frowned. "No one's replying."