A Warm Place

Extra IV

Christmas

It's winter. The townscape is illuminated with colored light bulbs. The customary Christmas song is playing in the background while the town is bustling with families and merry couples. Yes, today is the Christmas Eve.

But, disregarding what day of the year it is, I shut myself in my room, seeking warmth in the blanket. I'm sheltering my body that's shivering due to the freezing weather. Since it's winter vacation, there's no need for me to go to school, or even go outside to that matter. In other words, I can sleep all I want.

In order to enjoy this long vacation to the fullest, I did all of my homework on the first day. I've also finished the year-end cleaning early. That's why, I can sleep leisurely without anyone to bother me. Cheers to myself for being so thorough.

"Ufufu, this is happiness."

In addition, Mom and Saki have gone out today. Both of them are going to be home late, so I don't have to worry about anyone coming to wake me up. I'm planning to make a Christmas cake tomorrow, but I'll spend the eve doing nothing but sleep. And so, to build my spirits for tomorrow, good nigh--

Ding dong

"............"

The doorbell chimes just when I'm about to sleep.

No, I heard nothing. That was an illusion. Yes, an auditory illusion. I tell myself that it was only my imagination before I pull the blanket up to my head and concentrate on sleeping.

Ding dong

"............"

Okay, I heard the chime. That's certainly my doorbell ringing. Aah, geez! I should've removed the battery from the intercom! It must be some newspaper salesman anyway. It's cold and bothersome, so I'll just ignore them. No one informed me that we're expecting a parcel today, so I think that it shouldn't be the delivery guy (maybe). My friends would've called me beforehand if they were coming to visit.

Yup. It's been decided that no one's home today~ so, good n--

Kerchack, kerchack

"Eh?"

I can hear the sound of the front door opening. This unforeseen development blows all of my sleepiness away.

(...Could it be Mom or Saki?)

They could open the door easily, so they must have used a key to come in. Well, we never gave any spare keys to anyone else... Here I thought both of them were going to be out late. Well, maybe either Mom or Saki had a change of plans and decided to come home earlier.

Footsteps draw closer to my room, and come to a stop right behind the door. What's this?

(There goes my plan to sleep and relax.)

Knock, knock. I heard the clear knocking sounds, but I'm not answering because she's worsened my mood. Then, the door opens. Mom wouldn't bother to knock, so the one who came home must be my sister. I poke my head out of the blanket and peek towards the door.

"I knew it, Nee-san. You were sleeping."
"Rumi?!"

I wasn't wrong when I said that she's my little sister. But, I didn't expect her to be the other little sister, the one who's far older than me. Eh? How did she get a key to this house?

"I met Emiko-san on my way here by chance. When I said that I needed something from you, she told me that you wouldn't leave your bed."
"And so she gave you her key... You could've just called me."
"Except that you turned off your cell phone, didn't you?"