Cold Air December

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The doorbell rang.

It was rare for the doorbell to ring at this house—except when it was for Sakuta. But Sakuta wasn't here anymore. Yet, despite knowing that, she found herself momentarily filled with anticipation and immediately felt foolish for it.

Maybe it was Nodoka? Perhaps she had forgotten something.

But when she checked the screen of the intercom, it wasn't Nodoka at all.

"...Why...?"

It was someone she knew. After all, it was someone she had seen only recently. But it was also someone who shouldn't be here anymore. On the screen, a woman with a friendly face and a smile was waving. She had long navy-blue hair and wore a white coat.

It had to be a mistake.

It didn't make sense.

But it wasn't a trick of her eyes. On the screen was Shoko-san.

Shoko-san wasn't supposed to exist anymore. Sakuta had sacrificed himself, and Shoko-chan had been saved. Her adolescent syndrome should have been cured. So why?

Running to the front door and flinging it open, she found Shoko-san standing there in the flesh.

"..."

"Good evening, Mai-san."

"Shoko...san."

"Yes, it's me, Shoko-san."

That self-assured, fearless tone—it was unmistakably the same Shoko-san she remembered.

"Why are you here, Shoko-san?"

"Well, even if you ask me why... the fact remains that I am standing here."

"Don't avoid the question."

"Avoiding the question? That's harsh, Mai-san."

"Didn't Shoko-chan's adolescent syndrome come to an end?"

"But, here I am now. What's done is done, don't you think?"

"...I suppose, but... is there something you need from me, Shoko-san?"

"That's right. But why don't we talk over dinner? I'm quite hungry."

"Are you planning to come inside?"

"What? You won't invite me in after I came all this way? Do you... not like me, Mai-san?"

"I wouldn't say I like you."

"Gasp! That means you dislike me, doesn't it? I'm shocked... I thought you'd always been kind to me..."

The way she pouted playfully made it hard to tell if she was being serious or joking.

To Mai, it seemed overwhelmingly like an act, but there was always the possibility Shoko was slipping in some real feelings amidst the pretense. Then again, she could just as easily be serious, while the whole thing was still part of the joke. That was simply the nature of Makinohara Shoko.

"I like Shoko-chan."

"Well, both of those are me, you know."

"Shoko-chan is sweet and honest, but Shoko-san, on the other hand, is quite the troublemaker."

"Ouch, I can't deny that. So here's a question: whose fault do you think that is?"

"Don't go blaming others. Fine, come in for now."

"I haven't even given you the answer yet! But thank you for letting me in. I'll be imposing on you then."

With that, Shoko-san slipped off her shoes, put on the guest slippers, and made herself comfortable on the living room sofa. There wasn't even the slightest trace of hesitation in her movements.