Special Chapter: A Teary Christmas Eve

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(You got to be kidding! Why is Akagi crying?)

While the chorus of the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, 'Ode to Joy' echoed at the concert hall, Honoka was left dumbfounded as she saw the large tears trickle down Koremitsu's face.

♢ ♢ ♢

As high school freshmen, December 24th, the 1st Christmas Eve, was the first Eve Honoka and Koremitsu spent as lovers.

—R-remember to spare some time for the 24th.

Of course, Honoka was left dumbfounded that Koremitsu, who neither dated a girl nor showed any interest to such events, would say that to her with a blushing face.

She never expected that he would ask for a date on the Eve itself, and was wondering herself how she was supposed to mention this so naturally, if Koremitsu would find it annoying to have a date on the Eve itself.

And with Koremitsu actually taking the lead, Honoka's face, and even her ears, were left reddened. She answered.

—Y-yes...

What was more surprising however was that Koremitsu actually planned the route for their date.

It was a choice every girl yearned for, listening to the 9th Symphony, eating at a restaurant, watch the Christmas lights on the pretty, dolled up streets as they returned home.

And Koremitsu even told her to feel free to state whichever place she wished to go to, and there was no need to follow Koremitsu's own plan.

—No, I think this is good too! Aren't you forcing yourself, Akagi? Is this really fine? But speaking of which, how are you so certain about what a girl likes?

And while Honoka's eyes dazzled, Koremitsu scowled, stammering,

—Well, I got a friend... who's very clear on such stuff, very annoying in how he always tells me to do this and that. I'm not focusing myself here; it's my first time inviting a girlfriend out for a date on the Eve itself, so I guess it's refreshing... or rather, I want to try experiencing a normal date with you, Shikibu... well, such things aren't so bad after all.

Koremitsu apparently was bashful as his voice got softer, and he even turned his head away.

Did he actually have a bosom friend where they could discuss date routes? Were they the male classmates who often greeted him? Skepticism arose in Honoka, but the words 'I want to try experiencing a normal date with you, Shikibu' was too overpowering that it caused her hear to flutter, with no room to question.

—I'm happy...thanks. Let's have some memories on the Eve itself.

She said, feeling really touched.

♢ ♢ ♢

(But why is Akagi crying as he hears this symphony?)

The singing and the orchestra reached the climax, yet Koremitsu was grittinng his teeth, tear-eyed as his fingers sank into the armrest of the seat, the gushing tears dripping onto his knees.

(It doesn't sound like he's moved to tears from the music itself.)

Koremitsu had been looking out of sorts when they met at the train station, their meeting place.

His eyes were red, his eyelids looked to have bawled out.

Honoka worriedly asked what happened to those eyes, and Koremitsu abruptedly answered,

"I didn't sleep well last night... got tense waiting for the Eve."

But surely Koremitsu's eyes were not lacking in blood and deprived of sleep, and more importantly, he looked so downhearted.

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