Let's see...
Reality!
It wasn't a dream!
Dad...
Th-Thank you...
Sawako...
It must have been shocking...
The truth must have been painful...
You're still glad even after finding out they're from me?
If you're talking to Sawako, she left to get the paper.
Sawako!
Sawa-
Today is the 25th of December.
The day of the closing ceremony.
I got so surprised yesterday!
Me too!
Sadako, right?
She showed up out of the blue for the second party,
sang one song after Yoshida and Yano handed her the mic,
then just left right after that.
Actually, I have a feeling she came with Kazehaya...
Am I just imagining things?
No, that does sound right...
But... there's no way...
You guys sure are dumb.
I'm the one who invited Sawako.
Kazehaya lost a bet against me yesterday,
so I made him wait there for her.
Sawako didn't know where the second party was going to be at, anyway.
Oh!
That explains it!
Too early.
There are tasty events coming up such as Valentine's Day.
I can't have them putting in a twist and ruining what they already have now.
I just felt a chill down my spine...
And we all know what Sawako's like...
If something goes wrong, she may start worrying about Kazehaya's reputation and stuff like that.
That's gotta be it!
Good morning... That's gotta be it!
Good morning...
M-Morning!
People are greeting me back!
Kazehaya!
You're early today!
I'm always early!
Bullshit!
It's actually a stomach band...
With every knit I made on it, I thought about my father...
Huh?
Oh, it's not for me...
Sorry, there was a misunderstanding.
It got switched with the one I had prepared for you...
Umm...
If they wouldn't mind, please give that to your father, your mother,
or maybe your grandfath-
But I can keep it for myself instead, right? or maybe your grandfath-
But I can keep it for myself instead, right?
Huh?
Thanks.
He's so kind...
He's probably never even going to wear it,
but he accepted it to make me feel better...
But I guess he wouldn't wear the hat either.
I guess that either way, it wouldn't make that much of a difference to him...
Morning!
M-Morning!
Although, it would have made a difference on my side...
...because the feelings I put into them were different.
It's snowing so hard this morning!
You're wearing a tie...
Oh.
Today's the day of the closing ceremony, after all.
He appears even more splendid than he usually is...
Morning!
Morning, Chizu-chan!
Mornin', Sawa.
Morning! Morning!
Morning, Yano-chin, Kazehaya.
It's so cold today and yet that doesn't stop you from being energetic.
Oh, the closing ceremony...
So winter break starts tomorrow.
It's going to get a little lonely.
Long time no see, guys!
Who?
You're blocking the way!
Get a move on already.
Zen!
It's Zen!
Our homeroom teacher!
It's been so long!
This is pretty sudden, but...
I've decided to take over my wife's family's sake-brewing business.
So this will be the last day I'll have the pleasure to be called your "homeroom teacher."
What?!
What the heck is that?
Aren't you supposed to be sick or something?
Huh? Sick?
Well, we heard you were met with a misfortune.
No, no, the store is doing very well.
I'm getting along very well with my wife's family too.
Wow...
So he married someone rich.
Mr. Arai...
What about a farewell party?
Let's do it!
Thanks, guys...
But I have to go home as soon as possible today.
I'll never forget the times I've spent with you all!
Zen...
If you want, we can throw a party to worship me as the new homeroom teacher.
Uhh...
Anyway, it's time to go to the closing ceremony.
Please line up in the hallway.
Keep the line straight!
The tumultuous second semester...
She's cute even with her tongue sticking out...
So many things happened this semester.
I know winter break is just around the corner,
but try not to let your hair down too low, and be extra wary of accidents.
Please greet the new year with your healthy selves.
So many things...
There were also tough moments,
but there were a lot more happy events in contrast.
Umm...
Everyone signed this for you.
K-Kuronuma...?
Don't worry. She exorcises, and not the other way around.
Rise!
Although from the outside, things may appear the same...
Bow.
I thought about and experienced so many things that were new to me.
Hooray!
Winter break starts tomorrow!
Hey, let's go grab something to eat on the way home!
Sure, why not.
Okay!
Where do you want to eat?
Kazehaya!
Let's go out for karaoke, dude!
What? We just went yesterday!
Once I go home, I won't be able to see him until the third semester...
Thanks for everything this year.
Thanks to you, I had a lot of fun.
Kazehaya!
Let's go!
He's leaving!
I-I should make this brief!
Umm...!
Sure.
Bye!
H-Have a great New Year's!
I'll... get to see him again next year.
Wow!
Your dad has good taste!
Have you set up an email account already?
Umm...
I haven't finished reading the manual yet...
You're gonna read it all?
You don't have to.
I'll do it for you.
Let me see it.
Thank you very much.
What do you want it to be?
Umm...
TLnote: ... It's better to use a lengthy address, to avoid getting spam.
Huh?!
Like for example, you can include your name or your birthday.
Umm....
Amazing! This can help clear up misunderstandings too!
What?!
Wait, your birthday is on New Year's Eve?
Y-Yeah.
Chizu-chan, Ayane-chan...
Umm...
If it's not too much to ask, do you think we could get together and hang out during the break?
If you're ever free, that is...
Like, if you're really bored.
If you don't mind, that is...
Don't be silly.
Of course we can.
Having you ask that after all this time really surprised me.
Now that you've got yourself a phone, it'll be easier for us to keep in touch.
I don't have to wait until third semester to see them again!
Hey, so on New Year's Eve...
...I always make my first visit of the year to the shrine with Ryu.
Why don't you two come along with us this year?
Sure, I guess.
I get to see everyone on New Year's Eve...!
I want to go!
I-
I'm going to ask for permission.
That was fast!
Oh, with Chizu-chan and Ayane-chan?
I don't see why not.
Be sure to tell Dad when he comes home.
He feels really guilty about what happened yesterday, so I'm sure he'll say yes.
Y-Yes...
I can make it...
She must have been so depressed last night...
I get to see them on New Year's Eve...
I get to be with them on the day I turn sixteen...
Do you have Kazehaya's number, Sawako?
Yeah, I do.
We exchanged numbers when I saw him yesterday.
Wow, have you called him already?
Nope.
I didn't really have a reason to.
But you've got one now.
At this rate, it'll only be us three and Ryu who will be attending.
If you don't mind, that's fine with us.
But if you'd like to see Kazehaya, you need to invite him yourself.
"Invite"?!
If you don't contact him now, he'll probably have other plans on that day soon.
I'm not going to force you to do it or anything.
If you want to see him, go for it.
If I don't contact him now, I won't be able to see him...
...until school starts back up again.
I-I don't know his email address yet, so I'll call him.
Hello, this is Kuronuma...
The first visit of the year to a shrine on New...
...Year's Eve.
Take a deep breath!
Your anxiety is rubbing off on me now...
If I get to see him, I'll feel so lucky.
That'll make me...
...so happy.
I can do this...
Hello?
This-
This is Kuronuma speaking.
W-Would like you to c-come with us for the visit first to the shrine of the year on New Eve's Year? TLnote: Yes, that's what she actually says.
This is Chizu-chan, Ayane-chan, and Sanada-kun speaking.
I'm free!
H-Huh?
I mean, "if you're free"!
I'll go!
Yoshida, Yano, Ryu, and you're coming too, right?
I won't get in the way!
I'll be there.
I'll be looking forward to it.
H-He says he'll be looking forward to it...!
Wow, that's great!
Of course he'll be looking forward to it.
I get to see him...
And on top of that, it'll be on my birthday...!
I'll get to see him...!
Now...
What do we do?
It's like I'm dreaming...
Time passes by,
and it's currently the 31st of December.
New Year's Eve.
Oh, no!
You don't need to clean up after yourself!
Chizu-chan and Ayane-chan are going to be here soon to pick you up, right?
That's right, you shouldn't keep your friends waiting.
R-Right.
Thank you.
I'll be sure to wear the poncho I received for my birthday.
Wow...
Sawako's making her first shrine visit of the year with her friends...
Huh?
Chizu-chan and Ayane-chan are my friends,
but are Sanada-kun and Kazehaya-kun my friends as well?
Specifically, Kazehaya-kun...
We're here!
Good evening!
You're pretty early!
Oh, my! Welcome!
Sorry to disturb you.
I'm going to go put on a coat.
Actually, can we visit your room for a minute?
Of course.
H-Huh?
W-What might this be...?
Hey, stop moving!
Oh... sorry.
Don't worry, we won't put on enough for people to know you have make-up on.
Okay, look down.
Like this?
Don't close your eyes.
You told us that you wanted to become pretty when you first met Kurumi, right?
Think hard about why you want to become pretty.
There, finished.
I'm just about done here too.
And this pin is from Yano-chin and me.
Happy birthday, Sawako!
You look adorable!
Can't expect anything less from us.
Looks great!
The hairpin looks good on you too!
Thank-
Stop!
Don't cry!
Hold it in! Please!
I won't allow myself to ruin their intentions...!
That look is even more powerful...
...now that she has make-up on.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
I feel like the luckiest person alive right now.
After I met you two this year, I've been through so many happy moments.
Okay...
We're getting pretty close to the meetup point,
so what do you say we leave now, Chizu?
Good call, Yano-chin.
Later!
This is as far as we're going to go.
Have an enjoyable New Year's alone with Kazehaya!
W-Where are you-
Don't worry about us!
Oh, Ryu won't be coming with you guys either.
Wait-
Oh, be sure to tell us everything that happened later.
What are you getting cold feet for?
You invited him yourself!
They tried to make me look a little prettier just for this moment...
Ryu still isn't here yet.
What about Yoshida and Yano?
They're not coming.
Sanada-kun...
...won't be here either.
I wonder if he's disappointed...
He might be troubled...
He might go home...
Okay.
Let's go.
December 31st...
Thirty minutes until the start of the New Year.
Words are spun into shape on the night dimly lit by the reflecting snow.
Next time: Birthday.