I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

However, Eriri's attempt to change the subject using this is impossible.

Knowing what the other was thinking, Kasumigaoka Utaha quickly walked over and looked down at Eriri as if she were looking down on her.

"How far have you progressed?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha asked Eriri with a serious expression.

The latter was clearly stunned.

"Holding hands? Kissing?"

"Pfft, what are you saying?! Cough cough cough!"

Eriri coughed violently, as if she were about to vomit blood.

"Holding hands and kissing, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"

What are these, and what do they have to do with today's date?

When asked how far things had progressed, Eriri didn't know how to answer.

"So, you mean we haven't been able to hold hands yet?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha stroked her chin, making guesses.

This is progressing a bit slowly; they haven't even held hands yet...

You're childhood sweethearts, don't be so shy, just go for it!

"We're not little kids anymore. Look at all those childhood sweethearts who still hold hands at this age!"

Eriri defended herself.

Even if they're childhood sweethearts, they're not children anymore, how could they just casually hold hands!

Indecent!

She looked at her hands, her fingers twitching slightly, and at that moment, she imagined some scenes.

Just before the image was about to take shape, Eriri quickly shook her head to clear her mind.

We mustn't indulge in this fantasy!

"You're so stubborn!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha pouted, looking at Eriri with a disappointed expression.

She had thought that Eriri and Aki Tomoya had progressed to some point, but it turned out to be like this?

Ugh!

When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their resolve, strains their muscles and bones, starves their body, and empties their resources...

Yes, Eriri has a long way to go.

"That meaningful look in your eyes is making me really uncomfortable!"

Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with dissatisfaction.

I came here with good intentions to keep the other person company, and they appreciated it, but it seemed a bit unnecessary.

When was the last time you held hands with that person?

Kasumigaoka Utaha asked curiously.

However, this question clearly provoked Eriri.

She couldn't possibly remember clearly, and frankly, it's not good to bring up things from the past.

Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself!

With a touch of arrogance, Eriri crossed her arms over her chest as if in a huff and turned her head to the other side.

The next moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha returned Eriri's words verbatim.

Thank you so much for visiting her on Christmas Day.

However, Kasumigaoka Utaha hopes that Eriri can step up her game.

"Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve, let's think about what to do tonight first. You didn't even tell me before you came, so I didn't prepare anything."

Kasumigaoka Utaha stopped mentioning what had happened before and instead walked around the room tidying up.

Because she hadn't expected her friends to come over, Kasumigaoka Utaha hadn't prepared much.

If Eriri had said something earlier, she would have had time to prepare.

On Christmas Eve, you might gather with friends, family, or even go out and flaunt your love in the streets...

Aki Tomoya spent Christmas Eve with the Hashima siblings this year.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri are together.

Everyone else, whether they know or not, has their own plans.

Like Michiru Hyodo, who was still recording a radio program on Christmas Eve.

Or perhaps, like Megumi Kato, one stays at home as always, looking at fashion magazines and thinking about what to buy after the New Year.

Before Christmas, Aki Tomoya heard from Kudo Sayaka that she was also having a get-together with her high school friends today.

It's great to still be in touch with my high school friends, while Aki Tomoya has almost lost contact with one of his friends.

Before the subway stopped operating, Aki Tomo said goodbye to the Hashima siblings and went home.

Meanwhile, at Utaha Kasumigaoka's house, Eriri said she had missed the last train and asked to stay overnight.

"What was that again? You went to that person's house and said you wanted to stay overnight, right?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha said teasingly.

"This kind of plot is common in novels, right? The female lead misses the last train and has to stay overnight at the male lead's house. As night falls, who knows what might happen..."

Her voice was seductive as she spoke these words almost into Eriri's ear.

Eriri gradually frowned, then couldn't help but push the other person away.

"What have you been instigating me about all day long?!"

Regardless of its level, Eriri found that kind of operation quite boring.

Since arriving at Kasumigaoka Utaha's house, Eriri has often been teased by Kasumigaoka Utaha in similar ways.

Sure enough, most of the time, when the two of them are together, they are never like old friends who look at each other in silence and have a tacit understanding.

"And who do you think you are now, Kasumigaoka Utaha!"

"I?"

As Kasumigaoka Utaha faced Eriri's questioning, her expression gradually became proud.

"I am a noble single aristocrat!"

Chapter 301 New Year's Worship Ceremony (3/5)

Utaha Kasumigaoka's self-proclaimed title left Eriri speechless.

She wanted to say that the other party had evolved into a solitary frost wolf, but then she hesitated and stopped herself from speaking.

After thinking about it carefully, Eriri also felt that she couldn't quite understand Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Once Christmas Eve was over, the next seven days flew by, and soon it was New Year's Day.

After the week of the New Year ends, it's time to go back to school.

There's not much to say about the New Year. Aki Tomoya's parents' companies have also closed for the holidays, so they've been staying at home these days.

Unsurprisingly, besides returning to his hometown in Nagano, relatives would also come to his house for a get-together.

During the first week of the new year, Aki Tomo didn't have any plans and did almost everything his parents told him to do.

On family gatherings like this, Michiru Hyodo is one of Aki Tomoya's peers who cannot attend.

Aki Tomoya does not plan to stay at home.

Because if, like last year, a group of people surrounded him, talking about Tokyo University and about role models, Aki Tomoya would feel very awkward.

Right after noon on New Year's Day, Aki Tomoya told his parents and ran out, planning to come back in the evening after all the relatives had left.

"Rin-ye, Ren-ye, where are you?"

His phone buzzed and vibrated; Eriri had sent him a message asking where he was.

"Outside."

"So where is outside?"

"Waiting for the subway."

Aki Tomoya planned to go to Senso-ji Temple, and then to other places, before returning home after all his relatives had left in the evening.

"...I'm at your door o(╥﹏╥)o"