I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Fumino Furuhashi, who was behind them, gave a compliment.

By expressing her determination in this way, everyone in the academy looked at Sayaka Kudo with new respect.

"But I don't know if it will grow back by the time of the exam."

Having cut her long hair, it seems like she has fewer worries now; Sayaka Kudo is much more relaxed.

At that moment, a cold wind blew in through the open window, and everyone instinctively hugged themselves tighter.

"It's a bit cold this year..."

Harumi Junko casually closed the window, muttering something as if she were complaining.

"Don't slack off in the last week of the year. If you go to a shrine for the New Year, you might draw a good fortune."

Japan's New Year's Day is next week.

Winter break is probably only this week, and it ends after the week of New Year's Day, so it's a little over two weeks.

"Go home and get some rest during the New Year. Don't push yourself too hard, especially those of you who will be taking exams soon next year. Maintaining a good condition for the exams will make things much easier."

Mr. Tsubota also came out at this time to remind him.

The New Year is just around the corner. If you don't rest properly during the New Year, you won't have much time to rest after the winter break.

In Qingfeng Academy, apart from those who will be taking entrance exams a few months from tomorrow, everyone else will be entering the third grade next year.

The final year won't leave much time for relaxation.

That was the last and most precious year.

"Yes."

The responses echoed throughout the school.

However, it's hard to say how many will actually stay up late studying during the New Year.

Especially for those whose situation is not optimistic, they probably don't want to waste any time at all.

After Christmas, there wasn't much of a festive atmosphere at Qingfeng Academy, except for a few people mentioning it at the beginning.

In contrast, in Japan, New Year's Day is often mentioned during breaks, mainly about what people will do and where they will go on that day.

The most common answers were probably things like, "I was very busy that day!", "I have an exam coming up soon," or "I hope I can get a good fortune slip if I go to the shrine."

Going to a shrine to obtain a charm is also a form of spiritual sustenance.

"Going to the shrine with family on New Year's Day should be enough. What about you, Fumino?"

Sayaka Kudo lay listlessly on the table and said, "After the cram school was changed to six days a week, holidays always feel so far away."

"Probably at home."

Speaking with an uncertain tone, a strange look flashed in Fumino Furuhashi's eyes.

Only her father and she were at home, and according to the usual arrangements, he probably wouldn't have time to spend with her.

"Want to come to my house?"

"May I?"

"Of course, since we'll probably be studying anyway that day, we might as well go together. Is Aki coming?"

As Kudo Sayaka was talking, she suddenly mentioned Aki Tomoya, who was reading a reference book next to her.

The latter looked at her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, then laughed and said, "Isn't it inappropriate for me to attend a girls' gathering?"

"Yeah, I'd better not. I don't want you in my room, hehehe!"

"You really aren't being polite at all, Kudo, but I happened to have an appointment that day too."

Boys shouldn't casually enter a girl's room, but even if he is invited, Aki Tomoya should still politely decline.

Because on that day, Aki Tomoya had already been invited by someone.

"What, girlfriend?"

Sayaka Kudo immediately became excited, her eyes burning with gossip, while Fumino Furuhashi on the other side also looked over.

Seeing how interested the two girls were in gossip, Aki Tomo couldn't help but chuckle and then explained, "He's just a male friend who invited me to a fancy restaurant."

"You have friends too?" Kudo Sayaka looked at Aki Tomoya in surprise.

"How rude of me! I do have a few true friends like myself!"

I was invited to a high-end restaurant during the New Year's Day holiday, so I figured I might as well go. Anyway, Aki Tomoya was planning to take a good rest that night.

It just so happens that Iori Hashima invited him during Christmas.

"You're really something to be jealous of. A fancy restaurant like this, be careful you don't get an upset stomach!"

"Thank you for your concern. I will accept your kindness with gratitude."

"This isn't the first time I've been the envy of others," Aki Tomoya joked.

"Sayaka, let's go out and have fun on New Year's Day, and we can study in the evening! Besides, I have a lot of pocket money."

"Hey, is that okay?"

"During this rare New Year's Day holiday, our teachers reminded us to take a good rest. If we only study, we can only envy others."

"Alright, we can't lose to Aki!"

Chapter 115 New Year, New Look (2/4)

Japan also celebrates the New Year, which is January 1st, New Year's Day.

The first rays of sunlight of the new year pierced through the window and into the room. Aki Tomoya opened the window and breathed in the first breath of the new year's air.

"a little cold……"

Exhaling a puff of white mist, Aki Tomoya gazed into the distance.

His parents had already left home, supposedly to pay their respects and also to draw lots for him.

As for whether she will ask for a talisman to help with her studies, judging from her mother's personality, she probably will.

In the new year, adults have their own gatherings, and younger generations have their own plans.

After changing his clothes, Aki Tomoya went downstairs to eat the breakfast his mother had left for him.

"Photos from last winter's CM?"

I pulled out my phone and saw a New Year's greeting on LINE from someone going out to sea in Bo Island, along with a photo from last winter's CM doujinshi convention that had just passed.

Aki Tomoya was not invited to the winter CM Nami Island boat trip, probably because they thought he would be too busy.

Besides the New Year's greetings from my junior classmate who went out to sea in Bo Island, almost everyone I know, and everyone I still have on LINE, sent me their blessings.

Perhaps the most unique of them all is Kudo Sayaka's comment, which even Aki Tomoya couldn't understand.

The most unassuming thing was Kato Megumi's "Happy New Year".

He returned the gifts one by one, and finally stopped when he found Eriri, who had sent him the earliest message.

He seemed to be the last to think of exchanging New Year's greetings; he had gone to bed very early last night.

"Xia Shizi, should we post one too?"

Just then, Aki Tomoya saw a profile picture he hadn't seen in a long time. Among the contacts on Line, this "Kasumi Shiko" was probably the only one he hadn't been in touch with.

Upon discovering that he hadn't deleted the other person's Line account during the New Year, or that the other person hadn't deleted him either, Aki Tomoya hesitated whether to send a New Year's greeting according to etiquette.

The last time we contacted each other on Line was more than a year ago. Neither of us deleted the other's Line contacts, so we probably forgot about it.

"forget it."

Aki Tomoya put down his phone; he had no intention of doing something so unprecedented.

So be it.

Ding-dong-

Shortly after putting down his phone, Aki Tomoya was about to tidy up when the doorbell suddenly rang.

After putting the bowls and chopsticks into the sink, Aki Tomoya called out "Coming!" as he quickly walked towards the entrance.

Happy New Year, Alan!

Michiru Hyodo's face filled Aki Tomoya's field of vision. She was waving her hand and saying New Year's greetings, while the three girls behind her were saying things like "Excuse me."

Then, led by Michiru Hyoudou, they entered the house.

"So, why did you all arrive so early, and why did you all gather at my house?"

Aki Tomoya looked at them helplessly.

"Taking the tram takes so much time, it's better to come earlier. Besides, we still have plenty of time. We can't just wander around the streets, can we?"

"That's what Michiru Hyodo explained casually."

Aki Tomoya was not the only one invited by Hashima Iori; Hyodo Michiru's band was also present.

"In the new year, to thank everyone for their support last year and to make plans for the future, let me treat everyone on New Year's Day!"