I glanced at the time on my phone. 11:47 p.m. Just enough time to make good on my promise to Aya. Her birthday was officially tomorrow, but with her family's plans, I wanted to be the first to greet her, right when the clock struck midnight.
I scrolled back to her chat, my thumb hovering over the keyboard as I thought about what to say. A simple "Happy Birthday" wouldn't cut it. Too generic for my Aya. It should be more than that. The way her eyes had sparkled when she held that bookmark, or how her voice had woven stories that pulled me in like a spell, should be met with the same dedication.
I typed out a quick message. Keeping it a little light but filled with sincerity, "Aya, are you asleep yet? I've got something for you at midnight. Stay awake, okay?"
I hit send as I pictured her curled up in bed, probably already nose-deep in that light novel, her reading glasses slipping down her nose as she fought to keep her eyes open.
That's too adorable but also… it's somehow triggering my worrywart trait, not wanting her to stay up too late.
Her reply came almost instantly. Somehow, the first line was a string of blushing emojis followed by: "Ruki! I'm awake. Hehe. I'm just looking at your photos. They all look great. I wish I could see it in person. Now all the butler characters in the books I'm reading will look like you. And I put down the book as I tried not to get too lost within it. You have another surprise for me?"
Faced with her warm enthusiasm, I couldn't help but chuckle. "I do., Aya. You'll see in ten minutes. No spoilers, remember?"
Her next message was just a pouty face and a single word: "Meanie."
I could practically hear her soft giggle through the screen and it made the train's almost empty carriage feel a little less lonely.
If we were face to face, this girl wouldn't be this expressive with words. But that's probably because I always tend to dote on her even if I was teasing her.
I leaned against the window as I scrolled through more messages from my girls.
Hina committed fully to her plan. She sent a sketch of a whiteboard layout with color-coded notes, captioned, "This is gonna be our best meeting yet! I'll get Rumi-san to check on this.
I typed a quick reply, teasing her about her over-the-top enthusiasm but promising to stand behind her tomorrow. Somehow, she's now more passionate about it than our class's booth.
Hanabi replied to my message of calling her out for planning to spend the night watching TV. "What's wrong with this? Do you want to join me? Is that it?"
She even added a string of emojis that I could barely translate to 'the space beside me is open. Come over.'
As if that was possible.
I wrote a quick reply saying, "I'll join you during the sleepover. You can pick what we will watch, deal?"
And as I expected, her reply was also instant. "Deal! Just the two of us, okay? Babe?"
Look at this goofy girl. Although I somehow roped her in back during the Interhigh, I never thought she'd be this receptive now. I was holding back calling her like that again but with her doing it first, I should throw that thought away, right?
"Yes, babe. You can even use my lap as your pillow. I'll comb your hair while we watch your favorite show." Discover more novels at NoveI[F]ire.net
Her reply to that consisted of one word, "Shameless."
After that, Juri only sent a single message from earlier: "Busy day at the agency, but I keep looking at that circled date. Can't wait for our 'not-an-act' date, Ruki."
Attached was a selfie of her in a sleek blazer, her hair tied back, looking every bit the polished idol but with a playful wink that was all for me.
I replied, "Me too, Juri. But… I think I should say this beforehand. I might be too in demand that day."
It's not an exaggeration. With all my girls converging in one place, I doubt I can be alone at any point in time.
Juri replied with a laughing emoji and a thumbs up. She then attached a photo of her, pulling down her collar, giving me a glimpse of the valley beneath.
Good thing I was alone in my seat or else, I might've poked someone's eyes just to prevent them from seeing that.
Meanwhile, Nao's message was a photo of a tray of freshly baked cookies, golden and studded with chocolate chips, with a note: "Made these tonight after seeing you in that butler costume. I'll send some for you again. Eat it with everyone. Sleepover's still TBD, but I'm working on it! I miss you, Ruki."
I could almost smell the buttery sweetness through the screen. As always, even if I don't have a sweet tooth, I'll gobble everything she made.
I typed back, "Those look dangerous, Nao. I missed you too. Everything okay in school, right?"
"Are you worried he's going to return?"
"Unlikely when he's already hiding somewhere and his career is practically over. I'm just, you know, being a worrywart for you and Shio."
"Then I'd better finish school and start living with you. You can rest assured then."
"Good idea. If only that's possible."
"You know what? It still feels like a dream how much you've changed. And I'm loving every waking moment, knowing you're now looking at me properly. Loving me as much as I love you."
With Nao's message becoming emotionally loaded like that, the warmth in my chest practically removed all the cold I had accumulated ever since Fuyu and I left the house.
We chatted for a bit longer until she had to take another tray of cookies out of the oven and bake a fresh batch.
Afterwards, I finally got to check on Azusa's reply to my earlier fashion joke.
It was filled with a mix of flimsy outrage and her usual queen-bee flair: "Is that so, shameless junior?! Azu-chan's gonna haunt you for that neon green nonsense. But fine, I'm picking an outfit that'll make you eat your words. Be ready. You won't get to tease all night then."
I smirked, imagining her trying on a dozen dresses in front of her mirror, muttering about how she'd knock me off my feet. That was quite endearing, no?
Anyway, I sent a quick, "Challenge accepted, Azu-chan. Don't hold back."
The train slowed as it approached my station, the platform lights casting long shadows across the empty seats. I pocketed my phone and stood, stretching my arms as the doors hissed open.
The night air hit me as I stepped out, crisp and carrying the faint scent of rain from earlier. The streets were silent, the neighborhood wrapped in that late-night hush where even the dogs had gone quiet.
As I reached our house, I noticed our neighbor's porch light was already off but the one in the living room was still on. Uncle must've gotten home and Aunt Akemi was probably grilling him about his late hours.
Really. They're a lively couple. No wonder Akane turned out the way she is. Wait. That doesn't sound great. In any case, my silly girl was just too lovely so it's fine.
I smiled to myself, picturing her sharp tongue and the way she'd softened just a bit when I mentioned Akane earlier.
I continued inside and even without opening the door, I could already hear faint voices from inside. Akane and the girls were still buzzing from the cosplay session, or maybe Miwa-nee was keeping them in check. I pushed open the door and the familiar figure of my girls welcomed me.
Even before I could take off my shoes, the three of them, with Miwa-nee standing behind, jumped into my arms, sharing their warmth with me.
Akane and Ririka worked together to remove the jacket I put on while Yae used her hands to warm up my cheeks.
Mhm, who won't feel lucky going home to this?
After a short, intimate welcome, we moved back to the living room before the four of us took a bath together. Unfortunately, Miwa-nee declined to join, stating it's already too cramped for another person.
She's not wrong. The tub ended up overcrowded with two girls sitting on my thighs, and they kept switching places.
Meanwhile, I just enjoyed the warm bath and body, while replenishing my energy.