CH 167

[The Coming Winter Vacation]

The night that day.

In the usual lounge.

“The winter vacation is coming soon.”

I was worrying about how to help Andrei while doing my assignments when Tayte suddenly brought that up.

“Huh… the school festival is already behind us too, time sure flies.”

We had two long vacations in a year.

One was the summer vacation.

The other was winter vacation.

And that winter vacation was just around the corner.

“But we have an exam before then…”

“Let’s study together like last time then. I know, how about this time we invite the others and have a study group?”

“Sounds good!” Tayte clapped her hands and agreed with my idea.

And…

“So… uhm… what do we do this year?”

“Huh?”

For a moment, I didn’t get what Tayte was talking about—but I soon remembered. Though not from my memory, but from that of the original Barrett.

Each year in winter, my house and Tayte’s—in other words, the Albers and the Ehrenbergs—held a party at either’s place. This seemed to be stipulated by the national religion of the Bramshal Kingdom, but it wasn’t that formal of an event. It was more like a Christmas event.

Our families usually decided at which house to hold the party, but in recent years all the decision-making had been left to Tayte and me.

They probably did it to make us get close to each other.

However, Barrett hadn’t had the slightest bit of interest in the party, so it actually had been decided by Tayte alone.

However, there was something different this year.

My relationship and Tayte had changed dramatically compared to last year.

This year we could make the decision together.

That must be why Tayte asked for my opinion.

“Well…”

“U-umm, I have a suggestion.”

Tayte’s suggestion… now that piqued my interest.

“Well, do tell.”

“Y-yes.”

Before saying her suggestion, Tayte looked at Marina, who was preparing another pot of tea. Sensing Tayte’s gaze, Marina nodded in reply. It seemed the two had some exchanges beforehand.

“About the party… how about we have it at my home this year?”

“At your place?”

“Yes. And… this year, I’m thinking of inviting our friends over, as well…”

I see.

That sounded like fun.

“Well, why not? The more the merrier.”

“! A-are you sure?!”

“Yeah. Completely.”

Upon receiving my agreement, Tayte and Marina high-fived, overjoyed.

They looked like real sisters.

Compared to Rebecca and Priim, they were the most sisters-like pair.

I was glad that Tayte was happy, but… I completely missed the timing to bring up Andrei.

I didn’t want to ruin the good mood we already had going… but this party might just be the opportunity that Andrei needed.

When I looked outside the window, I saw the trees sway violently blown by the cold night breeze.

My first winter in this world was just around the corner.