Chapter 98: Christmas Party

"Thank you all for coming to the student council-sponsored Christmas party today!"

Standing on the stage was the newly elected student council president, a female student. I’d heard that this Christmas party also served as a sort of handover ceremony between the old and new councils every year.

"To all the victorious couples out there! Enjoy yourselves while basking in the envy of those around you. …Ah, but go easy on the impure romantic mingling. Do be careful not to derail your life plans."

She’s quite a blunt student council president. Personally, I don’t dislike this kind of atmosphere.

"And to all the singles out there! Whether you’re making one last push tonight or just here to have fun with friends, either is great. Even if you came alone, we’ve prepared plenty of activities so everyone can enjoy themselves. We’d be thrilled if you joined in and helped us liven things up!"

Cheers erupted from the group in the front row. It was mostly the lively, easygoing guys from the sports clubs.

"Anyway, I just hope everyone enjoys the party in their own way. Now then, raise your glasses... Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmaaas!!"

Glasses filled with non-alcoholic champagne were raised and clinked together. The high-pitched sound that signaled the start of the party rang throughout the gymnasium.

I toasted with some nearby Wiso Club members and then took a sip from my glass. The gently sweet fizzy drink refreshed my throat.

The party was buffet-style.

On the long tables in the center were Christmas cakes, heaping platters of hors d’oeuvres, rice balls, snacks, and juice. These were provided by student council members and volunteers from the cooking club and others.

"Hey hey, Alice, it’s me! You drinkin’?"

The cheerful voice came from my classmate, Jun.

"Even if I am, it’s non-alcoholic, obviously..."

Next to him, my other classmate Fumika sighed, her signature ponytail swaying as she did.

"Still, that costume of yours is so elaborate... You look just like a priest from a game. It’s amazing!"

This outfit was exactly how Alicia had dressed during the year I spent in the other world. Hearing someone praise Alicia like that honestly made me happy.

"Thanks! By the way, Jun, aren’t you wearing a costume?"

Jun and the others were just in their usual uniforms. The party dress code was anything goes—uniforms, dresses, or costumes—and about half the attendees were in uniform, so they didn’t stand out.

"Nah, that kind of thing just isn’t my style!"

He looked great in a maid outfit back during the maid café, though, so I don’t really buy that...

"If I had money for a costume, I’d spend it on books."

Fumika was still as much of a bookworm as ever.

"By the way, Yuna’s shrine maiden cosplay is seriously on point too!"

Jun exclaimed, looking at Yuna and Hisui, who were both wearing matching shrine maiden outfits.

"This isn’t cosplay or anything like that!"

Yuna put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest proudly.

"This is an authentic shrine maiden outfit from my family's shrine. If you’re interested, why don’t you try working as a shrine maiden over New Year’s?"

Hisui wasted no time in making the offer. But the two had already made plans for New Year’s and said a part-time job would be tough.

"Good evening, Kisaragi-san. That outfit looks amazing on you! Mind if I take a photo?"

"Oh, Yamazaki-kun. If you don’t mind it being me, go ahead."

The enthusiastic voice came from Yamazaki-kun, who wore a school uniform with a photography club armband.

He was one of the few male friends I’d made since becoming Alice.

He started talking to me when he asked me to model for photos, and even confessed that he liked me once.

After I turned him down, I wasn’t sure how to act around him, but he continued treating me the same as always, so we were still friends.

Still, even if we’re friends, it’s not the same kind of friendship I had back when I was a guy. The barrier of gender is real, and aside from Souta, I couldn’t be as relaxed around the other boys as I used to be.

Yamazaki-kun is a good guy. If I were still a guy, maybe we could’ve become even closer friends. That thought makes me feel a little sad.

"Yamazaki. Seriously, what’s your deal...?"

“Hey, Fumika, that’s enough…!”

Fumika was giving Yamazaki-kun a frosty glare for some reason. Jun, flustered, was trying to stop her.

“Ah, no, this is... The student council asked me to take pictures of students in costume, that’s all…”

Yamazaki-kun fumbled through his words under Fumika’s stare. Watching the three of them—classmates, but not exactly the type to hang out together—I found it a bit surprising. But then Fumika said something even more unexpected.

“Still, I don’t think it’s okay for someone to ignore their girlfriend and get all excited about photographing another girl.”

“Fumika, seriously, I said it’s fine!”

Jun’s face turned bright red.

Wait…? Yamazaki-kun has a girlfriend? With… Jun?

“S-Sorry, Kaieda-san…”

Prompted by Fumika’s comment, Yamazaki-kun hastily apologized to Jun.

“D-Don’t worry about it!? I think your passion for photography is one of your good points, Yamazaki-kun! And, um… besides… Alice is way cuter than I am, anyway…”

“That’s not true! I think Kaieda-san is the cutest of all! So, um…”

Maybe he got too embarrassed midway, because Yamazaki-kun’s words trailed off. The two of them stood there, facing each other, blushing furiously and completely frozen.

“Yamazaki-kun, let me borrow your camera.”

Unable to watch any longer, I spoke up.

“K-Kisaragi-san…?”

“I’ll take a photo of the two of you… Congrats, by the way.”

I gave Yamazaki-kun a light pat on the back as I offered my congratulations.

“Ah, okay… sure…”

He handed me the camera. He’d taught me how to use it before.

I walked a fair distance away, then turned and aimed the camera at the two of them.

“Why are you so far away? That’s too far—get closer. And hold hands… yeah, just like that.”

Prompted by Fumika, the two of them moved closer and hesitantly took each other’s hand.

On the camera’s little LCD screen, the pair looked shy but smiled faintly as they linked hands.

“Say cheese!”

The flash lit up, capturing the moment. I clicked the shutter a few more times in quick succession. Even someone like me, an amateur, could get a good shot if I took enough pictures—something Yamazaki-kun once told me.

After the shoot, Yamazaki-kun thanked me and took his camera back. As he looked at the photos of him and Jun together, his face turned red all over again.

Then he said he was off to take more photos of the party, and the other two were also pulled into conversations with other students, so we naturally ended up going our separate ways.

Once I parted ways with my classmates, I turned to Yuna.

“I can’t believe those two are dating… Did you know, Yuna?”

A little while after we split up from the others, I asked her.

“Nope, that was news to me too. I’m totally shocked. Next time, I have to grill them for every juicy detail.”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

I didn’t not feel a little sorry for Jun, who was probably going to get interrogated by Yuna soon, but she’d just have to accept that it’s the price of happiness. More than anything, I was curious myself about how those two ended up together.

“Still, watching them was enough to make me embarrassed on their behalf… so adorably fresh.”

Hisui said that to me.

“Totally… I’m kinda jealous.”

To be able to enjoy those big boobs of Jun’s all to yourself… yeah, I’m jealous. I mean, a man’s dreams are packed into a woman’s chest, aren’t they?

“Hey, Alice. How about coming to my place for an after-party? My dad’s staying at a relative’s house tonight, so no one’s home. I get a little uneasy being alone…”

As if she’d read my impure thoughts, Hisui leaned in and whispered that into my ear.

“…Uh, I’m not going out tonight or anything, so I’m good to come too.”

Souta, who was right next to us and had clearly overheard, butted in.

“…Didn’t you say you were planning to hang out at a net café all night?”

Hisui’s voice turned icy as she coldly interrogated her twin brother, Souta. He flinched a little but still pushed back.

“I never said that. If there’s gonna be an after-party with Alice, I’m in too. Let’s throw a victory party!”

“It’s Christmas Eve! I want to spend it alone with Alice! Try reading the room, you blockhead!”

It was only after being yelled at like that that Souta seemed to finally understand what Hisui’s true intention behind inviting me was.

“Alone with Alice… Wait, don’t tell me you two are…”

He looked shaken, trying to process the idea of his sister being involved with his friend.

“So what if we are? Whatever relationship I have with Alice is none of your business.”

“W-Well, yeah, but…”

“And besides, I heard from Suzuka, you know. She invited you out and you still haven’t given her a proper answer, right? You better get back to her about that. Oh, and don’t bother coming home tonight.”

“S-She told you that…?”

Souta looked away, clearly hit where it hurt.

And standing right in the direction he looked was Suzuka.

“Hweh… Y-You mean me…? A-Ah, Hisui-san…”

Suddenly being brought into the conversation, Suzuka flustered and panicked.

…So even that invitation from Suzuka had already reached Hisui’s ears.

“Sorry, Hisui. But I want to spend tonight with Alicia.”

I turned her down gently.

“…I see. Well, if that’s the case, I won’t press.”

Hisui backed off gracefully. It seemed the promise we made during the hot spring trip—to keep it to that one time—was still in effect.

“…I’m sorry too. I don’t dislike you, Suzuka. But could you wait just a little longer? I still haven’t figured out my own feelings. Getting into a relationship with you while I’m uncertain would be unfair.”

Souta turned to Suzuka and said that seriously.

It’s understandable—he’s cautious because his whole future’s at stake. But honestly, I respect him a little for not giving in to the temptation of her boobs.

“I understand. I’ll wait for you, Souta-san… no matter how long it takes.”

Suzuka smiled sweetly and bravely.

In my heart, I silently cheered for her. Hoping that her feelings would one day be rewarded…

After that, the student council’s costume contest began. I’d been practically forced to enter, and ended up having to perform something on stage.

I chose to sing one of the songs Alicia often sang in the other world, performing it together with Alicia—and somehow, we won the grand prize.

The congratulations I received made me feel a little bashful, but more than that, it made me happy. It felt like Alicia herself had been recognized.

We joined in on a few more minor events and games, and smiles never left our faces until the party finally came to a close.