So, for the first time, I went to Shinjuku at night to the long-awaited Christmas Eve party.

Aya had to prepare the store, so she left a little early. I went to the bar in time for the party to start at 18:00.

As I wandered around the store, Chisaki and Yume came by and I quickly joined them. I high-fived them for no reason at all.

[Merry Christmas!]

[Merikuri~!] (TLN: It’s just an abbreviation for Merry Christmas, I guess)

Chisaki is dressed maturely in skinny pants and a jacket, while Yume is dressed in a cute fur outfit that brings out her girlish side. The contrast is amazing, and I think this kind of couple is the best.

[Merikuri, I’ll be in your care for the next year]

[Mari, you’re quick.]

While we were talking about recent events, people came to the front of the store one after another.

out of twenty people, most of them were couples, and there were hardly any groups of three like us. However, all the regulars are familiar with each other, so couples often join groups here and there.

I really like this atmosphere before the party starts. It makes me feel like I’m back in my childhood when I can truly believe that tomorrow will be a fun day.

After a few minutes, a staff member came out. He put a sign on the door of the restaurant saying that it was for private use and invited us in.

I stepped into the store, and.

[Wa]

We were greeted with a bang from crackers

[Merry Christmas~]

The first one is Karen, dressed in a mini-skirt Santa outfit. She’s really cute and her shoulders and legs are bare…  It’s erotic and cute…

There were six waitresses at the bar, including Karen. All of them were women and were good-looking enough to have their fans, and Aya was at the end of the list.

All of them except Karen was not dressed as Santa Claus but in their usual black vests. That’s because they work in the food and beverage section, so they have to wear uniforms. So that means Karen’s not going to shake any shakers today, right? I think that’s fine. I greet her as she enters.

[Thank you for your time today.]

[Yeah, have fun. But don’t drink alcoholic beverages just because it’s a special occasion.　Don’t go out of your mind if you’re having an affair, or even if you’re having an affair with someone you don’t love]

That’s normal, though? The three of us students were puzzled by her statement, but we replied, [Yes.]

The party is buffet style included in the membership fee. The chairs have been removed from the counter, so you can eat standing up and have fun. You can also sit at a table or on a sofa and relax and talk. Only the drinks cost extra.

We ordered the usual non-alcoholic cocktails and went to the counter in a group.

Yes, this is what a party looks like. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous and the lighting is unusual and luxurious. How could I not be in the mood for this?

[Wow, this is so …… fun!　It’s fun, right!] Yume’s eyes immediately lit up. Chisaki and Yume have been to the bar together a few times, but it’s still nice to be here! Hmm, this party is fun! Not that I have done anything yet, though!

There were happy couples huddled together in the store, and there were kids like us making a lot of noise.

Then, a blond junior high school student came in and said, [Hi.]. It was Asta, who I hadn’t seen since yesterday.

I turned around and saw that she was wearing a bright red party dress that showed off her body lines. Wow.

[What is that Asta? Is it Karen’s?]

[That’s right. How is it? It suits me right?]

Asta is really proud of her looks and I do think that she looks great in them. But looking at her like that, I’m a bit jealous…

I usually didn’t think anything of it because I don’t dress up much, but Asta in a dress looks like the “real deal” that it’s amazing. Every time Asta walked, the crowd would break. What kind of celebrity is this? Her aura is amazing.

[Wow, that’s amazing!], Yume shouted with delight.

But. It was Chisaki who was acting strangely.

Hmm, Chisaki? You’re staring a bit too much at Asta, what’s wrong?

Chisaki’s face was bright red.

Chisaki?!

[Mari’s friend! Nice to meet you, I’m Astalotte!]

After shaking hands with Yume, Asta held out her hand to me, but Chisaki was too frightened to shake her hands.

[Hm, What’s wrong with you? Why are you so nervous?] Asta comes close to her face.

“Uhm, uh… ah, ahahaha…”

Your face is bright red and you really have a strange smile on your face. You guys are too close. Chisaki! Yume next to you is suspecting you!

[Um, my name is ……, Chisa, Chisaki. …… Um, you’re cute, how old are you?]

[I’m 15 years old!]

I grabbed Yume’s shoulder.

[Hey, Yume! Let’s get some snacks from that table over there!]

[Eh, su-sure!]

I hope it’s just my imagination, but isn’t this bad?

Eh, speaking of which, Chisaki said that I’m not her type… Could it be that she is… a lolicon?

Oh, my god, ……. I’ve just witnessed a side of my friend that I never knew existed.

[Astarotte was so cute.]

[I-I know right?]

I agree with her with a tight smile: Yume is a little over 150 centimeters with a babyface, and Asta is taller than that but she’s a real junior high school student with a very beautiful face.

Which one will Chisaki really choose? She’s not going to do two-timing or something right…? No, just choose Yume as normally. Don’t be unfaithful and keep your moderation, Chisaki!

Chisaki and Yume then moved to the sofa seat. They seemed to be flirting with each other. I don’t know if Chisaki and Asta exchanged contact information or not. I think it would be better not to know anything about it…

I took a bite of the chocolate that I got. Wow, this is very expensive chocolate with a rich taste.

While I was enjoying the delicious chocolate, Aya came in. She seemed to have finished her work. Wow, she’s beautiful that I couldn’t help but squirm. Aya looked like she didn’t understand what happened.

[What is it?]

[No, I just think that Aya’s beautiful… Hey, Aya, have you ever had any disadvantages from being beautiful?]

[Eh, I wonder. Hm…]

Aya thought lightly.

[I was almost stabbed by Enomoto, and then when I was alone, many boys confessed to me and said, [I’ll protect you] or something like that. Then this time, I was told that I was getting carried away sometimes, and even after I entered high school, I was told something similar, and I couldn’t make any friends.]

[Oh, that was more than I thought.]

[But there’s a catch.]

Aya looked into my face as I propped myself up on my elbows on the counter as she smiled.

[I get to make Marika mine because she likes my face]

[… Is that enough to compensate for the disadvantages?]

[You’re not getting the point, huh. The cost for this happiness would exceed the national budget.]

There it is, her bartender’s sexy mode. That’s how she makes all her customers swoon, right? Just like me right now!

[So, what’s the matter? Why are you suddenly asking me that?]

[Not much, I was a bit jealous over you and Asta’s face]

[You don’t need to, right? Because I think the cutest person in the world is already standing in front of me]

[There you go with your infatuation. No offense, but…]

When I waved my hands, Aya grabbed them and brought her face even closer to mine.

[It’s true. I’ve always thought you were cute, even before we’re going out. Can’t you believe what I’m saying?]

[Uu…]

However, it was hard for me to nod my head when she put her face close to mine. Maybe it’s true, but I can’t agree with you on this one. I think Aya is the most beautiful girl in the world.

We’ve been talking a lot about home, and we’ve been enjoying the gorgeousness of the bar, and it looks like it’s time for her to go.

[It’s time for me to go. I’ll see you later.]

[Ah, okay. Please be careful]

I see, it’s also Aya’s birthday party. Aya retreated to the back store. I wonder if I’ll get jealous again when she sees Aya being celebrated by so many people. Hmmm.

I drank my second non-alcoholic cocktail and took a break. Phew, but Aya in her bartender outfit is cool. Is this what it feels like to fall in love all over again? I can’t help it. She’s so cool. But I can’t keep her all to myself today.

[Well, I think you’re looking pretty good.]

Before I knew it, Sae was sitting next to me. What is she, A ninja? She would be the strongest if she could eliminate signs and use scissors to take people by surprise. Please don’t do that.

[Sae-chan, where have you been?]

[I was hiding in that space over there. I didn’t want Fuwa to find me.]

[Why…]

I’m sure even Sae herself can’t explain why that is…

As I had told her beforehand, Sae was also wearing a neat long coat over a long dress to protect her from the cold. The velour pumps were a point of elegance. It’s a mystery why she has such a good sense of style. Not to mention that she has big boobs.

[When I told them I was a high school student, a group of older women I didn’t know seemed to enjoy my company…. We had a lot of fun talking about Fuwa…]

[Are you going to start an Aya fan club?]

I said it as a joke, but Sae’s eyes lit up.

[I’m not a fan, I’m just a good friend… and a hateful nemesis. That’s the way it is, but a fan club isn’t a bad idea either. I can give you a single-digit membership car number if you want, Marika-chan.]

[Her Lover! I’m her girlfriend after all!]

[Fuwa’s lover? What are you talking about? Aya doesn’t have a lover. Fuwa is always alone, never leaning on anyone. You can dream of making her heart flutter, but she’s too strong and she’s beautiful. She lives like she’s a rose]

[Go accept the reality, Sae!]

Sae, I wonder how long you’ll be able to keep your Fuwa-otaku side… I wonder if she’ll wake up if Aya and I kiss in front of her. That’s the worst kind of awakening, the Sleeping Beauty route.

[Well, since you’re here, why don’t you find a girlfriend?]

Sae laughed hatefully when he said that.

[What? There’s no way two girls are going out, right?]

[What mouth?　Which mouth?　Which mouth says that?]

I tugged on his cheek. She protested. What are you talking about now? Have you already forgotten that you tried to steal me away from Aya?

[For example, when Aya confesses her love to you, you’re going to reply to her with, “Two girls can’t go out together,” right?]

[Yes, that’s right. If Fuwa were to bow to me and say such a thing, I would let all past grudges and enmities go down the drain and, well, yes, It’s impossible by nature, but that’s the way it is. It’s a special case.]

[Hey, everyone!　Here’s a troublesome high school girl with a broken heart. She’s looking for a lover, so can someone please help her out?!]

[Marika-chan?!]

I shouted, and a group of women came up to me.

[Eh~ a high school girl?] [Really? Can I eat you?] [No, I’m going to teach you about pure love. Pure Love is ……?] [Oh, she’s so cute…I want to spend my whole life with her…] And so on.

I pushed Sae away from me.

[Good luck out there]

[Marika-chan?!]

Even though she tried to reach for me, Sae was taken away.

I know it’s rough, but that girl should at least do this. Get a new love and forget about the past. It’s for Sae’s own good. He’s my best friend, even though she’s like that…

[[Well then everyone, thank you all for your patience.]]

Eventually, Karen came out with a microphone in hand.

The mini-skirt Santa Claus has a vulgar image, but somehow it looks strangely neat when it is worn by the sweet and cute Karen. Well, she’s not one of the most innocent people in the world, but I guess it means that she’s good at showing herself. ……

[[Aya-chan, today’s main character, is here. Let’s give her applause!]]

Karen opened her hand and a shy looking girl came from behind… What?!

What? She’s changing into a dress!

And it’s pure white. It was like a wedding dress.

No, it’s a little more casual than that, maybe a little shorter in length, but wow, it looks amazing on her!

Wow, wow. I wonder if Karen took the trouble to prepare this for me. It’s amazing, it’s beautiful. …… Ha, take a picture, take a picture. Let me take it until my storage’s full.

As I crowded around like the other sisters, snapping away on our phone in unison, Aya, who had been handed a microphone, stepped forward tentatively.

A flash of light illuminates the room.

Oh, she’s going to talk. I have to listen to it. Her gorgeous words… I can’t, the sudden dress is making me crazy.

[[I’m sorry to interrupt your fun tonight. I didn’t even know about this outfit until the day of the party…I was so surprised when I came here today and suddenly found myself dressed like this.]]

Someone shouted, [Aya-chan, you’re the most beautiful girl in the world!] Someone shouted. I know right.

[[For me, Today is an anniversary for lots of stuff. It’s not only that tomorrow is my birthday, but the first day I met Karen was today, Christmas Eve night.]]

So that’s how it was.

Karen told me once. She said that the first time Aya came to our house was when she was in the third year of junior high school. In other words, it was two years ago today.

Aya, holding the microphone with her hands covered in lace dress gloves, talks louder.

[I was just a child back then, and I gave Karen a lot of trouble. But she never gave up on me and taught me many things. Not only Karen-san but also… Momo-san, Shiori-san, Nana-san, Ageha-san, and Toi-san. I am indebted to all of the staff members.]

Aya gazed at the staff members dressed as bartenders one by one with her shining eyes. Her gaze never wavered, and it seemed to represent the trajectory of Aya’s life.

[Of course, it is all of you who have visited …… that have helped me grow. It must have been hard for you to deal with me. Thank you very much for your patience. It’s been a year and a half since I started working. I wonder if I’ve grown since then…]

The answer to this question was certainly more evident in the faces of the customers who were staring at Aya than in her words. They said, [Aya, you’re doing great, you’re doing just fine!]

Oh my God, I’m getting all emotional. I don’t know why I’m so moved.

[[I feel like I’m going to quit the store or something, but don’t worry. But it’s okay. I’m going to keep working. Isn’t that right? Karen-san.]]

Karen laughed and made a circle with her finger, [Of course,] she said.

[[I’m glad…Um, I love this store. This store saved me when I was not enjoying school and when I was having a hard time staying at home. I think many people have been saved by this store, not just me. I will continue to love the store that everyone loves. I will continue to protect it.]]

One of Aya’s habits is to say [I’ll protect you.] I’m sure it’s because Aya is supported by the thoughts and feelings of many people, and she is always grateful for them.

Aya vows to take care of the feelings that have supported her every step of the way. That’s why she says she will protect them.

G-Good girl! Aya’s the good-est girl in the world!

[[I’m not going to go on too long, but I do have one last thing to say. I’m sure many of you know that we had a loud argument in this store, but there may be some people who don’t know about it. Ah, Uhm…]]

Suddenly, Aya’s eyes met mine. I tried to think about it. Oh, you mean that event huh…

I gave a small shrug, smiling at Aya, who seemed to be trying to figure out how I looked.

Mou, you can’t be helped, huh…

[[I told her that I didn’t want to come out at school. And she said, [School is an important place for me, and I try my best every day to make it as fun as I want it to be].]]

But, I am me, and Aya is Aya

This store is an important place for Aya.

If you have the courage not to hide it, then you definitely dare to say it.

I agreed to her, [Okay,] and I moved my mouth and made a circle with my finger as Karen did. I was embarrassed. But I smiled at Aya, who had forgiven me.

Aya opens her mouth like a bud and speaks.

[I’ve got a girlfriend. She’s bright, cute, kind, and …… has so many good points that she’s too good for me. It was because of this store that I was able to get together with her. Karen-san, and everyone, please let me say thank you once again. I am now…]

Aya’s smile blossomed.

[I am now, really happy!]

A lot of applause filled the room.

A staff member brought a large cake in a wagon. It wasn’t a bûche de Noël, but a very cute heart-shaped cake with lots of fruit on it.

Then I was beckoned. What? What is it? The people around me pushed me back and sent me off to Aya’s place. A microphone? No, no, no, I don’t need it!

I look next to her. Aya is smiling happily. Aya, holding a long knife, whispers to me.

[Let’s do it, Marika]

[Y-Yeah…]

Standing next to Aya in such a beautiful dress makes me nervous.

We both put our hands on a single knife and cut the cake in half. Once again, there was a loud applause.

Karen snapped her fingers and turned on the music. Of course, it was Aya’s birthday, so Happy Birthday should have been played, but what I heard was Papapapan, Papapapa~n, wait, that’s a wedding song!

[W-Why?!]

[Karen-san improvised it, I guess]

[Isn’t today Aya’s day]

[If today is my day, then it’s your day as well, Marika]

As soon as she said that, Aya stroked my cheek.

He makes me turn my face toward her.

In front of me, illuminated by twinkling lights, is the most beautiful woman in the world. Her eyes are staring at me. I can’t believe it.

[Eh, W-Wait a bit, don’t tell me, Aya…]

[I love you, Marika]

[I also like you, though…]

At that moment, She kissed me on the mouth.

I permitted you to let out, but I didn’t say you could go this far!

I can hear people clapping, whistling, and even Chisaki, Yume, and Asta making noise. Maybe Sae is dead in a corner of the store. No, I don’t care about Sae!　I’m dying of embarrassment!

It’s just such a forced thing to do while being carried away by the atmosphere.

I thought to myself, “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

I’m so happy… wait a minute.

We had a lot of fun, and the ladies who looked like members of Aya’s fan club asked me to do Aya for them.

Then I watched Aya receiving many birthday gifts and politely thanking each one of them. Instead of dying, Sae exchanged LINE with many people and said, [The party is so much fun!] She let out her best smile of the century.

It was almost the end of such a wonderful party.

[Oh no, It’s late. Um, is it okay if I leave now?]

Reina Nishida came over to me, acting as if it was a coincidence.

Why are you here?

TL: Hyou
ED: Grammarly

Uhh.. I don’t really have anything to say. But I hope you enjoy it nevertheless! As usual, you can share your thoughts about the chapter in the comment section and if you enjoy my translation, consider donating. I’ll leave the link below.