“Ku, ri, pa! Ku, ri, pa!”
“Kuri-kuri-kuri-kuri, Ku, ri, pa!”
““He-y!””
“Quiet down.”
When I arrived at Ryūya’s house, I was sandwiched between two people with incredibly high tension.
They sure are energetic for a holiday morning.
“Hey, hey, Akito. It’s a Kuripa, you know? A Christmas party? It’d be weirder if your tension didn’t go up for this.”
“That’s right, Akki. I’m so excited I can only sleep at night ZE☆”
“If you can sleep at night, that’s plenty.”
But well, I understand the feeling. It’s my first time having a Christmas party... especially one where the person I like is there.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to get explosively excited like these two, though.
“But is this okay? Usually, for Christmas, don’t people want to spend time alone with someone important?”
“Nah, not really.”
“We’re always together anyway.”
Ah... I see, that’s true. I’m living with Riran, so we’re always together too.
Maybe my sense for that kind of thing has grown dull by now.
“More importantly, Akito. How did it go? Did you get permission from Kuonji?”
“Yeah, she said it’s fine. At our place, we can make as much noise as we want.”
“Seriously!? As expected of Akito’s wife! She really gets it!”
“In that case, we have to start thinking about various things right away!”
Neika connected her laptop to the TV with a cable and started typing away.
It looks like she’s listing the participants.
“Let’s see, Akki, Rila, Ryūya, and me are a given, then there’s Rio and Riza-san. Hiyorin... will probably spend it with her fated person.”
“Then how about Kotono and Noa? They’re preparing for exams, so I don’t know if they’ll come.”
For now, I opened my messaging app and moved to their chat screen.
Akito: I’m having a Kuripa, you guys want to come?
Kotono: I’m going!
Noa: I’m in!
Wow, that was fast. They replied instantly.
“...Those two are joining too.”
“Okey-dokey! It’s more fun with more people, so that’s fine!”
They’ve been working hard on their studies lately... so I guess it’s fine.
“Since the number of people has increased, we need to think about what to do. Maybe board games?”
“How about just regular games? A fighting game tournament where the winner gets a luxurious prize!”
““Rejected.””
“Why!?”
Neika, who had been high-spirited until a moment ago, looked stunned when Ryūya and I rejected her. What do you mean 'why'... it’s obvious.
“If it’s games, Neika would definitely win alone. We absolutely reject a rigged game meant for you to get what you want.”
“Ugh. As expected of Akki, you know me too well...!”
How many years do you think we’ve known each other?
“Instead of getting it as a prize here, just beg Ryūya to buy it for you. It’s Christmas, after all.”
“Akito!?”
“Oh! Nice idea, Akki! Hey, hey, Ryūya. There’s this bag I really want~”
“Nei-san, are you serious!?”
While watching those two mess around, Riran’s face came to mind.
Right, Christmas... a Kuripa is nice, but I have to prepare a proper present too.
That said, I don’t really have much money... I wonder what I should give her.
“Is Ryūya going to give Neika what she wants?”
“G-go easy on me.”
“Then, what is Neika giving Ryūya?”
“I’ve already decided, but there’s no way I’d say it in front of him.”
True.
Wait, those two have already decided.
Rion and Riza-san probably have something in mind too. Both of them are very considerate of their partners.
Then there’s me... something that would make Riran happy, huh.
“Don’t tell me, Akito, you haven’t decided?”
“It’s not that I haven’t decided, it’s more like I can’t decide... what do you guys think would make Riran happy?”
“No clue.”
“Wouldn’t anything you give her be fine, Akki?”
These guys are being so half-hearted.
Well, I have a feeling that might be true.
But precisely because she is someone important, I don’t want to compromise on the present I give to Riran.
“Oh, speaking of presents at a Kuripa, how about a gift exchange?”
“Oh, that’s good! A gift exchange with some gag gifts and some serious ones. That’ll definitely be exciting!”
The two of them continued to hammer out the details with much excitement.
Watching them from the side, my head was filled with thoughts of Riran.