K -All Characters-
Chapter 1
The end-of-year cleaning went perfect. Not only the room where Kuroh lived together with Shiro and Neko, but the whole of the student dorm had been scrubbed sparkling clean thanks to cooperation of the other students who also resided there and the self-government committee.
On Christmas Eve, the Silver clan was handed what could only be described as a crushing defeat by the Green clan. Despite the Silver, Red and Blue clans joining forces in an alliance and setting up a flawless defensive system, they had been played like children by Hisui Nagare and his closest followers, with the Slate having been stolen from them in the end.
In those circ.u.mstances, it may have been a minor wonder how quickly Kuroh was able to bounce back and move on. But there was a reason for that. Namely, the resolve that his master, Isana Yashiro, had demonstrated. Shiro could hardly be called strong-minded or pressure-resistant, but only a couple of days after the defeat at the hands of the Green clan, he forced himself to put it behind him and started his research, determined to do something about the stolen Slate. In which case Kuroh didn’t have any reason to feel down, either. He set out to create a suitable environment where Shiro could comfortably work to his heart’s content, considering it his duty.
So, having prepared a suitable New Year’s feast, Kuroh welcomed New Year together with Shiro and Neko. Of course, even Shiro was sensible enough to put his research on hold for the time being and leisurely spend New Year’s Eve with his companions. As per tradition, all of them visited the shrine located right there, on the School island, and flew kites and balloons in the school yard. Most students went home for the New Year’s Holidays, so it almost felt like the dorm was reserved for just the three of them. They had tried seemingly every kind of party games like suguroku or make-a-face, having all the fun they could wish for.
But what Kuroh valued the most was how surprised and delighted Shiro and Neko looked, celebrating New Year j.a.panese-style for the first time; all the traditional New Year’s activities may have been something well-familiar to him, but to Shiro and Neko it was a completely new experience.
Being able to spend time with Shiro and Neko as friends and to have more chances for such experiences was what filled Kuroh with hope.
Shiro only took it easy on New Year’s Day, going back to his Slate research right after. Building on the clues from the notes that were left after his sister Claudia’s death, he immersed himself into formulating the mathematical model. Kuroh took it upon himself to do all the cooking, cleaning and washing, and even Neko did her best earnestly trying not to get into Shiro’s way much.
And so, one day, in the evening, having come back from shopping, Kuroh gazed at the dorm from the outside. The students were not back from visiting their homes yet, and the dorm was quiet. The room where the three of them lived was the only one were the lights were on. That made Kuroh feel at peace, but not without a touch of loneliness.
Kuroh headed back to their room, and when he entered it…
“Welcome back~!”
“Happy birthday!”
Shiro and Neko exclaimed loudly to the cracking accompaniment of party poppers.
Upon a closer look, the walls of the room were now adorned with handmade decorations; Kuroh had no idea when the other two even had time to make them. And on the table, there was a big cake and colorful boxes with presents.
“…” For a while, Kuroh was silent, then said slowly, “So you two knew? That today is my birthday…”
“But of course,” Shiro smiled at him, making Kuroh remember a certain fact about him, ‘Ah, right. You may easily forget it with him, but he’s a really sharp and observant guy.’
Just then, Kuroh became aware of Shiro and Neko’s eyes fixed on him in an antic.i.p.ating gaze.
“Aah, khem.” Clearing his throat once, with a flushed face, he said, “Thanks. I’m really grateful to you for arranging this celebration.”
Shiro clapped his hands in delight, and Neko jumped at Kuroh. Kuroh, shy and furiously blushing, couldn’t help smiling at them, too.
On that day, in the room where Shiro and his friends lived, the lights stayed on far into the night, and the Slate research was postponed for a day.