—December 23rd.
It’s winter. This year seems colder than usual, and it’s been snowing constantly. The weather forecast predicts a “White Christmas” for sure.
The world is already in the Christmas spirit. But for high school seniors preparing for entrance exams, there’s no time to get caught up in the festivities.
“My brain is going to break.”
Shiho seems to have reached her limit, collapsing with a thud as if smoke were coming out of her head.
We’re at my place. Sitting in the living room, we were studying cozily in the kotatsu. But it seems that the comfort is too much for Shiho, and her brain isn’t functioning well.
“Why don’t you take a little nap? If you push yourself too hard and get sick, it’s all for nothing.”
“…I’ll do that.”
She responded in a flat, emotionless voice and crawled under the kotatsu.
Wait, wait, sleeping inside the kotatsu is a bit much… I tried to stop her in a panic, but before I could, she popped out from under the table near my feet, surprising me.
“Whoa!”
“What happened?”
“Kotaro-kun, can you give me a scalp massage?”
This time, she seemed to be seeking attention.
It’s 6 PM now. Well, we’ve been studying since noon, and Shiho has been working really hard… She deserves at least this much.
“Sure.”
“Yay!”
When I nodded, Shiho smiled happily and laid her head on my lap.
As soon as I placed my hands on her head, she started pressing into them, wanting to be petted… So, I gently moved my hands from side to side, giving her the massage she wanted.
It’s been three years since we met. I’ve gotten used to her silvery hair, but its transparency is still striking. Every time I run my fingers through it, I feel a sense of wonder.
Is this really the hair of a fellow human being? It’s almost hard to believe.
“Kotaro-kun, your lap is top-notch as a pillow… I might just cut it off and take it home with me.”
“That’s creepy.”
“Oops. I’m so tired, Yandere Shiho-chan is about to come out… If I leave her alone, Kotaro-kun might end up collared and become the pet of my household, so I’d better give you that massage and soothe you quickly.”
“Yes, yes, a scalp massage.”
Just petting wasn’t enough to satisfy her.
I placed my hands on her head like a hairdresser and gently massaged her scalp.
“Aah~”
She closed her eyes and let out a strange but contented sound as her cheeks relaxed. She must have been working really hard. Recently, she’s been studying intensely to get into the same university as me, and it’s clearly taking a toll on her.
Hoping to help her recover, even if just a little, I continued massaging Shiho for a while longer.
About 10 minutes passed, I think?
Then, out of the blue, Shiho muttered something.
“Oh, I just remembered, I haven’t sent my letter to Santa yet.”
She must have suddenly realized what day it was.
Christmas is only two days away… But by the time you’re a senior in high school, you’d obviously know who Santa really is.
Yet, Shiho still believes as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“I wonder what I should ask for this year?”
Shiho Shimotsuki, 18 years old.
She still doesn’t doubt the existence of Santa Claus.
Pure and innocent, untouched by any impurity… she was as pure white as the snow falling outside.
