Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 263, Section 38: "Is there any way I can look forward to the new year?"

January 1st is New Year's Day.

Anniversary commemorating the day when the planet we live on completes one revolution around its star.

The morning light gently reached into the room through the gaps in the curtains.

Dust particles floated in the slanting sunlight, scattering a dazzling glint of light onto Masumi's eyelids.

He wanted to stay asleep, but a slight pain in his neck made him hiss in pain, and his half-open eyes snapped open.

The closest item to him was a light purple tank top.

Underneath the tank top was a pair of black casual lounge pants, the style of which was so short it almost exposed her buttocks, you could tell who the owner was.

"Woo..."

Asami's body writhed under the covers, emitting muffled moans.

"Masumi-kun...you've finally met your match...hmph~this time I'll see how I...deal with you..."

Unable to beat him in reality, so he can only get revenge in his dreams?
"Eek! Wait... I was just... joking... Don't hit me! Spare me this time, Masumi-kun!"

She takes back what she just said; she couldn't do it even in her dreams.

Next to the tank top was a complete mascot costume that had been taken off.

A white stocking was tucked between Masumi's right arm as she slept. It must be Kaigetsu's, right?
The other stocking seemed to have completely disappeared.

The jellyfish girl was also sleeping soundly in bed, making regular and steady breathing sounds.

"...Masumi, I'm confident I can do even better on land!"

I heard Mio's ominous sleep-talking from the bed, and in my unguarded sleep, I, like a morbid soul, revealed my sadistic tendencies.

"...Hehe, Masumi really is like a baby who hasn't been weaned yet. I'll allow you to suckle for a little longer."

The current situation is like this: almost all the girls are in Masumi's bed.

No matter how big the bed is, or how slender the girls are, it's impossible for so many people to fit together properly... not to mention that Asami's figure is completely unrelated to that word.

So Masumi didn't know when she had left the bed.

He should be said to have woken up on the floor.

He guessed that Mami probably kicked him off the bed when she turned over, since her feet were off the bed.

Masumi sighed.

The room, which had just been tidied up, was a mess again overnight.

On New Year's Eve, everyone gathers around the comfy table to celebrate the New Year in a lively atmosphere, which naturally includes eating, drinking, and playing games.

To be honest, things got really messy after Mami and Kaigetsu got drunk, and Masumi doesn't intend to recall the specific details.

Just remember that you did have a happy New Year's Eve with them.

Masumi stood up and picked up the clothes that were scattered on the ground.

Mami always hurriedly throws her clothes or other odds and ends everywhere.

He's gotten used to it, and he has no choice.

He neatly folded the clothes, but after searching for a long time, he couldn't find Haiyue's other sock. It wasn't until Mami rolled off the bed that he saw Haiyue still wearing her white silk stockings.

Masumi casually took off her socks, revealing her slender feet, which were tightly encased in white socks and exuded a soft, fleshy feel. As she removed the socks, they were pulled apart, revealing her alluring curves.

After neatly stacking them together with the other one, Masumi tiptoed out of the room to avoid waking them, and gently closed the door.

It's only just dawn; if you go out now, you might still be able to see the New Year's Day sunrise.

Masumi put on her outdoor shoes and slowly pushed open the front door.

"Well."

The air was cold on a winter morning, and he instinctively wrapped his coat tighter around himself and squinted.

The rays of the rising sun spread across the streets of Kobe, turning the entire world in sight red.

Sunrises are not uncommon for Masumi, who usually goes for a morning run, but when the word "New Year's Day" is added, for some reason, it has a somewhat inexplicable feeling.

...It's a bit of a shame that he's the only one enjoying this sunrise view.

But if he were to go back upstairs now and wake up the sleeping girls, he would likely be greeted by at least a grumbling Asami and a grumbling senior like myself, and it's uncertain whether he could even wake up Kaigetsu.

It seems like it would be too much trouble, so I'll pass.

Masumi tucked her hands into her sleeves as well. The temperature at sunrise was really cold; the rising sun was beautiful, but it wasn't warm at all.

Let's take a couple more looks and then go back.

"Good morning."

Suddenly, I heard a familiar greeting.

These words danced in Masumi's ears with the white breath, only to be swept away by the cold wind and dissipate into the air.

Turning my head, I saw the heiress standing not far away, her silky black hair radiant in the morning sun.

"Huh~ I thought I was the first one to get up."

"That's far too arrogant."

Rinne said calmly.

"How does it feel to sleep on the floor?"

"My neck is slightly stiff."

Masumi spoke the truth, which earned her a slight smile from Rinne.

"Really? If that's the case, then it's not bad."

"Could it be that Rinne is gloating?"

"No, I think that way your gaze will be fixed and you won't look around like a giraffe anymore."

Rinne said meaningfully.

"Alas."

Masumi instinctively wanted to turn her face away guiltily, but then she felt a sharp pain in her neck.

"it hurts."

"Look, this is karma."

Rinne's lips curved slightly into a smile; the way the ice beauty smiled unintentionally was simply too captivating.

Even though it's winter, Masumi felt like her face was on fire. Why is it so hot?

To hide his flushed cheeks, he cupped his face in his palms, the veins throbbing through the thin skin.

"Your face is red from the cold."

"Ah."

"Or is it because you're shy?"

Masumi was extremely embarrassed. "Is Rinne holding a lot of resentment towards me for the new year?"

"It's not resentment, it's love."

After Rinne emphasized this, she tied a knot between her eyebrows in displeasure.

"Doesn't Masumi understand my love?"

"If you're only referring to the current situation, I don't understand at all."

Masumi only understood that Rinne's expression was extremely pleased when she saw her disheveled appearance.

"By the way... would what we're doing be considered 'having an affair'?"

The heiress made a startling statement.

"Stealing, having an affair!?"

"Hmm." Rinne nodded, her tone extremely serious as she said, "We haven't officially become a couple, yet we've secretly done 'that' in private, and you also have other girls you like, and you even made out with them just last night..."

"No, it's just spending New Year's Eve together, it can't be called being affectionate."

She interrupted Masumi with a cold look, giving her an expression that said, "Listen to me carefully," which was honestly quite intimidating.

"...So after thinking it over, I think our current actions can only be described as 'having an affair.'"

"That's what the heiress said in conclusion."

No, that's not how it works at all! Masumi cried out in her heart.

"Uh, no, it's probably... well, how should I put it?"

For a moment, Masumi couldn't find an excuse to refute her.

Seeing his stammering and desperate attempts to explain, Rinne gently shook her head.

"You don't need to explain. Since you like it, I plan to get used to it gradually."

"You don't have to get used to everything," Masumi said, rubbing her temples with a headache.

Rinne, with her usual cold expression, continued:
"...And to be honest, I was relieved. I would have been embarrassed if it had happened in front of everyone."

As she spoke, an embarrassed blush rose on her cheeks. Was the opposite of having an affair to be sexually assaulted in front of someone? Masumi stared in disbelief.

"Uh, speaking of which, how did Rinne spend last year's New Year?"

He hurriedly changed the subject.

"Um... Last year, Mami went back to her hometown, and I spent New Year's Eve at the welfare home with my mother-in-law and the children."

"So, are we going again this year?"

Rinne nodded. "Later, I plan to buy some things and visit my mother-in-law and the children at the orphanage."

Okay, we're back on track. "In that case, I'll go with you."

"Well, but let me make this clear first, don't get any weird expectations. There are so many children in the orphanage... it's easy to... be discovered..."

Rinne lowered her head like a little bird, her voice growing weaker and weaker as she spoke.

Masumi listened with a strange expression: "Just how much of a lustful image do I have in Rinne's heart?"

"If that's not the case, is it really necessary to find six girls?" Rinne retorted calmly.

This statement was so effective that it delivered a critical hit, and Masumi was immediately defeated.

Amidst their skin and the world bathed in the red glow of the morning light, Rinne smiled helplessly and gently took his hand.

"Happy New Year," she said.

Masumi snapped out of his reverie. The heir's formal greeting made him a little embarrassed, and his fingers unconsciously began to play with Rinne's fingers, which were resting in his palm.

"Happy New Year."

The rising sun, just touching the sky, shone even brighter, casting inky shadows on the ground.

Their shadows overlapped, making it impossible to distinguish their shapes.

Good morning! I knew Masumi would be here!

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out.

Masumi and Rinne looked at the door that had been suddenly pushed open, where Mio, wearing a coat, stood.

Her smiling face froze.

"You two, on the first day of the new year, you're actually having an affair here first thing in the morning! That's outrageous!"

Masumi closed her eyes in exasperation. "Mio—! Why do you always appear at such a convenient time?"
◇

After the morning commotion ended, the group at the coffee shop enjoyed a delicious rice cake soup before changing into their outdoor clothes and heading out.

The group rode a crowded tram, swaying and rocking along the way. They followed the endless stream of people through the ticket gate and walked for a while longer before finally arriving at their destination.

Ikuta Shrine.

"Wow! There are so many people! No wonder it's a filming location for 'Senren Banka'."

Asami looked at the dense crowd and said.

"Are all these people here to pay homage to Lord Congyu?"

“No, they’re all here to pay homage to Lady Chihi,” Masumi corrected.

Please ignore the backpack that just passed in front of them, which was covered with people from the surrounding area.

Ikuta Shrine is an ancient shrine with a history of 1800 years. For thousands of years, the shrine has protected every household in the city. It is located in the most prosperous Sannomiya area of ​​Kobe, so it is no surprise that there are many people who come to worship during the New Year.

The sight of the crowded streets was unsettling.

"Is Chihiro trapped in the crowd?" Mami asked worriedly.

"I'll give her a call."

Masumi took his phone out of his pocket, about to dial a number, when bang! Someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

Happy New Year, Masumi-nii!

He turned around and saw a beautiful girl with a bright smile on her face.

Her shoulder-length hair was tied at the nape of her neck, and she wore a gorgeous furisode kimono. Her face was always beaming with a cheerful smile that was even brighter than the color of the kimono.

Happy New Year, Qian Ai.

My eyes lit up as if I were looking at an exquisite doll. I moved closer and gently stroked the surface of the sleeve.

"Chiai looks so pretty in this outfit~ It's like one of those Hina dolls you see on Girls' Day, the materials feel so high-end."

"If Chitose-nee wants to wear it, you can come to my house later. Except for Asami-nee's size, everyone's kimono should fit..."

Why am I being excluded?!

Mami approached with a displeased look and vigorously rubbed Chiai's head.

"I was just kidding! Even Asami-nee's size is available..."

"What do you mean by 'even if'?!"

Ms. Mami got even angrier.

There's a reason why she reacted so strongly.

—Staying in the kotatsu table to read comics, light novels, play games, eat, sleep... and so on in a never-ending cycle.

This is how Mami has been spending the New Year since the holiday started.

Needless to say, fat naturally accumulates as well.

"Just you wait! I'm definitely going to make a wish to Lady Chihiro later, so that I can get as thin as Miss Mio this year!"

Asami crossed her arms over her chest with exaggerated, theatrical movements and let out a soft moan.

Masumi sighed.

"I think it's better to rely on your own efforts rather than asking the gods for help."

"Of course I know that. Besides, I already did a lot of work just to get from the torii gate to the worship hall."

She's right. Walking along the approach to the shrine, which is always crowded with worshippers, is exhausting.

The crowd was moving at a speed of about five centimeters per second.

The seven people who had met up passed the time chatting and slowly followed the group toward the worship hall.

Does the New Year have to be this crowded...? Masumi suddenly regretted it a little. The lazy way of celebrating the New Year, like Asami, is to snuggle up in the kotatsu and sleep until noon. Actually, it's also very happy.

I want to go home right now...

After finally getting through the second torii gate, the crowd seemed even greater.

Masumi suddenly felt someone take his hand.

"Haiyue?"

"There are so many people... otherwise... we would get separated..."

The jellyfish girl's cherry lips parted slightly.

"I see. Then Rinne can hold your hand, right?"

“Masumi… is quite tall…”

It's not that Masumi is oblivious to romance.

Under pressure from the crowd, Mio couldn't freely change her position, so she could only glare fiercely at the two holding hands, feeling a sharp pain in her face.

Masumi broke out in a cold sweat. When they finally reached the vermilion worship hall, Haiyue reluctantly let go of his hand.

It should be said that it was under Mio's coercion.

After escaping the crowded throng, she immediately pounced on the two men like a large, aggressive golden retriever.

Take out coins, put them into the offering box, ring the bell with the girls, bow twice, clap twice, and then everyone puts their hands together and prays in their hearts.

Masumi also gently closed her eyes.

If it's something that can be achieved through effort, the purpose of making a wish should actually be to make your feelings clearer afterward.

The goddess of the Sun Goddess is effective in bringing good fortune and improving health. I'm clearly struggling with the former, so I'll make a wish for the latter this time.

My own health, their health, and my father's health.

Come to think of it, I haven't yet brought them all to meet my father.

This was partly because Masumi hadn't figured out how to explain it yet, and partly because she was worried about upsetting her father.

The father, who was not good with words, never knew how to entertain girls around the same age as Masumi.

What kind of expression would the father have if he suddenly brought all six of them to his bedside?

I can't imagine it.

There are many things to do in the new year.

He noticed, without realizing it, that Mio was earnestly praying beside him.

What did Mio wish for?

When Masumi asked this, she didn't even open her eyes, and murmured:

"May the Lady of the Sun bless me... I must give birth to Masumi's child this year..."

"...! Although this is indeed the power of the Child Sun Goddess, it is still a bit..."

Mio smiled sweetly.

"Haha, half of that was a joke. After all, it only makes sense to reap the fruits of victory with your own hands."

Her expression showed great enthusiasm.

"...Please continue to guide me this year, Masumi."

"Well, please give me some advice."

Masumi shivered from the cold, her mind racing as if overheating.

Half of it is a joke, but which half? Is it this year? Or is it about having a baby?
Is there a way for me to look forward to the new year?

Under the silent gaze of the goddess of fate, Wakahi-no-Mikoto, a new year begins in Kobe.

Masumi had a vague feeling that the new year ahead would be more troublesome, more tiring, and less healthy than the past year.
-
[Volume 8: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year: The End]

(End of this chapter)