Prologue
Today, Kusanagi Godou got up at 6 A.M. in the morning.
Already accustomed since childhood to a routine of "early to bed, early to rise," getting out of bed this early was no particular challenge.
Seeing as the day was the fifteenth, December was already halfway through and the chilly morning air was quite unbearable. Nevertheless, Godou mustered his spirit to ignore the cold and threw open the blankets.
Next was a contest of speed. Godou hastily changed and got dressed.
Fastening his jogging training wear, he slid his door open to enter the hallway.
His little sister Shizuka should still be asleep in the adjacent room. Taking care to avoid making noise, Godou made his way to the bathroom downstairs to freshen up and make himself presentable. Then he went to the kitchen for a glass of water before heading to the entrance.
After putting on his running shoes, Godou took off.
The surroundings were still very dark because the sun rose quite late this time of the year. Even so, the sky would brighten up during his daily jogging routine.
Looking up at the sky, very few clouds could be seen. Today was apparently going to be a comfortable clear winter day.
“Well, let’s get started.”
After sufficient stretching, Godou muttered to himself, his breath white against the cold winter air.
Starting off with a slow jog, he gradually picked up the pace.
Originally an athlete and presently still leading a life requiring physical exertion, Godou had never made an explicit decision to train his stamina. Oh well, this was purely explained by his disposition towards an active lifestyle.
Thus, he went jogging today as usual, adhering to his routine as if were his daily homework.
Godou decided on a suitable path as he jogged. After his jogging took him beyond the shopping street at Area 3 of Nezu, he would head towards Kototoi Bridge. Continuing further all the way to Ueno Park might not be a bad idea either.
Seeing as it was a midwinter morning, the weather was naturally very cold. But regardless, the body warmed up rapidly anyway.
For Godou who was already well accustomed to this, the icy and refreshing air felt rather comfortable instead.
“Running every morning sure can put a person in a good mood. There is the fresh air and no people around to get in my way.”
After muttering to himself, Godou went “Huh?” with uncertainty.
Come to think of it, his recent jogging had all taken place during night or dusk. Because he needed to complete a daily task that had evolved into something like routine business, time had to be taken out of his mornings...
“But today, I went jogging like this...”
Godou continued running with a brisk tempo, deciding to ignore this doubt. If he could not recall what it was, then it probably was not very important in the first place.
The Kusanagi residence was an ancient wooden house and former second-hand bookstore.
Having returned home, Godou was passing by the kitchen when he discovered his sister.
“Yo.”
“You're supposed to say good morning, Onii-chan.”
“We've been siblings for more than a decade, so this is good enough.”
This was Godou's first conversation with his little sister this morning, taking place as she stood wide awake before the gas stove, preparing the miso soup.
Today was Shizuka’s turn for cooking duties. The little sister, a third year middle schooler who attended Jounan Academy together with Godou, was currently tasting the miso soup using a small dish. She made a suffering expression.
“Hmm...”
“It tastes bad?”
“Of course not. Simply dissolving miso paste in boiling water is enough to achieve this taste. But compared to what Grandpa makes, it is rather bad."
“From the fact that he prepares the soup stock by simmering dried bonito fish, you can already tell how particular he is about paying attention to details.”
Right now, Shizuka was using miso stock manufactured by a major brand.
On the other hand, Grandpa Kusanagi Ichirou, the one who usually took on all cooking duties, was a proponent of white miso. Furthermore, he frequently used hand-made miso of exquisite quality that was sent by a "friendly lady" who resided in Shinshuu or somewhere like that.
The difference in taste was inevitable.
Even with that knowledge, Godou and Shizuka still used manufactured soup stock.
It was far more convenient. After all, the simmering required to prepare the soup stock would take too much trouble.
“All due to diligence, that's Grandpa for you. Completely different from us.”
“Completely agreed, for once. But there also exist people who feel quite troubled because of it.”
The siblings in the kitchen nodded at each other.
The grandfather in question was currently away on a long-term trip. Godou had heard that he apparently had a friend in Bhutan (referring to the country sandwiched between India and China, of course) who helped him in the past but was now hospitalized.
“I’m going to visit for a bit. While I'm there, over at my friend's, I'll take the opportunity to tour the surrounding region. I guess I'll probably spend New Year there too. Please take good care of the house while I am gone.”
That was what he said the day before he set off.
And just like that he abruptly left, so fleet of foot that no one would expect he was over seventy years old.
But conversely, this could be taken as a showcase of Kusanagi Ichirou’s true personality.
“Since he mentioned touring the surrounding region, he probably won't be limiting his visit to just the one country of Bhutan, right?”
“Naturally. After all it's Grandpa we're talking about.”
“Although he said he's going over to his friend’s... It can’t be limited to that alone, right?”
“...Naturally. After all, it's Grandpa we're talking about.”
Shizuka stated her doubts. On his second time answering, Godou’s tone of voice weighed a little heavier.
Not limited to a male friend. A female friend, or even female relationships of a more intimate nature.
“I really do like Grandpa, but I've always felt that his female relationships have always been a sore sight.”
“Well, I think so too.”
“Good, then please pay attention in the future.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like getting involved with strange women. Although you haven't gotten used to getting along with girls yet, Onii-chan, you've started crossing paths with girls without noticing. And quite frequently too."
“Shizuka... Don’t talk as if Grandpa and I were of the same type.”
Eyes looking off to the distance, Godou started to complain.
“Although this really isn’t anything worth bragging about, I have never talked to any girl for a lengthy amount of time apart from you. Oh, I guess there is Tokunaga Asuka, but she's a bit different from being a girl.”
“Very good, Onii-chan. Just continue to work hard and maintain the status quo.”
In response to Godou’s indolent grumbling, Shizuka looked quite pleased for some reason.
“If you're going to be that smug, feel free to back it up with some support.”
“Fine, I'm not going to remain silent about the extremely rude thing you said about Asuka-chan.”
Seeing his sister’s smug smile, Godou scratched his head.
He had apparently said something wrong without noticing. Anyway, Asuka was a childhood friend since before kindergarten. Dismissing the matter as "whatever," Godou happened to glance at the calendar by chance.
“Say, Christmas is coming up soon.”
<
br /> “Now what are you talking about? It’s already December. Namely, the most lonely month for single guys and girls out of the entire year.”
Shizuka said this with a cheerful tone.
“Onii-chan, are you going spend Christmas Eve at home again? Anyways, mom won’t be back so we can share the cake just between the two of us. Oh! Or how about we get Asuka-chan and Sakura-chan and throw together a small party?”
“Hmm... Sorry, but let me hold off answering for a little while..”
“Eh? Impossible! You have someone else with whom to spend Christmas Eve together?!”
“No, it’s not like that. For some reason I feel like there's an important event coming up, but just what is it?
Head cocked to one side, Godou continued to stare at the calendar in puzzlement.
The latter half of December. Approximately on the 24th or 25th. There was apparently something prearranged for sure—
Chapter 1 - Kusanagi Godou is a Campione...?
Part 1
It feels like something was going to happen around Christmas.
However, he couldn’t clearly remember what it was. Whatever it was supposed to be was now lost from his memory. He couldn’t help but get a bad feeling from all of this.
“But, no matter how hard I try to remember I still can’t recall it.”
It was currently morning. Godou was muttering to himself as he sat in the classroom before homeroom started.
Godou goes to Jounan Academy where he is currently in year one class five. The seat that he was sitting in was the one that he routinely sits in every day.
“Hey, Kusanagi, you're pretty early today.”
The one to greet Godou was Nanami, a classmate of his.
“I’m always here around this time, aren’t I?”
“Really? I always felt that you got here around five minutes before class started... Anyhow, you should take a look outside.”
It was twenty minutes before homeroom would start in the room they were currently in.
“Don't you think the sky is just beautiful today?”
“I'm sure today’s clear winter skies would make anyone feel comfortable, but, Nanami... do you have a fever or something??”
“Hey hey, what are you saying all of a sudden?”
“That's my line. You getting poetic about the sky? Come on. If you like I'll take you to the nurse’s office.”
Godou’s tone was relatively serious. About 60% of it was meant to be a joke, but the remaining 40% was genuine worry.
Nanami was the leader of the three idiots. But no matter how you looked at it, it was still strange. Just what the heck had happened to him?
“Whew, you sure are stupid.”
Nanami put on a cartoon villain’s sinister smile.
“I don’t know why I'm so calm lately. I feel like I can tolerate anything, no matter how unreasonable. It's as if my heart is at peace like the saying goes, calm as a lake.”
“You really are something else.”
As Godou stared at him in wonder, two more boys were heading their way.
“Yo. Doesn't the peace and quiet today just make you content? I wholeheartedly pray for all wars and conflicts to disappear from this world.”
“Ahh, look how beautiful the world is.”
Speaking of which, these two gently smiling boys that had just arrived were also Godou’s friends.
These were the remaining two that made up the three idiots, Sorimachi and Takagi. Their lips displayed tender smiles and their gaze was incomparably gentle.
“Even you guys are acting like this? You're so weird. Aren't all three of you too calm recently?”
Godou recalled a previous conversation with the three idiots.
“Didn’t you guys say that 'Christmas is an event for the mass media, subverted by the romance capitalism, to manipulate the ignorant masses to become festive and merry. We ourselves are trying to counteract that tendency as good as we can’. Whatever happened to that?”
“Well, yeah. But that's fine already."
"Certainly, this partying and merrymaking is too much for the eyes."
"But it feels like the storm that raged around us has calmed down lately. It's really strange, we can even pleasantly think of the people that are living their satisfied real lives."
The three idiots reminded him of enlightened saints.
“There was a storm around us?”
“I can’t remember what it exactly was now, but Kusanagi, I also think so.”
Takagi suddenly stretched out his arms and hugged Godou.
“Right now we can tell you, Kusanagi. Without a doubt you are our comrade, a partner walking down the same way.”
“What a coincidence. Actually, I feel the same.”
“Yeah, right now I can also accept Kusanagi as our comrade.”
Even Sorimachi and Nanami were saying it with enthusiasm. Godou was bewildered.
“What in the world are you guys saying? Haven’t we always been friends?”
“Comrade and friend are not the same. Even if we are of a different kind, we can still become friends. However, only those of the same kind who share blood and soul can become comrades, we need to be bonded in our hearts...”
Nanami pretended like he knew what he was saying.
Just then a silver haired girl entered the classroom. She was not of Japanese descent.
The slim student was wearing the uniform of Jounan Academy. Her slender, lovely, and fairy-like presence added up to a totally unique atmosphere. Her beautiful silver hair was tied into a pony tail.
Her name was Liliana Kranjcar. She was an exchange student from Italy.
“Liliana-san, good morning!”
“Would you like to eat lunch with us today?”
The girls within the class immediately called out to her. She was indeed a very popular person.
While giving them a calm smile, Liliana sat down at her seat. It was about four rows in front of Godou's, so they were a bit apart. At that moment, Godou's and Liliana’s eyes met.
The silver-haired, Eastern European beauty did a slight, Japanese bow towards Godou. That was all.
She did not come to greet him, nor did she come over and strike up a conversation. She seemed vigilant of him as always. It was fair to say that Godou and the two most popular girls of the class had a delicate relationship. They were not estranged by any means, but they couldn't quite get friendly either.
By the time the other popular girl showed up, the second period was over.
“Ah, Erica-san!”
“Thank goodness, I thought you wouldn't come anymore.”
Between the second and third period there was a brief break.
Erica Blandelli, who had just arrived, was a beauty. Her fluttering, reddish-blonde hair gave the exchange student from Milan an air of royalty as she walked into the classroom.
“Sorry about that, I was caught up in various problems.”
Erica's reply was accompanied by a refined smile.
Even though all the girls were around the same age, Erica’s grace and composure were on a different level.
By the way, with the reasoning she 'had received education equal to a university degree back in Italy' she had been allowed to commute on flextime. Such an excuse was just too ridiculous.
She had probably used a kind of hypnosis magic to push it through.
Godou's and Erica's eyes met. The blonde Italian beauty flashed a gorgeous smile, and made a graceful bow. Like a beautiful knight before a duel.
That was all. She didn't call out to greet him, nor did she come over and strike up a conversation
Erica’s seat was the one in front of Liliana's. It was a bit apart from his. He didn't have any reason to talk to them either, so he shrugged again.
He did feel that it wouldn't be bad to get closer to them.
However, he had no idea how to accomplish that.
Part 2
On this day, Godou headed directly home after school. He had alr
eady made plans in advance.
In fact, December 3 was his sister Shizuka’s birthday. Furthermore, he had agreed to prepare gifts together with his childhood friend and hang out with Shizuka.
However, when that very day arrived, the plans he had set beforehand had changed. This was because their father, who had left the house after the divorce, had contacted them saying that he didn’t know if he would be able to come. Godou and Shizuka were facing each other.
“Well, what do you think? By the way, my vote is that he won’t end up coming.”
“I’ll cast my vote for that too. But maybe he had some matters to take care of, want to wait a little more?”
For now there was a change of plans. On the night of the 3rd, both siblings spent their time at home. Their father had just sent them an email at seven o’clock that night. It stated that he had some urgent business to take care of and left for Toronto, Canada.
“Well, that is to be expected of dad.”
“This would only happen to father.”
Both of them had little to say for this predictable outcome, therefore they could only move it to another day.
That “another day” was now today. Incidentally, the place they wanted to go was a very unique restaurant. They had delicious Spanish cuisine and wine.
This was the result after their father, who never showed up at the arranged time, and their laissez-faire mother had negotiated on the amount of money they could spend.
“This is our daughter’s birthday. It would only be right to go out to eat some delicious food.” The conversation had gone somewhat along those lines.
Also, because they received permission to bring one more person, it was settled that Asuka could come with them.
“But really, I haven't seen many families where the parents had to deal with every request through ‘negotiating’.”
After hearing the situation from the two siblings, their childhood friend Tokunaga Asuka sighed in sorrow.
The group was on the way to the restaurant. The place was within walking distance from the Kusanagi house in Nezu so the three of them decide to walk there.
“Really? I feel like this happens rather often.”
“It just comes in a different form; no matter which household, they all have similar situations.”
This theory was Godou's, who was in charge of negotiating with their parents. By his side, Shizuka also nodded in assent.
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