As winter deepened, the cold grew harsher.
Not long after Christmas came the New Year.
Ever since the Meiji Restoration, Japan's New Year had been changed from the lunar calendar to the Gregorian calendar, but no matter how it changed, it was still one of the most important holidays in Japan.
After finishing a phone call with his family, Sato leaned over the desk again and started writing New Year emails to friends and relatives.
The two cats curled up by his feet to keep warm. Once winter arrived, even cats that usually wandered unpredictably could often be seen staying at home. After all, no matter how freezing it was outside, nowhere compared to the warmth indoors.
"Phew..."
After finally finishing, Sato let out a long breath.
The two chubby cats pressed against his feet felt rather heavy, but their thick fur also made them feel soft and fluffy, almost like wearing a pair of furry slippers.
"You've gotten fat again!"
Sato picked up the two cats. Their reactions were exactly the same. When they were lifted up, they opened their sleepy eyes and glanced at Sato, then slowly closed them again with a yawn.
They carried a sort of unmoving composure, like mountains unmoved by wind or rain.
After placing them on the table in front of him, their plump bodies immediately spread out like water.
Sato raised an eyebrow.
Originally, he had considered letting them eat less or changing their food, but Yukinoshita Yukino had been delivering cat food very diligently. She had even brought over several more bags during Christmas.
"Ding!"
At that moment, his phone gave a notification sound.
Sato unlocked his phone and entered the Light Music Club group chat. Very quickly, he saw Ritsu enthusiastically stirring things up in the chat.
[Ritsu: Everyone! Are you ready?!]
[Yui: I've been ready for ages!]
[Kotobuki Tsumugi: Me too!]
[Mio: It's not even nighttime yet, Ritsu. You're way too excited, aren't you?]
[Ritsu: Ahaha! I'm just worried everyone might forget!]
Seeing this, Sato could not help but laugh.
His fingers quickly tapped across the screen as he sent a message.
[Sato: You've been talking about it every day lately. You've practically brainwashed everyone already, so how could anyone forget?]
[Ritsu: Eh? Have I really been talking about it every day?]
[Mio: Yes!]
[Yui: Yes!]
[Kotobuki Tsumugi: Yes!]
Faced with unanimous agreement, even someone as silver-tongued as Ritsu could only admit it.
[Ritsu: Fine, fine! Wasn't I just worried everyone would forget? You all need to understand my good intentions!]
[Ritsu: pitiful.jpg]
[Sato: How could anyone possibly forget something like this?]
[Ritsu: That's not necessarily true. For example, Yui!]
[Yui: Hmph hmph! I have Ui with me. Even if I forget, Ui definitely won't!]
[Ritsu: Your Ui is going to get stolen by Sato!]
[Kotobuki Tsumugi: Your Ui is going to get stolen by Sato!]
[Mio: Your Ui is going to get stolen by Sato!]
[Yui: @Sato, why are you stealing my Ui?]
[Sato: ...]
...
The sky gradually darkened.
The city lights began to illuminate one after another, their brilliant glow making the entire city shine as brightly as daytime.
Knock knock knock!
"I'm coming!"
Tohru's voice came from inside the apartment. Soon the door opened, and Tohru appeared before Sato.
"Oh, it's Sato!"
"Has Kanna changed already?"
"She's ready, she's ready. Today's Kanna is super adorable!" Tohru excitedly gave him a thumbs up.
"Kanna, come out already!"
She turned her head and called toward the room.
Very quickly, accompanied by Kobayashi, Kanna walked out dressed in elaborate clothes. Her tiny stature combined with the gorgeous outfit made her look like a delicate Japanese doll.
Her sparkling eyes stared at Sato as she asked, "Sato, do I look good?"
Sato nodded and smiled.
"Of course you do!"
After receiving his praise, Kanna shyly cupped her cheeks and said her usual catchphrase.
"Then that's really incredible!"
The scene was rather amusing.
Then Sato looked up and said, "We'll be heading off first!"
"Have fun!"
"Mhm!"
...
"Sato, where are we going today?"
Even though today was the last day of the year, the streets were not nearly as empty as one might imagine.
Many people were dressed in formal clothes, heading toward shrines and temples all across the city.
Holding Kanna's hand, Sato answered, "We're going to visit the nearby Kanda Myojin Shrine."
"A shrine? The kind of place that worships gods?"
"Yeah. Later you can make a wish there. Maybe your wish will come true in the new year."
"Eh? Really?"
"Well... if you believe it, then it's real. If you don't, then it's fake."
Sato thought for a moment before giving Kanna that rather ambiguous answer.
"So those guys are actually that amazing."
Kanna lowered her head thoughtfully.
Those guys...
Sato's expression turned a little strange. If she spoke about them so disrespectfully, they probably would not grant her wish.
Although... those so-called gods were fake to begin with.
In fact, on this planet, any superhuman who reached S-rank possessed power close to the gods of legend.
As they got closer to their destination, more and more pedestrians filled the streets, giving the feeling of countless rivers flowing into the sea.
Clearly, everyone currently shared the same destination. The largest shrine nearby was Kanda Myojin Shrine, which was also where Sato and the others were headed.
The shrine was large enough, and it was not far from everyone's homes either. It had been chosen after everyone discussed it together.
After arriving near the shrine, before Sato could even look around for the others, they had already spotted him.
"Yo! Sato! Over here!"
Faintly, he heard Ritsu calling out.
The crowd around them was packed and noisy. Without his sharp senses, it would have been difficult for him to hear her voice at all.
Very quickly, he locked onto the target within the crowd and walked toward Ritsu.