From dusk, the Christmas party continued until eight-thirty.
The two ladies had further plans that Dubian Che didn’t know about, but the three young people were preparing to visit a light display.
The girl slipped out of her Christmas outfit, and Dubian Che also changed out of his reindeer costume.
They left the palace-style villa.
The moonlight was clear and bright; the surroundings were quiet and peaceful, the hustle and bustle of Tokyo couldn’t reach here.
The car was already parked at the entrance.
"It’s a rare opportunity, how about we walk to Tokyo Tower?" Dubian Che suggested.
"Walking?" Jiutiao Meijie folded her arms.
"Yeah. According to the map, it’s only a thirty-minute walk from here to Tokyo Tower. We can stroll through some stores on the way and enjoy the street lights."
"On Christmas Eve, walking might be faster than driving," Kiyono Lin nodded faintly.
"Then let’s walk," Jiutiao Meijie didn’t mind.
The night air was much colder than during the day, turning their breath into visible white steam.
"What were they talking to you about in the kitchen for so long?" Jiutiao Meijie asked, still folding her arms.
"Whether the roasted suckling pig or the crabs were tastier," Dubian Che answered.
Under Jiutiao Meijie’s red coat with a hat was a white blouse with pretty pleats at the chest.
Beneath the brown skirt, a pair of long, slender legs clad in black tights emerged.
Walking on the quiet streets of the winter night, she was like a moving red rose.
"Mr. Dubian, which one do you think is tastier?" Kiyono Lin blew warm breath into her palms.
"In front of them, did you see me having the right to choose? I ate whatever was there," he said.
As the three of them walked out of Nagata Town, the streets gradually became lively.
When they reached a large intersection, they saw a scene full of Christmas spirit.
The street decorations sparkled, the passersby bustled about, and Christmas songs filled the air, though it was unclear from which store they drifted out.
The temperature seemed to rise a lot.
During the wait for the traffic light, someone greeted them from behind.
"Kiyono, Mr. Dubian, Jiutiao!"
Dubian Che turned around and saw Ichiki Aoi waving and coming over.
Following her were Mayi Asuka, Hanaoka Chaozi, and Yuzao Haomei.
Jiutiao Meijie looked at Dubian Che.
Dubian Che leaned in and whispered in her ear:
"This person is a lesbian; be careful."
By the time he finished speaking, Ichiki Aoi and the others had reached them.
They exchanged brief greetings.
"Kiyono, where are you guys heading?" Yuzao Haomei, with a white fluffy collar on her top, asked.
"Tokyo Tower," Kiyono Lin replied coolly.
"We’re going there too! Want to join us?"
"Yeah, it’s more fun in a group, and we’re less likely to get lost!" Ichiki Aoi chimed in.
"Sounds good," Jiutiao Meijie said, folding her arms.
Dubian Che was taken aback. How could Jiutiao Meijie say such a thing? What was she up to?
Before he could cast her a questioning look, his arm was grabbed by Jiutiao Meijie, and she dragged him across the crosswalk that had just turned green.
"Kiyono, you play with them. My Dubian and I need some private space."
Dubian Che, being pulled along, looked back.
The group standing still, watching them depart.
Kiyono Lin’s lips parted and then closed again without saying a word.
Ichiki Aoi and Yuzao Haomei seemed to be discussing where to eat later, with Hanaoka Chaozi nodding on the side.
Mayi Asuka’s clear eyes were watching them.
Dubian Che withdrew his gaze.
After crossing the zebra crossing, he pulled his sleeve out of Jiutiao Meijie’s hand.
"Are you going back?" Jiutiao Meijie asked with a smile.
Her expression was devoid of warmth, colder than this December night.
Dubian Che didn’t respond, just took her hand.
"I’m right here, not going anywhere."
Jiutiao Meijie’s expression softened, her smile gradually warmed, and her eyes turned contemptuous.
Hand in hand like an ordinary couple, they followed the crowd toward Tokyo Tower.
On the sidewalk, a street singer wearing a Christmas hat was performing, surrounded by quite a crowd; they stopped to listen for a while.
『I’ve been to Tokyo countless times』
『The beautiful city where you reside』
『I’ve been to Tokyo countless times』
『The city of flowers where you bloom』
The singer wasn’t looking at the audience, but gazing into the night sky with deep emotion, occasionally strumming his guitar.
"He sings well, but what does this have to do with Christmas?" Dubian Che asked, looking down.
"How would I know," Jiutiao Meijie leaned into his embrace, "maybe he’s dreaming of coming to Tokyo from another prefecture, missing his family during the reunion season."
"In that case, should I be singing too? ’I’ve been to... hmm? Hmmm!’"
Jiutiao Meijie’s delicate and lovely hand covered Dubian Che’s lips.
After throwing a 100-yen coin into the instrument case, they continued walking.
In front of them was a family of three.
The father was in a suit, probably just off work without changing clothes, and the mother wore a long coat.
In between, the child holding their hands occasionally bounced their steps.
"Mom, when is Santa coming?"
"He’ll come tonight after you fall asleep."
"But we don’t have a chimney."
"Santa doesn’t use the chimney anymore," the father said with a smile, bending down.
The child turned their head and asked with a face tilted upward, "Then how does he come in?"
"How does he come in? Daddy wants to know too, does Satoru want to guess?"
"Hmm—" the child gazed into the sky, pondering, and was led by their parents without watching their steps.
Before the child could come up with an answer, their attention was captured by a Santa Claus distributing balloons.