Once the Snow Melts (Event Story)
Chapter 4: Petrichor
Hikari: I’m here, Kamira-chan! Sorry for the wait!
I went to the wrong turn earlier…
Kamira: Ah, no worries! I’m the one who’s just callin’ you, so I get it!
Thanks for comin’ right away.
Hikari: It’s no sweat at all!
Xue: ……
Hikari: Oh– Xue’s also here?
… What an odd combination. Ya both got something to do?
Xue: You can see it like that.
Now take your seat. Perhaps order a drink as well?
Hikari: Eh? Ah, alright then.
Hmm… Then, I’ll have a Caramel Latte! It’s so sweet and cold, you just gotta taste one!
So-! What’s up with you girls?
A fun chit-chat? Ah- Perhaps in middle of strolls planning?
Speaking of which! The other day Mito-chan and I were going to a tea shop,
Then we got anmitsus with looooots of creams!
Also-also, we’re eating parfaits in that shop with Panda-chan! Right, Kamira-chan? ¹
So I’m thinking like maybe we can go to some kind of cafe again someday~!
Say, we’ll also invite Panda-chan. Maybe Xue also want to go–
Kamira: Stop right there, Hikarin!
Hikari: Waah–!
W-What’s wrong, Kamira-chan?
Kamira: Um…… I feel bad for this.
… But, that’s not what we want to talk about.
Hikari: Huh…?
Th- Then, was it a kind of study session?
Then Xue, you better give some proper return to Kamira-chan!
Xue: You’re wrong.
I’m pretty sure that you actually know. The reason why we’re calling you to meet like this.
Hikari: ……
But I don’t, though..!
Wait a second… Is it a planning for some kind of surprise? Hmm~ I wonder if I can give some good suggestions~...
Kamira: Hikarin.
…… We really… Have something to talk about.
… So, you see... We want to ask about your streaming.
But, we’ll make sure to respect your space if you don’t want to……
Hikari: Ah…! My streaming, I see! Hehehe, guess I just jumped to things on my own.
I must’ve worried ya girls since I didn’t have one for so long. I’m sorry…!
Kamira: Actually, rather than worried……
Hikari: But hey, no worry to do!
As you can see, I’m still doing all-bright. And that’s what matters. Right?!
Xue: All-bright, you say…
Hikari: Oh, c’mon, Xue!
Don’t make such a scary face now. You just made Kamira-chan terrified, y’know~!
Xue: Could you please just cut out the crap already?
You know you can’t just hide from what happened right on the heels of yesterday, aren’t you.
Hikari: ……
If you say so, I even told you why. Xue won’t get about it.
The same goes for today… I still don’t want to talk.
Xue: And this is exactly the unusual thing from you.
Hikari: Huh?
Kamira: H- Hold it right there, Xie-Xie!
Xue: I know that you usually will ask for my help right away, while also poking a lot and crying.
It’s a hundred years too early for you to act like an adult with personal responsibilities.
Hikari: ……
Xue: Knowing from you, pretty sure it’s not a huge problem.
Just suck it up and confess already.
Don’t you know how long Kamira has been bothered about you?
It won’t be like this if you can just talk. You’re not a spoiled princess, you better finish this quick.
Kamira: N- No-no-no– I just–
Hikari: … Xue, you’re such a meanie.
I already said no. You know about that, but you don’t bother at all?
Xue: I meant to talk in case we can do something about it.
You can’t keep holding them inside. I’m sure no one wants to be so hesitant all the time.
Hikari: Does it matter to talk if the other won’t get it?!
Xue: Huh?!
Looks like someone suddenly forgets about my role.
Even for small problems, the reason why it’s now complicated is that you keep holding the thoughts inside.
And just to check, has there ever been a time where your problem is caused by something huge?
Hikari: You don’t have to word it like that…
Xue: Well what are you waiting for? Tell me about this “huge problem” that you have!
Hikari: … I’ve always. I’ve always said that I don’t want to.
You don’t have to involve Kamira-chan in this!
… You’re supposed to know that I don’t want this kind of thing to happen!
Kamira: It’s not like that, Hikarin! We’re–
Xue: How irritating…!
We’re here since we’re worried about you! Do you know about that?!
Hikari: The truth is! I never asked you to worry about me!
Kamira: H-Hold it right there, the two of you– Stop, stop…!
Hikari: You’re aaaaalways like this to me, Xue!
Acting like Mrs. Who Knows Everything and doing all of it by herself,
And you’ll just make me doing the same as what you want!
So of course I can’t consult it to you!
‘Cause you won’t try to understand my feelings! Which means– Such a nosy of you!
Just a Xue is not enough to solve every single of my problems!!
Xue: Wha–……
Oh, I see now! It’s my fault for worrying you!
If those shallow laughters work the best, so be it! I don’t want to care anymore!
Kamira: Xie-Xie!! Where’re ya going?!
Xue: Just wherever! And the rest of whatever is for the two of you to do!
Kamira: Eh?!? Xie-Xie, wait up–
Hikari: Ah……
Kamira: …… And she left.
H- Hikarin……
You’re okay? Wait no– I think you’re not at all. But I mean…
That must have hurted you, I’m sorry.
I’ll also be the one to say your sorry to her–
Hikari: ……
Kamira: Hikarin…?
Hikari: …… Kamira-chan……
I… I……
Kamira: A– Um– Uh…
I… What’s the best to say now……
Hikari: ……
Kamira: F… For now, have a seat, Hikarin.
Hikari: … Mhm…
… Did Xue… Cried too?
Kamira: Wha–
No, I don’t think I see her crying…
Hikari: …… I see.
I did… Another mistake.
I didn’t mean to say such things to her.
Kamira: Mhm… I get ya.
Hikari: Hehehe…! I’m a dummy, so I made mistakes before I knew it…!
Kamira: That’s not…
Hikari: … I didn’t mean it to be like this.
I’m sorry, Kamira-chan.
I’m really… I’m really sorry, to confuse you like this…
I don’t know, what is wrong with me……
Kamira: ……
Hikari: It’s just…… As Xue said…
TL notes:
[1] You can know short bit about the parfait story in Albireo of the Northern Sky, Chapter 8. Right after that is Hikari's card side story from the same event (not translated).