After our date at home, I escorted Jessica back to her house. As her boyfriend, it was only natural to do so, especially since it was already dark outside in December when the sun set early.
As a parting gesture, we exchanged a light kiss before she entered her house. On my way back home, I started planning our Christmas date.
The following week, the final week of the second term began for us first-year high school students. I contacted Jessica regarding our Sunday date.
I merely informed her to meet at the station near our high school at noon on Sunday. Even without much detail, I figured she would perceive it as a pleasant surprise.
Our date location is a private room near the high school, lent to us under the pretence of borrowing it from Isla, where we plan to have a Christmas party for just the two of us. The plan is to use magic later to take her to the private room for our first intimate experience together.
In the meantime, I used the time for preparations, occasionally visiting the private room and spending time with Isla or Charlotte, depending on who was available.
After the closing ceremony for the term, Jessica and I visited the club room of the Fortune-Telling Club to greet our senior Club President. After some light-hearted conversation, I went home alone.
I wish we could walk home together, stopping for a detour like couples often do. For now, I have to endure this until we advance to the next grade. It's tough, but I'll manage.
Jessica mentioned that if we weren't in the same class in our second year, she would openly declare our relationship. On the other hand, if we do end up in the same class, she might prefer to keep our relationship a secret for another year.
By the time we're third-year students, we likely won't need to hide it anymore. However, whether our relationship will last that long is uncertain. There's a high possibility that by then, I may have had to turn her into a slave marked with a lewd crest. I suspect that someday she will find out about the relationships I have with other women who have become slaves under this mark.
Finally, the awaited Christmas day arrived. Setting aside the uncertainties of the future, my focus was now solely on our Christmas date.
Before heading to the station to pick up Jessica, I completed the preparations for our party with Isla's help. Since it was just for the two of us, the amount of food and the cost was minimal.
As the time for her arrival at the station drew near, I left the room to meet her. Isla, who accompanied me outside, returned to her apartment and agreed to remain quiet for the day.
After waiting at the station for a short while, Jessica appeared at the exit. Despite the urge to run to her, I refrained from doing so, as we were near the high school and needed to avoid revealing our relationship.
After making eye contact, I started walking towards the apartment with the private room, keeping about thirty meters of distance between us. Matching her pace, I walked slowly, ensuring she could comfortably follow.
Once we reached our destination, I waited for her by the entrance, thinking it was safe enough. We reunited and exchanged greetings.
"Hello, Jess," I greeted her.
"Hello, Ethan," she replied.
"You look cute today," I complimented her.
"Th-thank you," she said shyly, her cheeks turning pink.
"Shall we go in? It's cold out here," I suggested.
"Y-yes," she agreed.
As we passed through the entrance, I explained our destination to the slightly bewildered Jessica. Though the explanation was mostly fabricated, I provided enough plausible details to satisfy her curiosity.
"I borrowed Isla's room in this apartment," I told her.
"Um, was she your tutor before?" she asked, recalling the details.
"Yes. She and her boyfriend are out for Christmas, so she let me borrow it for the day," I explained.
"She must trust you to lend her place like this," Jessica commented.
"She thinks of me like a younger brother," I added, hoping to ease her concerns.
By the time we arrived at the private room, the explanation was complete. Though it might have been a bit far-fetched, Jessica, filled with love for me heightened by magic, accepted it without issue.
"Here we are. It's not my room, but please make yourself at home."
"Hehe, thank you. I'll be intruding then."
As we entered, I locked the door behind us and began showing her around while moving further inside.
"Don't open these doors here and here. They're Isla's bedroom and storage room."
"Got it."
I intentionally skipped explaining the usual private room, which was already set up with a futon and everything ready for an intimate encounter.
At the end of the hallway, I opened a door and led Jessica inside. The room was quite spacious, with the kitchen and dining area on the left and the living area on the right.
She placed her belongings on the living room table and hung her coat on the coat rack. Watching her, I washed my hands, gargled, and started setting the dining table with dishes.
"Ethan, let me help."
"Thanks. First, wash your hands..."
We warmed up the pre-prepared dishes and worked together to set up for our Christmas party. With drinks and a cake ready, the table was finally set.
"Everything looks good. Now, Jess, please take a seat here."
"O-okay. Thank you."
After pulling out a chair for her, I sat across from her. I poured non-alcoholic champagne into our glasses, and we lifted them in unison.
"Let's begin our Christmas party."
"Yes."
"May we have Christmas parties together next year and every year after. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas."
"Cheers!"
Our glasses clinked gently, and we sipped, quenching our thirst. As our eyes met over the rims of our glasses, we smiled at each other.
"I hope we can always have Christmas parties together."
"Well, the number of attendees might increase in the future."
"Th-that means..."
She blushed lightly, perhaps imagining a future where we were married with children.
"By the way," she said, breaking the silence.
"Hmm?"
As we enjoyed our meal, I recalled something from our conversation during the cultural festival's wrap-up party.
"Remember the business card the manager from Emily's agency gave you?"
"Oh, that. I haven't done anything with it."
"I see."
"I'm not interested in the entertainment industry."
"That's good to hear."
"Good to hear?"
Her puzzled expression was endearing. She would undoubtedly become a star if she entered the entertainment world.
"If you joined StarBlossom, you'd probably be as popular as Emily, right?"
"Do you think so?"
"Yeah. But if that happened, we wouldn't get to see each other much."
"..."
"So, it's a relief that you're not interested in showbiz."
"I wouldn't want to be apart from you either... so, that's why..."
"Yeah..."
Though we both fell silent, the atmosphere remained warm. I took a sip from my glass before speaking again.
"Jess..."
Carefully choosing my words to keep the mood light, I continued the Christmas party, keeping the true purpose of the evening in mind. I smiled, ensuring she wouldn't sense my rising anticipation, and continued enjoying the festive moment with her.