new year blessings

[anakiddwrites]

 Hajime returns to his dorm room after his first New Year as ES idol.

Inspired by one of Mayoi's home lines ingame, where he mentions he wrote new year cards for everyone!
 

Hajime opened the door with a deep sigh, wearing a tired smile and taking a look around the empty dorm room bathed by the first beams of morning sun. He was the first one to come back after that New Year celebration, the busiest of his life so far as an idol of Ensemble Square.

“Happy New Year… ~ ♪” He hummed to the silence, eager to rest his body after a marathon of jobs revolving around the holiday, an experience excellent for his career, but the unavoidable impact on his routine was weighing on his heart as well.

Even if his family flooded him with loving, proud messages and cried during a quick video call, he couldn’t help missing the warm hugs from mama, papa and siblings to welcome the new year. But the picture of their abundant party meal - for their standards at least - was a reminder that everything was worth it. 

What was a little bit of loneliness compared to so many blessings he was able to provide for his loved ones? 

“Don’t be selfish” , he whispered to himself as his head touched the pillow and his whole self sunk in the mattress, an empty purple gaze looking up to the ceiling and beyond. 

An inviting moment for his mind to start going places, but a weird feeling under his pillow brought him back before he lost himself in deeper thoughts.

“Hm?” He blinked in curiosity, turning on his bed and sliding a hand under the pillow, surprisingly finding a small envelope addressed to him.

“Oh? Who?” Hajime looked around once again, as if the discovery could summon the mysterious sender, but no presence was perceptible and he stared back at the letter, carefully opening it and instantly smiling at its contents.

“A card!!! Ah, how lovely… ~ ♪ a bunny playing in the snow… so cute… ehe… ~ ♪” 

His cheeks blushed as he read the heartwarming message on the homely New Year’s card, admiring the illustration for a few moments too. There was no signature and he didn’t recognize the handwriting, but he pressed it against his chest like a gift from a dear friend.

Probably the person had no idea it had arrived at a perfect time to counter some lurking shadows in his heart.

“Thank you… ~ ♪ I wish you a lovely New Year too ~ ”

Hajime placed the card against the lamp on his nightstand, gazing at it with gratitude before bundling himself in his blanket with a soft smile, planning to call his family for lunch in a few hours. Hopefully they would have time…

Falling asleep in a matter of seconds, he didn’t hear the quirky giggles coming from the vents.

“H-h-happy New Year,,,,,... aaaangel…,,, ~ tthankssforreaadingit…”.