New Year

In the dorm room, Eiji sits in a chair, wearing headphones and watching streaming videos on his laptop.

He's getting bored of watching isekai anime lately. Therefore, he seeks other entertainment to replace anime.

Then, he becomes interested in watching streamers doing unique and bizarre things to attract viewers.

For example, Eiji is currently watching a female streamer eating extreme food like insects.

"Such bravery, many men are afraid of cockroaches, but this woman is frying and eating them."

Watching the streamer eat fried cockroaches mixed with rice, she seems to be really enjoying it.

"This is your medical bill if you experience complications."

Controlling the mouse, Eiji donates ¥500,000.

As a result, the female streamer is astonished to see how much money the viewer named 'Void' donated.

Not only her, but other viewers who see this are shocked too. Subsequently, a flood of comments fills the screen.

Eiji suddenly receives many friend requests from various accounts.

Who wouldn't want to be friends with a generous person who can casually donate ¥500,000.

Unfortunately, Eiji doesn't accept all friend requests. He doesn't like people with hidden motives towards him.

"It's time."

Glancing at the clock in the corner of the monitor, he realizes it's now 12:03 AM.

Closing his laptop, Eiji stands up and starts putting on winter clothes.

After getting dressed, he slides the door open, but sees two unexpected people.

"Panda, Toge, what are you doing standing in front of my room door?"

"Happy New Year, Eiji."

"Salmon."

"Happy New Year."

Responding to their greetings, Eiji closes the door and walks down the corridor with both of them.

Today is the first day of the new year, January 1, 2018.

"We want to invite you to the temple for Hatsumode. Maki and Yuta are also coming, how about it?" Panda asks.

"Thank you for your invitation, but I already have plans."

"Too bad, I should have invited you earlier."

"Tuna mayo."

Toge nods in agreement, feeling disappointed they couldn't be together.

"..."

Seeing Eiji silent without intending to give comforting words, Panda smiles meaningfully, deciding to tease him.

"Let me guess, you're doing Hatsumode with the girl from the candy store, right?"

"That's correct." Eiji doesn't deny it.

"Who is she? Older sister or younger sister?"

"Salmon roe."

Just like Panda, Toge shows interest in the topic of romance.

""Both of them."

"Wow! You're a gigolo, Eiji."

"Salmon!"

"Our relationship is not what you think."

Seeing Panda and Toge's exaggerated reactions, Eiji is slightly displeased.

"Come on, Eiji, don't be embarrassed. We won't tell anyone that you have a shimaidon fetish."

Panda covers his mouth with his left hand to hide his grin, and his right hand nudges Eiji.

"Salmon."

Toge gives a thumbs up, showing his admiration.

"It's up to you."

Eiji isn't the type of person who cares about others' opinions of him. He doesn't need to explain anything to others.

Since Panda and Toge believe in that, just let it be. Besides, it doesn't actually harm him.

"Give my regards to Yuta and Maki."

Not wanting to hear nonsense anymore, Eiji teleports away.

"Ah, he's running away!"

❀❀❀

Appearing on the rooftop of the Onodera Family's candy store, Eiji is greeted by snow and the cold temperature of winter.

"Sigh."

White mist appears every time he exhales.

"This winter is colder than the winters in previous years. I hope it's not a bad sign."

Knowing the plot will start in six months, Eiji feels an urgency to increase his strength.

His luck has been so bad that he doubts if he's hated by the Goddess of Fortune.

"Forget it, let nature take its course. Besides, as long as Sukuna doesn't swallow all his fingers, I'm sure he's no match for me and Satoru Nii-san."

Rubbing the Storage Ring on his right ring finger, Eiji feels safer knowing he has secured Sukuna's finger. Thus, Sukuna will never be able to rise to his peak power again.

"..."

Stopping himself from thinking about heavy topics, Eiji heads towards the door.

Since he more often uses the rooftop door than the front door, Nanako never locks the rooftop door so Eiji can enter directly.

"Happy New Year, Nanako-san."

In the living room, he sees Nanako lying under the kotatsu table while watching the New Year's broadcast on TV.

"Oh, you're here, Eiji. Geh, don't you have any other clothes besides your school uniform?"

Turning lazily, Nanako is disappointed to see her 'future son-in-law' dressed as usual.

"I like this high school uniform." Eiji replies lightly.

"Whatever, even if I ask you to wear a yukata, you'll probably refuse."

"Yeah."

"Sigh~"

In fact, Nanako is very satisfied with her 'future son-in-law'. Eiji is not only strong, handsome, wealthy, and from an influential family, but also very caring towards her daughter.

The only flaw of Eiji is not showing emotions, which makes others unable to guess what he's thinking.

However, Nanako doesn't mind. No one is perfect, and Eiji is no exception. On the contrary, if Eiji were too perfect, it would make her afraid.

"Eh, why didn't Mom tell me that Kamiki-kun has arrived!"

"Men waiting for women to get dressed is normal."

Ignoring her eldest daughter's complaints, Nanako continues watching TV.

"..."

Hearing a sound behind him, Eiji turns around and sees Kosaki looking even prettier and more charming than usual.

Kosaki is wearing a pink yukata with yellow and red flower patterns, her hair is tied up in a bun with a butterfly ribbon.

"H-How do I look, Kamiki-kun...?"

Stared at by him, Kosaki waits for his answer nervously and anticipates.

"Beautiful."

"Thank you for your compliment."

Although just one word, Kosaki is very happy.

Knowing Eiji's character who doesn't like lying, she knows he's telling the truth.

"Boy, don't you have any other words? My daughter dressed up specially for you, you should praise her properly!"

Nanako scolds Eiji for his lack of appreciation.

"Mom! Stop talking nonsense!"

Blushing, Kosaki doesn't expect her mother to expose this embarrassing matter in front of Eiji.

"Sorry, I'm not good with words." Eiji admits his shortcoming.

"It's okay, Kamiki-kun is not wrong, I'm already very happy to hear your praise."

"Tsk, you're not even married yet, but you're already defending him."

"Mom!!"

Kosaki panics even more and asks her mother to stop talking.

"..."

Watching the harmonious family interaction, Eiji can't help but feel jealous.

Although the Gojo Family has never mistreated him and has taken care of him well. In the end, they are not his real family.

"Why is it so noisy? The sound even reaches my room."

Descending the stairs, Haru complains. Seeing Eiji, she tidies her hair with her fingers.

"So Kamiki-kun has come... Why didn't anyone tell me?! If I knew, I would have come down sooner."

"How does my youngest daughter look, Eiji? Beautiful, right?"

Nanako puffs out her chest and looks proud.

To be able to give birth to two beautiful daughters, she believes she has superior genes.

"..."

"D-Don't look at me..."

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Haru feels embarrassed to be looked at by Eiji.

For her first Hatsumode in this world, she carefully chose a yukata.

Wearing a red yukata with blue flower patterns, her braided hair is tied with a hairpin in the shape of a sunflower.

"Um. Beautiful."

After a simple observation, Eiji gives the same compliment.

"You must have said the same thing to Onee-chan, right?"

Hiding the joy in her heart, Haru's guess is correct.

"Let's go."

Not wanting to answer, Eiji walks to the door.

"We're leaving, Mom." Kosaki bids farewell.

"Have fun!" Nanako waves her hand casually.

Leaving the candy store, Eiji walks accompanied by Kosaki and Haru on both sides.