Chapter 17: The Angel’s New Year Wish

The New Year arrived with fireworks and laughter, and for the first time, I found myself spending it with someone special. Mahiru and I stood on my apartment balcony, watching the city lights shimmer under the bursts of color in the sky.

"Did you make a wish for the New Year?" I asked, looking at her.

Mahiru smiled softly, wrapping her scarf tighter around herself. "I did."

"Oh? What is it?"

She hesitated before responding, her voice quiet but firm. "That we can stay together… just like this."

I felt my heart swell at her words. Without thinking, I pulled her into a hug, pressing my chin against her soft hair. "That's my wish too."

She let out a content sigh, and in that moment, I knew—we had found something truly irreplaceable.