Chapter 13

Chapter 13: 013, Showa 56, nothing really changes anyway

When he opened his eyes, it was the same ceiling—both unfamiliar and familiar.

This room was even smaller than the one at the Makino household, barely enough for a bed and a desk, though belongings could be stored in boxes inside the closet.

His old clothes no longer fit. He had to take out casual autumn-winter wear from his suitcase: fleece-lined thermal clothing, loose knitted cardigan, and other comfortable pieces.

Washing up had to be done downstairs.

Seeing him, Tsuruko said, “Onii-chan’s outfit feels really trendy. Is this what celebrities are wearing now?”

“No, this is fashion from thirty years in the future.”

“Hmph, what an outrageous claim.” Nobody believed the truth.

Aoki, his older brother, said, “Isn’t this too plain? No color at all. It’s New Year—shouldn’t it be more festive?”

So that red sock is your idea of festive spirit.

Today was the final day of preparations for the New Year meal. From the morning, the Nagayama household was busy. Since the father’s family ran an izakaya, even he was helping in the kitchen, while the children could only assist.

Preparing New Year’s meals for five people over three days was no small task. Even with everyone working together, it took until around 3 p.m., and lunch had been nothing more than something simple.

The waiting time before dinner was dull. Before NHK’s Red and White Song Festival, there was nothing particularly interesting on TV. The three siblings decided to go out for a walk.

By then, most shops were already closed. They walked along streets with traces of remaining snow.

After a short while, Tsuruko started complaining, “This is so boring. All the shops are closed, there’s no one around, and it’s so cold. We might as well stay home and watch TV.”

“You don’t often get to see such a quiet scene,” Aoki added.

“Onii-chan, is Tokyo also this empty during New Year? Do people there celebrate?” Tsuruko asked Naoki.

“Tokyo… I’ve never actually spent New Year’s there,” he replied.

“So you don’t know anything,” she teased in Kansai dialect.

“Still more than someone who never even left Shizuoka,” he shot back.

“Irritating…”

“But in Tokyo now, I’d say the streets are probably still lively. Department stores stay open, and there are year-end events. If you go downtown, there should still be lots of people. You can even go play pachinko if you want.”

Tsuruko’s eyes lit up. “I’m definitely going to Tokyo for university! I’ll become a city white-collar worker!”

“You mean a salaryman? That’s going to be tough.”

“Hey! At this time, aren’t big brothers supposed to encourage their little sisters?”

“Alright, alright. Do your best, Tsuruko.”

Naoki calmed his irritated sister.

Then Aoki suddenly said, “Naoki has changed a lot this year.”

“Yeah, I learned some styling and fashion, and started working out.”

“No, not that. Something else.”

Tsuruko jumped in again. “Yeah, Onii-chan used to be super gloomy.”

“Living alone in a big city changes people. Times are changing too fast—you have to change with them.”

Now Naoki had no fear of being suspected as a different person.

“That sounds very convincing,” Tsuruko said. “What are those styling tricks? Teach me!”

“Nope.”

“Tell me!”

They returned home, where their mother had already set the New Year’s table. The family gathered for the New Year’s meal while waiting for the Red and White Song Festival.

Suddenly Tsuruko pointed at the TV. “Onii-chan, isn’t that you?”

“Huh?”

On the screen was the soda commercial: a clean, handsome young man chasing a green plum from seed to fruit, finally turning it into a bottle of plum-flavored soda and drinking it with a bright smile.

“This is the taste of the green plum I love.”

It had been airing for a while, but this was Naoki’s first time seeing it.

Watching his own commercial with his family felt like a public execution-level embarrassment.

Nanako smiled. “Naoki really is handsome.”

The others also laughed warmly.

The festive atmosphere continued until the Red and White Song Festival. Everyone drank tea and ate snacks.

When Matsuda Seiko appeared on stage, Naoki couldn’t help thinking about the song he had sold. It should be released at the end of January—another small fortune on the way.

Before long, the program ended, and the TV switched to the sound of temple bells.

Within the 108 bells, the first year of the 1980s came to an end.

Japan, however, would continue its rapid growth—entering the bubble era in 1986, peaking in 1991, then falling into decline.

The morning of Showa 56 began just like any other day.

Even after staying up late, his young body felt no fatigue. The cold air outside sharpened his senses.

Nanako had already prepared breakfast—leftover New Year dishes reheated in hot water.

“Good morning, Okaasan. Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year, Naoki. You’re up early.”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Do you have plans for New Year’s?”

“Nothing special.”

He couldn’t say he just planned to stay home until the end of January.

“Oh right. New Year’s gifts—I brought gifts for everyone.”

“Really?”

“I heard that!”

Tsuruko had been waiting for this.

Normally, New Year’s gifts were prepared by parents—clothes, shoes, scarves—but since Naoki had become independent, he had brought them back himself.

He went to his room and brought them out: skincare products for his mother, cosmetics for Tsuruko. He had chosen them based on the recommendations of a sales clerk.

For his father and brother, he chose based on their interests: tea utensils for his father, who enjoyed tea, and a fishing rod for his older brother, who liked sea fishing.

Tsuruko and Nanako excitedly examined their gifts. His father silently put the tea set away. His brother immediately wanted to try the fishing rod.

On the first day of the New Year, the house was filled with happiness.