Christmas.

Not everyone has an exact definition of this day, some think that it is just capitalism to buy gifts and spend money, while others have the idea that it's a date when the family should be united, without import gifts or any of those material things.

In my opinion, Christmas is just a day when you can receive gifts, money and spend time with your family, in short, a combination of the two previous theories.

Now speaking of celebrating this day, I think it's time to go make breakfast, as my parents must still be sleeping. It's not that they worked late into the night or covered a night shift, but rather that they went to a bar to celebrate with their coworkers and came back late at night.

Normally it would be considered dangerous for a 15-year-old boy to go out late at night to a bar, but it was already recurring that on some occasions he would always remain unconscious while drinking, so it was already recurring for me to go looking for him, even the owner of the bar already knew me.

If I were not a minor, I would have no problem going to drink something, after all in my previous life it was recurrent that I drank when I went out with my friends, in addition to having good resistance to alcohol, I can even say that I cannot get drunk.

So, after greeting my dad's co-workers, I had to take it away. It might have been a difficult task for an average 15-year-old, but in that area, I am glad I am not average.

So, after bringing that old man into his room, I went to read until I got sleepy.

Once I took a shower, I decided to go down to the kitchen to start making breakfast.

As if it was a sign, Kuro also left my room in the direction of the kitchen, I guess he must be hungry.

After reaching the kitchen, look for the ingredients in the refrigerator, as well as the food for Kuro.

"You're lucky there's leftovers from yesterday."

"Nya." Kuro happily replied to my words as if he could understand them, although this is impossible, right?

After feeding Kuro, I started cooking.

After half an hour I had finished making breakfast, so now is the time to wake up the other members of my family.

So, I decided to start with Rumi, as the task of awakening those two would be more difficult, so it would be better to save it for last.

After reaching her room, I knocked twice on her door, but there was no response.

She probably stayed up late reading, so she must be a heavy sleeper.

So, I decided to go into her room.

I didn't know much about what an elementary school girl's room should look like, but I was sure having a shelf full of panda stuffed animals wasn't common.

And among all of Pan-san's stuffed animals, there was one that stood out more than all of them.

The XXXL edition of pan-san, which Rumi uses as a stuffed animal, which may be her favorite since she's usually sleeping with that one.

Remembering, that stuffed animal was a gift from her previous birthday.

Obtaining it, of course, was not easy, since the only way to achieve it was in a game on Disney land, specifically in the objective game, where you had to shoot down different panda-shaped targets 5 times in a row to be able to obtain it.

It was quite difficult, because the 5th target was moving too fast, and her movement pattern was too erratic for me to be able to read through.

So, after several unsuccessful attempts, I managed to get it, despite the fact that the person in charge of the position seemed quite reluctant to give it to me, at the end of the day it was almost impossible to achieve the 5 objectives, therefore, I still find the face of that subject funny.

You could say that this plush is impossible to get. If I showed it to some Pan-san fans, I'm sure they would be envious of such an acquisition.

I'd better stop rambling in my thoughts and wake Rumi right away.

"Rumi, it's time to get up, breakfast is ready."

She only said a few words that I could not understood as she spoke between dreams.

Weren't younger siblings supposed to be more responsible than older ones?

I guess you leave me no choice.

I walked over to her and tapped her forehead with my fingers.

"Ouch."

The hit was super effective, the target has awakened.

''Onii-chan, don't you think that was a bad way to wake someone up?'' Rumi said as she rubbed her forehead.

"I think it's rude not to respond to someone when they're talking to you." I pointed at her, to which she simply looked away from me.

"You must have been reading until dawn."

She avoided all eye contact.

I already guessed but this only confirmed my suspicions. I have no problem with her reading a lot, but since for someone her age, reading only stimulates her cognitive ability. But sleeping too little at a young age is bad.

I could only sigh.

''It's okay that you like to read, but don't stay up late because you need sleep to recover. No sleep, means no energy, you'll feel like a zombie."

"Tch." She seemed upset, after all, I was contradicting the argument that she supposed she was going to tell me.

You may be smarter than other kids your age, but you still have a long way to go to get over your older brother.

''Wash your face and come down for breakfast.'' She just nodded as she rubbed her eyes.

"By the way, good luck trying to wake those two up." Rumi said as she gave me her condolences.

''Don't mention it.'' I let out a sigh after saying this.

This is often difficult as they both sleep a lot, especially if my father sleeps after a night of heavy drinking.

Although this time I had an ace up my sleeve or rather, a little helper. It will be my last resort though.

So, I went to my parents room.

Knocking on the door is useless, as if they will wake up just by knocking on the door, if so it would save me a lot of work.

Once I entered his room, I was surprised that my mother was awake, she was reading on her laptop.

"Okasan, it's strange to see you up early on a day off."

"Oh, Raiden." It seemed she hadn't noticed me until I started talking. "I've had enough sleep, plus I had to finish reading some work files."

My mother has a job as a supervisor, and thanks to this position, she can request some vacation days.

"Breakfast is ready, so you should come for breakfast."

She was smiling after hearing this.

"I am happy to have a son who can take responsibility for these things."

''Don't mention it, I hope to see that joy on my allowance.''

"I understand, I understand, at least accept the congratulations before showing your interests."

I can understand where Rumi's way of being came from, mom is quite cunning and intelligent, as well as showing good dexterity in everything she does, of course doing this prevents her from spending a lot of time at home, so I can understand Rumi's attitude originally.

Although now Rumi has an older brother to talk to and be with.

Not bad, to be the first time that I have a younger sister.

"By the way Raiden, what are you going to do with this?" Mother pointed to the bulge that she had next to her.

''Yesterday he drank a lot with his coworkers, to the point that he had a hard time walking, so it's pretty hard to get him to get up.'' I said this as I looked towards the door.

"From your tone of voice, I can tell you have something on your mind, right?"

Was it so obvious? I guess I know where the way Rumi can easily read other people comes from.

''That's how it is. Hey Kuro"

After a few seconds, a ball of black fur appeared at the door.

Point to my father.

''Attack.''

Following my orders, Kuro jumped on top of my father and started licking his face.

If you have a cat or know something about him, you will know that his tongue, unlike that of dogs, is quite rough.

I was a victim of Kuro one day that I fell asleep and had forgotten to feed him, I woke up because I felt a pain on my face because Kuro had been licking me for a long time, and I can say that after a few seconds the pain he made is strong.

And as I predicted, father started trying to push Kuro away while he was still sleeping, unfortunately for him, Kuro is not someone who gives up easily, in fact, from his size and the way he is, I could tell that Kuro is quite badass.

After about 30 seconds of being licked by Kuro, Father got up.

"Hey Oyaji, how long are you going to keep sleeping?"

"Oh Raiden, you know that's no way to wake up your father.'' he said this as he rubbed his eyes and stroked Kuro.

"If you were a normal person and woke up easily, I wouldn't have to use Kuro as an alarm clock"

"Nya."

As if Kuro was proud of his act, Kuro meowed with pride. Sometimes I think this cat is smarter than he seems.

''But can't you expect me to wake up naturally?'' My father said, as he seemed somewhat irritated at having to get up.

"You can continue sleeping, but I will give your food to Kuro so you can continue sleeping. Also, don't expect lunch or dinner.''

"I understand, I understand, threats are not necessary, why can't you be more patient with your poor father?"

''Ah!? Let me remind you that I had to pick you up at a bar, since you were too drunk to walk.''

He just looked away and said nothing.

Of course, I don't mind when he does that, after all., as an adult I understand how important it is to relax when you have a hard workday, but I can still bother him with that.

"Raiden, can you stop making your father seem more miserable than he already is?" My mother said as she went to the bathroom to wash her face.

"Thank you for your words of support, darling'' My father seemed dejected.

"Then I'll wait for you in the dining room."

After saying this I went to the dining room.

"Your food, as always, is delicious, Raiden." my mother looked happy while she ate the breakfast I made.

"Even though I still don't approve of your actions earlier, you really did make a good breakfast, son." It seems my father was still upset by the way I woke him up.

It's normal, after all in my previous life I had to learn to cook because my mother was not at home, so if I didn't learn to cook, I just had to buy instant noodles, and eating them multiple times a day.

"By the way, Raiden, what high school are you planning to apply to?"

''I'm applying to Sobu High."

"I don't think you should underestimate that school, it's quite demanding, plus the admission rate is low." I already took some exams in school that are like the admissions ones, and I came out first, so it doesn't matter much to me, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to check a little.

''I'll keep that in mind, but thanks for the advice.'' Bow your head in appreciation.

"Don't worry about it."

"By the way Raiden, due to work, I didn't have much time to ask you, is it true that you brought girls to the house?" Said my mother

When dad heard this, he started coughing, it looks like he got stuck with food.

I watch Rumi, she avoided eye contact.

I guess I found the culprit.

It would be normal for someone my age to bring friends over to the house, but I never showed interest in that, other than her, but that was when I was 7 years old, so it didn't count. That is why at this age bringing girls home can only mean something, and for a mother it is not a good thing.

"First, it's not what you're thinking, and Rumi is a witness, second, they are classmates from school and academy, so I became friends with them, so to speak."

"So, you won't deny that you brought girls to the house?"

"I'm not going to deny it." I replied as looking at her.

Mom's look was terrifying.

"I think you are old enough to tell yourself this, plus you are much more mature than any boy your age, so I will tell you, if you are going to have sex, use protection"

Both Dad and I started coughing, we had choked on food because of her words, I didn't expect Mom to say that.

Rumi seemed lost at mother's words, I'm glad she doesn't understand her meaning.

''Don't you think a mother shouldn't say that?''

"Honey, Raiden is right, I don't think you should bring this up while we eat, besides he's responsible enough to do that kind of thing at his age"

I guess he can sometimes act like a responsible father.

Mother looked thoughtful.

"You're right, but I already said what I had to say, so it's no longer necessary."

Sometimes she can act so nonchalant that she seems like someone else.

After our little conversation, we continued eating, while Mom asked Rumi how she was doing in school.

After finishing our breakfast, it was time to give the Christmas presents.

Both the gift I bought for Rumi was part of me and my parents, so there weren't many gifts to give that day.

"Rumi, this is part of 3, although it is more of my part since I was the one who bought it," I said with pride.

"Can I remind you who gave you the money?" Father said as he lifted his glasses like it was a move that would make him look better.

"Thank you, Onii-chan" victory for the older brother.

I could see my father's downcast look, good luck next time.

Rumi came over and gave me a hug, then she too proceeded to hug our parents. At least now he no longer looked downcast.

"You should open it Rumi." said my mother, she was also curious about what I had bought for Rumi.

After Rumi finished opening the box, she came out the Christmas bread that I had bought for her. She looked pretty happy about it, after all, she adores that panda.

Mom also looked happy, although Dad looked somewhat doubtful, Since Rumi has several of those, so he surely thinks that pan-san is another equal.

Although after the mother's look, he was also happy for her gift, I can say that Japanese women are always in control in a relationship, it is quite scary.

"Although we don't spend a lot of time together, I'm glad I have wonderful children like you two." Mother looked quite proud after saying this.

''I also think the same Okasan, although at first it was a bit difficult, thanks to Onii-chan who was always there for me, I could understand that it is thanks to you that we can live comfortably and I know that it is also difficult for you, but what they do for us, so it would be very selfish to blame them for not being able to spend a lot of time with us.''

This would have been difficult for Rumi if she had been alone, but as an older brother my job was to support her and answer any questions, she had regarding this, so she knows that blaming our parents for not spending a lot of time at home is not her fault; they do it to make sure they give us a good life.

"How do I have such a beautiful daughter?" My mother started hugging Rumi and she hugged her back too.

It's a beautiful thing to see, maybe I don't know what Rumi's relationship with her parents was like in the original story, but at this point I can say that they get along very well.

I could not help but shed a tear when remembering things from my past life, but I quickly wiped away that tear, since living in the past did not bring anything good, and only being sad about things that would not return, would only make me stop paying attention to the present.

"Raiden." Hearing my name brought me out of my thoughts.

Father extended his hand towards me.

"Thanks for taking care of Rumi."

I responded with a handshake.

''Don't worry, I'm her older brother, so taking care of her is my job.''

Thinking about the past wouldn't change anything, so I can only enjoy the present.

''So, you're done with this, what do you want for lunch?''

We just had breakfast and my mother is already asking what we want for lunch, how can she eat so much when she doesn't get any physical activity in?

"I want a hamburger.'' Rumi replied briskly.

''I want hamburger too.'' I said with a cheerful tone.

I woke up to the pain I was feeling.

When I looked where it was coming from, I could see a black spot that was on my side.

"I guess you want to go out?"

"NYA"

When I looked at the time, I realized that it was already 2 in the morning, I guess I can go down and have a drink.

Opening the door, Kuro quickly left my room, the call of nature is strong, huh.

Checking the shelves, I realized that the cans of Max Coffee had run out, Rumi must have finished the last one.

It only remains to go out and buy something, of course, I will not go to a store, I will only go to the nearest vending machine and buy one.

Normally it would be dangerous for me to go out for hours as I might find people who just cause trouble, not that I have a problem with that.

Also, today is the new year, so I doubt that something like that will happen.

That's right, today is January 1, so another year in this world is over.

I went back to my room, took my keys, my wallet and went out to buy a drink.

At first, I did not believe that I was in another world, after all, nobody knows what it is after death.

Although I do not know exactly if my case is something that always happens or I was an exception.

Maybe being run over ensures you go to another world?

Even if I thought about it, I would have no answer.

Once I got to the vending machine, I put a coin in, and then a can of Max Coffee fell, definitely nothing better than a drink on a night like this.

At the beginning of last year, I thought it would be the same as other years, but to my surprise, there were many things that I did not anticipate.

How to make friends with Yumiko and Kawasaki.

Thinking about how things happened, it seems that I was very unlucky.

Finishing up in the hospital because of my negligence was the reason why I got to meet Yumiko, of course, I didn't know, since I only thought that she was a normal girl, I never expected that she would be the future fire queen of Sobu High.

After that came our meeting at the school; it was a surprise to know that we were going to the same school.

To think that thanks to that I received a letter asking me to meet with the sender behind the school, of course I had suspicions, but I also had no reason not to go.

In the end, I ended up getting some blows from other students, plus everything was orchestrated by the girls who made fun of Yumiko. It was a plan to bend her will.

Although those 4 got what they deserved in a rather peculiar way, I would say.

To think that that same day I would have the opportunity to take revenge on those 4 was quite surprising, although what surprised me the most that day was finding Kawasaki at the Karate Academy.

As I did not know her past, it was obvious that it was a surprise to find her in that place, besides I fought against her, of course, it was my victory.

A few days later I found out that the girl I helped was nothing more nor less than Miura Yumiko, when I found out about that I knew that my days of tranquility were over, although it is not that I did not like spending time with her.

A week later I injured Kawasaki, so I had to help her mobilize to recover, thanks to that I was able to know more about her, and you could say that we became friends.

Although everything might have changed that day, if I hadn't heeded my hunch, I wouldn't know what would have happened.

In the end, I took care of those two and took Kawasaki. That night I found out why she was the way she was, I could only tell her the obvious, after all she was thinking wrong, or so I believed.

After talking to her and saying a few things to her, I made Kawasaki have the same attitude that she is known for.

Although now she has no qualms about teasing me.

To think that all that happened in this year, I don't want to imagine what will happen when I enter Sobu High, I hope it is not something that is out of my plans.

"Hey boy, you don't think it's dangerous to be on the street at this hour?"

"It's true, so we can walk you home, of course, you should thank us properly."

When I looked at where the voices were coming from, I realized that it was two people, maybe they were around 25 years old. You didn't have to be smart to know what they really wanted.

"Don't worry, I know how to take care of myself.''

"It seems he doesn't understand us." one of them said as he approached me.

"Join us for a moment." said the other as he approached as well.

Maybe I would not know what to expect this year, although I know that I will continue to do things my way, after all, this is how I want to live my life. Because if I don't, I feel my memories will destroy me

I squeezed the can I was holding and tossed it in the trash.

"Go ahead." I said this in a provocative tone

I guess getting a little exercise before going back to sleep wouldn't hurt.