There's a saying: "Time waits for no one."
No matter what happens, regardless of one's subjective desires, time continues to flow, gradually moving from 1998 to 1999—the start of the 20th century, the final year.
In the past year, Shinji has experienced many things and encountered many people. There were good things and bad things, good people and bad people. All of these experiences have become his motivation, supporting his continuous growth.
It can be said that without them, there would be no Shinji as he is now.
In the new year, Shinji will continue to strive and do more. For Sakura, for Fujino, for Touko, for Justeaze, for the Matou family, for every person he cherishes and every person who cherishes him, he will become stronger and gain more power.
I am Shinji Matou, and I will protect everything I cherish—my resolve since coming here has not wavered, and it won't in the future.
In Fuyuki City, in the Matou mansion, in his room, Shinji pulls open the curtains, welcoming the first ray of dawn in 1999.
"Shinji, are you awake? If you are, hurry up and change your clothes. We're about to leave," He heard the urging voice from outside the door.
Because of their morning exercises, Shinji has always been the earliest riser in the family, while his father, Byakuya, is usually one of the last. However, the first day of the new year is an exception.
Most traditional Japanese people start queuing up for their visit on the night of December 31st. However since the Matou family is considered an outsider to Japanese customs, they are not so strict in adhering to the local traditions. They have decided to do Hatsumode in the early morning of January 1st. This way, they can catch the first wave of visitors at midnight and avoid the second wave in the morning.
On this day, the entire Matou family wakes up at 6 a.m., and as the head of the family, Byakuya wakes up even earlier to prepare for the most solemn shrine visit of the year.
According to Japanese ceremonial attire, formal clothing is required for Hatsumode. This formal attire is called a "kimono," a complex traditional Japanese garment that is quite troublesome to wear. That's why the members of the Matou family wake up so early, spending half of their time on grooming and dressing up.
During this period, Shinji pretends to be sleeping on purpose, trying to avoid wearing the kimono.
Yes, Shinji doesn't want to wear a kimono.
Admiring something is one thing, but he feels that a kimono looks good only when worn by a woman. Additionally, a suit aligns more with his style.
"They're here."
Responding apathetically, Shinji opens his wardrobe and randomly selects a suit to change into before leaving his room.
"Father, Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
Seeing his son's attire, Byakuya sighs, "Another suit? Why don't you want to wear a kimono? You used to when you were younger."
In Byakya's memory, his son was no different from other children until the age of six when that incident occurred. Overall, the change was for the better, but there were stubborn attitudes in many trivial matters, just like now.
"Don't you get tired of saying the same thing every year? I just don't like it. Besides, our ancestors are from Europe, and no one will criticize this mixed-blood face." At this moment, Shinji is extremely grateful that he reincarnated as Shinji Matou and not as a pure-blooded Japanese person. Otherwise, he wouldn't even have this excuse.
"Suit yourself," Byakuya says, full of helplessness. Ever since he turned six, he couldn't control his son anymore.
"I'm sorry," Shinji lowers his eyelids.
"It's nothing, nothing serious," Byakuya waved his hand. "Let's go downstairs. Sakura and Fujino are already waiting for you."
In the living room of the Matou household, the other family members were already dressed up and ready.
When Shinji walked down the stairs, Sakura and Fujino hurriedly approached him.
"Brother, Happy New Year."
"Shinji, Happy New Year."
Shinji responded one by one:
"Sakura, Happy New Year. Fujino, Happy New Year. Mother, Happy New Year. Uncle, Happy New Year."
The last two sentences were directed at his stepmother, Elsa, and his uncle, Kariya. Since it was their first shrine visit of the year, the whole family naturally gathered together.
"Shinji, Happy New Year," the two elders responded with a smile.
Regardless of the country, exchanging New Year greetings is an essential etiquette, offering good wishes for the brand new year.
After the greetings, Sakura couldn't wait and twirled in front of Shinji, asking as she spun, "Brother, do you think my new outfit looks nice?"
Sakura was wearing a newly tailored kimono. The colors of the kimono matched her name—pink base adorned with white petals, resembling the fluttering cherry blossoms of spring, a sight that captivated the eyes.
"It looks beautiful, really beautiful," Shinji smiled and reached out his hand, instinctively wanting to ruffle Sakura's hair.
However, this time Sakura didn't enjoy her brother's touch as she used to. Instead, she took a few steps back and pouted, "Don't touch. It will mess up my hair."
To match her Sakura-themed kimono, Sakura had tied up her long hair and adorned it with a cherry blossom hair accessory. The colors alternated between pink and purple-blue, with the red being more vibrant and the purple more pure.
Shinji awkwardly withdrew his hand and sheepishly rubbed his nose.
Fujino noticed Shinji's awkwardness and walked over to where Sakura had originally stood, saying, "I also changed into a new outfit, you know."
"I see, it suits you well," Shinji squinted his eyes, concealing a hint of unusual radiance.
Fujino in front of him gave him a sudden heart-fluttering feeling. Fujino's kimono was a contrasting sky blue compared to Sakura's. It was slightly lighter than her hair color. The kimono had no excessive decorations, relying only on the varying shades of blue, which created a pleasing and delightful sensation.
Even more exquisite was the natural layering effect between the color of the kimono and Fujino's long hair, making her already naturally beautiful appearance even more vibrant and captivating.
The slight allure brought about by the swaying of the hair ends carried a charm that belonged solely to a young girl, inadvertently stirring Shinji's heart.
Should one say, "A girl in our family has come of age"? Or should they say, "The grooming is a great success"?
Although the person uttering these words may not be quite appropriate in age.
PS: Shinji: I want to grow up fast!
PS2: He can't use his lower body yet. Sad.