Chapter 28

## Chapter Chronology

**"A jingling Christmas"** (Kanji, *Romaji*?) is the 28th chapter of Misaki Takamatsu's manga series, *Skip and Loafer*.

## Summary

As the end of the year approaches, Mitsumi receives her final scores and is pleased because she has rescued her spot at the top of the freshman class (believing it to be "the best souvenir" to bring back to her family). Because Christmas Eve is the same day as their end of term ceremony, Mitsumi, Mika, Yuzuki, and Kurume plan a private KFC party after school. However on the following day, Yamada proposes that everyone in the class goes bowling instead. While Yuzuki protests this in favor of the all girls party, Mika insists they all join the class party so they can enjoy their youth.

Shortly afterwards, Mitsumi comes into class, noticeably distressed by the cold. When asked abut how Tokyo's climate differs from Hokuriku's, she states that she underestimated Tokyo's wind and dryness. Upon hearing this confession, Mika notices Mitsumi's dry hands and offers her some hand cream, leading to the latter expressing how much she likes the smell of it. Shima pays attention to the two girl's interaction, but the class quickly goes back to planning for their bowling party.

After class, Yamada invites Shima and Mukai go to a shopping center as he looks for a winter jacket. Mukai expresses his disinterest in fashion, but sticks around as his friends shop. As Mukai and Yamada walk around the shopping center, they overhear two men talking about the clothing brands they think a woman would like and infer that they must be planning to buy gifts for their girlfriends. At the same time, Shima is looking for a consumable gift for Mitsumi to thank her for the kindness she's shown him over the past year, citing hand cream might be a good idea.

Mukai and Yamada are visibly shocked and ask if he and Mitsumi are dating, as they have been suspicious of this for a while. Shima profusely insists that they are not dating and reaffirms that his only intention is to show gratitude for their friendship. The two boys warn Shima that they think Mitsumi may get the wrong idea and think she's getting special treatment because he has romantic feelings for her. As they leave, Mukai wonders why Shima, a person who purposefully distances himself from girls, desires to be so close to Mitsumi.

When school concludes for the year, a group of 5 girls (excluding Kurume due to her spending all her money on books) and 5 guys split into 2 teams for their bowling contest. Mitsumi's poor performance leads to her asking Mika for advice. Mika playfully refuses to help because they are on opposing teams, so Shima gives Mitsumi advice instead. Two girls in the group tell Mistumi she can watch a recording of her play on the screen; however, Mika notices that their actual goal is to put as much space as possible between Mistumi and Shima. Privately, Shima wonders if "this" counts as caring to much and thinks back to his previous conversation about lacking consideration with respect to Mitsumi's feelings. Shima is so preoccupied with his thoughts that it leads to a gutter ball. Full of confidence, Mistumi says that she will make up for it. She only knocks down two pins, but is proud of her results because she tried her best.

The students continue to play until its time for them to go out to eat. Mitsumi excuses herself, as she has dinner plans with Nao, so her friends wish her a happy new year and head off to the restaurant. She stays by the entrance to wait for Shima so she could say goodbye and wish him a happy new year. As the two walk off, Shima internally contemplates whether or not he should give Mitsumi the hand cream he purchased. On one hand, Shima wants to heed his friends' warning, but on the other hand, he thinks it's presumptuous to assume how Mitusmi will feel about the gift. He reflects on memories he's made with Mistumi over the school year and his genuine desire to thank her, but fears that his intention may actually be self serving instead. He ultimately decided to give her the unwrapped hand cream and rambles on about how its nothing serious. Mitsumi doesn't pay attention to what he's saying and joyfully expresses her gratitude, deciding that she'll use her hand cream sparingly as to not waste it. Shima thinks back to Yamada's warning that the gift may lead her to believe that she's special. Shima privately admits to himself that he wouldn't mind making her feel that way, coming to terms with the fact that the gift was self serving.