Even after hanging up however, she didnât move for a time. The reality of what sheâd done was starting to set in. She did it. She finally did it. Sheâd been holding onto all of those feelings for so long, it was weird to have them out in the air now. But she did it. Without thinking, she started to cry. This time felt different than all of the others though. Usually her tears were forced out by the crushing weight of her emotions, but this time her body felt light, free even. It was like all of the burdens her mother had placed on her over the years were finally lifted. She was sobbing, yes, but she was also smiling. Probably an odd response to a conversation like this, but she just felt wholly relieved.
Just as she was starting to calm down, she felt her phone buzz again. Her bleary eyes looked down, seeing the âHappy New Yearâ messages popping up in the Kitchen group chat. Huh, it was midnight, wasnât it. A soft smile came to her face, and she sent a well-wish of her own. She even sprung for an exclamation point too. Festive.
God, she really needed something to help her settle down after all of that though. She thought for a moment, remembering the unopened bottle of wine in her fridge. Ochimizu had given it to her on her birthday, telling her to save it for a âspecial occasionâ. Well, now was as good a time as any right? Nozomi stood, going to retrieve the bottle. No cork, her manager knew she didnât have a corkscrew, so she just popped it open, turned on some jazz music, and returned to her seat.
âTo new beginnings,â she said to herself, holding the bottle high in a toast before tipping it back for a draught.