Break Down: Christmas Eve

Today I am going to write my part of life, what happened today. I wrote this in our diary.This is my university.In the stadium, a group of students were practising dance. Sweat ran down their faces as they repeated the steps again and again. After a few minutes, they finally stopped, exhausted.A boy suddenly said,“Hey guys, have you heard of Open Gangnam Style?”Another boy replied,“Yeah! I heard it’s really cool and super vibey.”He took out his phone and played the song. The music started, loud and energetic, and everyone began dancing again, laughing and moving without care.At that moment, I opened the door.“Hey guys, how’s it going… wait, is that song—?”“Yes!” one of them shouted. “Why don’t you join us?”I tried to resist, but they surrounded me and dragged me in. And honestly… the song itself forced my body to move. Before I realised it, I was dancing too.Just then, the door opened again.A girl walked in and began clapping.“Wow… what a beautiful view.”I froze instantly. I hid my face with my hands.She smiled mischievously and said,“So this is what a student council assistant does instead of working. I only asked you to help me with the graduation ceremony, and here you are, dancing with the dance club.”I sighed.“And what is the student council vice head doing here, my dear Yuzuki?”She rolled her eyes.“Enough. Let’s go to the office. I have work for you.”We left the room and walked through the hallway together.As we walked, we noticed someone standing quietly at the corner of the corridor.It was Etsuko.Both Yuzuki and I saw him.She whispered,“Wait… is that your friend?”I nodded.“Why isn’t he approaching you?” she asked. “And why aren’t you approaching him?”I answered softly,“Because no one wants a betrayed wolf near them.”We passed by Etsuko without making eye contact.“You’re not a betrayed wolf,” Yuzuki said.I snapped back,“Stop barking.”She burst out laughing.“Wolves don’t bark.”We both laughed as we reached the office.Inside, Yuzuki handed me a stack of papers and assigned me more work. After a while, a boy left the office, then came back and called out to me.“Isamu, a girl is waiting for you.”Yuzuki looked at me and shouted loudly,“Oh? Is that your girlfriend?”Everyone in the office stared at me. My face burned red.I opened the door.It was Noa.“Hey,” I said, surprised. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have school?”She frowned.“Idiot. Today is Sunday.”“Oh…” I scratched my head. “Right. I forgot because of all the student council work.”“I heard,” she said quietly. “From Etsuko.”My chest tightened.She handed me a lunchbox.“Here. A little gift.”“Come,” I smiled. “Let’s eat together. You choose the place.”“You choose.”“What about the rooftop?”She nodded.On the rooftop, I sat down and leaned my back against the wall. Noa gently leaned her head on my shoulder.I looked up at the sky and said without thinking,“The deeper I travel into space, the more beautiful life I see.The deeper I fall into you, the universe feels the same.”She lifted her head, shocked.“Is that poetry? It’s really nice. Why don’t you become a writer?”“If that’s what you think,” I smiled, “then I’ll become a writer… for you.”She stood up, smiling brightly. The sunlight behind her made her look like an angel.“Okay, time’s over,” she said. “I have to go. See you tomorrow at the festival.”She kissed my forehead and ran away.I stood there, completely frozen.Then I heard laughter.Yuzuki had seen everything. She climbed onto the rooftop, laughing uncontrollably.I pushed her out and slammed the door.“Okay, okay! Sorry!” she laughed. “I’ll leave! I have work anyway!”After she left, I felt dizzy.“It’s been a tough day…” I muttered.“Why do I feel like this…?”My legs gave out.As I collapsed, I whispered,“Etsuko… is that you?”Darkness.When I opened my eyes, I shouted,“Etsuko! Where are you?!”No one was there.“…Just a dream,” I said quietly.When I stood up, something bumped against my foot.A juice box.I smiled.“Etsuko…”I picked it up and stood near the railing, drinking it as a cold breeze passed through me.And then, I remembered.

It was Christmas Eve. I was twelve… maybe thirteen.

I went to the mall to see the Christmas tree decorations. They were always beautiful. After getting permission from my parents, I went alone.

The tree was heavenly.

While I was admiring it, a boy suddenly started climbing it.

Everyone panicked. People shouted at him to come down. Guards were called—but he didn’t stop.

He reached the top and placed the star.

It shone brilliantly.

For a moment, he looked like Zeus descending from the heavens.

When he climbed down, the guards rushed toward him—but he jumped onto his bike and escaped.

I laughed and chased after him on my own bike.

“Stop following me, dude!” he shouted.

“Game over!” I laughed back.

We raced through the quiet streets until we reached a small hill. He skidded and fell.

I fell too—right on top of him.

We both sat there, laughing under the silent Christmas night.