December 24th

It was that time of year again, huh?

A time where families come together, a time of joy.

Not this year.

Akio wanted me to meet her parents for the "first time"—big no.

"Tatsu-kun, c'mon...they want to see you! they havent seen you in so long."

"It'd be nice if you could see them, y'know... to let them know you're ok."

I guess she was right... It had been almost 5 years now...what did I have to lose?

Plus, it was for my "birthday surprise" or whatever.

So, I had to go.

December 24th was here.

Christmas in our city was in full swing; decorations by the masses.

That's when I saw her.

"Hey Tatsu-kun! Over here!"

I turned round.

Horror dropped on my face.

Her parents...they were here.

What do I do? I told her I wasn't ready. I know I was the one who agreed to come, knowing full well they were going to be here, but still.

My heart felt like it was about to burst right then and there.

Akio's dad's footsteps became louder.

No! don't get closer...I'm not..I-

"Hey, Kyoshiro-kun - or do you still prefer Tatsumi? Anyway, Yoko and I are so happy to see you after all these years. How's everything been?... With your injury and all.

What a warm and welcoming presence this man emitted.

"It's been ok, I guess... oh sorry, but I've kind of forgotten who you are."

"And Tatsumi is fine."

He just smiled.

"Alright, enough chitchat lets go!"

I was still clueless about where we were headed. Little did I know the extent of the "surprise" Akio had in store for me.

The whole way, Akio just smiled.

"So - Akio, are you gonna hurry and tell me where the hell you're taking me?"

Mischief was all over her face.

"Tatsu-kun...will you just shut up and wait! As I said, it's a surprise!"

Akio's face leaned up to my ear.

Her voice softened.

"If you're good, I'll give you a reward."

If "I was good?"I'm not her dog! Who does she think she is?

"Akio! That's not funny, seriously."

Akio's voice steadied.

"So... you're not falling for my teasing anymore. You've grown, Tatsumi."

Akio's face begins to pout.

Her voice sharpened.

"You could still act like you were flustered! It's embarrassing for me if you're not!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

I couldn't hide the smug look on my face.

"Tatsu-kun, stop looking all smug, you idiot!"

Just then, we entered an airport...

"Uhh, Akio, why are we here?"

She turned playful.

"Oh I dont know Tatsu-kun. Why were we here...I wonder."

She was seriously starting to confuse me...

So...we landed in America.

Such an Akio thing to do, I swear.

"Akio, when did you even get to plan this? And wait...does my mom know?-"

"Tatsumi! Stop being such a killjoy...of course, I told your mom in advance, what type of girlfriend do you take me for?"

A foolish one thats what.

She knew if she told me, I'd decline... so she brought me along in secret! She knows how I am with things like this thats why she didn't tell me!

Wait..., but she's doing it for me...I guess I should at least show a bit of gratitude.

I couldn't hold back the laughter.

"Tat-wait! Why are you laughing?"

The laughter just wouldn't stop.

My voice softened.

"Because...I love you."

Akio turns her head away from me.

"Hey! Its not fair when you do it, Tatsumi!"

Her face was as red as a tomato.

"Akio, Tatsumi, are you guys ok with sharing a room?" Akio's Mom said, with a mischievous look on her face.

Me...and...Akio, sharing a room? wait wait, hold on! I was seriously not prepared for this!

Dragging me to America is one thing, but now we have to share a room...alone?

My heart was about to burst.

"Thats fine with me mom!"

Akio couldn't hide her excitement if she tried.

My voice softened.

"I guess...that's fine."

As soon as those words left my mouth, Akio's eyes began to sparkle. I had yet to realize the extent this night would have on our relationship going forward.

Akio and I headed to our room.

As soon as we entered the room, the cold Icy shards of the American winter started to brush against our skin.

"brrrr, hey Tatsu-kun, you feel that?"

I was still shocked about sharing a room with her. Her words were drowned out.

Knowing how Akio is, she probably would spend the whole night teasing me...

"Tatsu-kun, you ok?"

I finally come back to my senses.

"What? Oh- yeah, I'm fine."

My head hung low.

"Cmon Tatsumi, I know that face whats wrong?"

"This is it, huh?"

"Our first...and last Christmas together."

I didn't know which scared me more - losing her, or pretending I was okay with it.

Akio wore a puzzled look.

"Tatsumi...what are you-"

"Do you really have to go? Do you really have to leave me again?"

"Tatsumi... I thought you wanted me to pursue my dreams? Even if that meant we were all those miles apart."

The tears began to flow.

"I know I'm being selfish... but can't you just stay in Japan?... just the two of us?

Akio wrapped her arms around me. That light that she had all those years ago was finally touching me once more. I was safe.

"Oh Tatsumi...I wish I could, but life sometimes throws us in different directions...even if it means being away from the one you love."

Silence filled the room.

We just sat there...embracing each other's warmth.

"You know, when you told me...about how I brought color back to your world?

"Deep down...I felt the same. I was too stubborn to admit it at the time, but Akio... you changed me. Back then, my world was cast in a thick cloud of hatred. Then, you came."

Akio's eyes became watery.

"My lonely high school life was shattered, all from just you being yourself. You practically barged into my life without knocking."

"Back then, I said I hated it, but I really didn't. Someone finally saw me."

Akio tightened her grip.

"If I wasn't going to do it, who was?"

Akio's voice softened

"When I saw you by your lonesome...like you were, it hurt me, y'know? This Kid who had everything stripped away from him, wasn't meant to be alone. No one in this world deserves to be."

Akio whispered.

"Like I was."

"Thats why I decided right then and there that I was gonna stick to you like glue - whether you like it or not! Then, when you started actively avoiding me thats when I stopped. I thought that'd It'd just be better to find out on your own. Sorry about that..."

My voice steadied.

"No... don't apologize. I was a brat to you back then. It must have hurt."

"I was mainly hurt because of how you lived, Tatsumi - not any of those petty insults you threw at me. The thing that hurt me the most was seeing you alone."

"I'm glad I finally broke through to you."

We wiped our tear-smeared faces.

"Tatsumi...I've been thinking about what you said...at karaoke. About how you said you want to marry me someday?"

"I know I sounded annoyed and embarrassed, but the truth is it's been on my mind ever since then. It made me really happy, even if it was just a joke-"

"I meant it."

"I really did."

Akio could do nothing but smile.

I grasped Akio's hand.

"Tatsumi...will you wait for me?"

"Someday, when I return from America... I'd love to be your bride."

Silence.

We just smiled.

"Truth is, Tatsumi, I brought you out here because I wanted to hear what you actually thought. I knew you were just lying to make me happy at school. I thought the only way that I was going to get it out of you was when you saw the real thing. I know you don't like these types of things...sorry.

"I love you, Akio."

Akio's head rests on my shoulder.

"I love you too, Tatsumi...happy birthday."