Yohei: In the Light of Christmas

“Flash events?” Yohei asks, following his pacing manager with his eyes. “That should be fun.”

“Yes, and more importantly, good PR.” Tanaka stops for a moment, looking at the pile of boxes stacked on a side table in his office. “We’ll do the usual Christmas giveaways on social media, but it’s good to add something more personal as well. The Seika Tokyo deal is great, but it’s making you look untouchable. We need to reinforce the more familiar side of your image.”

“Right. The idol next door vibe.”

“Yes. The special collection with you and RAYNA is perfect for some short events. People can buy them, and you'll give autographs, chat with fans, take some selfies… ”

“Great idea. Are we announcing them beforehand?”

“No, we keep them as surprises during the week before Christmas. We’ve contacted several suitable stores in Tokyo and Osaka, and they’re all very positive. I’m thinking around half an hour per event, spread out over four or five days. We can squeeze in some interviews as well.”

“Sounds perfect.” And busy… making it even harder for him to arrange alone time for himself and Aoi-chan. Even though he loves these kinds of events, getting close to the fans, he had hoped to spend a quiet Christmas with her…

“What about Christmas Eve? Are we taking the day off?” he asks cautiously, crossing his fingers.

“Off?” Tanaka laughs. “There’s no such thing. I’ve arranged for a special show with Kijima-san in the evening. Two hours, lots of music, intimate talk, taking fan calls… Very cozy.”

“That should be very popular.” Inwardly, he groans; he wanted to take Aoi out for a romantic dinner that night. “So, it’ll just be me? No Reina-chan?”

“No. While your alleged romance is doing its job, for Christmas, you should be more available. Most of the fans listening will be those not out on dates themselves…”

“Right.” That’s something at least. The deeper his feelings for Aoi are becoming, the harder it’s become to keep up his semi-official relationship.

Tanaka glances at the clock on the wall, frowning.

“Speaking of Reina-chan, I wonder what’s keeping them.”

“Probably stuck in traffic,” Yohei suggests. He puts a hand on the pile of boxes. “So all the holiday merch is ready?”

“Yes, just waiting to be picked up.”

Tanaka stops pacing and takes a seat at his computer. “Did your assistant ask you about getting gifts for your family?”

“She did. We selected some high-end kitchen appliances and a seasonal gift basket for my parents. And a generous gift card for my brother. There's this sports shop he really likes.”

Then there's Aoi's gift... but that one he'll handle himself.  He just needs to find the right jeweler…

“Excellent,” Tanaka says, just as there’s a polite knock on the door. “Ah, here they are.”

As soon as they’re inside, Reina’s manager heads to Tanaka’s desk while she drifts over to Yohei.

“Hi there, Ryo-kun,” she smiles, waving a large, rather thick envelope. “I’ve brought work for us.”

“How kind of you…” He rolls his eyes only to be met with merry laughter.

They take a seat on the small sofa, and she places the envelope and two marker pens – one pink, one white – on the table.

“Some of our joint photos need signing. I figured we’d take care of it while they,” she nods to the two managers now deeply focused on whatever is on the computer screen, “handle the boring stuff.”

“Sure thing.” He opens the envelope, spilling the photos onto the table. There are smiling portraits, as well as whole body images of them in various outfits and poses. He picks up the white pen and pushes the other one closer to her. “I assume you want the pink one…”

“Thank you. And yes.”

They work in silence for a while, then Reina pauses, taps her chin with the pen as she looks thoughtfully at him.

“You know, I was sceptical at first, but having an official boyfriend really isn’t bad.”

“I haven't really thought about it,” he lies, then smiles. “But, I must admit I’ve enjoyed our collab. It’s been a nice change working with someone. You always have the rest of Roselune around, but I’ve been working solo.”

“I know some fans hate it, but most seem happy for us. And… we make a good team, don’t we?” She looks down at the photo she had just signed, and smiles. “Not to mention that we look great together. I can’t wait to try out the outfits for the New Year’s performance. I’m sure they’ll be stunning!”

“I’m sure they will be. The fittings are right after Christmas, right? The 26th, if I remember correctly. And then we have the dress rehearsal on the… 30th?”

“Yes. So exciting.” She flashes him a big smile, leaning so close that her arm presses against his. It doesn’t have the warmth that Aoi’s has, he notices, shifting a little to avoid the touch. “And, I still haven’t given up on us walking the runways in Paris…”

“That’d be amazing for real. Though I’m still nervous about making a fool of myself here on the Tokyo show.”

“Don’t worry,” she smiles, patting his hand reassuringly. “You’ll do fine, and I’ll be there for support.”

“Yeah, you’ll be in your element there for sure. And I’ll do my best.”

He signs the last photo and carefully puts all of them back into the envelope, looking over at the managers. They appear done too.

“You two love-birds finished?” Tanaka jokes, and Yohei’s stomach churns at the words, the familiar discomfort settling deep in his chest. He forces a smile, glancing at Reina, but she’s just smiling warmly. So, it really doesn’t bother her… No, why would it…?

Both managers stand up, correcting their suit jackets and ties.

“Time to get this duet recorded.”

***

“Here you go. The Christmas special for you.” Yohei carefully hands Aoi her cup of hot chocolate before picking up his own. “Let’s sit over there, it’s a beautiful spot under the tree.”

Cradling their cups, they head to a wooden bench, close to a massive tree and surrounded by flower beds.

“So, how’s studying going?” he asks after they sit, close enough that he feels the heat from her leg next to his.

“Slowly,” Aoi says, making a face. “But at least my winter-themed assignment is done, and I’m making good progress on the second one.”

She carefully blows on her steaming chocolate, the festive little marshmallows already melting, creating colorful little dots in the cream.

“The winter one turned out beautiful,” Yohei says, braving a too-hot sip from his marshmallow-free cup. “I’m sure the others will be too. I’ve seen your work, remember.”

“Thanks. I need the encouragement now.” She sighs, leaning slightly against him. “But I’m so happy we found the time to meet today.”

“Me too. I’d have loved to take you out to a proper Christmas date dinner, but…”

“We’re both busy in the evening. I signed up for an extra-long shift – we’ll be so packed with guests the whole day. And you have that … radio show, right?”

“Yeah, we’re doing a Christmas special. Should be fun. Lots of questions about gifts and favorite sweets and so on.”

“Speaking of sweets, I brought these.” Carefully placing her cup on the bench next to her, Aoi produces a small box of chocolates. “They’re handmade… I thought we could share…”

“What a wonderful idea,” Yohei says, choosing one and studying it before biting into it. Sweet toffee spills inside his mouth. “It’s like a little piece of art, a delicious one.”

“They’re really pretty.” She pops one into her mouth, a big smile spreading on her face as the flavor hits her. “And it’s really pretty out here too.”

He nods. The fairy lights in the trees are not yet on, but the flowerbeds are filled with pansies and chrysanthemums defying the cold with patches of bright colors.

“It reminds me of when we went ice skating. It was just as cold then, but we had such a good time.”

“We did.” She laughs softly, balancing the box on her leg and picking up her cup for a warming sip. “We should do it again before the weather turns. And this time…” She flashes him a cocky smile and a wink. “This time I’ll win.”

“Challenge accepted.”

They keep chatting and sipping, huddled close together for warmth, working their way through the chocolates.

“Here, you take the last one.” He holds the box up for her, and she picks up the last piece, covered in sugary pink stars.

“Thank you,” she says, biting into it with white teeth, playfully offering him the other half. Laughing, he shakes his head, and she pouts before putting it into her own mouth. Folding the box neatly, he puts it in a pocket and waits for her to finish chewing.

In another pocket, his phone buzzes. He ignores it. This hour is for them. Him and Aoi-chan.

Looking around to make sure no one is close by, he lets his hand briefly rest on hers as he leans closer.

“Happy Christmas, Aoi-chan.”

“Happy Christmas, Yohei-kun,” she smiles back, giving his hand a little squeeze before opening her bag. “I… have a little something for you. Just a small thing, but I hope you’ll like it.”

A small, flat gift, wrapped in red paper, comes out of her bag, and she holds it out to him with both hands,

“Thank you. I have something for you too. I hope you’ll like it.” He opens a button in his coat, so he can reach the inner pocket close to his chest, and the tiny gold-wrapped gift hidden there.

“You go first,” he says as he hands it over, and she laughs.

“Okay.”

Holding his breath, he watches as she examines the little package, shakes it to see if there's a sound before unwrapping it, torturously slow. Finally, she has the wrapping off and opens the lid of the white box from the jeweller. Will she like it? Should he have gotten it in gold instead? He could afford it after all… perhaps he should’ve…

“Yohei, it’s gorgeous,” she squeals, tipping the bracelet into her palm. “It’s perfect.” She beams at him, and all doubts disappear from his mind, along with all thoughts. “Just look at these.” She holds it up so they both can see the charms attached to the simple silver chain. A palette, a guitar, an ice skate…

“I’m glad you like it. I was hoping that you’d let me add more charms to it with time.”

“Of course I will! I’ll hold you to it, even.” 

She likes it!  Warm bubbles are spreading from his chest to the rest of his body, and he just knows he has the most goofy grin all over his face.

“Here, you put it on me.” The bracelet is suddenly in front of his face, dangling from her fingers as she pulls up her sleeve a little. Exposing her wrist.

He fumbles with the tiny latch, but manages to close it after a couple of nervous tries. The look on her face as she holds her hand up, moving it so the charms catch the sunlight, is the best gift he’s ever gotten.

“Your turn,” she says, poking him and tapping the red present.

The wrapping comes off easily, revealing a phone cover, nestled snugly in its box. She’s watching him intently, chewing her lower lip as he takes it out, turns it over, and… inhales sharply.

“You… you made this…?” he breathes as he takes in all the details. The cover itself is a simple plastic one, but the printed motif on the back is anything but. Two cats, one white, one ginger, are seated in a window, looking out on a small alley, dark except for the spots where shimmering moonlight glistens on the wet cobblestones…

“I did. I painted it, simple acrylics, then found this company that lets you customise things…”

“It’s… perfect. I don’t know what else to say… It’s honestly the most thoughtful gift ever.” Try as he might, he can’t tear his eyes off it. “Thank you so much,” he whispers, his eyes suddenly feeling warm and suspiciously wet.

“Come on, try it on. I think I got your phone model right, so it should fit.”

It fits. Perfectly. She claps her hands together as he holds it up, proving it. Then the phone buzzes, and he sighs, checking the time. Their hour has passed, and it’s time to get back into the real world.

They walk together to the edge of the park. Somehow, he’s missing her already, even though she’s right next to him.

“Thank you for today. It’s my best Christmas date ever.”

“For me too.” Or, it’s the only Christmas date he’s been on, but he’s sure nothing can top it. “Have a nice shift. I’ll text you tonight.”

She waves as she leaves for the metro, and he stands motionless for a minute just staring at the cover of his phone, tracing the lines with his finger.

Another buzz breaks the spell and snaps him out of it and he quickly replies.

‘On my way.’

He tucks the phone securely into his pocket, pulls the scarf higher up and the beanie further down, then goes to hail a taxi.

Best Christmas ever.