Christmas Eve

"W-Would it be…okay…if we went out…for Christmas?"

Rossi-chan’s eyes widened, pupils dilated, and her body appeared to have tensed up. She dropped her purse and her face became as red as a poppy in the summer.

"W-Well, if you’re busy––"

"Of course!" she shouted instinctively. "Eek…I mean, I’m free on Christmas."

I, staring at the ground, fixed my gaze with an astonished expression. I shot up my head and rapidly closed the gap between me and her. I grabbed both of her hands and held them up.

"Really?! You will?!"
My excitement was uncontainable, until I realized what I just did.
"Ah, sorry!"
I let go of her hands and took a step back.

After a brief pause, she muttered, "I-It’s okay… I don’t mind."

A breeze caressed the nape of my neck, and I let out a shivered groan.

"Do you get cold easily?" she asked.

"Not all of me. My neck does though."

"You should grow out her hair to cover it."

"I don’t look good with long hair, I’d look like an American blonde girl."

"Fufu, I doubt it."

Following that was a silent train ride back to Kyoto Station, where we said our farewells.

A little over a month had passed. I placed 58th in the final exams, meanwhile she remained in her top spot. Two days after the second semester ended would be Christmas Eve.

➼ ➼ ➼

In Japan, Christmas Eve is more popular than the actual Day. Most people plan to go out and enjoy the holiday on the 24th and relax at home on the 25th, which was what Rossi-chan and I decided to do.

"Hey Kiyo-brother! I finished wrappin’ the last one now."

It was late in the afternoon, and I was in my room, double-checking if I had all I needed for today’s venture. A Christmas-esque bag was placed on my futon. Inside it were three thin rectangular shapes, all elegantly wrapped in different colored wrapping paper.

"Alrighty, just need the final part."

There was a huge Christmas sale for the past few weeks, so I had gone shopping with Muku to buy new clothes. I wore a gray coat a white hoodie, plaid long sleeve, and black trousers. I picked up the bag and gathered my belongings and headed towards the living room, where Muku was.

"Okay, hand me the last one," I said.

"Ah!" she screeched. "You look so good! Hahe, do you think you look cool?"
She put a finger on her lip and displayed a sweet smile.

"Stop teasin’ me. Just me the present, please."

"Hahe, okay fine."
She handed me the gift, wrapped in an ocean blue flower pattern.
"This was such a good idea for a present. How did you come up with it? Did you put in a lot of thought because you wanted to impress her?"

She caught me by surprise and caused me to fumble the present, almost dropping it.
"Wh-What are you talkin’ about?"
I turned away from her and softly slapped my cheeks to regain my focus.
"I’ll be leavin’ now. What time are you and mom goin' to Kyoto Station?"

"She said she’ll be home at sunset. That’s the perfect time to see the Christmas tree!"
Her smile would probably be brighter than any tree lighting.

"Alrighty then, take a bunch of pictures."

"You too, Kiyo-brother~! I want to see her reaction to the gifts!" she exclaimed while jumping up and down.

"Woah, calm down. I can’t take pictures with my phone, it’s not like yours."

"Then use her phone. I’ll make sure she sends them to me!"

"We’ll see. I’m off," I said while closing the door.

I walked to the station and boarded a train to Fujinomori. I would’ve liked to spend the day with her exploring Kyoto some more, but when I asked her over email about any preferences, she said the park. I figured most places would be crowded with people who wanted to do the same as me, and she probably wanted tranquility. I didn’t mind.

Slight spoiler: We didn't do that.

I’m really goin’ to give her this today… I’ve never given a present to a friend before. Will she like it? I’m so sweaty, hopefully I don’t start to smell! I––Huh?

"Hello, Verano-kun." She greeted me, standing at the exit of the station.
She wore a beige wool sweater with a neck cover, black stockings, and short blue shorts. A burgundy beret rested atop her head with her wavy hair wafting alongside the wind.

"Hey, what are you doin' here? I thought we were supposed to meet at the park?"
I scratched the nape of my neck and nervously smiled.

"Merry Christmas, Verano-kun. I got you this!"

"O-Oh…"

She held a thin box and brought it up to the height of her face and cheerfully smiled. Analyzing the size and bulkiness of the box, I thought, Is it some kind of clothin’? Seems like the kind of box you’d put a shirt in.

I graciously accepted her gift. A softness was felt as I grabbed the box, further believing in my hunch. I extended an arm and presented her with the Christmas bag.

"I uh, I got you this…"

She grabbed the handle string and took the bag. I looked at her accepting it through my peripherals. I couldn’t muster the courage to see it directly.

"You didn’t have––"

"Of course I had to!" I interjected and stood straight. I quickly lowered my tone. "I-It’s Christmas…so I had to get my…friend a present."
My voice faded as I reverted to my slouched position.

"Fufu, I understand. That’s why I got my friend something as well. Thank you, Verano-kun."

"Th-Thank you, too."

I was too nervous and embarrassed to look at her, and to calm myself down, I imagined she was the same. We started walking out of the station when I reiterated my original question.

"Is anyone home for you?" she asked in return.

"Muku and my mom are goin’ out in the evenin’ and I don’t know when they’ll be back, but it’ll probably be late. Why?"

"My parents also went out today to celebrate with one of my father’s close work associates, so my house is alone."

"What exactly are you implyin’ here?" Is she suggestin’ that we go there? No…right?

A cheeky grin blossomed.
"Are you thinking that I’m inviting you to my house while my parents are gone? Just how filthy is your mind, Verano-kun?"

I turned away from her to shield my face. We were on the street.
"I––well… Y’know…"

"Your mind is right," she said.

Left in a daze, my eyes narrowed and my nose crinkled in confusion. My mind was right, but it had drawn a blank as to why. I tilted my head as her grin became an open smile.

"Don’t worry. I don’t plan on letting anything drastic happen, but I’ve been wanting to show around. With my father gone, I can do that tonight!"

"W-Well, you do live close…but what if they come home early?"

"Then we’re screwed. It should be tolerable though, since they know a bit about you. I’ve told them a lot, fufu."

"About what?"

"So do you want to go? Feel free to say no, but if yes, let’s go now!" she asked, not yet realizing I was already heading in her house's direction.

For the first time in my life, I’d be going to a friend’s house to celebrate a holiday. I was eager, I was happy, I was thankful. I looked forward to her opening her present and me for mine. As we walked through the streets her body was shivering slightly. She became cold easily.

Despite winter uniforms being implemented at the start of December, she still felt chilly. With courtesy, I’d offer my uniform blazer for warmth. She persistently declined, but I always went through with it. I had a hunch she’d be cold again, which was why I brought a hoodie.

I said, "We’re really gettin’ into the cold now. Kyoto’s filled with breezy nights, chilly mornin’s, and frigid winds all day."
I handed her my hoodie and she eventually accepted it.

"Hanamaru-chan can handle the cold much better than me."

"Same goes for Mitoma-kun," I added. "Guess athletes are naturally evolved to the cold. He’s probably takin’ an ice bath right now."

"Fufu, maybe so. I heard from Hanamaru-chan that she was going to the mountains, and of course she’s not alone."

"Those two seem close, don’t they? They’re always together."

The late December skies were overcasted with large gray clouds. The only visible part of the sun was when it rested on the horizon, peeking over the mountains and minimally shining on the southern eastside of Kyoto. The winds became mild, strong enough to wave people’s hair like a flag, but not enough to send shivers down spines.

As we strolled through the neighborhood, the sun got lower and sky became darker. After seven minutes, we arrived at our destination. I had been here many times since I started walking her on the way to meet with Muku, but to actually enter the house was a new experience.