Christmas eve angst

On Christmas eve, the restaurant hosted a grand party. Masaru struggled to maintain his composure as he glanced at Rika's seductive Christmas outfit. All the female staff were sporting the outfit, but Rika naturally was the only one making physical contact with him. However, Rika's demeanor seemed a little less cheery than usual.

"Rika, you've been a little down since the start of the month. Why?" Masaru asked.

"Because this may be the last Christmas we can spend normally. If Ookuma wins the election next year, it's over. That monster will ensure I'm forced to suffer a fate worse than death before I'm turned into a robotic killing machine," Rika scowled.

"But I thought you said you wouldn't kill for them ever again."

"They'd chip me and erase my free will. Probably force me to kill you for enjoyment. That's what I.L.U, is; they enjoy enriching themselves while humoring themselves off the misery of the masses. There's nothing I can do either to fight this fate. I can't run away with you all either. I'm trapped and don't know what to do." Tears began to drip out of Rika's eyes as she stared out from the balcony. "I know the things you build can easily be destroyed, but that damn monster Ookuma will do it in the worst way. All our patrons will also suffer."

"Rika, could we not open restaurants in other countries?"

"Heh, now you're comin up with the crazy ideas. Ookuma and her I.L.U. comrades would prevent us from leaving the country. And even if we somehow managed to, I.L.U.'s a global organization and has its agents rooted in the societies of many major countries. That's how powerful I.L.U. truly is. Even though the Ginkawas are against them, Ookuma's on track to become head of I.L.U.'s governing council. A woman like her helming I.L.U. would ensure the world is enslaved, she's just that smart and strong."

"But what if she was gone? What if she doesn't win the election?"

"If she doesn't win, she'll get more cruel with her methods. Getting rid of her? Tried it and look what happened; Mimi nearly died, and you were nearly killed. Even now, she can effortlessly overpower me. Even Hanabi would get beaten by her in hand to hand. We only have a year left, before we're imprisoned in a hellscape," Rika tearfully scowled.

"But no one else seems to feel that way."

"That's cause they don't know how bad it is. They also got way more optimism than me. They haven't been put down and shown how powerless they are by Ookuma."

"Pull yourself together. Did you not push for all this because you thought you'd be fated for doom!?" Masaru asked.

"It was before Ookuma came here. I only feared my family because I was afraid how everyone would react if they knew I was an assassin, well you especially. But now that my family's no longer a threat, Ookuma's made her move and become an even bigger threat. Also still have to worry about how Hime-chan would react if she ever found out about my past," Rika scowled.

"I've accepted you, and everyone else has too. You're the centerpiece that brought everyone together. Sure my food is good, but you outclass me in personality every day. Don't fall into despair. I'll be with you everyday."

"W- Will you sleep with me?" Rika cried.

"You're lucky I know your whole aim wasn't to get me to say that. I'm here, for you," Masaru said as he kissed Rika on the lips.

Tears melted out of Rika's eyes as she embraced the kiss.

"I love you Rika. Don't despair when it's far from over," Masaru stated.

Rika stared in disbelief. Those were the words she waited to hear for so long. She immediately broke down in tears of joy.

"I'm so happy. Thank you Masaru, I love you too," Rika tearfully, but serenely smiled.

Masaru blushed and froze as he stared at Rika. Immediately, he reached for his phone and quickly took a picture.

"Huh!? What was that for?" Rika asked.

"You were so beautiful. But I don't want to ask you to make that face every time I want to feel better, so I preserved it," Masaru said as he set the picture as his new background screen.

Rika smirked and pressed Masaru's face against her breasts and took a picture.

"Now we're even," Rika grinned as she set the picture as her new background screen.

...

Once the party was over, the staff began exchanging gifts.

"Here's mine," Waki blushed as she handed her gift to Matcha.

"A couple's blanket?" Matcha unamusingly glared.

"It's a present for both of us. Now let's snuggle in it at your place."

"I should have bought you something. Then I could claim that was a gift," Matcha groaned as Waki happily dragged her out.

Helga's jaw hung open as she stared at the gemstone ring Mimi gave her. "I guess I still had it on me. It was something Hylda told me to give her as a Christmas gift," Mimi blushed.

"The hell was my grandma thinking!?" Helga stuttered.

"I guess she thought I would pick out something weird like a lava lamp or a chia plant."

"Yeah, she knew what she was doing. Well, here, you said you were from Danablu, so I snagged some Danablu cheese for you," Helga blushed as she handed Mimi a block of Danablu cheese.

Mimi's face lit up as she tried a bite. "It tastes just like it did back then. Thank you so much Helga!" Mimi smiled as she hugged Helga.

"Y- Yours was better, but t- thanks," Helga blushed.

"So wanna spend the night at my place?"

"Yeah," Helga blushed as she and Mimi headed out.

Itsuki and Zuina nervously stared at each other. "I got you a sunhat," Itsuki nervously stated.

"I got you a fruit peeler," Zuina dejectedly sighed.

"Why so awkward, it's the thought that counts does it not?" Benihime asked.

"But you explicitly told us not to get you a gift. We didn't say anything to each other."

"I told you that because I wish not to burden your minds and wallets with selecting a trinket for me. You two may not know each other well, but you bought with the purist of intentions. Just explain the gift."

"I bought a fruit peeler because I wanted you to be able to peel fruits at home, but I guess you'd have something better than the cheap thing I bought, but I still wanted to get it for you," Zuina stated.

"I got you a sunhat because I assumed you liked growing crops outdoors," Itsuki stated.

"I do, but can't really since I live in a cheap apartment."

"Then why not manage a crop garden here?" Rika asked.

"As usual, my female knight in shining armor comes to the rescue," Benihime mused.

"Here, know you said no gifts, but I bought it anyway," Rika said as she shoved a silk scarf into Benihime's arms.

"Why, it would go nicely with my new year's yukata. Well knights do tend to think only about pleasing and worshiping their masters, so I shall forgive you for this," Benihime smiled.

"Are you serious about the garden?" Zuina asked.

"Will be more like a greenhouse, but growing our own food here might also help us in the long-term," Rika stated.

"I accept with gratitude," Zuina bowed.

"As for you, Itsuki. I was hesitant to get this, but figured you deserve to be happy," Rika sighed as she handed Itsuki a large bag.

Itsuki opened the bag to find a game console inside. Her eyes glinted as she thanked Rika and quickly sped out.

"She'll probably be glued to her TV for days now," Zuina sighed.

"She can restrain herself. Besides, she made sure to grab all her gifts before she sped out," Rika smiled.

"Well, she is pretty mature. Well, Merry Christmas then," Zuina smiled as she decided to head out.

"And thus, I shall depart as well. Do enjoy your romantic Christmas eve," Benihime smiled as she headed out.

"Guess it's just you and me. So ready to head to my place?" Rika asked.

"Once I finish putting everything away," Masaru replied.

...

Masaru nervously looked around Rika's small apartment.

"Not much, I know. Got some game consoles by the TV and a few manga magazines on the shelf. Only got a futon though," Rika sighed.

"You barely even have a kitchen. How did you cook?" Masaru asked.

"Eh, just made do with what I had. Anyway, Merry Christmas," Rika smirked as she tossed Masaru a pack of condoms.

"Is this candy?" Masaru asked.

"Er..."

...

A red-faced Masaru shuddered as he laid under the blankets with Rika.

"Guess people won't be able to diss you anymore for being a virgin," Rika blushed.