I do not own anything.


Like everyone she was counting down the moments until school ended for the holidays. In all the years she'd worked at Shujin that hadn't changed, really, anyone who worked at Shujin could make that argument. Don't get Sadayo wrong, she'd rediscovered her passion for teaching, but even she needed her breaks every now and then. All throughout the day like countless others she let her eyes wonder over to either the clock on the wall or on her desk. Counting down every precious minute until the bell would ring and everyone would be free for a few days to enjoy themselves. In the case of Sadayo she was greatly looking forward to those days because of who she could spend them with.

When the bell finally rung Sadayo was sure the entire school breathed out a collective sigh of relief.

"I thought it would never end." Sadayo groaned face-planting at her desk while her students flooded out the room. A few students were kind enough to tell her goodbye and wish her well, she returned the gestures with honest affection. "Make sure to take care of yourselves over break! And don't binge on junk food!" She called as the last of them departed the classroom leaving her completely alone. "Heh, listen to me lecturing them when I'm going to do the exact same thing. Talk about hypocritical." A buzz on her phone brought a relieved smile to her face.

A: I'm waiting outside the school. Do you want to me to come in?

S: No thanks, just give me a minute and I'll be right out.

A: Are you sure?

S: Yes, I'm sure. Remember, I don't need to be carried around just yet.

A: Right, I'll save that for when we get home ;)

So engrossed in the image of her boyfriend carrying her around the brunette failed to notice the male figure standing in the doorway. "Seems like you've certainly got someone waiting for you back home."

"AH!" Throwing up her hands she immediately tossed her phone back into her purse while looking right to find Mr. Ushimura fixing her with a blank stare. "O-O-Oh, y-yeah. M-M-My boyfriend. W-We've got plans for the holidays, nothing major."

"Uh-huh. Noted, well enjoy yourself, and don't over exert yourself. Last thing we need is one of our own ending up in the hospital endangering her life and her baby's." The older man grunted turning his back to her.

In the past Sadayo would have replied with a snappy comment, but the years had been kind to her as they had everyone. It seemed almost like yesterday every teacher at Shujin Academy was simply going through the motions, herself included, when in reality such an atmosphere had vanished almost eight years ago. Heh, hard to believe it's really been that long. The veteran teacher mused staring at the old seat where her number one problem child used to sit. He never came back to his old seat after November, come to think of it he stopped coming to Shujin period after that. In a way it had made things easier, but as a teacher it made her heart break a little. "Come on, let's not keep daddy waiting any longer." She laughed softly patting her stomach.

Students weren't the only ones in a hurry to get out of the building. Years after Kamoshida and Kobayakawa Shujin had transformed, almost living up to the reputation it loved tooted around Tokyo. The transformation had been slow and somewhat painful, a number of teachers coming and going as the school struggled to right itself in the aftermath of Kamoshida's scandalous actions and later reveal of Koayakawa's corruption. Sadayo could definitely say it had been like waiting out a tropical storm, of the political kind.

"Any plans?"

"Besides curling up on the couch with junk food and watching TV, nope."

"I'm going to be spending Christmas with my in-laws, any advice?"

"First Christmas as a free-man, never haven't felt this good in years."

"You'd think we were students ourselves, wouldn't you." Mr. Hiruta said as he and Sadayo made their way down the halls, their bags packed and tightly buddle up for the late December weather. "Then again it has been one hell of a year."

"You say that almost every year. No one said teaching was easy, but it just makes vacation time all the sweeter." Sadayo proudly proclaimed holding her head up high.

Her co-worker looked at her with a mix of puzzlement and flat-out wonder. "Seriously, you're pregnant, working, and excited, the hell kind of boyfriend do you have? I still remember when you spent every break we had napping somewhere or trying to cut corners. It's like you're an entirely different person from when you first came here."

Sadayo was silent at that. She couldn't deny the truth of Hiruta's words without looking like a complete fool. In a way a part of her didn't even want to deny them. "You've got a point there. I'm exhausted and happy for the break, believe me, but…I guess lately I've just got a little more energy than usual. I'm sure that'll change as I get bigger." They both shared a laugh referring to her only slightly expanded stomach. Though she wasn't due until the late spring almost every teacher had chosen to poke fun at her pregnancy, even Ms. Chouno who'd managed to reserve some of her usual bark since Sadayo was now pregnant. Part of it also might have had to do with the fact she'd become one of the most renowned teachers at Shujin Academy, all thanks to a certain someone. "What about you? You seem to know what I'm going to be doing, but you've been tight-lipped about your vacation."

"Well…me I'm…going to be spending Christmas Eve with my girlfriend's parents. First time meeting them." The biology teacher somewhat begrudgingly stated with a twitching eyebrow. "Unlike you I've yet to meet my possible future in-laws so this might just be it. Christmas miracles, huh?" Again, they shared a joint laugh that further helped them relax. Coming upon the exit the two teachers turned to face each other. "Goodnight Sadayo, and see ya next year."

"Likewise, be safe and say hi to Manami for me." She replied watching him exit the front door and then disappear into the crowd of people. "You can come out now, no one's around to see us." A series of footsteps signaled the arrival of her partner, she didn't turn to face him even as he stepped up beside her. "I thought I told you to wait outside."

"Well I just couldn't contain myself, it's been a while since I've been inside Shujin. Just wanted to walk through the halls and relive some old memories." Akira chuckled looping his arm around her waist.

Sadayo supposed the saying was true, once a problem child always a problem child, granted in this case that wasn't such a bad thing. "Thanks." She whispered leaning on his shoulder not caring if anyone saw them. It had been over five years since Akira had attended Shujin and few remembered him, even fewer would recognize him even though physically speaking the dark-haired male hadn't changed that much. He'd grown a few centimeters taller, but otherwise that was it, his black hair was still as messy and unruly as ever, and his gray eyes still cackled with that same mischievous light he came to school every day with. Together arm in arm they strode out the front door into the cold December night, not as teacher and student, but as a couple soon to be parents.

"You didn't strain yourself on your last day, did you?" The younger of the pair calmly asked taking in the sweet scent of her perfume.

"No, geez, if you're this protective of me just think of when I start actually looking like a blimp." She giggled lightly bopping him on the noise. "Still, thanks for the concern. It was just more of the same, likely we got anything major done last week so today barely half the school was full. Every class was pretty much nothing more sitting in a room trying to pass the time."

"Sounds like the kind of day I might have skipped." Akira off handedly said earning a sharp glare from his girlfriend. "Kidding, just kidding." As Akira had quickly learned when dating a teacher the concept of "skippable days" went out of the window. If he had to show up then he was going to show up, of course being the trickster he was Akira still found ways to get around this. "If you asked me to I would have come today, at least I would have been able to spend all class staring at you." His words hit home with the bright blush that painted Sadayo's cheeks as she playfully pinched his sides. "Seriously though, you didn't have to come in today, did the principal say you could take the day before break off?"

"Yeah, he did, but I guess I just wanted to go because I know in the future I'm going to be having a lot of off days." It had become a habit of hers to rub her stomach whenever the mention of their baby was brought up. To many it was crystal clear the two of them were still struggling to adjust to the truth of their station: they were going to be parents. The entire thing started with her waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, then it just kept going from there. Both Akira and Sadayo had been hesitant at first, but eventually they worked up the courage to go see Tae, and were hit with possibly the greatest news of their lives. "After seven years of getting my passion for teaching back I'm still struggling to… I don't know, cool it down a little. It's honestly a little scary, or at least that's what some of the others have told me." She laughed only to stop when Akira affectionately nuzzled her dark brown hair.

"Sounds a lot like the woman I fell in love with, glad to know our daughter's going to have her mother's drive and her father's wit." He coolly said.

Sadayo didn't know if Akira really bought into Chihaya's fortune telling or not, she certainly didn't. A majority of people they knew had placed their baits on it being a girl, with only a handful baiting the opposite. In the past Sadayo might have been a little more skeptical and hard-lined, but Akira had done his part in opening her up more than she ever thought possible. For that reason they'd decided the baby's gender would be a surprise until the day of delivery. A pleasant surprise for the both of them.

The streets and metro were packed as one would have suspected, this was one of the last working days before the holidays. Last minute shopping and people just out enjoying the nighttime, Sadayo was glad they were amongst the latter group. Neither of them said much as they boarded a train for home and sat in blissful silence, her head still leaning against his shoulder and her eyes softly shut.

Akira made sure his hands never left that of his girlfriend's side. Morgana had pointed out to him ever since the reveal of her pregnancy he'd gotten a great deal more touchy-feely with his girlfriend, he never denied it. He just supposed at this time of the year was when he was naturally at his jumpiest.

"Are you feeling okay?" Sadayo's quiet voice interrupted him.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, just…thinking."

"About our first Christmas together?" She playful asked.

"Yeah…the fact we've come this far kind of speaks volumes about us, doesn't it?" It went without saying the Christmas of 2017 was…chaotic, and that was being kind. For most people they had to deal with testing for students, scheduling, last minute shopping, travel plans, and so forth, not Akira though. No, he had to deal with a tyrant trying to take over all of Japan and a metaphysical "god" representing humanity's subconscious desire for law and order. Oh, and after defeating both of them he had to turn himself in to save his friends and loved ones, he's never going to forget that one.

"You need to stop blaming yourself for that, I have." She mused kissing his neck. "You're here with me now, and that's what really counts."

Akira gave her a half-smile. They both knew their first Christmas Eve together as a couple was far from perfect, hell, years later both of them had been able to admit they each shed a tear when they separated for the night. Sadayo for feeling Akira didn't trust her enough to tell her what was going on, and in Akira's case cursing his inability to comfort the woman he loved. "At least as far as I know I don't have to fight a buffed up psycho politician or control-freak god."

"Yeah, still trying to get over that one. I'm actually surprised no one remembers the god part, then again that's probably for the better." Sadayo didn't know how the people of Tokyo could so easily forget what Akira had described as the merging of reality and the spiritual counterpart of Japan's capital city. She sure has hell wasn't going to forget any time soon. As she looked out the window at all the lights and decorations set up Christmas she thought back to that evening Akira and his allies faced down a supposed "god". To this day she still struggled to wrap her mind around the concepts of Personas, the Metaverse, and the fact their pet cat could talk, albeit only to Akira and his teammates. "Just enjoy it, we're both free from work, there's no monster or lunatic out to take over the world."

"Now I know things have changed because usually I'm the one trying to get you to lighten up." The black-haired adult chuckled.

When the train came to their stop the couple quickly departed the station and made way for their destination. Akira had been hesitant at first, but eventually Sadayo had won him over, yet another reversal of their usual dynamic. The first time they went ice skating Sadayo accused him of having prior experience, she was right as he had done so several times as a kid. It also helped that having been raised by a dance teacher mother he had a natural sense of balance. Sadayo on the other hand…had to work for it. Akira liked to say teaching his girlfriend how to ice skate had been well worth the time and effort, Sadayo on the other hand always claimed he simply liked watching her fall flat on her butt over and over again. The less said about said skate lessons the better in her opinion.

At this time of the year the Tokyo Midtown Ice Rink was fairly packed, but not too much for their liking. Couples like them and families of three and four were out. Similar to them a few years ago it was clear some were attempting to teach their parents how to skate for the first time in public, with some hilarious results.

"Glad we're past that stage." Akira chuckled finishing tying his skates. "Last chance, are you sure about this?"

"For the last time yes, we're just going to take it slow. Like we're slow dancing at home, or," She whispered tracing a gloved finger along his jawline. "Are you scared of dancing with your fiancée in public like this?"

Not a minute later and the two were on the rink together, true to their word taking it slow and steady. Akira made sure his grip on her never loosened unless he asked her to. Despite the number of people around them he felt like it was just the two of them in their own little world. To him there was simply nothing else in the world that could compete with the image of his girlfriend wrapped in a bright red scarf, her arms passionately wrapped around his neck. To him this was the best Christmas present he could have asked for, no jewels or riches would ever equal the joy that came with holding the woman he loved and not having to worry about an invisible axe hanging over his head.

If anyone told her she would be spending the start of her winter vacation ice skating with a former student of hers while pregnant with his child Sadayo would have called that person crazy. If they told her heaven would be the best way to describe that feeling she would have recommended they see a doctor. Eight years ago the thought of her and Akira having an actual stable relationship seemed so ludicrous, but here they were and she couldn't be happier. "You think she'll inherit your grace? I think I'd prefer it if she did."

"Even if she doesn't we'll teach her." His response was jovial and optimistic, as if he could see their child slowly learning the ropes of skating with the two of them at her side. "I can always tell her it took her mom a few tries to get it right."

"You're sooo lucky I'm pregnant and in a good mood right now." The brunette growled while still wearing a venomous smile at her lover. "And I can always tell her that daddy sucked at doing his own laundry and mommy always had to clean up after him."

Shamelessly he kissed her he tightened his arms around her waist, happily forcing his tongue into her mouth. Fire erupted within Sadayo's cheeks then spread through the rest of her body. When they pulled away both of their faces were as red as cherries and their breathes were visible as thin clouds of cold air.

They stayed out for another half hour before they decided to go home. It could have just been their imagination but as they walked towards their apartment the pair could have sworn they saw bits of snow beginning to fall. Perhaps they'd get lucky and they'd indeed have a snowy Christmas as several forecasters had predicted. The couple wasn't exactly opposed to the thought as it did open the door for a playful snowball fight, something Akira was sure Ryuji and Futaba would gladly involve themselves in. If so then Sadayo had a feeling she was going to be doing a lot more laundry over the break than she originally thought.

"Morgana! We're back!" Akira called pushing the door to their apartment open.

Darting across the floor a black feline jumped into the waiting arms of Sadayo. "Welcome back guys. So I'm assuming we're done for the year? No grading papers or hearing legal cases?"

Being the only one who could understand the feline Akira took the duty of answering. "Yep, totally." When Sadayo looked at him he pointed towards Morgana, "He's asking if we'll have time to spoil him."

"You really are quite the greedy little cat aren't you?" The teacher chided scratching Morgana behind the ears just as he liked it. "Don't worry, Akira and I can spend as much time with you as you want. Doesn't that make you feel happy, Mona?" A long drawn out purr was her answer causing the couple to burst into laughter. "I'll go fix you something to eat, how's that sound?"

Their apartment wasn't exactly anything special, but it was enough for them. Decent sized for the two of them and a small child. Holiday decorations and Christmas lights had been set up as had a Christmas tree by the window. Looking at the ornament-covered tree he couldn't help but think back to all those times he was a kid running around his own home excited for Christmas morning. Looking back at the kitchen he let his mind wonder off to a faraway scene in the future: him chasing around a little girl with dark brown hair while Sadayo sits on the couch filming the entire thing. Truthfully it was a dream he'd found himself having often since December began.

"Well would you look at that, we made it in just in time." Sadayo's voice echoed from the kitchen.

Feeling Morgana claw at his leg he awake from his daydream and followed the feline over to the window. From the grayish-black snow had begun cascading down.

"Heh, talk about crazy weather."

"Hey, it's better than the sky raining blood if you ask me." Morgana declared. Akira cracked the window open a little allow the blue-eyed cat to stick his head out and catch a few flakes with his outstretched tongue. "Looks like it's going to be a white Christmas and possibly New Year's Eve."

"It does, doesn't it?" The former leader of the Phantom Thieves agreed stepping out onto the patio. If he had to guess there'd be a thin layer of snow by morning. "I guess it's a good thing we're off this week." Opening his arm up he welcomed Sadayo who graciously stepped into the embrace. A line of red crossed his vision before he realized it was a scarf being thrown around his neck. "You really like that thing, don't you?"

"Well, it was given to me by a very special someone. A guy who I thought would be nothing but trouble, but turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me." She replied stretching out her hand to catch a few flakes. "Thanks to him I can say red's become a favorite color of mine."

"Is that so." He mused resting his head atop hers. "So…I was thinking about Hikari."

"Hikari, huh? I like it. Hikari Kurusu." The brunette whispered clasping her hand with Akira's. "Think she'll love Christmas as much as you did when you were a kid?"

"I'm sure she'll love it." He grinned. "Especially when she hears the story of how her Phantom Thief Dad-"

"And uncle." Morgana called from the ledge looking mighty proud of himself.

"And his friends saved Christmas."

Sadayo rolled her eyes placing a kiss on her future husband's cheek. Christmas never had been anything special for her, but since Akira Kurusu came into her life she had a reason to truly celebrate it. And when next year came around she'd have yet another reason to celebrate.


Something of a late Christmas fic featuring my favorite couple a few years after the True Ending. Them having a somewhat happier Christmas than what they got in game. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!