Chapter 1: Naegiri

It was late at Hopes Peak Academy, Makoto Naegi had offered to stay behind to help put up some Christmas decorations for the upcoming party. Ishimaru had practically forced him to do it, but hey, he had nothing better to do, so why not?

"Did you finish with these boxes over here?" said Kirigiri, the other volunteer that decided to help out naegi after he tried (and failed) to lift up the first box of ornaments that was offered to him.

"um, yeah, those ones are empty" he replied, and went back to hanging up plastic candy canes. He reached down for the next one and froze. The box was practically empty, but there was something at the bottom he hadn't seen until then.

mistletoe

Seeing him freeze, Kirigiri went over to him.

"Is everything okay?" he heard her say, and he quickly snatched up the mistletoe to hide behind him so she couldn't see. he didn't want her to get the wrong idea.

"u-um yeah, everythings fine, it's just that this box is empty, so I need to get a new one... heh heh" he stammered out, his cheeks flushed a light pink. Kirigiri narrowed her eyes at him.

"What are you hiding behind your back Makoto?" she questioned. she was too sharp for her own good, he thought.

"n-nothing" he stammered, his eyes darting all over the place. Kirigiri tilted her head inquisitively

"Are you sure?" she asked, attempting to peer behind him.

"A-absolutely, one-hundred percent positive!" he exclaimed, shifting slightly to stop her gaze. She sighed

"Makoto, show me" Her tone was serious, showing her statement was an order. He gave up, he would never win an argument against Kirigiri. He brought his arm from behind his back, revealing the mistletoe. His face turned bright red as her expression shifted into one of suprise

"I-i didn't want you to get the wrong idea, o-or force you into anything like that you see a-and you know.." he trailed off as she started laughing, showing a smile he had never seen before appear onto her face.

"i expected something like this, but it's too adorable when you say it out loud" she managed to say between giggles. he scratched his head, embarrassed and not really sure what to do.

"um, i'll go and hang this up somewhere then.." he mumbled as a way to escape the embarrassing situation, before he saw a disappointed look come across Kirigiri's face. Before he knew what was going on, his wrist holding the mistletoe was gently lifted up above his head, the red berries now level with his forehead.

"Oh, looks like we're under the mistletoe now" Kirigiri stated, her voice as stoic as ever.

"K-kirigiri-san?" he stuttered could she be?

"you know what we have to do now, don't you?" She spoke, a slight smirk on her face.

oh she was "um, yeah.." he answered, not quite sure what he was supposed to respond with. she smiled gently and closed her eyes. Oh. Oh dear, he was really going to have to wasn't he? It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he had never kissed anyone before and was rather nervous. He closed his eyes and gently brought his lips up to meet Kirigiri's.

smooch

He felt a soft sensation on his lips, unlike anything he had felt before. It was warm, yet cold. He held it for a second then pulled away, his cheeks bright red. When he opened his eyes, he saw Kirigiri standing there with a shocked expression, with her cheeks also tinged a soft red. she looked away and covered her mouth with her gloved hand, releasing his wrist as she did.

oh no, did i hurt her? Did i do something wrong? These questions swirled around his head without consideration.

"Kirigiri-san, are you alright?" He asked, looking at her worriedly. She turned to look at him again, removing her gloved hand to reveal a warm smile.

"I'm perfectly fine, i just didn't expect it to feel that good" She answered, her cheeks turning shades darker as she spoke. A bright smile came across his face.

"I'm so happy! i thought that i had done something wrong or-" His ramblings where cut short by him being hugged, with Kirigiri holding him tightly to her, his arms pressed against her chest.

"It was perfect, thank you Makoto" she said simply. "in fact, i apologise for forcing you into the matter"

"oh, You didn't force me at all! and, um, i really enjoyed it too..." he replied, not wanting her to feel bad. They stayed there for a moment, before Naegi realised that the thing that his arms where pressed up against was rather soft. "a-Ah!" he pulled out of the hug quickly, his face Tomato red again. "sorry Kirigiri-san, i didn't realise-"

He looked up to see her laughing again, and couldn't help but enjoy the sound she made. Her laugh was soft and melodic, much unlike her usual stoic tone.

"It's fine makoto. maybe we should do this again sometime" and she started heading back towards the boxes

wait, did she mean-

"K-kirigiri san, wait!" he shouted and hurried after her, his head yet again swarming with questions.