Today I wanted to do something very different, and when I mean different, I mean something that isn't just a mere one-shot, but a story for GiriPan! I made sure to work hard on this special story for the occasion, and I deeply appreciate it if you guys could read and enjoy this story, since I read yours and loved them deeply!

Now, let's see what happens in the first chapter called…

Five Days until Christmas Comes

TODAY is the 21st of December, just four more days left until the greatest occasion of all comes upon the world: Christmas Day. Right now, the cities a buzzing with enthusiasm, planning lately for their cocktail parties and evening festivities as the troubled parents who forgotten to buy their children gifts and flood the popular shopping stores. For Kiku, he took all of his usual stress and hard-working style a break to gaze his cherry blossoms from the backyard which still are waiting patiently to be in full bloom.

Kiku just gazed at the elderly cherry tree, seeing the scrunched up branches being cold in the winters gentle breeze, only some buds are forming largely and soon were going to be blessed withheavenly beauty once in bloom. However, Kiku focused closely on the smallest bud near the far back of the branch, almost outcast by all the other eager and show off blossoms... But to Kiku, who smiled calmly and inhales the air of winter, it will shine itself to be the brightest of them all.

Suddenly, Kiku heard his phone ring the ringtone Umi No Mieru Machi (A Town with Ocean View) from under his futon and hurriedly searches for it, not realizing it was under his pillow. When he grabbed the pillow and saw his phone blink, he snatches it to see who it was. And to his surprise, it was Hercules! Kiku right then starts combing his hair with his fingers, even though they were going to talk on the phone.

Kiku finally answers his phone. "Mochi-mochi?"

"Kiku, is that you?" Hercules's lazy voice asks, sounding heavenly to Kiku. "I was able to get your number right and thought you would...you..." From the other line, Kiku could hear soft up-coming snores.

Kiku coughed, waking Hercules a little. "What was that?" Kiku asked innocently. "I did not hear you."

Hercules stirs. "I thought maybe you and I could go...on a...date tonight..." His words slur so drunkenly, yet Kiku's heart pounded within as if Christmas came early.

"Yes, I would love to go out!" Kiku shouted, hearing from the other line a jump from Hercules. "Where and when?"

"Meet me at the...uh, train station at...two...three..." Kiku was losing him.

"How about seven?" Kiku suggested, trying so keenly to hold his glee.

"Okay...night, Kiku..." And before Kiku knew it, Hercules fell right asleep and forgotten to turn off his phone.

XxXxXxX

Kiku was standing near the station as promised, checking his cellphone to contact Hercules, but so far had not gotten a reply yet. The sky immediately turned dark violet and diamond-like stars glittered in view, people passed by without a care in the world as they head for their usual routes home or to the bars. Kiku couldn't keep his heart from skipping rapidly, his blush crimson red heating upon his cheeks as he tightens his coat around.

"Where is he?" Kiku asked himself, searching the area around him. "I really can't stand this temperature..."

Right then, Kiku heard his phone starting to ring, right away pulling it out of his pocket and answering it.

"Kiku, is that you?"

"Hercules, are you here?" Kiku asked. "I can't find you."

"Listen...it turns out I can't come, I'm sorry..."

Kiku felt his heart going slow. "Oh, is that so?"

"I'm sorry..."

Kiku waved a half-hearty wave in the air. "Maybe we can do something later?"

"Sure," Hercules said, "I would like that very much. I gotta go now, bye." And this time, Hercules pushed the end button to end their pathetic conversation.

Kiku ended his call, feeling dejected of the sudden cancelling on their date. No matter, he thought, maybe he must have something other than the date that was important to deal with. Kiku forced a smile, thinking since he was out here in the open and dateless, he could go and check out the town hall decorations going on near the port, where he heard that a shower of fireworks were supposed to be displayed later in the evening during the hours of Christmas.

Kiku starts to take pace with his walk, feeling the freezing air hit his face as his eyes wander aimlessly around the sidewalk, hoping to see something that might take his mind off of Hercules. The lamp lights immediately opened automatically to give more light of the surroundings, showing more people in late night being busy as ever... But then, something made Kiku halt his steps to look over to the right side of the sidewalks, going a different way.

Kiku looked carefully, eyeing something with a familiar curl wandering his green eyes around the area as if to find something. Right then, he knew it was Hercules, looking for something...or someone.

"What is Hercules doing out in the open like this?" Kiku said, walking over to the staircase of the bridge leading to the other side, eyes still focused on Hercules.

But then, Kiku's heart stopped right then. His heart starts going slow, feeling the ire and antagonism when his eyes darted the woman running over to him, wearing a trench-like pink skirt which goes up to her thighs, covered by a brown overcoat with does not cover her halter-top which shows her chest just a tad. She looked attractive to date any man with her superb brown hair and striking hazel eyes, but why would a woman like her be hanging around with his boyfriend?

Kiku turned away, running away in fear of what was to come...

What will happen the next day? What will Hercules say? What will Kiku do to make him tell the truth?

Four more days until Christmas...

Well...this became a fine start...though I thought they would TRY to be together... But who knows what will happen! PS: This will only have five chapters, since I clarified it is a short story.

Please review and enjoy this story!