The mall was full of Christmas decorations which lit up the otherwise unremarkable large building. At the center of it all, near a fountain where people would throw in a few coins and make a wish, was a surprisingly tastefully decorated Christmas tree. Various songs in different languages were blasting out of the store speakers, competing for potential customers' attention at the expense of the employees who had to put up with the same songs over and over again. People of all ages and social classes were looking for a gift to give to someone special in their lives. Yu smiled at the sight of a child probably just below Nanako's age who was holding a candy cane while staring at the Christmas tree as if it were magical.

He was going to meet Aigis again, who had promised to help him with his gifts. It had been over a week since he last saw her, but even though Yu hadn't wanted to seem pushy, Aigis had initiated a conversation via text messages – an area in which she could probably improve, since her first message was something along the lines of "Hello, Yu-san. How are you and what are you currently doing?" which by all accounts almost sounded like an interrogation by texting standards. Nevertheless, they had been keeping a casual conversation going and eventually agreed on meeting up today when they both had the day off.

Yu took out his cellphone to check the time. 11.30 sharp, meaning she should be there any second.

"Yo, what is currently up in this hizzy?" A voice suddenly said in a strange tone, interrupting his train of thoughts. He looked to his left and saw Aigis walking towards him, wearing beige coat with a white muffler and brown leather gloves. While gorgeous as always, that wasn't what caught Yu's attention.

"Er…what?" He asked confusedly.

"Since we were both free today I decided to give 'casual lingo' a try, which might fit better while performing leisurely activities such as shopping. Whacha say, amigo?" She explained with a hint of pride in her voice.

Yu took an involuntary step backwards. "Did you pick up a book about slang from the 90's?" He asked cautiously.

"Yes!" Aigis exclaimed happily, putting her hands together. "Well, technically it included slang from the 60's and forward, but there was an emphasis on the 90's; I assume those must've been exciting times, if you understand what I am saying."

"Um…do you?"

"No, not really." She admitted with a sigh. "It's difficult to speak in a relaxed manner; it seems like people put a lot of effort into sounding 'laid back'."

Yu gave her a pat on the back. "Well, practice makes perfect, right? Although please do me a favor and forget what you read."

She nodded, and the pair started walking while talking about nothing in particular. Both of them looked through the windows of various stores in search of suitable presents to their friends. After a while, Aigis stopped in front of a cosplay store that sold "sexy Santa costumes".

"Oh my." She said in surprise. "I was under the impression that Santa was a jolly, chubby old man, but this skirt seems to indicate he is a beautiful young lady. Updating data base."

Yu unconsciously pulled his collar in discomfort. "Actually Aigis-san, I don't think that…ah…that's a proper Santa costume."

"Are you referring to the fact that the skirt would almost not even cover one's behind?" She asked curiously.

"Pretty much…" He said awkwardly as he tried to leave, but noticed Aigis was still inspecting the costume.

"I see…then people must find it attractive because of Oedipus complex. I comprehend." Aigis said with a nod before moving on.

"Don't ask what that means don't ask what that means don't ask what that means…" "What's Oedipus complex?" "You idiot!"

"It is when people have lingering, often subconscious thoughts or desires to have sexual intercourse with one's parents. Since a lot of people's parents dress up as Santa Claus, the costume becomes a symbol of parenthood." Aigis explained kindly and unfazed.

Yu stopped and put his hand to a nearby wall and keeled over, feeling sick all of a sudden, not to mention dirty. Aigis rushed over to his side, oblivious to the fact that her explanation was the reason why he was feeling under the weather.

"Yu-san! Are you alright? What happened?" She asked her questions in rapid succession, putting her hand on his back. "I detect an incredible rise in your body temperature, are you getting sick? Do you need to sit down? Should I get you a glass of water?"

"I'll be fine." He said with a small smirk as he laughed inwardly at the absurd situation. "You're never boring, Ai-chan."

She tilted her head in confusion at the sudden remark and change in honorifics, but seemed pleased that he was feeling better. However, once they started walking again she stayed closer than before, and occasionally sent him a quick glance to make sure he was okay. They got a few presents each, such as a Sherlock Holmes novel for Naoto which Yu knew she hadn't been able to find in Inaba and a navy blue blazer for Ken, who Aigis said would appreciate the more mature taste. Since she had everyone's measurements, buying clothes for other people was a simple task for her. Unfortunately for her, one of her friends was a model who had plenty of clothes and beauty accessories, while another was filthy rich. Tough crowd, Yu thought.

"So how about we take a break from all the westernization and commercialization and have something to eat? We've been going at it for a while." Yu suggested, motioning to a few restaurants not too far from where they stood.

"Good idea." Aigis said, although she didn't seem as tired as Yu. "However, I advise you from eating anything that could upset your stomach, considering your earlier nausea."

"Right…so what am I allowed to eat?" Yu wondered, deciding it was best to let her have her way. Besides, her concern for his well-being was touching.

"There is actually merit to the myth that chicken noodle soup can help out with a cold." She began. "The hot broth prevents dehydration and maintains moisture in nasal canals, while chicken contains cysteine, which helps thin mucus in the lungs. You could spice it up with some ginger, which is helpful for keeping your stomach calm and soothing nausea. Tea is also a good idea, while bananas and citrus fruits should be consumed if you feel like a snack."
"Wow…" Yu said in a surprised tone. "I think I actually learned a lot. You sure are knowledgeable, Aigis-san."

"It comes with the territory of being mechanical, I'm ashamed to admit." Aigis explained modestly. "Also…Yu-san." She continued hesitantly, playing with her fingers not unlike how she had done back at the café.

"Hm? What's up?"

"You know, you called me Ai-chan earlier."

"I did? Oh, I'm sorry, was that rude of me?" Yu said apologetically.

"No I just…sort of enjoy that nickname, so feel free to use it." She said with a shy smile. "It sort of makes me feel more like I'm my own person, with my own personal relationships."

"Well, you are." Yu told her with conviction. "Besides, it's easier to say, not to mention cuter."

"And now your casual flirting begins, I see." Aigis said, although she clearly didn't mind it. "I'm impressed it took you almost two hours before you started."

"Sometimes it takes a while before you can get it going." Yu said, not realizing how he had phrased it until the words were out of his mouth, but she didn't seem to notice.

"Don't worry, I'm sure that happens to everyone." She said with a straight face, before heading off to the restaurants, leaving Yu behind wondering whether or not she was playing with him.

They found a small sushi restaurant where Aigis made sure they served soup. The conveyor belts were filled with small trays, carrying sushi rolls, hot meals and desserts to the nearby tables. The black screen that was meant to give the chefs some resemblance of privacy didn't block vision completely, and the pair was able to see that they were working relentlessly. They sat down behind potted bushes that were meant to give them some semblance of privacy before Aigis went through the menu; Yu had been prohibited from ordering for himself.

"I believe I'll have some shrimp." Aigis said after a while just as Yu finished pouring them their tea.

"And apparently I'll have soup." Yu said in a mocking tone. "I'm not even sick!"

"You can never be too careful." She explained sagely, putting the menu away and used the touch screen at their table to place their orders. While waiting, Aigis decided to pick up a pair of chop sticks and practice, something Yu wondered about until he noticed that she managed to snap them in half with seemingly minimal force applied.

"I'm glad you can eat sushi with your hands…" She said skeptically, looking her hands as she let go of the now-useless pieces of wood.

"Remind me to never get on your bad side." Yu said with a laugh, looking at the remains of her chopsticks. "I never knew you had trouble with your own strength like that."

"Only when it comes to finer movements like when using chopsticks." She informed him, grabbing a second pair which lasted a little longer. "Don't worry, it's not like it affects my everyday life too much, although I must admit to having a preference for using western utensils."

"I'll keep that in mind if I ever cook you something." Yu said with a smile, taking a sip of his tea.

She perked up. "You can cook, Yu-san? That's not a very common skill amongst men in Japan, according to my data! Who taught you that?"

"Ah well…" He scratched his neck as he usually did when he got embarrassed. "My parents aren't home that much so I sort of had to learn to take care of myself from a young age. I'm nothing special though, just average."

She smiled sympathetically. "Given your modest nature, I assume you're more talented than you give yourself credit for. And I just might take you up on your offer someday." She continued with a wink, before turning to their screen which signaled that their order was on their way, causing her to miss Yu's baffled reaction. And she thought he was good at flirting!

The screen at their table played a little tune to notify them that their food was on its way. Aigis had ordered two plates with two rolls of shrimp and avocado sushi on each, as well as a chicken noodle soup for Yu. They took their respective plates and Yu started eating immediately while Aigis was contemplating whether or not she wanted to admit defeat and use her hands. In the end, she decided to give chopsticks one last try; she picked up her sushi slowly as her hand trembled noticeably, but in the end she managed to get the entire thing into her mouth.

"I did it!" She said after she had finished chewing, stretching out her arms in celebration. I believe a high five is in order.

Yu smacked her hand with enthusiasm. "Great work, Ai-chan! Let's celebrate by letting me eat some sushi!"

"No." She stone-faced immediately. "Oh! I forgot your ginger! Do you want me to ask for some?"

"Will it make you feel any better if I eat it?"

"Yes."

"Then yes, please."

She placed her order on their screen and then went back to eating, although this time she used her hands, presumably because she didn't want to risk ruining her previous victory with a shortly-followed failure. The ginger arrived within seconds, and Aigis took it upon herself to make sure Yu got a healthy portion of it into his soup.

"You're such a kind-hearted girl." He said with a gentle smile as she put away the tray.

"W-What?" She asked as if she had been scared. "Where did that come from?"

Her cheeks turned slightly pink.

"And now you're blushing, so I guess I won today, huh?"

"What?!" She burst out in a voice much louder than usual. "I-I'm not blushing, I'm just trying to process your sudden compliment so my systems are overheating! You haven't won yet!"

"Uh-huh, keep telling yourself that." Yu said with an obnoxious smirk as he took a sip of his now ginger-filled soup. "We're even now though; best two out of three?"

Aigis narrowed her eyes at him. "I will show no mercy."

"Big talk coming from someone who just used the worst excuse ever for blushing."

"Why you!" She began, but couldn't find an appropriate defense, so she just pouted and went back to eating.

They soon finished, went to the register where Aigis insisted on paying for them both since Yu had paid for their café visit and exited the restaurant. They looked around for more gifts for a while but found nothing of interest, so they decided to call it a day and continue looking separately some other day. The roads outside were plowed well, so Aigis shouldn't have any difficulties walking home on her own today, and Yu was secretly a bit disappointed he wouldn't have an excuse to hold her hand. She didn't seem to mind, however.

"I can walk properly on my own!" She exclaimed in an adorable celebratory tone which reminded Yu of her success in using chopsticks.

"Guess I won't have to keep you company while we wait for a taxi, then." He said with a chuckle, putting his hands into his pockets. "So when will I see you again?"

Aigis put her finger to her chin. "I believe someone offered to make me dinner, and it would be terribly rude of me to turn him down."

"Yeah? I hope he's as good a cook as you think, and that he can deal with the pressure."

"He's nothing if not calm and collected, so I'm sure he'll be just fine."

They laughed a bit at their mutual silliness, both a bit unsure as to how to finish their pleasant day.

"How about celebrating Christmas together?" Yu asked before he had finished thinking about it, only realizing what he had said once the words were out of his mouth. Celebrating Christmas together was an intimate thing, but he had no real plans, and he really liked Aigis' company, so maybe it wasn't such a strange idea after all.

"Oh." She said, eyes wide once again. "I…believe I'm free that day, yes…and it would be nice with some company…" She continued nervously, playing with her fingers while not meeting Yu's eyes.

"Then it's a date." Yu said happily, turning around to leave. "I'll see you then, Ai-chan!"

"Right, bye…" She mumbled, looking at him as he made his way down the street. Thinking she still had some time left on her day off, she decided to look for a proper gift for Yu.

_

Author's note: I tried basing the sushi restaurant on the one I usually ate at when I briefly studied in Japan.

I've heard from several people that Christmas in Japan is basically a time where people hit on each other like crazy, comparatively, so Yu's idea is rather flirtatious.

I have no idea why I'm writing a Christmas story now of all times; that wasn't my original intent. Then again, I first watched Love Actually in the middle of summer, and I love that movie, so maybe it doesn't matter.

Too cheesy? Should I continue this aimless little story? The next part will probably be the last, if that's the case.