Hello guys, this

is the conclusion of Keitaro's POV. I'll write Motoko's POV next. Boy, what a hassle that will be.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything Love Hina related, just this plot.

(UPDATE) Guys, I'm deeply sorry, but I won't be uploading Motoko's POV till after Christmas. Things just piled up here IRL, and I also haven't got the motivation to write lately.

The commercial district is still packed of last minute shoppers, like me. I immediately looked for a jewelry shop that makes personalized jewelry.

The first shop I went in was an expensive looking one. Jewelry every shape and design, shiny looking ones to ones that were made of gold. When I asked if they made personalized ones, they did. But the problem was it was too expensive. If I bought one, surely my wallet will be broken.

Next shop I saw was a nice looking one. The inside and its display didn't make my wallet cry. Again, I asked if they make personalized ones. They did, but once again a problem arose. They already had too many orders, and I were to place an order, I'll probably get it days after Christmas.

After that I was losing hope of finding a shop that makes personalized jewelry and wasn't going to burn all my money. I was thinking of just getting her a regular necklace.

Taking a seat in one of the benches outside, I saw that sky had settled into an orangey tint. Looking at my watch I saw that an hour and a half had elapsed since I arrived.

Before I could stand up to buy a necklace, there, right in front of me, a jewelry shop. The building it resided was a bit old. Thinking that it wouldn't hurt to look, I crossed the street and entered the old shop.

The interior had a different vibe than the outside. It looked a bit calm, warm and homey, what you would feel when entering a nice old cabin. And just like a cabin, most of the structure itself was made of wood.

Over the counter, there stood an old man. He smiled at me when we made eye contact.

"What brings you here to my shop? Thinking of buying something?" He asked, his old voice was a bit raspy.

"Yes, do you make personalized jewelry?" I asked.

"That we do." He said. "What kind of jewelry are we talking about here? A ring? A bracelet? Or a necklace?"

"A necklace."

"And for whom? A family member or a special friend?"

"A friend, a very close one." I then took out my sketchbook and showed him a picture/drawing of Motoko. "It's for her."

"Ahh, she's very beautiful. I can see that she really is indeed a close friend of yours. Anyways, what 'special touch' do you want for the necklace?"

Then it struck me, what kind did I want? All, I decided is that it's going to be a necklace, beyond that I didn't think through. Great. Just great.

"If you haven't thought of one, could I suggest a special one?" He said, cutting off my train of thought. He must have seen through my face what I was thinking. "Although, you won't know what it is. You'll know when you pick it up. But I assure you that both you and her will love it."

"How much will it cost me?" I asked, holding my wallet, which was in my pocket, tightly.

"How does 2000 yen sound?"

That's about 20 USD. Why I thought of it, I didn't know. It just flew into my mind as he said the price.

"I guess that's alright." I said, fishing out my wallet. It's still a bit pricey, but at least it won't hurt as much.

After giving him the money, he counted it and said, "Also, I'll need a picture of you and your friend."

"Huh? Why?"

"I'm going to need it for the necklace." He said.

I was a bit wary on giving him a photo of me and Motoko, but I didn't have much of a choice. It was the picture or a regular necklace, also I already paid the man.

Fishing out my wallet again, I took out the single photo of me and Motoko. It was taken on our Middle School field trip by a friend of hers. We were both asleep on the train ride home, she was leaning on my shoulder. Her friend gave us each a copy of it, whilst getting a stern scolding from Motoko.

As I gave it to the old man, he carefully inspected it, smiled and said, "This is perfect, pick it up two days before Christmas, in the morning."

I nodded, then he gave me a receipt for when I pick it up. After saying goodbye to the old man, I went on home. I hope I did the right thing here, my gift depends on the old man.

As the days went on, classes resumed like always. But most of the people were talking about something. I didn't mind them though, thinking that it was just their holiday plans. Motoko was acting a bit strange too, she was looking a bit sad. When I asked what it was about, she would say it was nothing or lied that she was O.K. I knew she wasn't, but pushing the topic might make it worse.

Four days later, two days before Christmas, I went back to the shop. As usual, the shop gave off the feeling of homeliness and relaxing. But the old man was nowhere to be seen, it made me a bit nervous. He didn't scam did he? I sure hope not, I didn't get another present. And If I did, it will be a bit of a hassle now. Almost all the other shops have closed down for the holiday.

As I approached the counter and pushed table bell, the old man suddenly appeared from below the counter.

"Ahh, there you are." He said, again, giving me a smile. He was also holding a wrapped box. "I was waiting for you. Well, here it is."

I was a bit disappointed, I thought I was going to see it. I was a split second thought of opening it, but it would ruin the wrapping.

"What is it?" I asked, a bit curious as to what the necklace looked like.

"Oh, ho, ho, ho." He laughed. "I can't tell you that, it's a surprise. But I can assure you, both you and your friend will love it."

I took his word for it, thinking that he wouldn't do such a thing. If he did, he'll risk his business. Because I will fine a complaint.

After taking, I noticed that the small box was wooden. Why did he have to wrap it if it was in a wooden box? Wouldn't the box in itself be better than to wrap it?

Again, I just trusted the old man. After shaking his hand, I went out of the shop. I looked at the box again, hoping that it was truely something special that Motoko will love.

When I got home, Mother, Father and Kanako were looking at me strangely.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" I asked, I was bothered by their strange looks.

"Onii-chan, why are you still here?" Kanako asked, looking a bit confused.

"What are you talking about? I just went to get Motoko's present."

"Then you aren't going to the winter dance?" Mother asked. "

Then something clicked into my mind. That was what people were talking about at school, I always heard the word dance. But I didn't put much thought into it. And that was also the reason why Motoko was a bit upset, she wanted me to ask to the dance!

Stupid! Stupid! STUPID!

How did miss that?!

After that I ran back up to my room and quickly changed into something a bit more formal, or something you would dress for a school dance. I didn't bother showering, or I might be late.

After rushing downstairs and opened the door, there I saw Motoko about to knock on the front door. She was wearing a long, red cheongsam dress, a rare sight it was. Her hair in a bun and two long bangs dropping from the side of her face. It made me hold my breath, or took my breath away. Whatever, she was beautiful O.K.?

"M-Motoko? W-What are you d-doing here?" I stuttered out.

"I-I, uhh, umm..." She stammered, her hand still in the air. Her cheeks as red as mine.

Well, this is getting awkward. I decided to hold Motoko's still afloat hand and dragged her off to a nearby street. After getting pretty far from my house, I stopped and released Motoko's hand.

"I'm sorry!" I shouted, as I bowed down in front of her. "I'm really sorry if I didn't ask you out for the dance like in the past! I'm really sorry!"

"No, I should be the one apologizing." She said, her head downcast. "I just assumed that you'll end up ask me like always. I didn't think what you felt ahout it. Then I realized that I should be one to ask you."

"What are you talking about?!" I said, straightening my body. I was surprised that she would say such a thing. "I always felt happy when we go out dancing! Even though we're not a couple, we're best friends! No, you're more than that, you're a very close friend of mine! I'll reject everybody else, if that means that I'll have the night with you!"

"Is that true?" She asked, looking straight to my eyes.

"Yes."

"Even if it's the girl from your past, your promise girl?"

I felt like I was pushed in a corner with that question. Was she asking me to choose between her and my promise girl? Does she have feelings for me? Nah, that can't be true. I mean, why would she? I'm just an ordinary guy, and she's Motoko. I don't deserve her.

"If that she made me choose between you and her. Then I'll have to settle for you. Friendship is matters to me more than my past." I said, giving her a sincere smile.

She reciprocated that smile, gave me a deep hug, as she said, "Thank you, Kei-kun."

So, are you wondering what Keitaro's present is going to be?

Do you want to know? Too bad, I'm going to write it in the Epilogue.

That's going to be after Motoko's POV.

Anyways, have a good holiday!