It was almost time for the annual Teiko Middle School Christmas party for the basketball club, and so far, most things had been going well. However, one person hadn't yet shown his face.

"Midorin still isn't here?" Satsuki Momoi, one of the managers, asked.

"I called his house, and his mom tried to convince him to go, but he didn't want to. She told me she'd try and convince him, but that was half an hour ago. You'd think he'd be here by now."

"Maybe we should go look for him. I didn't know you cared so much, Ki-chan."

"You know I hate being called Ki-chan. Christmas is supposed to be happy, isn't it? Even if Midorimacchi isn't my favorite person in the world, I still want him to be happy. Besides, maybe he'll be nicer if he's happy."

The two set out, expecting to have to go all the way to Midorima's house. Instead, they saw a tall, green-haired man with a mask on top of his head standing and reading in a bookstore, so they went in.

"Hi, Midorimacchi! What are you reading?" Kise loudly greeted, not realizing that everyone else in the store glaring at him. "Are you coming to the Christmas party with us?"

"Ki-chan, don't you think we should go outside? Bookstores are supposed to be quiet." They moved to go outside, but Midorima had yet to even acknowledge their presence. "Please come with us, Midorin." He finally relented to the puppy dog eyes she always used on Aomine.

"What's wrong, Midorimacchi? Don't you want to go to the Christmas party with your friends?"

"I do not have any friends."

"Sure you do! We're your friends, aren't we? We don't want our friend to spend his Christmas reading at the bookstore with a mask on his head! Why do you have that, anyway? Is it your lucky item?" He nodded. "And it's not just us, everyone else wants you there, too! Well, Aomine and Murasakibara didn't really seem to care, but Akashi, Kuroko and Nijimura want to see you!"

"Christmas isn't for another three days, but seeing as you two are the best guilt trippers associated with the team… fine, I will attend." The three of them walked away. Even Midorima was happy not to be alone at such a festive time.


Ugh. I know this is crap.

Friday brings us more Hyuga and Kiyoshi. Next Monday features Kiyoshi and Hanamiya. Next Friday shows Kirisaki Daichi, and it may involve alcohol.

Thanks for reading anyway.

~Aurora