Nico sighed in frustration as she looked around in the antique shop, still wondering about what exactly she would buy.
The pig tailed personally liked the idea of Secret Santa, even though she knew a certain redhead wouldn't be feeling the same way. Not like she mattered what that blubbering fool thought anyways.
But unfortunately she had picked a Rose Red, and since they never really talked, she would never know what to get the girl. Hopefully she liked antiques and chocolate because that was what she was getting.
Walking out into the frosty air triggered a sharp intake from Nico. It was getting cold fast, and Nico had to admit, she loved it. Sure, she would have preferred it be a little warmer, but the snow was so beautiful and amazing and fun to play with and...
Well come on! It's snow!
The streets of the city were packed. Principal Minami had let the school go on a field trip so they could go pick up their presents, which was nice. Otonokizaka was a great place, but it was nice to get out once in a while.
Nico wasn't to sure what Rin had in mind with the Secret Santa, but she knew the girl was up to no good. She was tearing open old winds and making new ones, in Nico's eyes, and clearly the others felt the same way.
And now everything had changed.
Nozomi didn't even acknowledge Kotori's presence anymore, she was acting as if Kotori had up and died and had been erased from existence. And it was definitely affecting the poor girl.
Nico had heard the girl sobbing sometimes in her room. The raven haired girl didn't mean to eavesdrop, but she felt so bad for her friend, and usually resided to leaning against Kotori's door, listening to her cries of desperation. If Nozomi wasn't there, Nico would definitely run into help.
But Nico did admit, Kotori definitely wasn't the right person in the situation. She wasn't the only wrong one, though, everybody was at wrong. Unfortunately they all thought they were right.
Nozomi was falling apart as well. After the emotional toll of realizing the girl who was in love with her, which wasn't really a surprise to Nico after Nozomi informed her of their conversation, was now dating her best friend must have been overwhelming. Especially since Eli had kicked Nozomi to the curb and then spat at her when she was down.
Now, as stated previously, this didn't make Nozomi any more right. She had done some pretty awful things to Eli as well, as Nico's memory served her right, as soon as she heard Eli was in the same school as her.
Eli had apologized to Nozomi every single day, bringing presents and gifts every single time. Nozomi refused every single day, but not without adding her own little stab at Eli's armor which was falling apart at the seams.
You could tell that after months Eli finally had enough and gave up.
Kotori had told her of all of this, since Nico had been there until a year later, and it intrigued Nico and confused her. And frustrated her and made her head hurt.
"Jesus Christ why is all this so confusing?" Nico wondered, her mind wandering as her footsteps against the street were the only things that made her recognized as a fellow human being.
"Ouch, watch it!" This scene was all to familiar as Nico bumped into somebody walking along the streets in front of her. After colliding with the person's back, the person turned around to face Nico.
"Um, me? Maybe you should watch it!" Maki spat, instantly recognizing Nico's voice among the crowd of people. She twirled her hair with disinterest causing Nico to roll her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Nico brushed off, side stepping around the redhead. "You should start heading back to the bus, we're leaving soon."
"What do you think I was doing?" This comment from Maki was ignored as Nico picked up her pace to get as far away from Maki as she possibly could. Unfortunately they were heading the exact same way to get back to the bus, so Maki was always just a few feet behind her, and Nico always knew where she was even though their was a pool of people around her.
Stupid Maki! Nico thought, wishing the girl would just leave her thoughts alone. She found herself looking back to Maki, who was staring at her with an unknown look in her eyes. As soon as Maki had been caught, though, she immediately averted her eyes and scowled, a faint blush on her already red cheeks.
Nico scowled as well, and scowled again when she felt her own cheeks heat up. Stupid, stupid Maki.
Dan Dan kokoro Dan Dan atsuku
Yume ippai kanaete miseru
Dan Dan susumu Dan Dan hajikeru
Mirai o shikkari mite!
"It's Christmas!" Nico cried as she darted out of her bed, changing into the school uniform as she quickly as she could.
After freshening up, she found Nozomi downstairs eating and immediately took a seat across from her. Kotori was never really around the Rose Red dorm, and usually sat in the back of classes, so it was hard to notice her presence. That didn't mean Nico forgot her. Not at all.
"Nozomi! Merry Christmas!" Nico wished happily, skipping and humming while Nozomi laughed halfheartedly. She seemed to be doing everything halfheartedly ever since that unfortunate day.
"Merry Christmas Nico-chi, how are you?" Nozomi asked, picking away at the pancake that sat on her plate. Nico licked her lips at the pancake, and was surprised when Nozomi willingly pushed the plate towards the girl. "You can have mine, I'm not hungry."
"Are you sure?" Nico asked, trying to hide her worry while Nozomi just smiled.
"I'm fine, not very hungry." Liar. Nico thought, but on the outside she graciously accepted the treat and ate it merrily.
Lights hung around the Lily dorm and different decorations were placed neatly around the dormitory. Nico loved it, she really did. It was festive and happy and amazing, and Nico loved it. Christmas was never really a great holiday until she had come to Otonokizaka. Well, it had been an amazing holiday, but it just was never very cheery and festive.
But as long as her mom was there, Christmas was always great.
"Come on Nico-chi, the Christmas ceremony and Secret Santa is starting soon!" Nozomi said rising from her seat, and Nico was filled with relief when she heard a tone of excitement in Nozomi's voice. So she was excited for Christmas too.
Nico followed eagerly, the pancake all but leaving her mind as she jogged to catch up with Nozomi who was already out the door.
"Welcome one and all, to the Secret Santa Christmas Celebration! Doesn't that just have such a great ring to it?" Rin announced, the gymnasium transformed into a Christmas wonderland. Different ornaments and lights adorned the walls and Rin was dressed in a Santa Claus suit, like the one in the poster.
There was also a big tree in the corner of the room with different presents that everybody had placed down. Nico looked at them eagerly, itching to open her present, hoping it was something good.
"Anyways, everybody should probably have prayed a few weeks ago that they would receive a good present, because unfortunately with events like this some people are cheap. So, the Tulips have supplied complimentary baked goods and cakes so that nobody will feel left out." The room erupted into cheers at the sounds of Christmas food. "There will also be a turkey dinner supplied by the amazing chefs here at Otonokizaka! Give them a round of applause!" Nico was surprised that even the Roses were cheering-of course, she was already-but it was Christmas, everybody was happy on Christmas.
...Right?
"Now, since everybody is here, we can head straight on to the opening of the presents! Please go to the tree and grab your presents, and don't be too spastic about it. Honoka I'm talking to you." After Rin was finished there was a mad dash to the Christmas tree. Nico was one of those mad dashers as she looked for her present excitedly, finally finding it wrapped neatly underneath the tree. It had a big, beautiful bow, and clearly stood out among the others.
Wow, this person clearly had some stuff to spend. Or maybe there just really nice. Whatever the reason was, Nico didn't really care as she reached down to grab her present. With an excited gleam in her eyes she looked around frantically for Nozomi's as well, as obviously the girl was able to hold back a little bit on her Christmas cheer, as Nico would phrase it.
"Aha!" Nico cheered, reaching over to grab Nozomi's present. It also stood out, being neatly wrapped with another large bow on it in a different color. Maybe our Secret Santa's worked together or something.
"Nozomi I have your present!" Nico sang, handing the Lily White representative her present.
"Ah, thank you Nico-chi. Let's go open them outside." Nozomi decided, in which Nico hummed in agreement to, and the duo walked outside of the packed gymnasium.
At this time it was around noon, and nobody was outside, leaving Nico and Nozomi to their lonesome. But they didn't mind, it was just what they wanted really.
"Okay, let's open them at the same time Nozomi!" Nico chattered anxiously, holding back every urge to tear a part her present as Nozomi laughed.
"Okay Nico-chi, I just have to go the washroom really quick, so wait until I get back~." Nozomi teased, walking away.
"Nozomi!" Nico called after the girl, who was really just kidding, causing Nico to scowl. "Can we please just open these presents?"
"My, my Nico-chi, where is all of your Christmas cheer?" Nozomi continued.
"Nozomi!" After a few moments of arguing Nico was finally able to open her present, revealing a simple pink box.
"Oh, mystery. This is clearly expertly made." Nico said, inducing another laugh from Nozomi, but Nico ignored it and opened up the box.
"...Eh?"
To Yazawa Nico,
To Toujou Nozomi,
To Minami Kotori,
To Ayase Eli,
To Nishikino Maki,
To Sonoda Umi,
We want to thank you for you services in aiding the school as you have. We feel that you have been a significant part of the greatness that is Otonokizaka Academy, and we all decided that we owe it to you for the majority of the things we have.
So, in association with the Tulips (don't get us wrong, we didn't want to associate with them) we planned the Secret Santa so that we could really come up with a surprise for you!
So please follow this map to the old location of Otonokizaka Academy. It's easy to find, since there is a pathway from here-that being present day Otonokizaka-near the Rose Red dorm. It'll be a short walk through the woods, and you'll find it. Just know that it's nothing in comparison to Otonokizaka now, so don't have high expectations.
We planned something in there we hope you enjoy. With Principal Minami's permission, of course. We very much hope you will enjoy it, and please, also enjoy your Christmas break.
From,
Rose Red
From,
Lily White
"I'm one evil son of a bitch aren't I?"
CHRISTMAS IS HERE AND BITCHES WILL BE CRYING. SOME WISH THEY'LL BE DYING. SOME WILL PROBABLY START LYIIIIIINGGGGG!
I hope you liked that little song right there. Took a lot of effort.
Anyways, really sorry for the extremely short chapter. It's just buildup for the next chapter, just so you know.
Thanks for the reviews from: Jun Sakamoto, JayxNitro, Good ol' Camay who should have read the warning lol, Nathy11, MaryLoves, and new comer Yaeko-Rin! Ever single review means a lot so much love! Anyways, some questions to be answerd.
Jay: NozoKoto did break their friendship, it'll be touched on more next chapter but i'm pretty sure I went over it last chapter.
Mary: No, they did not have sex lol. I just didn't answer you the first time so see if you would ask again :P
Next chapter POV will be mixed through everybody, since that's just the way it is, and it'll either be very long or seperated into multiple chapters. Probably the latter, but we'll see.
