Summary: Ever since Mamori joined the Devil Bats, she would receive an anonymous present on Christmas that sent those around her in a frenzy. Who is this mystery person and why is he hiding?

Notes: Oh man, I really wonder about my writing style here and whether or not it was a good idea to do it this way. But I've lacked sleep the past few days and I've been so busy and I didn't want to miss out on writing for Christmas and I'm already late so... ARGH! I don't know anymore. D8

This was written for DeviantArt's prompt of the month which is "Winter", although this story focuses a lot more on Christmas than it does on the overall season. There's only a light mention on the season, so I hope it's all right. Do let me know if you have an issue with this writing style, and I'll do my best to improve. Overall, I admit I could've done more with this story, but time has limited me to write only this much and I apologise.

For now, I do hope you enjoy this somehow, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Anezaki Mamori is a master in the art of giving. From making hand gifts to selecting the perfect present for the perfect person in the perfect occasion, she would always have something ready to give to anyone who was at least her acquaintance.

Hiruma Youichi was the exact opposite. He demanded that he got his way, and that things were given to him as if he was entitled to them. He didn't care how he did it, or how vile his methods would be to others. All that mattered was that he got what he wanted. So far he has had a 98% success rate on this.

To those who know both Anezaki and Hiruma, they're used to playing these two different roles for them. One as the person who accepts happily and gratefully, the other as the person who gives fearfully or tearfully. It was a routine that they were all used to, even to the two said people themselves.

So it was a surprise when Mamori had been on the receiving end one Christmas Day. In all honesty, Mamori was an easy woman to please. Give her anything from the heart, something partially handmade, even if it is deformed, to even one or thousands of creampuffs, and she was a happy and satisfied recipient. But this particular gift made her stop and ponder for a moment.

For it was a jewelled necklace in the shape of a bear, and it appeared to her in the post box.

She spent the next few days figuring out who it could be, asking people questions and trying to link it to the gift. This piqued everyone's curiosity. Who was this secret admirer? Who could ever think of such a lovely and thoughtful gift to her? Why would he be hiding?

But soon Mamori stopped asking, and she didn't seem to care who it was. She wore the necklace regularly after that. While many in the Devil Bats were still curious about who this mystery person was, as Mamori was willing to drop the subject, they would too.

The following Christmas, when both Mamori and Hiruma were in Saikyoudai, another similar incident occurred for their new team to see. Mamori received a hair clip this time, a fancy jewelled one in the shape of a butterfly to hold her now long hair. People were curious once again as to who gave her such a beautiful present, but Mamori would just shrug and claim that it didn't matter, and that she was grateful for the lovely gift.

It wasn't until the next Christmas did an inkling on who the mystery person was came to light. From the rumours that flew around, it seemed that Mamori had finally confronted said mystery person and asked for a different gift that year, and he complied. And that was when a few students from Saikyoudai saw the college's American Football Manager and their Quarterback walking towards an orphanage that Mamori frequently volunteered... right on Christmas Day.

No one really understood it. The man who constantly demanded to have things his way was giving to a woman who didn't seem to give him anything in return... on Christmas Day! Was it Opposite Day for the unlikely couple on the 25th of December? Did someone cast a magic spell that made them this way every Christmas?

Years later and the tradition continued. Hiruma gave, and Mamori received. A mystery that prevailed for so long as either nobody dared to question them, or the duo just wouldn't explain themselves. It wasn't until their first Christmas as a married couple that they both finally decided it was time to come clean.

For Hiruma, Mamori was the first person he ever felt compelled to give a gift. Initially, he did it out of courtesy, something to reward her for all the hard work and sacrifices she made for the team. The next year he discovered he liked her more and more, and decided to give her another gift. When Mamori confronted him that one cold December morning, they struck an agreement that his gifts would be less materialistic. For though Mamori did enjoy the gift, she thought Hiruma could do better than that.

Mamori explained that she didn't do it to bully Hiruma. Not at all. She just wanted to teach him a little more about the spirit of giving on Christmas and how it could come in different forms. She admitted his first time at the orphanage was rough as his language was hard to control and the guns were far from child friendly. But the kids loved him, especially when he taught them football. One sickly boy even looked up to him and swore to get better, wanting to be just like Hiruma and play the best game of football ever. Hiruma would claim that he was merely recruiting more minions, but to Mamori it was a different story. One that she was very proud of.

Yet one question still remained. Why didn't Mamori give him anything in return on Christmas Day? To which Mamori blushed and replied, "What makes you think I didn't give him anything on Christmas Day?"