This is it! Final chapter! (unless, a'course, I decide to do a sequel and then we'll have to have an epilogue. :P) I want to thank EVERYONE who has read my story and given me great reviews and support! As I replied to one reviewer, you guys have really been a motivation and a great encouragement to me as a writer. In fact, I do believe that all this writing is the reason why I got an Exceeds on my state's standardized writing test. Thank you ALL!
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Chapter 21: Destiny's Christmas Gift.
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Snowflakes fell gently on the Hikari residence on Christmas morning. Netto, in all his childish manners flew down stairs the minute after waking up to see what presents had been stocked under the Christmas tree. But what got his attention the most was not the pile of pretty paper and bows, nor the glistening lights and tinsel, but the best gift of all sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee with his parents.
"Enzan!" Netto ran over to give the other a hug, and Enzan stood up from his seat, receiving and reciprocating the embrace. "Merry Christmas" He smiled.
"Merry Christmas." Enzan replied
Netto looked over at his parents as he now became a little skeptical, anxious and worried, "How did you…what…why…" He was at a loss for words as he tried not to sound too suspicious.
"It's alright Netto. I called Enzan up to see if he'd like to join us today. Your father told me what had happened." Haruka explained as Netto sat down at the table, "I didn't think it was right that anyone be alone on Christmas."
"Also…we began to put two and two together." Yuuchiro announced, clearing his voice, "if we're not mistaken- and if we are, please forgive us- we want you to know that whatever the relationship between you two is, we accept."
Enzan went scarlet, and Netto blushed as well, "Really?"
"Really." Haruka replied, smiling.
Just then, the doorbell rang, and the two older 2Hikari's nodded to Enzan. "Excuse me," he said, getting up from the table to answer the door.
"Oooh, merry Christmas!" Sarena outstretched her arms and hugged her half-brother. But at this point, half or whole, the two were as close as siblings could be.
"Merry Christmas" he replied once again as he let her in.
"Sarena!" Netto announced happily.
"Hey there, Netto!" she smiled, taking off her light purple gloves and beanie and unwrapping the white scarf that had been dusted with tiny snowflakes. Of course, snowflakes had also attacked her black hair, making it glimmer in the right light.
"Too bad Laika had to go back to Sharro, huh?" Netto said to her, grinning, as she sat down at table.
"I'll be seeing him soon enough though." Sarena smirked, "I just sent in my application yesterday."
"Ooh, Laika, huh?" Haruka said with a giggle, folding her hands. "Winter is just such a romantic time," she said, leaning over and rubbing her nose against Yuuchiro's.
"I think that seems to be the case," Sarena smirked as she looked over at Netto and Enzan, who happened to be sitting next to each other.
"Yeah, look who's talking," Enzan shot back with a smirk to challenge.
"Oh! And speaking of romance, I hear that Yosuke's really taking a liking to Meiru-san."
"Who's Yosuke?" Haruka asked.
"Oh, just one of my friends. He met her when we got her back from the 'dark side'." Sarena chuckled, "Y'know, I can really see them working well together. He's a lot like Netto," she grinned, "and if I'm not mistaken, Netto was her object of fancy, was he not?"
"You could say that," Haruka responded, trying to look innocent.
"Yosuke's a good guy, too." Netto added, "But enough of the mushy stuff. I'm starving!"
"Right, right." the lady of the house chuckled, getting up from her spot next to her husband. "Can't start the day without food!"
As they ate, Enzan felt himself warming up to Netto's family. They asked him about his plans, and took an interest to Sarena as well.
And to think—before, this had all just been a mere wish that he had once deemed as "demure" "tasteless" and "tactless". On that one day when he sat across from Shuuseki, wondering if the Hikari's would welcome him to eat with them. He never thought that the one risk he took when putting down his emotional barrier and accepting Sarena's "mac n' cheese" would open up his world to all destiny had to offer him.
And now, as he sat that night, staring at the Christmas tree with Netto sleeping peacefully against his shoulder…as he sat there with his arm around the one he truly loved in the presence of Netto's loving family and his loving sister…he realized something. Destiny had come to him…and it had come to him for love and revenge.
The End
