Chapter Twenty-Nine
Christmas Day
Mizushima Kasumi's Point of View
I was currently folding the bedcovers back to their original setting before rushing to the kitchen where Nanase was making breakfast—of course being him, he just got out of the tub and was shirtless, with only an apron and swimming trunks to cover himself.
I glanced at the clock. It was one in the afternoon. It was true that Nanase and I were with Nagisa, Rei, Makoto, and Rin at the festival, playing games, eating out, watching the fireworks, and then walking around the lake and stands last night, and we were tediously worn out by the end of the day. I guess that that was what you got for staying up late and sleeping in—less time with Haruka . . . And he still woke up at the same time as each and every morning to take his daily runs and go to the swimming pool and exercise . . . Now that I think of it, I'm actually pretty lax compared to others . . . by a long run.
"Good morning," I gave him a smile as I hugged him from behind, my chin at the crevice of his neck.
"The same to you," he replied passively as I simply chuckled in response. "How many slivers of mackerel do you want?"
I observed how thick and long the slices of the fish were before answering, "Um, three is fine."
He nodded his head as he reached for two plates from the upper cabinet and set the slivers onto the plates—respective to the amounts we wanted.
I quickly grabbed some soy sauce before sitting down to eat.
Nanase looked at me blankly as I poured a tablespoon of the liquid onto my cooked fish.
"What?" I raised my hands in defense as I closed the cap of the soy sauce container.
He continued to give me the blank stare, and I continued to do the same to him. This lasted for several minutes before the silence was broken by the sudden clanging sound of forks and knives piercing and cutting through the seafood.
"Done exercising for the day," I said out of the blue. "I'm gonna guess."
"Yeah," Nanase replied simply.
I stared at the plate as I sliced the slivers of fish into smaller pieces and continued to eat.
"What's the plan for today?" I asked Nanase as I put down my fork.
"I don't know," he replied with ease, as if it were the most logical answer.
"Oh my, gosh, Nanase," I sighed in exasperation. "Then what are we supposed to do? Oh, Kami."
"Watch a movie?" Nanase asked monotonously. "I'm not good at this stuff. Don't make me think either. I'm a bit off today."
"Well, then," I sweat-dropped in response. "Go to sleep, you dimwit."
"That's not nice," he teased passively as he went into his bedroom to supposedly sleep.
"That's not so Christmas-like," I muttered to myself as I did the dishes.
By the end of next week, I would be back at home with Masaru-nii, back to online medical courses and lab studies. Ugh, boring, but yet intriguing subjects, I must admit.
I exhaled a sigh of relief after I had finished the dishes before taking a peek in the bedroom to see whether or not Nanase was sleeping soundly or not.
And like he said he would be, he was asleep—sound asleep.
I then walked over, took the empty side of the bed, and pulled the covers over the both of us before succumbing to sleep a few moments later.
It seemed as it were only a few mere moments later that I awoke, but, in reality, it had been several hours. I glanced beside me to see that Nanase had already left. The clock read 8:30 in the night. What could he be doing at this hour?
I then poured myself a cup of hot tea before sitting down. There on the table was a note with the inscribed words:
Kasumi,
Out for a run. Be back soon.
~Haru
I sighed with a small lift of my frown plastered upon my face.
He was always doing something. I chuckled. Productive as always.
I pulled one of few books from his shelf regarding mental fitness and began to read it. About a few hours later, the door creaked open—revealing Nanase, Rin, Makoto, and a slim, burgundy-haired girl whose arm was wrapped around Nanase's waist, all of whom were laughing over something.
"Soon, huh?" I frowned as I slammed the dusty book shut. "Pft."
The room was quiet when I put on my black petticoat, scarf, and beanie and left the apartment.
I stormed out of that place and left to walk around town. It was just a midnight stroll . . . I suppose.
Truth be told, I didn't know why I stormed out of his apartment. Maybe I was mad that he didn't tell me he was out with his friends. Maybe it was the fact that he promised me he would spend his Christmas day with me and only me. Well . . . he did drag a girl with him, which also kind of pissed me off. But, he did have girl friends, and I couldn't always be so selfish.
But then again, he was tired, and I was most likely being the one at fault.
I sighed before I heard the buzzing sound from my phone.
Message from Nanase:
I just found Makoto and Rin on my way back so I thought they'd like to join us.
Come back.
Sent at 8:36 P.M.
I ignored the message as I continued to walk on. I also spotted that he left out the fact that there was a girl with him—that may or may not have pissed me off even more.
Message from Nanase:
Kasumi. Where are you?
Sent at 8:38 P.M.
I continued to ignore his texts as I continued to walk down the various streets. One of the few shops down Mukara Street had a bakery shop with macaroons by the window. I was immediately taken back by the compelling aura and instantaneously entered the shop, glanced at the various flavors and assortments of macaroons and carefully chose which one I wanted.
Pistachios . . . naw. Strawberry . . . Maybe. Chocolate . . . Too sweet. Green Tea . . . Meh. Wait, green tea?!
I immediately took two packages of four macaroons and waited in line to pay. There was about five to seven people in front of me and I checked my phone's text messages in the meantime.
Message from Nanase:
Kasumi. Answer my message.
Sent at 8:41 P.M.
Message from Nanase:
. . . Kasumi . . . Rin and Makoto left. So did Gou.
Sent at 8:46 P.M.
I thought to myself for a few moments. Wasn't Gou the former manager of the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club and sister to Rin?
I still didn't reply as I stepped up further to the cashier as three people had already finished their payments. It wasn't long before it was my turn to pay, and after that, I left the store and continued to walk down the near empty streets.
I passed by a dark alley. The city seemed almost too quiet, and I could say the same for the streets as well. It was usually more . . . busier . . . but now it wasn't as so.
I heard a raven caw at me as it bared his wings in defense. A black cat came out from the shadows and purred at the aerial creature. Something wasn't right. Something . . . was about to happen.
My phone beeped at that particular moment—totally ruining the epic, horror movie . . . At least there were no murderers out there . . . Thank you anime for teaching me that much.
Message from Nanase:
Kasumi. Come home now.
Or at least answer my message.
Sent at 8:57 P.M.
I sighed before relenting and replying.
Message to: Nanase
Sorry for leaving. I just needed some air.
Sent at 8:58 P.M.
Message from Nanase:
Don't leave like that again.
Please.
I'm worried.
Sent at 8:59 P.M.
I imagined Nanase saying those words in either that romantic prince from fairytales, Akashi Seijuro from Kuroko no Basket in that emperor voice of his, or Nanase's typical monotone voice in which he usually spoke.
I quickly scurried back to Nanase's apartment, and upon opening the door, I saw him sitting on the couch, eyes closed, with his hands folded together, barely grazing his forehead.
I took off my hat, coat, and scarf and set it in the closet. By then, Nanase realized I was home and quickly walked over to me.
"Where were you?" he asked me as he was merely a meter away from me.
"Out," I replied simply as I placed the coat onto its respective hanger.
"Why did you leave?" he continued to ask monotonously as he leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.
"My mind was just mental," I shrugged before giving him a re-assuring smile.
After finishing putting my items away, I closed the closet door and placed the macaroons onto the counter and recycled the plastic bag that contained the materials.
"Was it because I didn't spend time with you today as I said I would?" he asked me as I was about to enter the bedroom.
I fiddled with my promise ring before replying, "Yeah, but I shouldn't have been so picky anyways. Besides, you needed rest and a break from me for a bit, and I shouldn't have been expecting too much. That was really harsh of me and all, and-"
I trailed off there as I felt Nanase's arm envelop me in a deep embrace, clearing every doubt and every single thought from my mind.
He hesitated before replying, "Sorry."
"It was my fault," I gushed words out of my mouth. "I shouldn't have been so selfish or thinking that Christmas was always serendipitous to my particular liking or anything. It's my fault, okay?"
At that, Nanase instantaneously pressed his lips against mine gently, for his charisma wasn't that of aggressive, but free and smooth.
I bit my lip before reluctantly asking, "Am I forgiven?"
"I broke my promise," Nanase told me bluntly. "I am the one at fault."
I rolled my eyes before responding, "No, I am."
Before we could continue to argue over the possibly never-ending situation, I kissed Nanase on the lips and placed my arms around his neck.
He rested his hands at my waist before we both deepened the kiss.
After several moments, we stopped to gaze into each other's eyes, our foreheads pressing against one another.
"Let's forget about today," Nanase murmured passively as I responded with a small smile.
"Yeah," I whispered. "Let's forget this ever happened."
