Christmas makes me happy no matter what time of year it comes around.

Bryan White


The members of the Student Council had many responsibilities that came with their positions. They served as hallway monitors, student leaders, and organizers or co-organizers for important school events.

As Student President, Fujikawa Haruka often felt that she had double the responsibility at times. Everybody looked up to her as a leader and she often freaked out about her duties to Toshio in private. The class representative had been a great help, especially with the annual Christmas party planning.

Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, the planning for the party was going smoothly.

"Tomorrow's the day!" Haruka said cheerfully as she and Toshio walked down the corridor and out of the school gates. She had opened up significantly to her new friends, and was no longer stuttering or blushing around them as much.

"Actually," Toshio corrected with a sweatdrop, "tomorrow's Saturday... which means you're going to have to wait until Monday since we don't have school on the weekend. Obviously."

"Oh." Haruka deflated slightly before perking up again. "Oh well, that's okay! I just can't wait. I already have four classes signed up to help with the decorating. That's more than enough people."

She had been pleased to know that that most of her friends were in those classes, including Naoko (she and Haruka were in the same class, actually!), Akane, Anzu, Leiko, and Toshio.

As they walked out of the school gates and went their separate ways, Haruka smiled to herself, her cheeks a rosy pink from the cold. It was snowing lightly and the streets were covered with snow from earlier nights with heavier snowfall.

It was beautiful. A winter wonderland, one could say. Haruka almost wanted to flop onto the ground and make a snow angel. But such things were expected of children, not teenagers in their second year of high school.

"Hey, Haru-chan!" a familiar voice called, and Haruka turned to see Naoko and Anzu walking up toward her, both of them wearing scarves and earmuffs to protect themselves from the chill.

Naoko and Anzu had grown more tolerant of each other. The first year Akane had rubbed off significantly on Anzu, and the latter was no longer so insufferable, even choosing to stop pursuing Oikawa's affections. She often complained that "it's all Akane's fault", but everybody knew that there was no real malice in the comment and she was merely putting up a front. Well, she hadn't changed completely. People just tolerated her more.

Almost everyone was pleased to report that Naoko had started opening up and warming up to her friends as well. She wasn't as hard to approach as she had been when she had first transferred to Aobajosai in June.

"We're heading downtown for a bite to eat," Naoko informed Haruka. Her voice was still relatively cool and toneless, but Haruka had been around her enough to notice the dash of color that was now present in her manner of speaking.

"It's my uncle's restaurant," Anzu added rather snobbishly, smirking, "so we can all eat for free. See? This is just one of the many benefits there are when you're friends with me!"

"The cons outweigh the benefits," Naoko said rather bluntly, giving the red-haired third year a sideways glance.

"Shut up, cave lady! At least I have class!"

"Sure, I'll come," Haruka agreed, smiling. "But don't you have work, Naachan?" Every time Naoko was invited out after school, she was always decline politely, saying that she had work. She wasn't lying; they had come to visit her at the maid cafe she worked in a few times. Personally, Haruka thought the butler uniform Naoko wore was very stylish and professional.

Naoko shook her head, looking more solemn than she had been before. She was like that sometimes—she just withdrew into herself a bit. But she answered anyway, "Umeko-san's grandfather is ill and she went back to Iwanuma to look after him until another family member becomes available. She said she would be back late February next year at the latest, so the shop likely won't be open until then."

"Oh, that's terrible," Haruka murmured, and even Anzu looked vaguely sympathetic. "So close to Christmas as well."

"I thought you'd be more bothered," Anzu remarked, raising an eyebrow. "You've gotten really chill lately..."

"I am bothered," Naoko admitted, brushing her hair back slightly. "Just not as much as I thought I would've been. Anyway, since I'm only working one day a week now, I have more time to spend with my family and... friends."

"Why do I sense that you were going to say Oikawa?" Anzu snorted, rolling her eyes.

Naoko gave her a confused look. "I wasn't. He is my friend, but he's not the only one."

"That's not what I meant! You're so totally oblivious to even your own feelings... geez."

No, Naoko corrected silently, I'm not. Tooru... I know he means something more to me than just friends. Outwardly, she didn't say anything, only shrugged, much to Anzu's vexation. Family, perhaps? No, not even that, though Sumire and Tadashi were quite fond of the brunet setter and treated him like the older/younger brother they'd never had.

The walk to downtown was quick, and the three girls soon found themselves strolling down the main street, passing by multiple shops on either side. The train station wasn't too far away either, and Naoko could see the big tower attached to said station from where they currently were.

"Where's the restaurant?" Naoko asked, recognising Maple Gallery—the place where Oikawa had taken her out for lunch on their date—sitting around the corner, the cinema also nearby somewhere.

"Over here," Anzu directed, leading them away from Maple Gallery. Finally, they arrived at a rather fancy looking family restaurant. Anzu smirked proudly, imagining her friends' faces to be akin to that of awe.

"Nice place," Naoko said flatly.

"Gah! Is that all you have to say?!" Anzu glared back at Naoko. "Ugh, whatever, not like I was expecting much..."

"I think it's lovely," Haruka complimented with a smile akin to gentle sunshine on her face.

"Thank you! At least someone has manners..." Anzu snuck a look at Naoko, who looked like she couldn't really care less.

The girls, save Anzu, came to discover that the interior of the restaurant was as beautiful in the inside as it was on the outside, and much, much warmer. Naoko let out a small, relieved sigh as she undid her scarf and removed her earmuffs, her friends doing the same (only Haruka had a simple woollen scarf to remove and no headgear).

"Just three hot cocoas and a basket of southern fried potato slices to share, thank you," Anzu said to the waiter when they sat down in a booth.

"Very well, Anzu-hime," the waiter replied, nodding and writing down the orders before leaving to fulfil them.

Naoko scoffed at Anzu's pleased expression. "Anzu-hime?" she parroted, sounding more than a little condescending. "Now I feel like I forgot to take off your coat for you or something."

"Ha, ha, real funny."

Their basket of potato slices and their hot cocoas had just arrived when a familiar voice wafted through the air. "Hey, is that Mako-sensei? Mako-sensei, over here!" Oikawa Hotaru grinned as she made her way their booth, oblivious to the scrunched up face that Anzu was giving her, probably mistaking her for some commoner, as she liked to say. "Hi, Mako-sensei! How have you been?"

"Hotaru-san," Naoko said in lieu of greeting. "I've been fine, thank you." In fact, things were better than they had been before. Somehow. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard the hot cocoa here is worth a shot, so here I am. I brought Tooru with me too!"

"Eh? Tooru's here?" At that moment, Oikawa chose to saunter toward them, an amused smile on his face. He had been following a few steps behind his sister and had took his time to observe Hotaru run over to their booth like a madwoman.

"Obviously," he said teasingly, sitting down next to her. "It's good to see you again, Mako-chan."

Naoko's lips quirked upward in a small smile. "Likewise... dumb chihuahua."

"How mature of you, oyster-chan."

"Um, excuse me!" Anzu practically shouted, glaring. "I didn't bring you here for a canoodling session, Naoko."

"Canoodling?" Haruka muttered, blinking in confusion. What kind of word was that?

"Ah, my baby brother is abandoning me for lady friends," Hotaru said with a melodramatic sigh. She shot him a foxy grin. "Play nice, Tooru. I have to pick up Takeru anyway, so I'll take my cocoa on the go. Don't forget to use protection~" With that, she flounced off to the counter to collect her hot beverage before leaving the restaurant, the bell above the door jingling as she exited.

"Looks like your stuck with me," Oikawa stated, looking rather pleased. "You don't mind do you, Haru-chan; Anzu-chan?"

"Not at all," Haruka said kindly.

"Whatever," sniffed Anzu. Chee... what did I ever see in him anyway? Akane is so much prettier

Wait.

What.

As Anzu grew extremely pale, Oikawa was making conversation easily with the other two girls.

"How has being president been for you, Haru-chan?"

"Oh, wonderful. It can get a bit stressful at times, but I always have Toshio to help me out. He and Leiko have been surprisingly supportive."

"I'm glad to hear. We're decorating on Monday, right?"

"Why, yes." Haruka's eyes widened slightly when she thought of something. "Does that mean you're in one of the four classes that signed up?"

"He's in Toshio's class," Naoko recalled, nodding slowly. "My brother will be helping out too."

"Haha! I'm so glad that pretty much all our friends are going to be there!" Haruka exclaimed.

Friends. That word warmed Naoko's heart. These people... they aren't just acquaintances... they're my friends.

"Oyster-chan, you're doing that weird spacing out thing again." Oikawa's voice burst into her mind and she startled. He poked her forehead and she shook her head before glaring at him.

"I was just thinking."

"Uh huh..." He shot her a knowing look, smirking. "In case you weren't listening—and I know you weren't—Haru-chan was saying something about visiting the local shrine."

"I think they're doing that wish thing this year," Anzu said, tapping her chin before she took a sip of cocoa. "The one where you write your wish onto a wooden tag and hang it up..." For some reason, her face was almost as red as her hair. Naoko was curious as to what she had been thinking about but didn't press the matter.

"We should go," Oikawa said, his eyes lighting up with a scheming gleam. "I have a wish I want to make."

"Ayame works there, actually," Haruka piped up again, "As a shrine maiden. Her shift started not long ago so we should be able to see her there. She might even be helping out with the wishing tags."

So it was decided. After finishing their hot cocoas and the basket of potato slices, they all exited the restaurant together, Haruka and Anzu walking in front while Oikawa and Naoko followed a step behind.

"So, Mako-chan," Oikawa said conversationally, "how have you been? After your obaa-chan..." he trailed off, giving her an apologetic look.

"Actually?" If Naoko was bothered by the reminder of her late grandmother, she didn't show it. Then again, she didn't show a lot of emotion to begin with. It was only during the past two weeks that she really began to open up a lot more. "Things have gotten better. So you were right about that."

"Of course I was." He smirked infuriatingly, but Naoko didn't mind. She was glad that he'd been right. "I'm here for you, Mako-chan. I'm not going to leave you." Ever. I swear.

"How can you be so sure?"

Oikawa chuckled. "Because I don't want to be a bastard to you." I've already been enough of one.

Naoko gave a noncommittal grunt, burying her face further into her war, scarf. "Thanks, I guess. But you shouldn't say things you don't mean."

Oikawa blinked, bemused and maybe a little hurt. But mostly bemused. "What makes you think I don't mean it?"

She paused, deliberating the answer. Then, "Because nobody ever does."

He stopped in his tracks, causing Naoko to stop as well and turn around. Anzu and Haruka still hadn't looked back and were still walking toward the shrine at a slow pace.

They kept standing still and staring at one another as the sun set in the horizon, early because of winter.

Then Oikawa held his arms apart as if he were waiting for something. Slightly uncertain, though they had done this many times, Naoko closed the distance between them in an embrace, the body heat he was emitting a welcomed feeling. She buried her face into his woollen beige uniform vest, feeling his arms loop around her waist and back as she provided him the same treatment.

"I mean it." She could feel his chest rumble as he spoke. She could see in the appeal in hugging. It was nice.

"How do I know that?"

"You don't."

"Then how do I trust you?"

"I don't know," Oikawa admitted, a pink tinge on his cheeks from the biting frost. "Do you trust me though?" Please say yes! Pleasseeeee

"... Yes."

He smiled, even though he knew she couldn't see it. "Then that's all there is to it." Yes! She said yes!

"Is it really that simple?" she asked when they had released one another and caught up to her friends.

"Not for everyone. I guess it just depends on the person," Oikawa replied after mulling over the question.

"Mm."

"Hurry up, you two!" Anzu called from the front, she and Haruka having picked up the pace when the shrine came into view.

"We're coming!" Naoko returned, grabbing Oikawa's hand and intertwining their fingers. She really should have worn gloves today, but then she wouldn't have been able to do this. Then she pulled him along.

"Well, someone's eager," he remarked teasingly. He couldn't help but notice how she had reversed their roles. It was usually him who initiated physical contact between them—it was usually him who dragged her along. How the tables have turned. But he didn't mind.

"I haven't been to the shrine since I was a child," Naoko confided as they moved into a small jog to catch up with Haruka and Anzu.

"Why not?"

Naoko didn't answer—they had caught up with their friends.

"Ayame should be somewhere around here," Haruka was saying, trying to peer over the heads of strangers. "Ah! Over there!"

There were three tables pushed together and a sizeable amount of people queuing up to receive wooden tags from the three shrine maidens behind the tables. Ayame was undoubtedly the youngest one there, the other two girls looking like they were in college.

"Ayame," Haruka greeted when they made it to the front of the line.

"Hey, guys!" Ayame returned with a big smile. "What's up? How many tags? Four?"

"Four will do," Naoko said.

"Cool. I'll talk to you later when my shift's over."

They all took their tags and Ayame gave them a permenant marker to share between the four of them.

Anzu and Haruka went first, followed by Naoko and Oikawa, the former separating themselves from the latter to hang their tags up.

"Mako-chaaan," Oikawa whined, "it's been two minutes and you've only written one character!"

"Shut up, dumb chihuahua, I'm thinking!"

"Well, think faster!"

"Your voice is messing with my head!"

Grinning sneakily, Oikawa lowered his mouth to her ear. "Is this better?" he all but purred, making her stiffen.

"Hardly. In fact, I think I just had an aneurysm from your failed attempt to sound sultry. Give me another five minutes."

"Oh, come on!" He smirked. "You don't have to kid me, you know, I know you enjoyed that."

"Sure," she said monotonously, writing down the rest of her wish before passing the pen to him. "Happy?"

"Very." He quickly scrawled down his wish, and Naoko gave his penmanship an unimpressed stare.

"Your handwriting is terrible."

"Hey!" Oikawa pouted. "It's not easy writing on something so small, you know. I write much neater on paper."

Just to rub salt in the wounds, Naoko showed him her own wish, her writing neat and clear on her tag.

"... Now that was just rude."

"I know."

"By the way, what's up with that wish? One year supply of Hamburg steak?"

They both hung their tags on the hanging tree, jostling other people out of the way to do so.

"At least mine isn't 'I wish Iwa-chan will go alien hunting with me like old times'."

"Again. Rude." Oikawa sighed in mock hurt. "What do I even see in you?" When he realized what he had just said, he inwardly berated himself, though he kept his cool in the face of Naoko.

"I don't know," she responded coolly. "I guess I'm just that amazing."

Oikawa stared at her, ignoring the people who were telling them to move out of the way so that they could hang their own wooden tags. "Did... you just make a joke?"

"Don't sound so surprised." They weaved their way out of the crowd. To the side, Ayame, Anzu, and Haruka were talking to each other, Ayame having been temporarily relieved from her shift by another maiden.

"Can't help it," he stated, giving her a sideways glance. Oikawa smiled and Naoko's face reddened slightly. "But I like it when you surprise me."


"My sister just texted me," Sumire said, glancing down at her phone. She and Kageyama were currently sitting in Kagoshima Ramen Place, both of them enjoying a bowl of hot ramen, the perfect remedy to the wintry chill. "There's going to be a Christmas party at Aobajosai for the whole school and they're decorating on Monday after school. You wanna come?"

Ever since her grandmother had passed and Kageyama had come to know of it, he'd treated her a bit more gentler than he normally did. But, after a week, it was back to borderline abusive verbal and physical sparring between the two. And, in a way, Sumire was thankful for that. Normal people would probably shake their heads at their relationship, but it was just how they comfortably communicated.

"No thanks," he answered after a moment of deliberation. "I have to practice; we all do. Sorry."

"Nah, it's fine," Sumire dismissed his apology. "I get it. Decorating probably sounds pretty boring, but I'm going to go and help."

"You should come practice with us," Kageyama told her, sounding a bit more eager. "Your sets have improved a lot, and Noya's been helping you with your receiving, right? You should come! Then you can further improve—"

Sumire snickered. "Is there anything else you think about besides volleyball?"

"Yes." She was caught off guard by his immediate answer.

"Oh? And what's that?"

"You."

They both stared at each other, Kageyama looking deadly serious and Sumire's eyes widened in surprise.

"That..." Sumire started. Then she threw a balled up used tissue at him. "Was so cheesy! Idiot!"

He shouted before throwing the tissue back at her. "Twig! Runt! You're not romantic at all!"

"Like you can talk! You're dense as a brick!"

"So are you!" Kageyama grumbled under his breath. "I never should have listened to that midget..."

"Wait, are you talking about Hinata?" Sumire leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh my god, you were. You went to him for love advice?!"

"Sh-shut up!" He threw another tissue at her, making her cry out. "You should be glad that I even bothered to ask that shrimp!"

Sumire couldn't help but guffaw. "Tobio, I'm pretty sure even Tanaka-san can offer better advice than Hinata."

He gave her a dry look. "Are you forgetting that this is the same guy who put strawberry condoms in my locker?"

Sumire paled. "I thought we agreed never to speak of that again."

Kageyama grimaced. "Shit, you're right."

"Dumbass."

"Stop talking to yourself, twig."

"Shut up, you... you stick!"

"Hah?!"

"If I'm a twig, you're a stick!"

"How does that work?"

"It just does!" Sumire puffed out her cheeks indignantly. "For real though, from here on out, no more mentions of the condoms."

"Deal."

Kageyama didn't tell her that he still had those condoms shoved somewhere deep, deep inside his clothes drawer.


A/N: O.O

Welp, Christmas has almost arrived, and everybody is (kinda) getting in the holiday mood.

Also, if anyone's concerned, Sumire and Kags won't be getting it on anytime soon. It was just a perverted joke.

A side note... I am currently sick. So *cough* yeah.

RainyDayReader116: whY YES IT IS

PhantomSeekerz255: THANK YOU. I had cap locks on by accident but I can't be bothered to change it cuz I'm too lazy. Believe me, I'm not usually this dedicated.

Dragon fang 12: Goku x Kefla? I'm not gonna do that, sorry. I don't like Kefla's character one bit, for one. Secondly, I'm taking a complete and utter break from Dragon Ball. I'm pretty much nearly done with the fandom. Haikyuu! and Naruto are my number one priority.