A/N: Merry Christmas, everyone!
Disclaimer: Just for the enjoyment, nothing more.
His bones ached almost as much as his fingers and arm, from which hung the manifold bags that had come of Harada-san's holiday shopping spree. At last, the long Saturday drew to a close, but he still had to walk her home. How she had managed to convince him to escort her through store after store still bewildered him, but had she managed it just as she had managed to make him agree to attend her family's New Years party later on.
Still, just then he only felt relief that she would not try wheedling him into helping her pick out her new dress for the party. She had budgeted determinedly all through her shopping so she would have enough to make the purchase she had in mind.
He had spent no money at all, aside from purchasing some warm food to sustain him through the weary day, and she had mocked him soundly for not having a drop of Christmas spirit in him.
Without warning, Harada-san, who had stuck close by him all day to make sure he did not slip away when she turned her back, disappeared from his side. He halted in the middle of the street and quirked an eyebrow at her as she threaded her way back several feet, then stopped in front of the red pot set out on the street. She said a few words to the man who rang the bell beside it, then she tucked some of her money in with the other donations.
His eyebrow rose a little higher, then he glanced forward again. There went her intentions to buy a new dress, but he found himself in the mood for hot chocolate.