Day Ten - Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

Characters: Takashi Morinizuka & Mitsukuni Haninozuka (10 years old)

Genre: Family

Triggers: Social Anxiety

"Rockin around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop…"

Music echoed throughout the garland strung halls during the late hours of winter's evening. The sun had already set which covered the Haninozuka's Christmas party in a blanket of darkness. Thankfully there were enough festivities inside their humble mansion to keep their spirits bright.

Lively chatter, clinking champagne glasses, and giddy laughter billowed from the party but from where Takashi sat, curled into himself in Mitsukuni's bedroom corner, it all sounded like anxious whispers.

He had enjoyed the morning when he and Mitsukuni helped decorate the Christmas tree and made a snowman in the backyard but once their party guests began to filter in it all started to feel too - too -

Crowded.

He didn't realize how many families were invited. He didn't realize the Haninozukas were friends with so many people. Mitsukuni explained how most of their guests were employees and partners but that didn't help Takashi feel less cramped.

Eventually, after the horderves were served and people began filling their flutes with alcohol Takashi silently took his leave and headed to the one room he felt the most safe.

Mitsukuni's bedroom.

Now, here he was, listening to dozens of people enjoy their evening while he pressed his back into a cold wall and hugged a stuffed giraffe close to his chest.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Takashi?" Mitsukuni called from the hallway.

He opened the door to reveal a plate of otoro and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you at the party?" He asked as he settled himself on the floor in front of his cousin.

Takashi only shrugged and looked at the wooden floor.

Although they were still young, ten years old in fact, Mitsukuni was still very intuitive to his cousin's emotions and thoughts. Without needing to hear his words Mitsukuni had a good idea of what led his cousin away.

He put the plate of otoro on the floor and slid it towards Takashi's feet, letting him know it was for him.

"It was getting loud in there." Mitsukuni said.

Takashi nodded, "Yeah…"

"And there's a lot of people."

"A lot."

Mitsukuni smiled, happy to see Takashi talking again, "But the food is really yummy and the music is fun to dance to. Plus we get to open a present after everyone leaves."

Takashi looked up, finally meeting his eyes with Mitsukuni's since he walked in, "Really?"

Mitsukuni smiled wide and nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah! My dad said we can open one present tonight. He said it'll be a party treat."

Takashi smiled, the weight in his chest lifting slightly as he allowed this excitement to fill him with happiness.

"When will the party end?" Takashi asked after a moment, reaching for an otoro.

Mitsukuni shrugged, "I don't know. It seems they're just getting started. Maybe in a few hours?"

Takashi sighed, his shoulders slumping with disappointment. He studied the otoro, as if having second thoughts, but ate it anyway. It was delicious, something that would help distract him at least.

"You know," Mitsukuni said, "When we grow up we'll have to host parties too."

Takashi looked at him as he swallowed, the weight returning to his chest. His eyes grew wide with unease as he imagined having to entertain dozens of people on his own. He shook his head free of the thoughts once they began to feel like a nightmare.

"Takasih?"

"I don't know how." Takashi confessed, resting his chin on his crossed forearms. He didn't know how to entertain people. He wasn't much of a talker. He preferred to watch from the side with the occasional conversation with Mitsukuni. He didn't know where to start with planning a party, sending invitations, knowing who to invite, serving the right food, and orchestrating the night's festivities. It was all too much, too overwhelming.

"Then let me do all the talking. You don't have to do anything but sit and watch." Mitsukuni promises, patting Takashi on the head.

"We'll host together?" Takashi asked, his eyes almost pleading.

Mitsukuni chuckled, "Of course! We can throw a party together. We'll combine them so it'll be one big party."

Takashi slunk back a little at the thought of two parties merging into one giant event. Mitsukuni caught that.

"Don't worry Takashi. We won't invite this many people. Maybe just twenty or twenty two. Does Yasuchika and Satoshi count as guests?"

Takashi considered that for a moment, "Probably not. They're too young to be guests."

Mitsuuni laughed, "By the time we host a party they won't be in diapers anymore."

"Oh right." Takashi smiled at that.

Mitsukuni was grateful to see his cousin smile. Hefinally noticed the giraffe tucked into Takashi's chest.

"Do you want to hold Usa-chan while I get us more food?" Mitsukuni asked, offering the pink stuffed bunny from his tight grasp.

Takashi smiled but shook his head. "I'll get food with you. I'm hungry."

Mitsukuni jumped off the floor with excitement and tugged at Takashi's hand while he pushed himself off the floor too.

Mitsukuni seemed to drag Takashi toward the door as he nearly skipped forward, "Maybe we can steal some cake too!"