Chapter 6

As planned, everyone met up in the food court at 1:30 PM. Like the rest of the mall, the food court itself was massive. There were several restaurants, a variety of food vendors and even a grocery store. And with the Christmas rush going on, it was rather crowded. The group managed to find a set of tables, set their previously swapped gifts down and headed to get food.

Since she had already eaten a late breakfast and wasn't very hungry, Mei opted for some teriyaki salmon with fried rice and headed back to the table where everyone else had gathered. As they ate they discussed their plans for the holidays. Among the topics was Christmas dinners and Asami mentioned what her family did for their dinner.

"We usually get some Sentucky Fried Chicken. It's basically been a family tradition since I was little. Yeah, it might not be original but I don't care. It's delicious!"

"You know," Aiko commented, "A new branch opened up a few months ago in the shopping plaza not too far from my place."

"I know the one you're referring to," Yamato said. "It's the one right across from the MgRonald's, right?"

"Yep. Although the manager there tends to give me the creeps," Aiko said. Just the thought of that blue-haired guy made her skin crawl. And the fact that he over-emphasized his delight when people, especially women, bought something just made her want to punch him all the more.

"Yeah. He's a really shady guy," Masashi said. "I mean, who wears sunglasses indoors at 7:00 in the evening?"

"Who knows what he's doing under them," Aiko commented. "He's the reason I usually go to the MgRonald's instead. Yeah, it might not be as healthy, but the day shift manager there is really friendly."

"And that redhead with the short twintails is super cute," Asami said.

As the conversation continued, everyone shared their traditions and plans with one another. Mei even chimed in a bit with stories of what her family had made in the past during her Christmas dinners with her grandparents. Aiko and Nagi were both interested in hearing about some of the foods they had made and were practically begging for some of her grandmother's recipes by the time Mei was finished talking. Yamato smiled inwardly. He had noticed that Mei was gradually becoming more open when it came to talking about these things. He was happy for her but he could still sense a little bit of hesitation in her voice and posture. Even so, it was a beginning.

As they continued talking, Kenji happened to look across the food court and noticed someone; or rather a pair of someones. He nudged Asami and said, "Hey. Check out over there."

Asami looked in the direction he indicated and saw the same thing. "Hey guys, Check it out." Everyone looked and saw what the other two had seen. Kai and Megumi; sitting at a table, eating lunch and appearing to be having a pleasant conversation.

"Told you she'd show up," Aiko said to Kenji.

"At least they seem to be getting along," Yamato commented.

"Ohh," Asami said, "I wish I could hear what they're saying. Who knows what kind of stuff they're talking about," she said with a somewhat devilish grin; to which Aiko conveniently responded to by bonking her on the head with the edge of her hand.

What the two happened to be talking about was actually just a bunch of random topics. Despite the friendly act they were both putting on, Kai and Megumi were both nervous. Kai was still on edge about what had happened in the clothing store. He had known that Megumi had money to spend; a lot more than he did in fact. But actually seeing what it was like to be on that side of the social class made him nervous.

Megumi was nervous about the same thing, but for the exact opposite reason. She had always known she was well off when it came to money. And her saving habits helped ensure that. But she never really thought about how people that weren't as well off as her lived. Sure she did things that normal teenagers her age did, but she was usually the one that paid for everyone else because of the money she had. And that had gotten her in a mess that she was happy to be out of for the most part. But it wasn't until now that she actually realized how people that weren't as well off as her actually looked at it. It was kind of surreal for her.

The conversation continued as they randomly found things to talk about. But they both knew they were avoiding various, and blaringly obvious topics in general. But there was one thing that Kai wanted to know. Something he'd been wondering since earlier in the week. And he'd finally built up the courage to break the ice.

"Hey, Megumi?" he asked as he grabbed a piece of ginger chicken with his chopsticks. "Why did you get all those notes for Mei? I mean, the two of you aren't exactly on the best of terms, so it kind of surprised me to see something like that from you."

Megumi feigned innocence and pretended to be insulted. "Why would you ask something like that, idiot?" she huffed. "I saw someone that was dealing with something and wanted to cheer them up. Is that wrong?"

"No, it's not wrong. And you know I didn't mean it like that," Kai countered. "I was just curious, because you did something that doesn't seem to match who you are and how others see you."

The statement caught Megumi for a moment. He had a fair point. It was definitely something that she wouldn't have done under normal circumstances. But there was a reason. After a few minutes of staring at her plate, she finally spoke up.

"Well, the reason is," she began before pausing. Kai looked at her quizzically for a moment before she continued. "It reminded me of myself."

"Huh?" Kai was a bit confused.

"Mei reminded me of myself, okay?" Megumi said in a flustered tone before calming down. "I never had a father growing up. He left my mom early on and I never saw him, or even knew him for that matter. Plus, my mom always worked night shifts and was barely home when I was. All my friends in school always talked about the things they did with their parents. It all sounded so cool."

"But, at the end of the day, I would always come home to an empty house that never had any of that. I remember so many nights when I would cry myself to sleep, wishing I could be like everyone else and have a real family."

Kai looked at Megumi. She was still looking down at her food, but he could see her facial expression perfectly. Her cheeks were a bit flushed, her lips were slightly trembling, and he swore he saw a little moisture developing in the corner of her eyes.

"When I heard about Mei's father, it brought back a lot of memories," she continued. "I've always been sensitive towards people that had divided families and I try to be as supportive of them as possible, since I've been through that myself and know what the struggle is like. In fact, one of the things I'd like to do after I become a successful model is to build an organization to help bring awareness to the struggles of living in a divided household."

"When I heard about what happened, it was as if everything I felt and knew about her was instantly washed away. It was like I was looking at someone completely different. Someone that was just like me. Everything about who she was and why suddenly made sense. And I realized that I couldn't stay mad at her. And I definitely don't like seeing people suffer like that. So I felt like I had to do something to help her."

Kai smiled. So the ice queen does have a heart, he thought to himself.

Megumi suddenly realized she was rambling. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talking all open like this."

"No need to be sorry. I completely understand," Kai said. "But it's nice to know that you actually do care about people, even the ones you don't completely like." Megumi blushed at the statement and looked away. Just saying everything had made her feel like a complete jerk as her own words had brought her to reality. "But at least you're taking steps towards a better future. I like that about people."

His statement caught her off guard. "You… do?"

"Sure. I respect when someone realizes their mistakes and starts doing things to correct it rather than ignore it and continue down their destructive paths. It shows that you're mature and willing to learn and change."

Megumi smiled. She hadn't thought of it that way, and Kai's statement just seemed to melt her issues away. "Thanks, Kai. That means a lot. You really are a good friend."

After lunch, everyone paired up with their significant other in preparation for the second half of the day. The idea of meeting up for karaoke was mentioned and everyone decided it would be a nice way to end the day. Nagi, on the other hand, chose to forgo the activity and would have her eldest brother, Daichi, pick her up and take her home instead.

Everyone went their separate ways with Mei, Yamato and Nagi heading off into the mall to do some more shopping. Even though this was technically supposed to be a date between Mei and Yamato, it wasn't a problem for either of them to have Nagi tag along, even if it was only for a little while. She had gone with them plenty of times before. But the younger girl had a special admiration for Mei and used any opportunity she could to spend time with her.

As they wandered from store to store, Yamato and Nagi found various gifts for their parents, brother and other members of their family. But Yamato noticed that Mei wasn't buying anything for her mother. He finally decided to ask her as he spied her looking at some scented candles.

"Well I never really got her much for Christmas to begin with," Mei Explained. "I mean, I would occasionally get her something here or there, but I haven't done anything for her since my Dad passed away."

Nagi, always the observant one, spoke up. "Don't you think your mom would be sad that you haven't gotten her anything? I mean, she's probably pretty lonely since your dad passed away, and not getting a gift from you might be adding to her sadness."

The statement caught Mei off guard. She had never even thought that not getting her mother a gift would have made her feel sad. And the more she thought about it, the more the idea began to hit home. Mei smiled and then knelt down to pat Nagi on the head. "You know, you're right. I've probably been a horrible daughter to her since then," she said forlornly.

"I don't think so at all," Yamato said. "You've just been going through the motions. But I do think that it's time you end your boycott on Christmas. Maybe it's time to get her something as a way to start that."

Mei smiled at the two as she stood up. "I agree. Let's find something for her."

They wandered around the mall a bit, and as they did Yamato and Nagi asked Mei what types of things her mother liked. She explained that she didn't have many hobbies, but that she did like trying different beauty products. It seemed that every week she was trying a new mud pack, sheet mask or moisturizer.

Yamato suggested the idea of getting her a pass for a day at a spa, but Mei admitted that she didn't have enough money for that. As they passed a salon, Nagi stopped when she noticed something in the window.

"What about something like this?" she asked. The item in particular she had pointed out was a basket filled with a variety of lotions, soaps, bath salts, towels, sponges and anything else you could think of for an at-home spa experience.

Mei looked at it, looked at the price tag, and said, "I'm not sure. This one's kind of expensive."

"Then why not make your own?" Nagi asked.

Mei looked at her, somewhat confused, before Yamato chimed in. "That's a great idea. You know what she likes best. So go pick out the same things that are in here, but the fragrances and types she likes, and put them in a gift basket for her. And if you're careful, it'll be a fraction of the price."

Mei's face lit up when she realized what the two were saying. In fact she felt a little embarrassed that she didn't think of it before hand. "That's a wonderful idea," she said. "Let's do it."

They went to a few stores and picked out a few different lotions, bath salts and other cosmetic items, as well as a washcloth, sponge and pumice stone. Mei even found a do-it-yourself bath salt kit that would allow her mother to make a variety of different bath salt depending on what she wanted. Yamato also recommended getting a few scented candles to help with the mood, to which Mei agreed.

With their shopping completed, Yamato and Mei brought Nagi to the train station to meet with Daichi. Mei suggested giving the gifts she bought for her mom to Nagi to hold on to for the time being. The young girl agreed and they set up a time when they would make the gift basket. After the train left, Mei and Yamato headed to the karaoke bar where everyone else was waiting. On the way Yamato started up a conversation.

"I have to say, I'm proud of you today," he complimented

"For what?" Mei asked.

"Well, for the way you've been improving. Last Christmas I could barely get you out of the house. And you were still shy and didn't talk to many people. Now look at you. Shopping for Christmas presents; sharing past Christmas memories; going to a karaoke bar with your friends. I'd say you've definitely been improving in your social life."

Mei smiled. He wasn't wrong. She'd noticed the change too. And what was best about it was that doing these things actually made her feel happier. She still had difficulties in some areas, but with her friends all supporting her it was easy to deal with them.

As they arrived at the karaoke bar, Yamato got a text from Kai. "Had a better time with Megumi than I was expecting. Thanks for inviting us out. Sorry we couldn't join you for karaoke. Have a busy day tomorrow and so does Megumi. Catch you on Monday."

Yamato smiled. There was another person that had improved since he'd first met them. Megumi's change in attitude was better than what he expected since her big social breakdown over the summer. Despite that, she had recognized that she had been given a second chance to fix things and she was taking full advantage of it. And that made Yamato happy.

The time spent at the karaoke bar was fun and Yamato managed to finally get Mei to sing a duet with him. To the amazement of everyone, Mei was actually a decent singer. Sure she was still a bit shy, but the support of her friends encouraged her to finally do a solo song, and then a duet with Asami.

By the end of the day, everyone was tired but happy. As they all started to head their separate ways they agreed to re-exchange each others' gifts the next day. During the train ride home, Mei fell asleep on Yamato's shoulder. Looking at her sleeping peacefully, he smiled to himself, brushed her hair behind her ear, and then wrapped his arm around her.

As he did, he felt his phone buzz with an incoming text message. Looking down at the number he flipped the phone open and read the message. He smiled, typed out a response and hit send. Closing his phone he leaned his head back against the window and closed his eyes for a bit. The gift he had in store for Mei would be one she definitely wouldn't forget.