Hi, everyone, sorry about the long delay for this chapter. Enjoy!

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Chapter 41: The Approaching Holidays

I stare at the painting I'm currently working on. It doesn't seem quite done, but I'm not sure what I should do next to improve it.

"Aya."

I look up and to my left, where I see Soujirou standing.

"Oh, Soujirou, what's up?"

He says, "You must be really into it, activity period's over."

I look around and see that most people have already finished cleaning up.

"Yeah, you're right. Do you mind waiting while I clean up?"

"No problem, I'll help."

"Thanks."

We carry over the paintbrushes to the sinks and start cleaning.

"Do you have any plans with Narumi for Christmas or New Year's?"

"Some of her friends are having a party on Christmas Eve, so we'll be going to that. We're also planning to go to a shrine on New Year's. How about you?"

I realize that Mishima and I haven't discussed it yet, and that she might not even be here over Christmas.

"We haven't talked about it, I should bring that up with her later."

"That's a good idea. Will you be exchanging gifts?"

"Yeah, you?"

He shakes his head yes.

We finish up and, as we walk towards the door, I say, "Thanks, Soujirou."

"No problem, Aya. I'll see you later then, bye."

"Bye."

I walk to the music room and see Mishima, Narita, and Tsuchiya in the hallway, talking.

I wave and say, "Hello, Mishima, Narita-san, Tsuchiya-san."

Mishima smiles and says, "Hi, Kamina-kun."

"Yo, Kamina-kun," Narita says.

"Good afternoon, Kamina-kun," Tsuchiya says.

Narita turns to Mishima and says, "That's too bad that you won't be here for Christmas, Haruka."

"Yeah, I'll be visiting my uncle then."

"We can do stuff when you get back, though."

"Sure, Arimi, I'd like to."

"We should be going, Arimi," Tsuchiya says.

"Sure, sure, Yukino. See you later, Haruka, Kamina-kun!"

"Bye, Yukino, Arimi."

"Good bye, Narita-san, Tsuchiya-san."

As they walk away, I take hold of Mishima's hand and say, "How was club today, Mishima?"

"Great, Kamina-kun, how about you?"

"Fine, thanks. So you won't be here for Christmas after all, Mishima?"

"I'm afraid not, Kamina-kun. But, the good news is that I'll be here over New Year's!"

"I'm glad," I respond with a smile.

"Also, I begged my parents, and they agreed to let me buy a new kimono, so I'll be able to wear it for New Year's."

"That's nice."

She shakes her head yes and says, "Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to go with me to pick it out."

"Certainly, Mishima. I'd be happy too."

She hugs me quickly and says, "Great! I was planning on going next Sunday, is that all right with you?"

"That's fine."

We wait at the gate for Mamoru and Asahina, and I take my hands out of my pockets and rub and blow on them; I really wish I hadn't lost my gloves. I notice Mishima watching me and blush as I put my hands back in my pockets.

"Kamina-kun, where are your gloves?"

"I lost them, I think I may have left them on the train."

"Ah, Kamina-kun," she says, shaking her head.

I decide to change the subject so I ask, "Mishima, since you won't be here over Christmas, when would you like to exchange gifts?"

She responds, "Well, I'm coming back on the 28th. I'd like to go to a shrine with you on New Year's, Kamina-kun, if you're able to. We could exchange then, how does that sound?"

I smile and say in response, "That sounds like a great idea, Mishima."

"Ok, it's a date then!"

"Sure, I'm looking forward to it."

Mamoru and Asahina arrive soon afterwards, and we go together to the train station.

When I arrive back home, I go to my room and sit at the edge of my bed. I decide that I should buy my gift for Mishima this Sunday. I had been thinking for a while about what I wanted to get her, and I decided earlier this week what I want to buy.

I wake up early on Sunday and get ready. After I finish, I go downstairs and see my parents eating breakfast.

"Good morning, Ayato!" my father says.

"Good morning, Dad," I reply.

"You're up early today, Ayato," my mother says.

"Yeah, I need to go out and do some chores."

"Hmm, really. Do you have time to join us for breakfast?"

"I don't think I'll be able to, thanks, though."

"When will you be back?" My mother asks.

"Sometime this afternoon, most likely."

"All right, we'll see you then."

"Ok, bye, Mom, Dad."

"Bye, Ayato!" my father says.

"Good bye," my mother replies.

As I walk out the door, I worry about all the times my mother seems not to have believed what I've told her, I hope I'm noticing something that isn't really there.

Once in the shopping district, I head to the jewelry store, and search for a salesperson when I enter.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'd like to buy a silver ring, please."

"Do you know what size you'll need?"

Fortunately, I had seen Narita in the hallway and asked her to find out Mishima's ring size so that she could tell me.

"Yes, the person I'm buying it for is a size 6."

"All right, please come this way."

I follow her and look at the selection. I see one band with flowers engraved along the outside, bordered by a line on each side. I take a closer look at it, and decide that it would look very nice on her.

"I'll take this one, please."

"Very well, would you like anything engraved in it?"

"Yes, could you please put 'To my beloved Reika'?"

I had chosen to put Reika rather than Mishima because I decided that I want to start calling her by her given name after I give her this present, and ask if she'll do the same with me.

"Of course."

I make my purchase and wander around the district before I go home. I smile, thinking of how, while it isn't truly an engagement ring, the gift is meant to show that I will always care for her.

Next Chapter

Sunday