#22. Christmas
Shake. Shake.
"CD."
Shake. Shake.
"Italian Charm bracelet."
Usagi stared at him and with awe in her voice asked him, "How do you do that Baka?"
"It's a trick I picked up as a kid. All kinds of presents would be sent in to the orphanage from local charities. Sometimes they were good and sometimes they were bad. I learned pretty quickly how to tell which were which."
Shake. Shake.
"Spatula."
They both laughed at that one and noticed it was a gift for Makoto from Motoki. Only those two would have such a strong bond because of their cooking.
Shake. Shake.
"Book. Hmm... this one is for me but there isn't a name saying who gave it to me."
Usagi ducked her head and blush came across her cheeks. "Why don't you open it and see what it is?"
With a questioning look he gently opened the package. Usagi waited impatiently while he slowly unwrapped the present. Unfortunately, he was one of those people that insisted on not tearing the wrapping paper, as if he was going to use it later, so this was a long process. By the time he had the paper off the present she was crouched on the edge of her seat.
"You're opening the present this slowly just to annoy me aren't you?"
He grinned at her, "Of course!"
She made a frustrated noise in the back of her throat and glared at him. Laughing he sped up the process and opened the box the present was in. Inside was a beautiful leather bound edition of his favorite book. Opening it he found a note written inside the cover:
Dear Mamoru,
Everyday I see you carrying this little tattered book in your hands. Whenever we happen to run into each other and all your books go flying, it's that book that I see you scramble to catch and protect. I can tell it is your favorite, so I thought maybe it was time for you to put that one somewhere safe and use a new one instead. I hope that you accept this as my way of extending my hand in friendship to you. Hopefully you will be able to use this one and that every time you open its covers that you think fondly of the person who gave it to you.
Your Friend,
Usagi
Shocked, he looked up to find her staring at him with hope in her eyes. Leaning over he gently kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Usagi. I have feeling this book will get even more use than the old one if every time I open it I get to think of you."
Hope everyone enjoyed this one. I didn't really like the flow of this one, but at least it isn't as depressing as the last one. :)