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Date: 12/24 - Christmas Eve, Evening

Carrying the vegetables and what not to Harus' place wasn't the hardest part of my idea, it was the turkey, the thing had to at least weigh about twelve pounds... then again, I could have been stuck carrying the tree and the decorations in, so swings and roundabouts I guess.

When I first pitched the idea to everyone (Sae, Sojiro and Shiho included,) I was expecting someone-Ryuji- to but in, but he surprised me more as he was more in favour of a western-style Christmas dinner than anybody else.

And then it snowballed from there as everyone jumped in on what they wanted… the only ones who acted like adults were the adults themselves.

I was surprised that Sojiro didn't offer to help cook which left everything to me.

Granted, most of the ingredients (mainly the turkey and a couple of small stuff) had been taken there days before to save having to be moved over later. I will admit that Christmas in Tokyo was different than Inaba, mainly the streets being less crowded than normal, which I didn't mind at all… it made carrying the last of the ingredients easier.

As a cold breeze went by, I pulled my scarf up a bit more. "Not too long till I'm there." I mumbled as I walked pasted a couple snuggling up with a cup of coffee each.

I was glad that I wore a Santa hat to keep my ears warm.

Even though I was wearing my thicker coat, it still didn't stop the weather chilling me to the bone, so I was grateful when I got to the apartment complex that Haru lived in as it meant that I could finally warm up. During the transportation of the food and tree, I had gotten to know some of the staff working at the apartment complex, so whenever they saw me, they would let me through with no real problems.

And seeing as Christmas was right around the corner, I had made sure that I had brought with me a couple of large bentos of Leblancs' famous curry and an extra-large thermos of coffee.

"Hey Kid," The oldish looking receptionist said as I stopped at the desk. "You got all that you need?"

I nod my head. "I did… after a couple of stores."

"So, what can I do you for?"

"I come bearing gifts for you guys for putting up with me and my friends for the last few days." I said placing the carrier bag on the desk.

"You didn't have to, Son." He said, taking the bag off the counter and placing it on the floor. "I'll be sure to give everyone some."

I nod my head before taking a couple of steps towards the elevator that was only for the Okumura's. "Merry Christmas, friend."

"Merry Christmas to you too, Son."


I could hear the Christmas songs before the elevator even reached the floor and that meant that Haru and Makoto let Ryuji, Ann and Shiho loose with her internet. I would have thought that they, especially Makoto, would have wrangled them in a bit more.

As the elevator doors opened and before I could exit, I was hit by a wall of smell, heat and sound. A quick shake of my head brought my senses back enough so I could walk.

"Honey, I'm home!" I shout as I placed the bag down and remove my coat.

I could hear the sound of a bell making its way to me over the Christmas songs

"JOKERRR! Help me… Nyah… get this thing off of me!" Morgana said before hearing him physically say oof.

Looking down, I saw him lying face-first just a couple of feet away from me wearing a bright red Christmas jumper. "I don't know, Mona, you look kinda cute in that."

I watch Morgana struggle to sit up but when does, he looks at me with a pleading look. "Not you too Joker."

It's then that Haru walks around the corner holding a small reindeer headband. "Mona-chan, please don't run away when I haven't put these on… Oh, welcome back, my love, did you get everything?"

Morgana was instantaneously on my shoulder and hissing at Haru. I chuckled as I walked towards Haru, kissed her on the forehead, before taking the headband out of her hands and continued towards the kitchen with her in tow. "I did Honey, I didn't expect that cranberry sauce to be sold out nearly everywhere."

"If anything, Ren-kun, I could have used the Okumura name to get some." She said and I could feel that sweet smile beaming at me… It was still shocking how deadly Haru could be by smiling.

Passing the large living room brought a smile to my face as I could hear Ann, Shiho and Ryuji all sing along to some Christmas song.

"It looks like they having a fun time."

"I just wish they could sing better." Morgana said as I felt him cower into me before Haru picked him off me.

"Cheer up, Mona-chan, it's Christmas after all." She said and I couldn't agree more.

After the Phantom Thieves business the year before and then dealing with moving back and the others dealing with their own business, this break was well needed.

I didn't realize how close Haru was as when I stopped as I felt her bump into me and in one fell swoop, I turn around and place the reindeer headband on Morgana and then continued to walk on with Morgana shouting to me to take it off.

Stepping foot into the large kitchen, I was expecting Yusuke and Makoto to be there, Yusuke, as it was food and Makoto due to insisting that she helped with cooking after Ryuji and me brought the turkey in. Who I wasn't expecting to see in there was Futaba, who was trying to drag Yusuke away, said man moved just enough to reveal part of his left hand that had been bandaged.

'After the food before the day I see…'

Setting the bag on the island counter got their attention. "Thanks for keeping an eye on everything, Sweety."

"It was no problem, Dear, someone had to keep an eye on him." Makoto said with a head nod towards Yusuke.

I walk around to her and gave her a small kiss on the cheek before heading back to the bag to remove the last of the food. The jar of cranberries came out first followed by a couple more bags of carrots and brussels sprouts and an extra bag of parsnips, I handed the cranberry sauce to Makoto so she could place it into the fridge as I pulled out two packets of cocktail sausages along with a pack of bacon.

The vegetables didn't take long to prep with Makotos' help and sat on the countertop in water-filled jugs, the pigs in blankets would get done in the morning, the turkey was stuffed with stuffing and sausages meat and was cooking on a low heat along and the cut-up potatoes would join the turkey at some point to roast.

I was glad that Haru was able to make a trifle as seeing as this was my first time dealing with a turkey, she seemed to beam during the whole time she was making it.

With everything technically done, I looked over to Yusuke and Futaba. "Even though it smells great, Yusuke, it won't be ready till tomorrow… plus I don't want you getting burned again."

"I appreciated your concern, Ren, but after smelling this divine food, I simply cannot wait anymore." He said with little effort as Futaba was pulling on him.

It was kinda funny watching Futaba try and pull Yusuke away as she still wasn't that strong. "Listen to Renren, Inari… you've still got that drawing to finish don't ya?"

"That can wait till tomorrow."

I couldn't help but sigh. 'I guess I'm going to have to do this…'

"Don't make me ban you Yusuke."

The look of betrayal told me that my plan had worked. "You can't… how am I…?"

"We're not going to let you starve Yusuke." Makoto said as she stood next to me.

"Yeah, it's only till after all of this is cooked."

We stood in silence as Yusuke stopped still in thought. It was slightly funny as Futaba still had her arms around his waist.

He sighs as he straightens up. "Fine, I guess I shall heed your advice… If you require me for taste testing, then you shall find me on the balcony."

"I'll let you know when tonight's dinner is ready." I said and watched as Futaba was pulled out of the kitchen.

"Well… I'm glad that's over with."

With everything now sorted, the only thing left to do was cook tonight's dinner and then bed… I don't know if this was due to the nerves of cooking a large meal like this or the excitement of Christmas, but I ended up catching about an hour of sleep. It did mean that I was able to keep an eye on the turkey, but I did get a stern talking-to from Makoto when she found out.


Getting to and from Shibuya didn't take long but Sae still got there before Lavenza and I could get back, granted, I didn't leave Harus' till eight and Makoto got a text from Sae saying that she was on her way at half seven, so…

It was somewhat hard explaining to explain to Sae who Lavenza was as, during her interrogation, she only heard of the twins, but after a lengthy explanation from us, she got the gist of it.

There was a whole discussion about whether or not we should get presents for one another after I proposed the western Christmas dinner idea, but everyone voted against it… still didn't stop me from buying Makoto and Haru something though.

Boss showed up not too long after that and that meant that everyone was here, the only thing left was the food and with the turkey out and carved, the stuffing and sausages meat cooked and was waiting to be plated between us all.

Of course, Sojiro also inspected how well I cooked the turkey, he mumbled something but didn't say anything.

Whilst the vegetables and the rest were cooking, it did give me some time to sit down and I couldn't help but laugh inwardly when I saw Morgana curled up on Saes' lap, whilst said woman was gently petting him. Makoto gave me to knowing look when I sat next to her.

It was nice being able to hang out with my second family again, even if it was just for the Christmas period and as we were talking, I couldn't help but notice Yusuke start to notice the smell of the food… I have to say that it was starting to make me feel hungry and I think everyone else was as well.

Even though Harus' apartment was a big penthouse, the one thing that got me the most was the dining room. I thought that the living area was big when I first got here, but when Haru got the plates out and everything, she then showed me the dining room. To say that I went slack-jawed would be a major understatement as it would easily seat the twelve of us and then some.

Getting everyone seated was surprisingly easy, who would have guessed that Yusuke and Futaba were the first to the dining room, when I mentioned that dinner was ready. Everyone followed suit after them with me, Haru and Makoto brought out the food and drink.

When everything was set and the drinks were poured, I took my glass in hand before raising it.

"Merry Christmas everyone!"

Authors Notes

Have a very late Christmas present from me, my friends.

I initially started this story back in 2019, on Christmas day or early Christmas morning. The part I wrote about Ren getting an hour of sleep happened to me and my father… it was an interesting day.

The next chapter for How I Took Down A Goddess is in production, but the main problem I'm having is that I don't really know how the others talk seeing as Moze is my main.

Feedback of any kind is welcome.

For those of you who somewhat care and want to ask stuff, I have Twitter (Under the same name,) so come say hi.

If you do like my work and you have an idea for a story that you want writing, then please, feel free to comment/review and I'll see about writing it at some point.

Walk Tall and Be Fierce, my Friends.