Disclaimer: Only Shigeru KaE belongs to me. Other characters are belonged to their respective creators.

Erina Nakiri (original character from Food Wars anime) looked up to the gigantic Christmas tree in front her. The place was overly crowded with both human and Christmas decoration causing Nakiri slightly discomfort. Though Christmas Eve in Japan could be as happening as New York, but the atmosphere was in huge contrast. Compare with the Japanese, the Americans were more boisterous. Loud. Energetic. The Japanese viewed Christmas more as a foreign culture; a culture to be studied, experienced more than as a day for wide celebration. Along the street that housed the famous Time Square, colorful Christmas trees were popping out everywhere like mushroom and the night was just as bright as day due to the never ending lighting that lit the whole city in various colours.

Shigeru KaE walked up to Nakiri with 2 cups of green tea. Nakiri sipped the hot green tea, grateful with the warmth brought by tea from her mouth to her abdomen on this chilly night.

"Times Square is one of the most popular places for Christmas countdown in New York and also the perfect place to view firework on New Year's eve." KaE explained.

"Too much people. I still prefer Japan." Nakiri smiled a tired smile. Her gaze went back to the giant Christmas tree. Then, she seemed lost in thought.

"You prefer Japan, is it because of the atmosphere or….because of Tenoh-san?"

Nakiri did not answer. She continued to sip on the hot tea.

"You always said Tenoh-san is a good man. But, he's always rude to me."

"He's just overly protective towards me." Nakiri inhaled and exhaled slowly. "To a lot of people, he is a typical rich man with all the worst attributes in a package, but for me, he's really a good man. He never bother by my shameful past, he gave me the same respect as an ordinary woman should have, perhaps even more, even when I left him without a word…" Nakiri smiled a sad smile. "…..he still care and pamper me like the best boyfriend he used to be…."

A moment of silence.

"KaE, I had a despicable past that not every man could accept. Haruka was the first exception and I won't be surprised if it's the last."

"I was jailed for assault when I was 12 years old." KaE cut in. "The man unfortunately died in the hospital, and the charges was changed to involuntarily manslaughter."

Nakiri gasped.

"I was sentenced to 3 years in jail. The sentence increased for another 2 years when I fought and hurt another inmate in jail. My father disowned me, said I brought disgrace to them. I had nowhere to go to when I was released from jail. No education, and an ex convict, left me with not much option. I begged for living, became one of the homeless for almost 3 years. My mother found me under a bridge 1 day, and told me my father had passed away a year earlier."

Nakiri noticed Shigeru KaE blinked rapidly. Perhaps trying to fight off some tears.

"My father hit by stroke on the day I was supposed to be released from jail. Hence, my mother did not come to get me. I thought, my mother also decided to abandon me and my begging life started ever since. The truth is, my mother never stopped searching for me. My father called out my name on his deathbed, but he never got the chance to see me for the last time."

"….I…..I didn't know…..I'm sorry to hear that."

"Not everyone has wonderful past. I killed a man. Dishonor my family in the worst way. So, who am I to judge your past?"

Silence.

"I'm confident I can be a better man than Tenoh-san but only, if you stop keeping me away at arm's length. I'm not asking you to accept me now, but I hope you would like to know me better from this second onwards."

Their eyes met. The crowded started the Christmas Day countdown.

"I'll go to settle the bill first."

Michiru nodded, watching her fiancé, Arata Wataya (original character from Chihayafuru) headed to the cashier counter. Shen then fished out the phone from her bag, debating whether to send the message or not. In the end, her rationality took over by desire.

M: So, where are you going to celebrate Xmas's eve?

Ding!

H: Office?

M: . You are still at office?

Ding!

H: Yeah.

M: You are working overtime? . The sun will rise from the west side tomorrow.

Ding!

H: ….

Michiru smiled at the sad emoji. Before Michiru could reply, Arata Wataya had returned to the table. Together hand in hand, they left the restaurant.

Once they exited the sushi house, Michiru inadvertently scanned the street. The busy street was filled with people from all ages. Most of them had Christmas hat on their head. Some of them wore reindeer antler headbands instead. Almost every shops were decorated with colourful lighting and Christmas tree in various sizes. But, the prominent shopping mall located at the center of Tokyo city had the biggest, tallest, and most eye catching Christmas tree.

"Where are we going for countdown?" Arata Wataya asked gently.

Michiru hesitated. There was a place on her mind but it's definitely off limit to Wataya.

"Michiru?"

Michiru sighed inwardly. And decided to take 1 irrational decision, albeit, to Arata Wataya, the decision consisted of partially cheating element in it. But as long as he didn't know, Michiru convinced herself it was fine.

"Sorry Wataya. I'm feeling not very well. Can you just send me back?"

Wataya looked slightly disappointed. "No choice then. I'll get the car. You just wait at here."

Michiru nodded.

Mchiru peeked through her home's front door and waited, to make sure Wayata's car was totally out of sight. Once satisfied, she immediately grabbed a car key and drove away one of the cars that was parked at the porch of her house.

Haruka jumped when he heard the knocks. Haruka was sure the entire Tenoh Tower was empty by now except for the on duty security guards. All her staffs had gone home early for Christmas's Eve. Though Christmas is not their local culture, but it was a widely celebrated festive season in Japan since 1974.

Whoever stood at the other side of her office's door knocked again.

'It couldn't be ghost, right?'

Instead of pulling the door slowly for suspense effect, Haruka bravely opened the door wide with 1 swift motion. And he saw his ex wife.

"Michiru?"

Michiru thanked the security guard for escorting up to the office then walked into the office.

"Why are you here, Michiru?"

"To spend Christmas's Eve with you?" Stepping into the office.

"But….but….how bout Arata-san?"

"Am I not allow to spend a day with my best friend?"

"But today is Christmas's Eve…"

"So?"

"So…" Haruka got tounge tied.

"Warata and I will have countless of Christmas Eve ahead of us, Haruka."

"Yeah." Haruka said weakly and closed the office door.

'Unfortunately.'

"Tell me, why are you still stuck at the office?"

Haruka went back to his seat. "I have to finish the risk analysis report by tonight to decide whether we want to tender for the project or not."

Michiru nodded then she moved a chair next to the ceiling height window panel that oversaw Tokyo's busiest town. Further down the city was Tokyo Tower currently brightly lit in yellow colour. The color would change approaching midnight time for countdown celebration.

"Then you carry on." Michiru's gaze turn to the city night view. "But make it fast. Christmas is coming soon. I want to countdown with you."

"I try my best."

Michiru took a peek at Haruka. Her best friend since 4 years old and her ex husband for 3 years. Their marriage was in turmoil most of the time hence, they never celebrate Christmas together. By the time the relationship took a better turn, they had to divorce. After the marriage ended, there was Arata Wataya and not long Erina Nakiri came into the picture.

'I never wanted to divorce.'

'Finally.'

Haruka closed the file with a bright smile on his face. He was done with the analysis review. 10 more minutes before 12 am. He looked up and noticed Michiru was still preoccupied with the city picturesque view. He stared at Michiru and the smile gone. Come to think of it, this was their first Christmas countdown. Haruka held up his left hand to examine his own now ringless ring finger.

'She supposed to be my wife instead of someone else fiancée.

"Are you done, Haruka? It's almost the time."

"Ok. Ok. Coming."

Haruka immediately joined Michiru by her side and watched Tokyo Tower changed to different colors in the last 10 seconds to midnight.

'10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 1…..'

The ex couple turned to face each other.

"Merry Christmas, Michiru."

"Merry Christmas, Haruka."

'This could be our last Christmas.'

Author's Note: This is a 1 shot story and yes, the story seems doesn't have head nor tail on it. It's actually something like a snippet from one of the 2 stories that I have in my mind right now. I'm not sure I will write the story, as time is a most important factor and I won't start another story before completing my current running story. Still, it depends on the reviews whether I will write start the story or not but be warned, it will be a very very long story. Around 4 seasons. Means 4 different stages.