December Specials: "Night before Christmas"

Disclaimer: Citrus is the property of Saburo Uta, the characters do not belong to me.

Mei had always thought that every tread of her path should have rules, she was bound to it, after all. She was pressured to conform to his Grandfather's guidance, but then she met her. A free-spirited young girl who does not think things through, who says a promise recklessly, and sees the best in people.

And suddenly, Mei was afraid, very afraid.

Yet part of her would risk feeling that fear because she wanted to be seen as her, the real her. The one that would cry herself to sleep, thinking about her father taking her back or just coming home. She'd given up to that thought but a glint of hope ignited inside of her the moment she met Yuzu.

She was rash, careless, dense, she drools in her sleep, speaks gibberish, clothes indecently - she was an utter mess to Mei's eyes — but she was loved, something that Mei had not once felt... or at least that's what she believed.

Never had she thought that her world would turn upside down.

For the last five years, Yuzu was the person who'd initiate in proclaiming her love for her - something that Mei had found cute - not that she would say that out loud.

Every time she tried saying the words I love you, she'd chicken out, but she had a plan.

A plan that she had saved for this day. The night before Christmas.

Yuzu was upset but she tried to hide it behind her smile. They were walking at Maruyama Park in Kyoto. As couples, it was made tradition for both of them to visit the shrine and offer a prayer whether it be for good fortune, passing their exams, and of course luck in love.

the sun was about to descend and it was very cold, their jackets didn't do any better to alleviate the frigidness.

The blonde was very excited to give Mei her gift that she'd handed it without waiting for Christmas, and when she stared expectantly at Mei - the raven-haired woman stared back with a blank stare.

Still, she tried to be as jolly, but Mei saw the emotions behind her facade.

"Mei, are you cold?" She needn't ask but it was getting quieter. And that was not supposed to happen this day, she'd planned it carefully, after all. "Should we just go home and watch tv instead?"

"No," Mei coughed. "I mean, can we stay here for a few minutes?"

"Sure, if that's what you want." Yuzu shrugged.

With all the thoughts that were surging inside Mei's head, her feet had taken her to a familiar pathway, it was still illuminated with traditional Japanese lanterns, it still looked exactly like how she remembered it.

"Uh, Mei? What are we doing here?" The blonde stared at the empty pathway, pointing her finger to emphasize what she'd meant. When she tried to look back at Mei, the raven-haired woman tackled her and she fell on the ground with a loud thud. Mei on top, straddling her.

"M-Mei?" Her butt hurts but her eyes were fixed at Mei while the younger woman took something out of her jacket pocket - a ring.

"Yuzu." Her face was devoid of emotion. "I love you, these feelings will never betray you." She held the rim of the ring in her hand, offering it to the blonde.

Yuzu's eyes widened and she smiled widely.

"So if you feel the same, kiss me." Mei finished.

Yuzu rubbed a stray hair between her thumbs and forefinger, imitating Mei's habit.

And Mei kissed her, regardless of the passersby's rubbernecking.

First semester exams were done and emf survived P.E. So here.