Chapter 35
Amai was entering the home stretch, as it was the final week of November. Yet something strange was going on in the house. The kids were asking him odd questions. "What's your favorite color?"
"What kind of moisturizer do you use?"
"Is there anything you would like for Christmas?"
Christmas… he never really thought about it. The holidays were always his busiest time of the year. He would be doing Christmas specials, movies and even music. Yet this year, he got it all for himself. Yet, he never really celebrated, there was no one to celebrate it with! He would throw parties all the time with cast, crew and fellow actors and musicians, and yet, he still didn't celebrate it.
When the kids finished their bombardment of questions, he slithered into the kitchen with great confusion. "What is with them? Why are they asking what I want for Christmas?" he said aloud.
The table froze. Suiryu with a mouth full of toast said. "They want to get you something, isn't it obvious?"
"I could do without the crumbs being launched at me." Amai sighed, yet he shook his head. "Why would they get me anything? After what I put their family through, what I have said over the years, what I've done… I don't deserve anything."
"That's not how they see it," said Max. "You keep forgetting, everyone under this roof… is family. Not to mention you have helped the family this year, you fulfilled Snek's obligations, you helped take down monsters, so perhaps they felt you have been good for the past few months." He said. "But it did surprise us too the first year we were here. We were part of their family and they got us something to open on Christmas morning."
Amai was nervous. "Then… I should get them something…"
"Oh good luck with that!" said Suiryu. "What do you get a family that has everything? Huh? Alley can make her own electronics, the twins aren't really into possessions, same with Pac and Hunter. Garou and Melee aren't either. They are just happy to have a healthy family!"
"Oh no, there is something we can do. If we pool our resources here and figure out something… are you two interested?" he asked.
There was an exchange of looks between Suiryu and Max, but they looked back at him and smiled with a nod of their heads. "Good, I already have an idea for the twins. I need you two to scope out Pac and Hunter for me. I will take Alley…"
"Why don't I get Alley?" asked Suiryu.
"Too obvious" said Amai. "Besides, they won't expect me to go along with this now would they?"
"Point taken. Okay, divide and conquer!" announced Max.
#
Amai managed to lure Alley to the mall, just for some time away from the lab and the house. She was also starting her Christmas shopping, yet was stumped on what to get everyone. "I usually make something, but this year, I got no inspiration!" she said with a sigh.
Amai nodded. "People are hard to shop for aren't they? I can't say I share your struggle since I don't really celebrate the holiday. I didn't have anyone to share it with."
"Awww!" sighed Alley. "That's the worst!"
He was surprised by her reaction. "I don't mind though. I am use to it, it's strange for me since I am living in your house with your family. I don't quite know what to expect anymore."
Alley giggled. "Hunter will wake you up at the butt crack of dawn to open presents, despite dad insisting on sleeping in for at least another two hours. Mom and Pac make breakfast, I play Santa and pass out the gifts. Still, I rather make something than buy it."
"Can I offer any feedback in anyway?"
She was surprised. "Okay, what do you suggest?"
Amai thought it over. "I haven't seen Max use the hot springs, I know it's because of his power. Isn't there something you could make for him? Something that would ensure he doesn't electrocute those in the spring with him? Rubber bracelets on his wrist and ankles?"
Her eyes widened in shock. "That's brilliant!"
"I have my moments…."
"ALLEY!" Amai paused as he turned and saw Metal Bat's little sister Zenko fast approach. "Are you shopping too?"
"I am. How about you? Got big bro done?"
"He's easy to shop for…" Zenko suddenly froze as she turned and stared at Amai Mask. "No… way… Amai Mask!?" she whispered.
He smiled and nodded. "So, what did you get Metal bat? I won't tell him a thing."
Zenko laughed. She got him hair gel, a new comb, boots and a jacket she is going to pick up just a few stores ahead of them. "I am stuck on Pac though!"
"Pac is hard to shop for, he is really into a Manga right now, I am trying to remember what it's called…"
"Mob Psycho 100." Said Amai. "He leaves those everywhere." But then another idea came to mind. "I do have a suggestion for a manga, it's called the Ancient Mage's Bride. He may enjoy that too."
"That's the one! And good suggestion on a new manga!" said Alley. "I know a collectors edition went out recently too for Mob, but hasn't gotten it yet…"
"Okay, thanks!" she wrote down the idea. Yet Zenko appeared to be tried from all the walking around.
"Would you care to join us on our shopping trip?" asked Amai. "If you like I can give you a lift… have a seat" he said pointing to his back.
Zenko froze. "You… want to carry me?"
"I'm over 30 feet, and I am not using my back for anything else, might as well. Have a seat, Alley, you too" He extended his hands to the both of them. "Your chariot awaits!"
The girls giggled as they took a seat on his back, throughout the mall they traveled on Amai, as he listened in on their conversations as to who to get what and what they may like. Amai already figured out for Pac, he needs a date night package with Zenko. Alley a good spa package with Suiryu. Hunter's gift may have to wait for now. And for Melee and Garou… well… that he will have to speak with them about. Yet he wanted something for Lightning Max and Snek.
As they slithered through the mall, Alley began to laugh. "I can see now why the twins always wanted to be with Snek, he was great to get around on!"
"Oh yes, I heard about that. They wouldn't leave him alone."
Amai was good with the girls, he insisted they have a good time shopping and he would wait around for them, even hold on to their bags. The whole time though, he contended with his legion of fans that wanted to clamor over him.
"Amai Mask! Over here! Let's do some photos!"
"No over here, sign my shirt!"
"No this way, look over here, let's get some great photos for your hero association page!"
"Ladies, please, you know the rule that I am bounded by right now. No media, no photos, no interviews…"
"You haven't done anything since that last interview! We NEED you Amai Mask! We NEED you to come back" one girl cried.
"You have a mere month to wait, and you get the perfect hero back in your midst, for now, please, I must abide by the rules sent out for me. Respect them as you would respect me."
The women sneered, none of them liked the rules in place. They left, and yet he could tell by how they stormed off, this could have gone a lot worst. Alley and Zenko came out from the store when the mob cleared out. Alley took a deep breath. "Phew, they really are relentless!"
"I am just starting to notice that…"
"Well, I should get going, I got to get this wrapped and hidden before Bad try to find it!" announced Zenko.
"Before you do, would you ladies like to get lunch? My treat." Amai announced.
Zenko accepted, Alley was surprised to the offer but agreed as well. Amai took them to one of the restaurants within the mall and a good table to sit at. He coiled himself neatly yet was tempted to get something for himself. "You can still eat normal food you know, it won't fill you but you can enjoy it" snickered Alley.
He was surprised. "How did you…"
"Snek had the same look once before. We went out for lunch yet debated on getting something to eat. I would have just been more for pleasure for himself, not really anything filling."
He smirked and decided to get a little something, after all, he will be eating normally again soon enough. He may as well get use to it once more.