25th December – Christmas Day

I woke early and looked at the clock. 5:30. What the…I went back to sleep.

"Satoshi, wake up…"

"Huh…" I said groggily.

"Come on, it's nearly time to open presents," said Daisuke.

I glanced at the clock again and groaned. 9:30.

"Alright. I'm coming," I sighed.

"You'll want to wear something comfortable, it takes a while." I noticed Daisuke was still in his pyjamas.

"Daisuke-kun."

"Yeah," he turned.

"I don't have anything to give…"

"Don't worry about it. You weren't expecting anything like this."

I got up, stretched and followed him down the stairs.

When I entered the living room, I noted that everyone else was already there. They all wore something loose and comfortable.

Emiko noticed that we had arrived and pushed us to sit on the couch.

"Okay, we're all set know."

With that she went to Christmas tree and crouched down. She reached across to the presents and grabbed a couple.

"Lets see…One for Daisuke, one for Dark." She said and passed them out.

She did this to every present under the tree. Kosuke, Daichii, Towa and herself got about ten presents. Daisuke and Dark got about twenty each and I was surprised to find that I had four.

"Mum, can we open them now?" asked Daisuke, visibly eager.

"Not right now," replied Emiko.

"Please…" he whined.

"No. Lets get some breakfast," she announced.

"Aww…" he sighed. "Oh well."

"Satoshi-kun, I'll get something for you. What would you like?"

"I'm alright," I said.

"You've got to have something. Remember what happened yesterday…"

I sighed.

"Oh, okay then. Toast and some apple juice will be fine."

"Okay, 5 minutes."

Five minutes later, he came back with two plates. He gave one to me and placed the other on the couch next to me. He went back and came back with two glasses, filled with apple juice.

After we had eaten, we went back to the presents.

"Dark, open yours first."

"Fine…"

Most of his presents were chocolates, from raving fan girls, but there were others. Daisuke had given him a portrait of himself, and had taken a lot of time over it. There were clothes from Emiko and two books from Daichii and Kosuke. There were also some strawberries for Wiz.

Daisuke was next to open the presents. Yet again there were chocolates, from fans, but not as much this time. There was a new drawing pad and artist's pencils, some clothing, a computer game and a couple of books.

I was next. Since there were only four, I didn't have to read the label to find out who they were from. Daisuke had drawn me a portrait. I was sat on the balcony, drawing and looking out into the sunset. It must have been from last night. It wasn't coloured, just in the pencil outline. There was books from Daichii and Kosuke and a new drawing pad and pencils from Emiko. Daisuke must have told her…actually, no, it's the family thing again. Hikari.

Daichii, Kosuke and Emiko unwrapped all theirs as well.

"Satoshi, why don't we go up to the park and draw," Daisuke suggested.

I nodded.

"Can we mum?" he asked Emiko.

"After Christmas lunch. Go get dressed and clean yourselves up. Lunch is nearly ready," Emiko said as the reply.

We headed upstairs, carrying our presents.

When we reached the bedroom, I placed them on my bed. I dug in my suitcase and found some black trousers and a black shirt. My jumper that I was wearing yesterday was folded on the floor next to my bed.

I picked up my clothes and headed into the bathroom to change. By the time I had finished, Daisuke was ready and we headed back downstairs.

Lunch was already set out on the table when we arrived. I looked at it in wonder. I had never seen such food. There was a stuffed turkey in the middle of the table, with other dishes around it. There were Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, cauliflower, small sausages wrapped in bacon, gravy, sauces and more.

"Well, now everybody's here, dig in!" exclaimed Emiko.

In that meal, I probably ate more than I usually did in two months. I was stuffed at the end, everybody was.

After we had helped washing up and drying etc. me and Daisuke were allowed up to the park.

We walked up in companionable silence. When we reached the park we found that it was very busy.

"Shall we head up to the fountain instead?" I suggested.

"Why not?" he agreed.

I had a reason for asking. I felt guilty that the Niwas had gone to the trouble of getting me presents and yet I hadn't done anything for them.

I was only going to do something for Daisuke though, not that they would mind. I had decided on a drawing, to repay him. A picture of the fountain would be perfect.

When we arrived it was practically empty, with only the odd person passing through. It was perfect.

I got my new drawing pad and pencils out of my bag and found a comfortable spot facing the fountain. Daisuke was a little way away, leaning on the railing and looking out at the sea.

As I drew, I thought. Why would Daisuke and his family be so willing to help me feel better? Why would they bother to get me presents? Why?

I looked at my picture. Perfect, I thought. The fountain was right in the centre. Around it was a fence. Off to the side was the railing, with a small person leaning on it. Behind it, you could see the ocean. The picture was still in a rough pencil, but I decided that it was perfect for him.

I packed up my things and stood up. I wobbled slightly, my legs were dead. I headed over to where Daisuke was, slightly stiffly. I looked at his pad over his shoulder. I was expecting a picture of the ocean, but what I saw surprised me.

It was another picture of me, this time bent over my sketchpad.

He must have realised I was there, and covered his pad. I had already had a good look. He must have been really wrapped up in his thoughts to only have noticed me half a minute after I moved.

"Why do you keep hiding them?" I asked.

"They're rubbish…" he said, a blush across his cheeks.

"But they're not. Don't be embarrassed. I don't mind being drawn." I reassured him.

"But they-" I interrupted

"No buts. They are amazing." I said.

I looked at my watch.

"We should be getting back. It's getting late."

"'Kay…"

--Daisuke's room—After dinner—

I was sat on my bed; Daisuke was at his desk working on something.

"Daisuke-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"Here. It's your Christmas present." I gave him the picture I had been working on earlier.

He looked at it.

"Wow…I don't know what to say. This is amazing. Thanks so much!" he said, looking at me I in wonder.

Suddenly he stood up and hugged me. It was a strange feeling. When I didn't react, Daisuke pulled away and looked down, blushing.

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't be sorry. You didn't upset me. I've never been hugged by anyone before, it's a strange feeling."

I went back to my bed and switched on my laptop. I had some work to do, before I was called back onto the job. I silently thanked Emiko for not sending out any notices for Dark.

A couple of hours later, Daisuke came over with a sheet of paper in his hand. I finished what I was doing and looked up at him.

"Here. I finished the other picture for you."

It was the picture of me typing on my laptop from two nights ago. It was perfectly coloured and you could see where the light caught my hair and glasses.

"Thank you," I said. I shut down the laptop and put it bag in its case. I then slipped the paper into my sketchpad. I pulled out another sheet of paper and handed it to him.

I had done another picture of him, this one with him blushing, looking shocked. The scene was from earlier in the day, when I had given the Christmas present.

"Wow…Thanks."

He blushed again.

"We should get ready for bed, it's getting late."

"Okay." I found my pyjamas and escaped to the bathroom. As I changed, I thought of Daisuke. Why become friends with me? I know Krad had gone but still… I realised something. Why he did this for me. Why I didn't want him hurt by Krad.

When I finished I headed back into the bedroom and saw Daisuke had already collapsed onto his bed.

"Daisuke-kun?"

"Huh?" he acknowledged.

"Daisuki…"

I collapsed on my bed and pretended to fall asleep immediately. I wanted to see if he had any reaction.

"Daisuki, Satoshi-kun…" he sighed.

Wow…