It was only about a week after the visit to Uncle Otaro that something else I consider to be worth mentioning happened.
Ami was lying in front of the TV with her sketch pad and crayons, drawing a picture of a Christmas tree. An appropriate drawing, it was, since Akasei had promised her and the other Oh-gals that they would put up the Christmas tree that day.
''There!'' Ami said once she had finished the drawing. After giving it another good once-over she called out to Yushi, who was reading as usual.
''What do you think of it?'' Ami asked her, holding the picture up.
Yushi examined the thing. ''Rather nice,'' She said, then went back to reading.
Ami was about to start on another drawing when Akasei and Joko entered the room, both of them carrying the aforementioned tree.
When Ami looked and saw what they had with them she immediately ran up to them excitedly. The whole affair soon caught the attention of Yushi and Gojei as well. Then Joko put the tree down in a corner of the room near the window. He left Akasei there to make sure the thing was sturdy, then he returned with several boxes, a few of which nearly were overflowing with dazzling things.
''Are these the decorations?'' Yushi asked.
''Yes, and you had better enjoy them,'' Joko said, ''You can't even begin to imagine how hard they are to carry!''
''Joko, please,'' Akasei said, ''Now is not the time.''
At once the Oh-gals began to look through the boxes.
''Look, you two!'' Ami said, holding up a plastic string with some sort of plastic things on it. ''Lights!''
''Tinsel!'' Yushi said, holding up something sparkly.
''Candy canes!'' Gojei said, holding a handful of red and white striped hook-shaped things.
''Oooh! A spray can!'' Ami said, holding up something else she had found.
''No, that's spray snow,'' Akasei said.
''Oooh! Spray snow!'' Ami said. ''What do you do with it?''
''You spray it on the windows so it looks like snow,'' Akasei explained.
Yushi looked at the window. ''There's already snow on the windows,'' She said, ''We don't need more of it...''
''Well then,'' Joko said, ''You want to get started on this?''
''Yes! Yes!'' The Oh-gals replied with absolute joy.
And so they began. All five of them got something out of each of the boxes and put it on the tree. Aside from the lights, tinsel and candy canes mentioned eairler, there were other things too, like little glass balls of various colors and strings of popcorn; Gojei nibbled on the popcorn when Akasei wasn't looking.
Then finally all that was left was a sparkling gold star. Ami took it out of the box and jumped up and down, trying to reach the top of the tree. Her efforts were fruitless until Akasei lifted her up. Ami, now able to reach the top, put the star on the tree. The decorating was officially completed.
A few hours after this had happened the Oh-gals were sitting in front of the tree, delighted with their work.
It was now that Ami decided that this was the perfect time to bring it up once again.
''Do you think we'll get that puppy?'' Ami asked.
Yushi pondered this for a moment. ''If mum doesn't get it for us, I know who will.''
''Who?'' Ami asked.
''Santa Claus.'' Yushi said.
''Santa Claus, the man with the hair on his jaws!'' Gojei shouted playfully.
''Stop that!'' Yushi demanded.
''But don't you have to write a letter to him?'' Ami asked.
''Well...maybe you do,'' Yushi said, ''but isn't he at the department store too?''
Ami tried to remember. ''I think so...''
''Well, then,'' Yushi said, ''The next time we go to the department store, let's find him and ask him about the puppy.''
''Good idea!'' Gojei said.
''But, wait,'' Ami said. ''Santa only brings toys, right? He doesn't bring pets, does he?''
''Oh, he'll give you anything if you've been good,'' Yushi explained, ''something you really need to think about, Gojei.''
''Whaddya mean?'' Gojei asked, ''I've been just fine!''
''What about messing around with all that stuff at Uncle Otaro's house?'' Yushi said.
''Well...uhm...uhm...'' Gojei stammered. ''Th-th-that was just that one time...''
A/N: I sincerly apologize for the long delay in updating. I've been busy with other things, you see.
But hopefully next time this won't happen. Until then, review me; flamers will be beaten to a pulp (evil laugh)
---Shaddie-chan