CHAPTER 8

Warm Feeling

December 23, Friday

Early Morning

Yasogami High, Classroom 2-F

"Hm? Are my four dear students still absent?" Ms. Kashiwagi looks over to the quartet's seats. "Mmhmhm... I think I can already smell the Christmas love here. No wonder those four are absent, they're already spending dear moments together. But that's insulting me because I have no boyfriend...!" she clenched her fist while making screeching noises on her table.

"She's edgy again..." a boy whispered to his seatmate.

"Yup, Kashiwagi's gonna start rambling again..." his friend whispered back.

"All I want is someone to care for me, treat me as a woman, and make me happy!" she then starts talking nonsense in front of her students, which interrupts their lesson for the day...

"Damn, I hate it when she starts that again..." another boy said.

"But I gotta admit, Seta-kun and the others are taking it lightly, they're out of town right now," another said in normal volume since their teacher's busy talking to herself..

"Where did they go?" a girl asked.

"I think they're just gonna spend Christmas there-wherever they are."

"How did you know they'll be out of town?"

"I saw those four together with Kujikawa, Tatsumi, and Shirogane at the train station last week with big bags. Must be some outing they planned for Christmas."

"Ooh, I wish we were like them..." another girl said.

"Agh, I don't want to spend my Christmas alooone...!" Ms. Kashiwagi is hitting her table with fury.

"Calm down, Sensei..." the class president sighed.

oOo

Iwatodai Dorm, Lounge

"Finally, tomorrow's the day!" Junpei said. "I'm gonna ask Chidori out! Whoo!"

"Good luck, Junpei," said Minako.

"What about you, Minako-tan?"

"Me? Oh, uh... Well..." she twirled her hair while looking at Shinjiro who is busy sleeping on another sofa. "I'm still thinking."

"Well, hope you have a great time with the lucky guy! And Yuka-tan, what's with the face?"

"Nothing..."

"Got a problem? Junpei's here to help!"

Yukari sighs, "It's nothing, really."

"I think I know," Minako said, "Just don't think about it too much! You'll still get to enjoy Christmas! And you still have that back-up plan, y'know."

"What are you two talking about? Man, I'll never understand girls..."

"You should know since you've got Chidori," Minako chuckled, and then walks towards the door for fresh air.

xXx

Outside the Dorm

"Since we're here, I won't be able to take you to somewhere like I promised," said Souji.

"That's alright," Yukiko said, "Let's just count this one as your promise fulfilled."

"So we're spending it here? Alright."

"Sorry to interrupt, but I can show you places to go!" Minako chirped in after going outside. "That is, if you don't mind."

"Thanks, Minako-san," they said.

xXx

Second Floor of the Dorm

"Sheesh..." Yosuke sighs.

"What's the matter?" Akihiko asks.

"I promised Chie that I'll take her to someplace great on Christmas... And I'm not too familiar here yet, so I need some advice."

"Take her to the mall; they're putting up a great Christmas tree at the center each year, that's one choice."

"And be all mushy? Heh, thanks, but I don't think I can pull it off."

"Suit yourself, I'm just giving suggestions."

"And what will you be doing this year, Ken?" Fuuka asked.

"I think I'll just sit in and watch TV with Koromaru."

"Nope, you're not gonna do that," Yosuke said, "You're young, you gotta enjoy the day! Spend the day with anyone!"

"But I'm with Koromaru," he petted Koromaru who's sleeping beside him.

"I know, I'll take you to the arcade with Metis and Aigis, do you want to?"

"I think Aigis has plans with Yukari-senpai."

"Oh, I almost forgot that we'll be having a 'Girls' Only' night... But I hope you don't mind being in a girls' crowd, Ken."

"H-Huh? I-I'll think about it..."

"No, hang out with us!" Teddie said. "Akihiko-san said we'll be having a 'Boy's Only' night!"

"Aren't you going with Mitsuru-san?" Yosuke asked. "I thought so because you two are close."

"U-Uh, yeah we're close, but not that close..." he blushed. "Besides, she's already planning to spend with her father; I'm not jealous or anything."

"You're denying it man," Yosuke's laughing.

"I'm holding a boys' night so the other boys won't feel left out. You're free to join in if Chie-san won't go with you," Akihiko is laughing.

xXx

Third Floor of the Dorm

"Looks like I won't be spending Christmas with Senpai," Rise sighs.

"What's the matter with that?" asked Chie.

"Nothing," she shook her head, "But I guess Yukiko-senpai deserves the moment most," she smiled. "What about you, Chie-senpai?"

"I don't know, but I asked Yosuke once if he'll take me out. The idiot didn't respond and just grinned at me. I'm not expecting much, but I just want to enjoy Christmas with him. What about you?"

"Me? Mm, I'll just join in with Yukari-san's girls' night tomorrow and enjoy the moment! Come with us if Yosuke-senpai forgets about asking you out."

"Kanji-kun's by himself too, aren't you gonna ask him?" Chie whispered to Rise.

"No way!" Rise waved her hand, "I'm fine with my decision."

"Hm? Why're you so angry all of a sudden?" Kanji woke up.

"It's none of your business so go back to sleep!"

"I was just askin', sheesh... I bet you're angry because Senpai's gonna go with Yukiko-senpai."

"I know that and I'm not against it. Say, are you fine with Naoto-chan going with Minato-kun?"

"Why're you asking that? Of course I'm fine, she's better off spending her Christmas with her brother."

"Aw, you're so sweet that your looks don't show it!" Rise is laughing.

"Wha...? Say what?"

"Then that means Kanji-kun's spending with the boys!" Chie is also laughing.

"Hey, are you two teasing me or something...? C'mon, before I think that you two are picking on me."

xXx

Dining Table

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow, Mitsuru-san?" Metis asked.

"Yes, I'll be going home to spend time with Father," Mitsuru smiled. "I just want to make up the times I wasn't with him."

"I wish we could experience the same thing," said Aigis.

"Oh, if you'd like, you can join with us."

"No, thank you, just enjoy your father-and-daughter time," said Aigis. "We appreciate your invitation."

"Alright, it's your decision. I'm glad that you two are able to adapt quickly to your surroundings since your first high school."

"We've been living up to our own goals and we have to thank you all for that," Metis smiled.

"That's what this season is all about, and we all have to thank for every blessing we received."

"It's a shame that you can't join us in Yukari-san's party, Mitsuru-san, but we understand and respect your decision. And you were with us last year."

"Yes, but I will join in with you next year, that is if I'm not going to be busy."

oOo

Tatsuhime Shrine, Playground

At the shrine, Minato and Naoto are playing with Maiko. "Look, I'm at the top!" Maiko is waving her arms to the twins below. "I'm grown a bit taller, but that doesn't stop me at the jungle gym!"

"Be careful or you'll fall," said Minato.

"I will! You don't have to tell me that each time," she giggled.

"She always do that when she's up there," he said.

"She sure is happy to see you again," said Naoto.

"Uh-huh, it's nice to see that too."

"And this is the bench where you had a ghost friend, right?"

"I never knew he was already dead until he started to thank me and smiled. I hope he's doing well up there," he pointed at the sky.

"I'm sure he is."

"Big Brother, I have to go now!" Maiko is already on the ground, "I'm excited since Mom and Dad's nice to each other again! ...Mom and I will be going again on the day after tomorrow. But I'm still happy; because you and them are with me! I'll be back like I always do. Goodbye, and see you again soon! Goodbye too, Big Sister, nice to meet you!" and she ran down the steps.

"Goodbye," Naoto waved. "That might be just what I will say to you too when we return..."

Minato ruffled her hair, "Cheer up, we're not going to be that dramatic." he laughed.

"Please, don't mess up my hair like that! And I knew wearing this dress was too much..." she pouted.

"No wonder Rise-san's insisting that you should wear more dresses," he laughed some more.

"But I'm more comfortable with wearing what I used to before."

"Really? Then go just have your own style like me. Kenji once told me to change my look but I said that I have my own style. Tomorrow, go wear the clothes you're comfortable with, and I won't tease you for that."

"About tomorrow, where are we going?"

"I'm still thinking."

"A nice day at dorm is fine too."

"No, we won't sit in there and watch TV all day. I'll make sure we're gonna have a good time."

"Akihiko-san said he's planning to have an All-Out party on the 25th, which will be our Christmas with everyone."

"Senpai's too kind this year; I bet he's upset because Mitsuru-senpai's with her father tomorrow so he's having a party for all of us," he laughed.

"I've never felt such excitement since I've entered Yasogami High. The tension I felt when the people were around me was something I endured to ensure the safety of my secret. If it hadn't for them, I would've realized my true thoughts. I have them to thank for, and you for being with me."

"I have to thank you too. I have to make the most out of each day while you're here, and it's upsetting to see you leave on the New Year."

"I know, but I'll come back here again, and with them as well if they can. Souji-senpai will leave as well, but he promised to visit us when he can."

"Naoto, I don't want to ruin this moment, but it's getting a little dramatic, y'know?" he chuckled.

"A-Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to. But all the happiness is overflowing inside me and I just want to...to... *sniff*"

"Naoto..." he caressed her head. "C'mon before they'll think I made you cry when we get back."

"Can I pray for something first?" Naoto wiped her tears. She stood up and went for the offertory box, Minato went there with her and he also prayed. After that they went back to the dorm holding two charms they got each from the fortune-telling.

CHAPTER 8 END

junkosakura01: I'm not sure why I wanted to write this kind of chapter... Mitsuru's father didn't die, that's because Ikutsuki didn't crossed their lives in this story. Akihiko's reaction towards the question is whether he likes Mitsuru or not, and I don't have any idea which is it. X3 That's my answer to those kinds of questions (if there were any). Maiko and Akinari were the only P3 Social Links mentioned in the whole story. I planned this to be humorous with little drama, I get an equal helping.