I've only just finished the first half of Zexal and I've fallen hard for these dorks. Featuring Sharkbaitshipping (Yuma Tsukumo x Ryoga Kamishiro "Shark")

"It's Christmas! Look, look, it's snowing! Just in time, right?"

Yuma ran down the sidewalk with his arms outstretched like he was a jet plane, his scarf fluttering in the wind behind him. Shark rolled his eyes.

"Seriously, only an idiot like you would get excited about the cold," he said.

Yuma skidded across the ice.

"I heard that! I'm not an idiot!"

"Yes, you are."

"Well you're a party pooper! So there!"

Shark let out a small breath of a laugh. Yuma whirled around, looking legitimately surprised at the display of emotion.

"Whoa! Are you smiling?" he said.

"Oh, shove off, Yuma," Shark said, but he really was smiling.

Yuma's grin was so wide it was a wonder his face didn't fall apart.

"I knew it! You do like Christmas! Who doesn't, I mean? You're just being a Scrooge for no reason!"

Shark just shook his head. He glanced up into the darkening sky. It was getting late already. The lights of the shop windows were glowing, and many of them had Christmas lights sparkling in the background.

"Augh, is it that late already?" Yuma said, glancing down at his watch. "My sister's gonna kill me..."

"Yuma."

"Hm?"

"Merry Christmas."

He held out the small, wrapped envelope. Yuma stared wide eyed at it for a moment.

"...huh?"

"Dammit, Yuma, it's a Christmas present, take it and open it."

Yuma looked pretty incredulous, but it didn't take long for that to turn to unabashed excitement – geez, he was such a kid.

He ripped open the envelope and pulled out the XYZ monster Shark had stuck inside.

"Whooaaa! This is a good card, Shark! Why didn't you keep it?"

"Not a water attribute. Can't use it."

"But..."

"Christmas. Remember?"

Yuma looked up. He grinned. Shark had to smile back.

"Oh, yeah!" Yuma said, rummaging in his pocket. "It's not really wrapped that well but...I got something for you too!"

Really? Shark was surprised. Didn't seem like Yuma to remember something like that. He wondered if it was something he just happened to have in his pocket and he was trying to save face or something. The thought made Shark laugh mentally – it was so like Yuma.

But no, the gift was actually wrapped, albeit in a terribly, overtaped way. It took Shark half a minute just to work it open – there was so much tape he could even just rip it.

He pulled the small object from the box. It appeared to be...well, it was in the shape of a Duel Monsters card, but it was hanging from a string...

"It's a...necklace?"

"Yeah! It's a card locket. I mean, I have my King's Key with Astral, and that always helps me remember what I'm dueling for in a sticky situation...I thought maybe you could put a picture of your sister in it or something! Just to have when you're dueling."

Shark glanced up at Yuma. He actually looked...uncertain.

"Stop making that face. It makes you look like more of a dork than usual," Shark said. Then he smiled. "Thanks, Yuma."

Yuma's look of surprise was enough to prompt a laugh from Shark.

"Geez. You really think I'm that much of a Scrooge?"

He pushed the back of Yuma's head and then took off running.

"Hey! That's no fair! Get back here!"

Shark just laughed as he ran down the street, listening to Yuma taking off after him.

This wasn't such a bad Christmas after all.