Keiko's POV

"Christmas is my birthday?" I asked, as I shook uncontrollably. I could almost picture myself teetering, almost losing my balance.

"Oh! Are you okay?" Maria asked, feeling concerned.

She tried to help the me, but I continued to be in a daze as I still trembled. "I... I thought I was remembering it all. I thought I was going to remember yet... I couldn't even remember my own birthday."

I widened my eyes, suddenly remembering my nightmare. Christmas lights and a tree with ornaments was soon in my vision. There was also a lot of egg nog and a Christmas log in the fridge when I opened it in my dream. Didn't that give me an idea that my birthday was somewhere near Christmas? Yet it was on Christmas...

*Flashback*

"Happy Birthday, Kyoko!"

It felt nice. When I heard everyone say those words to me, rather than just thinking of it as "Just Christmas", I felt... so happy inside.

Even though I always ignored the fact of my empty heart's longing to be filled, it's wish was granted...

*End of Flashblack

...by those three words... And I'm sure, there are others that will fill my heart even more.

I came back from that flashback, suddenly realizing that I was foolish into thinking I could get all my memories back in just one month. There were still more to go. Even if I was completely finished, it would be okay since memories go on forever. They record everything you do, to the boring stuff, to the things you regret you did, and to the things you loved. Each moment is recorded, and was buried in your mind. If when you grow up, you forget all about it, it's no big deal. It's like a scrapbook. You collect all your precious moments and when you think it's done, you put it someplace where you can look back at it.

"...ko? Keiko?"

I... was foolish to think that I can accomplish it all. Maybe, just maybe, I should slow down. I don't need to have it all. There is no time limit.

I'm fine... as long...

"Keiko, do you need a hand?"

I reached out, waving my hand to feel his in my mine. As I was certain that this was his, I carefully stood up, with his help.

As long as I have him by my side, then I'm fine if I don't remember everything.

Ren's POV

As I pulled her back to her feet, I saw her get out of her trance. She shook her head, as if she was trying to make sure she still wasn't in it. For effect, she slapped her cheeks, wincing at the pain, and gave herself a nod.

"Sorry if I worried you guys... It's just... When Maria said that my birthday was on Christmas, another fragment of my memory came back," she smiled. She stretched her arms, trying to find Maria. When she touched her arm, she engulfed the girl in a hug. "Thanks."

Maria giggled at this. "You're welcome! I'm always glad to help you!"

I'm glad she's okay.

As I was smiling, she clung onto me, burying herself into my arms. It became somewhat a ritual that she did to calm herself down. She never did mind me hugging her, since it wasn't over the line.

Maria, who was also smiling, grinned at the sight. Was it because I hadn't looked so relaxed in a while? Before, I was a wreck. In public, I would put on a fake smile, almost feeling disgusted that I had to hide my feelings. Around people I actually trusted, I let all of that façade crash down. To keep it up... it would be impossible to keep pretending I wasn't missing her before.

The little teen twirled, pointing to a table with ornaments. Glass ornaments, styrofoam balls decorated with seeds and nuts... there was even dried fruit slice garlands!

"As you can see, the theme is simplicity. The decoration may look ornate, but anyone can make these. Unfortunately..."

The girl lifted a box, and tore the tape off. The ornaments were more grander, not even looking simple!

"Grandfather doesn't actually understand the word "simple". He tried his best but-"

"He ended up buying even more extravagant decorations," I ended. I sighed as I reached into the flowers that were lightly packed so they wouldn't be crushed or their scent would drift off from the delivery. Either way, these might ruin the theme of "simplicity".

"Well, you can't blame him. He needs to do his best to make things the best," I explained.

She sighed along with me, picking up the flower garland, and arranging it below the fruit garland. "Still, you would wish he didn't always think that every day was a party."

"True."

Keiko and I helped along with Maria, as it wouldn't be fair to come early and not do anything.

Keiko, who was nervous, tried to help too, despite not being able to see. She motioned herself along with me, guided by me as I helped her put the tinsel on the tree.

She got even more distracted when she found out that there was cat mint* around. More to my amusement, we both got distracted as I waved the cat mint in front of her. By instinct, she twitched her nose, and batted around to get the cat mint. As she caught it with her mouth, she quickly munched on it. As if she was puzzled, she slowed down. Then, she gulped it down.

"Uwah! Is there more?" she sniffed around, rummaged in the box, and dug for more.

I picked her up, almost as if I really was holding a mischievous kitten.

"No, Keiko. We can't let you eat the whole supply."

She muttered, along the lines maybe grumbling, and nodded. She soon was placed near an authentic looking fireplace.

"Wait here until the party starts, 'kay?"

She nodded again, purring as she swiveled toward the fire. She nuzzled against her fingers, feeling warm again it seems.

I grinned. Let's hope she stays happy.

Keiko's POV

I was immediately woke up - oh, the nerve! I was having a good nap! - and was dragged around by Maria. Because it was her, I let that go. I could sleep anytime, but December was the time I was always sleepy. I wonder why?

As I heard the door click, Maria squealed with glee as she lightly tapped some fabric against me.

"I know you can't see, but I can't have you wear that dress tonight!"

"What's wrong with this one? Ren picked it out for me."

Maria sighed. "He's a guy, choosing okay outfits that make you cute, but for this party? No, no. You can't wear this."

I raised an eyebrow. Was Ren's fashion sense that horrible?

"Now..." Numerous clinking sounds were made, suggesting Maria was looking for an outfit in her closet.

She soon gasped - was it in a good way? - and she took something off the rack. She bounced around the room, going to a place where there was a lot of tinkling. Was that jewelry?

She came back, asking me to take of my clothes. I precariously peeled them off, unsure if this was okay. Ren especially chose the outfit today, so would his hard work be in vain if she wore something else?

Maria, noticing the whirlwind of my worries, reassured that Ren wouldn't mind. "He likes seeing you dressed up, right? I'm sure he buys you all of those clothes since he loves to see you look cute."

I was still unsure, but I didn't protest as I slipped the outfit according to the order that Maria told me:

A black long-sleeved shirt

Burgundy stockings

A dress (it felt light, so maybe it's simple?)

And a matching pair of earrings and a necklace.

The end result was collaborated with holly hair clips.

"Wah! So kawaii!"

She twirled me, and unexpectedly started to comb my hair. The back of my hair was short, so it didn't take that long to straighten. The long sides, the parts where my hair was the longest, was combed as if it was a waterfall. The comb swept and swept and it felt like it would go on forever. Until, of course, it went to the tips of my hair.

"Let's wet your hair a little!" Maria exclaimed.

I could have sworn I heard a mischievous chuckle that time...

Ren's POV

I was soon told not to help, despite my telling of that I didn't mind.

"You don't need to! You are our guest! Oh... how could Maria tell a guest to help out?"

"But-"

"Please! You don't have to!" and she grabbed the whole box away from me, as if I would refuse to allow the help to go the "professionals".

Well, I guess a guest shouldn't help out... Where did Keiko go now?

I turned, and glanced around, trying to find her. She was nowhere to be found.

Maybe Maria chan took her away? But wouldn't she ask him first? They both disappeared before he even had a chance to give his approval whatever they both were planning.

What do girls do that they don't want guys to know?

Well, there was a long list that they do, but one might be dressing up?

And, just like he predicted, Keiko emerged down the stairs as if she was Cinderella coming down to fit her slipper. Except, she wasn't in tattered rags, and she wasn't wearing worn out slippers. She...

"Keiko? Is that you?"

Everyone stopped working as they glanced over to see who I was surprised to see. They were surprised too, as they didn't know what to do. They were flustered at the transformation of the girl that was previously with me.

Keiko was... beautiful? Enchanting? I don't even know why I put that as a question.

She smiled as she glided down the stairs with the help of Maria chan. Her hair was curled up rather than her normal straightness. It was glossy and fell into luscious curls. Most of her hair was held by hair clips, while the rest was loosely tied up with a ribbon.

Her dress fluttered down the stairs, sending sparkles of blue in my path. Or was that my imagination? Her dress was simple, with a little ashen white tattoo on her back. It ran from her back, folding wider as it went to the tip of her dress. They looked like wings of an angel. A red gown with white ruffles around her waist, hugging it like a bulky belt...

I smiled as her slippers touched the ground. They were velvet red flats, not high heels because of her discomfort for them.

She looked beautiful.

I held my hand as she instantly took it.

I must admit this: Maria is a queen of fashion.

*cat mint- I have no idea if anyone puts cat mint on their tree, but one of my neighbours does this. She says that it makes the tree look greener than it is and it freshens up the place. She also puts gingersnaps and dried orange slices on the tree. I don't celebrate Christmas so I'm not entirely sure if anyone puts cat mint on their tree. I have weird neighbours so maybe that's why they do that?