Chapter 3

The Christmas

The next day, they met at the meeting place. Today Yukino forced her will in the meeting and event finally decided was play and concert.

Hachiman POV –

After deciding that there will be a play and a concert. Orimoto for the first time raised a good question- "We are doing a play that is indeed wonderful, but which play are we going to perform?"

Then before anyone could speak, Rumi took out few pages and showed it to Yukinoshita.

Yukino: This seems rather interesting and there aren't any grammatical errors to begin with.

Yui: But we need actors to play the roles and mind telling us what the story is about?

Yukino: The story is about Kirito, Asuna and Yui's Christmas. So we just need 3 characters.

Rumi: Might I select 2 roles for the play, you can select the third one.

Everyone: Fine

Rumi: I want to play Yui and Kirito will be Hachiman Senpai.

Everyone: What?

Me: Eh- Why me?

Rumi: Kirito is also a loner like you. You would fit the job perfectly.

Yui: I guess she does have a point. Now we need to decide on who would be Asuna.

Kaori: Mind I make a recommendation. Since you came with the idea of a play, primary students selected a story; I would like to make a last recommendation of actor.

Oi! Oi! You better not make yourself Asuna. I would ruin the play.

Yukino: Alright fine.

Kaori: Let Iroha chan be the actress for Asuna.

Iroha: What? You want me to play Asuna in the play.

Yui: I think you should play the role. It would be good.

Hey! Wait! Wait! The devil playing the heroine. The world is still not that rotten you know.

Yukino: Iroha Chan do you have any objection?

Isshiki looked towards me and made her sly smile. This smile of hers is better than the cutesy one. Does she know that? She shook her head to convey 'no'. I guess this is going to be a hectic Christmas. I know I am forced into it. But, I guess why not have fun as I can.

Iroha POV –

This will be a good opportunity to see Senpai do acting. So I decided to play the role as well. During practice time I can definitely tease him a little? But during the main event I will be serious though.

We are now getting our dialogues and tomorrow on the day of Christmas we'll be participating once so it should be fine. The costumes have been ordered and we would get them tomorrow. Now I want to tease Senpai a bit. It kinda makes me happy.

"Senpai how you're taking the role?" I said with my usual sly smile.

"I very much would like to -"

"Wait Senpai! Are you trying to hit on me? I'm truly sorry but I appreciate the sentiment though. I am currently heartbroken by the rejection yesterday, If you would have come later the might've been different,"

"This was 6th time."

Yui: What was 6th time?

Hachiman: Her rejecting me even when I wasn't hitting on her. And by the way I was saying that I can give it a try.

The last statement really surprised not just me but Yui Senpai and Yukino Senpai as well. This is very unusual of Senpai to be optimistic.

Yukino: Hikkigaya kun! Are you by any chance having a fever?

Yui: If you're having one, you can tell us. We would give the role to someone else.

Even I couldn't disagree with that.

Hachiman: Oi! Oi! How did you reach that conclusion? Now you're starting to annoy me.

Typical Senpai. I couldn't help but giggle a little.

Hachiman: Oi! What's so funny?

Me: Nothing. It seems that you're completely fine.

Yui: Yes, it seems so.

Yukino: It is a disappointment that you would need to play the role.

Hachiman: Oi! Don't underestimate me Yukinoshita. I have already cosplayed Kirito before in middle school.

Yukinoshita: You're seriously saying that proudly Hikkitaku kun.

Yui: You are really gross Hikki.

Me: Senpai! You are annoying.

I said that with my usual annoyed expression.

Hachiman POV –

"I'm back Komachi." I said as I entered my home.

"Welcome back Onii-Chan. Your cute little sister had been for you. I'm sure this line gave me some Komachi points."

"I'm tired today. So I would just eat and go to sleep today. Tomorrow is going to be hectic day after all."

I wasn't lying and after all I'm excited about it. So I would take at least 1 hour to drift to sleep.

"How so Onii Chan? What are you going to doing in your Christmas event?"

"Oh yes about that. You have to come tomorrow at 7:00 pm to watch my play. I am playing the lead role after all."

"What? Seriously you in the lead role. I can imagine tomorrow's humiliation."

"Oh wait! Don't be like Yukinoshita. I am playing Kirito after all and I am looking forward to it and want to enjoy as much as I can."

"Ah then it wouldn't be a problem. No wait! You're looking forward to something."

Oh can't I. Even I have times when I want to do something that are of my interests.

"Yes I am. After all I get to perform in Sword Art Online's play and that too being Kirito."

"Are you sure about that? Is it because of that or is it because of the heroine?"

Hearing that a blush appeared on my face and the first thing that came into my mind was Isshiki's pouting face that I really find incredibly cute. Wait, I am admitting it this easily. Seriously what is wrong with me? First I break down into tears in front of my club mates, and then I seriously punched Hayama and now this.

"No no not at all. That is exactly due to what I said before." 'I think.'

"You're no fun Onii Chan. But tell me who is playing Asuna? Is it Yui Senpai or Yukino Senpai?"

"Neither." I plainly said the truth. Komachi looked disappointed by that. Sorry Komachi, you didn't have anything to tease me with now.

"I see. Then I believe you."

"Thank you so much." I said joining my hands.

Iroha POV –

On Christmas the day of the play when I would be performing the role of Asuna has come. I would be lying if I would be saying that I'm not looking forward to it. I really want to tease Senpai today.

Me: Merry Christmas Yui Senpai, Yukino Senpai and Senpai.

Yui: Merry Christmas Iroha Chan.

Yukino: Merry Christmas.

Hachiman: Yo!

Yui: Hikki you're supposed to greet her properly as well.

Seriously Senpai will never change.

Hachiman: Merry Christmas to you too Isshiki.

Oh my god. Senpai didn't even made a stupid comment on Yui Senpai's statement. He definitely seems to be in a good mood today. It's really a rare occasion.

Me: You surely seem to be in a good mood today Senpai.

Hachiman: Yes I am indeed looking forward to today.

Me: You're looking forward to playing the role opposite to me. Senpai is definitely into younger girls. Right?

Hachiman: No I'm not.

Yui: Really?

Hachiman: No I'm not.

Yukino: Siscon.

Hachiman: No I'm not. And what about you? You also seem to be in a good mood today.

Yui: Indeed Iroha Chan. It seems so.

I won't deny that. I surely am looking forward to teasing Senpai today.

So we began our rehearsal for the play. It's a short one, just 15 minutes play but is indeed very emotional like the real SAO. Rumi Chan really did a wonderful job. Now it was my turn to tease Senpai a little. Hee-hee-hee-hee.

Me: Senpai now we need to kiss just like Kirito and Asuna to end the play.

I was really trying to hold my laughter when I was saying that.

Hachiman: Oh Iroha what you're saying. We can't do that and besides, it wasn't even written on the script.

Me: But it is obviously isn't it. You can ask the writer yourself if you don't believe me.

I said the last line while winking at Rumi Chan and she showed a slight grin in understanding.

Rumi: Yes Senpai it is obvious. Every time they kiss in the end, so it wasn't necessary for it to be written. It is common knowledge after all.

Hachiman: That is something even I Know. But can't we make an exception here?

Yukino: Yes, we can't let any indecent act in the play.

Yui: Yes Yukinon is right. No kissing.

Kaori: No no, you heard her. It is inevitable. The play has to end with a kiss.

Hachiman: Absolutely not.

Senpai was making such a cute face while blushing all the time. I guess I should stop the teasing now. I've got the reaction I was aiming at for today after all.

Me: Easy Senpai, we were just teasing you a little. Right Rumi Chan?

Rumi: I hate to admit it. But you look very cute when you are getting teased.

I couldn't help but blush at that statement. I don't know why. Anyway, I have to agree with Rumi Chan, Senpai really looks cute when he is being teased, especially by me.

Yui: Thank god. ~sigh~

Yukino: ~sigh~

Kaori: So I get to see no fun.

Hachiman: You really scared me there Isshiki.

Me: I'm Sorry Senpai. Can't you forgive you cute Kouhai?

I said while making my mastered innocent face which I use very often for manipulation.

Hachiman: I – I can.

Senpai said with a blush. It is funny. Even though he knows I am putting an act. He still falls a prey. Therefore he is a lot of fun. I bet he enjoys getting teased.

General POV –

The rest of the day went as usual. For the event Iroha's parents, Komachi, Yukinoshita Haruno, Yui's mother and Hiratsuki Sensei came to be a guest. The play was praised by everyone. The whole event became a grand success. Iroha left early with her parents Yukino left with her sister Haruno. Yui also left with her mother. All that were left were Komachi, Hachiman and Hiratsuki Sensei.

Hiratsuki Sensei: Didn't knew Hikkigaya you could act this well.

Komachi: He could because he had already cosplayed Kirito in middle school a lot.

Hachiman: Yes that's right.

Hiratsuki Sensei: Still rotten as ever. Bit good for you. It helped in the play. Okay then, I'll be seeing you tomorrow in the school.

Hachiman: Good night Sensei. Don't feel Depressed. You would find someone soon

Hiratsuki Sensei gave him a death glare. He raised his hand to surrender.

Hachiman: Sorry my bad.

Komachi: Seriously Onii Chan.

Komachi said with pity clear in her voice and then they also left for home. This is how their Christmas came to an end.