Chapter 4

Enjoying her first Chupa Chup on Christmas Day, a girl with red twin tails and eyes stared at the giant monitor in front of her. She wore black ribbons tied around her hair which were forming the twin tails, and they were a sign that said that she currently had the authority of a commander.

Kotori Itsuka led the organization that went by the name of Ratatoskr. Their objective was to rescue spirits that appeared after spacequakes by providing backup for the only man who had the power to seal them with a kiss.

Right now Kotori was observing that very man and the love of his life. She had been observing them the moment the couple met each other at the ticket booth of Tenguu Qwinted.

Today wasn't a mission to save a spirit, however it was a special day that was certain to be romantic. At least, that's what Kotori felt when it came to the people on her monitor. In hopes of bringing them together, she had decided to give them a special present of her own for what was now Christmas Day.

Don't miss your chance, Shido.

Kotori heard a voice coming from behind her after a door opened.

"We've arrived."

Kotori turned her chair around to see two girls who looked nearly identical standing in front of the door that had opened behind her. Both of their hair colors were orange, and their eyes were blue. The only ways to distinguish the two of them physically were to either compare their hair styles, their facial expressions, or their chest sizes.

"How'd it go?"

"They had a blast."

Kaguya Yamai gave a thumbs up to Kotori.

"Concur. Shido and Kurumi were enjoying themselves."

Yuzuru Yamai provided the same opinion.

"Good. Thanks to you two, we can take it a little easy."

Kotori had asked the Yamai twins to stall Shido and Kurumi so that she could continue her plans without any setbacks in the near future.

"Where are the others?"

"They're taking a break in another room."

"Concern. You aren't joining them?"

Kotori turned to look at Yuzuru and gave a reassuring smile.

"I'm alright. Don't worry about it."

Kotori turned her attention to a monitor that was showing the weather outside.

"More importantly you two should go and join the others. You'll be in charge of the finale, after all."

"Yeah, we'll do that. Thanks."

Kaguya and Yuzuru exited the command room.

After confirming that the sisters had left, Kotori looked back at the monitor that was keeping track of Shido and Kurumi.

"Are you doing okay, Yoshino, Yoshinon?"

Tohka and Miku had boarded the Fraxinus a little over an hour ago and were spending time with Yoshino in what seemed like a lounge. There were food and decorations as if a party was taking place, except the three of them and one other person were the only people around.

None of the members of Ratatoskr could be seen.

"Yes…I'm alright…"

"No need to worry about us, Tohka-chan."

Yoshino and Yoshinon assured Tohka that they were unharmed.

"Make sure you don't push yourself too hard, though."

Miku was also concerned about the two partners in front of her.

Yoshino shook her head.

"It's alright…after all…I want to make sure…Shido-san and Kurumi-san…enjoy their date."

"You're doing something very nice, Yoshino-san."

Miku began to pet Yoshino's head, admiring her tenacity.

"How are you doing, Natsumi?"

Tohka wanted to make sure the other person sitting next to Yoshino was doing just as well.

Natsumi replied with a nod.

"Yeah, I'm alright."

"That's good."

Tohka gave a cheerful smile. Meanwhile the door behind her had opened, and two girls entered the room.

"So this was where you were."

"Located. Tohka and others found."

"Oh, Kaguya, Yuzuru, you made it."

Tohka turned around to greet the Yamai twins.

"Yeah, sorry we're a little late."

Tohka shook her head.

"How'd it go?"

"It was fun."

"Wish. I hope that we can do this again next year."

Kaguya walked over to Miku.

"I hear you and Kurumi had an insane duet."

Miku replied with an excited nod.

"Yeah, she was great."

"Care to have one with me?"

"Is that a challenge, Kaguya-san?"

"Hehe, they're one of the things that I live for."

"Alright then."

Although Miku had gone singing with Shido and Kurumi, she showed no apprehension in singing again.

"Count me in too!"

Tohka didn't show any weariness towards more karaoke either. She turns to Yoshino and Natsumi.

"Shall we join them?"

Yoshino and Natsumi looked at each other and nodded before walking over to where Miku and the Yamai twins were.

Tohka followed shortly after pausing to admire the gathering in front of her.

After walking for a little longer, Shido and Kurumi ended up wandering in their neighborhood, no longer holding hands, but still walking side by side. Nothing else noteworthy had occurred since the snowball fight with the Yamai twins.

There was no encounter with anyone else who Shido or Kurumi knew, so they decided to finally end their date by heading home.

Despite nothing actually happening, Kurumi seemed to have been pleased with spending more time with Shido. The feeling was mutual for him.

The weather had gotten colder, and Shido's breath was even more visible now whenever he exhaled. The same was for Kurumi.

"Today was pretty interesting, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it certainly was."

Neither Shido nor Kurumi had planned on doing anything exciting on their date, yet they ended up spending time with their closest friends, which ended up being fun for both of them, even when nothing else truly exciting happened afterwards. It was more than they could have asked for, and it made Shido happy to see how well Kurumi got along with the others.

"Hm?"

Normally Shido's neighborhood looked like any other neighborhood, however he and Kurumi suddenly noticed that there was something suspicious on the road they were walking across.

An arch stood several feet in front of them. It had a design of red and white stripes across its entire body and had a sign that said "Merry Christmas" on top.

"What's that doing here?"

Shido and Kurumi continued to walk towards the arch. Eventually they ended up being directly underneath it. Kurumi noticed something else hanging from the top and stopped walking. Shido stopped a few steps in front of her shortly after.

"What's wrong, Kurumi?"

"Shido-san, what's that?"

Kurumi pointed to the ceiling of the arch. It took Shido a while to notice, but the moment he saw the object that was being suspended by a string, his heart nearly leaped out of his chest.

"Why is that there!?"

Shido hissed, suddenly losing his composure.

Kurumi looked at him with curiosity, not comprehending why he was behaving in such a way.

Realizing that Kurumi still wanted an explanation, Shido reluctantly explained to her what the object hovering above them was.

"Well…um…I don't really know the story behind it, but…"

Shido scratched his cheek.

"…have you ever heard of a mistletoe?"

To Be Continued