Kagami stared up in wonder at the small specks of white falling from the cloudy skies. Her green eyes widened seeing hundreds of them delicately, and gracefully, gliding to the ground before disappearing into the masses of soft white already billowing at her feet. Stretching out a gentle hand, leaving it bare, red, and shaking from the unforgiving cold nipping at her skin, a dozen licked her hand leaving painfully cold kisses in its wake. A large cloud left her mouth with every baited breath she released. Her knees trembled, her body quivered, felt the tip of her nose grow numb, but she kept herself outside staring into the bright, white world.

A slip of paper was held in between her fingertips stuffed into the fuzzy pockets of her jacket.

They had just finished drawing names for the Secret Santa Exchange. For three days they are to give small gifts barely worth 300 yen to the elf they drew. The big unveiling will be done at the Christmas Ball Principal Amane Ubuyashiki had declared that morning. Every student's name was put in a large bin and every one had to go to her office to draw their elf.

Of course, Kagami was intimidated by her at first. She was expressionless and held what could've been a stern look along with that mysterious air around her. Although, she felt love, compassion, and kindness radiating off of her. It made sense as to how boys and girls alike worshiped and revered her, even getting flustered at the mention and sound of her coming down the corridors. There, in her pristine and neatly kept office, Kagami drew a name she wasn't expecting to get.

Genya Shinazugawa

Kagami tried not to feel disappointed. She had hoped to see the name Inosuke Hashibira.

"What the hell am I even going to get him?" She mumbled aloud to herself letting the cold breeze ruffle her black hair and take her misty breath from her.

Kagami and Genya Shinazugawa had spoken only on a few occasions.

He held up the lunch line once because he couldn't decide which meal he preferred. There weren't that many choices to begin with. Miss Makio was ready to blow up in his face and kick him out for taking his time. Trying not to be rude, but also starving at the same time, Kagami quickly suggested the tofu ramen Miss Hinatsuru had prepared. It was her specialty and everyone always got second servings. At her voice and proximity, her arm moving across his body to point out the lunch choice, he went beet red, stiffened up looking down at her, and briskly left the line towards... somewhere.

The other time was when he was awarded shooting champ. He walked through the school proudly wearing his medal on his chest and his certificate in his hands. They had breezed by each other in the hallway when she spoke, lifting a small hand in greeting, "Congratulations, Genya." Just like with the lunch line, he tensed up, turned red, and hurried away from her.

Kagami had no idea why he avoided her so much. Did she... smell? Have something in her teeth? Or does he just not like her at all and doesn't bother making small talk with her? At the thought, she glared hard into the sky and clenched her fists.

Well, that's going to change! I'm going to give him the best Secret Santa gifts and make him my friend! By Christmas Day, we're going to be closer than ever!

The next week was the start of the Secret Santa Exchange.

Kagami walked through the corridors with a small box in her hand in awe. The corridors and classrooms were immaculately decorated with hundreds snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, fake snow taped and stapled to the doorways, red, blue, and green twinkling lights lining and lighting the corridors, ornaments with every student's name forming a snowman on one of the walls, and a heavily decorated Christmas tree greeting students and teachers alike in the front entrance. She couldn't believe the principal and teachers were able to pull off such a feat over the weekend!

Nervously peering into different classrooms, Kagami's eyes roamed over the large bags filled with tissue paper, perfectly wrapped boxes with large bows, and little tags saying From Your Secret Santa. Students smiled and cheered at their presents unveiling them to be stuffed toys, a package of coupons to the movies, mittens, and a pencil set.

Kagami chewed on her lower lip realizing how tiny her gift is compared to everyone else's.

She stuck her head in Genya's homeroom class seeing it bustle with activity more than usual. Miss Tenshi was surrounded by her homeroom students and strays alike helping them decorate their Secret Santa gifts.

Whilst the teacher is distracted, she decided to quickly rush over and place his present on his desk-

"Wrong desk, Yamato. It's second row, third seat."

Kagami gasped and whipped around to see Miss Tenshi's startling yellow eyes narrowed on her. Her fingers still expertly moved as she wrapped gifts without hesitation, as if she could do it even with her eyes closed. Then, she motioned with her head, her blonde bangs falling over her nose and eyelashes, to the seat she had spoken about. Kagami wasn't about to question how she knew who her elf was, she was afraid she would be caught if she didn't hurry!

Carefully placing the box on his desk, she raced out of the classroom-and collided right into someone.

"Ow!"

"Ah!"

She landed on something hard forcing a small grunt to escape her lips. Kagami groaned, placing a hand to her spinning head, and almost looked around to see who she had bumped into. That was until she felt something move under her.

Kagami slowly looked down, almost afraid of what she'd find, and found herself nearly nose to nose with Genya Shinazugawa. Her hands had been braced against his broad shoulders, his hands softly grasping her arms, her hair trailing down her neck and tickling his face, with her legs straddling his chest.

In an instant, both of their faces turned a deep red, the room suddenly suffocating and extremely hot, eyes widening in horror, and mouths falling open in shock.

"Genya! I'm so sorry!" Kagami squeaked out jumping on her feet and off of him. She awkwardly held out her shaking hand to him, mumbling almost frantically, "I didn't see you there! I'm very sorry for bumping into you and f-falling on top of you..."

Keep it together, Kagami!

Genya might've been blushing harder than she was. His eyes flitted nervously to her outstretched hand, gauging it, before grabbing it.

When he was back on both feet, he was still bright cherry red. Though, his angry eyes turned to her sharply and he said, almost spitting, "I-It's fine! Just-Just watch where you're going next time!" before quickly entering the classroom.

Kagami's apologetic attitude immediately soured. Her fists clenched at her side and she huffed down at herself. She wanted to call after him and give him a piece of her mind, nearly stomping back into the classroom, but stopped. Hiding herself behind the door-frame, poking her head in, she watched silently as Genya stopped short of his desk. The grip clenching his book bag tremendously slackened. His purple eyes wavered and shined staring at the lone, small red box sitting in the center of his desk.

He slowly placed his bag on the ground and picked the box up gently in his hand. He undid the fragile bow with deft fingers, letting the silver ribbon fall delicately, and removed the top. His eyes widened even further and a small gasp fell from his lips.

At this point, Kagami's fingers gripped the frame tightly, a swarm of a hundred butterflies flying all around her stomach, with small beads of nervous sweat crawling down her face. She didn't realize how much his opinion and thought of the gifts would be important to her. Was it because she was afraid he wouldn't be friends with her if he believes the gifts are awful? Tasteless? Why would she care about his opinion all of a sudden?

He tenderly picked up the gift to reveal a small replica of his shotgun sitting on a small wooden stand, the same he uses in both the shooting club and his tournaments.

He slowly sat in his desk and held the replica in his fingers for the longest time.

Kagami's heart flourished in her chest when she noticed a small smile spreading across his lips. That smile... It made her cheeks go red from heat. It was sweet, kind, and full of warmth. She had never seen a smile so gentle and so pure staring what could be mistaken as a toy, but he didn't. He knew exactly what it was... and a look of cherish and adoration could be seen. It looked much like love at first sight and it made Kagami's heart flutter even more so.

Walking toward her homeroom class, her fluttering heart and heated cheeks lingering thinking of Genya's smile quickly dissipated when she walked into the classroom. Something foul sat atop of her desk driving the other students to the other side of the class.

"Um, what's this?" Kagami hesitantly asked Tanjiro as she approached.

Tanjiro nervously smiled at her and answered, not sure himself, "I think... your Secret Santa dropped you off a mud cake?"

It indeed looked like something someone had dug from the ground, placed it on a plate, and dropped a bow on it. That's essentially what it was. A slob of mud filled with twigs, leaves, and tiny bugs taken from their home was dropped on a small plastic plate with a red bow slowly slumping down the side of its hill.

"I, uh, don't know what to say..." Kagami hesitantly said with a smile she could barely muster.

Carefully pushing the plate to the edge of her desk and finally sitting down, she turned to Tanjiro and asked in excited, quick succession, "What did you get from your Secret Santa? Who did you get as your elf? And what did you get them?"

Tanjiro chuckled at her curious questions. "Well, I got a coupon for a free sandwich at Aoi's restaurant," He answered with a wide smile holding up the crumpled piece of paper stuffed in a small bag. "And I got my elf a basket of bread loaves I made fresh this morning."

Kagami feigned sadness. "You won't tell me who you got?"

"It won't be much of a Secret Santa Exchange if I tell you, Kagami."

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours!"

Tanjiro chuckled brightly again. "Sorry, Kagami, but I intend to keep this a Secret Santa."

Kagami playfully rolled her eyes at him and turned to Zenitsu boiling in the background. "So, what's up with him?" She asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"I don't think Zenitsu got the elf he wanted," Tanjiro answered carefully.

A dark, menacing aura surrounded Zenitsu. His fists were clenched tightly on his desk. His teeth gritted harshly against one another. A look of unfathomable anger was stretched on his face. All she could hear were the ramblings of a mad man speaking, "I wanted Nezuko-chan! Who got Nezuko-chan? I will find them and make them pay for taking her from me! Where's my Nezuko-chan? I'm going to get Nezuko-chan the best Christmas gift the world has ever seen!" under his breath.

Kagami and Tanjiro turned to each other and shrugged slightly.

Tanjiro then curiously asked, "What did you give your elf?"

Kagami's fingers started to fiddle endlessly with the tips of her hair. Her blush reappeared and so did her smile. Her eyes, wavering and bright, stared down at her desk. "I got them a tiny replica of their gun. It costed more than 300 yen but I wanted to make it special," She said as casually as she could with the shrug of her shoulder. Her heart fluttered at the memory of Genya's smile. "I... I think he liked it, a lot. I'm glad he did," She added softly.

"That's a wonderful gift, Kagami. I'm happy for you," Tanjiro said kindly.

Dropping her hair, Kagami turned to the other end of the room, looking for the familiar boar-headed freak that roamed the hallways. She asked Tanjiro not so casually, "So, um, what did Inosuke get from his Secret Santa?"

"He got a platter of rice balls. His Secret Santa must've known those are his favorite," Tanjiro answered pointing to Inosuke devouring his dish already.

Kagami's heart sank to the pit of her stomach. "Oh. Is that so?"

She tried to conceal the disappointment and pain on her face and push down the feelings of despair rising in her abdomen. His Secret Santa knew exactly what he liked and what he wanted. Maybe they were a secret admirer of his who was going to take the opportunity of revealing their feelings on the day of the Christmas Ball. Or a good friend who knew him as much as he knew them. Though, she couldn't help but think it was the former. She didn't even think of getting Inosuke food if she had grabbed his name. Perhaps it was a good idea she wasn't his Secret Santa.

The days leading up to the Christmas Ball were hectic.

The second day, Kagami was adamant on not accidentally bumping into Genya Shinazugawa. Instead of going into the classroom and placing his gift on his desk again, she slipped the envelope containing a movie for two coupon in his locker. Watching it slide into the darkness and out of her reach, she nervously bit her nails down to the nail bed. Dreamy thoughts of him asking to go to the movies once the Christmas Ball was over plagued her mind. Even though she felt she was betraying Inosuke, she really liked the idea of hanging out with Genya.

Although, her Secret Santa got her... something just as unpleasant as the first. They had dropped off a plate of half-eaten food on her desk. She didn't know whether it was an insult or not.

The third day, Kagami left a small gift basket full of different goodies in the shooting club's room. It was completely empty and quiet, save for the bustling noise outside in the corridor. She placed it under the room's Christmas tree and left before anyone's curious gaze could fall on her or the gift. And her Secret Santa, not surprisingly, got her a lone white sock. At least it was clean.

She had not seen Genya's reaction to either gifts. She almost did. To feel and see his heartfelt and warm reaction, she wanted to feel those emotions once again from him. Yet, she forced herself to wait until the day of the Christmas Ball so she wouldn't be too obvious she's his Secret Santa.

The, the day of the Christmas Ball arrived and Kagami was more than nervous.

She was terrified!

Standing in front of her mirror, she stared at her reflection. A deep red, long dress with a sparkling skirt fell all the way to her feet. Her shoulders were left bare but she wore black silk gloves that drew all the way above her elbows. A large red bow was wrapped around her waist and tied behind her back. She slipped on a pair of small black heels and tightened them around her ankles. Her black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, her straight-edged bangs lining just above her eyebrows, and her face pampered lightly with make-up. A large wrapped box was held in her shaking hands.

Tears brimmed her eyelids. She carefully dabbed them away and took in a large deep breath.

You can do this, Kagami. It's just a dance. It'll be all right.

As she walked out of her room, her father took one look at her and smiled in adoration. His eyes shined seeing her standing awkwardly in the hallway. "You're just as beautiful as your mother," He breathed out with tears brimming his own eyelids.

Kagami couldn't help but hug her father tightly.

At the dance, her eyes widened in pleasant surprise walking into school's gym.

The entire ceiling of the gym was decorated like the night sky. It was a midnight black with stars of various sizes adorning it as if a bucket of glitter were dropped. Lights lined the walls lighting up the room in hues of red, green, yellow, blue, and white. A large Christmas tree adorned with various ornaments, decorations, and lights sat at the far end of the gym. On the stage with bright lights casting down on them playing classical Christmas music was the wind instrument club. The tables were covered in sparkling white table cloths resembling snowflakes with nutcracker center pieces. A long line was already constructed at the buffet consisting of glazed ham, turkey, bread rolls, pies, sweet potatoes, brownies, cookies, sandwiches, and much more lined against the wall.

"Kagami!"

She turned her head to see Tanjiro waving her over to Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Kanao, and Aoi. Nezuko wore a bright pink, short-sleeve dress that fell to her knees with her hair done in an upbraid bun. Kanao was dressed in a long, thin strapped purple dress with Aoi dressed in a nice white blouse and a short blue skirt. Tanjiro was dressed in a black and green tux and Zenitsu was dressed in a yellow and orange suit.

Kagami hurried over and smiled widely at them all. "You all look so handsome and beautiful," She praised fixing Tanjiro's crooked bow-tie.

When her eyes skimmed over Inosuke, she blushed seeing his shirt wide open as usual with a bored look on his face. "Even you, Inosuke. I'm surprised you cleaned up nicely," She huffed at him eyeing his navy blue tuxedo before turning her reddened face away.

Inosuke's own face turned red and grumbled, "Yeah... You too."

She stiffened at the compliment and gulped down the lump in her throat.

"Hello, everyone. May I have your attention, please?"

Everyone's eyes gazed up on stage when they heard the music stop and the new voice speaking above the excited bustling. Principal Amane Ubuyashiki stood there in a beautiful black gown with her husband, and board director, Kagaya Ubuyashiki in a handsome tux.

Her deep lavender eyes roamed over every smiling student's face and let the corner of her lips quirk upward. "I want to thank each and every one of you for participating in the Secret Santa Exchange. To feel the Christmas spirit in the air is the most wonderful thing a person, a family, a friend, and a loved one can feel. Remember this, children: Christmas is about giving rather than receiving. Acting selflessly, out of love, and spending time with loved ones is the most important thing in the world. I hope you all understand that and more when you're older."

Tanjiro hugged Nezuko close as they smiled at one another. Kagami giggled getting into a hug with Kanao and Aoi at her side.

"Now, I know everyone is excited to find out who their Secret Santa is. Let the final gift exchange commence!" Principal Amane declared to the sound of cheering, squealing, and rushing.

Kagami sucked in a nervous breath as her fingers tensed around the present still in her tight grip. She stalled for a moment staring at friends, students, and teachers alike hurry to give their last gift and Christmas wishes. She watched Nezuko give her final gift to Muichiro with a bright smile, Muichiro to Aoi, Kanao to Zenitsu, Zenitsu to Tanjiro, and Tanjiro to Kanao. She watched Mr. Tomioka give his final gift to Mr. Rengoku, Miss Tenshi to Miss Kanae, Principal Amane to Mr. Uzui, Miss Sato to Mr. Kyogai, Mr. Shinazugawa to Miss Makio, and much more. Everyone held a smile on their face as they gave and received their final gift. Tight hugs, cheers, and the words of wishes spilled from all of their lips.

She stood there silently and watched with sad eyes as Aoi gave her final gift to Inosuke. His eyes lit up brightly at the basket full of rice balls, tempura, shrimp, and much more. A wide smile stretched his lips and he didn't waste a second to devour everything in his sight. It was filled with everything he liked. The most perfect gift to give to someone like him. Aoi really was the perfect choice for him...

The feeling of despair quickly left when Genya appeared in her vision.

A small breath escaped her sharply seeing him give his final gift to Nezuko. She accepted it with a large smile and thanked him kindly, the two of them conversing and ignoring the threats screamed in the background by an angry Zenitsu held back by a flustered Tanjiro.

Gathering her courage, Kagami approached the two of them.

Genya's eyes sharply turned to her. The two of them stiffened and blushed under each other's gazes.

"Um, hi," She nervously sputtered out. Slowly lifting the box with shaking hands, she held it out to him and bowed, tearing herself away from his eyes, almost screaming, "I hope you like it!"

She was shaking in her shoes! She hoped Genya loved the final gift just as much as he liked the first one.

Soon, Kagami felt the box leave her grip. Lifting her head, she watched, through worried and anxious eyes, as Genya ripped the wrapping paper apart. She swallowed the lump in her throat when he opened the box and gently brought out his final gift: A glass carving of Genya winning and being crowned the shooting champ.

"This-!" He almost gasped out but she quickly explained, "My father is a karate instructor but also a craftsman. He helped me make it for you. I-I hope you like it."

Her fingers fiddled ferociously in front of her. Her eyes couldn't meet his but her gaze lingered on the wonder perfectly etched on his face. Her heart soared and flew high in her chest at that. The blush in her cheeks deepened tremendously staring at his handsomeness. Her knees buckled at the sight of his once again warm and pure smile. She didn't realize how much she missed seeing it until then when her heart did triple jumping jacks.

She didn't expect anything else. When she turned around to return to her friends, she certainly didn't expect arms to wrap around her waist and bring her into a hug from behind. Nor the touch of someone's chest pressing against her back in the tight embrace. Their head resting against the curve of her neck. The feel of their hot breath gently gliding down her throat. The warmness of their body contrasting and heating that of her cool body.

"Thank you," His voice softly and kindly said to her.

Her eyes shook and wavered at the sudden intimacy. She didn't know what to do other than place her hands over theirs and grip them tightly. "You're welcome," She breathed out just as soft.

Then, her body came free.

At the harsh coldness settling where the warmth had cradled her, Kagami desperately turned around and reached out for him. She wanted that warmth to stay and never leave her. She expected to grab the hand of Genya Shinazugawa, but instead found herself grabbing at the arms of Inosuke Hashibira.

She gasped at his muscle in her grasp and stuttered, "I-Inosuke?"

His eyes went wide staring at her, determination and concentration clear, and his hands clenched at his side. "I'm your Santarino's Secret, whoever or whatever the hell that is!" He declared loudly. Jabbing his finger in her direction, he loudly screamed, "My final gift to you-A date!"

"Huh?!" She immediately gasped out in confusion feeling unbearable amount of heat rise in her cheeks.

Inosuke's own face went red. He growled and clenched his fist, forcing himself to speak again, amongst the crowd of confused and surprised students, "I-uh-I'm giving you the chance to go on a date with me. I don't really know what a date means or is, but I heard it's fun! I like doing fun things so a date must be fun!"

"A date?" Kagami gulped out.

"Yes," He choked out.

Kagami's hands shook violently and she released a small laugh thinking back to the gifts he had given up to that point. "So the mud cake, the half-eaten food, and the sock was your way of showing appreciation. I'm a person, not a cat nor a dog, Inosuke," She giggled softly at the memory. She lifted her bright eyes and nodded her head. "Sure, I'll go on a date with you. But..." She reached forward and grabbed his hand, "A dance will do for now."

At the end of the final gift exchange, joyful, pop, and upbeat Christmas music blasted through the speakers screwed at every corner of the gym. Students and teachers danced along to the beat happily; Tanjiro and Kanao danced perfectly along, Zenitsu acting as the perfect dancing partner to Nezuko, Principal Amane and Mr. Ubuyashiki holding each other close, Miss Tenshi's and Mr. Rengoku's arms wrapped gently around the other in their own romantic slow dance, Mr. Shinazugawa and Miss Sato playfully twirling each other, and Kagami and Inosuke dancing with the most ludicrous moves anyone has ever seen. But she didn't care.

The twinkling stars gaze above their heads, the music deafening, with the sounds of laughter, cheers, and whoops thrown in the wind. As Kagami stared at Inosuke's raving yet jovial form, she knew, in that moment, she is exactly where she wanted to be. Where she wanted to be all along. She completed her goal of becoming closer with both Genya and Inosuke. Nothing could make her happier.

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!