The Mistletoe Mishaps, a kimi ni todoke/君に届け fanfic

Hey There!

Welcome! DarcyBeDippy85 here, with my very first Kimi ni Todoke fanfiction. Well, the first that was good enough to post out of the few I have been drafting for months and it was just in time for the holidays. It popped into my head while I was drafting several Christmas fic outlines and just KEPT standing out. It is a Christmas fic set up during the gang's college years. And I really hope you like it. This was supposed to be a one-shot but as I've been reading it over and over and thinking about it more... I think I can do better than that for this story in a few chapters rather than one. So, I hope you feel the same. Let's get started.

It will be Ayane and Pin predominately, but I LOVE to include everyone. So don't think for a minute I'll go skimpy on the rest of this AMAZING CAST (I just love them all too much.)

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I don't own Kimi ni Todoke (from me to you), I don't own Netflix or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own fun. I will return them all when I'm done.

Written for my dear friend Rose-Aki and she knows why! Wink-wink! It's ALL for you girl!

"The Mistletoe Mishaps"

Chapter 1 - The Party Plot

(Ayane's Perspective)

I didn't get to go home last year till summer break, of my first year of college. Frankly, I couldn't afford it before then. But I had worked most of that summer vacation and managed to save a nice little nest egg for myself. That would let this Christmas not be that same sad story. I was going home and it wasn't gonna be all joy and cheer either. No! This Christmas was already turning out to be something else. But instead of fretting about it, I was too happy to be home to even wear a frown. I just popped on the first train home and didn't look back.

Not only was some new girl from Shota's college sniffing around him. After following him here, all the way home, when he'd journeyed from school. She'd weaseled into staying with his family, because Shota's always the nice guy. Even though this girl was only causing trouble everywhere she goes. Scoffing, and spitting at his friends, acting up at the Sanada Family Ramen house, and Kazehaya's family store. Wearing these skimpy little outfits around his house, and doing every cliche trick in the book. Trying to scare off Sawako, so she can keep him all for herself. Good luck girl, he doesn't know any of the rest of us are alive besides Sawako. She's his woman and the rest of us girls are all just here. And if he wasn't that loyal, he would have Chizuru and me to deal with.

She'll find out, I just hope it's before Sawako gets hurt.

As if that wasn't enough to keep me preoccupied, Chizuru wasn't talking to Ryu… at all. Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. She was too mad at him for never coming home during any of his breaks for his entire first year of university… till now. His Sophmore Winter Break… she was so livid she could have breathed fire like a dragon. The worst part is I can't even blame her too much!

Ryu had promised her, repeatedly before he left. That he would call her all the time, and come home for EVERY break. He shouldn't have said any of that if he planned to stay away.

He'd started out calling her and texting as promised, but when he never came home for any break after that. And he never even told Chizu why… Chizu had gone radio silent and hadn't spoken to him since. WHICH-HAD-BEEN-LAST-WINTER! They've known each other longer than they've known me, but I don't think she's ever given him the silent treatment for this long before... But that had been a lot easier to keep up when he wasn't standing right in front of her. I'd seen them see each other for the first time in a year… And I'm still shocked Chi didn't blow up right there. Somehow she's managed not only ghost him that first time either. But every time she's seen him since and if her intent is to drive Ryu crazy… she's succeeding.

Serves him right if you ask me, I was mad at him for my friend.

But all of these people weren't making ANY progress on any of these problems. On making a single part of one of them any better, so it was up to me… to fix things. Before words are said and hearts are broken unnecessarily! I had a clear and concise plan, and I hoped with all my heart for it to work. I had gone back to our old school building and asked if I could use one of the classrooms for a small Christmas party there.

I had selected Pin's old classroom, where we'd met each day for homeroom. Not knowing I was gonna be scoring an extra guest when I did that. Leave it to Pin to insist on an invitation if his precious classroom is to be crate papered and decorated… and if there's gonna be food, the mucher… at least he hasn't changed at all.

The silly man hadn't even recognized me when he first saw me. He'd asked me repeatedly, "Why? Why my classroom and why now? Isn't there some place else for this impromptu mixer? A bigger better classroom, I'm not responsible for when the crowd gets rowdy and you guys trash the place?"

I'd corrected him smartly, "Five people is hardly a mixer, Pin."

"You sound like you know me," He's realized hilariously. "How come I don't know you?"

I'd milked it for everything it was worth asking him, "You don't recognize me? Hmm… interesting." I had been wearing some of my college clothes, my hair had gotten longer and I was wearing it very differently then my high school styles and makeup. I guess it was more different to my high school look than I realized… either that or Pin's just an idiot, the same as I remember.

He'd asked, "Did we graduate together? What year was your class?"

I'd countered with a toss of my head, "Isn't it obvious?"

"No, that's why I'm asking." He'd bantered.

I told him, "Well, don't expect me to make it easy on you, Arai. Just be here tomorrow, and let me into the classroom early enough for me to decorate it. Can't have anyone in a festive mood if they see it the way you keep it."

"Oh? What's wrong with a tidy, uncluttered classroom?" He'd asked.

While I threw back knowingly, "You got your students to do that, you haven't swept a stroke in years."

"You can't know that." He accused. Before claiming, "Besides, I'm always cleaning up after these new jerks."

But I knew better than to buy that, so I asked him. "Then where's the broom and dust pan kept?"

Watching the smile drop off of his face as he realized he didn't know. I had to really try not to laugh as I told him again. "Just be here tomorrow to let me in, Pin. Thankfully I still know where it is."

He didn't let it end there though, he'd followed me out of the school, playing 20 questions. Nearly the whole way to the Sanada Family Ramen House. Leave it to Kazehaya to botch my fun calling to us both, "Hey Pin! Yano! Merry Christmas!"

"Yano?! YA-NO! That's you in there?" He'd asked leaning down to my level to stare me into the eyes.

I'd teased, "You would have never guessed it without Shota's help."

Kazehaya asked innocently, "Did I spoil a surprise?"

I assured him, "No, Pin was just being very stupid and you clued him in before I would have. But it sure was fun while it'd lasted."

Pin had smirked at me and said, "Wow, you've really grown… I didn't even think you were one the graduates from one of my classes I've taught. I was thinking you were from my class when I graduated, an old man like me."

I'd shrugged, "Like I said, it was fun while it lasted."

Before Kazehaya rushed us along saying, "Come on you two. Everyone's waiting to hear all about this party you're planning for tomorrow, Yano."

I'd told them all it wasn't gonna be anything HUGE. It was just a little gathering in a place that we share a lot of GOOD memories. And Good times! I wanted them all to kinda reminisce a little and hopefully FINALLY open up about what's going on… talk to each other. I'd said to Pin I was planning this party for essentially five people. But the group gathered around to talk about it at the Ramen house was a bit bigger than that.

Leave it to him to nitpick about this so much that he ended up following me home… in the cold. Even though I knew his place is in the other direction and he was going out of his way to corner me. He'd asked me, "If you really are Yano under this cool college girl exterior. Then I know this party isn't gonna be just five people invading my classroom. What's your game?"

"Game?" I'd repeated sounding scandalized. "You think I'm playing around with my friends like that? No way!"

"Then what are you doing? I want in on the real plot here?" He'd insisted.

While I had insisted right back, "What plot? I just want to get my friends back to a place where we share a lot of fun memories and moments. Nothing more."

"You are planning something, I know you are-"

I even tried reminding him, "Don't you still live that way?"

We ended up back at my house because neither of us could stand out in the cold anymore. Thank goodness my Mom was out with her friends at a Christmas party. Otherwise, my mom would be trying to tell me that Pin had a major 'soft spot' for me again. Like I haven't heard that enough since her last meeting with him about my future. When he even believed in me more than she did. Her words though, I still don't know if I trust them.

Over hot chocolate, I caved and let him in on my plans. To get Sawako to tell Kazehaya how she felt (which was threatened) by this girl he'd brought home. And Chizu talking to Ryu at all. Before one or both of them end up in a hospital.

Pin even admitted, "He'd never seen Ryu so affected by anyone else NOT talking to him. But he was an absolute MESS."

And for once, Pin was right. Ryu had been so rattled by Chizuru's coldness and quiet. He'd gone all silly and klutz whenever she's around. He was walking to walls, tripping over chairs, rugs and Christmas trees at the lot by his house. He was a complete shambles, and he needed my help as much as Chi did.

So Pin had promised to meet me at the school, around lunchtime. School was out so we'd have the place to ourselves. He promised to not only unlock the door but he wanted to help me set up for this little trip down memory lane. I doubted he would care for any of the mushiness I was trying to encourage between these two lovely pairs. But he HAD insisted on tagging along… and eating the party food. So he'd better earn his keep the 6 foot 7 toddler.

I know I used to love Pin, and I still don't regret it. Because he's still the best person I ever fell for… even if it was puppy love to him and completely one-sided for me. I'm still grateful for it, even if he couldn't return my feelings, but it was a good thing I was completely over that now. Because planning all of these possibly romantic things could have included some sad attempt at a little bit of that for me too. Back in the day, that was aimed at him, too humiliatingly. But I was far too smart for that now. Besides this wasn't about me or Pin (as much as he would have probably loved the boost to his ego if he knew it crossed my mind… you know, if it didn't completely horrify him or gross him out).

The next day, couldn't have arrived any sooner. Shota was finally aware of what was really happening. And had sent his newer classmate packing. But not soon enough to avoid hurting Sawako unfortunately. Who had called this morning trying to back out of coming to this tiny party.

She hadn't fought with Shota, but supposedly she HAD witnessed a mistletoe moment. Where Shota was involved with this new hussy and Sawako had to watch someone else kiss him. At a party they were both at last night after they left the ramen house. Sawako left the party right after that and hadn't seen Shota yet. Or answered his calls or text... She said, "she needed to think," I had to practically beg her to still come today. I think she only was because it was me, and she couldn't let me down. But I was too afraid to say ANYTHING till i see her there for myself.

Chi wasn't much better, she'd finally screamed at Ryu. And she couldn't even remember what she'd finally said to him. Now she didn't want to look at him. It hurt too much and I really had my work cut out for me. With ALL of them.

With nothing else to do, I told both boys to make themselves useful. To come help me decorate, while they're both praying for a chance to clear the air with BOTH of their girlfriends. Shota came from standing outside of Sawako's bedroom window. She'd only glanced out of to tell him, not to catch a cold. Kazehaya had begged her for a chance to explain and she'd told him to meet her at the party.

And Ryu had been camped at Chi's bedroom door, in the hallway… I doesn't sound quite as romantic, but it is their thing, and at least he wasn't freezing to death. He too had insisted on explaining, and Chi had told him to meet her at the party. These were all good signs, but if we didn't get the place looking like Christmas, it would just be a weird reunion full of awkward silences and facepalming.

Before I could even ask him, Shota was already asking Ryu. "If she finally started talking to you why didn't you take the opportunity to talk back? Even if she was screaming at you?"

Ryu said logically, "She hasn't spoken to me in every bit of a year. I was afraid to interrupt and miss something. I was listening that hard."

Pin asked, "What did she say?"

"I'm in trouble." He'd said so simply and so to the bone honest. I had to reframe from laughing in his face. I know it's a serious mess here and I'm doing everything I can think of to help. But I have missed all of these people SO MUCH. Even these lost cause boys I've known too long and it's incredibly good to be with all of them again.

I broke the silence telling Ryu, "I told you she'd break eventually." I'd been assuring Ryu since I'd gotten home.

Pin had asked, "Did you really have to do that when she was shouting at you? I remember Yoshida's voice range, it could break the sound barrier."

Ryu shot him a frosty look and said. "Let someone you care about like that ice you that long. Let's see how you'd handle it."

Pin said confidently, "That could never happen." Like no woman could ever go that lng without him. And again, I was reframing from laughing in his face immediately.

Shota had teased, "Pin can't get a girl to stick around that long."

I'd laughed, I couldn't help it. But the insult had set all three boys roughhousing the rest of the way to the classroom. Looks like decorating is up to me afterall. I went into the classroom and got right to work. Hanging all of the things I could reach, and leaving the ceiling decorations for last. Because I was starting to doubt that I could reach up that far, even if I used a chair. Not to mention Mistletoe could be triggering for sweet Sawako. If I was to hang ANY of that, I would need to place it where it could help Ryu and hopefully not be seen or ruined for my other friend.

The moment I had finished all the decoration I could reach and there was STILL no sign of my taller helpers. I stood atop a chair and tried to reach some crate paper twirls of red and green to a corner. But I was coming up JUST too short. But before I could climb down. I felt someone left me up to the perfect distance off of the chair I had been standing on. When I looked back down I was practically seated on Pin's right shoulder.

He asked, "Is that better?"

I think I told him, "Yeah…" but I was kinda shocked.

If he noticed I was shocked he ignored it and asked, "Where to next." He even handed me the things I wanted to hang."

It looked a lot more like Christmas in no time. And I got Ryu and Shota to hang some mistletoe in places throughout the hall in case they wanted to give it a try AFTER they'd talked to the their girlfriends. Shota was DETERMINED to not let this misunderstanding ruin mistletoe for him or Sawako. While I think Ryu was just hoping for ANY chance of kissing Chi… before the new year.

The place looked great, both girls had texted me they were on their way. The food was set out attractively, with plates, napkins, cups and drinks. All that was left to do was wait for Chi and Sawako… and making sure Pin didn't eat EVERYTHING before our party could even begin! Honestly! He's supposed to be the grown up here, supervising us?

((Sawako's Perspective))

My heart was aching to the point that I didn't think I could make it. It hurt to move, to breathe and I felt ill. Even though I knew I was fine. I don't know how I kept walking, putting one foot in front of the other. My head felt completely disconnected from the action. Like I was watching someone else do it.

Ayane had asked me so nicely to be here, I could tell it was important to her.

I knew I had to talk to Kazehaya anyway. I just wished I didn't have to face it all right now. At the same time, if only I could be with my friends and not have this terrible feeling.

Just thinking of Shota and what I saw last night. He'd kissed another girl, and he'd pushed her away…

I had known from the very beginning, what was happening. When my boyfriend ended up helping "a friend" from school. I knew what she wanted, and I'd been nice anyway. I tried to be a friend to her and make her feel welcome. I put my feelings aside, but I had felt jealous anyway. Seeing that kiss, even when it was cut short just-

I can't remember ever feeling hurt like this before. Even though I know Shota did the right thing. He always does the right thing, I really wished there wasn't a need for it, you know? Or a reason for us to talk so seriously today. It's Christmas time, we're out of school, home… we're supposed to be having fun. Celebrating the fact that this Christmas was already so much better than the last one… you know, before this happened.

Was I ever going to be able to look at mistletoe the same again?

When I stepped off the train, at our old school. I was hit with so much nostalgia, and good memories. I unbelievably began to smirk and relax just a bit.

Then Kazehaya had stepped out from behind a poster board. He was waiting for me, right by the train stop. He said, "I know I promised to meet you at the party and this is outside from the party. But I just couldn't let you think for another minute that I-"

"Shota… I know." I cut him off. "I know she kissed you and pushed her away. I know that you did the right thing said the right thing and it's all over now." I tried to save him the trouble of explaining.

But he corrected me, "No! I didn't do everything right. Because if I had, none of this would have happened. And she would have known not to try anything like that. You were right, Sawako… and I wish I'd listened to you. I saw you leave and I ran after you… I know I'd made you cry."

"It was only a reaction to seeing someone else kiss you…" I tried to explain. "I'm selfish and I really didn't want to ever see that."

"And you shouldn't have to." He told me pulling off my glove to kiss the top of my hand. "The only one I ever want to meet me under the mistletoe is you."

"Me too." I'd agreed and let him pull me closer and closer. Till neither of us could stand it anymore and we hugged and kissed. The only thing that ended the kiss was something cold and wet drifting down my face. When I opened my eyes I giggled, because as we'd kissed. It had started to snow… and it was COLD, but so perfect and beautiful.

Shota asked, "Can you ever forgive me?" While he was still holding me close.

I had to tell him the truth, "I already forgave you the minute you pushed her away. I knew you were just being nice and it backfired on you. I just needed some time to process my emotions on my own. So I didn't hurt you."

I thought he was going to let me go and we were gonna walk inside together. But before he'd let me go. He'd said, "Don't ever feel like you have to hide anything away from me like that. Okay, even when I mess up and you're mad at me. I want to know what you're thinking. I need you to tell me so that we can work it out together."

But as I took his hand and pulled him with me towards the school I assured him. "You didn't want to know last night."

He insisted, "Yes, I did."

Even when I stressed to him, "No, you really didn't. I'm still afraid I won't be able to look at mistletoe the same ever again."

He let me know, "It's gonna be my mission for the rest of this Christmas to make that up to you."

I tried to tell him that wasn't necessary, because I knew it wasn't his fault. A girl had kissed him against his will and it was my own jealousy I that was battling. He couldn't help that. But Shota was serious as ever, and he promised me before we'd even reached the school building. "I will make this up to the both of us before this Christmas break is over, Sawako. That's a promise."

And somehow, when he put my glove back on my hand and took it. Even if it was completely unneassary… I believed him, that he would make it okay again… probably today. Because it's who he is, and it was nice to remember that again.

(Chizuru's Perspective)

I was sitting not far from Sawako on the train. I even said hi to her, and she'd said 'Hi' back and sit with me, after a shy wave.

I don't think she really saw me though after that. She seemed to be too quiet and spacey, like she had a lot on her mind. My bet is she's worried about facing Kazehaya. I wanted to tell her, "That he better fix it or ELSE!" To punch my fist into my open hand loud enough to POP! Pretending it was his charming GRIN if he DIDN'T fix this, FAST.

But I knew I didn't have a leg to stand on when it came to standing up to ANYONE'S boyfriend right now. THANKS TO RYU! When I still wasn't talking to mine. The JERK! Doesn't come home for a WHOLE year, never tells me anything. I even had to hear about most of it from his older brother... do you understand how awful that was? I used to have the worst crush on his older brother. He knows that! And yet he didn't think of telling me what his plans are, he let Toru tell me?!

And he thinks he can just come home for Christmas a YEAR too LATE. And fix EVERYTHING in a glance? And he thinks I'M the one who's CRAZY?

I slipped off the train quickly and passed Kazehaya on my way. Sending up a silent prayer that at least Sawako's boyfriend was planning on making things right. I was only here for Ayane and NO other reason.

Wait a minute, Ayane and Sawako… yeah,- No, Kazehaya is being a good friend right now too. You know, when he isn't ruining Christmas for our precious Sawako by being a complete IDIOT!

Maybe I'm here for EVERYONE, who isn't RYU! But wait isn't Pin gonna be here too? I know I didn't come back here to see him, I see him enough at work still. I don't even get to miss him. Ahhg! I'm so confused! MAD! And Hurt!

I'm not here for Ryu, I'm here for just about everyone else. I wasn't gonna miss out on another thing because of Ryu. Not one more thing... I had a lot to celebrate this year too. I had nearly saved enough for culinary school, I would only be gone for almost two years getting certified as a chef. My friends would still be finishing up their junior years of college and I'll be done. But the second I decide to leave, to do this one brave thing for myself. Ryu HAS to come back and I know why!

I bet you, he heard about my plans to leave and become a real chef, through his Dad or Toru (serves him right). Now he wants to remind me of the promise we'd made when we were kids. I promise I could care LESS about keeping right now.

About not going too far away, unless the other gets to go too, and we can't ever forget where home was. Like he has ANY right to remind me of a promise after the crap he's pulled. Not showing up for SEVERAL breaks after promising ME to never fail to come home.

I was almost there, all most to Pin's old classroom, where we'd had homeroom together. And if if I can't remember a thing that Pin tried to teach, I learned so much in that one space. I was nearly there...

Before Ryu stepped out of the shadows in the hall and tried to stop me before I got there. I kept walking like I didn't see him, but I forgot how quick he can be when he's THAT determined to stop something. Even if I was dedicated to disappointing him, I crashed right into him and we both ended up on the floor. I screeched at him, "WHAT'S your problem?"

"You're still talking to me?" He asked in that flatter-than-week-old soda tone. As he lay flat on the floor underneath me, I hadn't missed the way he'd twisted us to take most of the heat from that fall either. Like that's gonna earn him any points at all.

"I'm already regretting it." I said springing back up and dusting my legs off. He tried to show off and pop up quicker. Mr. Baseball Freak, jerky jock! If he was aiming to piss me off more, he could just keep that up.

He asked flatly, "Did you skin your knees?"

"I'm not nearly that delicate," I laughed. He's been clearly hanging out with too many fragile little bubble college girls.

He pointed to me left knee and asked, "Then why are you bleeding?"

Now where had that come from? Dang! I shrugged, "Ahh, nothing to worry about. If it doesn't stop soon I'll ask Ayane for a bandaid, no big."

He stopped me, knelt down on one knee in front of me, and placed a bandaid over my scrape. That had little tiny baseballs all over it. I was almost touched, I almost forgot how mad at him I am. But luckily I caught myself before I did something dumb, like forgive him. Or smile at him, for a bandaid he happened to have on him. Probably in case I punched him during this Christmas party. Which I still haven't ruled out, he's cruising for a bruising already.

So instead of letting myself go all mushy over one padded sticky boo-boo cover. I said, "You've even got little baseballs all over your bandaids, you really are the baseball freak."

"You called me that first." He tried to give me credit.

But I wouldn't take it, "It wasn't a hard play to call-"

"Chi?" He asked.

"What?" I answered too quickly.

"If you're finally talking again, can you listen too?" He'd asked. "Can you let me explain why I was gone so long?"

"You don't need to do that." I tried to tell him. I'd already heard everything from every other member of his family... except him. "Your Dad and brother both already gave me two different stories, just for missing your first break last winter. Then a hundred more to cover all of your other broken promises since, why bother? You wanna give me a third one now? Thanks, but I'll pass, save your breath for impressing your fan club." I tried to push past him but just when I was home free he caught my arm and spun me back to him.

"What fan club?" He asked blankly, like I was making that up.

"How dumb do you think I am?" I asked. And when he opened his mouth I cut him off quickly telling him. "Don't answer that! Come on, your brother told me about all the girls fighting over you back at your school. How many of them were you dating?"

"None." He said so seriously, I almost bought it.

I had to laugh, "Yeah, right." I totally didn't take any of that. "Toru showed me pictures and everything, there's no way that wasn't what kept you away. Even your Dad thought so."

"That sounds like jealousy." He stated like he was freaking Sherlock Holmes, and had just solved the case.

"Because it WAS jealousy at the time Captain Obvious. But I don't care anymore-"

"Sounds like you do care," He tried to be smart. "To stay this peeved."

"Oh please! I've wasted enough time on you. So go back to wooing those college girls, who ACTUALLY like you. And actually look like normal girls."

I tried to pass him but he still wouldn't let me claiming, "Toru and Dad were trying to help me, I guess. Stirring you up like that, but they were wrong." He said so bluntly, I'd forgotten how tactless he can be. Even when the evidence is so neatly stacked against him.

"Oh, sure." I said sarcastically, "And I'm a lost princess from one of your video games plots, WHAT do you TAKE me FOR?"

He opened his mouth again, but I was quicker, "Don't answer that either." He rolled his eyes at me but bit back a smile the creep! I told him, "Look, I used to care, and I used to be so mad that I couldn't look at you. But now I'm not saying I forgive you. But what I AM saying to you is that I'm tired, okay? TIRED of this, of fighting all the time and of this RUINING my day. Every SINGLE day, especially when you don't even care enough to think up a good lie. So you know what, you're off the hook. Let's just go to the party, be here for Ayane, so I can go home."

He made me look at him when he asked, "What do you mean by 'off the hook?'"

"I won't fight with you during this party, for Ayane or Sawako's sake." I spelled out for him.

"It can't mean you forgive me?" He asked so stupidly, I laughed in his face.

"The only reason your face gets to stay intact... for now. Is because I don't want to upset my friends. They've both got enough to worry about without me adding to it." Sawako and Shota's problems have been getting a lot of spotlight time. And Ayane's doing her best to help them, as she'll always do. But I know Ayane's stressing about what she's gonna be when she finishes college too. She still has no idea what she wants to be. What job she wants to have and where she'll be able to keep that passion alive. Where she's doing something she loves and is good at. I know she's struggling with that more than she let's on. And I don't want to make it any worse for her. Thinking she has to fix this too.

If only Ryu could JUST give it UP already! But NO! He has to insist on pulling me into a side classroom. The one across the hall from Pin's, and trying to talk to me before we're surrounded in the rest of the gang. I could hear Sawako and Kazehaya coming up the hall as Ryu pulled me inside. He made me stay quiet till our friends were all gathered in the party room... WITHOUT us. He wouldn't even talk or let me talk till they were all inside together.

I asked him, "Now that they're ALL starting the party WITHOUT us. Can we get this over with? So we can move on with our lives?"

"Will you hear me out?" He asked, "I've only been trying to say this to you since I got here."

"Well, quit stalling! Let's hear it, while we're young." I suggested to his blank bluh face. Haha, 'blank blah!' That's so him.

He took a breath through his nose, and said. "I didn't mean to break my promise to you... I didn't mean to keep at it for a whole school year. Not at all..."

I held up a hand and said, "Let me guess, 'it just happened AND you're sorry.' Is that what you were gonna say next?"

He leaned against the door we'd come in through and said, "I never expected it to be so bad."

"What was so bad?" That had been a WAY vague statement, even for him.

He glanced at me and his eyes glinted in that way that always told me. Whatever he was saying, no matter how flatly it was said, was coming from his little crooked heart. And he'd said quietly, "Missing you."

"Missing me?" I repeated and he nodded. "Are you trying to say you didn't come home because you missed me?" He nodded with one jab of his chin. So I let him know, "That makes no sense at ALL!"

"I know," He admitted.

"Then why go to all this trouble, just to tell me something that stupid? When you know it doesn't make sense?" I asked him anyway, even though I wanted to leave. SO badly and get this whole party thing over with.

"It's the truth." He said bluntly, and nothing else. Just stared me down. Like he could somehow work the belief in me if he stared hard enough.

I finally walked outta there and let him know, "That stare-down didn't work when we were little and it works even less when you're not even TRYING to help yourself right now. Give it up, already!"

Then I walked outta there and over to the party where my TRUE friends were waiting for us. Hoping, I can just get this day, party, holiday season, and YEAR over with. So I can go to my own school, learn how to cook professionally and put this whole nightmare behind me. Maybe by then one of his little fans can fall for him and convince him that I'm a lost cause.

((Ayane's Perspective))

I was relieved when Shota and Sawako had walked in holding hands and talking light-heartedly to each other. Shota even tried to corner her under the mistletoe not long after they came indoors. But sweet Sawako wasn't making it that easy for him. Dodging it like I knew she probably would. But even this denial had been done while they were both smiling and good-natured.

I was SO proud of Kuronuma for that. Showing that it isn't gonna be so easy to forget, even if he did have the forgiveness. That's how you do it!

But my heart sank back to my feet again when Chizu came in and looked just as miserable as ever. Ryu's little talk before the party hadn't gone as well as he'd hoped.

It only got worse when Ryu came in and even though he seemed blank-faced as ever. I could tell he was taking this even harder than Chizuru was. He was somehow kicking himself even harder now than before.

That was when a bunch of other classmates started showing up and thanking me, "For the invite." But the thing is, I know I didn't invite any of these people. And they weren't saying thanks in a condescending way, they meant it... But almost as soon as I was wondering who invited them... I got my answer too. It had been Pin, who'd spread the word about the party and he'd even invited some of his current students who'd been bored with nothing to do.

I caught him the scruff of his red sweater and dragged him out in the hallway. To corner him, "You invited a bunch of people to a party that wasn't even yours?"

He pointed out, "It's happening in my classroom, I brought stuff for it too. Besides, I knew things were gonna be intense getting Sanada and Yoshida in the same room together. You needed the buffer of more HAPPY people at this thing, to even CALL it a PARTY... your welcome."

"I'm not gonna thank you for going over my head." I let him know.

He crossed his arms at me and told me, "Then we're even, Cause I'm not gonna thank you for decorating either. Not even bringing these little oatmeal cookies that taste like Christmas, either." He said taking a bite outta one inches from my face, "But I will ask, WHERE did you get THEM?"

"I made them!" I said angerly.

He said just as angrily, "They're Good."

I bit back, "Thank you."

He took another bite, talking as he chewed disgustingly, and said something that kinda sounded like, "Your welcome."

Then we both went back inside the much bigger party than I originally planned.

I don't know who's bright idea it had been to bring spiked cider to a party happening inside of our old classroom... but I'd thankfully taken a whiff and steered clear. Just to make sure I didn't miss any of the happenings around me. Not everyone was as lucky.

An hour into the party, was when the music got cranked louder, the desks got all pushed aside and the dancing began.

But I guessed that Pin may have had some of that cider. He was wearing a sants hat, singing along with Christmas Carols, and dancing. Both things he should never do in public and he was being so much less of stick-in-the-mud. He had to be sipping... or gulping, was more like it.

He found me standing off to the side and told me. "Why are you still wearing the long face, Yano? It's Christmas, join in the fun."

But I was more concerned with how everyone had placed the desks under the mistletoe, blocking most of it off, all except for one bough I'd placed in the center of the room hanging from a light fixture. As I watched the tenth couple dodge the prettiest bunch of mistletoe I'd found. I shared (probably because I doubt he isn't inebriated right now), "I don't understand... is all of this mistletoe I brought faulty or something? No one's upkeeping the tradition, they're all either pretending not to notice or dodging it like the plague."

He had to admit, "That's no fun." Then he announced loudly, "HEY! THE - NEXT - OF - YOU - JERKS - TO - PASS - BENETH - THAT - BOUGH - BETTER - PUCKER - UP! OR - ELSE!" While I face palmed he added, "It's not there just to look pretty! Take a chance, already."

But all this had accomplished was an opening in the center of the floor, for EVERYONE to not pass under it. I was ready to give up, these people were just not willing to bend... not even with a slight alcoholic buzz around to help... you know, the people who weren't underaged or avoiding it like me.

But Pin was not letting it go. He said, "Hmm, maybe the mistletoe is faulty?" Then he said, "Let's see." He sort of pulled (or dragged me) a yard to my right, I turned my head to ask him what was going on forgetting there was one branch of mistletoe hanging over the doorway we were talking next to. He'd been aiming for my cheek, but when I turned my head, our lips just did touch. And I felt my eyes nearly pop outta my head, and his had been just as big to match mine.

But the contact between us... even though it had been tiny had been like fireworks... it had been nice... very nice.

And tasted like cookies... not cider.

So he may not have been sipping after all... and before we could say anything else about the kiss. We were both being pulled in different directions. By all kinds of different people who didn't seem to even notice what had happened (Because if they had, I know these people would not have been able to shut up about it). But I didn't get far with this crowd of partygoers. Before I was grabbed and pulled out of the room by Chi and Sawako. Who had BOTH noticed the kiss, even though they both had their own situations at this party.

Chi pulled me into an abandoned classroom across the hall, dragging Sawako too. Just to ask me, "WHAT was THAT we just saw?"

I answered honestly, "a simple mistake, and nothing more."

Sweet Sawako said, "But you loved Mr. Arai once, and he just kissed you accident or not... are you okay?"

I hope I assured her, "I'm far too wise to think anything will come from it. I was complaining about thinking my mistletoe was faulty and he'd meant to peck my cheek. It's not his fault I turned my head at the wrong moment." I'd shrugged and did my best to assure these dear friends.

Leave it to Chi to be the hardest to convince. "It can't be that easy! Ayane, you loved him, I knew you did, even before you told me. And you totally felt something when he did it, mistake or not. You can tell somebody else it didn't matter, but this is me you're talking to."

I explained to her, "Think of it as that Christmas present you weren't expecting, didn't need, but was really nice. That's how I have to think of it, I really thought I would never know what it would be like to kiss him. And now I know, just like I know he'll never look at me as anything but a silly kid he used to teach once."

It sounds sad, I know. But I really was so happy and the best part of it is, when I came back into that classroom. The mistletoe was FINALLY getting used like it should. So I like to think that one little kiss, may have set the magic in motion. Because even though I expected nothing from it and knew Pin couldn't have thought a single thing about it... For me, it was still magical.

And when nothing happens... just like I know it won't. That's on him, and not on me. Because I know for a second, I made him feel something. I'm no expert, but I'm no layman either. And he'd been as shocked as I was.

The party carried on for another hour before blizzard warnings lit up everyone's phones. Telling everyone to get home, or seek shelter where they don't mind getting stuck for a few days. And everyone started racing out to beat getting stuck somewhere as sad as our old school building. I had promised Pin to take every single Christmasy thing down that I'd put up, so when the last people left. I dragged a chair over to a corner so I could stand on it and get to work. But I hadn't even reached the first bought of mistletoe before Pin was picking me up off fo the chair and asking me, "What are you doing?"

"Keeping my promise," I'd shrugged even though I was surprised he wasn't putting me down. "You said you wanted ALL of this down when the party ended, the party's over-"

"Yeah, but did you not just hear those storm warnings? You'll never make it out here in time, and snow's already coming down pretty good out there." He said as he STILL didn't put me down he just held onto me, though even I didn't know why.

Even though I was at a bit of a disadvantage, my feet dangling so high above the ground I asked him. "Since when's a thing like nature made you re-think a promise? Are you going soft on me?" I asked him comically.

And he had smiled before he said, "No way! But I don't want the guilt of you getting stuck here. But while you're up there, maybe grab that mistletoe at least. I don't want my student's to come back in here thinking they can start up makeout spots like some of them did here today."

So I twisted around in hold and reached up, while he hefted me taller like before to reach the mistletoe in the ceiling. He kept asking me, "Got it?... Ya, got it?"

"No! Higher!" But I finally reached it and spun back around to get put down. My arms went around his shoulders and squeezed tight cause I'd been much higher than I expected and I got a little freaked. My face sort of came close to his, and the moment I wasn't freaking out anymore we locked eyes.

I felt my back collide with the cold cinderblock wall behind me and he loomed pretty close. My heart was hammering in my chest, and ears. As my right hand came down to rest against his chest. I could feel his pounding just as hard against my hand. Before I could tease him about this, his face snuggled mine, and before he backed away. He gave me the smallest kiss, which was just slightly more deliberate than that first one had been. Just a pressing contact, long enough for me to close my eyes but both of our lips had smacked when he broke it.

I let out a breath and tried to stay cool, as I slid down the wall and finally on my feet again. I asked him, "Can you help me reach the others? I don't want your students to get the wrong idea either."

He'd nodded at me wordlessly, before picking me back up heading for the nearest corner. He got me high enough so I could grab the next one easier. But when I'd turned and let him take me back down. This time we were both more ready for what awaited us at the bottom. And this kiss wasn't as short or careful. The other two corners on the other side of the room had gone just HOT as I climbed back down, but that last one we'd basically been making out, and I'd managed to get a leg around his waist that time. We'd both laughed into that kiss. God, he felt good.

I told him, "There's only one more left, you wanna help me get that one too? Real quick?"

He'd nuzzled my nose with his and whispered, "Maybe not so quick."

I'd agreed, "No, maybe not."

No doubt about it, we were definitely making out when I'd come back down with that last one. And I could feel his fingers digging into my waist, even though he was trying to be so careful with me. I could feel it in his every move, he didn't want to hurt me. I had never felt that with any boyfriend I'd had... probably ever. None of them had been so afraid of hurting me... it was beyond nice. It was so much more than I could have ever hoped for... so again I felt myself preparing for when he would pull back or end this. But instead of saying any of the things I expected him to say. That would have let me know I'm still a kid to him...

He said, "Come on and get your coat on, I'll walk you home."

And just as easily I said, "Okay."

Maybe this Christmas isn't so hopeless for me either.

That's all folks!

Well for this chapter anyways. I really hope you liked it, that it added to your enjoyment of beyond the series ideals and this Christmas season we're about to kick off! This was a total blast and I hope to be post more for this story (and for fandom) very soon. Please review if you can, I love hearing from you, and this ship runs on pure determination and feedback. Thank you so much for reading, have a Merry Christmas, or whatever you celebrate and hope this new year will be even better than 2023 has been. Take care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85