A/N: Hello all. It has been a few months, hasn't it? Nursing school has been so insanely busy. Good news though? I'm almost done. I'm hoping I get more time to work on this because I have really been missing this story.
To make up for the long absence, I have this MONSTER of a chapter for you. A whooping 30 pages and 11804 words of goody content that will surely make you all very happy. Especially you OG Kodocha fans.
I was going to break this up into two separate chapters, but I thought, what the heck. I'll give the readers what they deserve for being so patient with me.
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 27 Christmas Extravaganza Part 2
He felt stupid.
He felt stupid walking around the downtown district, aimlessly with no real purpose in mind. It was overly crowded with Christmas shoppers, especially with Christmas being tomorrow.
Nothing like last minute shopping to get people in the Christmas spirit.
Hayama Akito sighed with frustration as he stopped in front of this trinket store. Why did she have to drop that ball on him?
"Don't forget about my Christmas present!"
It was already irritating enough that he was going to this stupid party. Now he was expected to get her a gift? Give him a break. He didn't even think to get his sister a gift.
He felt his stomach drop.
Would his sister be upset with him if he didn't get her a gift but got Kurata a gift?
"But I just don't see why you won't talk to me like you talk to her."
The blond stopped walking as he thought back to his sister, who so patiently waited for him to come to his senses. All this time, he thought she hated him. Hated every ounce and fiber in him. When really, it was all just a big misunderstanding.
All of it.
They were both broken souls who were wondering aimlessly, trying (or not) to pick up the pieces of their shattered life. He chose solitude, and loneliness. Everyone he touched, he hurt. Everyone he came close to, they always ended up suffering or in pain. He tried at first, when Principal Naru Naru introduced him to karate.
He really tried to break away from his bad habits and behavior. He was no angel, but he was no longer picking fights. He broke away from Hitorashi Ayumi. He left behind his old gangster lifestyle. He stopped picking on the teachers, blackmailing them. He stopped getting crap grades on purpose.
The only thing he didn't stop was fighting with his father.
And it cost him everything.
Ayame just wanted her brother back. And he couldn't even give her that.
Akito squeezed his fists so tightly he felts his nails clawing into the palms of his hand while shutting his eyes closed. She didn't say anything, but he saw it in the somber look of her brown eyes. While she was smiling more brightly, he could see the sadness that still lingered.
At least this Christmas, they would celebrate. At least, she would have something to look forward too. And for that, Hayama could be grateful to Kurata.
Releasing the grip of both his hands, he sighed deeply.
He would let those thoughts settle for now. He looked back up and continued roaming around the shopping district, hoping to see if any inspiration for a gift would hit him.
"Akito?"
At the call of his name, the blond turned and went slightly wide eyed at the boy standing behind him.
"Tsuyoshi?" His longtime friend was standing, a few shopping bags in hand. He was looking at him like the world was turned upside down.
"Funny running into you out here, huh?" He gave that strained smile, that one he had been giving since their fall out.
"Yeah." Was all he said, partially because he didn't want Tsuyoshi to know he was Christmas shopping for Kurata. He didn't want to give him the wrong idea about him and her. He had already insinuated once. He wasn't going to let him get the satisfaction again.
And there was a heavy silence that followed.
He knew that the relationships he had built, they all crumbled away. Crumbled away because he pushed everyone close to him away. After he was released from the detention center, he was pissed off. Pissed off at the world and at everyone around him.
And while he really tried not to blame Tsuyoshi, a part of him always blamed him.
Blamed him for getting him into the situation he did. But also blamed him for abandoning him. Abandoning him just like everyone else.
But also, why wouldn't he?
Everywhere he went, he just brought destruction.
"So, you're going to Sana-chan's party, right?" He asked, his cheeks growing red from the cold.
"She will never let me live it down if I don't." Akito responded. He fumbled with the wallet in his pant pocket.
Tsuyoshi chuckled. "Well, you are a guest of honor, as Sana-chan would say it." The blond scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Yeah well I can't help what she says."
Because if I could, she would be silent.
The brown-haired teen chuckled in response. "Though, I have to say I am a bit surprised you are coming."
Akito tore his eyes away from whatever stand he was randomly looking at. He looked back at Tsuyoshi, who was staring at him with sad eyes.
"I mean, just a few months ago, you would have denied before the words came out of her mouth." The glass eyed teen looked to the floor with the same sad eyes and a somber smile.
"I guess it just goes to show the affect she has had on all of us, huh?" He brought his head back up and smiled at him, with sincerity.
That girl… so annoying.
"Anyway! I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing! Sorry to bother you!" Akito went wide eyed as Tsuyoshi started backing away and saying his goodbyes.
Wait… hold on… don't leave.
Don't leave me in here.
Don't leave me in a place like this.
Akito couldn't explain that sudden feeling of entrapment. He was suddenly 13 years old again, in that godforsaken room that laughed at him, that spoke awful things to him. He was back in that room that was taunting him, reminding him of all his failures and shortcomings.
He didn't want to go back.
"Tsuyoshi." He called out. And the brown-haired boy turned, surprised at the sudden calling of his name.
The golden-brown eyed teen bit on his lip and looked away. Things didn't used to be this hard. The words he needed to say, they used to come so easy to him. Now, they just fell dead on his lips.
Why did you abandon me?
We were best friends. You were always by my side… but not at the time I needed you most.
Do you hate me, too?
"I- Kurata told me that I need to buy her a stupid Christmas present." Tsuyoshi's eyes went even wider than before, jaw almost falling to the ground. "You have any ideas what to get her?"
It wasn't the words he wanted to say, nor the things he needed to clear. But it was a start… a chance… maybe. Afterall, if he could start over with Ayame, couldn't that mean the same with Tsuyoshi?
The smile that broke Tsuyoshi's face resembled one of those of Kurata's. But his smile was accompanied by tears, tears of joy. Because the brown-haired teen was now smiling as tears were streaming down his face. Akito rubbed at the back of his neck and he looked away, giving Tsuyoshi a moment to compose himself.
"Yeah, I can think of a few."
His longtime friend smiled, this time without the tears and the snot running down his nose. Akito nodded forward, gesturing for Tsuyoshi to follow him. His friend nodded and ran behind him, stopping right next to him as he almost tripped over.
It was like déjà vu for Akito. Him taking off with Tsuyoshi hot on his trail, following closely behind him. He laughed awkwardly, apologizing like the fool he was for being so ever clumsy. And while it was awkward at first, they fell into this natural rhythm where Tsuyoshi would go on and on about something (in this case, a gift for Kurata) and he would stand silently, listening to everything he said.
And for a moment, while Tsuyoshi looked away and pointed at some possibilities of a gift in a window model, Akito let the corners of his lip lift for a small smirk.
"Akito! I think I may have found something for her!"
And as quickly as it came, it disappeared just as fast.
"It better not be something embarrassing."
He laughed and they proceeded inside.
Though, it didn't last too long because Akito was soon overwhelmed with the lady behind the register.
"Do you need help? Oh! Are you looking for something for a special someone?! Please let me help! I am just fantastic at finding gifts for girlfriends! Please oh please!" She urged as she pushed herself onto Akito, who could only look at her with disgust.
"What the hell is your problem, lady? Get the hell away from me!"
Which lead Akito and Tsuyoshi to a small coffee shop as he continued being irritated by that overwhelming encounter.
"I forget just how sensitive you can be, sometimes." Tsuyoshi chuckled and the blond glared.
"She was pushy and annoying. Stupid holidays get people all worked up like that."
And in the end, he still didn't have a gift for Kurata.
"You know, Akito." Tsuyoshi started, "I don't think you have to worry about finding the perfect gift for her. I think Sana-chan will be happy with whatever you give her! You know, as long as it comes from the heart."
Akito didn't respond. Instead, he just sat quietly, contemplating in his own thoughts.
A gift from the heart huh?
"Well, I gotta get going! I told my mom and Anko-chan that I would be home by 8. You should probably get home soon, too."
Akito acknowledged with a brief nod, looking up at the dark sky, covered in clouds. Snow was falling in waves. There were news reports of a snow filled day for Christmas tomorrow. He and Ayame would have to leave their home earlier to make sure they didn't get caught.
"See you tomorrow?" Tsuyoshi pressed and Akito nodded.
"Night." He replied and trailed off, wondering exactly how the day would pan out.
-O-
Fuka flinched slightly as the boot was pulled from around her broken ankle. Fuka reached for her father's hand in support as the doctor began to examine it. He squeezed tightly for affirmation. The dark-haired girl was grateful for her father's presence. When the time came for her follow up appointment, she had personally seen to it that it was he accompanying her to the doctor's office and not her mother.
"Dad?"
Her father looked up from the paper's on sprayed on his working desk. A long, tired face turned towards her and he smiled. A tired smile that she knew all too well.
"Hi honey. What can I do for you?"
Fuka couldn't help the chuckle that fell from her lips. With her father being a successful businessman, it didn't surprise her that he combined his personal and work life together. She was thankful for him, though. Despite his success, he remained humble and kind.
She wondered how a man like him could every fall in love with her mother.
"My doctor's appointment is next Friday… do you think you can come with me… please."
He arched a brow and remained silent as he reached towards a filing cabinet where he kept his planner.
She just couldn't… she couldn't do another visit with her mother. Since the last time, they had not been speaking to one another. The room always felt suffocating whenever her mother was there. Fuka felt like she could not breathe.
They spoke maybe a few sentences to one another since that day.
Fuka had done her best to avoid the conversation all together. Her father had made a comment one day, asking if they were going to continue treating one another so coldly. All she wanted was an apology, an apology for not treating her like her daughter.
But instead, her mother chose to walk into the other room.
She knew her dad was busy. She knew that it was hard for him to take time off to come to a simple doctor's visit.
But she was so relieved when he smiled and nodded his head.
So relieved.
"How does her ankle look, Doctor?" Her father asked. Fuka continued to look at the slightly discolored and bruised ankle. The light, faded blue was nothing compared to the ugly, purple color that it was a few weeks ago.
The orthopedist smiled as he rested her ankle on the footrest. "This looks great. I can tell that you've really been taking care of this."
Fuka gave a trying smile. "I've been doing my best… I just don't want to have any setbacks for when I return to gymnastics."
The orthopedist smiled and rubbed the top of her head. "Well, I have some good news for you."
She looked to her father, who smiled at her in reassurance. The brown-haired girl felt her heart drop into her stomach.
"You are officially off crutches! You can start to bear full weight on the walking boot!"
A grin that resembled that of her best friends split her face in half. Fuka wanted to shout it to the world, to jump around in excitement and joy. She felt this weight come off her chest; a weight that was crushing her to the earth.
Fuka felt so relieved.
"Now this doesn't mean that you can go crazy on this, okay? I want you to take it slow. Slow and easy." He began to explain. "I am going to put a referral in for physical therapy, twice a week. We are going to take this slow because I want this to heal to the best of its ability."
The brown-haired teen smiled. She grasped her father's hand tightly as the tears bit at her eyes. She was so happy. Finally, she could make some progress, some headway. Fuka was ecstatic to get her recovery moving forward.
She loved Sana and she appreciated everything her best friend did for her and the team. But, Fuka was ready to get back to the sport she loved and take her place on the team… though if Sana wanted to stay, she wouldn't be opposed to it.
Just from what she's seen, Sana was just as fierce of a competitor as she was back then. A little rusty, but with practice, you could tell this wasn't her first time doing this. She looked like a natural out there.
"I'm going to do my best." She pumped her hand and she gave a determined smile; one she learned from a certain auburn-haired teen.
Things were beginning to look up and Fuka was feeling grateful.
Despite the animosity with her mother, she was grateful for the other parts of her life. She was grateful or her father, who supported her despite not being perfect. She was grateful for her friends, who remained at her side. She was grateful for Kurata Sana for never giving up on her. After some serious self-reflecting, Fuka realized how much her friend had endured to just be her friend. And she was grateful to see another year. Her birthday was coming in just a few short days and being able to spend it with her friends made her so happy.
The new year couldn't come any sooner.
-O-
"MAMA!" Sana shouted as she ran down the fall into the kitchen.
"Yes daughter." Misako Kurata answered as she helped Shimura set up the dishware for the children soon to fill her home.
"Is everything ready to go in here?! I just finished putting the last of the lights up!" She gestured with her thumb to the lights that were messily hanging from the rafters and ceiling. Misako could only chuckle at the attempt.
But seeing her daughter so filled with joy made Kurata Misako extremely happy.
"Oh, we are going to have so much FUN. I CANNOT wait for everyone to show up! Thanks for letting me put together on Christmas, Mama! And THANK YOU Shimura for cooking for everyone!" She hugged both women so hard as she felt so thankful to have them in her lives. Misako and Shimura laughed at Sana's overzealous gesture of gratitude.
"Well, we have such a large home. Why not share it with others?" Misako replied after Sana released them. And she truly meant that. Things were starting to become lonely in this home of theirs. Guests would certainly liven up the place.
That's when the first doorbell rang, and her daughter's eyes lit up like fireworks.
"THEY ARE HERE." And she sprinted towards the entrance of their home and Misako could see a group of children enter with excitement written on their faces.
One by one, groups of children were filling her home and Misako was humbled to be surrounded by such energetic and excited children. It reminded her of Sana's younger years when she was working with Zenjiro. Sana constantly had her friends over for fun.
"Kurata-san!"
Misako smiled as she saw Matsui Fuka walking towards her. She smiled as her daughter's best friend slowly made her way towards her. Sana had informed her of the unfortunate accident that fell on Fuka. But the young girl seemed to be in higher spirits as she was walking in a walking boot.
"Ah, Fuka-chan. Hello." She greeted. "Happy Birthday seems to be in order for you."
"Thank you, Kurata-san."
"How is the ankle treating you?" The novelist asked and Fuka smiled.
"I just went to see my doctor a few days ago and he said everything looks great! I am able to start walking on it, though he said not to push myself too hard."
"That is great news, Fuka-chan. I am ecstatic you were able to join us today."
Misako and Fuka exchanged a few more pleasantries before she was whisked away by her daughter. She could see what she imagined was the gymnastics team surround the young girl. This warmed Misako's heart.
The young Matsui Fuka had a troubled past with her mother that still inflicted pain and caused moments of self-doubt. This idea of perfection her daughter's best friend created caused strife not just between Fuka and Sana, but others as well. As someone who saw it firsthand, Misako was happy to see Fuka making friends and coming out of her mother's shell.
For the first half hour, Sana was introducing her to her friends and some of her classmates and Misako ensured to embarrass her daughter in all ways. Sana was starting to forbid her from talking.
But she noticed something about her daughter.
Though she hid it very well, Misako could see Sana becoming restless. Restless and impatient.
Well, that is certainly odd.
Every time the door opened, Sana's eyes went to the door. She would sigh but then shake it off with a smile. This was happening every time someone walked in.
Who is she waiting for?
The door opened once again, and like clockwork, her daughter's eyes found the door. Entering their home was a young man with light brown hair and shining, emerald eyes. Immediate attention from some of the other teens in the room and Misako swore she heard some sighs from the female population.
Yet, her daughter's shoulder's slumped with disappoint.
Again, only a moment her daughter had allowed that. A smile encompassed her face as she called out the boy who captivated the entire room.
"Hiro!"
When the boy turned towards her daughter, she could see his sparking green eyes go wide; almost like he was thrown back by her daughter's appearance.
It was then that she saw it and Misako snickered under her fan.
That boy was completely enamored with her daughter and Misako was sure that Sana didn't even know it. She sighed inwardly. In everything that she had ever taught her daughter, how did Sana become so misguided and dense with love?
Forgive me, Hiro-san. My daughter is very dense.
"Mama! This is Akimoto Hiro!" Sana introduced the handsome young man to her, and she smiled. "Hiro! This is my Mama!" Misako did not know what it was, but when he smiled, she swore she could hear the teenage girls in the room sigh once more.
"Hello Akimoto-san. Pleasure to meet you."
"No, the pleasure is mine, Kurata-san. Thank you for hosting in your lovely home tonight." He bowed and her daughter nudged the young man in the rib cage area. He pretended to fall over and be in agonizing pain. Sana shook her head and pushed him slightly.
Interesting.
"Oh, you actually decided to bless us with your presence, huh?"
Fuka's powerful voice could be heard across the room. But Misako did not pay attention to whom she was speaking to. Rather, her eyes remained on her daughter whose head turned immediately. The smile that broke out on her face was nothing compared to the smiles she had seen all night. The smile on her daughter's face was one she hadn't seen in some time.
The novelist followed her daughter's line of sight. At the end, she smirked as her eyes landed on a certain blond-haired, golden-brown eyed boy accompanied by a young girl that she could only assume was the younger sister.
"Well, well, well! Look who actually turned up!"
When the young Hayama turned their way to her daughter's sudden booming voice, Misako's eyes went wide.
Those strong, dull eyes she saw some time ago were now flickering with something she hadn't seen before.
She narrowed her eyes and continued to hold the fan over her mouth.
Very interesting indeed.
-O-
Kurata Sana was feeling especially grateful this evening.
The party was really kicking off and it seemed like everyone was having a great time… even a certain lone wolf who was currently grabbing a drink from the kitchen.
When she saw him walk through the door, Sana couldn't help the swelling of her heart.
She was so happy to see him. Even though he said he would come, there was some doubt in the back of her mind. What if he just decided not too? What if he changed his mind? All those questions were running through her mind.
She chose to ignore it because she wanted to have faith in him, faith in their friendship.
Sana could bounce off the walls with how happy she was feeling currently. Her heart was filled, and her energy felt at an all-time high with everyone having a great time.
Hayama Akito was standing off to the refreshment table that Shimura had so skillfully put together. He was staring at nothing really when she found him. Of course, she had to be sneaky and pop out of nowhere, causing him to jump slightly. He found her antics, as predicted, childish and threw a nasty glare her way. Though, there wasn't that same malice that usually was there.
"You're an idiot." He stated as he set his drink back down.
She grinned brightly. "Gotta make it fun somehow!"
Another eye roll, but this time, his eyes just wondered.
"You know, I am really happy you showed up. I was beginning to wonder if you would." Sana admitted to him. His golden-brown eyes went back to her and he sighed.
"We would have been here earlier, but Ayame had somewhere to be before we came here."
Sana titled her head slightly at that. She didn't remember the young Hayama saying she had plans? She wondered if something abrupt came up that she couldn't put off? It didn't seem like Hayama was going to continue further on with this conversation though.
"Somewhere important?" She decided to test the waters anyway. Besides, it got them this far, didn't it?
The blond's jaw hardened, and his eyes looked away from hers. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes again. Reluctantly, he looked back at her.
"Yeah, you could say that."
Loud, blaring music cut through their tension as a few of her classmates, as in Gomi and his friends, got on the makeshift stage and started singing Christmas music through the karaoke machine that her family has had for years.
She watched as Hisae was groaning in embarrassment and Mami was laughing while padding her shoulder. The dark-haired boy was belching out the words to Jingle Bell Rock and it had the entire class invested.
Sana had almost forgotten there was even a party going on while she was talking to Hayama. Their conversation pulled her away from the festivities.
"Point is, were here, okay? Now you don't get to harp on me for it."
Hayama used that distraction as an opportunity for a change in conversation and Sana could appreciate it.
"Well, not for this at least. I'm sure there are a ton of other things I could find to harp on ya for, or whatever."
He snorted and that's when Sana noticed it.
A small smirk hidden away in the shadows of the room where no one but her could see. The corners of his mouth were twitching and away was that ridiculous scowl that he loved to wear so much. He seemed much more laxed than he tried to show.
Sana could do summersaults in the air right now!
And they just stood there in each other's company without another word. Sana grinned with her teeth shining brightly as she leaned against the table while Hayama joined her in silence as they watched all their classmates join along to Gomi's rendition of Jingle Bell Rock.
"I'm surprised you haven't joined yet, Sana."
Both Sana and Akito turned to see Fuka walking up to them with a smile on her face. The brown-haired girl was limping slightly but the sheer happiness of her in her walking boot was radiating.
"I'm just giving them a chance to work on their vocals! They don't know what they got coming!" With her history, Sana did have a pretty rockin' singing voice. After all, it was part of her job to be able to sing sometimes.
"I'm sure what you got is MUCH better than Gomi right now." Fuka laughed and Sana joined. Hayama remained silent.
"You know what I got. You know I could knock the pants off with him right now!" Sana always did love a good challenge. It fired her up definitely!
"Well then why don't you go up there and show them? Hmm? Or are you all talk and no action?" Oh ho ho. Now Fuka was really pushing it.
Sana narrowed her eyes and put her hands to her hips. She leaned forward and then came right back up like a snap. Sana raised her hand and pointed a finger.
"I'll have you know, I am the queen of karaoke! I'll show you!"
And without another word, she took off and cut through the crowd, climbing up on the stage and taking Gomi's spot and the microphone.
"That was one way to get rid of her." Akito stated, his eyes following Kurata up the stage.
Fuka's eyes went wide and then she glared at him. "I was not trying to get rid of her. I just knew how she was about challenges."
He snorted again.
"HEY-O! HOW IS EVERYONE DOING TONIGHT!"
She bellowed into the microphone and every cheered. Sana jumped with the crowd and grabbed Gomi from around the neck.
"Gomi gave a wonderful rendition of Jingle Bell Rock but now, I was challenged to take him on! What do you all say!?"
The crowd went wild again.
"You knew this would happen." Akito's eyes left Kurata and found Fuka, who had a mischievous smirk.
"I just like to hassle her a bit. If you've known her for as long as I have, you'd know she actually really likes this stuff." Hayama raised a brow and his eyes went back to her.
She was now standing on stage with the words to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree in the background. As eccentric as her theatrics might have been, they were all put together so smoothly it may have been perfect.
As he looked over her and watched her performance, Akito's eyes narrowed slightly.
Part of him wondered… how much of all this was real?
Where did her real feelings end and the acting start?
Since the day he learned the truth about her birth and her abandonment, he wondered how someone could just be so happy all the time. He wondered how much of her kindness and jubilance was real. Was it all just pretend? This façade she put together. To make it seem like she was happy and jolly all the time?
Or was it all just pretend?
Was she just a really great actor and able to mask her true emotions?
"She used to act in a theatre group, right?" He asked.
Fuka looked slightly surprised that he knew that. Was it supposed to be some secret? Was it something she didn't want them knowing?
"She told you?"
He nodded. "Briefly. Said it wasn't something she did anymore… grew out of it."
Fuka didn't reply immediately and looked as if she was contemplating something. Obviously, she knew more than any of them did. She had been friends with Kurata for a while before they all met her. But her reaction was what piqued his interest.
It all but confirmed there was more going on with Kurata than she let on.
"You will learn that Sana plays the part well."
He still remembered those words that her mom said to him just a few short months ago. His eyes found her mother talking to his little sister and his mind was working.
Akito went back to Kurata and narrowed his eyes.
What part is she playing so well?
"Yeah, she was in a theatre group. Partially why she is so good at gymnastics. But I'll let her share that story with you." She said really quickly. Fuka turned towards the refreshment table and grabbed herself a drink.
"Anyway, you really did make it, huh? Shocked but happy that you actually decided to bless us with your presence."
"You made it too." His eyes ventured down to her ankle. He knew that she had just recently got it switched from cast to walking boot just a few days ago. It was all she was talking about at school.
"How could I miss our very own party?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Actually, Akito."
His eyes drifted back to her and she had this nervous look written on her face. There was redness at her cheeks, and he watched as she took a deep breath. The blond watched as anxiousness flashed in her eyes and she began to clench and unclench her hands.
"There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. I just- I just haven't found the right time to say it."
Her face was now bright red and she intertwined her fingers together as she looked at the ground first. She was biting on her lip, trying to muster the words he supposed.
Her head snapped up and his eyes went slightly wide. He was now actually looking at her, trying to figure out exactly what she wanted to say to him.
"I-I… I actually really l-"
"HEY-O!"
And just like that, the moment disappeared.
Fuka's face drained of color, her eyes going wide at Kurata Sana's sudden appearance. The girl was flushed red as she grabbed a drink from the table and gulped in down in one swig.
"Told ya, Fuka! No one stands a chance against me!" She pumped her arm up and showcased a confident smile.
But the idiot was too dense to realize what she even imposed on.
Fuka's mind was going at 100% speed right now. The words were so close to coming out of her mouth. So freakin close! And of course, Sana just jumps right in! She just makes her way in between everything!
They were alone, and Fuka had successfully managed to get Sana away for just a minute. She had convinced her best friend to go partake in karaoke because she knew that Sana wasn't one to say no. She knew she could Hayama Akito alone for just a moment; long enough to confess.
But apparently it wasn't long enough because she came right back.
Like clockwork.
"Oh. Did I interrupt something?" The idiot asked and Fuka wanted to be mad. She wanted to scream in frustration. But, how could she? How could she be mad at this stupid but dense best friend of hers? It wasn't like Sana was doing it on purpose.
She still had no idea Fuka was in love with Hayama Akito.
So how could Sana possibly know?
Fuka pinched the bridge of her nose and shut her eyes closed.
"No, no you didn't." Fuka sighed roughly as she collected her thoughts and emotions.
Ever since the incident with her mother, Fuka made a promise with herself to be better. Be better and stop being so jealous and hateful of the people around her, of herself. She promised to be a better person and stop imposing her emotions on others.
But, Fuka didn't realize it was still so hard to see Sana and Akito together. She caught the two catching from the other side of the room. Fuka saw how different Akito had become around Sana. Those two were no longer hating at one another, nor at each other's throats with spiteful words.
Instead, they had this almost playful banter and were hanging out in some way most times. She saw how easy it was for Sana to have a conversation; something that Fuka envied so much. Despite her want to be better, Fuka still had this jealousy of her best friend.
And she knew it stemmed for her newly discovered feelings for the blond.
Because Fuka wanted to be the one Akito talked too. She wanted to be the one he was different around. She wanted to be the one to melt the ice around his heart. Fuka had tried. After two years, she tried her best to get to know the blond. But he made it impossible.
And then Sana showed up.
Sana showed up and she felt like she was seeing a different part of Hayama Akito every day.
"You don't read into things very well, do you? How dense are you anyway?" Fuka heard Akito ask and she saw the annoyance cross her best friend's face.
"Oh, that was so uncalled for! Who are you calling dense anyway?"
"You, idiot. Obviously, you can't read the air."
Sana was now glaring and looking up to Akito, who was staring down at her with these eyes that Fuka didn't recognize. It wasn't anything she had ever seen.
"Who the heck reads air anyway!"
"It was a figure of speech, you moron!"
"Moron!? GAH! You are so rude! To think I even thought to throw a party for you, and this is how you repay me!"
"No one ever said you had too!"
"Well I wanted too!"
"Then don't complain about it."
"I can if I want too!"
And Fuka just watched as the two went back and forth, bickering like an old married couple. This didn't help ease the pain in her heart. She couldn't imagine having that type of relationship with Hayama even if she wanted too.
"Now, now you two. It's Christmas! We shouldn't be bickering like this."
Tsuyoshi to the rescue, Fuka thought as the boy walked up behind them and tried to soothe the quarrelling between the two.
Sana and Akito continued to glare at one another until Tsuyoshi came in between and offered two pieces of desserts as a white flag.
The blond looked at the dessert in Tsuyoshi's had and scoffed, turning away. Sana grabbed it and thanked him while stuffing it in her mouth.
"Fine! For the spirit of Christmas, we will settle this argument!"
"Whatever."
And both their scowls dropped, and Sana was now laughing again as she grabbed Akito by the neck and marched with him towards the middle of the party. He was pulling away from her the moment she wrapped her arm around him and shouting for her to let him go.
Fuka felt the distance grow further and further between her and them. Her stomach dropped and she felt her heart so heavy.
"Come on, Fuka. We're all here to celebrate together." She was broken out of her trance to find Tsuyoshi smiling sweetly at her. She pulled together a fake smile and nodded.
"Right. It is my birthday after all!"
If Sana could play pretend, Fuka decided she could too.
-O-
"Sana-chan!" At the sound of her name, the auburn-haired girl grinned as the youngest Hayama made her way to her.
"Ayame-chan!"
"This Christmas party is really something. Thank you for having us!"
Sana could see the sincerity and genuinely in her smile. She felt like this was the first time she had really seen this girl smile like this. Ayame was usually surrounded by this timid and nervous aura so seeing her being so carefree and happy really made Sana happy.
"You bet, girl! I'm excited you and your broody brother could make it!"
"He actually was out the door before I was. Said something about not wanting you to cry if we were any later."
A vein appeared on the corner of her forehead as the sarcasm in her older brother's comment slightly irritated her. "Doesn't surprise me that the Lone Wolf make such a snarky comment." She pretended to crush the cup in her hand but then smiled.
Both girls laughed instead.
"Well! I'm just happy that you two are here!"
"Well, there are my two favorite girls." Both Sana and Ayame turned to see Akimoto Hiro walking up to them with a smile plastered on his face. His green eyes were sparkling like they always did with his grin leaving all the girls swooning behind him.
"Now you are just being too much!" Sana punched him in the arm, absolutely oblivious to the undertone of Hiro's remarks. Ayame just giggled as she sympathized for both.
"Only if it can get your attention." Now he winked and Sana's cheeks burned.
"Alright, that's enough flirting out of you!" Sana crossed her arms and Hiro laughed as he scratched the back of his head. She knew his flirting has harmless but that didn't mean her heart wasn't ready to hammer out of her chest.
Ayame was giving this mischievous look that Sana began to shake her head with.
"Nah uh! Wipe that smirk off your face, you!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." But as those words left her mouth, Ayame's smirk grew even bigger. Sana felt red all over and suddenly attacked by the two self-proclaimed siblings.
"You two are the worst, you know that?"
Ayame and Hiro high fived, with Sana only able to stick her tongue out at them in retaliation.
"Oh! I found Kyo-kun! I'll see you two later!"
Sana narrowed her eyes, fully knowing that Ayame was leaving her and Hiro together alone. Really? First Fuka and now Ayame? Sana really wasn't looking for a relationship, at least not actively trying too. Though, if Sana was shallow and materialistic, Hiro certainly checked off multiple criteria on a list with his wavy brown hair, charming smile, and dazzling green eyes.
"She seems a lot happier these days, huh?" The auburn-haired teen broke out of her gaze and looked at him with a smile.
"I feel like she's finally released some of the chains that have been holding her down."
Sana knew the battle that Ayame fought to get here. And she knew that Hiro did too of course. He was with her from the beginning.
But Sana witnessed it.
She witnessed the young Hayama standing up for herself, speaking for herself to try and heal her own wounds, her scars. She had seen the progress of the Hayama siblings firsthand. She saw them as nothing but mere strangers to being brother and sister again.
And even though it was a work in progress, Sana was overwhelmed with joy watching the two open up to one another again; especially the Lone Wolf himself.
"It's because you know, you know that, right?"
Shaking her head, Sana wagged her finger at the older teen. "That's all Ayame-chan there. It was her own strength that has gotten her this far. I had nothing to do with it!"
Hiro sighed in exasperation. He then chuckled with a smile that made Sana's heart beat a little faster.
"I'm not saying she isn't strong. She is stronger than anyone gives her credit for." He stepped a little closer and Sana gulped as he looked down at her with these warm eyes.
It made her just a tiny bit nervous.
"But you are the reason she has this newfound strength. Your presence and you as a person have helped her push herself to be a better person."
Sana was blushing now, face completely red. That was a very bold statement for Hiro to make. She didn't think she was anything special. Sana was just doing what she has always done best: get involved. She got herself involved in lots of situations that often got her into a lot of trouble.
Thankfully, this was not one of those.
"You are just… incredible." He finished and Sana swore he was getting closer. She gulped and put her hands on his chest, pushing him back slightly.
"I think you've had too much punch there, sir!" Sana was blushing furiously as a nervous laugh escaped her lips. Jokes on him though. Punch was not spiked, not that she knew of anyway. But she hoped that her classmates respected her enough to not.
"Anyway, I hope you are having a great time!"
His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, so Sana was a bit confused by the sudden change in his demeanor. But, just as quickly as she saw it, his grin returned, and he ruffled the top of her head.
"I am! Thanks again for putting this all together."
Well, if there is something wrong, I'm sure he will just tell me later, right?
Then it dawned on her.
She stood up right and her eyes went wide as she realized the time. She was running so late!
"Sana?"
"Oh my god. I ALMOST FORGOT." She yelled and that stopped multiple people around her, including Hiro who was now looking at her most confused.
"SANA'S SUPER SECRET SURPRISE!"
And she scrambled away from Hiro and went straight to her mother and Shimura.
"Mama! I ALMOST FORGOT."
Her mother deadpanned at her and wacked her over the head with her fan.
"Foolish child. The box is in the kitchen. Shimura had already pulled it out for you." Sana cried anime tears and went over to Shimura and grabbed her hands in gratefulness.
"Oh, thank you Shimura! Thank you!"
She then put on a determined smile and went into the kitchen, excited to see the box full of goodies she had gotten for her friends. The auburn-haired girl really wanted this party to be enjoyable for everyone and what's Christmas without gifts? It was the least she could do for pulling her friends away from their families!
She ran out and saw both Hiro and Hayama standing somewhat close to one another. The idea dinged in her head.
"Hayama! Hiro!"
Both boys turned and looked at her. Then they looked at one another with this weird and tense stare that made Sana uncomfortable.
Boys…
"Come here! I need your help!"
Hiro smiled and walked to her while Hayama rolled his eyes and followed a few steps behind the fourth year.
"How can we help?" Hiro asked with that dazzling smile of his. Hayama stood with his hands in his pockets, silent.
"I need the two of you to carry these boxes into the living room on my signal okay?"
And that was all she said as she ran back into the living room, not leaving the boys with much more direction other than that. She knew leaving Hiro and Hayama alone would be awkward and Hayama was going to complain to her about it. But she didn't care. She needed the muscle.
Sana went on stage where everyone was singing karaoke and grabbed the microphone. She turned it on and bellowed into the microphone.
"Attention everyone!"
This caught the attention of the room as all eyes were now on her. She grinned ear to ear as she stood tall in front of all her friends.
"I just want to say thanks so much for coming out! I know it's Christmas, but it's awesome you came out anyway!" The crowd cheered. "As you know though, this is more than just celebrating Christmas! It's about celebrating friends and LIFE."
"It's a middle birthday bash for Hayama Akito and myself! But also, my best friend, Matsui Fuka, has her birthday TODAY. So, I would like for all of us to sing Happy Birthday! For her, for Hayama, and for myself!"
Sana's eyes found Fuka's in the crowd, who was now blushing head to toe. Fuka was surrounded by her teammates, who came and hugged her, embarrassing her as the birthday song began to play. Her eyes found Hayama Akito at the entrance to the kitchen as he was approached by Tsuyoshi and his sister. He looked away, obviously embarrassed by her sudden move.
Seeing her friends surrounded by the people who loved her brought her so much joy. She was happy to see that despite all the ugliness in their lives, they were able to do something beautiful tonight. And that something was spending time with one another, spending this time with one another. Her heart was warmed by this.
It was when Sana saw both Hayama and Hiro staring at her from the kitchen entrance with the boxes in their hands, she remembered the whole purpose of her getting on that stage.
"OH RIGHT." She said into the microphone, grabbing everyone's attention again. "I have presents for everyone! As a thank you for coming today! If you look towards the back, Hayama Akito is holding the box for the ladies while Akimoto Hiro is holding the box for all the gentlemen! Please help yourself!"
Sana knew that Akito was going to kill her for putting all the attention on him. She knew that he was going to give her lip and threaten to never come to one of these again.
But it was so worth seeing the look on his face when all the girls were walking towards him. She giggled and walked down the stage, knowing her work was done.
-O-
He was going to kill her.
First, he was going to tell her off, then he was going to kill her.
The nerve of her to send a horde of girls his way knowing that he hated being put in the spotlight or just hated being around groups of people in general. He saw her laughing shamelessly on stage, fully knowing what she was doing.
Hayama managed to escape the grasp of his classmates and make his way out of the horde of people. He found himself back at the snack table, grumbling to himself about his dislike for Kurata currently.
"That was something, wasn't it?"
He rolled his eyes, piling his plate with the free food provided. He would continue to cash in on the free food for as long as he was here.
"She's an idiot." He stuffed a cream puff in his mouth, not wanting to talk about her.
"You know she meant well." Tsuyoshi laughed and Akito scoffed.
"Here. I figured you didn't get one since you were too busy running away." Tsuyoshi placed a cube in his hand, a Rubik's cube actually. "This was the only gift I figured you might actually like."
Akito set his plate of food down and began to fiddle with it. He had played with these a few times as a kid. Yet, he always lacked the patience to every try to complete it.
"This has been fun, hasn't it? I can't remember the last time we were all together like this."
"I wish Anko-chan were old enough to come. She would love something like this." Tsuyoshi was right. His baby sister would love this type of atmosphere. "But I wouldn't want mom to be lonely on Christmas. So, it worked out."
The blond knew how much Tsuyoshi loved his mother. After his parent's divorce, he was always worried about his mom being lonely. Even now having dated Aya for as long as he has, his mother was always first. And Aya was even better for understanding that. She always made sure to remind Tsuyoshi of the little things when it came to his mom.
"Are you having fun?"
Hayama was in the middle of putting another cream puff in his mouth when Tsuyoshi asked him. His eyes were so hopeful. His once best friend was so easy to read, honestly. He could tell what the brown-haired teen was thinking 90% of the time.
"I don't hate being here."
And that's when he caught Tsuyoshi smiling in whole. Akito felt sheepish and grabbed the back of his neck, turning away from the glass eyed boy. He looked towards the crowd and that's when he found his sister and her best friend, Kotetsu Kyo, chatting away.
Ayame looked happier than he's seen her in a long time.
It reminded him of back then, when she used to smile so carefree. He hoped that one day, Ayame could be that girl again. He hoped one day, at least she could overcome the scars of their past and move forward.
"Don't forget to join some of the festivities, okay?" Tsuyoshi said to him again as he padded him on the shoulder.
"Yeah." Was all he could muster as he lost himself in the chaos of the night.
-O-
Leaning against the railing of the second floor, Hayama watched as the party continued below him. Everyone was chattering happily with the Christmas music playing in the background. People from all over school were here, enjoying the festivities of their combined birthday's and Christmas Eve. He snorted with a smirk on his face as he watched Tsuyoshi kiss Aya under the mistle toe, everyone cheering them on.
Gomi and some of the other boys from his class were throwing snowballs at one another outside, Hisea screaming at her boyfriend for not being inside. Fuka was surrounded by her gymnastic friend's, her crutches nowhere to be seen. She was smiling for what felt like the first time in weeks. The brunette had been quite the pessimistic the last few weeks. But it seemed that the holiday spirit and her birthday had cheered her up slightly.
His younger sister and Kotetsu were speaking animatedly, laughing over something that the silver haired boy said. It was sort of a relief to see them on better terms. Since the small scuffle they had at his house, Ayame had told him Kyo was avoiding her. He was under the impression she hated him for some reason. But they had made up and things were well again.
And finally, the girl of the hour.
Kurata Sana was speaking to Akimoto Hiro by the entrance of the kitchen and living room. There was a bright gleam in her eyes as she spoke with such passion. Just recently, he had noticed this change in behavior of Akimoto towards Kurata. It was the type of change that usually meant a guy wanted to be more than friends with a girl.
Of course, the idiot didn't see it because she was so incredibly dense. But, the rest of the school did and whether or not she chose to ignore the death glares her way, it didn't seem Kurata cared. He could see the green eyed fourth year leaning in, reaching to wipe something away from her frame but Kurata pushed him back, jabbing her finger into his chest. It looked like she was chastising him, something she did with him often.
As he continued to watch their interaction, there was a knot that settled in his stomach. Unsure of what that feeling was, Hayama decided to rip his eyes away from them. Instead, he settled for playing with the Rubik Cube he was randomly given. Those stupid boxes of surprises had small trinkets that only Kurata would think to give away.
Despite the nonsense that was all this and this "middle birthday party," it wasn't that bad.
His classmates were a bit much and it was too rowdy for his taste. But, at the end of it all, he didn't hate being here.
Hayama never thought that he would be here. The blond actually never thought he would celebrate Christmas again. This time last year, he was sitting alone in his room, reading manga. He could hear some shuffling downstairs as his sister and father shared a very quiet and lonely Christmas dinner.
He remembered sitting in his room and lamenting over his past, throwing his manga to the floor and just staring at the ceiling. The fan plate on the ceiling reminded him of the never-ending circle of misery that was his life. At some point, he even thought "What's the point?"
The blond wasn't one to contemplate killing himself… but he thought, if he already didn't feel anything, what did it matter? It's not like anyone cared about him, like anyone wanted him around. Why shouldn't he? What was stopping him from walking outside and just freezing to death. Or stepping in front of a car? Or the train?
He probably would have considered had he not fallen asleep, if he was being honest with himself.
That felt like so long ago.
Things were different now. He was different now.
Life… life didn't seem so bleak these days.
"Sneaking away to the wolf's den, aren't ya, Lone Wolf?"
Looking up from his Rubik Cube, Hayama met the eyes of the hostess and half birthday girl herself. She was smiling at him, her hands at her hips. She was standing at the steps below him, and he threw the cube at her. She caught it, though she fumbled with it at first.
"Caught me." He simply stated. Kurata walked her way over to him and stood next to him.
"Wow, you have a nice view of the whole party from up here." She whistled, her hand over her eyes as if she was looking the distance.
"Yeah, I guess I do."
The light illuminated her, and Kurata was glowing. He could see the light in her eyes, her eccentric and energetic personality coming to form. Laxed and free of any worry, she lazily shrugged her shoulders and leaned over the rail, happy as can be with this party she threw together.
"Are you having a good time so far?" She asked with a grin, turning her attention towards him.
He snorted. "If I said no, you'd be upset."
Her smile turned playful and there was a twinkle in her eye, that usually indicated her mischievousness.
"If you said no, I wouldn't believe you for a second, Hayama."
Huh. Confident, wasn't she?
"You talk like you're so sure."
She laughed and gripped the railing. "Let's just say I have a good feeling. If you hated all this, you would have left already." She looked him up and down. "Yet, you're still here."
He smirked, something that he had been doing more frequently. He could tell it caught her off guard too because her brows rose. She had to take a minute to regain composure. She coughed and turned her full body towards him, hands behind her back again.
"Well, I'm glad! That was the goal!" Huh. Her cheeks were colored pink.
She was standing there, slightly bent forward with her red oversized sweater draping over her body. Kurata had a black ribbon tied in her hair that matched her leggings. In all the times he's seen her, Akito doesn't ever really think he's seen her like this.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" She bumped a closed fist into her other palm and ran down the hall. A brow arched, he watched her disappear into the hallway. Deciding to let her weirdness go, he turned his attention back to the party, his hands playing with the Rubik Cube.
"Did you really think that that silly thing was going to be your Christmas present?!"
Kurata reappeared with no warning, causing Hayama to jump slightly and drop the damn thing.
"Oops, sorry! Didn't mean to scare ya!"
Hayama leaned down to grab the cube. He looked up and glared at her. She was chuckling, her hands behind her back again.
"Close your eyes!" She instructed and Hayama sighed with annoyance.
"Seriously?"
She pouted, like she always did. But there was something different this time.
"Yes! Close your eyes, won't ya!"
Sighing with frustration, he closed his eyes.
"Now stretch out your hands!" Instead of fighting her, he did as he was told. He could hear her giggle as something was placed in his hands. A box of some sort.
"Okay! Open it! Open it!"
In his hands was a small sized box, not too heavy. Confusion evident on his face as he looked at the thing from all corners. His golden-brown eyes went back to her. She was grinning now, teeth and all. Hands were back at her hips again.
"Well, aren't you going to open it?"
Kurata continued to persist, but he couldn't stop looking at her. His eyes were straining with emotion he was trying so hard to contain. When was the last time he received a gift on Christmas? He hadn't even celebrated Christmas in three years. He was never in the spirit too.
She gave him a gift, the Burutcha thing, on his birthday. And now, she was giving him a Christmas present.
Unlike the Burutcha, the box wasn't wrapped. He removed the tape from the corners and popped unfolded the cardboard. He popped the top off and slowly opened it. When he pulled the top part back, he went wide eyed.
Inside, was a dinosaur figurine, similar to the one that he had on display in his room.
He pulled it out and fingered the figure very carefully.
"I know it seems childish, like with everything I do," Kurata started, "but, when I was in your room a few weeks ago, I saw the dinosaur up on top."
"When I mentioned something to your sister, she said that when you were little, your dad took you to a dinosaur exhibit and you were obsessed." She paused for a moment, but Akito hardly put attention to the intake of her breath. He was looking at the dinosaur in his hands. "It was the first time your dad ever bought you something, or at least, that's what she said."
"I don't know what kind of memories this may hold for you. And I know you and your dad are on bad terms, but I hope that maybe this can maybe change what you feel now. For dinosaurs that is."
Akito tore his eyes off the dinosaur that felt so heavy in his hands and looked back to the auburn-haired girl. The auburn-haired girl who came into his life like a damn vortex and disrupted his entire life. She single handedly picked up the crumbling pieces of his life and put them in places he could reach and put back together if he wanted.
She was still smiling at him, her hands behind her back again. Her smile was nervous this time, and she was balancing herself on the heels of her feet. Akito felt like he was 5 years old again. Standing at the exhibit, amazed by the sheer size of these ancient monsters. The joy he felt in his heart when his father acknowledged him, talk to him with smiles and ruffled his hair.
"You like dinosaurs, Akito?"
At 5 years old, all he could do was smile. The dinosaur his father put in his hands left the boy staring in awe, a smile on his face.
"… I don't hate them."
"Why?" Was all he mustered. He couldn't speak, overwhelmed by emotion that he didn't know he could still feel. She stopped rocking on her heels and cocked her head.
"Why what?"
He swallowed the lump in his throat, mouth dry.
"Why go through all this trouble for someone like me?" Because he just didn't get it. None of it made sense. No one had gone this far for someone like him. Everyone had already seemed to give up on him.
Kurata went through a multiple number of expressions before deciding to settle on one of understanding. Her smiles were always so full and bright. They defined who she was. It was her number one trait. Anyone who knew her, they knew of her smile.
When she gave him a small smile of understanding, he felt like he was seeing someone entirely new.
"Because you deserve happiness, Hayama."
He looked down back at the dinosaur and realized how hard his grip was on the figure. He released an emotion filled sigh before looking back at her.
"I-" And he stopped mid-way, thinking of how much a jerk he might have looked like right now. "I didn't get you anything."
She laughed and marched up to him, padding him on the shoulder. "Yeah I know."
"BUT, that's alright! Tsuyoshi told me about how you were debating on doing so anyway. And honestly, that's all that matters to me." She pulled her hand away. "You care enough to think about me. How could I be mad over that?"
He would have to talk to Tsuyoshi about always sharing their conversations with Kurata.
But, he would do it later.
"Merry Christmas, Hayama Akito."
And she smiled again.
They both stood there for a moment where Kurata Sana just smiled without a care in the world. And he stood here, unknowing how to respond to her, to her kindness. There was something changing between them, he knew it. They were friends, but he never truly took that term completely to word. For the last few months, he's indulged her for the sake of not having to listen to her complain and nag about his lack of effort into their so-called friendship.
As they stood there, above everyone else, he realized they were truly friends.
Because true friends didn't go to these lengths for someone. She cared, shed tears, got mad, and did what she could to just be there. And it has been so long since someone had shown the type of effort to him. How could he repay her? Repay her for what she has done for him?
The ruckus downstairs grew, and their attention turned towards the party. Kurata's eyes grew again, wide eyed and full of Christmas cheer. She gripped the railing and went on her toes, looking at the party that continued to thrive.
"Hey! No fair! Don't party without me!" She looked back at him, winked, then ran downstairs.
A trail of dust was left as Kurata immersed herself into the festivities.
He remained still, unsure of how to process these emotions that filled him. Looking back down at the dinosaur in his hands, Akito gripped the edges of the figurine tightly. His golden-brown eyes found her again, laughing, smiling along with the rest of her friends. He felt his stomach tighten, his throat dried up.
Akito decided to ignore it for now.
-O-
The party was dying down, and though she wouldn't admit it, Sana was tired. She kept her smile and used whatever energy she had left. There were really only a few people left, including Ayame-chan, Tsuyoshi and Aya. Hiro had left to somewhat early to spend some time with his family and Fuka didn't want to leave her dad on his own despite the fall out she had with her mom.
And Sana knew that if Ayame-chan was still here, that meant her brother was still here. So, Sana went on a hunt for him. She walked around different parts of the house and continued coming up empty handed.
Though, she would say she was happy with how everything turned out.
Hayama Akito showed up and it seemed like he was actually having a decent time. He and his sister walked in together, she caught him conversing with Tsuyoshi and Fuka, and even some kids from school who went up to him and told him happy belated birthday.
Even when he wondered off and she found him upstairs, Sana couldn't help but feel like that was the most relaxed he had felt in so long. And the expression visible on his face when she gave him his Christmas present made her heart hurt but swell simultaneously.
When she was trailing through the living room is when she caught a glimpse of a person bending over in the yard that Sana stopped in her trail. When she turned back around and opened the door, she found Hayama Akito hunched over, doing something in the snow?
"Now what are you up to, Hayama Akito?"
The auburn-haired girl watched as he froze at the mention of his name and turned slowly to face her. He sighed as he realized he was caught doing whatever he was and stood up, still blocking her path to whatever was behind him.
Since he had no answer, she leaned over to the side and her eyes went wide as she found a small, tiny snowman settled behind him. It was small with only two parts instead of the three a normal snowman would have. He had sticks for arms, shrub for eyebrows, peddles for eyes, rocks for the nose and blush spots, a rock as a button and a frowning stick for a mouth. But one couldn't forget the three dried leaves as hair.
"What is it?" She asked, pointing at this thing he made.
"Uhh.. I don't really know." He stood up, wiping the snow that accumulated in his hair. "It's for you… I guess."
She looked back at him with shining eyes and a blush to her cheeks. There was a smile splitting her face in half and she got closer to him.
"D'AWWW is this my Christmas present?! THANK YOU!" She said as she grabbed his hands and lifted them up and down in the air. He was thrown off by her sudden expression and her outburst but wasn't surprised. At this point, he was somewhat used to her eccentric outburst.
"Uh… yeah, sure. Whatever." The blond looked away, ripping his hands away from her grasp.
"This is really great! I never thought I would get a Christmas present from you!" She kept saying to herself over and over as she kneeled down and smiled happily at the snowman he created.
Akito kept his eyes on her, watching her every move and reaction to that silly thing. She was just so… happy to have received something from him.
Even if it was a pathetic attempt at a snowman.
"Honestly. Thank you."
In that moment, Akito felt his chest constrict on him as a gentle smile highlighted the soft features of her face. She was standing in front of him, standing tall, though he easily loomed over her. Her hazel colored eyes somehow were glowing in the midst of this winter evening and for the first time since they met, he could see the girl she really was.
The blond held his breath sharply as his heart began to beat faster and hands became clammy in the middle of the winter.
What the hell was going on with him?
He turned away, feeling this heat climb to his cheeks. He grabbed the back of his neck and rubbed at it furiously, focusing on the tree by the wall that enclosed her home.
"It's not a big deal." He said quickly, still keeping his eyes away from her.
The blond heard a giggle and very carefully looked back at her. She kneeled down and took her phone out, taking a picture of the stupid thing. Kurata put her phone away and she sat, admiring this small snowman that took him all of 5 minutes to make.
He felt a tight squeeze at his heart again. His chest felt so tight as he looked at her again. Her hair was a mess, cheeks rosy from the frigid temperature, and she looked so small crouching to the ground. Her voice and personality always made her seem much bigger than she actually is.
Akito walked towards her, feet moving on their own, and he stood next to her crouching form. Kurata didn't say anything, hasn't said anything and he crouched down next to her. The blond didn't know what came over him, but he just had this inclination to be close to her.
"It's really cute, you know?"
He gulped again, looking at her more closely. Her eyes so bright in this dreary, snowy night. Her smile radiated with this light that felt so warm. Taking his eyes off her, he looked back at this snowman.
The blond smirked.
"Only you can call that thing cute."
She shoved him slightly with her elbow as she laughed. He almost toppled over to the bank of snow at his right. "You are mean. I think he is very handsome."
"It's just a stupid snowman." He muttered under his scarf. The quickened pace of his heart made it a slightly harder to breathe as she gave him this look that almost made him catch his breath.
"A snowman you made for me." With both of them still crouching, she laid her cheek on her knee. Kurata was looking at him completely with a smile that tightened his chest. He almost forgot to breathe as he blinked, nearly knocking him out of his crouched position.
"Yeah, I guess." He muttered, turning back towards this little thing he made for her.
In the softest voice he had ever heard, Sana reached for his knee and said, "Merry Christmas, Akito."
He turned back towards her, eyes drifting to her hand and then back to her.
"Yeah… Merry Christmas."
A/N: Lots and lots of stuff going on, but I am so happy to finally have this OUT. This chapter opens the doors for new story lines and has foreshadowed lots of goody treats coming up. Not going to lie, I did have to reread some of the past chapters because it was been a while since I've touched this story. But, honestly, every time I read it, I get anxious for more. But I know what will happen. You all don't so I can totally see the anticipation building up!
Anyway, to the chapter. It finally happened. The dinosaur scene... the snowman… just a tiny bit modified. I know most were expecting what really happened in the manga, but it was just too early for my version of Sana and Akito. They are barely becoming real friends… romance isn't in the cards… yet. Things will actually start to move a lot faster now. I feel like I have been saying that forever now. But, I'm serious. Sana's back story is coming… and I for one could not be more excited. She has been there for a certain Hayama sibling and I think it's about time he returns the favor, don't yall think?
Fuka is still dealing lots of different emotions and unfortunately, she cannot pretend as much as she would like. We will continue to see the exploration of her character. And I am happy to say that Tsuyoshi will also get a part in this story too. Again, while it focuses on Sana and Akito, the other characters are important too.
After a very long author's note, I just hope that you all enjoyed! And I hope it was very worth the wait! Reviews are always welcomed!
Until next time!
Dark Waffle