Author's note: I decided to leave my note at the top since I got a few notifications from readers who were confused about the timeline until they reached the bottom of my previous side chapter. So Just for this once, I'll include it up top. Merry Christmas! I wanted to give a small gift to all my dutiful readers of Marching Forward, so I hope this little side scene of Futaro and Yotsuba's first Christmas together brings you a small smile during the holidays. I wrote this originally back in 2020... and let me tell you... it was tough to read in its original draft. I tried cleaning it up a bit, but I didn't extensively edit it... since I sort of wanted to preserve the original tone and cadence of the chapter. My writing has evolved and changed since 2020... but I feel so much more confident as a writer for it. I hope you can enjoy one of my first forays into writing. Have a happy and safe holiday season dear readers. See you soon.

Christmas Side Chapter

Futaro

The chill of winter seeped through the thin walls of the Uesugi household, like an uninvited guest who refused to leave. Futaro shuffled the faded Uno cards with fingers which felt as stiff as the deck.

"Can't we just turn on the heater for a bit?" he grumbled, his voice betraying the frustration of enduring the cold. He set the cards down and breathed into his hands as if to coax some warmth back into them, his eyes darting towards the neglected heater in the corner.

Raiha, perched across from him at the kotatsu table, raised an eyebrow, her own fingers table. "Don't even think about it Big Brother. We'll waste the gas we'll need for the rest of the month?" Her tone was light but laced with a sassy frugality that had become their mantra for as long as they could remember.

Futaro sighed, conceding the point with a reluctant nod. His gaze slipped to the clock hanging precariously on the wall. The hands seemed to move slower than usual. "Looking at the clock won't make her come faster, you know," Raiha teased, following his line of sight. She leaned back. "Yotsuba-san is only running a little late."

"Ah," Futaro mumbled, trying to mask his concern. "I know. It's just that she said she'd stop by and spend Christmas Eve with us." He fiddled with the edge of his card, the edges frayed from overuse. "And it's practically ten."

"I'm not worried about it," Raiha giggled. "Yotsuba-san wouldn't miss it," Raiha stated matter-of-factly, as though the mere suggestion was ludicrous. "If she says she'll be here, she'll be here. You're just a mess, Big Brother."

"True," Futaro admitted. "Err, not the part about me being a mess, I mean the–ugh nevermind," Futaro grunted. Yotsuba and Futaro had technically only been dating for a few short months by this point, but the way that Raiha made him smile. He was happy that Raiha and Itsuki had a good relationship, but he wanted Yotsuba to share in an equally good friendship with his baby sister. He wanted his partner to feel like she truly belonged to his family. His dad still confused Itsuki with her, but Yotsuba insisted that she didn't mind.

"Besides," Raiha added, breaking into his thoughts, "she wouldn't miss an opportunity to make kissy face with you, duh!"

"Shut up Raiha," Futaro tossed his remaining cards at Raiha. The game of Uno lay forgotten between them, a colorful battlefield splayed across the kotatsu. "This means I win!" Raiha cheered. "You have to get up and turn on all the lights then."

Just then the sharp trill of the doorbell sliced through the room, startling them both. Without missing a beat, Raiha leapt from her seat, and flipped the switch to the heater.

"Hey!" Futaro protested, though a smirk tugged at his lips. "Why does Yotsuba get the royal treatment?"

"Because she's an honored guest," Raiha replied matter-of-factly, a teasing lilt to her voice. "And because she's not my penny-pinching older brother who should know better than to invite their girlfriend to a frozen stiff apartment!"

"Fine, fine," he grumbled, standing up. "I'll get the door."

He padded across the room, flicking on the lights and turning on the other blast heater along the way. he flicked on the humidifier for good measure so the room wouldn't get too stuffy.

The door swung open, revealing a sight that almost—almost—elicited a laugh from the Futaro. There stood Yotsuba, decked out in a Santa suit so red it could put Rudolph's nose to shame. A bushy white beard obscured half her face, but her eyes sparkled with familiar mischief.

"Ho ho ho!" she bellowed, stepping into the threshold with a dramatic flourish. "Merry Christmas to all the good children of the Uesugi household!"

Raiha squealed with delight, clapping her hands together. She rushed forward, eagerly accepting the bag brimming with gifts that Yotsuba handed over. "Wow! Did you bring these for us?"

"Yup!" Yotsuba chirped, even as the beard muffled her voice. "One from each of my sisters!"

Futaro watched the scene, the corners of his mouth inching upward. It was hard not to be swept up in Yotsuba's infectious cheer.

As Raiha busied herself with the bag, Yotsuba slid closer to Futaro. She leaned in, aiming for his lips, but the cumbersome beard got in the way. Futaro's attempt at reciprocating ended in a mouthful of synthetic hair.

"Ugh, pfft—" He sputtered, plucking strands from his tongue and grimacing. With a gentle tug, he pulled the beard down from Yotsuba's face, finally granting them the kiss they'd fumbled for. "Much better," Futaro said softly once they parted, his breath mingling with hers in the now warming room. His gaze lingered on her flushed cheeks, the silly costume suddenly was much more endearing.

"Definitely," Yotsuba agreed, a hint of her shyness peeking through. Her smile reached her eyes, and Futaro found himself simply enjoying her smile and how the light danced in her eyes.

Yet, even in that moment of connection, Futaro's attention was divided. A small figure bobbed beside them, her hands delving into the bag of surprises with unrestrained curiosity. Yotsuba blushed a deeper shade and gently nudged him, her gaze flickering toward Raiha, who held aloft a neatly wrapped gift, a tag revealing Itsuki's handwriting.

"Raiha-chan," Yotsuba cautioned, her tone playful but firm, "you've got to wait until Christmas Day to open those."

"Aw, but Yotsuba..." Raiha protested, the pout forming on her lips visible even from Futaro's peripheral vision.

"Rules are rules," Yotsuba replied, not unkindly. With a theatrical groan, Raiha complied, placing the presents back with an air of resignation.

"Besides," Yotsuba added, turning back to Futaro, "there are gifts for you and your dad too."

"Me? and Dad?" Futaro's brows knit together in surprise. His own anticipation felt alien, like a muscle he hadn't flexed in ages. "Who would—?"

"Nino," Yotsuba said, rolling her eyes playfully. Her voice carried the warmth of familiarity, yet there was a hint of something else—a touch of jealousy maybe?

Futaro didn't miss the subtext. Nino's feelings for him had now settled into a calm he still didn't fully understand. The idea of her giving him a present was both confusing and oddly comforting.

"Ah," he managed, his mind racing with questions he wasn't sure he wanted answers to. Instead, he focused on the emotion brimming in Yotsuba's eyes—the same look that had initially drawn him to her, one of genuine care and boundless optimism. "Thank you," he said earnestly, addressing both the sentiment and the gift waiting beneath the shiny paper. "It means a lot."

"Of course!" Yotsuba beamed, brushing off the gratitude as if it were nothing as if she hadn't just bridged a gap with a simple act of kindness.

"Christmas is about bringing joy," she said, a belief she wore as effortlessly as the Santa suit. Yotsuba dropped down her backpack and pulled out another container filled with baked treats. The scent of chocolate wafted through the air as Yotsuba placed the large container on the kotatsu. Raiha's eyes lit up, her previous disappointment forgotten. "You know what you can open? These!" Yotsuba grinned, peeling back the aluminum foil to unveil a collection of brownies.

"Wow! They look amazing!" Raiha exclaimed, eagerly reaching for one. The warmth of the treat seemed to defy the chill that whirled outside.

Futaro watched his sister savor the brownie, a smile tugging at his lips. He should really thank Nino for gifting something to his entire family. Motives or no, it was a kind gesture, and that's something that shouldn't go unacknowledged. He's dating Yotsuba, but her entire family love Raiha just as much as he does, and he felt like he could be a bit more gracious when it came to that.

"Where should I put the presents?" Yotsuba asked, her voice piercing his thoughts.

He hesitated, the question catching him off guard. "Oh, we... don't actually have a Christmas tree," he admitted, almost embarrassed by the admission. In truth, they seldom had enough money for a Christmas tree every time the end of the year rolled around.

Yotsuba's jaw dropped disbelief painted plainly on her face. "What do you mean you don't have a Christmas tree?" She sounded like she was accusing him of forgetting to breathe.

"It just... never happened." Futaro's words felt inadequate even to his own ears. He could see Yotsuba's mind turning over the idea, trying to reconcile it with her own visions of Christmas.

"That's unacceptable," Yotsuba declared. She grabbed Futaro's arm, her grip firm but not unkind. "Come on, we're fixing this."

"Wait, Yotsuba—"

But she was already pulling him toward the door, the urgency in her tug leaving no room for argument. His protests were lost to the jingle of bells and the rustle of her Santa suit as they stepped out into the brisk evening. As they hurried down the street, he realized that her commitment to spreading joy wasn't just an act of seasonal goodwill—it was an integral part of who she was.

"Raiha deserves a real Christmas," Yotsuba panted, breath misting in the cold air. "Just like I had with my sisters."

Futaro didn't respond. Yotsuba was right; they owed it to Raiha. And maybe, he thought, as they continued their impromptu quest for a Christmas tree is, they owed it to themselves too.

The chill of the evening bit into Futaro's cheeks as they raced along the sidewalk, each breath forming small clouds that dissipated into the night air. His legs pumped in time with Yotsuba's, her athletic form moving with a purpose that left him both impressed and very winded. He could feel a bead of sweat trickle down his temple, despite the cold, but he dared not slow down.

"Yotsuba, what's going on?" Futaro managed between breaths.

"No time to explain!" she called back, glancing over her shoulder with a sparkle in her eye that matched the festive lights strung up along the street. "Just trust me!"

They arrived at the Nakano's apartment building, and she released her hold on Futaro, leaving him panting by the entrance. "Wait here," she instructed before dashing inside.

Futaro leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. The warmth from his lungs fought against the cold air, and he shivered.

Was this really just about the tree?

Moments later, Yotsuba reemerged, balancing a medium-sized potted plant in one arm and a box of ornaments in the other. Her face beamed with accomplishment and a touch of mischief.

"We're not running back with those," Futaro groaned. His sides hurt just thinking of what it'd feel like to jog back with a whole tree back to his apartment.

"No no," Yotsuba shook her head. "I don't want to damage the plant. We'll call Ebata-san."

"What...even is that for?" Futaro asked, eyeing the plant skeptically.

"It's a Christmas tree... sort of," Yotsuba replied with a giggle. "It's a Singaporean Money Tree. It's not traditional, but it'll have to do for our last-minute Christmas miracle."

Miracle seemed like a strong word, but Futaro found himself smiling at Yotsuba's spirit. He watched her dial Ebata-san, her family's secretary/part time driver, and arrange for a ride back to his apartment.

"Thank you, Yotsuba," he said softly.

"For what? This? I'm not letting you keep the tree," She laughed, brushing off the snowflakes that had begun to settle on her shoulders.

"No," Futaro replied, his tone earnest. "For caring so much. Raiha will love this."

"Of course she will," Yotsuba said, her voice tender. "And I know you care a lot about her and your family, so I'm really just trying to win some brownie points with my boyfriend."

The headlights of Ebata-san's towncar cut through the dark, and Futaro helped Yotsuba load their makeshift Christmas setup into the vehicle. As they settled into the backseat, surrounded by the scent of pine from the cars air fresher, Futaro gripped Yotsuba's hand. He couldn't even hide his smile anymore. He thought about kissing her right there in the backseat of Ebata-san's car, but he figured that the news would only make it's way to Yotsuba's dad that way and it might make things troublesome for Yotsuba.

The Money Tree sat between them, its leaves fanning out like hopeful hands. Yotsuba's fingers danced along the branches, a delicate touch that seemed to bestow upon it a special kind of magic.

"Yotsuba," Futaro started, his words hesitant as they traveled the short distance between them. "You really like Christmas don't you?"

"Yes. I do. And I believe every family should have a Christmas tree to put their presents under," she said, a note of conviction in her voice that matched the determination in her eyes. "Mom taught me that one. When my sisters and I were younger, and we struggled with money, Itsuki would often cry because she was cold. Sometimes, she was inconsolable. But when mom turned on the lights from the Christmas tree, it was like she'd forget all about the cold. We just watched the twinkling lights for hours." Her gaze drifted away, beyond the confines of the car, to some distant memory. "Raiha reminds me of how my sisters and I used to be... Christmas time should be magical, you know? For children especially. And without a mom, well..." Her voice trailed off, the sentence left hanging like an ornament on a branch.

Futaro watched her, saw the subtle dip in her shoulders—so slight it might have been missed by anyone who didn't know her as well as he did. It was a weight he knew all too well.

"Raiha needs to feel special during the holidays," Yotsuba added softly, her mood lifting as she looked back at him. "And if we can do a little thing like set up a Christmas tree to help do that, then I don't see why we shouldn't."

He nodded. This wasn't just about tradition or festive decoration—it was Yotsuba's way of knitting together a family, of creating a sense of belonging.

The tree rustled as Yotsuba adjusted her hold, the Singaporean Money Tree—a far cry from the traditional pine, yet somehow perfect in its uniqueness. "Now this tree is alive, you know, Uesugi-san… So I'm a little worried about leaving it with you… I'll tell your sister how to take care of it, but you should also keep an eye on it," she admitted, her lips curving into a sheepish smile. "I hope this will be okay for a last-minute Christmas tree?" Ebata-san's car pulled into Futaro's apartment complex's street and Futaro and Yotsuba quickly exited the vehicle, thanking him and wishing him a happy Christmas just before closing the passenger door. Yotsuba waved him goodbye as Ebata-san drove away.

"Your lack of confidence in my plant-keeping skills hurt," Futaro coughed against brisk air again. "But it will definitely be enough. She's going to love it for sure. And I promise..." he began, his voice barely above a whisper as he drew her close, their breath mingling in the space between them. "Someday, we'll have a big, beautiful Christmas tree. One that's so grand it'll hold all of yours and your sisters' presents, as well as Raiha's."

Her eyes widened, the blue irises shimmering like the surface of a tranquil sea. A small, tender smile graced her lips, lifting the weight from his chest in the simple act of her happiness.

"Really?" she asked, the word laced with a vulnerability that belied her usual exuberance.

"Really," he affirmed, his own smile mirroring hers as he imagined a future where they could give Raiha—and each other—the kind of festive magic that lingered long after the season had passed.

In response, Yotsuba wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace that spoke volumes more than words ever could. Her kiss felt warm a lit a fire under his belly. He didn't feel the cold anymore.

"Let's make this the best Christmas, Uesugi-san," she whispered against his lips.

"Let's," Futaro agreed, the seriousness of the moment giving way to a bubbling laughter as they parted, readying themselves to reenter the apartment.