This is Lotus
This is Saiki
This is Saiki and Lotus
~This is the thoughts of others~
Christmas's Silent Night - Yeah, that ain't so Silent
"Are you going to be okay?" Violet questioned
"I'll be fine," Lotus responded
"But Mom and Dad aren't here yet," Violet said
"How can we leave little Lotus here alone?" Ethan questioned concerned.
"Ethan's right. We have to postpone our flight and wait until Mom and Dad get here," Violet stated
Lotus's eyes go wide, and she waves her hands. "No, no, no! You guys can't cancel your flight because of me. With the way the weather's going you might not be able to get another flight before Christmas. I can't have you guys ruining your plans over me."
"Oh, Lotus….."
Ethan and Violet squash Lotus wrapping her up in a tight hug.
"You're so sweet!"
"So thoughtful!"
Lotus sighed waiting for the two to finish their gushing.
"Alright call us the moment Mom and Dad get here," Violet instructed her sister.
"Can do," Lotus promised giving her sister a salute.
Violet giggled, "So cute. We'll miss you."
"I'll miss you guys too," Lotus said
She gave her sister and Ethan a hug before the two got in their taxi. The vehicle pulled off heading for the airport.
Lotus gave a sad smile waving as the car drove off. Going back in the house Lotus went to her room, where Sir Henry was resting in his bed. She took a seat at her desk and opened the drawer pulling out a white envelope.
"Well Sir Henry, looks like its just gonna be me and you for the holidays."
"And me too!" Helios shouted appearing.
"Yes and you too," Lotus said
Lotus was in the living room with Sir Henry on her lap. Using one hand she slowly stroked Sir Henry while using her other hand she wrote on a piece of paper.
"Okay, let's see, I already mailed out the presents, and I made sure to give Ethan and Violet the other ones. All of the decorating is done, all that's left is to get the food. I won't be making as much as I normally would. There's no need to cook a whole turkey or ham, so what to make? Hmmm, what do you think Sir Henry turkey or ham? Or maybe we could try something new."
"~I trust your judgment Lotus, but I am very fond of tarts.~" Sir Henry said
Lotus smiled scratching under Sir Henry's chin. "Then I'll make sure to make plenty for you. I think I'll stick with chicken as the main dish."
Lotus was humming as she exited the grocery store, bags in hand.
"Alright, I've got everything for a small Christmas dinner for one girl and one ferret. Bet no one's ever said that before."
As she walked home Lotus's cheery mood started to turn sour hearing people's thoughts.
A couple passed by, appearing to be totally enamored with one another.
"~This guy's got way more money than my last boyfriend. My presents better be amazing or I'm dumping him.~" The woman thought
Another couple walked by, the girlfriend chatting excitedly while the boyfriend seemed to be phoning it in on the conversation.
"~Man she talks so much, does she really think I even care about this crap? All I have to do is last through the holidays then its bye-bye chatterbox.~"
Lotus frowned proceeding down the shopping district.
"Were people always this terrible during the holiday season? Reading minds is such a strain." Lotus thought
Picking up her pace Lotus weaved through the crowd, hoping to get home quicker to get out of the sea of annoying thoughts. In the midst of the crowd, Lotus spotted a familiar head of pink hair.
"Saiki?"
Hearing his name echo through his mind Saiki turned around spotting Lotus.
"Are you following me?" Saiki questioned
"Haha very funny. I'm just out getting some holiday groceries. What about you?" Lotus asked
Saiki didn't have the chance to answer before someone else entered the conversation.
"Hello there."
Lotus changed her focus going from Saiki to a black-haired woman, Saiki's mother, Kurumi Saiki.
"Oh, Mrs. Saiki. Hello," Lotus gave a slight bow, "Happy Holidays."
"Happy Holidays to you too dear. What brings you out here in the cold?" Kurumi asked
Lotus gestured to her bags, "I was just getting some food to cook for my Christmas dinner."
"What a funny coincidence so was Kusuo and I," Kurumi said
Saiki just watched as his mother conserved with Lotus, wondering how the two kept up their smiles in the frosty temperature.
"Are you out shopping with your family?" Kurumi asked
"No, it's just me," Lotus said
"Oh, where are they? At home decorating?" Kurumi questioned curious about her families holiday plans.
"Actually my sister and Ethan rotate having Christmas with my family and Ethan's family. This year it was Ethan's turn, he and my sister flew out a few days ago." Lotus said
"And what about your parents?" Kurumi asked
"Oh, well my parents aren't here right now. Their work has them constantly traveling, currently they're in a different country," Lotus said
"Oh my will they be home for the holidays?" Kurumi asked
Lotus gave a light chuckle. "They won't be, unfortunately, they weren't able to leave their work to come."
Kurumi gasped. "So you're all alone for the holidays!? Your sister and brother left you here?"
Lotus gave another chuckle rubbing the back of her head. "No, they necessarily didn't leave me here on purpose or anything like that. Ethan rarely gets to see his family and Violet loves visiting them. I knew if I told them that our parents couldn't come spend the holidays with me they'd cancel their trip. So I just let that little detail slip. I am gonna miss having my family around for the holidays but I'm also glad that my sister and Ethan will have a fun time, and I won't really be alone I have my pet, Sir Henry, to keep me company. Plus I know they'll video call me, so will my parents. It's just one Christmas I'm sure I'll survive."
At the end of Lotus's explanation, Kurumi was in tears.
The crying woman quickly got in front of Lotus grabbing the girls hands surprising the pink teen.
"You sweet selfless girl! You have to come spend the holidays with us!" Kurumi declared
"Huh?!"
"And I won't take no for an answer! I can't let Kuu's future girlfriend spend the holidays alone!" Kurumi cried
"Wha?!"
Lotus whipped her head looking towards Saiki but the boy had his attention focused in another direction, avoiding Lotus's gaze.
Lotus looked back and forth between Kurumi and Saiki. She was certainly expecting Saiki to reject, but she was shocked when none of his thoughts of refusal entered her mind. Normally Saiki would voice his disapproval, rather quickly too, but hearing her explanation….no one wasn't that cold-hearted to let Lotus spend the holidays alone.
Saiki peeks out the corner of his eye glimpsing at Lotus and his Mother. The pink haired girl embarrassed as his mother happily talked to the girl, not letting go of her hands. Even though she was embarrassing him, Saiki did like the happy look his mother had on her face.
"Alright I'm all finished," Lotus smiled to herself as she put a bow on a small box. "Do you guys think they'll like it?"
"~I myself would be very pleased with the gift,~" Sir Henry said
"It's lovely young Lotus," Helios said
"Good. It's hard to come up with something last minute but it'd be rude not to."
Lotus grabbed the present placing it in a bag with another box.
"Okay, you guys I'll be over at Saiki's house, Sir Henry if you need me just send over Helios."
Lotus stood outside of the Saiki residence marveling over their Christmas decorations. She let out an impressed whistle admiring all the details and hard work that had been put into the decorating.
"This family goes all out. Gotta admire their dedication though, but man their light bill around the holidays must be ridiculous."
Lotus knocked on the door and only had to wait a brief moment before it swung open.
"Yay, you made it!"
"Let's get this party started!"
"Nendou?"
Lotus was truly surprised to find Nendou in Saiki's home. The grumpy Saiki was not pleased either, he sat isolated in a chair that faced the wall.
Lotus held back a giggle noticing that Saiki had his legs pulled up to his chest reminding her of a pouting child.
"Saiki, you look like your in time out," Lotus giggled
"Quiet you."
Lotus took off her peacoat revealing her outfit for the evening.
"That's a lovely outfit," Kurumi complimented
Lotus smiled, "Thank you. My brother made it for me."
The holiday season meant Ethan was a busy man, not just because he got an influx of orders, but he also created new clothes for Lotus and Violet's wardrobe. When the seasons change their wardrobes are swapped out with an array of new apparel to fit the current season. Obviously this new set of clothing centers around winter and the holidays.
Today Lotus's outfit was a white sweater dress the bottom decorated with translucent snowflakes that glinted whenever the light hit it the right way. Completing the ensemble was a pair of brown knee-high boots and an off-white Santa hat.
"So Nendou what are you doing here?" Lotus asked
"Mrs. Saiki ran into me at the store and invited me, and how could I not come to my best buddies place for a party?" Nendou explained
"This isn't a party. Someone, please end my misery. Not that I play them but this feels like a Christmas scenario in a dating simulator." Saiki said
"And how would you know that if you didn't play them?" Lotus inquired with a playful smirk.
Saiki cut his eyes at Lotus causing the girl to give a subtle chuckle.
"I'm back!" A voice sounded as the front door opened.
"Oh, right I almost forgot we were missing one more weirdo."
"Wait am I included in this gaggle of weirdos?"
"What do you think?" Saiki responded
"Says the boy who can see through things and lift a building without using his hands."
"Says the girl who has the power to supernaturally copy anything."
"Touche Saiki, Touche….."
"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" Kuniharu walked into the room dressed as Santa Clause.
The costume wouldn't be too bad, if it wasn't for the fact that his brown hair was displayed under his Santa hat. It really clashed with his fake gray beard and eyebrows.
"He got the fake beard and even the eyebrows to match, but why not a wig?" Lotus thought
"Santa's here with presents!" Kuniharu announced but paused as he stepped into the room when he spotted Nendou and Lotus.
Lotus just awkwardly smiled waving to the man. Nendou, however, was frozen staring amazed and slack-jawed at Kuniharu.
"What's up with Nendou? Did he break?"
"He's always been broken."
Kuniharu walked over to his wife, taking off his "disguise".
"I thought this was supposed to be just family. Now I look like a fool," Kuniharu said
"That's because you are."
"Who are those two?" Kuniharu asked
"Well, the boy is Kusuo's friend Nendou," Kurumi said
"Kusuo has a friend!" Kuniharu shouted before he started crying.
"You too?"
"But how Kusuo's such a cold jerk if I went to school with him, and he didn't have powers I'd punch him in the face," Kuniharu said
"Wow, thanks, Dad."
Lotus sweatdropped, "I'm starting to see where Saiki gets his blunt personality from."
"Hello, Nendou!" Kuniharu greeted turning to the boy. "I'm Kusuo's Dad, Kuniharu. I've heard so much about you."
Nendou, unaware of the creepy look he was making, greeted Kuniharu back. "Hello, nice to finally meet you Mr. Kusuo's Dad."
Kuniharu stared a bit disturbed, "~He seems like a thug.~"
He turned back to his wife. "Is he really Kusuo's friend. He seems more like the dumb bully type."
"He's a good kid," Kurumi affirmed
"We can hear you."
Nendou, who was pretty much oblivious to the Kuniharu's suspicions of him, crouched on the ground picking up the discard Santa gear.
"This is a great costume I thought you were really Santa."
"Oh what? Thanks, kid," Kuniharu said with a bashful yet proud expression.
"Now you like him?"
"I wonder if they've forgotten about me?" Lotus thought
The moment the words entered her mind, and as if Kuniharu could read them, he glanced at Lotus.
"And what about her? There's no way she's Kusuo's friend. She's way too cute," Kuniharu said
"We can still hear you."
"She's actually Kusuo's girlfriend," Kurumi stated
"His what!?" Kuniharu yelled shocked
"N-No it's not-!"
Lotus was cut off as Saiki's Dad ran over to her grabbing the girls hands. "Thank you for dating my son! I never thought I'd live to see this day!" The man was crying even harder than when he had heard Nendou was his son's friend.
"Are you seriously crying again?"
"She's going to make a great daughter-in-law one day," Kurumi claimed
"Wait I-!"
"This must be a Christmas miracle. I mean a cute girl like her showing interest in Kusuo is amazing," Kuniharu said
"I'm contemplating on sending you to another country and leaving you there to figure out your own way home."
"Oh before I forget these are for you guys," Lotus held up her bag.
"What are these for?" Kuniharu asked
"Just some gifts. I thought it'd be rude to come over to your house for Christmas without a gift for you all. It's not much but I hope you like them."
Kuniharu smiled. "You're too kind."
"It's the least I could do, since you guys opened your home up to me," Lotus said
"Isn't she just the sweetest," Kurumi smiled
Kuniharu was once again brought to tears as Lotus watched awkwardly.
Lotus helped Kurumi set up the table and dinner was severed. Kuniharu led the toast and everyone clinked their glasses cheering, well everyone but Saiki. Noting that his glass didn't touch anyone else, Lotus reached over clicking her's with Saiki's. One to get him included, and two she knew it would annoy him just a bit.
"Merry Christmas!"
Kuniharu went over to Nendou throwing an arm over the teen's shoulder.
"Well, Nendou I think you just a big kid under all that beef."
"Your acting like the host for an exchange student. And those two…."
Saiki looked to his mother who was giddily conversing with Lotus. Saiki had to keep his eyes on those two, if he wasn't careful his mother would bring out the baby book.
"Before Kusuo even turned one he was already treating his old man like I was something he found in his diaper," Kuniharu said
"You should have taken that hint."
"Huh? Baby Saiki? I bet he still had that prominent narrowed stare but still be really cute."
It took a second for Lotus to realize what she had thought, and she blushed a smidge erasing the thought from her mind.
"Yeah I can tell by the way you listen to me you're a really good kid," Kuniharu said
Nendou chuckled, "I don't know if I'm really that good sir. When I was little Santa never visited my house."
As if all the cheer had been sucked out of the room, everyone paused looking at Nendou.
"No way!" Kuniharu shouted, "But why would your Dad deprive you like that?"
"Oh, my Dad's dead," Nendou stated bringing the mood of the room down even further. "He passed away before I was even born."
The sound of a chair scraping across the hardwood floor reverberated through the room as Kurumi quickly stood up.
"What?!"
The two adults in the room wore saddened expressions, clouds of depression rolling over them.
"I….I had no idea Nendou," Kuniharu said
"I'm sorry my husband even said that," Kurumi apologized
Nendou, unaffected by the cloudy atmospheres laughed. "Why? Doesn't bother me." He gave a thumbs up with a beaming smile. "I've still got my mom and I rather have her then Santa once a year."
"Nendou….that's so….." Lotus sniffled a bit, Nendou's words making her want to cry.
Kuniharu and Kurumi were also hit by the sentiment of Nendou's words and forced smiles on their faces.
"I see, Nendou would you please excuse us," Kuniharu said
"You three keep eating," Kurumi said
As the two left the room, light sobbing could be heard.
"That's odd. Anyway it's pretty cool your Dad still comes home in a Santa Claus costume," Nendou said
As per usual Saiki ignored Nendou.
"I have a feeling this nights about to get even more uncomfortable."
Lotus focused on eating hoping the savory taste of the home cooked meal would wash away the bittersweet taste that Nendou's words left in her mouth.
The door to the room reopened and Kurumi entered, a pleasant smile displayed on her face.
"I'm back, sorry for stepping out."
"No prob, where's my buddies Dad?" Nendou asked
"He had to leave for a work thing. Something about a client needing their shoes licked," Kurumi told the three.
"What in the world does your father do?" Lotus questioned Saiki.
"Anyway let's eat," Kurumi said
Lotus was in the midst of taking a sip from her drink when the back sliding doors started to shake.
Everyone looked to see Kuniharu, once again dressed like Santa, trying to get inside.
"Ah oh no! There's a man dressed like Santa trying to break in!" Nendou cried out.
"Oh my!" Kurumi walked over to the door unlocking it.
Kuniharu stepped in, "I told you to unlock it for me." He sort of whispered
"I'm sorry I didn't think you'd be so fast getting over to the door," Kurumi replied
"You're so sloppy."
Lotus chuckled behind her glass obscuring her growing smile. Their over the top antics was reminding her more and more of her own family.
"Hello Nendou, it's nice to meet you I'm Santa," Kuniharu spoke, lowering the pitch of his voice.
"That worse than I expected. Pulling the exact same stunt twice is bound to fail. Even Nendou would notice."
"You might wanna take a look at Nendou's face."
"Oh, my gosh Satan Clause is here!"
"Then again-"
"-this is Nendou were talking about." The two Psychics thought together.
An excited Nendou walked over Kuniharu asking to shake the man's hand, who happily complied.
"He's getting carried away."
"I just remember you fly around with reindeer!" Nendou suddenly exclaimed
"What? Huh?" Kuniharu stuttered
"I've always wanted to see a reindeer in person," Nendou said
"Uh-Okay they're grazing just outside on the lawn. Go look." Kuniharu said
"~Kusuo help me out!~"
"You're on your own."
"Kuu please it's Christmas be giving," Kurumi asked
Saiki wanted to sigh. "Seriously?"
If there was one person Saiki had trouble denying it'd be his mother.
"Fine, I'll do it." He complied
Nendou stepped out into the backyard just in time for a deer to appear.
"Oh wow, a real reindeer! That's awesome!" Nendou loudly cried.
"It's just a normal deer."
"Thank you, Saiki. That was really nice."
Saiki adjusted his glasses glancing away from Lotus's smile.
Kuniharu grabbed a large white sack pulling out a green present with a red bow.
"Here Nendou it's for you."
"What? A present?" Nendou said
"Isn't that my present?"
"Not that this isn't sweet and all but I'm sure Saiki's and Nendou's taste are way too different to be giving away presents like that."
A childlike smile bloomed on Nendou's face as he held the gift. "Yeah, that's two presents!"
"What? You have two gifts? I thought you said you've never gotten one before?" Kuniharu said
"Yeah, nothing from Santa but I still get one from my Mom. Every year when I'm asleep she comes in and puts a present right next to my pillow. I never knew why she didn't just give it to me herself. Oh well."
Everyone stared at Nendou amazed by both his mother's efforts to preserve Santa and the obliviousness of Nendou himself.
"Your mom is a Saint."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer dear? We even have a guest room you could stay here until your family gets home," Kurumi offered
"No that's fine really," Lotus said
"If I stay any longer I'll only feel more guilty for intruding on your family's holiday."
"Then you must come over for the New Years, and I won't take no for an answer," Kurumi cheerfully asserted
"She has a sweet smile, but she's serious about that not taking 'no' for an answer thing."
"She is," Saiki said
"Alright then. I'll be sure to come over for the New Year's." Lotus gave Kurumi a bow, "Thank you very much for letting me enjoy the holidays in your home."
"It's my pleasure dear," Kurumi said
Kuniharu slid up next to his wife giving Lotus a smile. "It doesn't have to be the holidays either, you can come by anytime. Kusuo aren't you going to walk your girlfriend home, what kind boyfriend are you?"
"I'm not any kind of boyfriend."
Even with his denial Saiki still grabbed his coat going outside with Lotus. He needed a short break from the evening he just had.
Obviously, it took the two no time to walk Lotus home since the girl lived right across the street.
"Thank you for having me over Saiki, even though it really wasn't your choice. I'm still glad though and I had fun. Before you go, I got you something. I wanted to give it to you myself."
Lotus reached into jacket pocket pulling out a small box.
"This is for you Saiki." Lotus smiled handing over a small present.
The box was clad in pink wrapping tied up with a green bow.
"You know you didn't have to get me anything," Saiki stated
"I know, but I wanted too," Lotus said still smiling.
Saiki gazed at the present wondering what could be inside. He was about to open it but paused. He didn't know what was inside. He had no clue. Since he couldn't hear Lotus's thoughts he didn't automatically know what the present was. He was actually going to be surprised by a gift. Saiki felt, dare he say it, a bit excited.
"Huh? Something wrong? Aren't you gonna open it?" Lotus asked
Saiki unwrapped the gift now curious as to what was inside. Taking the top off the box he saw a piece of plastic inside, a gift card to be more prices for a local cafe.
"Surprised ya huh? It gets you ten free coffee jelly. Also, check under it," Lotus said
Saiki lifted up the gift card to find a key chain underneath it. It was just a small charm shaped like the odd dessert Saiki so loved.
"Ethan helped me make it. I'm not sure how you feel about keychains but I thought you might like it if it was shaped like coffee jelly," Lotus said
Saiki stared at the gifts a feeling bubbling inside him, a feeling he normally only gets when he's enjoying the lovely taste of coffee jelly. But this time the feeling was sparked by the smiling pink haired girl that stood before him.
"Wait here."
Saiki teleported leaving behind a confused Lotus. She wasn't sure how long she waited, but around 10 minutes, Saiki reappeared, with something in his hand.
"Here."
"Huh?" Lotus blinked surprised as Saiki held out a small pink box wrapped with a white bow. "F-For me?"
Saiki did not respond simply placing the box into Lotus's hands.
"You gave me a gift, so I have to return the favor. You know I don't like owing people," Saiki stated
Lotus stared stunned at the gift astonished that Saiki got her something for Christmas. She really wasn't expecting anything in return for what she gave him, so this was a total surprise. With a shaky hand, she unwraps the box taking the top off.
Lotus gave a silent gasp seeing what was inside. Resting on a soft white pillow in the box was a necklace. The ornament of the necklace was a pink orbed jewel attached to a silver chain. Lotus examined the jewel looking up, she quickly realized that the orb resembled the orbs on Saiki's antenna.
Saiki looked away from the girl covering the lower half of his mouth with his hand. If Lotus didn't know better she would say that he looked bashful.
"Your powers are increasing, so I thought it'd be a good idea for you to have a limiter of your own. Since you insist on spending your time with me you're gonna need it, I don't need you drawing attention to yourself then that attention drifting over to me. I thought a necklace would be best."
Lotus felt her cheeks get warm. She took the necklace out of the box putting it on.
"I love it!"
To her own surprise, Lotus lept forward wrapping her arms around Saiki. Saiki was frozen as Lotus embraced him. No one outside of his family really ever made an attempt to hug him, and he typically avoided them like the plague due to his psychometry. So with Lotus arms entangled around him, Saiki was at a loss. The warmth of Lotus's body nuzzled against Saiki's was comforting.
DOKI…..DOKI…...DOKI
Saiki felt a rush of something foreign go through his body and as if his arms had a mind of their own they slowly started to raise going to wrap around Lotus.
Lotus, who had been caught up in the moment, finally realized what she was doing. She gave a silent gasp pulling away from Saiki, just before his arms could wrap around her.
Lotus's cheeks were pink as she looked anywhere but Saiki.
"S-Sorry about that. I guess I got carried away huh?"
Saiki didn't know what to say to the girl. The blush on her cheeks and the timid demeanor was cute. Saiki knew, from an objective standpoint, that Lotus was pretty. But something was different about that statement now. Saiki not only knew Lotus was pretty, he thought she was too.
"Thank you again, Saiki. For the gift, it was really thoughtful," Lotus said
"Your welcome."
After their time together Saiki still didn't know what to make of Lotus. He thought the moment she entered his life she would be a nuisance, but Lotus, she was different. She was simply Lotus, and Saiki liked that. Maybe….
"You are my friend after all."
Lotus's eyes widened dramatically as she gaped at Saiki.
"W-What did you say?"
"I'm not repeating myself."
Lotus's look of surprise morphed into one of pure happiness.
"Yes!" She cheered, fist bumping the air. "I knew it! I knew we were friends!"
Lotus continued to cheer about her established friendship.
Saiki gave a small smile watching the jovial girl, as the warm feeling from Lotus's hug still enveloped his being, her glowing smile, making him even warmer.
DOKI….DOKI…..DOKI
Yeah having Lotus around wasn't a bad thing at all.
Lotus laid down in bed smiling as she gently caressed the jewel hanging around her neck.
"Yeah….today was a great Christmas."
Lotus slowly started to drift off, sleep about to take over. When she was on the brink of entering the land of slumber Lotus suddenly sat up eyes springing wide open.
"Crap! I forgot to call Violet and Ethan!"