Sadly, no Christmas story but still some stories. Merry Christmas yall!

"Half the time I get too embarrassed to say anything."

Fine always thought Bright could never waver. He often had a smile on his face and hardly anything ever seemed to shake him.

For example, when they went to a haunted house for Halloween where they took pictures of their scariest moment. That picture was probably one of the most embarrassing moments of her life as she was clinging to Bright, in tears and snot and all. Her mouth was wide open and while Bright never said anything, she was sure she accidentally wiped some of that stuff over his clothes...

Nonetheless, while everyone laughed at her ugly expression, they also found it odd how normal Bright looked. Maybe it was Fine's fault for clinging onto him so aggressively at that moment. Maybe he just looked normal because of how exaggerated Fine's expression was.

He looked surprised, but not quite frightened. Honestly, it wasn't any different than an expression Fine would normally see on his face. It was a basic countenance that everyone could have.

Fine could accurately say that he looked elegant in every expression that he made. He was always sure of himself.

There's also the fact that despite how relatively close they are, their conversations always seem to be short. Maybe Fine was just never capable of getting him to express himself more.

Which is what made it even harder for Fine to believe when she saw how flustered he was talking to Rein.

Fine was running late so she was surprised to see Rein and Bright talking. She wanted to call out to them, but when she saw Bright's expression she was shocked into silence.

He looked... extremely flustered. A little frantic even. He was waving his arms around and making strange gestures everytime Rein gave him a reply. She also seemed to be enjoying this sight. Fine felt a little jealous that Bright had shown that side of himself to Rein.

Well, not a little jealous. A lot jealous. Deep down, Fine wanted to be the one who could shake up Bright's countenance.

"Rein! Bright!" Fine called out, earning both of their attention. Rein looked over and waved, then gave Bright a light nudge. Fine slowed her approach when she saw him just about flinch, turn to say something to Rein, wave goodbye at Fine and then ran off. "What was that about?" Fine asked.

"Oh, you saw that too? Honestly, I was really surprised as well. I've never seen like that." Rein said a little too eagerly. She glanced at fine and giggled.

"What?" Fine asked, slightly upset.

"Oh, don't worry about it." Rein replied a little too smugly. The walk home was largely silent as Rein hummed a little too happily for Fine's liking.

"Do you... still have a crush on him?" Fine asked hesitantly. Rein's humming stopped.

"I told you didn't I? I confessed and was turned down." Rein said nonchalantly. "Besides, I... already... have someone else..." At this, Rein lowered her voice that Fine almost didn't hear. "You know what, never mind! Just know that I'm not interested anymore!" With that, she dashed ahead, hands on her face.

I wonder if... Bright has a crush on her now? Fine thought with a sigh.

Fine pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind when she went back to school. At the same time, she suddenly started seeing him and Rein together all the time. During class, Rein would approach Bright and have a hushed conversation with him. When Fine tried to join, Rein would leave, but then Bright would follow shortly afterward.

During lunch, she could see the two discussing something in the lunch line. Once again, Bright seemed to be hesitant. He was, at the very least.

"That's not something you see every day." Shade commented once. He looked at Fine, who seemed disappointed. "Well, you're not the only one who's upset here, but I guess it can't be helped." Shade said with a sigh. When the two started walking their way, Rein just stuck out her tongue. Bright seemed to have returned to normal too.

Even after school, Bright would be the one to pull her aside and the two would have a quick discussion just outside the classroom before Fine joined up with them.

"What's with this secrecy? What are you two even doing?!" Fine said. She was upset that they seemed to be talking behind her back. She was also upset that Rein was causing such distress in Bright. It sounded mean, but Fine wanted to see his expressions up close. She liked seeing his various expressions. Especially the ones people rarely see.

"I am getting irritated too you know!" Rein replied, surprising Fine. "I don't understand how he's having such a hard time!"

"Uh, what?" Her anger immediately turned to confusion.

"Just wait for tomorrow Fine! Wait!" Rein said. Fine didn't push the matter further.

And Fine waited. She wasn't sure what she was waiting for, but she waited. She saw as well how Rein's attitude towards Bright seemed to change. She was kind of, ignoring him? At the very least, this was probably the most distressed Fine had seen Bright.

When school ended, Rein immediately grabbed Fine's hand and Bright's hand and dragged them to a more private area. "Now talk it out! I've tried to counsel you, Bright, but I can't talk to her for you!" With that, she released their hands and left the area. Fine was more puzzled than before.

"What is she talking about?" Fine asked, looking to Bright. Then she saw it. The flustered face that she was only able to observe from a distance. His entire face turned so red that she felt like it was rubbing off on her. "W-What's the matter?"

"I... I just... haha..." He said, rubbing the back of his head. "I didn't think she would do this, haha."

"Wha-"

"I like you, Fine. I like you a lot." Bright said. It was Fine's turn to be flustered. She felt her face warm but the words froze her in place. "Oh boy, haha."

"You don't... like my sister?" Was what Fine managed to say. At this, Bright let out a hearty laugh.

"Just as a friend." He replied. "It's just... The day I was talking to her after school, she caught my crush on you and confronted me. Then she told me, 'I'll help you!' After that, it became a bit of a mess as she kept trying to encourage me to talk to you... Her suggestions got a little too... fantastical?"

"Ahahaha, well, Rein gets really into it when romance is involved."

"Well I... I asked her for help cause... well..." Bright began to hesitate again. "Half the time I get too embarrassed to say anything."

"That's unexpected." Fine replied, letting out her own giggle. Feeling bold, she took his hand. "I guess this means... I'll be in your care." She watched Bright's embarrassed transform into one of great happiness.

She couldn't wait to see more.