Notes:
Hello Vera here.
Well, here I bring you one more chapter of this fic, which, every day is getting closer to its grand finale❤
But for now, it's time for you to enjoy this chapter with a nice pre-Christmas theme, or better said, with a good Christmas Eve🎄❄.
Is that baby finally going to be born? You'll find out soon enough.
As a note, at the end of the chapter I will clarify some details about how they celebrate these days in that country. Although I believe that as you read on you will understand how Christmas Eve is typically celebrated there.
Now without further ado, enjoy the chapter❤
22 ❄ A Kiss Under The Mistletoe ❄
❄️ Winter ❄️
"Now come and lie beside me, here under the tree
And watch the colors flicker so merrily.
But make a good wish before you fall asleep,
You never know what awaits you tonight in your dreams."
December 24
39 weeks.
9 months pregnant.
Christmas Eve
02:15 p.m.
That special day always had a bittersweet taste for the sorcery world.
For two consecutive years, two battles of great importance were fought on that date.
The first one was on December 24, 2017, when Geto Suguru attacked the sorcery school, just as the night parade of the thousand demons was taking place in two different parts of Japan. That time, they were victorious thanks to Okkotsu Yuta when he defeated that sorcerer.
But they did not count that the following year, on the same December 24, another battle of a greater magnitude would take place, where thanks to a miracle, that war ended with the victory of Satoru Gojo and the elimination of the King of curses, Sukuna, at the hands of Itadori Yuji.
So for the past three years, that day always had a nostalgic and somewhat bitter touch. But on that occasion, it was a little different, because it was a more homely date for the Okkotsu family.
That morning had passed quietly, Maki had spent most of the day in the living room, doing some Yoga and light exercises with her big ball. Exercises that she thought would help her go into labor faster.
Maki let out a sigh and looked at her big belly. "How long will you decide it's time to be born?" she asked with a grimace as she gently pokes her belly with her index finger.
Yuta smiled to hear his wife say that, as he lay on the floor, taking a break.
That day, Maki was not exercising alone, but Yuta was there with her helping her to hold her when she was doing squats or when she had to sit on the floor to do Yoga, and by the way, he took the opportunity to exercise a little. So the two of them had worked up a sweat doing those exercises.
"I'm starting to believe that he's just as stubborn as me and won't be born until he feels like it!" commented Maki, while making circles on her belly, which was uncovered since she was only wearing a tank top and shorts because she was dying of heat.
"As long as it doesn't go past 40 weeks everything will be fine love, besides" Yuta came closer, got on his knees and gave her a kiss on her belly, then went up to her lips "He will know when will be the best time to be born"
Maki's lips received that kiss, and then she pouted slightly.
"It's easy for you to say, I'm desperate for it to be born, especially because I'm already tired and sleeping has been a martyrdom lately!" she sighed and went back to making hip movements on that ball.
"Maybe our little baby soybean seed will choose the least expected moment to be born" Yuta commented, standing up and going to the kitchen to get some bottles of water.
"I don't doubt it, I still hope it's born before the end of the year. I wouldn't want to spend New Year's Eve pushing in the hospital" she clicked her tongue. She picked up the TV remote control and turned it on while still sitting on her ball.
At that time, Yuta also moved the thermostat a little, to make the temperature in the house comfortable and more than noticed that it was snowing outside.
"I'd forgotten!" said Maki when she saw what was being shown on TV.
"What were you forgetting, love?" asked Yuta, handing her a bottle of water and sitting back down on the floor on the carpet next to his wife, who was still sitting on the ball.
"Today is December 24…" She sigh. "Today is supposed to be Christmas Eve, isn't it?"
They were watching on TV, how in other countries this special day was spent with the family and how last minute shopping was done.
"It does seem to be an important day in the West and in other parts of the world" commented Yuta as a reporter showed how other countries celebrated Christmas Eve.
They even showed last-minute shopping and long lines at the stores.
"It seems as if they were at the end of the world" said Yuta in surprise.
"In a way, I am thankful that in this country, this celebration is not as important or overwhelming as in those places, just see how they are fighting over the gifts" commented Maki changing the channel as she now sat down carefully on the sofa.
Yuta smiled at that and then sighed. He seemed to remember something, an event that made his bones ache at times.
"Although..."
"Huh?"
"Although this day also feels nostalgic and a little bit bitter because of the battles we had a few years ago against Geto, Sukuna and Kenjaku…" commented Yuta lowering his shoulders.
Those words made Maki feel a shiver run through her entire being. She even felt her baby kick at such an unpleasant emotion as she brought her hand to her cheek, where she had gained yet another scar in that last fight against the king of curses.
"We can tell our son that we were survivors of those wars" she commented, stroking Yuta's hair from where she was sitting.
At that moment, her husband again got down on his knees, laid his head on her belly and gently wrapped his arms around her.
"A war that finally ended and that I thank heaven for having survived, and that today I can finally be by your side, being happy with our first child" commented Yuta, closing his eyes for a moment.
That feeling of tranquility was also shared by Maki, as she ran her hands through his black hair.
"Also, I am thankful that this will be our first good night as a family, without worrying about fighting in any more wars" commented Yuta kissing her belly. That action caused a tingling in Maki and made the baby also move when he felt and heard his father.
Maki took Yuta's face in her hands and caressed his cheeks with too much tenderness. Their gazes met, the magnetism with which they always watched each other and the love and adoration they always had for each other was so strong, that it made Yuta approach his wife's face to kiss her with love while he was still kneeling in front of her.
Those kisses filled the entire room.
Once they stopped kissing to catch their breath. Yuta sat down next to her.
"Although it occurs to me that to celebrate tonight we could have a romantic dinner" he said into his wife's ear as he tenderly wrapped his arms around her.
Maki smiled at those words.
"That sounds quite tempting, although you know that with this pregnancy I don't feel like going out" she said, caressing his cheeks.
"Don't worry about it. Since I know you don't want to go out, I prepared for the next few days until New Year by buying enough supplies and food provisions, so I could prepare you a lasagna or some other eat that I have practiced in my cooking classes" Yuta commented without looking away from her, caressing her face with both hands.
"The lasagna doesn't sound bad" Maki stole a few kisses, "I also want to see what else you're going to spoil us with tonight" she said, smiling between kisses.
"I could..." Yuta brought his lips to his wife's chin, sliding them gently down her neck until they reached her cheek and ear, "I could spoil you tonight by preparing you a delicious dinner. Afterwards, we could take a bath together and when we get out, we can put on our best pajamas, to watch some movies, here cuddled on the sofa, or if you prefer, go to bed and let me fill you with many kisses while I hug you" he continued kissing her tenderly.
Maki let out a slight chuckle when she heard that.
"That doesn't sound bad to make this evening more enjoyable" she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and continued kissing him.
The kisses continued a little longer, their foreheads came together and they looked at each other with too much love, they really wanted that good night to be special.
And just as they were about to start kissing again, the doorbell of her apartment interrupted them.
Maki grunted and looked at the door in annoyance. "Who could it be?!"
Yuta stood up and went to see who was ringing the doorbell.
"Maybe it's Mrs. Kimura coming to ask if the baby has been born yet!" commented Maki with annoyance for ruining her romantic moment with her husband.
Yuta peeked through the peephole, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Love, you'd better take it easy" he said as he prepared to open the door.
"Why do you say that?" questioned Maki turning around to see what was going on. That is until some voices cheerfully entered her apartment.
"Happy Christmas Eve!" said Itadori and Nobara in chorus as they entered the door.
Nobara came dressed as Santa Claus in a red dress with white trim along with a hat with a small white ball on the tip and Itadori came dressed as what appeared to be a reindeer while carrying a large red sack.
"Takana!" Toge's melodious voice also flooded the place. This man was dressed as a elf.
"Jojojo, we have arrived!" Panda commented cheerfully. He was wearing reindeer antlers and a red nose. He was also carrying some bells.
"What the hell is going on here?" asked Maki with a frown as she watched these intruders enter her house and disturb her peace. She had not moved from that sofa.
"We have brought you some Christmas presents!" Nobara commented happily, "We want you to spend your first Christmas with your family properly!"
"And by the way we have brought you a Christmas tree and some lights to decorate it and decorate your home" said Panda very animated, making the bells ring, "Jojojo!"
Megumi entered behind those four.
"I'm sorry senpais, I tried to stop them" he commented in a very annoyed grimace, besides, he was the only one who was wearing normal clothes, "but I couldn't. I argued that you wanted to spend these days quietly but they simply ignored me"
All those intruders had already entered the living room. Even Maki covered herself with her husband's jacket because of the cold that came through the front door.
"Don't be so bitter Megumi, we just want to leave they some gifts!" Nobara said with a big smile.
"Gifts?" asked Maki with a grimace.
"We asked Nishimiya how they celebrate this date in her country and she said that in America tonight they have a dinner and leave gifts under the trees and that is what we have come to do. And by the way we have come to decorate your home" answered her friend.
Maki grimaced in total disagreement.
"Relax Maki san, we are not going to stay long, we are just passing by and to spend some time with you" replied Nobara waving her hands, "We will leave before nightfall because we have other plans!"
"We even brought food to share with you later" Panda replied, making Toge and Itadori raising the bags of kfc they had bought to eat with them.
"Love, what do you think?" asked Yuta noticing the expression of total annoyance his wife made as she stood up.
Maki took a deep breath, relaxed her shoulders and tried to take that as something good that doesn't happen every day. "All right, but I don't want them to make such a fuss, or else I'll kill them" she said, putting her hands on her hips.
The others cheered when they heard this, while Nobara approached her friend.
"Come Maki san, go take a bath and put on something comfortable, while we take care of the decoration" said her friend very animated.
Nobara led Maki to her room, while Maki's husband stayed with the guests to make sure things didn't get out of control.
03:05 p.m.
After taking a bath, Maki was finishing getting ready in her room.
"Yes, your uncles are crazy and annoying" said Maki while she had her hands under her belly as she finished putting on her pajamas.
She listened as everyone else continued to decorate the living room. Most of all, she listened as Nobara gave orders to everyone.
Maki lowered her shoulders as she listened to all the noise. She really wanted to spend a quiet evening with her husband, but it seemed like that would take a while.
Still, she tried to look on the bright side of the situation. She felt blessed to be surrounded by all those who made her feel loved. And she thanked heaven that they were not fighting a war that day where they didn't know if they would survive. So that Christmas Eve would be the first night they would all spend together as a family.
Maki smiled a little looking at herself in the mirror as she continued talking to her baby "But you can tell they love us very much... I even feel like this is something your aunt Mai would have liked to do" she sighed "Even if you were already here, you would be super spoiled by all of them on this Christmas Eve" she started brushing her hair, which was still wet from the bath she had taken.
Even so, everyone was still doing their work in the room.
"The lights must go around the room!" Nobara ordered with a hand on her waist.
She was giving orders to Itadori, Toge and Panda to continue decorating the living room. They also put a few ornaments on the couple's balcony and a nice mistletoe on the balcony, which was put up by her.
Meanwhile, Megumi and Yuta were finishing setting up the tree, which was small, no more than a meter high, green in color while they arranged the tinkling spheres in red and gold colors along with some colored lights that already adorned the tree.
"Again an apology for all the commotion Okkotsu senpai, as I said, I tried to stop them" commented Megumi sighing when she saw the noise those four were making.
"You don't have to apologize, it's understandable that they want to spend time with us before the baby arrives" Yuta commented, putting on an extra sphere.
Megumi sighed, "More than anything they wanted to come and spend some time with you before going later to the fireworks and those things they wanted to invite you to, but due to the advanced stage of Maki san's pregnancy, we know it wouldn't be easy for her to go to those events"
"Don't worry about us" Yuta took one more sphere and admired it in his hand before hanging it on the tree "Besides, Maki might say something like he doesn't want to go out this day"
"And that's why I've stayed in my pajamas, since I don't want to go to a place full of people" said Maki, joining the two, since she had heard the conversation.
At that moment, Maki admired that small Christmas tree. Something inside her felt that she was moved by various emotions. It was a mixture of nostalgia and a feeling she had never experienced before.
Both men turned to look at her. Observing how she was absorbed in those lights that went on and off.
"You look great love!" said Yuta, observing that his wife was wearing red plaid pajama pants and a sweater that covered her pregnant belly with a drawing of a reindeer with a small red cotton ball representing the nose of that famous animal.
"Thank you, the pajamas are very comfortable for this day" she commented with a slight smile.
Maki again began to see how her living room was being decorated. Seeing the twinkling lights throughout the space as she saw the other decorations hanging on the tree as well as on her kitchen and balcony.
"Do you like the way the Christmas tree turned out?" Yuta asked, taking her hands in his.
"It's very nice... I like it..." She commented surprised.
"I'm glad you'll like it" replied Yuta in high spirits. "Well, I'm going to take a quick bath now, I'll be right back!" he said, giving his wife a kiss. He wanted to be presentable too.
"We are waiting for you here, so don't be late" said Maki, gently releasing her husband's hands as he ran to the bathroom.
Maki returned her gaze to the living room.
All the decorations, although very simple, provoked in Maki feelings for that festivity that she had never felt before.
She sighed as she approached that tree, which was the thing that caught her attention the most.
"Are you all right?" asked Megumi when he saw Maki so focused on looking at the Christmas tree.
"I am... It's just that it's the first time I've celebrated something like this..."
"It's understandable. Being a foreign celebration that is just becoming relevant in this country, it can cause a very marked cultural shock in some people"
"And you Megumi, have you celebrated Christmas Eve before?" she asked, looking at him for a moment.
He shook his head. "I have never liked these days and I have my reasons to hate them"
"Well, that's true" Maki agreed.
"We have more reasons to hate this day than to celebrate it, for example; Yuta and I first spent a December 24th on the verge of death because of Geto'
s invasion and only a fucking year later the battle against Sukuna took place" -sigh- "And last year on this day, Yuta and I were separated due to our missions outside the city"- she answered taking a seat on her sofa to look at that Christmas tree comfortably –"But now..."- her hands rested on her belly – "I feel like it's the first good Christmas Eve I can spend with all of you after so many bad things I've experienced for two years in a row" she smiled a little "and it's all thanks to this little one"
Megumi nodded his head at those words. –"And I guess that's the way it's going to be from now on, right?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes" replied Maki cheerfully.
It was no longer time to look back. It was time to celebrate the present.
03:56 p.m.
By that time in the afternoon, the decorations had already been completed.
Yuta had also already put on pajamas that matched Maki's in the same colors. However, his sweater had a special detail: a Christmas tree.
The time had come to eat all together that chicken they had bought at the KFC. Which was the typical dinner in that country at that time of the year.
That meal was held in the living room. This was because the Okkotsu's dining room was only for two people.
And in the absence of chairs, everyone decided to eat around the small table in the middle of the room.
Maki and Nobara were sitting on the sofa, while everyone else was sitting on the floor around that table. And in the center was the bucket with the chicken pieces, as well as the plates and glasses.
And because there was a pregnant woman at that dinner, they decided that they would only drink soda to accompany that Christmas meal.
Nobara cleared her throat and stood up, "Before we start eating, I want us to have a toast," she commented with a smile, "Does anyone want to start by saying a few words?"
Yuta took the initiative and stood up holding his glass.
"First of all, I want to thank all of you for everything you have done for me and Maki this year, which, I admit, was a year of ups and downs of emotions, but where we also had a big surprise and that was the arrival of our first child" he said looking at his friends, "I really thank you from the bottom of my heart for the unconditional support you have given us"
"There is nothing to thank Okkotsu senpai for!" commented Itadori with a big smile.
"We do it with pleasure and more than that you are like our family" commented Panda, wiggling his ears.
"Tuna Mayo!"
"Besides, the arrival of this baby is a reason to celebrate and support them in everything" said Nobara with a big smile.
"Even once he is born, they know they can count on us to take care of their child and help them in any way we can" said Megumi.
Maki let the air out in a sigh of happiness.
"And I hope you keep your promise to change this little one's diapers like you said at the baby shower!"
That comment made the guests laugh a little.
Yuta continued speaking.
"I must say that I hope this is the first Christmas diner of many that we will spend together as friends and as one big family"
Maki raised her glass "Cheers to that!"
"Cheers!" shouted their friends, raising their glasses.
The pieces were handed out. The soda was served and they began to eat that meal with much encouragement as they talked about everything they hoped to do in the coming years and more so now adding one more member to that great family.
05:15 p.m.
After enjoying that meal, it was time to leave the gifts under the tree.
"Well, it's time to give them the gifts we have brought them" Nobara commented happily, taking the red sack they had arrived with.
"Gifts?" asked Maki, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, gifts" the red-haired girl dragged that bag to the tree, "According to Nishimiya, she said that on this day gifts are exchanged"
Yuta blinked rapidly "But we didn't know we should buy gifts for you too, let alone didn't prepare something for you on this day!" he felt bad about that.
Maki twisted her mouth "And I don't want to go on a last-minute shopping spree!" she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Don't feel bad about it, senpais, you don't have to give us anything in return" Itadori replied with a big smile.
"We have brought gifts for the three of you. Although most of them are mainly for your baby. For him we have brought several toys that we hope he will like, which we want to give him with much affection from us, his favorite uncles " said Panda with much encouragement.
"Tuna!" He raised his hand with joy.
"You mean they are gifts that the baby can only use until he/she is older, but you will play with them in the meantime, won't you? Because they didn't bring gifts for newborns" said Megumi giving them away. Making everyone else let out some laughs.
Yuta took his wife's hand and looked at her with a big smile.
"It's a nice gesture, isn't it, love?"
Maki nodded in agreement.
"It is, but I still don't know how we're going to thank them"
"You don't have to worry about returning something to us, just accept this as a token of our affection for you" Nobara said, starting to take the gifts out of the bag. "And well, from what Nishimiya told us, the gifts go down here" she said, beginning to arrange the gifts. The smallest ones were left under the Christmas tree and one or the other was left at the sides.
"Under the tree?" asked Maki curiously, "What a strange tradition they have in the West for giving gifts on this day"
"I guess it must be to surprise people and children" said Yuta with a big smile at the sight of that tree full of boxes with beautiful brightly colored wrappings.
"Ready!" Nobara stood up, "Nishimiya said these are open until tomorrow, when it's officially Christmas!" she said, shaking her hands and knees.
"Until tomorrow?" asked Maki, caressing her belly, "Isn't it better to open them today?"
"That's how she told us this tradition goes. So tomorrow you two could open these presents together with that baby" Nobara commented with a big smile.
Perhaps those words could have been an omen.
07:27 p.m.
The evening had already fallen completely and the sky was already completely dark on that good night.
The time had come for those self-invited guests to leave, leaving those parents-to-be to enjoy what was left of the evening as a couple, while they continued the celebration in another part of the city.
"Happy Christmas Eve Maki san!" commented Nobara, hugging Maki warmly.
Maki returned her friend's hug very kindly "Thank you and happy Christmas Eve to all of you" she commented with a soft smile, while they began to say goodbye to those guests at the door of their house.
"You're welcome, we did it for you!" said Panda very happy "And also for that baby that I have a feeling will be born very soon, maybe sooner than we thought" he waved his ears. It seemed that this animal was anticipating that event.
"I hope your words come true. If so, I will give you a year of calpis" replied Maki with a challenging smile.
Yuta said goodbye to everyone else as well. With a firm handshake and a warm hug. "Thank you guys so much for coming and for sharing some of your time with us" he commented with a big smile.
"You're welcome. We'll always be glad to do it" Panda commented as he stood in the doorway.
"We have already cleaned up the kitchen and the living room, and we have left your places ready in the dining room for your dinner" said Itadori with a thumbs up.
"Tuna Mayo!" Toge also did the same thumbs-up thing, since he had helped in that task.
"Now, we leave you to have your night as a couple as you deserve" commented Nobara with a smile, letting go of her friend's hands to put them on her belly, "Goodbye little one, we hope to see you soon!" she said goodbye with much affection.
"Don't hesitate to call us if you need help or if something happens" said Megumi, looking at the two of them.
"Okay!" Maki responded to that.
"Now, go and have fun on our behalf" replied Yuta with a small, wistful smile.
"See you!"
"Have a nice evening!"
The five of them said goodbye and started to leave the apartment to go down to the first floor.
"Have fun guys!" Yuta said goodbye, entering his apartment next to his wife.
Once those five left that building, they all headed to the center, where the decorations and lights would be illuminating all night, as there would be fireworks around midnight.
07:39 p.m.
Inside the apartment.
Once everyone left, Maki went to sit on the sofa and let out a long sigh of relief.
"I thought they would never leave!" she commented in a sigh of relief and bringing her hands to her lower back as she felt a cramp in her hip.
Yuta laughed lightly at those words.
"They just wanted to keep us company" he took a seat next to his wife.
"I know, and I thank you. And even more so since this is the first time we celebrate something like this"
"And perhaps it will not be the last" he looked at his wife, "is the first of many we will have once this little one is born" he said, placing his hand on her belly to feel his son. At the same time a sigh came out of his chest, it seemed one of total melancholy.
"Yuta, did you want to go with them?" asked Maki looking at her husband. Noticing that change of attitude in him.
"What?" asked Yuta, blinking several times.
"I asked if you wanted to go with them to have fun at that festival of lights and fireworks" said Maki, stroking her cheek.
Yuta shrugged his shoulders "The truth is that place is full of people, besides if you don't go it wouldn't be any fun, but above all" he continued caressing that belly "I want to be aware of you and the baby"
"Why don't you sound convinced at all?" Maki questioned with intrigue
"I've never been safer in my life" He came closer to give her a kiss, "Besides, the night is just about to begin, I could prepare dinner for you and from our balcony we can catch a glimpse of the fireworks. Then we can enjoy the night as we had planned"
Maki dryly reciprocated the kiss, "mmm Okay" she said with a sigh.
"And you?" Yuta asked, noticing the discouragement in his wife's voice, "Does that answer sound different"
Maki shook her head.
"It's not that I don't like the idea, it's just that I'm thinking that our whole life and routine is going to change from now on, for example, the outings with our friends, the visits, the missions... now with the baby's arrival all that will no longer be the same"
"You're right, it won't be the same, but" Yuta kiss her cheek "We'll be able to adapt to all that"
"You think so?"
"Of course I do!" he smiled, "Just because we have a baby, they won't stop being our friends. On the contrary, they are already planning on how to involve our son in everything"
Maki smiled a little at that answer.
"Well, that's a good point. They definitely already want this baby to be born to take it for a ride all over town" she sighed, "Still, I don't know if I'm ready for the change..."
Yuta kissed her lips once more while holding her cheeks.
"We knew that our whole life was going to change with the arrival of our son, but I know that we will adapt to this and the three of us will get through this together" He look at her "Besides, we are not alone because we have our Friends" He smile at her letting go of her cheeks gently –"So don't worry about any of that. Tonight the only thing we have to worry about is relaxing and having a nice time together. As a couple"
"All right" she now took her husband's cheeks in her hands, "I want this Christmas Eve to be very special"
Yuta kissed her palms.
"Okay, I will take care of making it special for the three of us," he kissed her hands once more, "and tell me Maki san, what would you and the baby like to have for dinner? The boys left the table clean and ready for both of us. Besides, we still have enough food and supplies between now and the New Year. So I can prepare whatever you want"
Maki looked at the table, where the cutlery, plates and glasses for two people were ready.
She let out a slight noise from her throat, she seemed to be thinking about what she was craving for dinner. "Lasagna" she said very quickly.
"Huh?"
"The baby and I are craving Lasagna for dinner" said Maki with a smile. "Since you gave us that option for dinner, my mouth has been watering"
Yuta kissed her forehead.
"Then lasagna for three it is" he said standing up, "You two make yourselves comfortable, I'll do everything, okay?"
"Ok, let Chef Okkotsu surprise us tonight!" said Maki with a big smile stretching her legs on the sofa.
Her husband smiled at those words, gave her a kiss on the forehead and went to the kitchen, took the apron, folded his sleeves to above the elbow and began to take out the ingredients he had bought in advance for the dinner.
Maki watched the whole preparation process with discretion, peeking her head over the back of the chair.
There was something that she had never confessed to Yuta and that perhaps that would remain a secret to herself. And that was that she liked to watch him cook.
She liked to see how he concentrated on preparing the meals. How he carefully cut the vegetables and how he paid special attention to cooking the meats.
How he carefully chose the seasonings and how he took them with precision so as not to overdo it in flavor.
She knew he had become more attentive in that regard because of the classes he had taken months ago.
Watching him cook was incredibly attractive and sexy.
08:30 p.m.
After almost 45 minutes of preparing that lasagna and also preparing some pasta to accompany that dinner.
Yuta put the preparation in the oven. Now it was time to wait for its slow cooking.
"Ready, in about an hour and a half our dinner will be ready!" Yuta commented looking at the clock, "Maybe before 10 o'clock we will be able to have dinner comfortably"
He looked for his wife with his eyes, but did not find her on the Sofa. He approached the living room and then noticed that Maki was standing by the balcony door, watching the light show in the distance.
"Is everything all right, love?" he hugged her back.
"It is, I was just watching the snow fall and incidentally looking at the lights in the distance"
Yuta looked at where she was watching.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
From their balcony they could see how in a building in the distance the windows were illuminated by the light show that was being offered.
But also, something that had caught the attention of both of them, was that they noticed that more snow began to fall, but it fell very slowly, filling the outside with a thin white layer little by little.
"Too much I would say" Maki smiled without taking her eyes off the balcony, "Really, this view is too beautiful. I'll keep saying that our home has the best view"
Yuta smiled silently at those words and so they enjoyed that moment.
They continued hugging for a few more minutes, until in a fleeting glance above their heads, Maki noticed a very particular plant above them.
"mmm"
"What's wrong?" asked Yuta, looking up as his wife was turning around.
"Those idiots left us something here, on the balcony door" she pointed to the ceiling.
"What is it?" Yuta looked to where Maki was looking and pointing.
And there, above their heads, floated a very particular plastic decorative plant.
"A mistletoe!" commented Yuta in a great grimace of surprise.
"I'm sure it was Nobara who left it there" she pouted.
Yuta laughed lightly "Doesn't that remind you of something?"
"What should it remind me of?" asked Maki, raising an eyebrow.
"Have you forgotten what happened between us under the mistletoe, days after that December 24th? After surviving that battle against Geto, something very special happened in that mall" replied Yuta, smiling broadly at the memory of that vivid moment that made his cheeks turn red.
Maki immediately blushed and a very specific image came to her mind.
"Our first kiss..." she whispered.
Yuta nodded his head yes.
"Our first kiss wasn't exactly on this day, but it was under a mistletoe, remember?"
Maki gently turned around, facing him. She gently caressed his cheek, bringing her face closer until their lips met.
"I would never forget..." she murmured, just before they plunged into a deep kiss.
Flashback.
4 years ago.
After Geto's attack that December 24, 2017, things inside the academy started to take some calm.
But it was not until December 27 that the students were given permission to rest and to take a few days off before the New Year.
And at that time, the still first-year students, Yuta, Maki, Toge and Panda had decided, not to say forced by Satoru, to go for a walk in the city.
It was definitely cold that day. But still, Satoru had taken them out for lunch and a walk through those streets filled with a beautiful show of lights and snow.
The meal had been exquisite and luxurious, it had simply been worth it in their words. And more that they took advantage of Satoru paying for everything as a gift for their victory.
After eating at one of the best restaurants downtown, where Panda was even let in pretending to be a person in disguise.
They all decided to go for a short walk through the roofed streets of a luxurious shopping mall.
Still, it felt cold and that's what Maki was quick to complain about.
"Tsk, hell!" she let out in a groan as she walked beside Yuta.
Those two were trailing behind Panda and Toge, who were very amused talking to Satoru.
"Is something wrong, Maki san?" asked Yuta looking at his companion.
"Yes, I happen to be getting the cold in my face, especially in my throat because I forgot my stupid scarf in the car!" she complained very annoyed as they walked around.
Even though the place where they were walking was roofed, the cold was still seeping through the exit doors of that place.
"I understand, well" Yuta stopped in his tracks and went about stripping off his blue scarf, "How about wearing mine?"
"What?" Maki stopped next to him, "Do you want me to wear your scarf?" she asked somewhat surprised.
At the time, both had not noticed it, but they had stopped under a certain Christmas decoration.
"Yes, you can use it without any problem" commented Yuta with a warm smile.
"Are you sure? I mean you and Toge should watch your throats since you use the cursed speech, don't you think so?" Maki used as a pretext.
"There's no problem for me if you use it, besides, you need it more than I do because of the cold weather"
Maki narrowed her eyes at that comment that she felt hinted that she was weak.
Yuta quickly caught her gaze because of what he said and that she might have taken his words wrong.
"Don't think I'm telling you weak Maki san, I just don't want you to get sick!" he stretched his hand with his scarf, "I don't want you to feel colder either, I just want you to feel comfortable while we are walking... together..."
Maki let out a sigh,s he really felt cold in her throat, "And what about you?" she asked with a grimace.
At that instant, Maki's cheeks flushed as she watched her partner dare to delicately wrap his blue scarf around her neck.
They both looked at each other very closely. It was the first time Maki noticed that Yuta had grown too much since he entered the academy. Not only as a person, but physically he had grown quite a bit, now he was even a few centimeters taller than her.
"Hehe, I'll be fine. On the contrary, I'm not too cold" Yuta scratched the back of his neck.
At that instant, the boy noticed how close he was to Maki. They had come close enough to be just one step away from each other.
Yuta noticed the blush on Maki's face and how she did not take her eyes off him.
"Since when did he become so attractive? Why the fuck am I attracted to his lips?" Maki mentally questioned herself without being able to take her eyes off him.
That attraction was unavoidable at that moment. And less so when the eyes behind those glasses were fixed on Yuta's lips.
Maki swallowed saliva, she had never tasted alcohol in her life, but perhaps that sensation was so intoxicating that it made her want to touch Yuta's lips.
Nor was Yuta lagging behind with his thoughts and desires.
"Maki san is really quite beautiful... how I would like to kiss her..." he said to himself mentally as he was admiring this girl very closely.
The distance had been cut short enough and more so when Maki took Okkotsu's face in her hands.
Both felt their cheeks burning, but they couldn't stop looking at each other, especially when their faces started to get closer. It even seemed as if their breaths had become coordinated, as they breathed slowly.
Their eyes locked as their faces closed the distance until, finally, their lips met in what was the first kiss for both of them.
Neither of them knew how kiss, and that was more than evident.
That kiss was very simple. They didn't know if they should move or stay still, so they remained only with their mouths together.
But that would be solved with the passing of time because the kisses between those two after that first time would become more frequent.
That kiss lasted barely a minute, from which they slowly pulled away as Yuta's eyes fluttered open and Maki's eyes were still slightly closed. Their faces were really red.
Their hearts were pounding. The blood flowed at full speed throughout their bodies as well as that dopamine.
"I..." Yuta could barely utter a word as Maki kept holding his cheeks while her eyes widened and stared at him mesmerized.
At that moment it looked like they were about to join in one more kiss. That is until a playful voice caught their attention.
"Wow! I didn't know you two were adopting this foreign tradition of kissing under the mistletoe" commented Satoru with a big smile. He had seen that whole scene.
Both young men turned to look at the adult, who would immortalize that event in a photo.
"Foreign tra-tradition?" came with difficulty from both of their throats.
To which Satoru began to explain while pointing to those ornaments hanging from the heads of both lovers.
"I had heard that in some parts of the world it is a tradition to kiss under the mistletoe to attract love and good luck," he said with a big smile looking at both of them, "And it seems to be true! Look at you two! You've kissed under the mistletoe!"
"Mistletoe?!" Yuta and Maki said again in chorus.
Both looked up and sure enough, above them was a large mistletoe ornament tied with a big red bow.
"Yes, Mistletoe! As I said, this tradition is not common here at all, but in other countries it is very popular" Satoru took another picture- "I must tell the others about this! What a thrill that you two show your feelings in the sweetest way!" commented Satoru all excited and ready to show off that picture. So he started walking in a hurry.
"Sensei, wait!" Yuta shouted wanting to go after him, but Maki stopped him by the hand for a moment. There was something she wanted to tell him.
"Yuta!" she said in her characteristic annoyed voice.
He swallowed saliva and turned to look at her, for some reason he thought that his life would end because of how angry Maki could be. But he was surprised that she was holding his hand and did not want to let go.
Maki's face was all red. And she pursed her lips slightly in embarrassment.
"Do you think you could... keep secret... what happened with this kiss?.." she asked shyly, avoiding his gaze "It's just that... ugh!" she grunted, visibly uncomfortable –"this was my first kiss and..." she swallowed saliva "I don't want anyone else to know that you were my first kiss...at least, not for now..."
Yuta smiled slightly and nodded his head with a big yes.
"I won't tell anyone... besides, I feel lucky that Maki san's first kiss was with me..."
"And I'm happy that you were the first one to kiss me..." She quickly adjusted his scarf to cover her mouth and nose. His perfume on that garment gave her comfort.
"Now let's go before that idiot shows off that picture to everyone!" she shouted angrily, "I swear I'll kill that blindfolded idiot!" she growled and walked past Okkotsu to catch up with her teacher.
Yuta nodded his head again.
"Gojo sensei! Wait!" he also shouted going after the man. Who still presumed to witness the first kiss between the two of them.
Back to the present.
They both laughed at such a memory of their first kiss, as they continued to stand under that plastic ornament.
They even had one more kiss. A rather passionate one.
"I'm really happy that you were my first kiss" said Maki once they stopped and caught their breath.
"And I am honored that it was so" Yuta said, hugging her warmly.
"I guess that kiss will remain an anecdote for our son" said Maki, rubbing her belly.
"It will be. It will be a funny anecdote to tell every year at Christmas" Yuta put his hands on that belly.
At that moment, Maki smelled dinner. "Mmm, it's already smelling delicious. Even the baby is hungry enough"
Yuta gently let her go.
"I'll go see if dinner is ready" he said with a smile, heading for the kitchen.
Maki really felt quite comfortable and wished that night would not end. Maybe it was because she sensed that something very important and significant would happen soon.
The evening for that couple continued to be quiet and romantic in its own way.
Dinner was ready, and so admiring the twinkling lights that adorned their home they shared a dinner for three.
After dinner, they both tried to find something interesting to watch on TV. But it was somewhat impossible for Maki to sit still for more than five minutes due to the constant urge to pee. Even so, they were able to watch more than half of a foreign movie about a boy who was left home alone at Christmas time and had to defend his house from burglars.
But they decided to stop seeing her once Maki asked Yuta to help her sit near the Christmas tree.
It seemed strange to her husband, but he could see it in her eyes. Those twinkling lights and the gifts had awakened in her a feeling she had never felt before for that days.
Once Maki sat down near the tree, on that carpet, she looked at her husband.
"Yuta" she named him and with her hand asked him to take a seat next to her.
He understood that, so he sat down next to her, who simply wanted to admire those twinkling lights on the tree next to the love of her life and her baby.
Maki leaned her head on her husband's shoulder.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
Yuta leaned his head on Maki's head.
"What my life?"
"The lights and all this time together with you... it's just beautiful... I really wish it would never end..." she said without taking her eyes off the tree.
Her husband took her hand.
"It is, love, it's just beautiful..." he whispered as he watched her being illuminated by the reflection of the lights.
Everyone saw the beauty of Christmas Eve in their own way.
The evening of these two continued until midnight, where from that balcony they watched the fireworks illuminate the sky.
Those lights officially announced that Christmas Eve was over, giving way to Christmas. It was the first Christmas they had celebrated as a family.
"Merry Christmas Maki san"
"Merry Christmas Yuta"
They said to each other before kissing.
Tiredness had won them over shortly after seeing that spectacle in the sky, so they decided to go to rest, believing that the next day they would be able to open those gifts quietly during the afternoon.
Until several hours after going to bed, the contractions would finally start in the early morning.
Everything that begins comes to an end. The planted seeds, after a long process of germination, maturation and growth are finally born, opening their beautiful petals to the world.
That pregnancy had finally reached its final stage. The one where the first breath of life is given.
And the Okkotsu family's first child was about to be born on that cold Christmas afternoon.
❄To be continue...
Notes
I hope you liked it❤
And let me know what you thought? I'll be reading your comments.
What else can I say, as you have read at the end of this chapter FINALLY THE BABY IS COMING! Excited? I must confess that I am indeed very excited for you to read such an event, which I hope you will like ❤✨
And Well, as I said at the beginning of the chapter, or as you may have already noticed while reading, the characters did not celebrate this holiday before due to several factors; such as the Zenin clan never celebrated such foreign celebration just like Okkotsu's family, or it was also because the previous years the events of the manga took place with the battles against Geto Suguru (2017) and the fight against Sukuna (2018), both on good night.
Moreover, as you can guess, this celebration is not celebrated by everyone there because the predominant religion in Japan is Buddhism and Shinto.
Also, as you could notice, Christmas Eve is more of a romantic holiday that is mostly celebrated between couples since it is considered[EV1] as a kind of Valentine's Day where people prefer to spend this night with their partners or their closest friends rather than with the family.
I should also clarify that I chose the KFC chicken as the Christmas Eve meal, because this is the typical dinner consumed on this special day, which has special packages for this holiday and, by the way, must be ordered well in advance because on that day, these restaurants are saturated.
It should also be clarified that in Japan these two days are not holidays, what does this mean? They have normal work activities during the day and the following day alike.
Also putting up the Christmas tree is not very common in some homes and the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is also not common in that country from everything I was researching.
Anyway, soon I will upload the long awaited chapter of the birth of this beloved baby ❤👶