I'm posting another story after this one. I don't want to start a new story and post it here as a new story. I'm just going to post it in another established post. You can find it 'OreGairu x Crossover.'

Well, enjoy the chapter.


Fujimoto Kaori stepped into her apartment, a soft sigh slipping from her lips as the familiar warmth of home embraced her. Outside, the muted hum of the city barely reached the quiet haven she had crafted for herself. Her outfit was simple yet elegant. A reflection of her subtle grace and growing self-assurance. A white turtleneck sweater hugged her form, soft and inviting in its simplicity. Draped over it, a black and red scarf hung loosely around her neck, the bold colors contrasting with the cool winter tones while adding a cozy charm. The fringed edges gently brushed her collarbone, softening the otherwise sleek ensemble.

Her black A-line skirt fell just below the knees, swaying slightly with each step and drawing the eye to her slender legs. Beneath it, thick black leggings offered both warmth and refinement, completing a look that blended comfort with understated style. It was the kind of outfit that spoke of confidence, not loud or showy, but quiet and sure.

Kaori's gaze shifted to the small shopping bags she'd carried. A remnant of a late-night search for Christmas presents. Time had slipped away faster than she'd realized, and with Christmas Eve nearly over, a familiar tension settled over her. It wasn't the rush of last-minute gifts that weighed her down. It was the shift at work that lingered in her thoughts.

Ever since Yukinoshita and Hikigaya had made their unexpected appearance at her office, everything had changed. The once-unyielding power dynamics were unraveling. Superiors who had clung to authority with smug certainty now appeared shaken, their confidence faltering, their composure visibly fraying. The cracks were no longer subtle, they were spreading. Kaori felt a strange satisfaction in watching the collapse. Yet even with that, vindication came with an emotional fatigue she couldn't quite shake.

She set the bags down on the kitchen counter and unwound her scarf, fingers lingering on the soft fabric before hanging it on a nearby hook. A quiet moment passed as she turned toward the window. Outside, Christmas lights glowed faintly in the distance, casting a soft shimmer against the night. The air inside felt lighter somehow, less stifling. Freer.

Kaori hadn't just been shopping for gifts. She was charting a new path. One no longer shaped by the burdens of a rigid corporate hierarchy. A small, meaningful victory had been earned. And as she placed the presents beneath her modest tree, a smile touched her lips. Maybe this Christmas would bring more than just wrapped boxes. Maybe, for once, it would bring her hope and peace. She'd long been waiting for.


Fujimoto Kaori's POV:

I pulled my phone from my coat pocket, fingers slightly numb from the cold, and typed a quick message to Hikigaya.

Meet me by the Christmas tree in front of Chiba Station.

I hesitated before hitting send, then slipped the phone back into my pocket with a quiet smile. I wasn't planning anything extravagant. Just a small gesture, a sincere thank you.

The plaza shimmered under soft golden lights, the towering Christmas tree glittering like something out of a dream. White and red bulbs spiraled up its branches like ribbons, and delicate ornaments sparkled whenever the breeze stirred them. On Christmas Day, the world seemed to slow down just a little. And tonight, it felt like magic had returned.

It had been years since I'd done anything for Christmas, not since high school. After that, life had swallowed me whole: deadlines, responsibilities, the constant grind. Holidays blurred into just another day. But this year was different. Maybe my boss, still reeling from recent events, had sensed something because he gave me the day off without hesitation.

I had planned to spend it quietly, watching a cozy movie, eating a little cake, maybe crying if the film hit the right notes. But before all that, there was this moment. I wanted to share this brief sliver of winter with him.

I stood near the tree, hands wrapped around a small gift bag, shifting my weight from foot to foot to stay warm. The crowd bustled around me, couples holding hands, families laughing, and friends sharing snacks from nearby stalls.

And then, I saw her.

Even in the sea of people, she stood out. A striking girl with a slender frame and porcelain skin, her long black hair cascading to her hips like a silken curtain. A single ahoge rested playfully atop her head, and two red ribbons near the ends of her hair added a delicate, almost doll-like charm. But it was her eyes that stopped me—piercing blue, sharp, and observant.

Yukinoshita Yukino. Hikigaya's girlfriend.

She looked effortlessly elegant in a tan coat, a thick black knit blouse beneath it. Fitted jeans hugged her legs, tucked neatly into black knee-high boots. She looked composed. Comfortable. Like she belonged in this glittering city at night.

And beside her was he.

Hikigaya Hachiman was average in height and build, just as he always claimed. His tousled black hair defied gravity in its usual messy way, that stubborn ahoge still refusing to behave. And his eyes, those wonderfully blunt and dead-fish eyes, seemed to catch more than they ever let on. He wore a dark double-breasted coat, a green scarf tucked neatly at the collar, gray slacks, and hiker-style boots.

Ordinary, maybe, but undeniably him.

I raised a hand in greeting. My heart lifted when both of them smiled and waved back. As they made their way through the crowd toward me, the cold suddenly felt a little less sharp.

And then, Hikigaya spoke.

I had only planned to give him a gift, a small gesture, nothing more. But the night was already unfolding in ways I hadn't anticipated.

"Fujimoto-san," he said, voice as flat and casual as ever, "why don't you come over to my place? We're having a little Christmas thing. A few people are coming. One more won't hurt."

I blinked. The invitation caught me off guard, not just because he asked, but because of how effortlessly he said it like it wasn't a big deal.

I hesitated. Wasn't something like this usually for close friends? I wasn't sure I fit into that category. But there was something disarming about his tone, like he genuinely meant it. I glanced at Yukinoshita, who met my uncertainty with a gentle nod.

That was enough. I got the girlfriend's permission.

"All right," I said quietly, offering a tentative smile. "But... shouldn't I bring something? A dish, a drink—something festive?"

He shrugged. "Just grab some snacks or drinks on the way. It's not that deep."

I laughed before I could stop myself, a small, surprised sound. Leave it to him to strip the pressure right out of the moment.

"Okay," I said again, more sure of myself this time. "Let's make it a good one."

I hadn't expected to be invited. And yet, now I was standing in a convenience store beside Hikigaya and Yukinoshita, letting the weight of it sink in.

I lingered by the drinks aisle longer than necessary, pretending to debate my choices. In truth, I already knew what I wanted to get. But my thoughts kept circling, tangled in a quiet nervousness.

I was going to meet his family.

A flutter of anxiety stirred in my chest. What would they think of me? I wasn't a classmate or a colleague. I wasn't his girlfriend. That place belonged to Yukinoshita-san, walking a few steps behind us with her poised, natural grace.

I sighed before I even realized it.

Then I reached for a few things to anchor myself, a nice bottle of juice, some sparkling water, and a modest but elegant bottle of wine I thought his parents might enjoy. Something thoughtful. Something respectful.

As I placed them in the basket, a strange mix of emotions swirled inside me. I was a grown woman, an office worker, yet here I was, about to crash a Christmas party full of teenagers. It was absurd. And yet oddly heartwarming.

I tightened my grip on the basket and took a breath.

This wasn't the Christmas I had planned.

But maybe, just maybe, it was exactly the one I needed.

o000

The warm scent of home-cooked food greeted me as I stepped into the genkan of Hikigaya's house, the soft click of my boots echoing against the tiled floor. I bent down to unzip them, trying to keep my nerves in check. But as I pulled off one boot, my gaze drifted to the side and froze.

Several pairs of shoes were neatly lined up along the wall. Most were feminine, heels, loafers, and cute sneakers with fur trims. Each one hinted at someone young, stylish... and female. My fingers paused on the zipper of my other boot. Just how many people were here?

"I'm home," Hikigaya called out, casually, like this was the most normal thing in the world.

I slipped off my second boot and stood up, brushing off my skirt as light footsteps echoed down the hallway. A girl rounded the corner, and for a moment, my breath caught.

She was cute, maybe a little shorter than me, with sleek black hair cut just above her shoulders and a defiant ahoge sprouting from her head. It bounced slightly with each step as if it had a personality. Her eyes were sharp and observant.

"Onii-chan, welcome ho—" she began, then abruptly stopped, zeroing in on me like a hawk spotting something unexpected.

"A woman I don't know..." she muttered, voice dipping into mock tragedy. Her eyes narrowed in exaggerated suspicion, though the playful pout on her lips betrayed her tone.

"Onii-chan, you've been getting more popular behind my back. I feel so lonely…"

I blinked, caught between a polite bow and a stifled laugh.

Hikigaya sighed, world-weary as ever. "Don't start with the jealousy act. You're the one who told me to get a life."

Without waiting for a response, he casually stepped past us, disappearing down the hallway like this was another day.

I lingered in the genkan, gripping my bag with both hands. My cheeks felt warm, and I wasn't sure if it was from the welcome... or the implications.

Stepping into the living room, I was met with a soft wave of warm air from the heater humming in the corner, partly from the cozy ambiance filling the space. Christmas had claimed this room completely. Twinkling lights framed the windows, garlands draped across shelves, and a modest but proud tree stood near the TV, dressed in tinsel and handmade ornaments. A hint of cinnamon and something sweet lingered in the air.

I opened my mouth to make a light comment, something to break the tension, but Hikigaya beat me to it.

"Don't look at me like that," he muttered. "Komachi was the one who insisted on throwing a full-blown party."

Of course. I chuckled, suddenly feeling more at ease. Naturally, his younger sister was the mastermind behind something this warm and thoughtful.

As I took in the room's festive charm, tiny bells hanging from curtain rods, and a handmade wreath on the kitchen door, my eyes landed on the group near the kotatsu.

Three women, each mid-conversation, turned to look at me.

The first had chestnut-brown hair tied in a loose side bun that gave her a soft, elegant air. She looked like she'd stepped out of a shoujo manga, poised and gentle, her wide eyes blinking in mild surprise.

Next to her sat a girl with shoulder-length, flaxen hair. Her bangs swept artfully over one side of her face, and she had the kind of glow that made her look like she sparkled just a little. Her expression hovered between bashfulness and panic, her cheeks dusted pink.

And then—her.

The woman beside them was older and instantly familiar. Dark hair pulled neatly back, black half-rim glasses perched on her nose… and, unmistakably, an ahoge. Hikigaya's mother. Her gaze wasn't judgmental, just... measuring. Curious. She was quietly assessing who I was and why I'd walked in with her son.

The two younger girls tried to play it cool, sipping tea and fidgeting with their sleeves, but their flushed faces gave them away. I couldn't help but smile.

Meeting the mother of the boy you liked was a milestone. An unofficial rite of passage. No wonder they looked like they'd wandered into a high-stakes game they hadn't studied for.

And me? I was older than them, standing there with a bag full of drinks and wine... and wondering if I'd stumbled into the same game without even realizing it.

0o00

The warmth of the kotatsu seeped into my legs as I sipped the tea Komachi had eagerly handed me. It was sweet, apple cinnamon, I thought. Around us, the room buzzed with soft conversation and easy laughter. Hikigaya's father was still at work, but even in his absence, the house radiated a gentle kind of liveliness. One, I hadn't felt in a long time.

The composed woman sitting across from me introduced herself as Hikigaya Hitomi. It didn't take long to recognize her as Hachiman's mother. She had the same dark hair and unmistakable ahoge, though hers was tamer—as if even her stray strands had learned restraint. She exuded a quiet strength, the kind that comes from years of holding things together. Polite, poised, and observant, she was exactly the type of person you'd instinctively trust to run a household, or maybe an entire company.

Then there was the cheerful girl with the soft chestnut hair tied in a loose side bun. Her smile lit up the space around her, bright and inviting. Ah, so that's Yuigahama Yui-chan, I realized. There was something nostalgic about her—something warm and comforting, like a favorite childhood memory.

Next to her, half-lounging near the kotatsu, was a girl with flaxen bobbed hair and an adorably casual air. Isshiki Iroha. Every tilt of her head, every lazy blink, radiated practiced carelessness. She was cute and she knew it.

As the evening mellowed, the party slipped into a slower, more relaxed rhythm.

The men were few; Hikigaya-kun was the only one. He had retreated to the kitchen to help with snacks, leaving the rest of us gathered around the kotatsu, chatting idly. Conversations floated from makeup trends to winter coats to a celebrity's secret boyfriend scandal.

Then Komachi, with a playful glint in her eye, launched into a rant about her brother.

"Seriously, Onii-chan is such a pain. He has zero fashion sense. And he's always grumbling, like the world's ending every morning."

That earned a chorus of soft laughter from the girls.

I smiled too—until something unexpectedly heavy tugged at my chest.

"I'm jealous," I murmured before I could stop myself.

The conversation ground to a halt. Komachi blinked in surprise. Yukino tilted her head slightly. Yuigahama and Iroha stared at me, wide-eyed.

The silence stretched, delicate and heavy, like a snowflake suspended in midair.

I could feel the weight of their attention. My cheeks warmed as I looked down at my cup, then quietly added, "I'm jealous of you, Komachi."

"Eh? Me?" she asked, clearly confused.

I nodded, voice softer now. "I like Hachiman. I mean… like a big brother."

A beat of silence.

Then—

Yuigahama visibly sagged in relief, exhaling dramatically as she clutched her chest. "You scared me for a second, Kaori-san…"

"Seriously," Isshiki echoed, letting out a breath she'd been holding.

Even Yukino, usually unreadable, allowed the faintest sigh to escape. Her hand gently brushed against her chest, calming a fluttering heartbeat.

I laughed quietly, the tension melting. "Sorry. I didn't mean to cause a panic."

"I-it's fine," Yuigahama said, waving her hands in a flustered blur. "It just caught me off guard…"

I smiled into my tea, letting the warmth settle in again. "He's someone really important to me. That's all. I just… envy that you've had him in your lives for so long. I only got to know him recently, and even that's been enough to change things for me."

Komachi blinked, thoughtful. Then a small smile curved her lips. "Onii-chan's weird, but… yeah, he's kind of cool sometimes. I guess I can share him a little."

The other girls nodded, and the atmosphere softened again with the weight lifting.

The kotatsu hummed gently beneath us, and the party carried on—quieter now, like snowfall after a storm.

00o0

Snow had begun to fall again—soft flurries drifting through the air beneath the gentle golden glow of the streetlights. One by one, the group broke apart. Hikigaya walked us home. Yuigahama and Isshiki left first, their giggles echoing faintly as they disappeared inside their homes.

Yukino lingered the longest, walking gracefully beside Hikigaya until her mansion's gate. She offered him a quiet goodnight, her pale cheeks tinged with a winter blush.

And then, it was just the two of us.

We walked in silence for a while, our footsteps muffled by the snow-covered pavement. The night was calm. Still. A stark contrast to the quiet stir of emotions blooming inside me. I wanted to be the last, I used the excuse of being the adult to send them off first.

I glanced at him. Hikigaya walked with his usual easy gait, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, the green scarf snug beneath his chin. He didn't say much, but he never really had to. His silence always carried its kind of presence.

But tonight, I wanted to break it.

I slowed slightly, closing the distance between us, and looked up at him. Snowflakes clung to my hair and lashes, each step feeling heavier with anticipation. My heart fluttered, uncertain but resolved.

"Hikigaya… can I be selfish?" I asked, my voice low and careful, as if afraid the night might shatter around us.

He turned, blinking. "Huh? Sure, I guess," he said, offering a small shrug, confused, but open.

I smiled, warm despite the cold. Then, without another word, I gently took his hand in mine.

He stiffened at first, classic Hikigaya, but he didn't pull away.

We walked the rest of the way like that, hand in hand, saying nothing. And yet, it felt like we said everything.

By the time we reached my apartment, the sky was a quiet tapestry of white. I stopped at the entrance, still holding his hand, unwilling to let go.

"Thank you, Hikigaya," I said, meeting his eyes. "For tonight… and for being you."

He looked unsure how to respond, but he nodded, a little awkward, a little shy, so very him.

"Merry Christmas," I whispered, finally releasing his hand.

"Yeah… Merry Christmas," he replied.

I stepped inside and gently closed the door behind me. For a moment, I just stood there, leaning against it, breath catching in my chest.

And then I smiled. Bright. Honest.

This Christmas, I had no regrets.