[Chapter 26: A Warm Winter with Friends]
Winter break had arrived, and with it, the first snowfall of the season. The city was coated in a soft white blanket, festive lights glowing in every street, and the holiday spirit filling the air.
Takumi zipped up his coat and stepped out, his breath visible in the crisp air. In one hand, he held a neatly wrapped gift bag, the tag reading: To: Haturo, From: Takumi (Be grateful).
"Let's hope this party isn't total chaos," he muttered.
He already knew it would be.
[Haturo's House: Christmas Chaos]
Haturo's house was glowing with fairy lights, a makeshift Christmas tree standing proudly in the center of the living room, surrounded by snacks, gifts, and laughter.
"Yo, Takumi!" Haturo shouted as he opened the door, wearing a reindeer hoodie. "Come on in, Santa's brooding cousin!"
"Kill me now," Takumi replied, stepping inside.
Kana, Aoi, Minato, and Yuri were already there. Yuri wore a soft red sweater with a snowflake hairpin, cheeks pink from the cold. She waved shyly at Takumi, and he returned the gesture with a subtle smile.
"I brought snacks!" Minato announced, holding up a giant bag of potato chips.
"We already have snacks," Aoi said, pointing to the overflowing table.
"Now we have too many snacks. Which is just enough."
Games, Gifts, and Goofing Around
The evening was filled with board games, hot cocoa, and playful teasing. During a group game of charades, Takumi shocked everyone by actually participating.
"You… a tired cat?" Yuri guessed as he slouched dramatically.
"Nope," he said.
"A lazy genius!" Kana shouted.
Takumi raised a thumb. "Winner."
"Too easy," Yuri giggled.
Later, they exchanged gifts. Haturo opened Takumi's and found… a plain notebook.
"What's this?" he asked.
"For writing down all your dumb quotes. It's already half full."
The group burst out laughing, and Haturo held it up proudly. "Best. Gift. Ever."
As the night settled, they turned off the lights and watched snowfall through the window, fairy lights blinking gently in the background.
Takumi and Yuri sat side by side, sharing a blanket.
"It's warm," she whispered.
"Probably the cocoa," he said.
She bumped her shoulder into his. "Or maybe it's the person next to me."
He turned to her, eyes soft. "Maybe."
It was a Christmas neither of them would forget—a night of comfort, laughter, and growing feelings wrapped in the warmth of friends and falling snow.