— — — — — —
After leaving Bamboo Forest Brawl, the next thing that appeared in front of Oikawa and the girls was a panda souvenir shop.
Yukino's eyes lit up instantly, and she hurried over.
Her face was glowing with pure happiness, exactly like the time during their school trip when she'd stopped in front of the hotel gift shop, wearing that same look.
"Oikawa-kun, it's pandas!"
Yui wasn't nearly as excited as Yukino, but it was obvious she genuinely loved pandas too. So the two of them walked over together.
Meanwhile, Yukino immediately turned her full attention to the panda merchandise lining the shelves.
Panda mugs. Panda pen holders. Panda pillows.
Pretty much everything you could think of.
There were even panda plushies dressed in Christmas outfits.
The moment Oikawa spotted them, his eyes lit up. "We could buy these Christmas panda plushies as gifts for the elementary school kids performing."
"What do you think?" He picked one up and examined it closely.
"That's a great idea. The kids would definitely love them. It's pandas, after all. Forget the boys, the girls would absolutely lose it." As Yui said that, she started looking through the other panda-themed items on display.
Besides the Christmas plushies, there were gloves, keychains, and all kinds of little things mixing Christmas and panda designs together.
"I think it's a really good idea too." Yukino gave Oikawa an approving glance, then added, "And not just for the children. We could also prepare gifts for the performers. Like the cast of The Little Prince musical."
She'd thought it through even further.
Isshiki had only been considering using the leftover Christmas event budget for a group dinner, but gifts honestly sounded like the better option.
Not everyone wanted to spend their precious holiday time socializing. At least Oikawa definitely didn't.
"Alright, it's settled. I'll call Isshiki and let her know."
Most of the decisions were made by Oikawa anyway. But Isshiki Iroha was still the student council president in name, so it was only fair to show her a little respect.
Well... surface-level respect, anyway.
While he was on the phone, Yui grabbed one of the glove puppets and, with a cheerful little heave-ho, caught Oikawa's hand.
A faint blush spread across her face, and her warm smile made her look almost glowing.
"Mr. Pervert," she asked softly, "is there anything you want for Christmas?"
Oikawa paused.
It was probably the first time anyone had asked him that.
What did he want?
He frowned and actually thought about it.
But the answer was... nothing really.
"Oi-Oikawa-kun, why are you staring at me like that?"
From Yui's point of view, he wasn't deep in thought. He was just staring at her intensely.
The blush on her cheeks quickly spread across her whole face.
"I'm just trying to figure out what I'd even want." Oikawa noticed Yukino's icy stare and wisely decided not to say anything beyond that.
"I see..." Yui put the glove puppet back, her face still red, then turned toward Yukino. "Yukino, is there anything you want for Christmas?"
"I can buy my own things." Her voice was cool as ever, but after a pause, she added, almost as if worried Yui might misunderstand. "I just think exchanging gifts back and forth is a hassle."
"How is that a hassle? That's what being friends is for. I'm going to prepare a really amazing surprise gift for you on Christmas, Yukino. And you too, Oikawa."
The way she tacked on 'you too, Oikawa' made it sound like one of those bonus freebies you got during a department store sale.
Oikawa shot her a hard glare.
...
The two girls wandered off to another part of the store, picking out gifts for the elementary school kids and the performers. Meanwhile, Oikawa's gaze landed on the biggest panda plush in the shop.
'Would Kawasaki like this?'
The thought slipped into his mind.
And it made him feel guilty.
While he was out here enjoying himself with Yui and Yukino, Kawasaki was probably alone in a classroom somewhere, quietly reading.
...
Meanwhile, after a long, exhausting round of haggling with the panda shop owner, the three finally managed to secure a discount.
Unexpectedly, Yui had been the main force behind the negotiations.
The owner was already struggling to resist her weaponized cuteness, and with Oikawa secretly arranging to buy the giant panda plush on the side, everything fell into place naturally.
After paying the deposit and leaving the address of the community center for delivery, the three of them headed to the meeting point they'd arranged with Isshiki and Ebina.
After that, they went on several more rides.
Before coming here, they'd all talked about finding inspiration for the Christmas event at Disneyland. But once they started having fun, that goal had completely flown out of everyone's minds.
Well, everyone except Yukino. She still remembered, occasionally snapping photos for reference.
Other than the panda-related attractions, though, she didn't seem particularly interested in much else.
Which made sense.
She had an annual Disneyland pass, after all. She'd probably ridden everything here already.
Rich kids really were the worst.
Good thing he was self-made rich.
...
After an entire afternoon of running around, Yui and Ebina were still full of energy, faces bright with excitement.
Yukino, on the other hand, was visibly exhausted. With every stretch they walked, her steps grew a little less steady. Her stamina had never been great to begin with, and the constant noise of Disneyland wore her down even more.
Oikawa, meanwhile, was fine.
His training over the past few months had done wonders. His stamina was leagues better than before.
"You okay?" He slowed down to match Yukino's pace.
"I'm fine." Her voice was cold, like she still had no intention of making up with him.
Looks like those personal attacks he'd sent over LINE last night had really gotten under her skin. Even if she claimed not to care, every time Yukino caught sight of Yui's generous chest, there was always the faintest flicker of jealousy in her eyes.
"Ah! Hurry! Crystal Voyage is starting!" Isshiki's voice rang out.
A second later, Yui and Ebina bolted ahead at full speed.
Yukino was about to follow when Oikawa grabbed her by the arm.
By the time Yui and the others reached the other side, Oikawa and Yukino had been cut off by a crowd.
"You guys go ahead! We'll catch up!" Oikawa and Yui shouted back and forth.
Once he watched them disappear, Oikawa turned back to Yukino. "Come on. Let's find somewhere to sit and rest. If you're tired, just say it. There's nothing embarrassing about it."
"Mind your own business." Her voice was as chilly as ever. But as she stared at his back while he walked ahead, a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Finding somewhere quiet to rest in Disneyland wasn't easy. Especially somewhere that was actually peaceful.
By now, night had fallen. The attractions glowed in colorful lights, painting the park in shimmering colors.
It was... unexpectedly beautiful.
After wandering around for a while, Oikawa finally settled on the giant Ferris wheel in front of them.
"How about resting here for a bit?"
"I... guess that's fine."
Her answer came with hesitation.
She kept avoiding his eyes.
"You scared?" Oikawa asked, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
"W-Who said I'm scared?" The panic on her face gave her away immediately.
Oikawa studied her for a moment, "Maybe we should look for somewhere else."
"No. Here is fine." Yukino took a deep breath and, stubborn as ever, stepped into the line.
Oikawa could only smile bitterly and follow after her. "You don't have to force yourself. If you don't like it, just say so."
"I'm NOT forcing myself."
He didn't know whether to call her foolish or just absurdly stubborn.
But then again... that was exactly the kind of thing Yukino would do.
If she ever gave in that easily, would she even still be Yukino?
"Idiot. Why make things harder on yourself?" The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Yukino lowered her head, looking like a child who'd just been caught doing something wrong. "I'm not... I'm really not scared."
If Yui and the others had been here, Yukino never would've shown this side of herself.
This fragile, vulnerable side. And seeing it stirred something fierce in Oikawa, an urge to protect her.
"Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you." He placed his hand gently on top of her head.
Yukino's body trembled slightly.
Without thinking, she shifted a little closer to him.
"I rode a Ferris wheel with my sister once before," she said quietly. "She kept rocking the cabin on purpose. One time it stopped while we were stuck in the air."
So that was why she was scared.
Oikawa suddenly felt a little sorry for her. Having such an overbearing older sister had to be rough.
The Ferris wheel slowly began to rise.
Yukino's body stiffened almost immediately. Her head stayed lowered, too scared to look outside.
"It's okay." Oikawa took her hand.
At last, she found the courage to slowly lift her head and look out through the glass of the Ferris wheel.
The entire Disneyland spread out before her eyes.
At night, the park looked completely different from the daytime.
Each section glowed in its own colors, blending together into something like a rainbow stretched across the earth, breathtakingly beautiful.
Lights of every shade overlapped and shimmered brilliantly.
The sight reminded her of the Space Train ride from earlier, the way it had seemed to race through time and space, surrounded by stars scattered across the endless universe.
Before she realized it, the fear in her heart had faded.
"Oikawa."
"Hm?" He turned to her.
Her expression was strange. There was still a trace of fear in it, but her lips curved into a smile.
"Thanks." She smiled.
It was the first time Oikawa had ever seen such a dazzling smile on Yukino's face.
His heart jolted so hard it felt like someone had grabbed it.
Like he'd been hit by some kind of spell.
For a moment, his whole body felt light, almost unsteady.
...
..
After getting off the Ferris wheel, Oikawa called Yui to ask where they were.
The night had grown darker, but instead of quieting down, Disneyland had become even more crowded.
Everyone was waiting for the fireworks show.
"Oikawa-kun! Yukinon! We're over here! Here!"
When they met up again, Yui clasped her hands together apologetically, "Sorry! We ran off without you!"
"It's fine," Yukino answered with a smile. "Did you get pictures?"
"Yep! I took a ton!"
The two immediately started chatting, Yui flipping through the photos on her camera for Yukino to see.
Ebina suddenly sidled up beside Oikawa.
Lowering her voice, she whispered, "Oikawa-kun... be honest. Did you do something with Yukino just now that would make Yui cry?"
Oikawa shot her a sharp look and answered seriously, "I, Oikawa Toru, have never been a scumbag. When it comes to love, I'm always completely devoted. Don't slander me."
Ebina folded her hands behind her back and gave him a look full of amusement.
"Do you actually believe that yourself?"
Her eyes said she could see right through him.
"It's starting! The fireworks are about to begin! Hurry, get over here, this spot's perfect!" Isshiki jumped up and waved at them from a little ways off.
At that moment, all the plaza lights and decorative lamps went dark.
Music began to rise through the air.
"It's starting."
Everyone turned toward the great white castle at the center of Disneyland.
Soon, the fireworks would burst above it.
"Stop pushing!"
Shouting broke out somewhere in the crowd, and suddenly the whole plaza turned chaotic.
Oikawa and the others had been moving toward Isshiki, but the surging crowd split them apart.
"Oikawa, go to Isshiki! I'll stay here with Yukinon and Hina!"
Oikawa couldn't even see Yui anymore, only hear her voice through the noise.
"Got it! I'll come find you after the fireworks!"
Between the music and the crowd, his voice was swallowed up.
He wasn't sure if they'd heard him.
"Senpai, look! Fireworks!"
With a loud boom— the night sky exploded into color.
In the cold yet strangely passionate midnight air, fireworks bloomed one after another, painting the sky in dazzling colors.
Anyone would be thrilled seeing a sight like this.
Oikawa was no exception.
He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture, planning to send it to Kawasaki and Utaha later.
More and more fireworks burst overhead.
Some streaked like shooting stars. Others scattered like flower petals cast by a fairy.
The cheers around them never stopped.
All around, couples leaned in and kissed beneath the fireworks.
Isshiki quietly stepped a little closer to Oikawa.
Then she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Senpai! Thank you for helping with the Christmas event! You've worked so hard!"
"What?" Oikawa couldn't hear her over the noise.
Isshiki gathered all her power and shouted again, louder this time.
"Senpai! I said—"
But in the end... her voice scattered into the wind, never reaching his ears.
.
.
.