Christmas Eve. 8:00 PM
The Family Hot Spring House's crew prepared a big celebration for this Christmas Eve. The Reception Hall was decorated with simple decors. There was Christmas tree on the corner, lights all over the hall, banner at the middle platform, and many more. There were only few people gathering. Even so, the party would start soon. This happens every year because as we all know people like spending Christmas at home, or any other place. It's good that the costumers last year was still there. Most of them were families. Musica's group was also here: him, Clarence, Abie and Sora. All of them were wearing casual dresses with Christmas hat. Children were also in costume of their favorite cartoon character.
Ms. Ann Madrigal was in red blouse. She looked young despite her age. She gave her opening speech. "This Christmas Eve celebration is held here in Family Hot Spring House yearly. I and my mother believe that this special occasion is not just spending it with your own family, but it's also spending with other people who always make us happy. I call it like an extended family. And that's you, our costumers, who make us happy. Thanks for being here again. Everyone, thank you very much."
Everyone gave applause.
She continued, "And I also want to say that I'm happier to celebrate this day with you. Because, it's my birthday today!"
Another applause was heard.
"Please enjoy. We've prepared a lot of games and surprises to everyone! So, don't fall off! We'll going to party until tomorrow!"
"YEAH!" everyone chorused.
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The first game started. Form a group with three to five members. Each group must find 14 letters that complete the popular phrase M-E-R-R-Y-C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. They would search for these at the whole house in the rooms and hot springs.
They finally started. The letters were scattered and hidden. They must find all these to win special gifts. Over 45 minutes of searching, there was already a winner. It's a family. Each member received a gift.
Second game was "Follow the Leader". There should be four members per group. Do the same moves the previous game did. This game was full of fun since it's not just an individual copying moves but a group. If ever one of the members gets it wrong, the whole group is out.
Everyone joined, even the girls of the house. The first ones to lead were Ms. Ann and Mrs. Grace. Everyone loved this game though many groups were eliminated already. Over half an hour of this game, only one group stood out. It was Claire's group. She's with her three roommates. Each member received a gift.
Many other games followed.
In the middle of game, someone approached Ms. Ann and Claire, who were talking to each other. That person was Mr. Willard André.
"Good evening, Ms. Annie, Ms. Claire," he greeted them.
"Oh, Mr. André! You're here!" Ann said. "You said you wouldn't make it."
"Oh, sorry," he said. "I said that this morning because Lance told me he wouldn't go and I don't know how to get here. But just this night, he said we should come anyway. He just changed his mind occasionally."
"Good! Anyway, where's he?" Ann asked, looking around.
"He's still outside. But he'll come here in a minute."
She nodded. "Your son is really handsome. I want to take picture of the two of you together."
Mr. André laughed. "Is that so?" Then they both laughed.
Claire noticed an approaching shadow from the hall's door. She slowly turned around and went to her brother's place.
That approaching person was Lance. He greeted, "Hello, Ms. Annie!" He then gave her a present. "Here, for you. Happy birthday and Merry Christmas."
"Oh, thank you!" she said, taking it. "I'm so happy the two of you came here!"
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The seventh game was "Linked Bones". This was also the same as Funny Bones. But instead of partners, it's a group game. Ann explained the mechanics. "There should be five members. Each person must have constant number. Choose from 1-5. Here's an example. Right hand of no.1 to left hand of no.2."
As she was saying this, a group was performing the commands.
"Second command," she continued. "Nose of no.3 to hand of no.1. Third, hand of no.3 to left ear of no.4. Left ear of no.3 to any ear of no.2. This five commands is just the first set. So the first, second and so on commands must not be detached. Understand?"
"OK!" everyone said.
Claire joined her brother's group. This made them five. 1-Claire; 2-Abie; 3-Clarence; 4-Musica; 5-Sora.
Some groups who have excess or lacking of members joined in to another group to make them complete. Lance, at the same time, joined a family with four members. Even though he didn't know them, he was easily welcomed because of each others' friendliness. There were eight groups in total.
GAME PROPER
First Set: 1. Nose of 1 to nose of 2.
2. Right hand of 2 to left shoulder of 4.
3. Left hand of 3 to chin of 4.
4. Eyebrow of 1 to shoulder of 1.
5. Thumb of 3 to knee of 5.
During the first set, two groups were eliminated. They suddenly fell off.
First Set: 1. Index finger of 4 to thumb of 3.
2. Right foot of 1 to a thigh of 5.
3. Elbow of 2 to elbow of 5.
4. Right hand of 1 to shoulder of 2.
5. Knee of 2 to knee of 5.
In this set, no one was eliminated.
The game proceeded until only one remained attached and comfortable with their positions. The winner, finally, was Musica's group.
>>>>>>> <<<<<<<
"Just few minutes until 12:00! Let's now bring out last game!" Ann said. "Actually, this game is very common for a Valentine Party. It's a Date Search."
"Oohh..." everyone said.
"I guess you know what it is all about. Ok, let's now introduce our very young and beautiful searcher! She's the most popular girl here! Let's welcome, MISA!"
Everyone clapped as Misa came out. She's in casual dress, pink blouse and blue jeans. She looked cute with her hair in two ponytails. She sat on the reserved seat. She smiled and waved at them then put on the blindfold.
"And now we can see the cute Misa in front us. Who would like to be her date tomorrow? Just come here and take these seats!"
"Hey, let's join!" Musica said to Sora.
"Sure!" Sora replied.
They both sat on those seats.
Ann said, "Ok, we now have two handsome men! Anyone else?"
Lance also stood up and took one of the seats.
"Ok, another one sat in! Who will be the lucky fourth one?"
Everyone waited for few seconds but no one else stood.
"That makes the searchee 3! I'll interview them first," she said, going near Lance, as the first candidate. "Searchee no.1," she started. "Do you have a girl friend?"
"None," he answered.
"Courting someone?"
"Nope," he said, smiling.
She proceeded to Musica, which make him no.2. She also went to Sora, the 3rd. She asked the same question to them. They answered the same, that they didn't have girlfriends and courting someone.
"Now, Misa, you heard these three young men. They're free."
She shyly smiled.
"Someone will help me assess the questions," Ann continued. "Claire, please join me here."
Claire was surprised at first. She wasn't told she would be a part of this. But she still went on the stage, with a mic and piece of paper. In this paper were the questions. She would ask them while Ann would hold the mic.
Claire: First question. If ever it's you who would date Misa, where would you take her?
Ann: What's your answer, searchee no.1?
Lance: I want a simple date yet full of fun. FountainPark is the best place. There are so many establishments near it. We can stroll around and eat in a romantic restaurant.
Ann: No.2?
Musica: In a movie house.
Ann: No.3?
Sora: In amusement park and zoo!
Some laughed when they heard the word 'zoo'.
Sora: It will be fun for sure!
Ann: You heard the, Misa! Let's proceed to the next question!
Claire: What will be last thing the two of you will do before you end your date?
Lance: Watch fireworks while eating ice cream.
Musica: Eat in a restaurant and talk a lot.
Sora: We'll go to the theater where puppets are being played.
Claire: Last question. What thing will you give Misa to officially end your date?
Lance: Something cute that Ms. Misa will like. Anything, such as doll or stuffed toy.
Musica: A jacket.
Sora: A hat. Ms. Misa will look cuter wearing that!
Ann: Who will you choose, Misa? Who's gonna be your date tomorrow?
Misa: Hmm... I think... I like searchee number...
Everyone waited for her answer.
Misa: I like searchee no.3!
Sora: Oh...
Musica put his arm around Sora's neck and gripped him tightly. "Finally, Sora!" he told him happily. "You can have your date!"
"Hey!" he frowned. "Just what do you mean by that, huh!?"
"Hehe!" Musica teased.
Ann removed the blindfold of Misa. She introduced her to them.
"Hi," Lance said, shaking hands with her. "I'm Lance."
Misa's face lit up. "Oh, you're Lance? I've heard about you from Ms. Annie."
"Really? Was it all good?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "It's really true, you're handsome..."
He put his hand at the back of his head. "Thanks," he shyly said.
Next was Musica.
"I know you!" she said excitedly. "Are you Alexis Musica Agent?"
"Yeah!" he replied and winked at her. "Just call Musica."
"I'm so happy to see you in person!" she said, shaking hands with him.
"Oh..." he said. "You're so pretty!"
"Thanks..." she said.
Last was Sora. Misa became more excited. "You are Sora, right? I saw you before with Musica."
"Oh." he shyly said. "Where?"
"In a department store. Actually, you are my crush!" she said to him, dreamingly.
"Really? Thank you, Ms. Misa."
"I'm so lucky!" she said. "I just met three cute guys!"
"Congratulations, searchee no.3!" Ann announced. Everyone clapped.
"It's already 12:01!" she said excitedly. "Let's prepare the fireworks!"
"Really!? Yeah!" the kids said.
Everyone was outside. They enjoy the fireworks display. Fireworks that lit the night sky did not only come from the House but also from many different places: west, east, north, south. It was like from all over the town.
Inside, everyone was eating already. There were so many foods. It was like a feast.
1:00 AM. At this time, many people would want to sleep already.
"Kids, children and anyone who like to drink milk, we have a milk stall here. Just go to the cafeteria! Drink as much as you like, 'cause it's free for all!" Ann said.
"Yay!" the children said, rushing to the caf.
By that place, there were over 15 children in line. These little kids were looking at the back. Because there were also big guys who fall in line to have a glass of milk. All kids then two big men. They were Clarence and Lance.
"Nii-chan..."A kid suddenly called Lance. Miruku (milk) mo nomitai?"
Lance bent a little and put his hands on his thigh. "Hai, sou desu."
"Demo, miruku wa kodomo no nomimono dake desu."
"Chigau," he smiled. "Sore wa minna no nomimono desu. Kodomo mo, nee-chan mo, nii-chan mo, okassan mo, otosan mo, oba-chan mo."
Clarence looked at Lance in amaze.
The boy looked at him with stars in eyes. "Nii-chan, subarashii!"
"Hehe. Domo!"
>>>>>> <<<<<<
Lance and Clarence walked together as they drank their milk.
"Was it Japanese you were speaking with the boy?" Clarence asked, with eyes in awe.
"Yeah."
"You're one of the searchees, right? What's your name again?"
"I'm Lance," he replied, smiling. "You?"
"Clarence. Nice to meet you."
"Same here!" Lance replied. "By the way, are you Claire's brother?"
"Oh?" he asked, a bit surprised. "Yes." Then they turned to chibi.
"Is that very obvious?" asked chibi-Clarence.
"Yeah..." grinned chibi-Lance.
They turned to normal now. "Are you a friend of her?"
"Hmm..." Lance started. "Kinda... Hehe."
"Really? I didn't see the two of you talking back there in the hall."
"Well... She's busy..."
Clarence finished his milk before continuing. "Claire's in my room, together with my friends. Come," he offered.
Lance slightly looked away. "I guess, I won't..." he said, He then looked at him happily. "Nice meeting you, Clarence-san. Merry Christmas." He then left.
Clarence brows curved down. "He's smiling but he looks sad. I wonder what his problem is..." he said to himself, worried.
He went inside their room. He saw Sora and Musica sleeping already in each bed. Abie's head was on the table while Claire woke her up.
"Abie, you shouldn't be sleeping here. Go to your room now." Claire called softly.
Clarence kneeled then tapped his girlfriend's back. "Abie," he called. "Sleep in your room."
"I think she's already fast asleep," Claire said.
"Better take her to her room," he said, carrying her gently in his arms. "Will you be sleeping with her?" he asked Claire.
She nodded. "Yeah."
He laid the sleeping Abie to her bed and put a blanket up to her shoulder then sat on the bedside. He asked Claire, who was fixing her bed. "You should have introduced me to your friend earlier."
She stopped working. "Who?"
"Lance."
She put the pillow in place. "Him? He's kinda busy..."
He smiled. "He also said the same thing."
"Anyway," she said, changing the topic. "I have something for you."
He looked excited. "Really?"
She opened her bag and put out the blue and green colored scarf she made. "Here, for you, bro."
"Wow!" He took it and smiled joyfully.
"I made that myself," she said shyly. "Hope you like it."
"Of course, I like it! Thank you, Claire!" he said, warping it around his neck.
"I also have something for Abie but I'll give it to her when she wakes up."
"I have a gift for you, too," he said. "But it's at home. Could you drop by tomorrow?"
"Sure."
He stood up and walked toward the door. "Thank you again and goodnight!"
"It should be good morning, bro!" she joked.
He laughed. "Oh, yeah! Good morning!"