"Merry Christmas?" Shiuka still stood with bat in hand in complete shock. Her brain still hadn't processed everything in front of her and she still wondered if this was just a mere dream.
"Yeah, you didn't forget what today is, did you?" Said Rouko as everyone was gathered in a large group.
"I don't understand." She said, looking left and right to see all her friends and family. There was even Ino along with her own family as well. "You all came here?"
"Well, there's one person you can thank for that." Ninka gave all credit to Hakuta as she wrapped her arm over him and pulled him in tightly. The boy got a bit bashful being given such attention. "So you better make sure you give him something real nice."
"It wasn't all on me at all." He downplayed his role. "Look, I know what you told me before, but I decided after all that time you kept ignoring my suggestion. That I should do the same back to you."
"We're terribly sorry that your father couldn't make it today." Said Ino's father. "He's a good man, a hero to not only Japan, but the entire planet with some of the things he does for work." With the amount of pride that man spoke, Hakuta really wished he could understand what his dad was up to during those trips.
"I can't believe no one's ever told us about it." Said Rouko's mom. "You poor thing, but at least now we're all here together." The first time meeting Rouko's parents was a strange one for Hakuta. Especially since the first thing he asked of them was to come to Shiuka's house with everyone for this party. He was doubly surprised to see how absurdly nice they were. Especially compared to their own daughter.
"Now that we're all here together." Said Omihiro, pulling out a neatly wrapped gift box. "How about we enjoy today together. Isn't that what Christmas is all about?" Everyone responded positively to his suggestion as they all spread about to chat, enjoy some nice background music fitting of the holidays, or eating some of the special foods, such as fried chicken.
"You guys really didn't have to do this." Said Shiuka, who was much more upbeat compared to before. "I was being a real grump."
"It doesn't matter if you're being stupid." Ninka gave her a playful punch on the arm. "Really, it's our own fault for not doing this sooner."
"I guess that boy really does like to throw a wrench into everything." Said Rouko as the three girls watched him walked by. In normal fashion he was trying to do too much in attempting to keep the order.
"And speaking of him." Ninka got behind Shiuka and began pushing her towards him. "Like I said, you better have something nice for him."
"What?" Shiuka attempted to stop the push, but it was futile as her friend overpowered her. "I haven't gotten anything for anyone."
"Trust me, I know you'll have something perfect for him." Ninka replied. "And don't worry about me. I'll be fine when you're done with you-know-who." Now that she knew about her true feelings, the girl also knew she needed to make the tough choice and step aside for once. "Yo, Hakuta, Shiuka's got something she wants to tell you." Ninka made sure there was no escape when they got close.
"Ninka!" Shiuka got bashful as all she got from a response to her concerns was a simple wink and thumbs up. Now she was left alone with just Hakuta.
"What did you want to talk about?" He asked, oblivious to what Ninka was trying to push for. "If it's about how I got all this set up. It's no big deal." He had only just spent most of the previous night getting all the decorations up as quietly and quickly as possible. The tree was the worst part and he nearly threw out his back just trying to get it through the door. Once this party was over, Hakuta was ready to pass out on his bed.
"And I'm really thankful for it." She responded. "And that's what makes me feel so bad. It's like, all your hard work and I'm still missing something."
"I can't blame you for missing your dad." He knew instantly what she had gotten into. "To be honest, I miss mine too. So we're in the same boat." Hakuta laughed, then sighed. "But look at everyone around us. The reason I did all this was because I realized that being surrounded by all our friends. It reminded me of what you did for me."
"I didn't think I did anything special for you."
"It's because it wasn't something direct, but just by being in my life. You made it that much more special." He explained. Hakuta thought about what everyone had been telling him this whole time. This entire holiday season that all acted as if they understood his feelings better than himself. Because they were right all along. "I did get you something special too."
"You didn't have to." Despite this party raising her spirits, Shiuka still regretted her past actions. "I was a real jerk to you before, so I don't deserve it."
"Too bad because I'm still giving it to you." He pulled out the ring from his pocket.
"H-Hakuta, you might give the wrong idea doing that." She nervously laughed, eyes darting back and forth. He appeared as if he was about to propose.
"Nope, this is exactly what I wanted to do." While he didn't get down on one knee, as this wasn't a proper proposal. Hakuta did look at her square in the eye to prove his intent. "Because I'm in love with you."
"What?" She gasped. Never once in her mind did she ever think Hakuta would confess to her or anyone at all. This had to be a dream, she thought. There was no way this party and him confessing could both be occurring right this moment. "Is this really happening?"
"It is." He answered. "I just hope you feel the same way for me." His heart beat heavily as he awaited her answer.
"I…" At first, she didn't know how to reply. Truthfully, she was madly in love with him, but a part of her still held back for Ninka's sake.
"Come on, just say yes." Suddenly, Rouko spoke up as she revealed herself and Ninka to be hiding around the corner. "You totally like him."
"Y-you guys!" Her face shot red when she realized her conversation had been spied on. "B-b-but yes. Hakuta I really really like you… No, I actually really love you, okay!"
"Whoa, you really get all flustered easily." He didn't expect this from a gyaru, but this was also Shiuka they were talking about. "But… I'm so happy to hear that."
"Now you two have to kiss!" Rouko continued to encourage. "Come on look above you." She pointed to the mistletoe placed just above their heads. This was Ninka's plan after all, hence why she pushed her friend to this very spot.
"You set me up." Shiuka lamented, looking at the mistletoe then back down to him. "Um, are you okay with this, Hakuta?"
"I think I'm just more happy you love me." He had no care in the world now that he no longer felt the worry of rejection. "Here." He took her hand and put the ring on her finger. Then, without saying another word, Hakuta moved in on her face while she was still distracted by the ring to give her a tender kiss.
They locked lips for a sweet, short moment before taking a step back. "I hope I'm good enough for you."
"Hakuta, you're more than just good enough." She smile, pulling him in for a warm embrace. "Oh thank you so much. Today has been almost perfect."
"Yeah, it's a shame that I couldn't do anything to get your dad here." He commented, but then started to hear a loud yelling noise coming from outside. "Hmm? What's going on out there?" The boy peered his head to check outside the window. It seemed too dreadful out there for anyone to be outside right now.
He would quickly get his answer when saw two men falling fast with a parachute and it looked like they were going straight for the window. Quickly, he moved out of the way just in time as they crashed inside with a loud smash.
"Whoo! We made it." As it turned out, it was Toukou and Kankichi who broke through the window. Somehow despite the odds, the men were able to make it back in time for Christmas. Though there was some damages along the way.
"Papa!" Shiuka's eyes lit up when she saw her father. Recklessly not caring about the broken glass, she ran up and gave him the biggest hug of his life. "You made it back!"
"Well, you should be thanking Toukou." He responded, looking over to see Hakuta's father give his own son a nice hug. "That man really has a fire inside of him that just won't quit."
"It's really nice, isn't it?" She said, taking a peek at Hakuta who was all smiles as well despite the sight before him. "This really is the best Christmas ever."