*Ding-dong, Ding-dong!*
The doorbell rang twice, echoing through the house. Emi stood up and looked at Inzo.
"It looks like they're here."
"I'll open the door, Emi."
But before Inzo could stand up, Emi grabbed Inzo's left hand with a tight grip.
"Wait, you don't have to open the door for them. I'll do it for you, my beloved Inzo~"
Inzo sat back down, and Emi gracefully stood up, heading towards the door. When she opened it, Karina, Serena, and Miki were standing there, wearing coats with hoods and thick gloves for the cold winter weather.
"Good evening, Shinohara-san; we just made it right on time!" Karina said with a joyful smile on her lips.
"On time? You three are three hours late," Emi replied, her tone slightly scolding.
"Oh, has it really been three hours already?" Karina asked a bit sheepishly.
"Of course it has."
"My apologies, Shinohara-san," Miki said with a slight bow. "The reason we're late is that we invited three more people who will be joining us to celebrate Christmas."
"Three more?" Emi's curiosity was piqued.
I stood up and joined Emi by the door. "It's probably the student council members, Emi."
"Good evening, Inzo-kun," Serena said with a slight smile.
"Good evening to you too, Ishizawa-san," I replied with a smile.
I felt Emi's grip tighten on my hand, a clear sign of her jealousy. She was always protective, especially around other girls.
"To answer your question, Emi, I brought three special guests," Serena said.
Just then, the three new arrivals stepped into view: Luna, Kaori, and Hinori. Luna held Hinori's left hand, and Kaori held his right. Each of their other hands carried a wrapped gift.
"Hinori?" I called out, surprised.
Hinori smiled politely. "Ah, it's you, Inzo. It seems we meet again."
"Why are you three here?" Emi asked, her blue-grey eyes sharp and cautious.
"I wanted to see Inzo again," Hinori replied, his tone kind and polite.
"You don't have to see him today. It's Christmas Eve—you should be spending it with those two girls beside you."
Luna and Kaori blushed at the same time, flustered by Emi's words.
"I told Hin-kun about that," Luna said, her voice soft, "but he insisted."
"You're wea—"
Before Emi could completely say that word, she suddenly remembered that if she were in Luna's situation and if Inzo requested at her too with his cute puppy eyes and kept insisting on her, then she would've given up just like Luna did.
"Let them in, Emi," Inzo said softly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Okay, Inzo, if that's what you wish."
With that, Emi allowed them in. Karina, Serena, Miki, Luna, Kaori, and Hinori all entered Emi's house, placing their wrapped gifts below the Christmas tree in the living room.
After that, everyone made their way to the dining table, sitting down except for Emi, who began setting the table with plates and chopsticks. After everyone was settled, Emi brought out the main dish: a beautifully roasted Christmas chicken, golden and crispy. Alongside it were several side dishes—steamed vegetables, a creamy potato gratin, and a rich miso soup.
"Wow, Shinohara-san, this looks amazing!" Karina shouted, her eyes wide and gleaming brightly in excitement.
"Thank you, Nakashima-san," Emi replied, a small smile on her face as she set the last dish on the table. "I wanted tonight to be special."
"It certainly is," Miki added, adjusting her glasses as she admired the foods.
They started serving themselves, and the atmosphere was growing warmer and more relaxed as we enjoyed the delicious meal Emi had prepared.
As they ate together, Emi leaned in close and whispered to Inzo, "Remember, you're mine, so eat plenty."
"Don't worry, Emi, I will. But don't forget, everyone here is our guest, so let's make sure they enjoy themselves too."
"Haa..." Emi sighed but smiled, understanding my point. "Alright, I understand. But you're still my priority, Inzo."
Inzo couldn't help but smile back at her. "I know that, Emi; I'm yours."
"Good~" Emi said with a sweet smile as she patted Inzo's head gently. "You should always carve it in your mind forever, Inzo."
Before Inzo could reply, he saw something in front of him. It was Luna and Kaori, both glancing at Hinori. Their stare at Hinori was filled with possessiveness.
"Hinori~," Luna said sweetly, holding up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks. "Say ahh~"
Hinori smiled, leaning slightly towards Luna to accept the bite, but before he could, Kaori quickly leaned in from the other side.
"Wait, Hinori! Try mine first," Kaori said, with a piece of the chicken in her chopstick. She gave him a look that was hard to resist; her blue eyes were sparkling with determination.
Hinori looked between the two girls, clearly caught in the middle of their playful rivalry. "Uh, I don't know who to choose."
"Come on, Hinori," Luna said with a slight pout from her cheek as she continued. "You know mine is your favorite," she insisted, winking at him.
"Don't listen to her, Hinori-kun. I know you want to taste my chicken first~" Kaori said with a playful look on her lips.
As Hinori awkwardly tried to decide, Karina watched them with a playful smile, like Karina did. She then turned her attention to Inzo, who clearly had a plan in her mind.
"Inzo~" Karina called out with a teasing voice, holding up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks. "Why don't you try this? Say ahh for me~"
Inzo blinked, a little surprised by her sudden action. Before he could respond, Emi's grip on his hand tightened, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Karina.
"Karina," Emi said in a sharp and cold tone that seemed to be a deadly warning, "Inzo is perfectly capable of eating food for himself."
"Oh, but it's fun to feed someone who is my friend," Karina teased, giving Inzo a wink as she held the chopsticks closer to my mouth. "Come on, Inzo, just one bite~"
Inzo hesitated, caught between Karina's teasing and Emi's intense gaze at him. "Umm…"
Emi's expression darkened, and she held his left hand more tightly. "Inzo, you're not seriously thinking of taking that bite, are you?"
"N-no, of course not, Emi," Inzo replied with a quick shake of his head.
Meanwhile, Miki and Serena, who sat beside each other, are now watching a romance comedy drama that is in front of them.
Miki adjusted her glasses with a slight smirk on her lips. "They're really pretty similar, aren't they?
"Yeah, they are. It's like watching two parallel love triangles," Serena said with a joyful smile.
Miki looked at her, noticing her joyful smile. "By the way, Pres, it's the first time I've seen you smile like that."
"What?" Serena blinked as she realized that it was her first time being herself. "Oh, don't get me wrong, I was just happy for them."
"It's nice to see this side of you, Serena. You're usually so calm and serious all of the time," Miki said with a genuine smile.
Serena blushed slightly at her genuine smile, looking away to hide her embarrassment. "Shut up. We have a lot of work to do after Christmas and the New Year."
"I understand, Pres."
Serena glanced back at her and then replied, "Good. Now, let's finish our meal."
"Yes, pres."
They go back to finish their meal, as they just ignored the playful noises and rivalry.
————
I had been student council president at Hanayami Academy since I was in my second year. Going back to that time, I was always strict and cold towards students, yet I always showed my true feelings to one person, and that was the student council vice president at Hanayami Academy, Miki Tachibana.
"Miki, what is this chair? It's so tall my feet won't reach the floor!" I complained, trying to adjust myself in the ergonomic chair.
"Hahaha!" Miki laughed.
"Why are you laughing at me?"
"I thought you'd have grown taller enough to reach the floor."
"Are you calling me short?!"
"Not at all, pres," Miki replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying my reaction.
"Shut up, Miki! Just because you're a few inches taller doesn't mean you get to tease me!"
"Relax, Pres.; I'm just messing with you. Besides, it's kind of nice seeing you being yourself."
"You're so annoying," I muttered, crossing my arms.
Miki and I had always had a close relationship—closer than anyone else in the student council—because we are classmates in middle school, and when we met together in our second year, she was my first friend. We ran together for the president and vice president of the student council.
We balanced each other out: I was the strict and cold leader, while she was the calm, collected advisor who was on my side. Despite that, when we were alone, she kept teasing me, but she was the only person I trusted more than anyone else.
"Miki, have you heard about the new student in the music club? He's been getting a lot of attention lately."
"Oh?" Miki raised her eyebrow as she continued. "You mean Inzo Hayashi, right?"
"Yeah, that's him." I nodded. "He's a singer. I've seen a few of his performances, and he's so good," I said as a blush appeared on my cheeks.
"Well, well, what a view blushing in the midst of work, aren't you, Pres?"
"No way! I wasn't blushing; I was just having a slight fever!"
"Slight fever, huh? Then let me touch your forehead," she said as she leaned towards me and touched my forehead with her warm right hand.
"It's cold," she said as she let go of her right hand that touched my forehead. "You're not in a fever, so you're blushing because of him."
"No, that's wrong!" I looked away while crossing my arms. "It's just that my fever is upcoming, so it's not heating up in my forehead."
"You're lying."
"No, I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not!!!"
"Ha..." Miki sighed as she continued. "Well, if you say so, but it's better to talk with him, you know?"
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because... because I..."
*PIN PON! PIN PON! PIN PON!*
"Ah, it's time to go back to the classroom."
"Yeah, let's go now, Miki."
"Yes, pres!"
We then left the student council room, heading back to our classroom.
A year had passed, and we finished our second year of high school. As a few months passed, the new school year started, as we are now third-year high school students, considering we are now seniors and graduating students to go to university.
So when the time of the election began, it wasn't a question of who would win as president and vice president of the student council club; it was none other than me and Miki again.
A few months had passed, and it was the academy music contest when a tragic accident happened.
The only man I admired in Hanayami Academy, Inzo Hayashi, lost his singing voice in the middle of his performance.
In my very own eyes, I saw blood dripping down his mouth after he tried his best to talk to judges. First, there was a shock from the audience, followed by laughter mocking him.
Yet I remained seated beside Miki. I couldn't stand up and protect him from those people. Why were my feet listening? Yet my heart is crushing me to save him from those people.
Was it because of my pride in being the student council president of Hanayami Academy?
But my feelings for Inzo... I need to stand up and protect him! Stand up, stand up!
Despite all of my desperation to move my feet, it wouldn't listen to me. Then a voice beside me interrupted me.
"What are you doing, Pres?"
"Uh, I was just trying to..."
Miki then held my left hand gently. "It's okay, Pres. I know what you are trying to do, but right now your reputation is more important than protecting Inzo."
She was right, I would be affected if I tried to help him, but seeing him looking down to the floor in dismay at himself hurts my heart.
Suddenly, two teachers helped him leave the auditorium, and he was rushed to the hospital.
Starting that day, that was the last time I showed my emotions to Miki.
I started to blame myself day by day and week by week. My heart became cold, and I didn't talk joyfully as much as I did with Miki before.
I was focused on my work as student council president; surely Miki noticed it, but she didn't point it out as she knew it wasn't her fault in the first place.
She waited and waited to return the Serena Ishizawa she knew.
From those weeks, I also knew that a girl also visited Inzo, which made me feel glad that he didn't feel alone in his recovery. I was also asked by Miki one day when we were in my room.
"You won't visit Inzo, Pres?"
"I won't; he's okay; that's all it needs." I said coldly in my tone, then went to my papers and reviewed them.
It was like I wanted to visit him and asked if he was okay but I had no face to show for him. That's why I don't deserve to show up to him, as I am just the same as the audience in the auditorium.
"What were you thinking, pres?" Miki asked, waking me up, who was eating while thinking back on what happened before.
"No, it's nothing; I'm just thinking about what events we will do after the new year."
"You're always as advanced as ever, Pres," Miki said as she tapped her glasses, which glinted with light.
"I'm a student council president for a reason," I said coldly with a slight smile.
"Events? What events are you planning?" Emi asked.
I looked at them from that time, and I was just thinking about what happened before their playful rivalry ended.
"I'm still thinking, though, that it would be nice if there was a rematch between you, Inzo, and Luna."
"No, I'm not allowing it to happen again!" Emi shouted as she protectively hugged Inzo tightly, not letting him go.
"Emi, I can do it," Inzo said as he tried to push Emi away gently, yet Emi insisted on her tight hug around him.
"I can't lose you, Inzo!"
"I know you're worried about me, Emi, but I—"
"Don't worry, Shinohara-san, I don't plan to challenge another piano battle with Inzo again."
"Wha-what do you mean, Luna?" Inzo asked as his eyes widened in shock.
"There's no need to be so shocked. I have an upcoming academic quiz contest to prepare for, so I don't have time for a simple match like this," Luna said with a cold tone in her voice.
"Speaking about the academic quiz contest, you do have final representatives, right, Luna?" I asked.
"Yes, I do have five members based on the rules given by the admins."
"Oh, care to share it with us?"
"Sure," Luna replied. "First, it's me, Kaori, Nocturne, Hinori, and Amélie."
"Nocturne?" Emi asked in curiosity.
Everyone knew about the mysterious guy, Nocturne. But more importantly, how could this contest administrators allow a participant who had no record or files enrolled at Ouran Academy?
"While I was in the Philippines, Nocturne was quite popular," Karina explained. "We always watched the scrimmage match quiz battles between Ouran Academy and other academies."
"Hinori is still the best! "Kaori shouted playfully, wrapping her arms around Hinori in a tight hug.
"W-wait, Kaori, I can't breathe."
"No way, no way! I won't let you go, Hinori!" Kaori shouted, hugging him even tighter.
Seeing this scene, I could only imagine a
predator wanting to consume her prey, but the other predator seems like she won't let it happen.
"I'll help you out, Hinori," Luna said as she tried to pull her back to break the tight hug. "Let him go, Kaori. Hinori is mine!"
"Nope, I won't," Kaori replied stubbornly, holding onto Hinori even tighter.
Before things could get messier, I decided to intervene. "Ehem..." I cleared my throat, drawing their attention to me. "We should wrap up dinner and head to the other activities, right? Emi, you prepared some activities, didn't you?"
Emi nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced at the scene unfolding before her. "Yes, I did prepare some activities." She then turned her gaze to Inzo, her voice softening but with a hint of mischief. "Very fun activities~"
Inzo blushed from that, while Kaori let go of Hinori.
"Haa..." Hinori sighed in relief. I thought that would be the end of my life."
"Are you okay, Hinori?" Luna asked worriedly, her hands gently touching his shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm fine now," Hinori replied with a weak smile. "Thanks for trying to save me earlier, Luna."
Kaori pouted playfully. "You're no fun, Luna! I was just showing him some love."
"Love Or suffocation?" Luna replied with her cold and deadly tone.
Before things could escalate again, I stepped in. "Alright, alright, let's stand up, guys, and head to the living room, where we will play there."
Miki smiled at me, clearly appreciating my attempt to keep things under control. "Exactly. Just as Pres says, let's finish up and get to the fun part of the evening."
"Okay!" Inzo, Hinori, Kaori, and Karina said in unison.
"...." Emi and Luna were quiet and didn't say anything as they stood up.
The tension is gone as we head together to the living room to enjoy the rest of the evening while we wait for Christmas to start at midnight.
————
2 hours and 30 minutes had passed. We spent all of that time playing board games like chess and shogi, and we also played card games to kill time.
Before Emi and Luna could play chess, we were interrupted when Serena spoke up.
"It's already 11:30 pm, guys. We should get a piece of paper and write our name on it and put it into a box." Serena points the box in the center table.
"Do we have a piece of paper?" Karina asked, glancing around the room.
"I do have some, but I'll have to get them from my room," Emi replied.
"Don't take too long, Shinohara-san. We wouldn't want you to keep us waiting."
Emi didn't reply to that and she looked at me as she spoke. "Do you want to come with me, my beloved Inzo?"
"Sure, we can," I replied, and we both stood up together.
"Just so you know, we're all here in the living room so we can hear some of your noises in your room~" Karina said with her tone filled with playfulness and a smirk.
I blushed while Emi blushed and replied, "Of course we won't unless Inzo asks for it."
"Ehh, um, I won't! I won't! You can trust me, Karina."
"Yes, I do."
After Karina had said that, Emi completely misunderstood that as she forcefully dragged my hand away.
"E-emi?"
"Let's go now, Inzo," she said with a tone filled with cold
We both left the living room and headed up the stairs and went into her room. As we arrived in her room, she pushed me down to the floor while she closed the door and locked it. She then faced me, and her face darkened with her fists clenching, indicating that she was angry at me.
"Emi..."
She then approached me and grabbed my right hand, forcefully making me stand up and grabbing me, then putting me against the wall beside the door.
*THUD!*
As she leaned closer at me, her face was clear, and her blue-gray eyes were full of anger while holding my right hand tightly at the top, not letting me go.
"You know that you're mine, right?"
"Yes, I know that, Emi."
"The one who could say 'yes, I do' is me!"
"Oh I see where's this going, were you perhaps jealous earlier when Karina said the words 'yes, I do'?"
"Yes, I am, Inzo! It's only for a bride response, and she used it!"
"But Emi, you can use those words anytime, not just for a bride's response at a wedding."
"Still, she said it intentionally at you while I'm with you." She said, then she tightened the grip around my right hand. Her blue-gray eyes were piercing as ever and intense. "You're my territory; it's a no-no when she tries to steal what's mine."
It's futile to argue with her; the only thing that can solve this problem is.
*MWAH!*
It was a sudden kiss I did with Emi, which clearly widened her eyes in shock, and the kiss remained for a minute from her hand that held my right hand. It became softened as she let it go. There was no doubt that an emerging eruption volcano earlier was subdued now by an ice that made the volcano melt.
The kiss remained for two minutes, and we simultaneously pulled away our lips.
"Wha-what did you just do?" She paused for a moment, and then a blush suddenly appeared from her cheeks as she continued. "Inzo?"
"I was just trying to assure you."
Her angry expression from earlier disappeared and was replaced by this Emi Shinohara, who is now vulnerable after just a sudden kiss I gave her earlier.
"You should've told me earlier if you wanted to do that with me."
"So you hate surprises, huh?"
"It's not like I hate it or what," she said as she blushed and pointed her two fingers together repeatedly.
"Haa..." I sighed and continued. "Alright, let's get your paper and go back to the living room."
We made our way to her desk in the corner of the room, where Emi pulled out a small stack of 1/4 paper sheets from the drawer. She handed me a few sheets and smiled shyly.
"I guess these will do. Let's go back before they start wondering where we are," she said.
"Yeah, let's not keep them waiting."
We left her room and headed down the stairs. We arrived at the living room, where we saw Hinori, Luna, Kaori, Miki, and Serena sitting just there, sitting on the sofa. They seemed to be waiting for us.
"That took 6 minutes," Karina said with a smirk as she continued. "Unfortunately, we didn't hear anything down here. Tell me, is there sound proof in Emi's room?"
"Of course not!" I said as I blushed from it. "There's nothing that happened between us."
Emi then approached Serena and gave her a piece of 1/4 paper.
"Here."
Then she also gave it to me one by one until it was my turn.
"Here, Inzo."
"Thanks, Emi."
Emi and I sat down where Serena had only a ballpoint pen, so it was one by one to put their names in until it was my turn, and I gave the pen to Emi, where she wrote her name on her 1/4 paper.
Serena stood up and grabbed the box on the center table, where she looked at us now as she carried it.
"Put your paper here in the box, everyone."
She then started with Miki, Luna, Kaori, Hinori, Karina, me, and Emi. After all of that was in the box, she began to shake it repeatedly for 10 seconds, and after that, she approached me.
"Pick from the box, Inzo."
"Okay, Ishizawa-san."
As my fingers were there, I touched some papers that I could feel until I picked them randomly and pulled them out, and I saw the name of who's it.
"Don't show it to everyone or tell anyone who you got it; that applies to everyone too when you pick a paper from the box."
Emi leaned closer towards me and whispered in my right ear.
"Tell me who you pick, my beloved inzo~"
"It's a secret."
"Come on, it's not fun. I'm your girlfriend, you know~?"
"I know, but a secret is a secret."
"Tell me, or I will bite your ear."
"Bite it, I will still not tell you."
She then pulled away and pouted as she looked away.
"Hmph!" She huffed and continued. "Inzo is a disobedient boyfriend."
"Hahaha!" Serena laughed and continued. "Of course he won't tell it; the fun would die if he did that."
"Tell me, Inzo, I'm your friend, right?" Karina said as she whispered it in my left ear.
"No, I won't."
"Pleeease~?"
"Nope."
Before Karina could insist on replying, she was interrupted by Serena.
"It's your turn, Nakashima-san."
Karina then pulled away from me while pouting. "Hmph! I want to know what Inzo has picked."
Then, I heard a satisfied smirk coming from my right side, it was Emi. She was happy that I didn't tell Karina who I picked.
While Karina put her right hand in the box and then she pulled it out, a piece of paper she had now in her hand. She looked at it, and from her expression, she seemed not to be happy.
The one-by-one picking continues until everyone finishes. Each of us now has a piece of paper with the name.
"We'll be exchanging gifts tonight," Emi announced. "When the clock strikes 12 a.m., we'll go in order based on where you're seated on the two sofas. The person seated on the first sofa will go to the Christmas tree first, pick up a gift, and give it to the person whose name they drew earlier."
"And what's the order of seating?" Luna asked, still holding onto Hinori's right shoulder as if she didn't want to let him go.
The same as Kaori, she's now holding Hinori's left shoulder. With those actions, Emi copied their move and held my right hand, and Karina held my left shoulder.
"Wait, Karina and Emi."
"Hmm?" they asked in unison.
"You don't have to miss me; we are not far away to be missed."
"Hmm, even though you're my friend, Inzo, I don't want to be far away with you," Karina said as she held my left shoulder tighter.
"I'm your girlfriend, Inzo, so you should only stay beside me," Emi said as she held my right shoulder in a in a tighter grip.
It hurts, but it seems like I'm used to this. I wonder if he's okay too.
As I looked at him, he seemed to be caught up in a problem too.
"Hinori," Luna and Kaori said in unison, their eyes filled with possessiveness as they held his shoulders tighter.
"Calm down, you two were not going to be far away; it's just an inch apart."
"Hm, even so, being far from Hinori is torture," Kaori said.
"Kaori's right, I need you, Hinori," Luna said.
We really are in the same situation; it must have been tough for him.
"Now I'll announce the order of the seating arrangement on the two sofas."
Luna, Kaori, Emi, and Karina looked at Serena with their intense and angry stares; it was a warning like "Try to mess anything up or you'll find yourself in the river." They are really scary. Women are scary.
"Inzo will be sitting on the first sofa with Hinori, me, and Miki."
"Wha-whaaatt?!!" It was a loud shout in disbelief at Emi, Kaori, Luna, and Kaori.
"Yes, you heard that right, so the rest who weren't called will be the ones sitting on the second sofa."
"Inzo..." Emi and Karina said it in unison; their eyes were pleading with puppy eyes.
"Hinori..." Kaori and Luna said it unison; their eyes were the same as Kaori and Emi, who were like puppy eyes, pleading to stay with them.
"We would not be far away; you don't have to be worried, you two," Hinori said with a kind smile to Luna and Kaori.
He stole my line. I was supposed to say that now that I'm having trouble handling these two, what should I say to them? I
"Umm..." I thought before I speak again. "It's to have new friends, so you two don't have to be upset about it; maybe you'll be friends with the other girls."
"Hmm. But we don't need them, Inzo."
"I don't care about other girls, Hinori," Luna said, her tone filled with cold, and her puppy eyes earlier were now replaced with possessiveness and intensity.
"Me too; I don't need them," Kaori said.
"I'm alright making friends with others, inzo, but I want to spend time with you more as a friend~" Karina said with a playful tone.
"Please?" I pleaded with them.
"Pretty please, Kaori and Luna. Just this time, I also want to talk more with Inzo-kun." Hinori pleaded with the two.
"Fine, I trust you, Hinori." Luna and Emi slowly let go of Hinori's shoulder.
"Alright, I trust you, Inzo," Karina said, though her tone was more playful.
Emi, however, had a different response. "Alright, I trust you, my beloved Inzo," she said with a soft, possessive tone.
Emi and Karina let go of my shoulder, and then I stood up from the sofa. At the same time, Luna and Kaori stood up together and walked towards the second sofa, where I also made my way to the second sofa and sat there.
"You know, Inzo-kun you and I are so similar in anyway." Hinori said with a smile.
"Yeah, we are Hinori."
"But having their support for you is also nice."
"You have a point, but it's kind of overwhelming sometimes, right?"
"It is, but they care for us more than others do."
"True, but I have to ask something, Hinori."
"What is it?"
I leaned in and whispered in his left ear. "Do you have a choice? Who do you want between the two?"
Hinori blushed from his cheeks, and I felt a deadly stare clearly coming from Luna and Kaori; these two clearly misunderstand Hinori's blush.
"I... I found myself undecided."
I pulled away from his left ear and replied, "That's difficult compared to mine, which I already have chosen."
"Haa...," he sighed and continued. "Lucky to be you, Inzo-kun."
"So what have you two talked about?" Serena asked as she looked at us.
"Um, nothing important, really," I said.
"Okay," she said as she sat down on the sofa, and Miki also sat on the sofa beside her.
"We have to wait until it's 11:55 p.m., guys, before we can start the exchange of gifts." Serena added.
"Okay!" All of us said in unison except for Serena.
We waited there until the clock had reached 11:55 p.m., and we both prepared ourselves as Serena spoke again confidently.
"Hinori, it's your turn to go to the Christmas tree and pick up your gift, then give it to the one you had picked on the paper earlier."
"Okay!" He said as he stood up from the sofa.
"Goodluck Hinori."
"I'll make it quick, so it'll be your turn, hehe."
"Oh man, I'm not yet prepared to give it to someone."
"You better do," he said as he walked away, went to the Christmas tree, grabbed his gift box, approached our sofa, and gave it to Miki.
"Here's my gift, Tachibana-san. I hope you enjoy it!" He said with a kind smile.
*GLAAAAREEEE*
It was terrifying glare from Luna and Kaori; both of them were clearly upset and jealous.
"Thank you," Miki said calmly as she unwrapped the gift box, only revealing it was a small and cute teddy bear, which she squeezed and hugged with a slight smile.
"This is a nice gift; thank you, Hinori-kun."
*GLAAAAAREEEEEE*
This time, it became more intense with Luna and Kaori.
"Well, ahem, ahem." Serena cleared her throat and continued. "Your turn, Inzo."
"Okay!" I said as I stood up and then walked away, going to the Christmas tree.
"Good luck, Inzo!" He waved his hands.
"Yeah, I know!" I said, waving back my hands at him.
I picked up my brown gift box and carried it while walking to the person I would give it to, and I went to the second sofa, where I gave it to Kaori.
"Here's my gift."
"Thanks, I appreciate it," she said with a smile.
Then I went back to the sofa and sat beside Hinori.
"I have to apologize for doing that, Hinori."
"No, it's fine. I'm not jealous at all. I'm not their boyfriend after all."
She unwrapped the gift box, revealing it was a book about physics.
"Thank you, Inzo."
"You're welcome, Kaori."
It turned out to be a smooth conversation, and gladly, Emi and Karina aren't mad about it. Maybe it's because they know that Luna and Kaori like Hinori, so they will not be jealous.
The exchanging of gifts continued until it ended. I received a panda toy from Kaori, and it was so adorable that I still hold it.
"Hinori, do you want the gift that was sent from Kaori?"
"No, I'm good, Inzo-kun."
"But I think her gift is meant to be yours."
"Just take care of it, Inzo-kun."
"Okay, I will."
"Did everyone like the gifts they received?"
"Yes!" Everyone said in unison.
"It's 12 a.m.; we should dance together. I'll play some music on my phone."
"Sounds good, Shinohara-san. Make sure it's a Christmas song."
"Yes, it will be."
"Now then, everyone, let's dance together. Choose your partner."
Everyone stood up. I walked toward Emi and extended my right hand in invitation.
"Let's dance, Emi."
"Yes, Inzo!" she said with a kind smile. She picked up a song from her phone, started playing it, and then put her phone back into her pocket.
The song was about Christmas. She took my right hand, and we held hands as we danced slowly, feeling the music. Our feet moved in sync: 1, 2, 1, 2. On the other side, Luna and Hinori were dancing together, while Karina and Kaori sat together, and Serena and Miki watched us.
"Where are you staring, my beloved Inzo?"
"Ah, my bad. I'm sorry, Emi."
"It's okay. It's our moment, so make it a priority next time, my beloved Inzo."
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind."
As we danced, Miki and Serena joined us, holding hands and starting to dance. Kaori and Karina watched us, waiting for their turn. It looked like I'd be dancing with Karina after Emi. What a joyful Christmas!
————
On the rooftop of the hospital, a man in his mid-twenties, wearing a lab coat, stood looking at the snow falling to the road as cars moved below.
"They should be back with their families," he muttered.
*CREAK!*
The door opened with a sound as a woman with short black hair and black eyes, also in her mid-twenties and wearing a lab coat, entered.
"Staring nonchalantly, are you, Matsuura-san?"
"Tsushina-san, was it?"
"Yes, that's me."
"How's the patient you handled earlier?" he asked while still looking down.
"My patient had an attack; his blood pressure increased," she said, closing the door behind her.
"Ha..." He sighed and continued, "Patients these days don't know how to limit what they eat, just because it's Christmas.
"Yes, you're right, Matsuura-san. But we are doctors; it's our duty to save their lives."
"You should've taken a break and spent Christmas with your family."
"I don't need it, Matsuura-san. My parents aren't alive."
"Oh, I see. Apologies if I hurt you."
"No, it's okay, Matsuura-san. How about you? You have your girlfriend waiting for you."
"I'm busy. She knows that the life of a doctor is hectic. You can be called in if one of your parents gets admitted, and you don't have a choice but to attend and check on the patient."
"I see. By the way, Matsuura-san, I have a question for you."
"Hmm?" he said, turning around to look at her. "What is it?"
"Do you have any regrets while handling one of your patients?"
"I do."
"What is it, Matsuura-san?"
"To lie."
"Wha-what do you mean, Matsuura-san?!"
He looked away and let out a deep sigh. "Haa..." and continued, "I couldn't tell him the truth."
"The truth about what?"
"The truth is that my patient didn't lose his singing voice."
Afterword:
Volume 1 has come to an end. It's been a tough journey for me, ups and downs. First, I want to thank my readers on ScribbleHub who still read my English light novel. It warms my heart to keep continuing the series. Secondly, I want to thank myself for being able to finish Volume 1. And lastly, to the readers on TikTok, I thank you for supporting me on my journey in this series. I've been emotional, haha, lol. It's still the beginning, so I'll have to revise chapters 1–14, just make minor changes if needed, and then I'll make two side stories (the two side stories would be published physically as a book, though there's no further announcement about the release date).
I'll also post a few scenes (not full) of my two side stories on TikTok, so stay tuned for that. I look forward to seeing you all in volume 2!
Tiktok username: @Mourndale
Discord server for this series: https://discord.com/invite/wbbHz6WV