In a cozy corner of the room, Ayano diligently pasted colorful stars onto a card, her tongue peeking out in concentration. Each star found its place with precision, her nimble fingers deftly positioning one right in the center. Stepping back to admire her handiwork, her eyes sparkled with pride, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips as she surveyed the bustling long narrow table. Nearby, a boy with a smooth fade haircut wove through the supplies station, his movements careful amid the clutter of craft materials.
Setting her card aside, Ayano glanced to her right, where a few teachers were helping girls on the vibrant ABC choo-choo train carpet, the colors brightening the room like cheerful confetti.
Her gaze shifted around the room, landing on Araon, who was struggling with his plain brown paper bag. He marked out words for his Christmas gift, the pencil scraping slowly against the textured surface. Laughter and the cheerful jingling of Christmas music filled the air, creating a festive backdrop to their crafting.
Just then, a girl bumped into Araon while reaching for colored pencils, their arms tangling momentarily. They both grunted, staring at each other in surprise. Ayano noticed how the girl quickly pulled away, her materials clutched tightly. "Sorry, my bad," the girl said softly, flashing a smile that made Araon shyly glance at her vibrant Christmas hat and long-sleeved purple outfit.
"Sure, not a problem," Araon replied, nodding as he continued to color in the words he had written. The cheerful sounds of "Jingle Bells" from the smart board added to the joyful atmosphere, but Ayano noticed a shadow of distress cross his face.
A frown creased Ayano's brow. Her heart raced at the sight of his discomfort, a familiar tug of possessiveness stirring within her. **He shouldn't feel alone.**
With a warm smile, she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and stood up, her movements graceful yet purposeful. As she approached him, the colorful decorations around her seemed to brighten against the backdrop of Araon's plain bag.
"Hey, Araon," she said softly, her voice like a gentle breeze wrapping around him like a comforting hug. "That lunch bag looks a bit plain. Want some help making it special?" She leaned in slightly, her eyes wide and inviting, radiating warmth.
She noticed his hesitation, fingers fumbling with the wrinkled paper. "I can help you decorate it!" she continued, her tone encouraging. "It'll be fun! We can use some stars and ribbons like I did for mine. You can make it unique!" As she spoke, she gestured toward the supply table, her fingers lightly brushing against his arm, a subtle gesture meant to convey her support.
Araon blinked, his mouth slightly agape. Ayano's smile widened, watching his expression shift from uncertainty to curiosity. "Trust me, it'll look amazing once we're done," she added, her voice softening as she stepped closer, her presence warm and reassuring. She felt her excitement bubbling beneath the surface, a strong desire to draw him into her world, to create something beautiful together.
"Oh, ehehe, sure thing! Thanks!" Araon agreed, and Ayano's heart swelled with joy and determination. She guided him to the table, their fingers brushing together as they gathered supplies. "See? We can make it sparkle just like my card!" she said, her enthusiasm infectious. The air was filled with the sweet scent of glue and paper, a perfect backdrop for their budding collaboration.
With each star they placed on the bag, Ayano felt a sense of fulfillment. This was just the beginning, and she was determined to ensure Araon knew he wasn't alone in this vibrant world of creativity.