A few weeks had passed since you last met Tsubasa. You have been busy tidying up everything for your students before the winter break. 

As you were walking to your car, you received a notification that you had been added to a group chat created by Shinichi. 

It's Party Time! 

Shinichi 🖋 had added Tsubasa 🖤 to the group. 

Shinichi 🖋 had added you to the group. 

Shinichi 🖋 had added Haruka 🎨 to the group. 

Shinichi 🖋 had added Taro 🍑 to the group. 

Shinichi 🖋 had added Tsuyoshi 💼 to the group

Shinichi 🖋

Hey everyone, I booked us a table near the usual Yakiniku place tomorrow night. You better all come! 

Tsuyoshi 💼

Ya! How come you're doing things last minute again? Should I bring Miho-chan? Or is it only our group group?

Shinichi 🖋

IT WAS A SURPRISE FOR A REASON. Of course, I already counted your Miho-chan. 

Haruka 🎨

What time should we be there? 

Shinichi 🖋

6. 

You

What is the occasion? 

Shinichi 🖋

Look at the calendar, Y/N. I'm surprised you forgot about it.

You checked the calendar and noticed tomorrow was Dec 24th. Oh, a Christmas party. Silly me.  You giggled to yourself. It was an annual tradition that you guys celebrate Christmas together. It had been since high school. 

But then it hit you. Tsubasa would probably be there as well. Shinichi, you little devil. You cursed in your head. 

You private message Shinichi. 

You

What are you planning?

Shinichi 🖋

Nothing. I know what you're thinking...but it's not like that. I just wanted all of us to enjoy a dinner together. Remember our tradition?

You

I know it's our annual dinner tradition. But you are really not planning anything?

Shinichi 🖋

No. I don't want to end up on Haruka's chopping board. 

You burst out laughing. You know that both Shinichi and Taro secretly care for Haruka. But right now, Haruka is oblivious to both of their affection. She is too focused on her mangas right now to even notice. 

You

Okay then.

Back in the group chat, Taro and Tsubasa finally responded. 

Taro 🍑

Alright, I'll be there. 

Tsubasa 🖤

Anyone needs a ride? 

Haruka 🎨

I'm good. Me and Y/N will go there together. 

Tsuyoshi 💼

I'm good as well. I'll pick up Miho-chan from her shop and go there together. 

Taro 🍑

I'll be fine. Thanks for the offer, though. 

Shinichi 🖋

Looks like I'm the only one. Tsubasa, pick me up at my place tomorrow, please. Domo arigato. :P

You closed your phone and started the engine. Oh well. It is what it is. You stated in your mind. But in truth, you are still hesitant to meet him. The conversation last time was short, but it left quite an impact on you. As it caused you to question whether or not those lingering feelings had completely disappeared as you wanted 

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The next afternoon, you were getting ready to pick up Haruka. You ring her phone as you arrive at her apartment. 

"Moshi Moshi." Haruka answered. 

"Your express chaperone is here, Haruka-sensei. When are you coming down?" you teased. 

"I'll be down in 5', my dearest chaperone. Please wait for me!" she teased in a dramatic voice. You both burst out laughing. 

"I'm just kidding, Haruka-chan. Take your time and dress up pretty." you laughed and hung up. 

Five minutes later, as Haruka stated, she came down with a beige collar-up sweatshirt with a red & black winter coat. She was also wearing a black skinny legging with a red & black skirt matching her coat. She was holding two bags of x-mas gifts. 

You quickly opened the trunk and helped her. Placing her two bags next to yours. 

"Oooh lalala....which fashion show are you attending after, Haruka-sensei?" you gushed over her outfit. 

Haruka laughed it off, "Talk about yourself. Are you going on a date after our party?" She teased. 

You just smiled. You were wearing a long-sleeve white knitted dress with black leggings and a red outer coat, just like Haruka. 

"Well, hop on if you don't want to be late!" you reminded her.  

"Roger that!" 

As you drove to the restaurant, Haruka and you were chit chatting. 

"What did you get me this year?" you asked her. 

"Aint' telling. You'll know later." Haruka mischievously stated. 

You gave her a cute pout. "Fine." Haruka just laughed it off. 

Then, the conversation you anticipated would come up arrived. 

"Are you sure about tonight?" Haruka asked. She knew you too well at this point. 

You just let out a heavy sigh. "I hope so. I don't think it will be much of an issue since everyone will be there."

Haruka placed her hand on your shoulder as a sort of comfort. "I'll be there. We can leave early if you need to." 

You send a grateful smile. "Arigato." Haruka smiled back. 

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

At The Party...

You all arrived and placed your gift on a long table at the corner of the room. 

"1...2...3! MERRY CHRISTMASSSSSSS!!!!" everyone cheered. 

"let's dig in!" Shinichi stated. 

You guys began digging in the food and gushed over its deliciousness. 

"It's so gooood" you and Haruka both exclaimed simultaneously and then giggled. 

"Not bad...I'll give it a 65 out of 100." Taro just nodded as he ate. Haruka couldn't help but clench her fist. 

"Something never changed," Tsuyoshi commented, feeding Miho a spoon. 

"Yah, Yah." Shinichi agreed. 

As you continue eating, you can feel Tsubsa's eyes on you. You tried to glance up, but it failed as you met his eyes. 

"Merry Christmas, Y/N." he just awkwardly stated. You awkwardly smiled back. 

"Merry Christmas to you too, Tsu-basa." you wanted to face-palm yourself for almost calling him "Tsu-kun"  like old times. 

Everyone was too busy enjoying the food to notice the tense atmosphere between you and Tsubasa. 

"How are your students doing?" Tsubasa attempted to start a conversation as he learned from Shinichi that you're currently a teacher. 

"Oh, they are doing well. They're enjoying the holiday, I believe," you replied. Tsubasa nodded. 

"That's good..." 

Before the conservation could get anymore awkward, Haruka jumped in and helped. 

"Should we start with the present time?" she asked. 

Shinichi understood her signals and quickly announced. "Let's go then! Whose presents should we unwrapped first?" 

"Ooooh...Haruka-sensei, of course!" you raised up your hand excitedly and teased Haruka.

"Yahh...no, do Y/N! She is the best at giving presents!" Haruka stated back. 

"Miho-chan did a wonderful job in wrapping our presents, too!" Tsuyoshi boasted. 

"Yah, Tsuyoshi-kun, you don't have to boast about that." Miho embarrassedly made her husband sit down. Everyone just burst out laughing.

During the present unwrapping session, everyone was gushing over each other gift. Haruka, staying true to her manga spirit, gave everyone a small collage of photo of themselves that she drew with her signature on it. 

Shinichi gave everyone a small scroll over haiku(s). 

Taro gave everyone a snow globe. 

Tsuyoshi and Miho bought everyone's perfumes. 

Tsubasa seems to have bought everyone their own signature scarf. But when it came to yours, you noticed an extra small box under the scarf. 

Curiosity got to you, and you opened the box. It was a beautiful pair of earrings and a white snowflake necklace. You couldn't help but be aw at the gift. 

"Arigato." you turned to him and gave him a small appreciative smile. He smiled back, stopping himself from jumping from his chair because he was glad you liked the gift. 

As for your gift, you prepared:

a new manga toolsets for Haruka 

a scroll and new ink set for Shinichi

a pair of swan champagne couple glasses for Tsuyoshi and Miho. 

a recipe of different onigiri(s) for Taro

a black leather coat for Tsubasa.

"Arigato, Y/N!!!!! You're the best!!!!!" Shinichi jumped up excitedly as he saw his gift. 

"Told ya, Y/N-chan gives the best giftsss!" Haruka beamed, hugging her new manga toolset. 

"Arigato, Y/N-chan." Miho smiled at you as she and Tsuyoshi gushed over the champagne glass. 

"Arigato," Taro stated, couldn't help but feel nostalgic as he remembered how he used to make onigiri for his adopted father. 

Tsubasa also turned to you and said his thanks. "It fitted me well. Thank you." He had tried it on immediately when he opened it. Hence, it gave you a sense of comfort and happiness that he liked the gift. 

"Anytime!" you just smiled back. 

It was Christmas, after all. You tried to ignore any other doubts or negativity to enjoy the party. 

"Everyone, it's picture time, let's go!" Shinichi stated, setting up the camera. 

You guys gathered up. You can feel Tsubasa standing right behind you. Taro is behind Haruka, Tsuyoshi, and Miho on the side together, beside you and Tsubasa. Shinichi timed the camera and headed in, standing next to you, Haruka, and Taro. 

"Everyone, say Merry Christmas!"

"MERRY CHRISTMASSSSSSSSSSS!"

Sorry for the long hiatus, my readers! 

Here's a Christmas-based chapter for the book! I hope you all enjoyed it! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!! HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!! 🎄 🎁

Thank you for all your love and support throughout the year! I know I haven't been the most active. I do apologize for that. I am still trying to balance out my schedule right now. Adulting is not fun. I'll try my best to get back to all of the books soon. Thank you for your patience! 

Til' next time, 

Adieu~~~