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Kanade paces around her living room, eyes constantly darting to the front door that remains motionless.
“They’ll get here when they get here.” A low voice emanates from behind her, accompanied by two hands on her shoulders, stilling her. Kanade’s head turns around to see Mafuyu, her same blank stare but a glimmer in her eyes.
“I know, I’m just.. really excited. And nervous? I mean, I want them to have a good time, and–” Kanade rambles, cut off by Mafuyu’s hands on her shoulders moving for a full hug.
“They’ll love it no matter what we do. Time spent together is never wasted.” Mafuyu says, squeezing Kanade a little tighter. Kanade’s face rapidly heats up.
“Mafuyu! Where did you learn something like that?” Kanade tries to force her voice to come off as neutral but it sounds whiny.
“I read it in a book and resonated with it. I feel best around you guys.” Before Kanade can mull over that statement, there’s loud knocking from the door.
“DING DONG!” A loud voice and certainly not a doorbell comes from Kanade’s door. She sneaks out of Mafuyu’s grasp and hurries over to the door, hearing vague talking on the other side.
“You idiot! Don’t be so loud!”, a voice that’s obviously Ena’s calls.
“Aww, did ya wanna kiss before we went inside?” Mizuki responds. Kanade opens the door to see Mizuki overdramatically puckering her lips in Ena’s direction, Ena leaning away and scoffing. Accidentally drawing their attention by opening the door, Mizuki’s eyes snap to Kanade.
“Kanade!” Mizuki shouts, flinging herself at Kanade and hugging her tight. “Awww, I was so excited all day to see you guys.” Mizuki says, swaying her and Kanade back and forth. She lets go of Kanade and sprints farther into the home. “Mafuyu!”, she shouts, doing similarly to Mafuyu what she did to Kanade.
Ena still stands at the door, muttering under her breath. “Idiot.” She says, her anger slowly draining from her face as Kanade stands idly in front of her. “Hey Kanade.” She says, a hint of a smile on her face. This time, it’s Kanade’s turn to wrap someone up in a hug. She wraps herself around Ena as much as she can despite being a smaller size. Ena obviously flusters for a second before hugging her back. They release, looking at each other.
“Come in.” Kanade says, gesturing with her hand. As Ena gets settled Kanade shuts the door, turning around to see Mafuyu take her turn at hugging Ena.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” Ena exclaims.
“Hugging you?” Mafuyu says confusedly. Her grip falters for a second before realizing that Ena is just acting how Ena is, not actually upset.
“Well unhand me!” Ena says despite her own arms wrapping around Mafuyu’s back comfortably.
“Okay.” Mafuyu says with a hint of feigned sadness that she must have picked up from Mizuki.
“What should I do with this?” Mizuki asks, holding up her present in the air.
“Oh, we could do those now if you guys want?” Kanade suggests, not actually having a solid plan for when they arrived but instead a vague outline of how the night should go.
“Yes! I wanna do presents!” Mizuki jumps up and down, prompting yet another scoff from Ena.
“What a kid”, she whispers, smiling and looking affectionately in Mizuki’s direction.
“Mine and Kanade’s presents are in the living room on the floor. We could do the exchange there.” They all make their way to the living room, Mizuki correcting Mafuyu.
“We are not exchanging, it’s secret santa! My sister said it’s a big thing abroad and I just have to try it with you guys.” They all sit on the floor in some awkward square.
“Well how is it secret if we can obviously tell whose is whose?” Ena asks, looking at the very clearly different presents that sit in front of them.
Mafuyu’s is a rectangle, perfectly wrapped and neatly decorated with a bow. Kanade’s is also a rectangle, but a much longer one, clumsily wrapped and adorning 2 bows because of its size. Ena’s gift is in a bag with pink tissue paper. Finally, Mizuki’s is a lumpy square wrapping that’s obviously squishy to the touch.
“Uhhhh, I guess it’s just santa instead of secret santa,” Mizuki says, laughing to herself. “We can just go through them one by one I guess. I want my person to open theirs first!” Mizuki shouts, quickly grabbing her present without leaving time for anyone to object. She hands the floppy present to Mafuyu who starts carefully unwrapping it.
Inside is a purple sweater. It looks similar to the blue one that she wears everyday but is obviously in better condition. Her face quirks up at something that neither Ena nor Kanade can see, but Mizuki smiles knowingly. Mafuyu observes a spot near the bottom corner of the sweater.
“There is a little bunny sewn into this corner.” Kanade continues to look lovingly in Mafuyu’s direction and Ena averts her eyes to an oddly bashful Mizuki. “I really like it, thank you Mizuki.” Mafuyu says, suddenly standing. Ena’s eyes snap over to her instead.
“Hey, where are you going? There are still 3 presents left.” Ena questions, watching as Mafuyu continues to walk away.
“I’m putting it on, be patient.” Ena is left to seethe on her own as Mafuyu leaves the room before she can retort.
“Why’d you pick a bunny for her sweater?” Kanade asks Mizuki, trying to fill the silence that Mafuyu’s disappearance left.
“Well, don’t you think she kinda acts like a bunny? They always kinda give you that deadpan look but they’re cute and cuddly too.” Kanade nods in agreement before turning her head when she hears footsteps reentering the room.
In walks Mafuyu sporting her brand new sweater. It’s a little big, even on her, but if the shine in her eyes is anything to go by, she definitely likes it.
“It looks good on you Mafuyu.” Kanade says, smiling at her warmly.
“I agree! I would never gift dear Mafuyu anything that would be unflattering.” Mizuki quips, looking at Ena eagerly. “What do you think Enanan?” Mizuki antagonizes, watching as Ena’s relaxed face morphs into that of fake hostility.
“I think we should move on. Mizuki, here.” Ena quickly forces her bag into Mizuki’s hands, the tissue paper making a loud crinkling noise.
“Aww, for little ol’ me? Thanks Enanan.” Mizuki holds a hand to her chest dramatically before pulling the tissue paper out and gasping at the contents of the bag. “No way.” Mizuki says. Ena turns her head away to hide the pink that rushes to her face, Mafuyu and Kanade still watching intently and wondering what’s in the bag.
“Enaaaaa!!” Mizuki nearly yells, scooting her body closer to Ena and flopping on her. Ena makes half an effort to push her off, but accepts the affection. “It’s the skirt I saw at the mall and totally would die for! I was so gonna buy it until you forced me away. Is that why you wouldn’t let us go back to that shop?? Thank youu!!” Mizuki fawns over both Ena and her gift, basically pressing herself up against a completely red Ena.
“That’s definitely not what I was doing! I just thought you’d like it. You do, right?” Ena asks tentatively as if Mizuki hadn’t just professed her love for the clothing item.
“I love it! Next time we all go out I’m totally wearing it.” Mizuki gushes, still leaning herself on Ena. Ena pushes her back lightly.
“Get off, you’re embarrassing me.” Ena says with a half biting tone, only enough to maintain her usual fierce demeanor but clearly melting under the abundance of physical touch. Mizuki hesitantly returns to her spot.
“I think it’s time for Ena to open a present! Unless you guys want to do it in a different order?” Mizuki suggests, but Kanade is already grabbing her gift.
“No it’s okay, here Ena.” Kanade hands the long present to Ena who eyes it curiously.
“Ooh, I was wondering what this one could be.” Ena rips off the already peeling paper, revealing a cardboard box. She rips the box open, slowly pulling the insides out. Her eyes widen and jaw drops a little. Mafuyu scans the item as she pulls it out of the box, slightly confused at why Mizuki doesn’t seem surprised at all.
The long rectangle happened to be various acrylic paints, a fancy brand emblem sitting at the top of the package that showed it meant business.
“Kanade? These paints are so good, but how did you even know what brand to look for?” Her eyes scan Kanade’s nervous smile, waiting for the words that follow.
“Hehe, um, I might have got help? I asked Mizuki to ask your brother to check what paints you used. I didn’t want to get bad quality ones.” Ena moves her eyes to a proud looking Mizuki.
“I’ve got connections.” Mizuki says, smile beaming at Ena.
“Does that mean Akito was in my room without me knowing? He’s so gonna get it.” Ena says angrily before turning her attention to Kanade’s voice.
“Maybe spare him just this time? It was sort of my fault I asked him– Mizuki asked him to do it.” Kanade gives Ena a pleading look and it makes her crumble.
“Fine, just this once.” Ena smiles warmly, her finger tracing down the several tubes of paint. “Thank you Kanade, these are gorgeous.” Kanade’s smile has come back full force, her face a little pink in the cheeks.
“That means there’s one left!” Mizuki exclaims. “Mafuyu, care to do the honors?” Mafuyu looks at Mizuki and then reaches out to grab her present. Handing it to Kanade, she speaks.
“Be careful.” Kanade’s eyebrow quirks up but she listens. Taking the present, she sets it down slowly and unwraps it. Seeing the brown box, her hands immediately hesitate. She looks up at Mafuyu, a small smile on Mafuyu’s face.
“You didn’t. How did you..?” Kanade asks, looking back and forth between Mafuyu and the box. She carefully opens the lid, a burst of song coming from the box. It’s a gentle song, one that sounds almost like a lullaby a child would listen to. Mizuki and Ena exchange equally confused looks with each other before Mizuki bites the bullet.
“A music box?” Kanade’s head doesn’t leave the box, listening carefully to every note until the song loops again. Only then does she shut the lid and answer.
“It’s my dad’s.” Ena’s and Mizuki’s faces start to morph, realizing that the present isn’t as surface level as they thought. “It stopped working a few months ago. I called an artisan to ask about repairing it but they quoted me a small fortune. I’ve been saving and saving but.. Mafuyu, how?” Her eyes move up to Mafuyu who sits there with the same small smile. “How did you even know it was broken? I didn’t tell anyone. How could you possibly afford this?”
“I heard you on the phone. You sounded serious so I thought it might be something bad, but I just overheard you talking about the price. I took it to the shop while you were at the hospital and paid. I’ve never been interested in much so I haven’t had anything to spend my money on.” Mafuyu’s face is still smiling slightly.
“How didn’t you notice it was missing?” Ena asks, Kanade turning to her.
“I couldn’t bear looking at it knowing that I had broken it, so I put it in a drawer in my room. Mafuyu must’ve found it and taken it then.” Her gaze turns back to Mafuyu, eyes crinkled up and shining with appreciation as she smiles. “Thank you, really, this is more than I could ever ask for.” Mafuyu just shrugs, the same dismissive but kind action she does.
“Well I guess secret santa worked out better than I hoped.” Mizuki says, stretching her legs out on the ground.
“That wasn’t a secret you moron. Everyone knew who their gift was from.” Ena says, groaning when Mizuki starts to laugh.
“That’s okay, always next year right?” Mizuki stands, stretching out even further. “Kanade told me earlier that you guys were making brownies. Any chance that I can have some?” Mizuki asks, putting on her best puppy dog eyes for Mafuyu.
“You can have them after we eat dinner.” Mafuyu responds, watching Mizuki deflate at the prospect of eating dinner and dessert in a normal order.
“She really does act like a spoiled kid.” Ena whispers in Kanade’s ear.
“You spoil her.” Kanade responds, watching Ena fluster and stand up to avoid responding. Mafuyu stands too, followed by Kanade.
“We can eat and then have the brownies Mizuki wants.” Mizuki soundlessly pumps her fist in the air and takes the lead, rushing to the kitchen. Mafuyu quickly moves too, ushering Mizuki out of the kitchen.
“Aww, let me help.” Mafuyu promptly shakes her head no.
“I’m in charge of the kitchen. You make weird looking food, Ena can only make desserts, and Kanade just isn’t allowed in here at all.” Mafuyu takes out plates and begins dishing out food that she and Kanade had made earlier. Well, Kanade helped get ingredients.
“You wound me! Ena, tell her to let me cook.” Ena also shakes her head at Mizuki.
“No way. I actually like Mafuyu’s cooking, as long as she doesn’t put carrots in anything.” Mafuyu quickly replies.
“Lots of carrots. Lots and lots.” Ena grimaces.
“I hate that you’re just learning jokes and sarcasm because that means you’re developing the same humor as Mizuki.” Kanade huffs a laugh at Mizuki's mock offense, dramatically keeling over as if Ena had punched her in the gut. Quickly, Mafuyu moves to the table with their plates.
“Thank you Mafuyu.” Kanade says, sitting down in front of her food. Ena and Mizuki follow Kanade in both sitting and thanking Mafuyu, receiving the same curt nod in response.
“It shouldn’t be too hot, Mizuki. We made it earlier so it’d be cool by the time you guys got here.” Mafuyu says, Kanade nodding in unison.
“Aw, aren’t you guys just darlings. Always so considerate of my cat tongue.” Ena shakes her head and takes a bite of her food. They eat in mostly silence, save for Ena telling Mizuki on multiple occasions to eat quieter. Both Kanade and Mafuyu silently acknowledge that Mizuki is not, in fact, eating loudly, but Ena just wants an excuse to talk.
Putting down her fork on the empty plate, Mizuki speaks yet again.
“Mafuyu! I’m all done, is it dessert time?” Mizuki glances around the table and sees how only Mafuyu is done eating. Ena has around a quarter of her plate left because of her talking and Kanade just a few bites.
“You can help me plate it but they’re not done eating yet.” Mizuki springs up from her seat at Mafuyu’s words.
“Calm down Mizuki, you’re going to get yourself sick running around like that right after eating.” Ena chides, taking another bite of her food. Mizuki playfully salutes.
“Yes ma’am”, she says, disappearing into the kitchen before she can see Ena softly laugh.
In the kitchen, Mizuki looks at a tray of 9 brownies. 8 remain, one of the corners taken out.
“Hey, who ate one?” Mizuki asks, pointing to the missing corner.
“Kanade and I shared one earlier, we had to taste test.” Mafuyu speaks in that matter-of-fact tone but Mizuki knows that she just wanted Kanade to try it.
“Am I allowed to call dibs on pieces?” Mizuki asks, bouncing around as Mafuyu slowly cuts out the pieces with a knife.
“Only if it’s not the middle. Kanade likes the soft ones.” Mizuki smiles at the display of affection.
“Favoritism is running rampant! It’s fine, that’s not the one I wanted. I wanttttt.. that corner!” Mizuki says, pointing to the corner below the one that’s already eaten.
“That’s fine. Which do you think Ena would want, a corner or an edge?” Mizuki ponders for a moment before choosing.
“Probably an edge. That way it resembles cheesecake more hehe.” Mizuki laughs at her own reasoning, Mafuyu not responding but putting an edge on a plate for Ena. Mizuki grabs two of the four plates, carrying both hers and Kanade’s brownies to the table. The closer she gets, the more she is able to discern the soft chatter between Kanade and Ena.
“What are we talking about?” Mizuki asks, setting down Kanade’s piece in front of her and smiling at the gentle thanks she gives.
“Nunya.” Ena says with a smile, thanking Mafuyu for carrying her plate. Mizuki has half the mind to start another round of banter with Ena before she hears Mafuyu’s voice.
“Is it good?” Mizuki and Ena look at Mafuyu, following her eyes to where Kanade is already halfway into her brownie. She looks a little like a chipmunk, cheeks full and caught mid bite. Her face flushes as she slowly nods yes. Mizuki laughs.
“Mafuyu did say you like the soft ones.” Mizuki takes a bite of her own brownie, the flavor melting on her tongue pleasantly. Kanade does nothing but avert her eyes, looking down at the table as she continues to eat her brownie.
Soon enough, everyone’s brownies are gone. Kanade stacks all of their plates and goes to walk it to the sink when Mafuyu takes them.
“Mafuyu..” Kanade whines, the plates already gone from her hands.
“I’ve got the dishes, go get the movie set up.” Kanade smiles, able to feel helpful with the task of setting up. She moves to the living room where Ena and Mizuki sit on the couch already.
“Hey K, what’re we doing now?” Mizuki asks, her head leaning on Ena’s shoulder.
“Mafuyu and I were thinking a movie? She said there was this one that she really liked when she was little and I rented the DVD. We don’t have to watch it if you guys don’t want to, but that was the plan.” Mizuki perks up, her head leaving it’s spot much to Ena’s dismay.
“Yes! Movie sounds fun. I’m sorta tuckered out anyway so it’ll be nice to relax.” Kanade looks to Ena for approval and finds a subtle nod of the head.
Kanade turns on the TV, pulling out the DVD player and attaching the wires. If there’s anything Kanade is good at, it’s tech. She clicks the wires into place, attaching the player to the TV and turning it on. The device whirs to life at the same time the sink in the kitchen stops running. She takes the DVD out of its container and slips it in, grabbing the remote and sliding into the spot next to Ena on the couch.
“Is the movie ready?” Mafuyu asks, standing next to the couch and rolling her sleeves down. Kanade nods and pats the spot next to her left, Mafuyu sitting down beside her. Kanade clicks play and strains her arm to set the remote down on the table in front of them.
The scene is of peace. Open gifts and scattered wrapping paper that they probably should have cleaned up on the floor, full stomachs in a room that has a lingering smell of chocolate, the warmth of four bodies squished together while a generic Christmas movie plays in the background.
Kanade is the first to start nodding off, expected because of her poor sleep schedule. Her head starts to fall forward, jerking backwards when she has a wave of consciousness, then falling back forward. Ena gently wraps an arm around her and directs Kanade’s head to land on her shoulder. Mafuyu glares at Ena who only smiles.
Mizuki is the next to go, very shortly after Kanade. All the yelling and excitement of the day causing her usual energy to dwindle. Her head leans on Ena’s other shoulder, an arm wrapped around Ena’s in a casual affection that Ena allows.
The two soft and steady breaths that surround her cause Ena to surrender next. Her head tilts on top of Kanade’s, keeping the both of them in place and still giving Mizuki a place to rest her head. Observing the scene, Mafuyu stands up.
She quickly takes the remote and turns off the television, saving the movie for some other day. She tip-toes over to the light switch and flicks it off, watching the living room become engulfed in darkness. She walks quietly back over to where she sat earlier. Kanade’s eyes crack open, squinting and eventually identifying Mafuyu in the dark.
Her arm reaches out, beckoning Mafuyu to come and rest alongside them. Mafuyu takes it gladly, sitting back down next to Kanade and wrapping her arm around Kanade’s torso. She leans on Kanade’s shoulder, similar to which Mizuki leans on Ena’s. The morning will be full of laughs and joy, but for now they relish the mere presence of each other.