Chapter Text
Sometimes, the heart does not seek a miracle, but simply an opportunity to draw closer.
And Christmas, with its light and silence, seems invented to grant those opportunities
that one does not dare to ask for the rest of the year.
The snow fell lightly that afternoon, as if winter were just awakening from its slumber.
From the second-floor windows, the flakes drifted lazily and hit the warm glass of the classroom, melting in seconds. The sound of pencils and laughter was the only thing that filled the air at Lugunica Institute, where class 2-A was preparing to close the semester.
At that hour, no one was paying much attention to the clock. Classes were almost over, and everyone's mind was floating between thoughts of gifts, lights, and rest. Everyone, except one person.
“Listen to me, everyone, please!” Natsuki Subaru's voice rang out loudly, loud enough to make several heads turn instantly. “I have a great idea for the start of our vacation!”
The reaction was immediate.
Otto, who was trying to concentrate on his last notes, put his hand to his forehead. Hearing his friend speak openly without warning could only mean one thing: trouble.
“No... not again,” he muttered, with that resigned tone he used every time Subaru had a “great idea.” “Natsuki-san, I remind you that the last ‘great plan’ ended with half the class cleaning paint off the hallway floor.”
“That was contemporary art!” Subaru retorted, pointing at him indignantly. “And besides, no one died.”
Ram, from her seat by the window, let out a long sigh.
“Even though no one died, some people lost their dignity. Including you, Barusu.”
“Hey, that's a low blow, Ram.”
Rem, who was right next to her sister, hid a giggle as she arranged her notebook.
“Subaru-kun, maybe it would be better if you said what you had to say before Otto-san decides to run away.”
“Rem-san, please. Don't say things like that!” Otto turned to look at her from his desk. “If you say it like that, I won't be able to leave if he finds out!”
“Oh, so you wanted to escape...” Subaru looked at him with a piercing gaze full of feigned resentment.
Ferris, leaning on his desk, turned his head with a mischievous smile.
“Nya~ Subaru-kyun, when you talk like that, it sounds like you're about to propose a revolution.”
“Well, I could if I wanted to, but it goes against my principles as a good student.
”When was that, exactly?
Ram's last comment came out so naturally that some of them couldn't help but laugh.
Subaru decided to ignore what Ram said. And although, in a way, her doubtful opinion of him hurt, he continued with what he was doing.
He stood on his chair with his arms outstretched.
“Listen, everyone,” his smile returned as soon as he noticed everyone's attention was on him. “I propose that we have a big Christmas party to kick off our vacation!”
A deathly silence fell over the class.
The leaves stopped moving.
Even the snow outside seemed to pause for a moment.
Everyone stared at him without saying a word, carefully analyzing and judging Subaru's chaotically positive expression.
Rem was one of the only ones who expressed her amazement at the boy's announcement as she clapped her hands a little. Emilia remained surprised, but also a little confused by her loyal friend's unexpected idea.
Priscilla Barielle, sitting near the window, turned her face away with a haughty gesture. Her uniform was impeccable, and the shine of her red ribbon contrasted with her arrogant gaze.
“Christmas party, you say?” Her voice sounded as sharp as it was elegant. “What an... ordinary idea.”
“Hey, wait, don't say it like that!” Subaru waved his hands, offended. “It's going to be classy! Music, lights, punch...”
“What's missing,” Priscilla replied, fanning herself elegantly, “is taste.” I have no intention of participating in a vulgar gathering where people get drunk on cheap punch and sing out-of-tune Christmas carols.
“Who said anything about punch? And no one's going to get drunk!” Subaru retorted, offended. “It's going to be a clean party!”
Felt, from the back row, burst out laughing.
“What's the matter, princess?” Are you afraid of getting hot chocolate on your hands?
“Please,” Priscilla replied with a half-smile, “I'm not afraid of getting dirty. I just choose what to get dirty with.”
The tension grew, but Subaru quickly stepped in to mediate, raising his voice:
“Hey, hey! Don't fight. The idea is to bring us together, not to start a civil war before Christmas.”
Emilia, who had been sitting quietly at the front, raised a shy hand, her voice soft as the wind outside.
“I... think it sounds fun. If we all cooperate, it could be something nice.”
“See? Emilia-tan supports me!” Subaru turned to the class with a smile that took up half his face.
If Emilia-tan says it's okay, it must be okay.
“Tsk, Barusu and his delusions of romance,” Ram muttered, though there was a slight smile on her face.
“Then Rem will help with the decorations,” the young blue-haired maiden smiled at the boy's optimism. “Subaru-kun can count on it.”
“Rem! I knew I could count on you!”
Julius Euculius, who had been watching calmly until then, spoke in his elegant and somewhat distant tone.
“It's not such a crazy idea, actually. It would do well to strengthen the bonds between classmates. Although, Subaru, I hope the organization lives up to your enthusiasm.”
“Of course! I'll take care of everything!” said Subaru, unaware that Otto was almost collapsing in his seat.
“Natsuki-san, can I talk to you about logistics later?” said Otto, massaging his temples with concern. “Because your definition of ‘organizing’ usually involves minor fires.”
Reinhard, sitting by the window, smiled calmly as he chuckled at Subaru and Otto's comments.
“I can help find a place to hold the party. It will have to be a spacious place, and if necessary, I can also bring some decorations.”
“You're a saint, Reinhard!” Subaru patted him on the shoulder. “With your help, nothing can go wrong!”
“Haha. Thank you very much for the comment.” He smiled his usual friendly smile, leaving Subaru somewhat dazzled by how bright his smile was, imaginatively speaking.
Sometimes he said it jokingly, but his real thoughts about Reinhard were almost the same as his jokes.
Calling him a saint was an understatement of what a good person he was, plus whenever he got involved in something, everything turned out well.
“You said the same thing before the ‘art project,’” Otto recalled quietly.
Well, of course there were some exceptions, like the one Otto mentioned, and Subaru knew that well.
Laughter filled the classroom again.
Even Felt, who pretended not to be interested, smiled when she saw him so determined. If Reinhard was so committed to helping his friend Subaru, then she would too, even if it might end in disaster, or maybe not.
She didn't care, because she really liked it when days became chaotically fun.
Ferris, meanwhile, played with her pencil, alternately looking at Subaru and then turning to look at her beloved best friend, Crusch.
The Karsten girl remained silent. From her seat by the wall, she watched the scene with her usual serenity. Her posture was impeccable, and her expression barely shifted between concentration and a slight smile that escaped her from time to time.
She had no intention of intervening in the discussion that was taking place. Ferris, as always, spoke enough for both of them. She saw no need to speak.
As soon as a couple of minutes passed, she was finishing the last notes for her classwork.
Even with that concentration, Crusch heard every word. Every exclamation from Subaru, every joke, every clumsy attempt to keep everyone's attention.
There was an energy in him that, although chaotic, had a warmth that was impossible to ignore.
If there was one thing she really liked about him, it was that he always found a way to make everyone feel united, even when they had their differences. One example would be Priscilla and Felt.
That thought crossed her mind before she could help it, and her pen stopped over the notebook.
Ferris noticed the distraction immediately.
“Nya~ Crusch-sama, you're very quiet. Aren't you excited about Subaru-kyun's idea?”
Crusch looked up elegantly.
“It's an... interesting proposal. Although I'm not entirely sure if everything will work out without any problems.”
“Ooooh~ but it sounds like Crusch-sama wants to participate~” Ferris teased, leaning towards her.
“It's not that,” Crusch replied, trying to maintain her composure in the face of her childhood friend's teasing attitude. “I just find it pleasant to see everyone so excited.”
Ferris laughed softly.
“Sure, sure~ ‘Pleasant’. But... aren't you sure you want to add the word ‘charming’ or ‘adorable’? You know, to really convey what you mean.”
Crusch narrowed her eyes but said nothing. She knew when Ferris was teasing her. And the worst part was that he was right about one thing: there was something charming about Subaru's very human clumsiness.
At some point in her school life, she had developed “curious” feelings toward the species known as Subaru Natsuki.
It got to the point where she sometimes struggled to maintain her usual composure. Her calm, upright, and sincere attitude, which she had been raised with, was then penetrated by Subaru's overwhelming and chaotic attitude, turning her into a different person that even she didn't recognize.
Of course, no one knew how she felt about him, at least not among those she knew, Ferris being the first to find out.
Otto also knew, but he decided not to get involved because he didn't want to meddle in his friend's love life.
While she remained so absorbed in her duties and thoughts, the discussion in the classroom continued in the same direction.
“I can take care of the sweets,” said Anastasia, writing something down in her notebook. I have contacts who can get handmade cookies from my family's partner company.
“Contacts?” Felt repeated, raising an eyebrow. “So you're going to buy them at a high price, right?”
“It's called quality,” Anastasia replied with a charming smile. “Not everyone enjoys supermarket bread, dear.”
“Heh. How snobbish,” Priscilla said with a mocking smile behind her fan.
“And how vulgar, sweetheart.” Anastasia looked down her nose at her with a certain venom in her defiant words.
Before the argument could escalate, Reinhard gently intervened.
“I think we can all contribute something. If everyone takes care of one part, it will work out fine.”
“Y-Yes, that's what I think,” exclaimed Subaru, very grateful for his friend's intervention. “Way to go, Reinhard!”
As the class filled with ideas, Crusch rested her chin on one hand, watching without intervening.
The brightness of the lights, the venue, the food... everything was important, and many of the ideas seemed good and appropriate. She greatly appreciated how well everything was going.
Crusch couldn't help but smile elegantly and contentedly.
“Then,” Subaru finally said, picking up a marker and writing on the board, “‘Christmas Party.’”
He underlined the words with a crooked stroke and, turning around, smiled proudly.
“What do you say? Who's in?”
There was a short silence, but this time it wasn't as tense as before. And then, one by one, hands began to rise.
Emilia was the first, smiling sweetly. Rem followed, almost instantly. Reinhard, Julius, Otto—still unable to calm his concern—Ferris, even Ram. Felt raised hers with feigned disinterest, and Priscilla—after a dramatic sigh—did too.
Finally, Ferris gently nudged Crusch's elbow. She looked up, surprised.
She hadn't expected everyone to be looking at her, let alone waiting for her answer... including Subaru.
Crusch hesitated for just a moment before calmly raising her hand.
Of course she would be interested in helping and accepting Subaru's proposal, but she also wanted them to stop staring at her so directly while saying nothing.
“Okay. I'll participate.”
“Yes!” Subaru shouted, raising a victorious fist. “I knew it would work! Class 2-A will have a big Christmas party!”
And Crusch, for a moment, smiled without realizing it.
It was a small, sincere smile that went unnoticed by most. Except for Ferris, who watched her with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Subaru continued to talk excitedly. His voice mingled with the laughter and murmurs of the others, and for a moment, the cold December afternoon seemed to shine a little brighter.
Crusch watched him, resting her cheek on her hand.
At least she was glad that she could have done something to make him happy. She didn't care if it was something small, she just wanted to see him happy. And that's because his optimistic and confident aura was enough to warm her up, even making her forget how cold it was outside.
The sound of footsteps echoed softly in the hallways of Lugunica Institute.
Classes had ended a few minutes ago, and most of the students were already rushing toward the exits, wrapped in scarves and laughter.
The air had that unmistakable smell of winter: a mixture of cold wind, damp wood, and the faint aroma of chocolate from the cafeteria, which was still open.
Crusch walked calmly down the second-floor corridor, holding her school bag in one hand and a small book in the other. Ferris, as usual, accompanied her, walking lightly and carefree, his hands in his jacket pockets.
The sun filtered through the windows, bathing the floors in golden tones. Outside, the snow continued to fall, though more gently than at midday. The courtyard lights began to come on little by little, reflecting off the wet pavement.
“Nya~ Crusch-sama, have you decided what you'll do this Christmas?” Ferris asked, in his usual playful tone.
“Probably the same as every year,” Crusch replied, without stopping. “A formal dinner with my family. Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Ah, yes... those dinners where everyone is refined while you pretend to enjoy being there,” Ferris chuckled. “What a Christmassy atmosphere~!”
Crusch tilted her head slightly, smiling serenely.
“It's part of the family tradition. Although I admit that, at times, it can feel... monotonous.”
Ferris turned on his heels, walking backwards as he looked at her curiously.
“Monotonous, you say? That sounds like Crusch-sama would like to try something different this year.
”Not necessarily,“ she replied with her usual composure. ”But perhaps I wouldn't dislike... a change of routine.
“Like a school festival, for example?” Ferris raised an eyebrow, with the most mischievous smile in the world.
Crusch let out a slight sigh.
“I knew you would mention it.”
“Nya~ I can't help it! Seeing you there, raising your hand along with everyone else... it was adorable.”
“Don't say such absurd things. It's not like it's something to be surprised about. It's not as if she would have agreed to be in a beauty contest.”
“I don't deny it, it was a very nice surprise,” Ferris continued, ignoring Karsten's contradictory comments. “I never thought Crusch-sama would agree to participate in something as chaotic as a party organized by Subaru-kyun.”
Crusch stopped in front of the large window in the hallway. The reflection of the sunset illuminated her face, and for a moment, her green eyes seemed to shine like the precious stone she was named after.
“It wasn't a very thoughtful decision,” she said in a softer tone. “I just... didn't want to dampen everyone else's enthusiasm.”
Ferris tilted her head.
“The others, or the guy who can't stop thinking?
Crusch looked at him with a calm expression, but the slight blush on her cheeks gave her away.
”Ferris.
“Yes, yes, I'll shut up, nya~” he chirped, raising his hands. "But you can't blame me for noticing beautiful things.
Crusch didn't respond, and they continued walking in silence for a few seconds. The wind seeped through the cracks in the hallway, carrying the distant sound of students laughing outside.
Just as they turned toward the main staircase, a familiar voice reached them from the opposite end of the hallway.
“Crusch-san! Ferris! Wait!”
Subaru ran toward them, waving a hand as the cold air rushed in with him from the front door. His uniform jacket was loosely buttoned and his hair was tousled, as if he had been fighting the wind on his way over.
“Subaru?” Crusch said, turning gracefully. “What's the rush?”
“Ah, nothing serious,” he replied, stopping in front of them, panting a little. “I just... wanted to thank you for supporting the idea of the party. Really.”
“Thank me?” Crusch blinked, somewhat bewildered. “It was nothing extraordinary. I even told Ferris—”
“Yes, it was!” Subaru insisted, smiling broadly. “When I saw you raise your hand, I felt like I had passed some kind of final exam. You know, where you miraculously manage to pass, and that's how it was with my proposal.”
Ferris let out an amused giggle.
“Nya~ so, according to Subaru-kyun, if Crusch-sama approves something, it means it has the seal of approval.”
“Of course, there's no doubt about it,” Subaru said, laughing. “If even Crusch-san thinks it's worthwhile, that motivates everyone. She's one of the most sensible and judicious people I know. I always think she has a good eye for things.”
Crusch looked away for a moment, uncomfortable with the intensity of his words.
“Is that how she sees me...?”
“I appreciate your words, Subaru,” she finally said, her voice calm and firm. “Although I don't think I deserve such recognition.”
“Of course you do!” he replied without hesitation. “You always look so confident, so elegant... as if nothing intimidates you. Having you on our side makes everything seem more possible. At the end of the day, we all have to stick together. And it's nice to have you around.”
Crusch's heart skipped a beat, so discreetly that even she didn't expect it. For a moment, the air caught in her chest.
“You... exaggerate,” she murmured, trying to remain calm. “I'm not that exceptional.”
“Oh, believe me,” Subaru smiled with that awkward but genuine sparkle, “you are to us.”
Ferris, standing between them, watched the scene with a feline smile.
The atmosphere was filled with that silent tension he knew so well: the mixture of nerves, shyness, and curiosity that occurs between two people who don't yet know how to look at each other directly. At least on Crusch's part, who seemed to be trying to avoid Subaru's gaze so as not to panic.
“Nya~ what a nice atmosphere it is out here, don't you think?” he interjected with feigned innocence. “And that's even though it's below freezing.”
Crusch cleared her throat, looking away toward the courtyard.
“We should leave before it gets dark.”
“Ah, right, right,” said Subaru, scratching the back of his neck.
I just wanted to say that. And... well, I also wanted to ask if there's anything you'd like us to include in the party.
“Anything...?”
“Yes, like a suggestion. You have better taste than me for those things.”
Ferris tilted her head with a mischievous smile.
“Oh, Subaru-kyun asking Crusch-sama for style advice. How charming.”
“Hey, hey. Don't say absurd things. It's not like it's something to be surprised about. It's not like I'm going to practice fencing like her.”
“Oh, my, my... it seems I had a déjà vu~.”
Crusch turned to look at Ferris with such an intense and threatening gaze.
Could you stop saying strange things now?
That's what could be read in her gaze. Ferris simply pretended to be affected by her threatening gaze.
Crusch tried to think of something coherent, but the heat in her cheeks prevented her from reasoning clearly.
“Why is it so hard for me to keep my composure when she's so close?” she silently replied to herself.
“Perhaps...” she finally said, “it would be appropriate to include a small gift exchange ceremony. It's a nice tradition.”
“That's perfect!” Subaru smiled broadly. “Just what we needed.”
“I-It was just a suggestion.”
“Well, it just became an official part of the plan,” he declared, giving her a thumbs up. “I felt like something was missing to make it more exciting.”
Ferris nodded with fake enthusiasm.
“Nya~ and so the brilliant idea of the exchange was born. Crusch-sama, you have just sealed the fate of the class.”
Crusch shot her a sharp look.
“Don't be so dramatic.”
Ferris chirped, once again threatened by her best friend's glare. She didn't take it too seriously, except that all of this seemed so conveniently fun.
Subaru laughed, oblivious to the exchange of glances between the two.
“Seriously, thank you both. Without your support, the party wouldn't have any variety and would be kind of boring, and I probably would have been lynched halfway through class.
”It wouldn't be the first time,“ Ferris joked.
”Hey!
The laughter of the three echoed softly in the hallway. The wind blew with a cold sigh, seeping through the cracks in the windows and carrying with it the distant sound of bells from the street.
For a few seconds, Crusch watched them, and that warmth she had begun to feel familiar with for some time now settled in her chest. It was simple, but genuine.
An ordinary afternoon that suddenly felt special.
Ferris took a few steps forward, glancing at them with that cat-like smile that was so characteristic of him.
“Nya~ I'll leave you two alone for a moment,” he said, backing away in small steps. “I have to stop by the staff room before I leave. Don't freeze without me.”
“Ferris, wait!”
Crusch tried to stop him, but it was too late.
“See you later, Crusch-sama~! Bye, Subaru-kyun!” he sang as he walked away, waving a hand.
The silence that followed was sudden. All that could be heard was the distant crunch of snow under the footsteps of the students outside.
Subaru scratched his head, uncomfortable.
“That guy always seems to want to know more than he says,” he said with narrowed eyes.
Crusch sighed with a slight smile.
“Yes. And he enjoys it too much.”
They both laughed softly.
For a moment, they just stood there, looking out the window. Outside, snow covered the trees in the courtyard like a light blanket, and the evening light painted the sky a pale orange.
Subaru spoke first, his voice lower, almost thoughtful.
“You know... I'm really glad everyone accepted the proposal about the party,” Subaru said with a serene smile. "I don't say it much, but I always want to have everyone close by. Enjoying the good times while we're all together. Emilia, Rem, you, Ferris, Julius, everyone. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am.
Crusch glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. His expression was not that of the rowdy, clumsy boy from before, but that of someone who truly valued what he had.
“That's why I respect you so much...” she thought. “And that's why it's so hard for me to keep my distance from you.”
“I... I really appreciate your sincerity, Subaru,” she finally said in a soft tone. “And I'm glad to hear that. It means a lot.”
He smiled, looking back at her.
“So... see you tomorrow? I'm going to start on the gift and decoration list.”
“Of course. I'll try to come early.”
“Great.” Subaru took a small step back, raising a hand in farewell. “Get some rest, Crusch-san.”
She nodded gently.
“You too, Subaru.”
As he walked away down the hallway, his figure faded into the orange hues of the sunset.
Crusch stood silently, watching as the wind carried a few flakes across the window frame.
She brought a hand to her chest, feeling the faint echo of her own heartbeat.
“I think... I handled that pretty well, didn't I?” she murmured, barely audibly.
Outside, the sky turned violet, and the academy slowly sank into the calm of winter.
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To be continued...