-10:12 AM, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016-
The morning snow fell like tiny feathers outside Jousuke Daikuhara's window, each flake catching the pale sunlight as it drifted past the glass.
Christmas Day had arrived quietly, draping the city in soft white, the streets calm as most people spent the morning with family.
Jousuke pulled on his dark sweater and coat, checking his phone as messages came in rapid succession.
"JOUSUKE DAIKUHARA, WAKE UP. Let's meet at the station before lunch. – Asa"
"Don't let Asa spend all his coins, haha. – Natsu"
"Today's the day for curry bread supremacy. – Kaito"
"See you. – Ryuusei"
"Don't starve, Jousuke. – Joutarou"
He let out a soft laugh, the cold air brushing against his cheeks as he zipped up his coat, his breath fogging up the glass briefly before he stepped away.
"Christmas Day, huh..." he thought.
-MALL, MAIN ATRIUM-
-12:37 PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016-
The mall was alive with a quiet buzz, the sound of children laughing near a large tree blending with the gentle hum of holiday music.
Asa dragged Natsu to a taiyaki stall, arguing with Kaito about whether curry bread or taiyaki was the superior Christmas snack, while Joutarou took lazy photos with his phone, capturing Natsu's laughter as she scolded Asa for trying to buy a fifth taiyaki.
Ryuusei stood beside Jousuke, sipping hot coffee as they watched their friends bicker and laugh.
"Jousuke, are you getting anything for yourself today?" Ryuusei asked, his voice calm.
Jousuke shook his head, the warmth of the cup in his hands seeping into his cold fingers.
He replied "No... I'm just here for the company."
Ryuusei's lips curved into a faint smile.
"That's enough, isn't it?" he replied.
The group moved through the decorated halls, stopping at small shops to browse keychains and warm gloves, Kaito nearly slipping on melted snow near the entrance as Joutarou laughed, snapping another picture.
Asa stuffed the last piece of taiyaki into his mouth, mumbling, asking "Natsu, you want another one?" while Natsu sighed, pulling Asa's scarf tighter to keep him warm.
Jousuke smiled, watching them, the lights above reflecting in his eyes as he stood quietly, letting the moment sink in.
"Warm..." he thought.
-MALL, FOOD COURT-
-3:11PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016-
They sat at a table near the windows, snow falling softly outside, the glass fogging lightly with each breath.
Kaito finished the last of his curry bread, sighing in satisfaction.
"This is the best Christmas." Kaito declared.
Natsu rolled her eyes but smiled, resting her chin in her hand. He said "You say that about every day you get to eat curry bread."
Joutarou stretched, yawning. He said "We should head home soon before it gets dark."
Ryuusei nodded, glancing at Jousuke. "Yeah. It's getting late." he said.
Asa stood, pulling his scarf tighter around his neck. "Alright, everyone, let's head to the station." he said.
Jousuke stood, looking at them, the warmth of the mall pressing around them, the cold pressing against the glass from the outside.
"Now or never..." he thought.
"I'm staying here." Jousuke said softly, meeting each of their gazes calmly. "You guys can go home… Take care."
There was a pause.
Asa blinked, then smirked. "Alright… Don't get too cold, Jousuke."
"Text us if you need anything." Natsu added, giving him a small wave.
"Don't get lost." Kaito teased, bumping Jousuke's shoulder lightly.
Joutarou lifted a lazy hand in a wave, while Ryuusei placed a hand on Jousuke's shoulder before turning to leave.
Jousuke watched them go, their laughter echoing softly as they disappeared into the crowd, leaving him standing in the warm glow of the mall's holiday lights.
-CAFÉ NEAR THE STATION-
-4:07PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016-
Jousuke sat by the window, the warmth of the tea in his hands seeping into his cold fingers as the snow continued to fall outside, softly and endlessly.
The soft clatter of cups and the quiet hum of conversation wrapped around him, but all he could hear was the steady beat of his own heart.
He pulled out his phone, the glow lighting up his face, the reflection in the window showing the snow falling gently behind him.
He took a breath.
"Boutsuki-san, are you free right now? Could you come to the café near the station?"
He pressed send, his heart pounding quietly in his chest.
A moment later, he swallowed, fingers trembling slightly as he opened a new message.
"Miyazaki-san, are you free? Can you come to the café near the station?"
Another breath, another message.
"Sakurai-san, if you're free, could you come to the café near the station?"
He pressed send on the last message, exhaling softly as he set his phone down on the table, the warmth of the tea in his hands grounding him as he looked out at the falling snow.
"Today... I'll face it, one by one." he thought.
-LEAH-
Leah was in her room, carefully checking the small box of penguin-shaped cookies and the tiny plush keychain she planned to give Jousuke tomorrow if she could gather the courage.
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced at it, expecting a family message.
But her breath caught.
"Boutsuki-san, are you free right now? Could you come to the café near the station?"
Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushing red as she stared at the screen.
"Daikuhara-san? Inviting me? I'm supposed to do that!"
She clutched the phone against her chest, her heart pounding wildly as she stared at the message again, frozen in place.
-MIYAZAKI-
Miyazaki was pacing her room, the paper bag with the black scarf sitting on her desk, untouched, as she muttered to herself.
"Should I give it to him tomorrow? Or maybe I should just leave it in his desk at school..." she thought.
Her phone buzzed on her bed, and she grabbed it carelessly, pausing as she saw the sender's name.
"Miyazaki-san, are you free? Can you come to the café near the station?"
Her eyes widened, her face flushing hot as she stumbled back, nearly dropping the phone.
"Daikuhara-kun? Inviting me? I'm supposed to do that!"
She clutched the phone, pressing it to her lips as her heart pounded so loudly she could barely think.
-RIKA-
Rika Sakurai was sitting at her desk, gently holding the small blue book-shaped keychain in her hands, the silver charm catching the light as she turned it over quietly.
"Tomorrow... I'll give this to Daikuhara-kun..." she thought.
Her phone buzzed softly beside her, and she picked it up, reading the message.
"Sakurai-san, if you're free, could you come to the café near the station?"
Her calm eyes widened, her breath catching as her cheeks turned pink.
"Daikuhara-san? Inviting me? I'm supposed to do that!"
She pressed the keychain to her lips, closing her eyes as she tried to calm her pounding heart, staring at the message again in disbelief.
-CAFÉ NEAR THE STATION-
-4:33 PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016-
Jousuke sat alone by the window, the snow falling outside in gentle, endless waves, the warm tea in his hands growing cold.
His phone lay on the table, the three messages sent, waiting for replies.
And at that moment, across the city, three hearts beat loudly, three voices whispered the same words in shocked, warm disbelief:
"Daikuhara? Inviting me? I'm supposed to do that!"
The snow continued to fall softly as the holiday lights flickered gently outside, the world quiet and white, holding its breath for what would happen next.