Knock, Knock, Knock.
I hear the sound of soone knocking on the door and quickly run towards it, already imagining it must be Setsuna. I excitedly grab the doorknob and pull it open with a big smile, spreading my arms to indicate an invitation to co in, since no one but Setsuna or Septarion would visit at this hour.
"rry Christmas!!!" I wish the person at the door a rry Christmas, seeing Setsuna dressed in a coffee-colored skirt and a white top with black buttons. She looks sowhat formal, but very beautiful.
"You look very beautiful, Ayane. rry Christmas to you too," she says, standing still in front of the doorway holding a present wrapped in red paper with yellow and green ribbons.
"Co in!" I step aside from the doorway as I wait. She enters calmly, looking at the decorations and blinking little lights. She also slls the delicious scent of food that’s perated the house.
"Ayane, can I put the present on the sofa?" she asks while I nod in approval. I’ve spent the last few days preparing various delicious foods for the two of us, and I’m sure I did a good job!
"Tonight is Christmas Eve, so we should start dinner a little later! For now, how about we talk together? After all, we’re... d-d-da-dating!" I say the word with embarrassnt, turning red.
"Sure, what do you want to talk about?" she asks, while I notice a very beautiful watch on her wrist. It has a vintage style, which matches the cute, genius Setsuna perfectly.
"That watch is beautiful! It suits you," I say with a smile, guiding her to an armchair so she can get comfortable, although talking about a watch isn’t really the conversation I wanted to have on Christmas, unless it’s a special watch to her.
"...Yes..." She glances briefly at the watch and gives a sowhat broken smile.
"...?"
"Ayane, what makes Christmas special for you?" she asks curiously as I sit down in a chair across from her.
"Ah... it’s a ti when I used to get together with my family... this was kind of going to be the first Christmas holiday I celebrate without them... but thanks to you, I won’t spend it alone," I try to be positive.
"...Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought up a bad topic... I’m... terrible with parties and celebrations..." she lants while I wave my hand as if it’s nothing.
"It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt as much anymore, and now I have you here to celebrate with ! Septarion is going to join us tomorrow too! Since tomorrow is the 25th, the real Christmas!"
"That’s great. It’s good to see you becoming strong." She gives a warm smile that makes my wings flap excitedly. I try to control them since Setsuna shouldn’t know I’m turning into an angel yet; I’ll save it to surprise her in the future.
"Do you want to open the present now? Or wait until tomorrow?" she asks with an interested look that goes from to the box.
"W-Well..." I look at the box. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dying of curiosity about what’s inside. The box isn’t small, but it’s not big either. It’s neatly wrapped, but doesn’t give any hints about the contents, so it’s a total mystery.
"I... want to... I want to open it now... you don’t mind, right?" I ask, staring at the box. I know I should wait until tomorrow for us to open presents together, but curiosity wins out.
"Hahahaha." She laughs at , leaving confused.
"You look like a child who can’t wait a few hours to open her presents." When she says that, I blush with embarrassnt, looking down at my hands nervously.
"That’s not an insult, I’m complinting you. You’re cute like this. You can open the present; it’s yours, isn’t it? Christmas is just a date; what matters are the feelings we give to others. And inside this box are my feelings for you." She speaks in a sowhat sweet, corny way.
"It’s unusual for you to talk like that, but I like it! It’s refreshing!" I quickly grab the box, shaking it lightly to hear the sound from inside.
’It doesn’t make a loud sound... what could it be?’ This only piques my curiosity further. I start removing the ribbons and opening it. As soon as the ribbons are off, my hands tremble with nervousness.
’What is it... what is it!!’ I hold the lid while the box rests on my lap. The box isn’t very heavy, but I’m sure Setsuna made sothing special for .
"...Pa... papers?" I see various papers. I look at Setsuna in confusion. She just motions with her head for to take them.
I take the papers out of the box, and imdiately my eyes widen as tears form on my face upon seeing the contents of so of the papers.
"H-How..." is all I can ask, incredulous, not fully understanding what I’m seeing. It seems so unreal that my expression is completely shocked.
"They’re photos and letters. All of them yours and of your family. I asked other magical girls at the base to help get them. That’s why there are photos in there that you never took; one of their magics made it possible."
"You never directly stated what happened with your family, but you made it clear they were important to you. So... I got these. I know it’s not an amazing present, but it’s symbolically important, and I thought you would prefer this to so expensive object." She speaks while I hug the photos and letters, trying to avoid crying on them.
"Th-Thank you, this is... I-I don’t know what to say..." She gives a hug, getting up from the chair before I even notice. Her embrace is so warm, a warmth I thought I had lost forever after my parents died.
"You don’t need to say anything. I know it must be very important to you. rry Christmas, and know that I love you very much... Once, a girl I liked a lot said that the best presents are the ones that make us cry with joy... are you happy?" She gives a kiss on the forehead while holding firmly, asking this.
I break down in tears on her shoulder, crying with a mix of happiness and sadness. I’m sad for what I lost, but happy that Setsuna gave such a wonderful present.
I know it’s unbecoming for an adult like to cry like a child, but I can’t hold back. My heart beats fast as the tears just flow down my face, falling onto Setsuna’s clothes.
"It’s... p-perfect..." is all I can murmur, snuggling into her arms. It’s such an incredible present. I don’t understand how Setsuna can always be so spot-on with , but I love it.
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