Omake: Christmas Eve Special (Part 1)

It's winter in Tokyo and university entrance will follow the New Year. But first, the holidays: darkness enshrouds Ema's Christmas as a brotherly conflict turns dire; meanwhile, Mai ends a lonely shift before going home for winter break . . . 

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"Yabai, so many couples this year!" one of my co-workers hisses. Suzuki and I are on break at the moment, and while I'm taking the time to rest my feet she decides to spy on the customers. 

"Close the door or else they'll see you," I caution. 

Suzuki frowns and clicks the door shut. "Is it just me, or is Christmas Eve overrated?"

"It's overrated," I say, stretching my arms up and back behind my head. With a yawn I glance over at the clock. It's getting late and close to closing time—thankfully. 

"What's the deal with all these lovey-dovey couples, anyway?" Suzuki sighs. She plops herself down at the table across from me. Seconds later she's face planted on the tabletop. "Tsukiyo-san... I want a boyfriend," she whines. 

I prod her head. "You'll never find one sitting and moping like that."

"Wah, so harsh!"

"I'm being practical," I correct her. "Why do you want a boyfriend, anyway? Don't you graduate soon anyway?"

Suzuki raises her head. "Yes, but isn't it the goal to get a boyfriend in high school? You know, live out that shoujo manga dream?"

"I don't know what kind of dreams you're having, but I just want to survive exams."

"So harsh . . ."

"Why?" I shake my head. "If you want a boyfriend that badly, why not call up your crush after work? I'm sure they'd like to see you if you asked."

"But I don't have a crush."

"Wait, seriously?"

All this talk and she doesn't even have someone she likes?

Suzuki raises her head. Her eyes are half-closed with fatigue. "None of the guys in my class are cute at all. They're too loud or too noisy or they don't care about girls."

I clear my throat. "I mean, they are boys, after all."

I think of Shin, whose thoughts couldn't be farther away from dating. Boys his age are more interested in clubs and personal hobbies. In particular, Shin prefers gaming and making things over girls. He'll also play soccer when his friends call him up. Crushes and dating simply don't factor into his lifestyle.

"What about you, Tsukiyo-san?" Suzuki asks. 

"What about me?"

"Do you have someone you like?"

The question settles between us.

"No." I shake my head. "I only came to Tokyo at in First Year of high school, so I didn't know anyone from middle school. Not exactly the best time to find love, you know?"

Suzuki stares at me, her eyes full of pity. I scowl. 

"Poor Tsukiyo-san! We're both about to graduate and we can't even find someone to like. What is the world coming to? Can't a high school girl get one date before graduating???"

Her wailing commences, and I count the seconds before the manager pokes his head in to check in on us. Upon seeing that Suzuki is simply bemoaning her nonexistent dating life, he pleads with us to keep the volume down so we don't disturb the customers. 

Once the manager is gone Suzuki turns her head on the side. Her eyes flit toward me. "You think I'll find someone in university?"

"Maybe," I say. "Lots of people end up finding love after high school. We're all too stressed for relationships, anyway."

"I guess so." But she's not assured in the slightest. 

There's nothing I can say to comfort her, unless I could set her up with someone, but chances of that are next to nothing.

Our break ends and we're back on the floor waiting tables. It's amazing how many couples are out here this evening. I hear that in the West Christmas began as a religious holiday, but in Japan it's become a day of romance. I wonder if things would have been different if Christmas Eve wasn't a romantic night. Would singles like Suzuki and me feel less left out?

"Thank you for waiting," I say, delivering my next order. The couple at this table nods their thanks and dig into the food. Their coffees are decorated with foam in the shape of Christmas trees, courtesy of our barista. Despite her loneliness, Suzuki is great at making other couples happy.

I busy myself with serving until my shift finally comes to an end. It's well past eight by the time I'm off, but there's still a few hours left to midnight.

I wave goodbye to Suzuki as we part ways outside the café. She lives in Tokyo, so she'll be working over winter break. Since I'm from out of town I booked time off. The break is long enough for me to go home for New Year's, but today is only the 24th, one more day to go.

On my way to the station I pass through a commercial block. The main square between the malls features a massive evergreen tree in its centre. Coloured lights spiral around the branches, leading all the way up to a golden star at the peak. From the star, soft strings of white lights drape across the square, connecting with street lamps and surrounding buildings, which are also decorated with glowing garlands.

Beneath the lights couples walk hand in hand. A number of them are adults coming home from work. Men rush to meet women after long business meetings and women part ways with their friends to meet their lovers. Here and there a young family rushes by, the parents' arms laden with shopping bags while the children race ahead, eager to get home for Christmas.

Watching the lively crowd around me, I completely understand why Suzuki is feeling lonely tonight. Not only did we have to work, but there's no lover waiting to meet us when we're off the clock. It's the thing of movies and anime that lovers would spend Christmas Eve together, a dream that high schoolers idolize but usually never get.

At least on Suzuki's side she can go home to her family. She's told me that her parents and older sister are going to have a late dinner together when she gets home. 

"My mom is making Christmas cake! I'll send you a picture!" she said. 

I check my phone for any messages from my mother. Nothing yet. I imagine she and Tousan are at home watching a holiday show on the TV. Shin is probably in his room pretending to study. It's not technically winter break until the 26th, so he only has to hold out one more day. 

As for me, I return to my apartment. Elsewhere on my floor one of the neighbours has decorated the outside of their door with a plastic wreath. The red bow stands out against the pale walls of the building. Whoever lives there must have more Christmas spirit.

"Tadaima," I call into my apartment. Calling out "I'm home" to an empty room feels kind of sad, but I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation this Christmas Eve.

My apartment isn't very big. At the front door is a capsule-sized genkan, which steps up into a capsule-sized kitchenette. There's not much space for cooking, but that's fine; I put the portable burner away in between meals. 

After slipping off my shoes and locking the door I cross through the kitchen to the bedroom. There's only the one space for living, complete with a bed and low table. The bathroom is no bigger, squishing the toilet and wet room into one. It's a good thing that I'm on the shorter side of girls my age, or else this place might feel too cramped. 

You certainly get what you pay for when it comes to housing . . .

It's getting late, so I change out of my work clothes and fix myself a bowl of instant ramen. This is my festive dinner. 

To pass the time I send messages to my family, wishing them a good Christmas Eve. Kaasan responds not a moment later with a photo of the family sitting down to eat. She wants to call me afterward to chat, but mostly to nag me if I've finished packing for the holidays. 

Ah—I haven't even started yet.

I quickly slurp my noodles and get to it.