Chapter 10: A Christmas to Remember

The festive cheer was palpable as Shika and her family bustled about, preparing for their Christmas day. The scent of freshly baked cookies and roasted turkey wafted through the house, mingling with the soft hum of holiday music playing in the background. Ichigo eagerly peeked out the window every few minutes, waiting for their guests to arrive.

Finally, the doorbell rang. Shika's father sprang to his feet, a mischievous grin on his face. He opened the door and, upon seeing Sota and his little sister Tenshi standing there, proclaimed loudly, "Ah, the delivery guy is here!"

Behind him, Shika's mother quickly appeared, looking confused. "Delivery? We didn't order anything," she said, peering past her husband. Her expression softened as she spotted Sota and Tenshi. "Dummy, they're not delivery people. They're Shika and Ichigo's friends!"

Sota smiled politely, holding a neatly wrapped gift in one hand, while Tenshi, her cheeks flushed from the cold, clutched a small box tied with a bright red ribbon.

"Please, come in and make yourselves at home," Shika's mother said warmly, ushering them inside. "It's so nice to see you both."

As they stepped into the house, the warmth of the cozy interior welcomed them. Strings of twinkling lights adorned the walls, and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner of the living room, its ornaments glinting in the soft glow.

"Hey Sota, where are you from?" Shika's father asked as they settled in, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Uh, I'm from the next town over," Sota replied, shifting slightly under the weight of the man's gaze.

"And what do your parents do?"

Sota hesitated for a moment before answering, "My dad runs a restaurant in our town."

Shika's father nodded approvingly but couldn't resist one more question. "So, what kind of relationship do you have with Shika? Are you two just friends, or is there something more? Do you like her?"

Sota's cheeks reddened slightly, but he answered with calm honesty. "Shika is a good friend of mine. We met through a mutual friend, and we hang out sometimes. I don't have any romantic feelings toward her, but I do care about her as a friend."

Noticing the gift Sota was holding, Shika's father's curiosity shifted. "What's that you're holding?"

"Oh, this?" Sota said, lifting the box slightly. "It's a gift for Shika."

Before the interrogation could continue, Shika stepped in, her face flushed with embarrassment. She lightly smacked her father on the head. "Dad, stop with all the questions!" she exclaimed, grabbing his arm and pulling him away. Turning to Sota, she added apologetically, "I'm sorry about him. He's always like this."

"It's fine," Sota replied with a chuckle, following her into the living room, where the rest of the family waited.

"Um, Shika, I hope you like this," he said, holding out the gift.

Shika took the box, unwrapping it carefully. Her eyes widened as she lifted the delicate necklace from its velvet bed, the soft pink of the rose quartz pendant catching the light.

"Oh, Sota, it's beautiful," she said softly, her voice filled with awe as she fastened it around her neck.

"Rose quartz is the stone of love and compassion," Sota explained, a hint of shyness in his tone. "I thought it was perfect for you."

Shika's face lit up with a radiant smile. "Thank you so much," she whispered, touching the pendant gently.

The rest of the evening passed in a whirl of laughter and joy. Shika's parents shared stories from their youth, fueled by generous amounts of wine, while the two younger girls played with their new toys, their giggles filling the air.

As the night wore on, the wine and excitement eventually took their toll. Shika's parents retired to bed, followed closely by Ichigo and Tenshi, who could barely keep their eyes open.

In the now-quiet living room, Sota and Shika remained on the couch, a cozy blanket draped over their legs as they watched a holiday movie. The warm glow of the Christmas tree cast soft shadows across the room.

As the credits rolled, Shika let out a small yawn, leaning her head against Sota's shoulder.

"You're tired," he said softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

"Yeah," she admitted, her voice drowsy. "It's been a long day."

Sota wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Well, we can't have you falling asleep on the couch. Let me walk you to bed."

Shika giggled, allowing him to help her up. They walked to her room together, their steps quiet on the creaky wooden floor.

Standing in her doorway, Sota gave her a warm smile. "Goodnight, Shika. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight, Sota," she replied, her own smile soft and genuine. "Thanks for the wonderful day."

Before turning away, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Shika's cheeks flushed, but she didn't pull back.

Sota returned to the living room, finding a comfortable spot on the couch. He wrapped himself in a blanket, the soft hum of the Christmas tree lights lulling him to sleep.

The next morning, Sota awoke to the smell of breakfast wafting through the air. Stretching his arms, he made his way to the kitchen, where Shika's mother was busy at the stove.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice still groggy. "Thank you for letting me stay the night and for the wonderful Christmas we had."

Shika's mother turned to him with a warm smile. "It was our pleasure, Sota. You're always welcome here."

Just then, Shika entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Her messy bedhead only added to her charm.

"Good morning," she said with a sleepy smile.

"Morning," Sota replied. "Thanks for letting me crash on your couch. I hope I didn't disturb anyone."

Shika laughed softly. "Not at all. It was nice having you here."

Moments later, Tenshi bounded into the kitchen, her excitement brightening the room. "Good morning, everyone!"

They sat down for breakfast, the table filled with laughter and conversation. As they finished eating, Shika's mother walked Sota and Tenshi to the door, sending them off with a warm goodbye.

"Thank you for everything," Sota said as he stepped outside, the crisp morning air refreshing against his skin.

As they walked home, Tenshi chattered happily about the day before, and Sota found himself smiling. The warmth of Shika's family, the thoughtful gift exchange, and the quiet moments they had shared would remain in his heart—a Christmas he would never forget.

The first day back at school after winter break was a whirlwind of excitement, chatter, and catching up. Shika, Ryoku, and Luna were gathered near the classroom door, their conversation light and easy—until Luna's tired expression caught Shika's attention.

"Luna, are you okay?" Shika asked, concern evident in her tone.

Ryoku chimed in, her eyebrows knitting together. "Yeah, you've been quiet all morning. What's going on?"

Luna hesitated, biting her lip before finally letting out a heavy sigh. "Well... there's something I need to tell you both. Do you remember the ice-skating coach I had a crush on?"

Shika and Ryoku exchanged glances before nodding.

Luna continued, her voice trembling slightly, "We started seeing each other outside the rink over winter break. At first, it was amazing—he was charming, attentive, everything I thought I wanted. But..." She paused, her hands trembling slightly as she clenched them in her lap. "I found out he's married."

The words hit like a cold gust of wind, and Luna's eyes welled up with tears. "I feel so foolish for not realizing it earlier. How could I let myself get caught up like that?"

Ryoku placed a gentle hand on Luna's shoulder, her voice soothing. "Luna, don't beat yourself up over this. You couldn't have known. The important thing is that you found out before things went too far."

Shika nodded in agreement, her tone warm and nurturing. "Ryoku's right. And don't forget, you deserve someone who's fully committed to you—someone who won't hide things or lie. You'll find someone better, trust me."

Luna's lips quivered as she tried to hold back her emotions. "I just feel so... stupid. Like, how could I not see the signs? Was I that desperate to feel wanted?"

"Luna, don't say that," Shika said firmly. "We all make mistakes, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. You're not desperate—you're human. What matters now is that you recognize your worth and move forward. You deserve respect, honesty, and someone who sees how amazing you are."

A tear slipped down Luna's cheek, but she managed a weak smile. "Thank you, both of you. I guess I just need to focus on myself for a while and let go of this mess."

The three friends leaned into a comforting group hug; their bond strengthened by the shared moment of vulnerability.

Later that day, in the gymnasium, Rio approached Heizen as they were gearing up for sports class. "Hey, Heizen," Rio started, a slightly sheepish look on his face. "I need your help."

Heizen raised an eyebrow, already sensing the potential for amusement. "What do you need help with?"

"Dating," Rio blurted out, looking genuinely exasperated. "It's so hard, man. I don't get it."

Suppressing a grin, Heizen leaned casually against the wall. "Alright, what specifically don't you understand?"

Rio scratched the back of his head, searching for the right words. "Okay, so... you meet someone, you go on a date, and then you kiss."

Heizen tilted his head, his tone deadpan. "On the lips?"

Rio nodded seriously. "Yeah, on the lips."

"Okay," Heizen said, nodding sagely. "Just checking."

Rio continued, "So, if you go on more dates and keep kissing, that means you're together, right?"

Heizen shrugged. "Not necessarily."

Rio blinked, clearly puzzled. "What do you mean, not necessarily? You're going out, you're kissing—that's a relationship, right?"

Heizen sighed, trying to explain in simple terms. "No, it just means you're getting to know each other. You're testing the waters to see if it's a good fit."

Rio frowned, his confusion growing. "So, what happens if you start liking each other after a few more dates? Then you're together, right?"

Heizen shook his head. "Nope. Now you're developing feelings for each other. That doesn't automatically mean you're in a committed relationship."

"Wait," Rio said, holding up his hand like he was trying to solve a complex math problem. "You're saying even if you like each other, you're still not together?"

"Correct," Heizen replied.

Rio threw up his hands in frustration. "This makes no sense! After one of our dates, we even made out. Doesn't that mean we're together?"

Heizen smirked. "Nice." Then, regaining his composure, he continued, "Nope, now you're in a... complicated situation."

"Complicated situation?" Rio repeated, looking utterly baffled. "What the hell does that even mean?"

Heizen chuckled. "It means there are emotions and expectations involved, but nothing's been clearly defined. It's a messy gray area where things can go either way."

Rio groaned. "This is ridiculous. So, at what point am I officially in a relationship?"

Heizen shrugged. "When you both have an open and honest conversation about committing to each other. That's the only way to know for sure."

Rio looked at Heizen like he'd just solved a long-standing mystery. "Oh. That actually sounds simple."

Heizen nodded. "It is. In theory."

"But in practice?" Rio asked.

"In practice," Heizen said with a wry grin, "people tend to overthink, miscommunicate, or just make everything way more complicated than it needs to be."

Rio let out a dramatic sigh, leaning against the lockers. "Dating is so confusing, man."

Heizen clapped him on the shoulder. "It's a puzzle, Rio. But with time, patience, and good communication, you'll figure it out. And if you're ever unsure, just be honest about how you feel. That's half the battle."

Rio nodded, digesting Heizen's advice. "Thanks, man. I appreciate you breaking it down for me."

Heizen smirked. "Anytime, Rio. Just remember—dating's a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride."

As they made their way back to the locker room to change, Rio couldn't help but feel a little less overwhelmed. For the first time, dating didn't seem like an insurmountable challenge—just a complicated but manageable process.

And for Heizen, watching Rio's struggle was entertaining as always, but it also reminded him of the one universal truth about relationships: no matter how much advice you get, sometimes, you just have to figure it out for yourself.