Chapter 10 Operation: Christmas

December 23rd. Only two days left until Christmas. Snow had begun to fall from the sky, and the biting cold permeated through to my bones.

"It's almost Christmas, huh..." I gazed at the sky.

I still remember Christmas when I was in first and second grade. How much joy, laughter, and happiness gathered to celebrate Christmas beautifully. Not only Christians and Catholics celebrate Christmas, but everyone can celebrate the beauty of Christmas. Old, young, rich, poor, smart, foolish, everyone can celebrate the beautiful day of Christmas.

However, for me, living alone, the sight of happy families and friends gathering with laughter and happiness amidst the beauty of Christmas felt like a sword piercing my heart. For some reason, my heart ached every time I saw it. Was it because I didn't deserve to be with others? Or was I hated by the people around me? Or did no one ever want to get close to me? My feelings hurt even more thinking about it.

"Good morning, Hayabusa-kun," Otome greeted.

"Morning. Why are you so early today?" I asked.

"Today, all students are preparing for the Christmas event on the 25th. By the way, Hayabusa-kun, what's your class's Christmas event?" Otome asked.

"A play. The title is, 'Love and Romance at Christmas'. Otome, I'll help you later too." I offered assistance.

"Don't worry, Ken wants to help," Otome replied.

"Oh... I see." I felt relieved.

Finally, on the way, I met all the members of my gang. As our group entered the school, Touda's subordinates were already lined up at the door in full uniform.

"GOOD MORNING!! ANIKI!!" all members of The Mister greeted.

"Oh, you've gathered," I said.

"REPORTING! WE NEED ORDERS FROM ANIKI!" one of the members said.

"Well, today all students have a preparation for Christmas party. You can help the other students who make a preparation for Christmas party. We want this preparation no violence and no pervert things happen in this school. If you see any trouble just call us, understand?!" Ken asked.

"YES!! WE UNDERSTAND KEN ANIKI!" all members answered in unison.

Finally, everyone went into their classrooms for homeroom first, then continued with decorating the room for the Christmas party on the 25th. I walked around, observing the situation in all the classrooms. Everyone was busy helping with the room decorations along with Touda's subordinates.

Then, I accidentally glanced into the music room and saw Nanaka practicing music with her bandmates, including Ken and his band. Nanaka immediately told me to come into the room. Once inside, it turned out all the band members had gathered.

"Huh? Akane, Setsuko, Erika? Why are you here?" I asked.

"We all want to hear you sing, you know," Setsuko said.

"After all, Senpai's singing voice is supposedly very good," Akane added.

"Erika, you want to hear Hayabusa sing, right?" Setsuko asked and teased.

"Uh... it's fine, I just want to listen," Erika replied shyly.

"All right then!! Let's sing before Christmas!!" the guitarist said.

Yo, we got a flow de nanka kou natte rapaa wa utattatte ii ze/Danshi kara joshi raika tedibea (You can do that) tsuuka shuukan ni/shichai nasai najidai wa raimaa (funda funda) de ima ni fu-ONE TIME kunaru/(M.I.C) tsukanjimai na kanjitai ka? kono kaikan/Saken janee uzattee janee tsuman nee janee kuratten janee/Mukankei janee fukanzen da ze (fukanze datte utatten da ze)/Tsumari rappin da sugee futsuu ni raimu & furoo no geemu chuu ni/Button da mou uchuu ni (oorai) ON THE MIC.. fo life!/Maji saikou maji saikou (TORIIIIIICO!) Unn... yabai ne/Kubittake zokkon kurakura ittare ROCK ON clap! clap!/Maji saikou maji saikou (TORIIIIIICO!) Unn... yabai ne/Kubittake zokkon kurakura minna de sokkou Rap! Rap! [KICK THE CAN CREW - "TORIIIIIICO!"]

After finishing the song, I was surprised that Ken could also sing Japanese songs. Usually, he only spoke English. Even though his Japanese was stiff, it was decent that he could sing a Japanese song.

"Your Japanese is pretty good," I complimented Ken on singing a Japanese song.

"I will try my best," Ken spoke Japanese stiffly.

School ended quickly by noon. All students went home, and I finished checking the entire school area. I was now confused about where to go. Finally, I decided to go to the shopping mall to clear my head.

Upon arriving at the shopping mall, there was a shop filled with otaku guys in front of the display window. It turned out they were looking at a Dummy Maid Android displayed in the window, not realizing that its price reached 542,000 Yen.

Oh right, a Maid Android is a robot assistant with human-like characteristics, walks like a human, feels like a human, can eat, drink, and everything exactly like a human. It also needs to be recharged or connected to a computer, just like a phone. The company that makes these Androids is Shinohara Company, where Touda works.

The Christmas atmosphere was getting lively now. Santa Claus was giving gifts to children, many young couples were dating, and families were growing closer on Christmas Day. But my heart ached even more seeing it, because I hadn't experienced any of that since childhood until now. The pain in my heart was far more bitter than the cold weather of falling snow. I wanted this painful feeling to disappear. I didn't want my heart to keep suffering from envy and pain. I had no family and lived alone; all I usually did was shut myself in my room, trying to lessen this heartache.

"Huh, Hayabusa?" Someone called from behind.

"Shizuka-san?" I turned around.

"Are you alone here?" Shizuka asked.

"Ah... Besides, I get bored at home," I replied.

"Oh right, whenever I meet you, your appearance is always the same. Don't you have any other clothes?" Shizuka asked.

"I do, a little," I replied.

"Coincidentally, since there's a big sale today. Sensei will buy clothes for you." Then Shizuka took my hand. "Come on!" Shizuka led me away.

Finally, Shizuka and I were in a mall. There was a huge discount from 40% to 70% during Christmas until New Year's. The visitors were truly numerous, like an ocean; almost all locations were completely full, with long queues.

"Huah... it's so crowded..." Shizuka looked shocked.

"Of course, Shizuka-san. Where there's a big discount, there are definitely many visitors," I said.

"That's true, huh..." Shizuka agreed.

Finally, it was Shizuka's and my turn. Many clothes that were originally expensive were now drastically reduced. Everything was still new and fresh, none had been bought by visitors. Shizuka also matched the clothes she found to fit me. Around five outfits were finally found that suited me very well. Then Shizuka also looked for clothes for herself; she said that if you buy more than eight clothes, you get about a 75% discount. A pretty good price if you buy a lot with a 75% discount.

After getting the heavily discounted clothes, Shizuka then took me to buy a Christmas tree for her office. Then, by chance, we met the principal and Setsuko after leaving the clothing store.

"Oh, Shizuka-sensei. Mr. Bushido," Setsuko said.

"Ah, Principal. Setsuko. Merry Christmas," Shizuka greeted.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Shizuka-sensei. What are you doing with Hayabusa?" the Principal asked.

"Buying discounted clothes," I showed my shopping bags.

"Ho... You're lucky, huh," the Principal teased.

"Uh? What do you mean?" I was confused.

"It's nothing, okay, have fun you two." The Principal and Setsuko left.

"Uh... okay... that's very strange...." I became confused.

Then this time, Shizuka and I looked for a Christmas tree for her office, then continued with dinner. When we left the mall, snow was already falling rapidly, and the weather became very cold compared to that morning. Shizuka's car had also arrived in front of the mall.

"Thank you, Hayabusa-kun, I had a lot of fun today," Shizuka thanked me.

"Ah, you're welcome," I also thanked her.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Hayabusa-kun." Shizuka left in her car.

Finally, I went home carrying bags filled with discounted clothes I bought with Shizuka. I was satisfied that this Christmas, I was accompanied by Shizuka-san. The pain in my heart had started to fade, and I felt joyful today. Maybe God gave me friends to spend Christmas with instead of being alone. Thank you, God. And now I have to rest again to go to school tomorrow.

Impromptu Christmas Party

The next day at school, it was already noon, and time for break. This time, I headed to the student council room while enjoying the bread I bought at the cafeteria.

"Excuse me." I opened the door.

"Welcome, Hayabusa-kun," Kotori and Otome said.

"I'm pretty tired today," I sat down and opened my bread.

"Ah, you bought Yakisoba Bread and Melon Bread, right?" Kotori said.

"You want some, huh? Here." I threw the bread towards Kotori.

"Thank you, Hayabusa-kun," Kotori caught it successfully.

"Hayabusa-kun, do you have any Christmas plans tonight?" Otome asked.

"Hm, no," I replied while eating bread.

"How about we have a party at your place tonight?" Otome asked.

"Hm... sounds good to me," I finished eating my bread.

"OK, I'll try to invite the others. Can you cook, Hayabusa?" Otome asked.

"Cook, huh... Yeah, I've only been trying to cook for two weeks. But I'll try later," I replied.

"OK, we'll come at 7 tonight," Otome said happily.

Finally, school was over, and guarding the school was also done. Now I'm going to the supermarket to make curry tonight. Otome said all the members would come to my house, including Ken's band members and Nanaka. Now I'm heading to the shopping district, to the supermarket section.

Finally, I arrived at the supermarket. The time sale would start at 3 PM, and it was currently 2:30. Only half an hour left to wait for the time sale. If it's exactly 3 o'clock, I'll get a discounted price at checkout. What great luck, a time sale for Christmas. Now I need to buy carrots, potatoes, curry paste, and meat.

"Yo, Hayabusa," someone called.

"Touda!? You work here? You said at Shinohara Company?" I asked Touda.

"Yup, part-time here. Besides, my shift is over. Oh right, do you have any plans later?" Touda asked.

"No, I have to cook for the Christmas party later," I replied.

"Don't worry about cooking, I can help," Touda said casually. Then, the time sale bell rang. "Oh, the time sale has started!"

"HWAAH~~ LATE~" I ran to the cashier quickly.

"Hmm... Something seems wrong..." I started thinking again.

"What's wrong?" Touda appeared behind me.

"Something feels off," I searched for what was missing.

"Hm... Hot rice OK, curry paste there, onions there, seasoning there, meat too... What kind of meat did you buy?" Touda asked.

"Pork," I replied directly.

"WRONG, IDIOT!! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO USE BEEF, STUPID!!" Touda got angry instead.

"GIVE ME A BREAK!! I'VE ONLY BEEN LEARNING TO COOK FOR TWO WEEKS, KID!!" I yelled at Touda.

I already suspected Touda would come to my house for the Christmas party. Luckily, I had been learning to cook for two consecutive weeks before Christmas. From 'Cooking for Dummies', 'Kids Can Cook Too', 'Cooking for Dummies' (Cooking for Idiots). Anyway, I learned everything until my fingers had many band-aids, so much so that I went around wearing gloves.

I planned the Christmas meal to be Curry Rice. Because if there's a lot left over, more can be added if needed. I also prepared the rice until it was hot. The event would start at 7 PM, and it was currently 6:30.

"OK, the taste is good," Touda tasted the curry.

"OK, finished," I finished preparing it.

"HAYABUSA-KUN~!" Nanaka called.

"Alright, go receive your guests," Touda said.

I went to the front door and opened it. Nanaka came with Akane, Shizuka, Setsuko, and also Erika. Followed by Kotori, Otome, Ken, and Hunter before I invited Kotori and Akane in.

"Oh, you've arrived, huh?" I said.

"Merry Christmas, Hayabusa-kun," Otome said.

"Ah... Merry Christmas, Otome, everyone," I greeted everyone.

"Ah, this smell... Curry, huh?" Akane said.

"Come in. I made it myself," I invited them in.

The Christmas party had begun. Everyone celebrated the Christmas party with joy and happiness. This time I was not alone, and this time I celebrated Christmas with others. This was also the first time I celebrated Christmas with friends. There was joy and laughter in my heart.

After finishing eating, we continued by singing Christmas songs. Nanaka brought all the Christmas-related song CDs, and everyone joined in singing together. She said it was livelier that way.

"Hayabusa-kun, this is from me and Otome," Kotori gave me a gift.

"What is this?" I asked Kotori.

"A Christmas gift, since none of us know your birthday," Kotori said.

"Hayabusa-kun, open it," Setsuko told me to open it.

"Yeah-yeah." I opened the gift from Kotori and Otome. "A sword bag, huh?" I widened the bag.

"OH!! NICE BAG, HAYABUSA!" Ken also saw it.

"Thank you... Kotori, Otome," I accepted the gift from Kotori and Otome.

"You're welcome," Kotori and Otome replied.

Time quickly showed 10 PM. The children all went home. They also helped me tidy up the room and wash the dirty dishes after the party. Finally, I could sleep peacefully after the party was over. Then, someone called my phone.

"Hello?" I answered the phone.

"Ah, Hayabusa-kun. Thankfully you're not asleep yet," Setsuko said.

"What's wrong, Setsuko?" I asked Setsuko.

"Actually, my Papa wanted to come to your place, but he couldn't because many guests came to our house," Setsuko said.

"Ah, it's fine," I said casually.

"Oh, by the way, do you like men or women?" Setsuko asked.

"Ha!?" I was confused.

"Which one do you like?" Setsuko asked.

"Every man likes women, I'm not gay, you know," I replied to Setsuko.

"Okay then!" Setsuko immediately hung up.

"Strange..." I said, looking at the phone.

The next morning, someone came to my house carrying a large box, and there was a letter from Setsuko that read 'Merry X'mas from Setsuko and family'. Then I opened the box, and inside was the famously expensive Android Maid. Whoa!! Why did Setsuko suddenly give me something like this!? Then it slowly opened its eyes and greeted me.

"Good morning, Hayabusa-kun, my name is XGM-001A Ilfa. Miss Setsuko sent me to you. Please take care of me." Ilfa bowed.

"A... Ah.... you too," I greeted back.

I was very surprised by Setsuko's gift of that super expensive Android Maid. I never thought that what I saw near the shopping district could actually be given to me on Christmas like this. Well, now I can say that Christmas is the most beautiful day for me. I wish that when December comes, I can gather with friends, full of jokes and laughter. My heart also feels happy and joyful.