After helping Tatsuya and Erika out, Kousuke got everything he needed for Mana's return within the short time he had. The bedroom for her was complete with everything she would need, he fixed the other one for himself so Mana wouldn't worry about him sleeping in the common room all the time. The fridge and cabinets were stocked with more food so she could practice cooking again if she decided to reopen another restaurant. He even bought toiletries for her too and new makeup supplies, he was making sure he didn't miss a single thing she would need when she came back.
"Finally. Everything's set. It's already Christmas Day too. Man time flies fast, feels like yesterday when I last saw her. I can't wait for her to come, we'll be a family again soon."
Kousuke looked around the house with memories flashing before his eyes. He imagined his old Christmas' by himself during his military school days. It left a sour taste in his mouth, the feeling of loneliness that made him feel lost with his moms there with him. It was only calmed a bit when Megumi was there cause she would at least attempt to do something to help, even if she got too drunk and made it an obscene Christmas memory for everyone.
"Been a long time since I spent Christmas with someone. Got used to being alone even in the old life after locking myself away. Should have spent it with my old parents instead of blaming them for my problems. Well, no use dwelling on the past, I've made peace with myself and that old life. Can't keep being negative on a day of festivities like this. Better make the most of it and just move forward like I promised."
Kousuke put up a small Christmas tree in the common room and a few decorations. He started making cookies as well as food for later.
'What should I watch for a Christmas movie? Wait, should call Itsuki and tell her what's going on. She'll be thrilled too that Mana we'll be back soon.'
Kousuke called Itsuki up on his cell. It took a few rings but she finally answered. She was heavily asleep on her bed, she sounded groggy when she answered.
"Hello," Itsuki answered barely waking up.
"Hey Itsuki, sorry did I catch you at a bad time?"
Itsuki rubbed her eyes, she was trying to wake up enough to answer the call better than how she sounded.
"No it's ok, I was just napping. Helping with the Christmas parties for the Five Families was a lot of work. I haven't slept well or had a break, it's driving me crazy honestly. Anyways, what's up, missing me already beastly boy." She teased a bit.
"Haha, very funny Miss Snow White wannabe. Anyways I called 'cause I have some great news. Mana-Haha is coming back! She'll be here after my birthday."
"Oh, I see, that sounds great...EH!!!!"
Itsuki woke up quickly now, the news caught her off guard.
"Say that again please?"
"Mana-Haha's coming back. It'll be after my birthday but she's coming home finally."
Itsuki had a hard time believing it, she was filled with joy hearing the news that Kousuke was getting his Birth Mother back after so many years.
"That's great. I can't believe she'll be back. Wish it was on your birthday though that would be a great present for you. Sorry, you're there alone. Wish I could have stayed behind to celebrate with you instead of helping entertain these old fools." A regretful Itsuki said.
"Actually I won't be alone thankfully, at least not on Christmas. Rina is coming over to celebrate with me for the day."
Itsuki was silent. She didn't think he would spend it with someone else this soon.
"I see, did you ask her or did she ask you?" She asked without trying to sound jealous. She was even playing with her hair, twirling a strand of it with her fingers to calm herself.
"She offered. She said she doesn't have family nearby either and I felt bad for her since we're in the same position. I thought it would be all right since you're friends. Is it ok?"
Itsuki hesitated at first. She wasn't mad, she was friends with Rina, and she trusted them both to be platonic about the situation. She still felt a little jealous that she would be there with Kousuke when she wanted to be there too instead of acting like a show princess for the elites to fawn over just for the sake of business.
"It's ok, you guys are friends as well. I don't want you to be alone either. I'll be back soon so hopefully we can see each other after your birthday."
"Thank you. Hope to see you as well, it's kinda lonely here without you around. Merry Christmas, Shirayuki-Hime." He said to her still not giving up that nickname.
"Merry Christmas Kousuke." Itsuki hung up the phone after telling him Merry Christmas in turn. She fell flat on her bed confused about how to feel about the situation. She wasn't mad but at the same time, she felt uneasy. The two of them had known each other since they were kids. Itsuki was worried that maybe she was taking her time too much to make a move since he wouldn't. She didn't want to lose him in that way.
'I shouldn't be bothered, I mean he's free to choose who he wants to spend Christmas with since he's alone.'
It still felt uneasy to her, she couldn't shake the feeling in her chest.
'We're not a couple, he's not cheating on me or anything. But still, I feel uneasy about this.'
Itsuki slapped herself on the cheeks with both hands to shake off the feeling, she decided she was gonna do it. She wasn't going to waste any more time. She ran out of bed to talk to her parents immediately about getting home fast before anything could happen.
Kousuke finished making the cookies and dinner after the phone call. He made a small buffet for him and Rina to eat, with a little extra because of his appetite.
Kousuke set up the holiday music to a classic playlist to play while going through the movies on his TV to pick out for later. He was a bit weird about Christmas movies, he only liked two classic films such as 'It's a Wonderful Life' or 'A Christmas Carol'. Everything else he either watched a Christmas horror movie or an action movie. He wasn't into overused feel-good plot movies or rom-com films. Just never caught his interest.
The doorbell rang while he was still channel surfing, he got up to answer the door expecting Rina, but it wasn't much to his surprise.
Tatsuya was at the door with Erika who brought snacks.
"Yo, Senpai. Merry Christmas." Tatsuya greeted with a wide smile on his face.
"Huh, what are you doing here? I thought you would be with friends or something for Christmas." A surprised Kousuke asked.
"I am, you're my friend aren't ya, and Erika too. That's why I brought her along."
Erika waved hi, she was excited to see Kousuke again.
Kousuke felt like he was in a bad sitcom moment. Getting hit with almost all the comedy tropes in an Isekai world was draining his patience.
"*sigh* Fine fine come in. I was expecting company anyway."
Tatsuya and Erika entered his house. They were amazed at the spread of food he cooked. Tatsuya tried the tempura, he wanted to finish the whole bowl by himself before Kouske slapped his hand immediately to stop him.
"Oy, save some Rina will ya?"
"Oho, Kisaragi-San is coming. How many women do you have in your harem Senpai?" Tatsuya joked trying to get under Kousuke's skin. Kousuke put him in a headlock to punish him for that comment.
"Itttai."
"Tatsuya you need to learn to keep your mouth shut sometimes you little punk, keep pushing it and I'll bite you to death many times," Kousuke demanded of him.
Erika laughed at the situation, she was used to Tatsuya messing with people, herself included at times.
She grabbed one of the Christmas cookies to try, her face flustered from how tasty the cookies were.
"Mmm, these are great. I didn't know you were so good at cooking."
Kousuke and Tatsuya looked at her as she ate more of the cookies. The two chuckled at each other at her innocent display, with Kousuke letting go of Tatsuya's head.
The doorbell rang again, and Erika went to answer it this time. Rina was standing behind it, she dressed up nicely for the occasion to impress Kousuke.
"Hello." Erika greeted. Rina was caught off guard. She thought Kousuke was going to be alone on Christmas.
"Oh, hello," Rina responded with confusion about who Erika was.
"Ah, Kisaragi-San, welcome, come in."
Tatsuya greeted her diffusing the situation. He let her inside while Koutetsu was making the hot cocoa for everyone.
"Oh, hey Rina, you made it. The food is ready and the cocoa is done. Grab yourself a plate."
Rina saw the spread, and she was amazed at how well done the food was. It was better than what she saw at the cafe. Since Kousuke wasn't following a menu and was making the food of his choice she was amazed at how much he could do with freedom.
Everyone sat at the kotatsu, raising a glass to celebrate Christmas. With the movies, food, games, and company, Kousuke felt happy he wasn't alone for Christmas now. He forgot how it felt to be with people around this time of year before Akane's death. He looked at the little memorial in the room for Akane. He put her jacket and tags on the altar after the match with Megumi, he felt he was at peace with her being gone now.
"Aw, man that was good. Way better than the company's catering. You know how to fill up a guest hehe." Tatsuya complemented by rubbing his bloated stomach from all the portions he ate.
'Hope you're appreciative of it you little prick. You practically ate most of the tempura and pork cutlets by yourself.'
Kousuke grumbled as he wanted to have some of the extra cutlets.
"Kousuke's cooking is the best. You should come by the cafe where we work, he's always making great coffee and breakfast for customers." Rina commented praising the food more.
"Oh, I'll have to take you up on that when I have free time. What do you say, Erika?"
Erika had food in her mouth, she nodded yes to keep in good manners not wanting to talk with her mouth full.
The night was almost over, and Erika was starting to fall asleep during the film, Tatsuya noticed and took it as a sign to leave.
"Well, guess it's time for us to bounce. Come on Erika let's go home."
Tatsuya tried waking her up, she was in a food coma after all the cooking got to her.
Tatsuya tried to shake her awake, but he shook her too much where she was about to fall to the side, he tried catching her, but messed up badly and accidentally grabbed one of her breasts in the process.
Kousuke and Rina looked nervous at the display. Tatsuya was gasping at what happened, his hand reacted on its own fondling Erika's breast.
"Oy, moron! That's crossing into some forbidden territory there, let go fast before she wakes up."
It was too late, Erika slowly woke up, she saw everyone's faces, and then looked at Tatsuya's nervous red face. She felt the sensation of being touched, her whole face turned red like an apple as she let out an upset scream.
"NOOOO!!!!"
A few minutes later after the situation, Tatsuya was outside holding his swollen face and sobbing. Erika was bowing to apologize to Kousuke and Rina. During her fit, she slapped Tatsuya furiously, but she accidentally knocked some of the food over on Rina in the process.
"I'm so sorry. I messed up your Christmas dinner." Erika tried to apologize feeling embarrassed at her actions.
"No no, it's ok. I don't think I would have kept my cool as well as you did if that were me." Rina said, trying to help her feel better.
Kousuke buried his face in his hand. He thought he had made a mistake letting them in.
"Thank you for letting us spend time with you Kousuke-San. It was our first Christmas with real friends in a while."
"Hmm, what do you mean by that?"
Erika stopped bowing to look at Kousuke. Her eyes could tell everything.
"Truthfully, we spend Christmas with the company. They do parties there for those who have no families to go to. And Tatsuya I usually spend Christmas there or by ourselves. So it was nice to be with friends on Christmas for once."
Kousuke felt sympathy for her. He forgot she mentioned they were orphans for a second. He felt ashamed for a minute for complaining about letting them in, not considering their situation.
"Kousuke-San, have a good night. You as well Rina-San. Bye-bye." Erika got inside the car they had ordered for the ride home. Tatsuya was still holding his cheek like a wounded animal. He sat next to Erika, who scoffed at him in disgust.
Kousuke waved goodbye to them with a nervous laugh, and Rina smiled at them. She understood how they felt in a way.
"It was nice of them to see you today. Surprised they thought of you." Rina commented on their holiday giving for Kousuke.
"Yeah, not sure what I did to deserve it not like I'm that special."
Rina looked at Kousuke, she didn't agree with that. He was special, and it was one of the reasons she thought so highly of him. Being good to others without expecting anything in return. His actions spoke louder than how he treated everyone, she admired that part of him the most. Kousuke turned to look at Rina, he looked at her ruined clothes from the food that had splattered on her earlier.
"Do you want to clean up before you head home? You can use my shower. I can wash your clothes up so you don't go home with all those sauces on you."
Rina turned red. She wasn't expecting Kousuke to offer his shower to her like that with no problem.
"Uh, sure yeah I don't mind. Thank you."
Kousuke went inside to start the shower. Rina was standing still, she thought this was too good to be true. She was nervous, it was the first time she had showered in someone's home that she liked. This was an opportunity to spend time with Kousuke, and not be alone again.
'It's ok, be calm Kisaragi Rina. You're getting more than you bargained for. We're not going to plan anything indecent. Besides I still have to give him his gift. Take it step by step and see from there.'
"Ooy, you coming inside?" Kousuke called out.
Rina snapped out of her thoughts to respond, heading inside to wash up. Before she did, she could hear a sound near her. It sounded like a click, faint, but the sound from a button press. She looked around to survey the area, he fingers twitched at the ready for whatever was going to happen.
"The showers are ready, if you want hot water better hurry," Kousuke called again wondering why she was taking so long.
Rina shook it off, the sound wasn't important for now. After heading inside, the source of the noise grabbed a cellphone to make a call. The sound came from a camera and a person using an invisibility spell to stay hidden.
"As expected, she's not alone. She's with the candidate as well. Are we sure she'll go through with it?"
The voice on the other end was quiet at first before answering.
"She has no choice. If she refuses we'll use him as leverage. Find out all the info you can on this boy, from his background, level, and his class, I want to know if he'll be useful to help breed another male heir."
The hidden person acknowledged. The phone call was being done the hidden person left without making a sound. The reasons for targeting Rina were kept secret, not all the good.