The atmosphere in Raku's living room truly felt warm that night. The Christmas lights twinkled softly, the scent of cinnamon from baked goods filled the air, and the sparks of togetherness made everyone smile. The Christmas tree in the corner of the room stood majestically with colorful decorations, adding to the festive impression.
"Alright," said Raku, scratching the back of his head slightly, his face a little red from nervousness. "Now it's time to exchange gifts."
Shu, Ruri, Onodera, and Chitoge turned to him, while Issei and Ryunosuke, who were sitting a little farther away, also watched with keen interest. Claude remained standing near the window, maintaining a calm demeanor, but his sharp gaze followed every movement.
Raku took out the first small box and handed it to Shu.
"This is for you, Shu."
Shu received it with his usual mischievous smile. "Oooh? From Raku, huh? I wonder what this is…" he said as he slowly unwrapped it. Once he saw the contents—a small sword-shaped keychain with fine details—Shu paused for a moment. Usually he would tease, but this time his eyes seemed a little misty.
"…This, a sword keychain?" he said in a low voice.
"Yes," Raku replied awkwardly. "I don't know your taste, so I thought… this would be suitable."
Shu smiled widely, but this time sincerely, without any teasing tone. "Thank you, Raku. Seriously… I really like it."
Next, Raku turned to Ruri and handed her a rectangular package.
"This is for you, Ruri."
Ruri opened it slowly, and in her hands appeared a notebook with a cover featuring faintly sparkling stars. She paused for a moment, her eyes widening.
"…A notebook with stars on it?" she murmured.
"For writing," said Raku, a little nervous. "So… maybe this will be useful."
Ruri pressed her lips together, holding back a smile. She bowed her head slightly. "…Thank you, Raku. I… like this."
Then it was Onodera's turn. Raku gave her a long light-blue box.
"For you, Onodera."
Onodera opened it slowly, and when she saw the contents, her eyes widened. A beautiful light-blue pen, sparkling with an elegant design.
"Eh?! This pen… it's so pretty…" she said, her eyes shining.
"I thought you could use it at school… or while studying," said Raku in a low voice.
Onodera smiled shyly, her cheeks blushing. "Thank you very much, Ichijou-kun. I… am really happy." She then took a small box out of her bag. "Oh, by the way… I have something for you too."
Raku received it, opened it, and found a handmade cake, simple but looking delicious.
"Onodera… this…"
"Ehehe… I made it myself. I hope you like it."
Raku took a small bite. His eyes widened. "It's really good. I'll definitely eat the rest later in my room."
Onodera blushed, her smile widening, feeling relieved.
Finally, the last turn: Chitoge.
Raku lifted a slightly larger box and approached her. "And… this is for you, Chitoge."
Chitoge furrowed her brow, a little surprised. "For me? What is this?"
"Just open it," Raku replied briefly.
With her heart pounding, Chitoge opened the wrapping. Once she saw it, her breath caught. Inside was a beautiful doll dressed in a white gown, complete with a small crown on its head. The doll looked like a princess from a fairy tale, detailed and beautiful as if made with great care.
Chitoge froze. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the doll. Memories flashed quickly—just a few days ago, she and Raku often argued, teased each other, and Raku often called her "Gorilla." But… now, this innocent and amnesiac Raku, without any pretense, gave such a beautiful gift.
Her eyes slowly welled up. Her chest felt warm, beating faster. She lowered her head, trying to hide her face that was beginning to flush.
"…Thank you," she said hoarsely, almost trembling. "Thank you, Raku."
Raku looked at her, confused but smiling gently. "I thought it would suit you. You look… like a princess."
Claude, watching from the corner of the room, let out a long sigh. His eyes softened a little. In his heart, he muttered, 'The Bocchan who used to be noisy and argue with Ojou-chan, even calling her Gorilla… now innocently gives a princess doll. The world is strange, but… it seems Ojou-chan is truly happy tonight.'
Issei and Ryunosuke exchanged glances, smiling faintly at the moment. They knew, without words, that this Christmas night had left a warm mark in everyone's heart.
In the room, laughter, emotion, and the light of Christmas lamps blended together—creating a night that would not be forgotten.
The night grew later. The small candles on the dining table had nearly burned out, and the cheerful laughter gradually turned into soft conversation. Shu busied himself fiddling with his new sword keychain, sometimes smiling to himself. Ruri wrote something in the star-covered notebook, as if eager to use it. Onodera, with a happy expression, occasionally glanced at the light-blue pen she had just put away neatly.
Elsewhere, Issei and Ryunosuke had started chatting casually about New Year's plans, while Claude remained standing like a shadow, occasionally glancing at Chitoge and Raku.
Chitoge still sat in her chair, the white-gowned princess doll hugged tightly to her chest. Occasionally she brushed its smooth gown, as if making sure it was real. Raku, sitting beside her, gazed at the Christmas tree with a slight smile.
A few seconds of silence passed before Chitoge finally spoke.
"Why… this doll?" she asked softly, her voice still trembling.
Raku turned, slightly confused. "Hm? What do you mean?"
Chitoge lowered her head, her face blushing. "Usually you… well, always argue with me. Or… call me weird names. But this time…" she hugged the doll tighter, "…you gave me something… beautiful. I don't know what to say."
Raku paused for a moment, then scratched his head.
"I don't know. When I saw the doll in the store, I felt… it suited you. I didn't think much. I just felt… you deserved it."
Chitoge looked up quickly, her eyes widening. "…Me? Suitable… to be a princess?"
Raku looked at her, a sincere smile etched on his face. "Yes. You look like a princess. Beautiful, graceful, even if sometimes stubborn."
Those words made Chitoge's heart pound. Her cheeks warmed, her heart fluttering intensely. She tried to control her expression, but her voice was a little hoarse.
"B-baka… who said I'm pretty anyway."
But the hands hugging the doll tightened, as if unwilling to let go.
Claude, from the corner of the room, closed his eyes for a moment, then let out a long sigh. A faint smile appeared on his rarely changing face. "Ojou-chan… it seems you've found something I can't give you. Perhaps… it's really this child who can make you feel like a true princess."
Outside the house, snow fell slowly, covering the city in a quiet white blanket. Inside, warm light and hearts beating in emotion merged, creating a Christmas night unforgettable for them all.
After the gift exchange moment ended, the large clock in the middle of the room struck past ten at night. The atmosphere was still warm, but fatigue began to show on the faces of the young guests.
Issei, who had been sitting cross-legged with a glass of warm tea in hand, patted his thigh lightly and stood up. His friendly smile, typical of a warm yet firm head of a large family, appeared.
"Kids, it's getting late," he said, looking at Shu, Ruri, and Onodera in turn. "If you want, just stay here tonight. Don't worry, our house is big, there are plenty of guest rooms. Besides… the snow outside is getting thicker. It's dangerous to go home late."
Shu immediately whistled, a mischievous smile on his face. "Wow, special service from a famous yakuza family. Well then, I don't mind, Uncle."
Ruri glanced at him, then straightened her posture calmly. "Alright, if it's not a bother."
Issei chuckled, "A bother? Not at all. You actually bring a fresh atmosphere to this Christmas night."
Onodera remained silent, a little hesitant. She gently clutched the hem of her dress. However, when Issei's gaze fell on her, warm and understanding, she nodded slightly. "Alright… then I… will contact my mother first."
The three of them then took out their smartphones. Shu immediately called his house, his voice mixed with laughter as he briefly explained. Ruri calmly said to her father, "Yes, I'm at my friend's house. No need to worry. I'll stay here tonight. I'll return tomorrow morning."
Onodera dialed her mother's number, waiting for the dial tone with a racing heart.
Soon, the soft voice of Nanako, her mother, came through.
"Kosaki? It's late, dear. What's wrong?"
Onodera swallowed hard, then spoke softly, "Mother… I'm still at my friend's house. Earlier we celebrated Christmas together. Now it's too late to go home. May I… stay here with Shu and Ruri?"
A brief silence on the other end. Then Nanako's voice sounded warm, though slightly surprised.
"Oh, I see… alright, if it's with your friends, I'm not worried. So whose house are you staying at?"
Onodera bit her lip, then replied softly, "…at Ichijou Raku's house."
There was a short pause, then Nanako's voice softened with concern.
"Raku…? So it's true, the boy who slipped in the snow and lost his memory? I just heard the news earlier from a neighbor. I'm glad he's fine now."
Onodera was surprised. "Mother… you knew?"
"Yes, some parents around already talked about it. They said he even doesn't remember his friends… including you." Nanako's voice was a little heavy. "Please… give him my regards. Tell him I hope he recovers quickly."
Onodera's eyes glistened slightly hearing that. She pressed her lips tightly to keep her voice from trembling. "Alright, Mother… I'll tell him."
After ending the call, Onodera took a deep breath. Shu, who had finished his call, commented casually, "Alright, done! Tomorrow morning I'm ready for a luxurious breakfast at the famous mafia's house. I hope there's steak again."
Ruri sighed softly hearing his joke, while Onodera only held her smartphone tightly. In her heart, her mother's words echoed, blending warmth and bittersweet feelings.
Issei, observing from afar, smiled faintly, then clapped his hands lightly. "Alright then, everything's settled. You'll stay here tonight. Ryunosuke, please prepare the guest rooms."
Ryunosuke nodded obediently, "Yes, Sir."
In the corner of the room, Raku looked around confused. "Stay over? So all of you will remain here tonight?"
Shu patted his shoulder vigorously. "Of course, Raku! Christmas night should be spent with friends. Don't think you can escape so easily."
Raku, still bewildered by everything happening, could only smile innocently. "Then… I'm glad. Let's spend tonight together."
And behind that smile, Onodera felt her heart flutter once again. The person she liked… had changed, but was still warm, still sincere.