So I'm back to writing this story. I just won't let it die just yet. MWAH HAH! I think I'll find something else to work on soon.

Shichihou no Fluff

Christmas special

It was Christmas Eve and the whole Newspaper staff (plus Sato and Ringo) decided to meet up for karaoke.

“This will be so much fun, eh Kenta?” Haru smiled up at his boyfriend. Haru was all bundled up and wore a knitted hat with mouse ears attached. Kenta smiled down at him.

“Yep.” He agreed. Gensai reached out his gloved hand to Haru’s mitted one. They held hands inside Kenta’s coat pocket as they walked towards the meeting place.

Hanatani was waiting sitting on a bench looking as sour as ever. “Hanatani-san!” Haru waved running over to him. Hanatani just stared at his hat.

“Errand boy?” He said standing up.

“What is it?” Haru said thinking something was wrong.

“What’s with the hat?”

“Oh!” He said gingerly touching it. “It’s cute, isn’t it? Kenta convinced me to buy it.”

“Huh?” He didn’t sound impressed and glanced over at the one he called Mister Layout.

Gensai just laughed. “You should have seen the saleswoman’s face when he bought it.”

“Chikao!” Ishibashi called coming over with some drinks. “Oh, Haru-chan, Kenta-kun. I didn’t think you would be here yet so I didn’t get you any drinks.”

“That’s ok.” Haru smiled.

“Ah hah hah!” Ishihbashi laughed sheepishly while patting Haru on the back who squeaked with each pat.

“Hey.” A voice interrupted them. They turned to see Ohmura wearing a long black coat. He looked like he belonged in a Matrix movie except without the glasses.

“Ah! Ohmura!” Haru greeted excitably.

“Where’s Shooter 1?” Hanatani wondered. “Aren’t you two always together?” He wondered.

“He told me to go on ahead and scout out the area.” He said putting a toy gun into his pocket and pulling out a digital camera instead.

“That sounds like Kazuki-kun alright.” Ishibashi laughed.

“You didn’t get a chance to try out that gift yet, eh?” Hanatani asked Ohmura.

“What gift?” Ishibashi wondered as Ohmura’s face turned bright red.

Before they could answer, Sato and Sakurai walked up joined together with the same scarf. “I see you two are as lovey dovey as ever.” Hanatani groaned.

“Hi, Hanatani-san.” Sato greeted.

“Shut up.” Sakurai grumped grabbing a hold of his half brother’s shoulder.

“Commander.” Asai greeted as Hanatani whined in the background.

Ishibashi laughed as Asai saluted him. “At ease soldier. You don’t have to be so formal when we’re not even in the newspaper room. Think of it as being off duty.” He joked.

“Yes sir.” Asai answered.

“Whoa, Asai! Nice coat. It suits you!” Haru said examining his coat, which was (no surprise) a camouflage pattern. Ohmura stepped next to Asai protectively and cleared his throat.

“I got it for him.” He announced.

“Wow, good job!” Haru cheered.

“Um… yeah.” Ohmura said not knowing how to respond.

“Geez, now we are just waiting for drama queen to arrive.” Hanatani rolled his eyes.

“I’m sure he just wanted to arrive last and make us wait on purpose.” Sakurai mused.

“I still can’t believe you planned all of us to get together Hanatani-san,” Haru gushed.

“Why not?” He said finishing up the drink Ishibashi had gotten him.

“Well uh, you never seemed interested in meeting people after school before.” Haru squeaked nervously.

“It is a bit strange.” Sakurai agreed. “I would have expected Ishibashi to have planned all this.”

“Oh, I’ve been too busy studying for college entrance exams but when Hanatani mentioned a Christmas Eve Karaoke party, I thought it was a good idea.” Ishibashi explained.

“Yeah, I arranged it. So what? You’d think Fruit cake and Apple Pie would get here already cuz it’s freaking freezing just standing out here waiting for their Asses!” He grumped breathing into his hands.

“Fruit cake?” Haru repeated quizzically.

“And apple pie?” Sato wondered.

As if right on cue, Takayama announced his coming. “Ho ho ho, Chikao-sama? Have you been a good boy?” He said running towards the writer in a red dress with white fur on the ends of the skirt and sleeves. It resembled something akin to a dress a female ice skater would wear. Too add to the outrageousness, he wore stripped leggings like a candy cane’s, a Santa hat, and green elf shoes.

Ringo stood in a sweater with his hands in his pockets looking very embarrassed to be seen with such a man in such an outfit. (But then again, who wouldn’t be embarrassed?)

“Oh, Haru-sama! You look so cute!” Takayama cooed over the mouse hat. “You too Kazuki-sama!” He said turning his attention to the military man.

“Hey!” Ohmura griped not wanting Takayama anywhere near his man. Takayama just ignored him.

“Ah, and even the little munchkin is here.” Takayama said patting Sato on the head who blinked at the statement.

Sakurai sighed and said, “Don’t call him that.” Though the nickname sort of fit as Sato was the shortest of the group.

“All of you can sit in my lap and tell San Ta-kayama what you want for Christmas!” Takayama declared.

“Who would want to sit on your lap?” Hanatani groaned.

“You’re right! Rin-sama is the only one who can sit on my lap and it doesn’t even matter if he’s been a good or bad boy. I will grant him his every wish!” He said taking his boyfriend by the chin and winking at him.

“Shut up!” Ringo said batting his hand away. “Who needs it?”

“But Rin-sama! I love you!” He said clutching the boy to his breast.

“Ok already! Let go!” Ringo struggled.

Hanatani just rolled his eyes and turned leading the way. “Let’s go everybody.” He said as they all made their way to sing karaoke.

“Here’s to the newspaper club!” Ishibashi cheered as they all clanked their cups together.

“Kampai!” They cheered.

“Here’s to love!” Takayama shouted raising his cup. Everyone paused but decided to humor the man.

“Kampai!” They somewhat reluctantly cheered.

“Actually I organized this party not only to celebrate Christmas though I could actually care less about the holiday but I had another purpose in mind.” Hanatani said standing up before them.

“What is it?” Ohmura grumbled.

“Well graduation is still a long ways away but this Christmas party also doubles as a party for the third years in our club.”

“Eh? What do you mean?” Haru wondered placing his hand on Gensai’s shoulder.

“I don’t know about Layout and Drama Queen here, but Chief’s been studying up a storm lately.” Hanatani started.

“Yeah,” Ishibashi said sheepishly. “My practice test scores weren’t that great.” He admitted.

“Hmph. I don’t need to study because I’m a genius!” Takayama stated haughtily.

“That’s a lie.” Ringo blandly pointed out. “The school you are going to doesn’t even have an entrance exam.”

“Aw, Rin-sama! You ruined my fun!” Takayama complained having a fit “I wanted them to marvel at my brilliant mind!” He said dramatically waving his hand over his head.

“Everyone already knows you’re an idiot.” Ringo shot back.

“Aw, you’re so mean Rin-sama!” Takayama cried.

“Well yes.” Gensai cleared his throat. “I have been studying a little bit but currently my test scores are ok so I should be fine for my college entrance exams.” He explained. Haru looked up at him worried.

“Well my point is that the next few months before graduation will be busy for you third years since you’re all preparing for college so who knows when the whole newspaper club will be able to meet like this again.”

“Oh…” Takayama realized. “Chikao-sama! You were thinking of us!” He said with mock tears in his eyes.

“I suppose we will be a bit busy.” Gensai agreed.

“Kenta.” Haru whispered.

“Chikoa-chan.” Ishibashi breathed.

“Wonderful!” Takayama continued. “We must make wonderful memories! Rin-sama, tonight we should-“

“If the next words out of your mouth are something perverted you can forget it.” Ringo quickly interrupted the fast talking drama president.

“What do you think he was going to say?” Sato wondered to Sakurai.

“I don’t even want to know.” Sakurai said with his eyes closed in annoyance.

“So here is to the third years as they prepare for their college entrance exams.” Hanatani said raising his cup.

“Kampai!” They all yelled. It was the loudest yell of the night and the word echoed out into the hall.

They bundled up as they prepared to leave. Takayama was talking excitably about all the things he and Ringo had planned. “And I got a cake! And fried chicken! And a present, you’re going to love it Rin-sama! Oh, we’re going have hot chocolate in front of the Christmas tree and listen to old Christmas songs by the fire. It will be so romantic!” Ringo just shook his head and sighed.

((Side note: Christmas Eve in Japan is celebrated as a day for couples.))

“Wow, he really went all out.” Haru noted.

“I wish he didn’t.” Ringo grumbled.

“And then we’ll follow our romantic evening by making out!” Takayama declared.

“Like hell we will!” Ringo yelled.

“But Rin-sama! I love you!” Takayama whined.

“You can go spend your Christmas Eve alone!” Ringo said marching off.

“But I have to keep you company! I promised I wouldn’t let you be alone anymore!” He rushed after him.

“Damn queer!” Ringo yelled but slowed down to let the drama queen catch up.

“Rin-sama!” Takayama complained.

Ringo sighed and shook his head. “Uhg. Why did I have to get mixed up with you?” The others just watched them go off by themselves recognizing that Ringo had his hands full. Sakurai meanwhile had begun to worry over Sato.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” He said adjusting Sato’s coat and scarf. “Are you cold?” He worried.

Sato laughed. “Sempai, I’m fine. Don’t worry so much.”

“Ok, but if you feel a chill coming on just tell me.”

“Ok Sakurai sempai.”

“I’m just worried.” Sakurai continued.

“Let’s just enjoy our time together.” Sato said taking a hold of Sakurai’s hand. Sato couldn’t stay out late and had to be brought home, so he was trying to cherish their limited time together.

“You’re right.” Sakurai said patting his head and kissing his forehead. “I’m sorry for being a downer.”

“You two are worst than Mister Layout and Errand boy.” Hanatani interrupted their moment. “Knock it out already.”

“What do you mean worse than us?” Haru fretted red in the face. Gensai just smiled a bit mysteriously besides him.

Sakurai glared at Hanatani and it looked like another shoulder pinch was in the sour boy’s future. Ishibashi tried to intervene. “But we do stuff that is much worse than that.” He said quickly.

“Chief, please be quiet.” Hanatani groaned. “Another word and we won’t do any of that worst stuff.”

“What are they talking about?” Sato wondered.

“I think I’m gonna be sick.” Sakurai groaned. “Anyway, I’d better get Sato home.” He said leading Sato away from the group.

“Ok, bye Sato-san! Bye Sakurai-san!” Haru waved.

“I guess we should be off too.” Gensai said.

“Shooter 1 and 2 have already left.” Hanatani mentioned.

“I didn’t even see them leave.” Ishibashi said sounding amazed.

“It’s typical.” Hanatani rolled his eyes. “And I wanted to ask Shooter 2 about the gift I gave him.”

“What was it?” Ishibashi wondered.

“Secret.” Hanatani said simply. He turned to Haru and Gensai. “Anyway, are yall gonna walk around town for a bit?”

“Yeah.” Haru nodded.

“We’ll probably do that too. But see ya.”

“Bye Hanatani! Ishibashi-san!” Haru waved as the huge bulky man followed after the sour faced boy.

“Well, let’s go.” Gensai said holding out his hand. Haru looked down sadly.

“Ok.” He murmured.

“Do you want to see the huge Christmas tree? I hear they put up the lights on the shopping mall.” Gensai squeezed his hand.

Haru meanwhile had started crying. “Haru?” Gensai wondered. “What’s wrong?” He stopped and bent over his little Haru.

“Because this is the last Christmas we might spend together. Oh help me seven gods of luck! You’re going to graduate in a few months and then…” He sobbed. “And then what? You’ll go off to college and I’ll still be here and what if you forget about me?” Haru said only making himself more and more upset by the minute.

“Haru.” Gensai said hugging him. “You are so cute.” He wiped the tears off of the boys face. “I won’t forget about you.” He knelt down before him. “Graduation is still far away. Besides, even when I am in college, we can still see each other every weekend.”

“You promise!” Haru gulped wiping his nose with his mitten.

“Mmm hmm.” He said. “As long as you promise not to forget about me since I won’t be there at Shichihou High anymore.”

“Of course I won’t forget!” Haru claimed.

“There you go then.” Gensai nodded. They both laughed and pressed their foreheads together.

Hanatani walked next to Ishibashi. They were close but not touching. “So…” Hanatani started.

“Chikao!” Ishibashi said suddenly pressing Hanatani against the wall and trying to kiss him.

“Stop!” Hanatani said pushing his face away. “Not in public!” He said aware of the stares they were getting.

“Oh, uh, sorry, I forgot.” Ishibashi fidgeted.

Hanatani rolled his eyes. “Geeze, you’re so clueless sometimes.”

“Sorry.” Ishibashi said feeling down. “I just haven’t been able to see you lately and I couldn’t control myself.”

“Tsk.” Hanatani bopped him over the head. “Don’t be so depressing. Actually, I’m grateful that you’re here.” He said leaning against a lamppost turned away from the Editor.

“Huh?” Ishibashi walked next to him to peer at his face.

“You’re getting ready to take exams, right? And yet you still took the time to come out here.” Hanatani grabbed his hand. “I appreciate it.” He grumbled but then looked up at Ishibashi intently.

“Yeah…” Ishibashi said. “Uh… yeah!”

Meanwhile, the photographer’s had set their tripod’s up in front of the huge Christmas tree, side by side. Busy couples walked back and forth in front of the giant tree but the photographers used their military like skills to get a shot in between the openings the crowds sometimes offered. Finally, the crowd was thinning out.

“Lieutenant, let us get a picture of us together.” Asai suggested.

“Uh huh.” Ohmura said. He didn’t seem very happy. Asai sensed something was wrong.

“I believe on this occasion it would be better if you didn’t frown so.” He said as they posed for a picture in front of the tree.

Ohmura looked down. “But it’s not fair.” He moped. Asai was silent and waited for Ohmura to continue. “Everyone else is probably having a wonderful Christmas Eve and we are stuck out here taking pictures of a stupid Christmas tree!”

“You do not like the mission.” Asai stated more than asked.

“It’s not that.” He said and hiccupped. His cheeks were red and Asai assumed it was from the cold. His lieutenant was acting strange and mopey, a difference from the usual angry violent kid who always carried around non-lethal weapons along with his camera equipment.

“Then what is it?” Asai wondered stepping closer to him.

Ohmura squatted down and looked over at their tripods. “See our tripod’s over there?” He said pointing in their direction.

“Yes.” Asai nodded.

“They are fairly close to each other sort of like how we are now, yet they couldn’t be any farther apart.” He whined.

“I do not understand.” Asai said after a silence. Ohmura stood up quickly.

“Feh, who cares about you anyways? You never understand anything!” He said trying to hit at Asai only to slip and fall instead. Asai caught him and wondered why Ohmura’s balance seemed off.

“Is that any way to address your superior?” Asai asked as he helped the boy up.

Ohmura pushed him away and took a step back. “I don’t want you as my superior!” He yelled. “I hate this! I really want to be close to you and it is sort of cool to play these military games… well sometimes… but I’m tired of it! I want to be more than just a lieutenant to you, Asai-sempai! But you don’t ever do anything! Everyone else is all happy in their relationships and here I am with the most annoying military bastard in the world who treats his camera better than he treats me!” He complained.

Asai grabbed his face. “Huh?” Ohmura said looking at him with eyes out of focus. There was definitely something different about Ohmura. Asai ignored his speech and leaned closer to the boy. Ohmura blushed because he thought Asai was going to kiss him. They had kissed before but it was only a few times. Instead of a kiss, Asai sniffed his breath.

“Ohmura.” Asai stated. Alarm bells went off in the boy’s head, as Asai never used his name before. Was Asai mad at him? “Have you been drinking?” He said instead.

“Huh?” Ohmura hadn’t expected him to say that. “Oh, um…” He blushed and reached into his pocket and pulled out a small liquor bottle. It was empty. He had gulped it down when Asai hadn’t been looking.

“What’s this?” Asai demanded shaking the boy.

“Hanatani gave it to me.” Ohmura grumbled looking to the side frowning.

“Hanatani?” Asai wondered letting go of the boy.

Ohmura sighed. “I told him that we hadn’t gotten very far in our relationship and he gave me that.”

“Why?”

“He said it would make me more desirable.” Ohmura mumbled looking off to the side embarrassed. Asai blinked. He was surprised but his surprise barely registered on his face.

“Why would you need to be more desirable?”

“So you would want to do stuff…” Ohmura quickly covered his mouth embarrassed by what he had almost said. They were silent for a minute. Finally, Asai tugged at Ohmura’s long black coat.

“This.” He said.

“Huh?”

“I like it.” Asai said.

“Ok…” Ohmura didn’t understand what that had to do with anything.

“I like it when you wear black.” Asai mumbled staring at the boy with his hand in front of his mouth covering his mouth as if embarrassed. “Therefore, there is nothing else you need to do than wear this.” He pointed to the matrix rip off coat again.

“What?”

“This is what makes you desirable.” Asai said and hugged him.

“But Hanatani said that if we kiss after drinking this, you will enjoy it more.” Ohmura mumbled into Asai’s chest.

Asai cleared his throat and pulled away. He paused before saying, “Then we will have to try it out. Though I believe Hanatani-san may have been teasing you.” He said as an after thought. “Even so I will have to thank him later.” He said and meant it.

“Thank him? But why? It wasn’t…” Ohmura was cut off by a kiss from Asai. He was surprised at first but quickly recovered and closed his eyes as snow began to fall around them.

Sakurai and Sato stood at Sato’s doorstep about to part ways. As they lingered at the front door, snow began to fall. “Goodbye Sato.” He said hugging the small boy.

“Sempai.” Sato whispered. His eyes widened as he looked behind him. “Sempai, look!” He directed his attention to the sky as snowflakes gently descended towards them. Sakurai chuckled and again hugged Sato to him.

“How lucky.” He said. “It’s like the gods are giving us their blessing.”

“The gods?” Sato wondered with wide eyes.

“Or our ancestors, Kami-sama, or mother nature herself.” Sakurai chuckled again and he placed his hand on Sato’s shoulder and watched as the tiny snowflakes danced around them.

Hanatani walked close to Ishibashi as they continued to walk around downtown. Hanatani shivered as snow began to fall. “Chikao! It’s snow!” Ishibashi exclaimed.

Hanatani shrugged. “Chief, you’re much better than any snow.” He claimed taking a hold of the Editor’s arm. Ishibashi blushed as he walked with Hanatani holding onto his arm.

Ringo stirred his mug of hot chocolate as Takayama came up behind him. “Rin-sama!” He cooed while hugging him from behind. Christmas songs played in the background.

“Hey! Don’t do that!” Ringo scolded holding his hot mug away from himself. “I almost spilled it!”

“Look Rin-sama!” He said directing Ringo’s attention to the window. “It’s snowing.” He whispered into Ringo’s ear. “Isn’t it romantic?”

“Feh, who cares about that?” Ringo tried to shrug him off as he set his mug down.

“Rin.” Takayama said seriously. Ringo turned his head to look back at him.

“What?” He was awfully close to his face.

“I love you.” Takayama said and tilted Ringo’s chin so that he had better access to his lips.

“Look Haru.” Gensai said as it began to snow.

“It’s snowing!” Haru exclaimed running ahead and twirling in the snow. “Wow! This is great!” He said. Gensai smiled.

“I’m glad to see that you are cheered up now.” He noted.

Haru stopped spinning and looked down sadly. “Yeah.”

“I hope to see many more snowfalls with you.” Gensai said. Haru looked up quickly. “And many more Christmases too.”

“Kenta!” Haru gasped.

“I love you, Haru.” He said reaching his hand out to the boy. And even after graduation, I still want to be with you.”

“Seven gods of… yes!” Haru chirped and ran to his sempai and tackling him. “I want to be with you too!”

“And don’t forget we have to visit the Shrine on New Years.” Gensai reminded.

“Yes.”

“We will have to thank each of the seven gods of luck and pray for another wonderful year together.” He smiled. Haru was speechless. “Even though the future may be uncertain there is no use worrying about it, Haru. We will take it one step at a time.”

“Yes.” Haru agreed. “I love you, Kenta.”

“And I you.”

Oh Seven Gods of Luck, thank you for your blessing. Please continue to watch over me from now on…

AND MERRY CHRISTMAS! (Even though it’s July.)

Next chapter: It is a new school year and Hanatani has taken over the Editor-in-chief position of the newspaper while Ishibashi enters college. Yet, both seem to be too busy to see each other. Will their relationship fizzle away or will they once again be able to renew their love? Find out in this next arc of the next generation of Shichihou no Fluff taking place a year later! And as always look out for cute and romantic fluff along the way!

Be sure to vote for your favorite couple in the new poll found at the top of my profile page!