Holy Night

Itsuki was not a fan of Christmas Eve. It was the date that woman—Kasumi Sekigahara, the novelist he respected more than any other, the one who inspired him to join this business—passed away.

He first learned about it at the end of December three years ago, after the funeral was held. She was having some health issues, he knew, but had no idea it was that bad. He had told Kaizu at the after-party that year to tell her he was looking forward to the final volume—how painfully oblivious of him! And Kaizu would’ve known her condition, too. What could he have been thinking when Itsuki said that…?

“Itsukiii, why’re you looking so down?” Nayuta Kani, walking next to him, peered over.

“No, I’m…just a little tired.”

That much was true. They were on a genuine Christmas date, something Itsuki thought was reserved for normies, but every site they thought about visiting was mobbed by couples just like them. He had totally underestimated the demand for romantic Christmas spots around the city. Itsuki was never very good around crowds in the first place, and the experience was mentally and physically punishing—even walking was a chore.

“…Let’s just go eat dinner somewhere.”

They ventured into a nearby restaurant. It was filled up with parties that had made reservations, and he deeply regretted not at least arranging something for dinnertime in advance. He was admittedly a beginner at love—not even a month of experience—but this was a terrible performance.

“…Well, we could always get fast food, at least…”

Nayuta pouted. “Aww… I don’t want that. Not on Christmas Eve!”

“Neither do I, but what can we do…?”

“A lot, can’t we?” Nayuta replied as if she had the perfect answer. “Or at least one thing. I know a place where we’re guaranteed something good to eat.”

“Oh, uh, really?”

Nayuta grinned back. “And that would be Your! A! Part! Ment! ”

“……”

“Isn’t your refrigerator packed with tons of Chihiro’s food? And knowing him, he probably went with a fancier holiday menu than usual!”

She was right. He knew Chihiro had stocked it last night with roast beef, beef stew, paella, slow-cooked chicken, and so on. Most run-of-the-mill restaurants couldn’t hold a candle to it.

Nayuta tugged at Itsuki’s arm. “Come onnnn, Itsukiiii, let’s go! Back to your place!”

“Uggh…”

He broke into a cold sweat.

…Between writing novel volumes and working on their respective media mix projects, they were both insanely busy—but Itsuki and Nayuta still found the time to date. Shopping, karaoke, movies, the aquarium, the zoo, a theme park—no matter where they went, going with Nayuta was incredible fun. Just being together was great.

Itsuki truly loved Nayuta. He did. Really. But ever since that night after her welcome-back party, where they shared that night in bed together, she hadn’t been back at his apartment. All their dates were outside, and they wrapped them up with dinner at some restaurant before splitting off at the train station. Nayuta would ask to visit his apartment, and Itsuki would always say no.

…That one night, when Nayuta transformed into a bloodthirsty beast of passion in his fold-out bed and grinded him into dust, was nothing short of traumatic to Itsuki. And deep down, in the bottom of his heart, he knew his feelings:

To hell with sex!

“Nyaaaa, Itsukiii, I’m hunnngry…” Nayuta gave him a soft push, testing the limits of his sanity. “We’ll just eat, okay? We’ll just eat.”

“…You mean that?”

“Of course I do, Itsuki! Can’t you trust your girlfriend?”

“……Mmmngh…”

He was in this whole predicament because he didn’t think to reserve a table. He couldn’t stand walking around any longer. Part of him did want to relax at home. So he finally gave in.

“………Just dinner, all right?”

“Wheee!”

So they went back home. And then:

“Sasekkusu!”

The moment they stepped inside, Nayuta whipped all her clothes off.

“Remember how I said we’ll just eat? Well, that was a lie.”

“Goddammit! This is what I get for trusting a novelist!”

“Nyaaaaaa! ”

The naked Nayuta loomed over Itsuki’s body, her eyes more like a lion’s than a cat’s as they shone straight, her hands undoing his clothing.

“Hahh…hahh… Come on… What’s the big deal…?”

“St-stop, Kanikou…! I haven’t mentally prepared…!”

“Nya-ha-ha! That’s all right! I’ll do just the tip today! Just the tip, okay?”

“That is such a lie!”

The holy night of Christmas Eve was undoubtedly filled with death and disaster for many people in the world. Evil lurked around every dark corner, and still does.

But for now, at least—Itsuki Hashima and Nayuta Kani were at peace.

(The End)