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⋆˚࿔ 🍙 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
Night had quietly fallen, blanketing our neighborhood in soft navy and gold. Twinkling lights glowed from windows and front porches, and the gentle hum of festive music drifted from a few houses down the street. Snow hadn't fallen yet, but the air was crisp, and the warmth inside my house felt like a little pocket of holiday magic.
In the kitchen, the soft yellow light cast a gentle glow across the marble countertops. I stood at the center island, tying a red velvet ribbon around the cheesecake I'd spent most of the afternoon perfecting. It sat proudly on a glass platter—rich and creamy, topped with a glossy cranberry glaze rippled across like silk. Leaning in, I sprinkled just a bit of powdered sugar around the edges for that final snowy touch.
I smiled to myself, brushing flour off my hands onto my apron before untieing it and setting it aside. The kitchen smelled like cinnamon and vanilla, sweet and warm. I glanced at the clock. Almost time.
Footsteps sounded from upstairs, followed by a door opening. A moment later, Tobio appeared at the foot of the stairs, arms full of neatly wrapped presents in glossy black, gold, and silver paper—all the gifts we'd picked out the day before. The large bag with Osamu's Rolex nestled carefully between two flatter boxes.
"You sure we got enough?" he asked dryly, adjusting the stack as he tried not to drop anything.
I grinned, wiping my hands on a dish towel as I came over. "We didn't overdo it. It's Christmas. If anything, we were too restrained."
Tobio raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.
"You look nice," I added, eyeing his clean black turtleneck and dark pants. Simple but sharp—very him.
He gave a nonchalant shrug. "You, too."
I glanced down at my cream knit dress that hugged me just right, paired with a soft wool coat and gold earrings. My hair was curled slightly, falling over my shoulders. I didn't want to be overdressed for a casual family dinner, but... it was Osamu, and I knew he'd notice.
"All right," I said, carefully lifting the cheesecake. "Let's go next door before I start rewrapping everything."
Tobio rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched into the faintest smile as we stepped out into the cold night together.
The chill nipped gently at my cheeks as we walked, the faint crunch of gravel beneath our boots the only sound besides the muffled hum of festive music drifting through the neighborhood. Frost sparkled along the hedges and rooftops, and warm golden light spilled from the Miya household windows, flickering gently with movement and laughter inside.
I glanced sideways at Tobio, who was holding the presents like a soldier on duty. I grinned.
