“ You’re sure it’s alright? I don’t
want to impose myself on anyone… “
“Oh don’t be silly. Of course
it’s alright. You know my mother
adores you.”Goodness, and she thought she had a hand for decorations. Hakuba’s home was trimmed from wall to wall with holly, silver and gold, extravagance to a point of initial overwhelming, but not in a fashion unattractive. It was tasteful, beautiful, and at least somewhat reflective of the family’s wealth. In the back of her mind, Emi couldn’t help but worry that Marian had gone aside herself to make it especially exceptional because of her stay, but the thought was easy enough to cast aside. Nobody, she reckoned, would go to such extravagance for her…
Right?
Oh goodness.Saguru hardly had to give her a full tour for practical purposes, as it wasn’t her first time in the mansion, but he ended up walking with her through all the halls anyways, as she fluttered around in a fit of glee and admiration. There was some extra staff for the holidays it seemed, but most of the slim supporting cast was familiar to the Osakan. They greeted her with smiles and warm welcomes which were reciprocated with even more loving fervor.
By the time they had reached the room where she would be staying,
the umber-eyed detective couldn’t help but laugh, leaning against the door
while Emi (distractedly) placed her bags, and fell on the bed with a sigh of
content.“I could barely keep up with you,
and this is my house– you weren’t
kidding when you said you had a
holiday spirit to reckon with. “She most certainly wasn’t. An empathetic soul, (and mind), by
nature, the massive outpour of compassion and kindness every year
which greeted the ‘Christmas season’, appealed to her on the greatest
level. Giving and gathering were some of her most profound joys,❝ I’m just so happy, Saguru-kun.
Thank you. For having me. And
for bearing with me as I dragged
you through the whole house. ❞She barely noticed his grin.
”Not the whole house. You haven’t seen the tree. “
For the first time in the evening, she let him lead the way, traipsing
back through the hall, down the stairs, and into the house’s main den. And
Hakuba was probably well-and-proud of himself at the even greater sound
of joy which escaped the lips of his compact companion. Contrary to the
organized and themed nature of the rest of the house’s decorations, those
on the tree were a myriad of colours. Hand-blown glass and other clearly
vintage ornaments lined the branches, and a faintly-glowing (yet still very
beautiful) angel capped the douglas fir.The rest of the room followed suit, with primarily wooden and
hand painted decorations, subtle, and warm. Familial and sweet, just as
any proper room for gift exchange ought to be.❝ Oh- Saguru- it’s… wonderful. ❞
” Mmmhm. Nearly perfect. Just one thing left to add. “
She followed his hand as it slipped into his pocket, then opened to
show what he’d gathered.
With nothing particularly good to say, she just blinked between the small
bundle of dark leaves and white berries and up to his softly smiling eyes,
before he lifted the bushel above them. He bent at the waist, and she held
loosely on the edges of his jaw, closing the space between her lips and his.” Merry Christmas, Honemi. “
❝ Merry Christmas, Sugaru. ❞
