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“Oh, I don’t celebrate Christmas anymore.”
The casual reply had been enough to stun the entire class and instantly snap everyone’s heads over.
Kayano, Nakamura, Sugino and Nagisa had been talking about their Christmas plans, but when it came to be Nagisa’s turn, he dropped that bomb on them.
“W-What do you mean?” Sugino asked hesitantly.
Nagisa frowned. “It’s not a big deal. My mother doesn’t mind.”
The mention of his mom put them even more on age.
It wasn’t really a secret, the relationship Nagisa had with his mother, at least not since she came to their classroom.
Nagisa insisted things were better now, that she had better control of her temper.
But it didn’t stop them from worrying.
Nagisa glanced at the clock and gasped. “Oh gosh, sorry I gotta go. Please excuse me!” He gave a quick bow before hurrying out of the classroom.
Kayano swallowed hard. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m worried.”
“Yeah, me too.” Sugino frowned. “I had no idea he didn’t celebrate.”
“He said he didn’t celebrate ‘anymore’, meaning there was a time he celebrated. You think something happen?” Nakamura questioned.
Isogai chimed in. “I’m going shopping with him tomorrow for some Christmas presents for the class, I can try and get more info if you want.”
“Ah, that’d be great!” Kayano beamed. “Thanks Isogai.”
“Such a prince.” Nakamura sighed, rolling her eyes fondly.
“So you really don’t celebrate, huh?” Isogai brought up casually as they walked along the busy streets.
Nagisa seemed unbothered as he glanced around to look in the windows of the shops. “Not really. I stopped when I became a first year and just…never got back into it. Don’t worry, I’m still getting presents for the class like everyone else.”
“What about your mom? Don’t you guys do anything?” Isogai questioned hesitantly.
Nagisa smiled at one of the plushies in a display, barely paying Isogai any mind. “No, she usually goes to Christmas parties held by people from her work. She knows I’m not home on Christmas so she doesn’t really bother with decorations or anything.”
Isogai’s eyes widened. “You guys don’t even have a tree?...”
“Why would we?” Nagisa shrugged. “Hey, let’s go in here.”
Isogai followed him into the store. “But…I mean, is it because your parents are divorced? That’s no reason to lose the Christmas spirit-“
“Hey, if you were Karma would you be excited to get this?” Nagisa cut him off, holding up a large box.
Isogai blinked and looked it over. It was a mystery box filled with spicy foods from different parts of the world.
“Uh, yeah. He’d probably be ecstatic, but isn’t that think almost a hundred bucks?” Isogai questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Nagisa smiled shyly. “I did some chores around my neighborhood and saved up. I wanted to get him something special this year, you know?”
No, Isogai didn’t know. For a guy who just stated he didn’t celebrate Christmas, he sure was putting a lot into Karma’s Christmas present.
Maybe it was a boyfriend thing.
“Um, listen. I know we’re supposed to be having fun and I’m not trying to pry, but me and the others are just a little concerned-“ Isogai started.
That’s when Nagisa’s phone rang. His eyes widened. “Oh, excuse me a moment.” He hurried to take the call, walking away from Isogai. “Hello? Yes I’m out shopping right now. No I’m not telling you what I’m getting-“
Isogai sighed. So much for getting information. Nagisa was obviously distracted with the Christmas shopping, he was barely retaining what Isogai was saying.
There was still school tomorrow though before Christmas break, maybe he could talk to him then.
The school day went by as normal. Everyone was enjoying the little Christmas party they were holding, feasting on the snacks the class all pitched in for together as a present to each other.
“I thought you didn’t celebrate Christmas?” Kayano questioned when she saw Nagisa happily munching away on some cookies.
He shrugged with a smile. “It’s not on the actual day so it’s fine.”
Huh. So it was the specific day?
It took a lot to get Nagisa upset, much less hold a grudge. She couldn’t imagine what could’ve possibly happened if it didn’t involve his mom.
But maybe he was just covering for her?
On one hand, she didn’t want to invade his privacy, but at the same time it felt wrong to leave it be.
“Nagisa-“ Kayano started hesitantly.
He smiled at her, kind as always. “What’s up? You look kind of upset. Is something wrong?”
“Um…” She winced. “Well it’s just…”
Nakamura groaned as she stormed over. “Stop beating around the bush. We’re worried because you don’t celebrate Christmas. So come on, we’re your ass-class family, what trauma was so bad that you hate Christmas day?”
To say the entire class was mortified would be an understatement. Except for Itona who just continued eating without a care, and Karma who wasn’t even there since he ditched.
Nagisa stared at Nakamura completely expressionless for a moment, before bursting out into laughter.
“Uh…” Maehara hesitated. “A-Are you like, gonna kill us or something?”
“Please don’t be mad!” Okuda whimpered.
Nagisa shook his head, grinning. “Wow guys, I mean, I appreciate the concern, but it’s just, it’s not what you think, at all. The reason I don’t celebrate isn’t anything bad. I have no problems with Christmas.”
Nakamura’s eyebrows furrowed. “So then what is it?”
To her surprise, Nagisa merely winked at her and held a finger to his lips.
“That’s a secret!”
Karma cackled as he collapsed back on the couch in his living room. An obnoxiously large Christmas tree was set up thanks to his parents. “So you’re telling me they thought for days that you had some deep rooted hatred towards Christmas?”
“It’s your fault.” Nagisa pouted. His present for Karma was in his arms. “I couldn’t even explain myself properly.”
Karma grinned. “But don’t you feel all warm and special being the only one who knows my birthday?”
Nagisa rolled his eyes. “Open your present.” He shoved the gift into Karma’s arms.
He complied and quickly unwrapped it, beaming in delight. “A mystery box of spices!? Jeez Nagisa, I’m gonna have to really go the extra mile on your birthday.”
Nagisa chuckled. “You know I don’t care about that sort of thing. Now are we gonna celebrate your birthday or what?”
Karma grabbed him by his arm and tugged him down onto the couch with him, arms wrapped around him tightly. He sighed in content. “I already am.”
A light blush crossed Nagisa’s cheeks as he rested into Karma’s hold.
“Seriously though, you sure I don’t need to get you something for Christmas?” Karma questioned softly as he smelled Nagisa’s hair. It always smelled like peppermint.
Nagisa smiled a little as his grip on Karma’s jacket tightened. “I already got my Christmas present.” He whispered softly. “Thanks for being born, Karma…”
Karma didn’t respond, but nothing could deny the way his hold on Nagisa got impossibly tighter.