My Secret Santa [✔️]

/ F I F T H / / C H A P T E R /

While waiting for our dinner, I offered to give spare clothing that we prepared for whenever Kento spontaneously decides to spend the night in our apartment. It's unlikely for him to do such a thing but we thought, "what's the harm in being prepared?" He accepted under the condition that he would take a shower just before eating. I accepted his condition and directed him to our shower. I made sure to hand him the toiletry we had prepared for Kento.

While waiting for Satoru to finish, I cleared the living room and placed all the bed sheets on the end of the couch. I wasn't sure whether he'd be comfortable sleeping inside my bedroom. Then again, he's inside a stranger's premise.

Once exiting the bathroom, I immediately went inside avoiding any sort of glance. I don't want to admit but he has attractive face. Especially when his hair is loose and wet. I didn't want to leave him alone for too long so I made the effort of showering as fast as possible. By the time I finished, he was amidst a phone call once I reached the living room. Not wanting to disturb him, I spent the reading my romance novel.

After the delivery man arrived 90 minutes later, we poured ourselves another glass of alcohol before beginning to eat.

"Can I ask you something?" He asks as he bits into his gyoza.

"Sure."

"Can you describe your friend group to me?"

"What for?"

"For secret Santa. I don't know them near enough to get them a good enough gift," he explains.

"I'm sure they'd be understanding if you got them whatever you felt was right. That's what most of us do anyways," I assure him before taking a bit of my tofu. This isn't like me. Why am I acting this way?

"I would still like to know a few basics. Just small things," he insists.

"Okay. Then let's start with Karina." I put down my chopsticks and take sip of wine before breaking down my friend group. "As you know she's...aren't you gonna note this down?"

"Don't worry, I have a good memory," he assures me as he munches.

"I wasn't worried," I mumble. "So Karina. She's someone very easy to please. You could get anything as long as it involves a well known brand like Chanel or whatever sort. Whether it's perfume or a computer, she will be satisfied as long as it is a well known name." I start explaining. "But don't get it twisted, the gift must be practical at all times."

"Is she a snob?"

"No, she just likes nice things." I don't hesitate to respond.

"Got it." He nods just as he finishes his glass of gin. I don't bother asking as I pour gin to his glass.

"Next there's Sabrina, the blond who sat next to me at the café," I move into the next person. I unlock my phone to click onto the photos app to show him a picture of her. "She's the type to be really involved in music and the genre all together. Last year, I bought her a crystal harp so that she could add it to her collection. She's very neat and elegant but she is such a sailor when she's drunk," I giggle.

"I sure hope to see that," he comments.

"It's honestly the entertainment of the night." Hmmm...did he say that because he's interested in her? Hehehe.

"Having a music crystal collection is quite the unique choice."

"You have no idea. Trying to find one that would suits her collection was a mission," I exaggerate my expression.

"Who's next?" He begins to pick up his ramen from his bowl.

"Nobara. She's the one with the short hair. She absolutely adores shopping. Whenever she gets some free time, after traveling for a business conference, she'd either invite me or someone to walk with her around a specific area in the city. So generally, buy her good quality clothing and she will love you."

"You sure about that? She doesn't look like the type of person to be in a good mood for the most part," he doubts my description of her.

Before I could reply to him, he pushes forward his gyoza box in front of me. "What type of gyoza is it?"

"Vegetable."

"Thank you," I smile just as I bit into the fried dumpling. "What I was going to say was that the more you hang with her, the less you see the expression you saw today."

"Noted. Who's next on the list?"

"Saige, the one you were talking to at the coffee shop. He's also pretty simple. He's a huge marvel and DC fan."

"He has to like one more than the other. It's impossible to like both equally."

"He won't admit it, but he's definitely more a DC fan." Another smile surges my lips as I take another sip from my glass. This is my second drink of the night. I shouldn't already be influenced. Odd.

"The shame," he fake gasps.

"I know," I contain my giggle as I bit onto the tip of my glass.

"Then there's that guy who you don't seem to like."

"I do like Yuuji. He's just an asshole for the most part of our relationship. It's how we function. But anyways, he's difficult. Or should I say picky?" I pause to think. "Picky. He has these phases where he's into a specific hobby and nothing will stop him from being obsessed with that specific activity. Right now he's into reading mystery books when they were first popularised. Good luck finding a gift over two hundred with that," I sigh with a subtle smirk knowing that I don't have to go through all that effort. Agatha Christie would be a good choice if a book. Should I recommend?

"Shouldn't be too hard in comparison to the others," he comments with ease.

Easy for you to say.

"Now the guy who doesn't talk much."

"Megumi, my baby." I make a cute sound as I say his name. "To be completely honest with you, I don't know what he likes," I avoid eye contact out of embarrassment.

"But you love him?"

"So dearly." I don't hesitate.

"And how long have you guys been friends?" I can tell he's confused.

"Almost three years. You see, I'd like to think that I know him well but in reality, I barely know anything. One time, I bought him KFC as a surprise because I thought it was his favourite fast food, but it actually was Pizza Hut."

"Now way! How have you not killed yourself?" He says with a dramatic gasps while covering his mouth.

"For your information, it is a big deal," I scowl as I contain my laughter.

"Sure it is," he motions into a laying down position on the edge of couch as his bowl is left with only soup.

"You're not gonna finish it?" I ask, staring at his bowl.

"I'm quite stuffed. You seemed to be on the same boat with
"Anyways, I would recommend you ask Yuuji. They're literally inseparable," I sit back and reposition myself on the couch next to his.

"Got it. Next person," he nods his head.

"Umm...that's actually it. I've described them all."