The Twelve Disastrous Days Of Christmas

December 21st

"Kusuo-kun! Merry Christmas! Or should I say, 'Merry Early Christmas,' since it's not Christmas yet. Are you excited for Christmas? I heard that there was going to be a beautiful light display this year in the town! It supposedly gets nicer every year, and they're having a festival. I was planning to go with my mother on Christmas Eve. She's rather excited about it as well, almost as much as me, hehehe... Are you going to see the lights? They've been the talk of the town for the past few weeks, and I'm very glad that I'll get to see what all the fuss is about."

'I don't think they're that big of a deal. Where are you hearing all this from?'

"I've been seeing posters and advertisements all over! They clamor on and on about how magnificent the light displays will be, and-"

'That doesn't count. It's their job to make it sound as appealing as possible.'

"Ah, yes... Well, forgive me! I can't help getting excited over the holidays. I suppose I've been this way since I was a small child. Then again, it's been a few years since I've gone to a Christmas festival. I used to go with my parents, but the past few years, they were always too busy, and we couldn't go as a family. And I'd like to see them with you too, if you'd like! We can get candy apples, and walk around to see the sights... Under the faint glow of the moon... Oh, what a lovely romantic setting, don't you think?"

'Stop getting ahead of yourself. And I'm staying home. I like to stay in on Christmas Eve. And besides, you should enjoy the festival with your mother.'

"Alright... It has been a while since we did something together, just me and her. And I can't help thinking about the potential of any given setting. It's become second nature at this point. Really, it's your fault for making me want to consider romantic scenarios in the first place. You did this to me, Kusuo-kun."

'Is that a complaint...?'

Akechi smiled.

"Not in the slightest."

'Come in. You're going to freeze to death.'

"What is this...? Could it... Could it be? The famous Saiki Kusuo, all-powerful psychic showing concern for someone close to him? Shocking! I never thought I'd see the day! So apathetic and uninterested is he, every day of his life, but could it be that he is in fact capable of swallowing his pride every now and again to care for someone who is talking to him from the doorway yet again, cold and alone? Hahaha! I'm only kidding, Kusuo-kun, so stop giving me that look. I know you care about me very much, even if you show it in more subtle ways."

'If it wasn't subtle, oh wouldn't be able to handle it.'

"That's most likely true. You know me, and I get flustered and embarrassed fairly easily, so any bold advances may leave me too humiliated to speak."

'So, I do it often?'

"No! Please spare me your teasing, at least until I come into the house! I'm still talking to you from the doorway, and I'd like to come inside, that way if you decide to commit attempted murder by trying to get me to 'die of embarrassment,' the neighbors won't wonder why I'm screaming."

'You'll scream? You're physically capable of screaming?'

"Well, I'll hope not to, since that would only embarrass me further, but I can't promise anything if you try hard enough. I do want to avoid it though, so please let me in before I either freeze to death or you try to kill me by humiliation."

'Fine.'

Saiki stepped aside, letting Akechi inside. Out of habit, Akechi hung up his coat and placed himself directly under Saiki's chin.

'Hi.'

"Hello!"

...

"Oh! I almost forgot what I was here for!"

Akechi pulled away, leaving Saiki slightly disappointed, (though he wouldn't mention it) and walked into the kitchen, starting to root through his fridge.

'Some houseguest you are... What are you doing?'

"I wanted to see if you had any strawberries. I'm making a Christmas cake for the party. It's going to be fairly big, so I did want to see if you had any."

Mmm... Christmas cake...

'I'm not sure.'

"Aha! Found them! You do have about half a package. That should be enough. Oh! And I also wanted to invite you to bake with me. I could make the cake on my own, seeing how, no offense, but I am more skilled when it comes to cooking and baking compared to you, but I'd like your company while I make it. And when it's in the oven. And maybe for a little while afterwards as well, if you have the time-"

'Yes, that's fine, good grief. Slow down. And why are you making it today?'

"I wanted to make it a couple days in advance, that way I wouldn't have to rush the day of. I'm only baking the cake today. I'm going to decorate it and make the candies tomorrow, and you're free to join me then as well. I always enjoy your company, whether or not it's to help with baking," he said, smiling up at him. "We could make it at my house, since I have most of the materials there. I would take your strawberries, though, if you don't mind."

'I don't think we need them. And I am definitely trying that cake.'

"No, no, no, Kusuo-kun! You'll have to wait! The cake is for the party, and I can't have you eating away at it before then. I don't want to take an incomplete cake to the party! How rude would that be? And would you have fun informing everyone what exactly happened to the missing piece of cake...?"

...

I can't believe he can't even wait until the party for the cake! I believe he's going to be there, so it shouldn't be much of a- oh! Did I wash the bowls after breakfast? I will need those for the cake... I wonder if I have heavy cream left over... I might have to pick some up at the store-

'I can at least try the whipped cream, right...?'

Akechi chuckled.

"Your affinity for desserts never ceases to astound me and amuse me. And I apologize, because I'm not making the whipped cream until tomorrow. Today I'm making the base and preparing things for the candies."

...

"You can wait, Kusuo-kun."

Saiki nodded half-heartedly.

I can't believe I have to wait until after the party.

Wow, Kusuo-kun seemed to be more upset than I thought having to wait until we arrive at the party. I suppose he does tend to get a bit impatient with these sorts of things, but it never ceases to amaze me.

...

Wait... Until we arrive at the party...?

...

Clearly not any sort of foreshadowing...

Right?