Face The Music (A Saimatsu Story)

Christmas- Part 1

-Kaede Akamatsu POV-

"She's kind of cute," I said. Shuichi, Maki, Kaito and I are on my couch watching RENT. I've seen it already, of course. I love musicals so much! It's important to be well-versed in a lot of music genres and fortunately, Musical Theatre is one of my favorites. Shuichi gives me a little look. Even in the darkness, the blush is basically lighting up. It's Christmas Eve and we were spending it together. I'm so happy they all included me. I know I'm new to their group, but it's sweet of them to even think of me. Tomorrow morning we're all going over to Tojo's house for a gift exchange. I'm Jewish, and my parents went away on a little vacation. I'm old enough to be home for a little while and responsible enough not to throw a party while they're gone. I talked to Maki a little while ago over text about Shuichi. It was... a surprising revelation to find out that I had a thing for him, but it's no biggie. He's a cute boy, smart, funny... Back to the present.

"I agree," Maki said. Kaito looked somewhat uncomfortable at that remark, but I just don't think he's gotten that used to his girlfriend coming out as Pansexual. When I met her, I did have a small crush on her, but I've gotten past that. I've found someone else... Shuichi and I were under the same blanket and Kaito had curled up against Maki who was slowly running her hands through his spiky hair. This was... strangely out of character for her. She looked almost calm.... I looked at my watch and it showed that it was nearly midnight. I hadn't intended for my friends to sleep over, but I don't understand how they'd get home so late. 

The movie ended and I found Maki asleep but Kaito wide awake. Careful not to wake her, I helped Kaito take her upstairs into my bed. She could sleep there for the night and I could roll out a sleeping blanket on the floor. Then, Shuichi insisted the two boys go back to Kaito's until we saw each other later that day. I waved them goodbye and, maybe I was loopy from tiredness, but I quickly gave Shuichi a hug, face burning, and then closed and locked the door behind them. I crept upstairs and fell asleep thinking about how I'd recover from that move in the morning...

Timeskip to later that day- 10am

3rd Person POV

Kaede had awoken an hour earlier. She'd changed and gotten ready in her bathroom, careful not to wake her slumbering friend. Kaito and Shuichi had agreed to come over at 11am that day before going to Tojo's house at noon. They'd have a little time to hang out before they had to drive over to her house to meet up with the rest of Homeroom 53. As Kaede prepared some breakfast, she heard footsteps on the stairs.

"Please tell me they aren't here yet," Maki said with a heavy sigh. 

"We're here Makiroll, I love you soOOOOoooo-" Kaede giggled with her best Kaito impression. Maki had her hand clamped over Kaede's mouth before she could say anything else. 

Maki's usual pigtails were in meticulously crafted braids and her usual attire was replaced with that of a black top and red skirt- a bit more festive for the holidays. Kaede had no real Christmas outfits, so she'd just put on a little green dress she'd found, hoping it was enough. It's not like many other people were dressing up, but the two girls wanted to have a little fun with their outfits. 

RING!!! Kaede's doorbell let out a sound.

"I'll get it!!!" Kaede shouted. She ran over to the door to find a certain luminary and his sidekick standing side by side. When Shuichi's eyes flitted across her dress, his breath caught. Never in all his life had he seen something so angelic as the girl standing before him. 

While Maki had taken Kaito to the back room to talk over something, Shuichi and Kaede had their own matters to attend to.

"I'msorryforwhatIdidlastnightthathugwastotallyuncalledfor-" Kaede rambled.

"Hey, hey, it's okay!" Shuichi said, unused to having to calm her down. 

"What I'm trying to say is that must have made you really uncomfortable... so I'm sorry," Kaede said slowly. 

"Worse has happened," Shuichi said with a slight grin. 

"You're cute when you're playful," Kaede smiled, genuinely. Shuichi's face put tomatoes to shame just then.

"You're not so bad yourself- I mean- well- you- I-" Kaede cut Shuichi off with a laugh.

"I know what you mean!" She grinned. 

"Uh... uh oh..." Shuichi whispered to himself. Just then, Maki and Kaito had gotten back. 

"We have to talk to you each," Kaito said with a devious smile.

"APART!" Maki ensured that they knew that it would be a one-on-one talk. Maki took Kaede up to the latter's bedroom and Kaito stayed downstairs with Shuichi.

With Kaede and Maki

"Sooo... what's up?" Kaede asked, awkwardly. 

"I'll just cut to the chase. Kaito and I agreed this was risky, but it has to be done. I mean, you guys are killing us here," Maki told her.

"What?"

"Shuichi likes you. Meaning he has a thing for you. And I know you like him so GODDAMN IT WOMAN CONFESS TO HIM ALREADY WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?" Maki raged. Kaede had never seen her friend so invested in anything like this before. 

"I'm sorry-" Kaede took a small sip of water, then sprayed it everywhere. "WHAT?" 

"Trust us. If nothing works properly, we are your fail-safe. Just don't screw this up, and Kaito and I will do the rest," Maki told her.

"Jeez, no pressure or anything!" Kaede rolled her eyes. 

With Kaito and Shuichi- no, Shyichi 

"So you uh, know about that essay I wrote you about you liking Kaede?" Kaito said, starting off small. 

"Yeah...?" Shuichi asked. He seriously had no clue where this was going.

"Well... she may uh sort of... like you too?" Kaito said with a question to his voice.

"Wait. What?" Shuichi asked, nervous, "I must not have heard you right."

"Makiroll and I agreed that this was risky, but you're tearing our hearts out man. We both decided that it was for your own good if we did some magic behind the scenes," Kaito said to his friend.

"Himiko's helping?" 

"No, not that magic. My point is, use your opportunity at Tojo's party today! It's perfect! Mistletoe is a good reason to kiss someone~" Kaito half teased.

"Are you sure about this?" Shuichi asked, nervous.

"My sidekick. Sub-luminary. Young padawan. Have I ever steered you wrong?" 

That was when Kaede and Maki came back downstairs and the four headed out to the party.

A/N:

I had to make this a 2 parter man I'm so tired- I got hit with this sudden urge not to abandon you guys like a certain A Melody With You fic writer sort of did. (No, I'm not that salty I haven't gotten my peak Saimatsu AMWY content...)

I hope yall enjoyed this and I'll see you in the party! Will Shuichi and Kaede finally confess? Or will something get in their way? You'll have to find out nishishi~

Tysm for reading, I love you all and thank you for not abandoning me! <3333