Angel Grace and Lilin Heart

Noel

"Merry Christmas, Shin-chan!"

Shinji jolted and hurriedly turned away from his desk. "Ch-Christmas?" he asked incredulously, glancing at the date on his laptop screen. "Isn't that tomorrow?"

Continuing to smile from Shinji's doorway, Misato waved his confusion away. "No, no, not literally! What I meant was... I have a gift for you!" she sang, holding out two small pieces of paper.

"...Huh?" Shinji responded blankly.

Misato came nearer and handed him what he realized upon closer inspection were a pair of coupons. He stared at them, no less confused than before.

"They're for this cute, little cafe a couple blocks away. I've had them for a while, but they expire tonight, so I thought maybe you'd like to treat yourself!"

The short-haired boy looked back at her lamely. So, her "present" was just some old coupons she wasn't planning on using? How thoughtful.

"Oh, come on, Shin-chan, don't look at me like that; it's a really good deal! Two completely free meals!"

"...Why don't you just use them yourself? Shouldn't you be doing something with Kaji-san today?"

The encouraging smile on Misato's face slipped away, and she crossed her arms. "Actually, I'm already going out somewhere tonight." Shinji couldn't tell if her sudden cool tone was genuine, or if it was meant to mask any excitement related to Kaji. "A-And I'm only going out with him because he's paying for a nice place, and I'd never be dumb enough to waste an opportunity for food. That's all."

"Which is why you wasted these coupons," Shinji muttered at the ground.

"What?"

"Nothing," he hurried. "But why are you giving them both to me? I can't eat two meals..."

Misato giggled. "That's why you have to ask someone to come along with you."

"Eh?!" Shinji squeaked. "Misato-san! I can't go out with anyone today; it's Christmas Eve!"

When Misato just continued to smile, Shinji repeated himself, wanting to make sure she got the idea. "Christmas Eve! You know what it'll look like if I'm out with someone!"

"Oh, don't be a killjoy. It doesn't matter if it's Christmas Eve. You can still have fun."

Shinji wished he didn't blush so easily. "But I don't have anyone to ask! N-Not anyone like that anyway..."

Looking slightly exasperated, Misato said, "Then just invite a friend or something. I'm sure no one will pay attention to you anyway." She snickered. "Young couples are always so glued together they barely notice anything around them."

Even though he knew Misato was just trying to make him react, that didn't stop him from blushing even harder. "S-Seriously! I can't go out tonight! That's way too embarrassing!"

Misato groaned. "Well, if you wanna waste free food, then that's your choice, not mine." She turned then looked over her shoulder before exiting. "The sun's going down, so I'll be getting ready. I suggest you do the same; I don't know when that place closes. See ya Shin-chan!"

"Alright... Hey! Next time, remember to knock before you-!" She closed the door promptly. "Come in..." he trailed off.

Shinji leaned back in his chair, looking down at the tickets. He felt slightly somber. Of course Misato had to go and make him feel guilty for not using them... he wasn't sure if he could just throw them out. It'd definitely be better not to waste them, but who could he go with?

He could always go by himself, he realized, but honestly, being surrounded by doting couples without any company himself seemed way more embarrassing than just having a friend tag along. But who would agree to go out with him today?