°˖✧Gaijin✧˖°

°˖✧Midnight Memories✧˖°

Shigeo has been a very busy boy as of late.

Of course, being a student, he has to go to school and do his homework every day, but he also has responsibilities to the Body Improvement Club, to Spirits and Such, and with his household. But Christmas is drawing near, which also means he has been on the hunt for some suitable presents for Ari.

Given his lack of experience with girls and giving them gifts, he sought out some advice from the people around them. His dad, when asked, explained that his mother liked flowers. That would be sweet, but Naka also gave Ari flowers before - an expensive bouquet that he could never afford with his allowance, so that's a no go for sure.

When he asked his mom, she said that a lot of girls their age like to wear makeup outside of school. That also might be true, since he's seen Ari wearing lipstick sometimes, but he wouldn't even know where to start with that. She also suggested nail polish, but that would also not be a good one since she's a chronic nail biter. It's an anxious habit, and he's learned quickly that she's prone to that.

He also asked his friends. Inukawa suggested a gift card (too impersonal), Saruta advised him to get her chocolates (maybe), Kijibayashi said a girly bag (what constitutes a 'girly' bag?), and Tome said that she would probably like Naka's head on a stick. She'd be right, he thinks, but he's not willing to harm him even if he doesn't like him. The Body Improvement Club suggested various workout items, which wouldn't work since she's not fond of physical activity.

The only advice that he received that he thinks he could genuinely work with was from Ritsu and Teru. Ritsu told him that no girl likes the exact same things, so he can't just give her any gift that would be "for girls". Teru expressed the same sentiment and encouraged him to try to find her gifts that pertain to things that she is fond of. That, he could definitely work with.

Unfortunately, Maximum the Hormone does not have a lot of merchandise, and when they do, it gets sold out almost immediately. He's hoping that, now that the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime is releasing episodes for Part 1, that they'll get some things to buy soon. They haven't come out yet, though. He'll probably have to find something else, but he's keeping his head up!

Why, you may ask? Well, because he has an opportunity to see the things that Ari likes a whole lot more now. Sure, he slept over at her house after they got back from the situation with Claw, but he didn't get the opportunity to see her room. This way, he can see the things that litter her room - the things she already has so he doesn't get the same thing, and he can get some more ideas!

The problem? Well...

He's so nervous he feels like he's going to pass out. He's never even dreamed of sleeping over at a girl's house. It's even worse knowing that her mom isn't going to be there because she has a date with a coworker. What if things get... weird? What if... when they're hanging out together, they look into each other's eyes and they...

He swallows. No. He can't think like that or he's going to explode. Even if he's thought about how soft her lips look so many times before. Just... be cool, Shigeo. Be cool. He needs to focus on having a good time with her and making sure she knows just how much he appreciates her this Christmas. That's what's most important.

He takes a deep breath and slings his overnight bag over his shoulder before heading out the front door.

It doesn't take long for him to arrive at her home since he knows the way by heart at this point. He hops onto the porch and takes a moment to try to calm his nerves. He lifts his hand tentatively... then raps his knuckles upon her door.

It takes a moment before the door opens, revealing Ari in all her glory. His heart leaps into his throat at the sight of her - beautiful as ever, wearing a cute, long purple sweater with a cartoon of a ghost on it, shorts that are hidden under her sweater, and black thigh highs. "Hey!" She exclaims, always so happy to see him. She takes him by the sleeve and pulls him in.