The Keeper

Chapter 15:

"Dec. 24," Totsuka utters while holding his camera, "11:24 pm, it's almost Christmas. It's the first time that we will celebrate it with only A-chan. There are many first this year. I hope this Christmas will be happy till we drop."

Anya taps Totsuka's shoulder. "Of course, it will be a merry Christmas with the whole Homra gang. Come on, it is almost time to open the gifts you received from your secret Santa." She drags Totsuka towards the people sitting around in circle.

"A-chan, are you only going to wear that one earring?" Totsuka queries bewildered. The earring is his gift on Anya on her birthday and since then she wears it without a pair.

Anya touches the single earring on her right ear. "Yeah, it looks cool and you are wearing the other one. So, we match," she answers with a jovial smile. She holds the hand of Totsuka and drags him closer to the Homra people. She lets go when she takes her seat next to Suoh. She gazes up with a bemused expression. "Come on. Have a seat already, Tot-chan."

Totsuka smiles and sits next to Anya. "So, who is my secret Santa?" he scrutinizes teasingly. "You better give me something usable," he warns.

Kusanagi thwacks the head of Totsuka and takes his seat next to him. "Don't threaten your secret Santa. He or she might not give his or her gift to you, Totsuka," he implies seriously. "Anyway, our princess can't hold on her consciousness." He stares at Anna, who is almost asleep on the side of Mikoto.

"Then, shall we start even if it's not yet twelve midnight?" Anya exclaims with a smile. "People, please give your gifts to your lucky pick." She didn't move and turns to Suoh. "Merry Christmas, Su-chan," she greets with a wide smile and gives him her gift. It is an accidental pick for her but at least, she has another chance to give Suoh something to make him remember her.

Mikoto's eyes widen slightly in surprise. "Merry Christmas," he replies in surprise.

"Anya, Merry Christmas," Anna greets loudly and cheerfully.

Anya smiles and gets hold of the gift being reached out to her. "Thank you, Anna. Merry Christmas." She gives Anna a kiss on the head before opening her gift from Anna, which is probably red in color. But she is surprised to see that it is not red but a silver ring.

"I have seen you buying Mikoto a ring for Christmas," Anna says sheepishly, "So, I thought that you, two, should match."

Mikoto smiles and ruffles the hair of Anna. "I should be the one buying that but thank you, Anna."

"Woohoo! The princess really knows how to move," the guys jests.

Anya slides the ring on her index finger, in her right hand, and it fits there perfectly. She stares at it and chuckles. It's a good thing it doesn't fit on her ring finger or else, she is sure Daikaku will not permit her anymore to stay in this place.