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It’s not like she was really expecting Saiki to show up, but Aiura was still disappointed as her first annual Christmas party in her cramped apartment entered its second hour without him making an appearance. She kept jumping up to try and spy the front door of her apartment over the heads of the other bobbing, dancing teenagers huddled in her home, hoping that he would come through the door at any moment.
Saiki, of course, knew all of this as he hovered just outside of her apartment, trying to decide if he wanted to just go back home. He really didn’t like parties, since they were full of people. The loud, bass-heavy music mixed with the muddled thoughts of all the party-goers was the perfect recipe for a headache. But if he didn’t show up then he would be the only kid in their class who didn’t, which would mean harassment from the other kids at school once the winter break ended. Keeping his likability and popularity average was such a hassle.
With a heavy sigh, Saiki pressed his palm against the unlocked door and poked his head into the party, immediately drawing the attention of Nendou and Kaidou, who was settled on Nendou’s back. Nendou shouted in his classic booming voice, “Buddy!” while Kaidou waved his arms far above the throng of other students. So much for not drawing attention.
Of course, Aiura heard this and wove her way masterfully through the crowded living room until she was physically pressed into Saiki’s chest. Damn crowds, Saiki thought, his fingers tensing at his sides.
“I can’t believe you came,” Aiura breathed, the smell of cranberry soda hanging heavily on her words.
Me neither, Saiki thought to himself as he surveyed the mass of kids raving in the tiny apartment. His eyes narrowed as he noticed Toritsuka trying to use the cramped space as an excuse to grope a female classmate. Saiki pinched his fingers together, concentrating on making the germ regret his actions. And based on the strangled scream that escaped Toritsuka’s lungs, it worked.
Aiura laughed as she clutched Saiki’s shoulders. “That was you, wasn’t it?” she asked, obviously referring to Toritsuka’s outburst.
Saiki shrugged, but the tiny smirk on his lips betrayed him.
“Well, if for, like, no other reason than that, I’m glad you came,” Aiura said. She lowered her hand to his and tried to pull him away from the doorway and onto the “dance floor” that was her entire place.
Saiki felt cemented to the floor, unwilling to enter that mess of sweat and hormones.
Aiura studied his face, guessing that he was really uncomfortable in this setting. “Let’s go to the balcony,” she said, gesturing to the other side of the room to the tiny exterior space beyond a sliding glass door. It’s quieter.
Saiki let her pull him along, ducking through the other students until they made it to the other end of the twinkle-light filled room. Aiura pulled the sliding glass door and dismissed the other teenagers who were making out on the balcony. She gestured for Saiki to step outside, and he did, all too happily, even though he could hear Teruhashi’s panicked thoughts from inside the party. Is he going out there to have a private moment with her? To kiss her?
Saiki scoffed inwardly. Good grief.
Aiura leaned against the railing, the wind tousling her neon yellow hair along with the gold and silver tinsel she had strung into it. “Fun party, but, like, not for you,” she said.
How observant.
“You, um, didn’t have to come.” Aiura meant it, but at the same time was delighted to see him. She was conflicted. She didn’t want Saiki to be somewhere he didn’t want to be, even if she wanted him there for her own reasons.
“It’s okay,” Saiki lied. “I wanted to come.” It was better than explaining why he was really there–social obligation. For just one night, he could pretend for her sake. Their friendship could be justification enough for him to come, right?
Aiura smiled, sensing that there was some other reason, but she didn’t want to find out. She was content for that moment to imagine that he came just because he liked her, because he wanted to see her.
On cue, the sliding door flung open and a bubbly, punch-drunk Chiyo called out, “Hey! Look!”
Saiki knew what was coming, but Aiura didn’t. Dangling above their heads was what looked like a piece of lettuce or parsley, attached to a rod that Chiyo had in her hand. “Mistletoe,” Aiura said, flatly. “Real mature, Chiyopipi,” she scolded.
Chiyo giggled and shook the vegetation around a little more. “Come on, it’s a Christmas tradition!”
Aiura sighed, feeling the strain of her tenuous relationship with Saiki again. This is, like, totally the exact kind of thing that would make Kusuo not want to come to a party. I love Chiyopipi, but…
Aiura’s stream of thoughts were cut off by the feeling of Saiki’s lips pressed to her cheek. “There,” he said.
Aiura tossed her head to look at Saiki with a bewildered look on her face.
He kept his expression blank as usual, even though Aiura's might have made him want to laugh. Sure, it seemed out of character for Saiki to indulge in such a stupid Christmas ritual, but protesting all night would just make Chiyo more petulant and draw more attention. And it was tradition, wasn’t it?
Chiyo clapped her hands and giggled, leaving the two alone to go find another target while Teruhashi nearly fainted, having seen the whole exchange from the edge of the room where she sat spying.
“That was…” Aiura began, still in shock.
“It’s fine,” Saiki assured her. “It’s not a big deal,” he assured himself.
A big stupid grin split over Airua’s face as she shook her head in disbelief. “Come on, let’s go get you some punch!”
“And cookies,” Saiki added, following behind her as they re-entered the fray. He would just stay a few more minutes, he decided. So far, it wasn’t the worst party he’d ever been to.