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“Christmas is so overrated!”

Kagome shook her head as Inu Yasha's statement reached her ears. Ever since her best friend had hit the tender age of ten, he had said something along those lines every year. He even let out a dramatic huff and Kagome found it adorable, the way a small wrinkle appeared on his forehead, the way his golden eyes were so full of life.

Sitting down across him, the 15-year old couldn't help but smile. It was wonderful to spend the first day of Christmas break at her favourite café, with two of the people she was closest with. Apart from her family, of course! To celebrate, Kagome had put on her new perfume, a scent as sweet as sugar.  

“You say that crap every year," Sango looked up from the menu, rolling her eyes. Today, she'd applied magenta-coloured eye shadow, and her voice was a bit raspy from the cold. “You know, I'd be happy if my older brother was-“

“Half-brother” Inu Yasha folded his arms in front of his chest. “Just because his studies at this stupid university are going so well, he acts like he's so much better than everyone else! He could spend every semester abroad for all I care!”

Kagome grabbed the drink menu that was placed on the edge of the table. It's dark wooden optic matched the rest of the ambience, a candle flickered in the centre. Warm lights and Christmas decorations stood out particularly well against the olive-coloured walls and the chatter of the other guests was drowned by the classical music playing in the background. Kagome always found it fascinating how differently she perceived this café when she wasn't working.

"It won't be that bad," Kagome tried to cheer Inu Yasha up. "See, I for one am really looking forward to Christmas and I think it's wonderful that we're spending our first day of the holidays together in this cosy café! Do you already know what you want to order?"

"Keh," Inu Yasha tapped his long fingernails against the tabletop. "They have far too many tea flavours, don't tell me Kikyo added some more... the biscuits sound really good. Do you know if they still have the ones with the red icing?" Of course he wanted the red ones.

"Yes we do. By the way, my boss said that the cinnamon-apple tea is perfect for Christmas, it's also the newest flavour," Kagome tried to help.

"That sounds perfect for the holidays, I bet Miroku would love that one as well," Sango pondered. Unfortunately, their classmate Miroku had to help his uncle out with something, but with Sango and Inu Yasha it was never boring. Although Kagome would have been happy to meet up just with Inu Yasha …

"Wow, didn't think it would be this busy in here!" Inu Yasha rolled his eyes when a small child at the neighboring table rattled a spoon in his cup. "Yes, that's quite normal on a Saturday," said Kagome, leaning deeper into the upholstered chair. 

The teen had been working part-time at the ‘Shikon’ for a few weeks now to earn a little extra money for Christmas presents, among other things. Being quite extroverted, she enjoyed being around so many different people over the course of a shift and chatting to regular customers. Kagome loved working with the small team and last week, she had even created a decent foam art! Sometimes, she'd witnessed first dates and sometimes, Kagome wished she could go on a first date with Inu Yasha. Just the two of them, confessing their feelings at the end of the date and then maybe kissing.... Kagome smoothed the soft fabric of her new blouse.

"I love the lemon tea, I could drink it every day!" she quickly said to distract herself from her thoughts.

"I'll take the matcha cupcake and a large cappuccino." Sango rummaged in her black rucksack and smiled. Kagome noticed that she wore the nice black turtleneck they had bought together last week.

"I have a date later, I'm gonna need the caffeine...", Sango confessed but before Kagome could ask about the details, someone approached.

"What can I get you today?"

"Oh, hello Kikyo!" Kagome smiled at the young woman who would take her order. She heard Sango's gasp and knew what kind of question would follow once Kikyo would leave.

"We'll have a lemon tea and the gingerbread man, plus a large cappuccino with the matcha cupcake and then the red biscuits with-" "With a hot chocolate!"

"Coming right up," Kikyo wrote down the order. Her long hair was tied back as usual and today, small silver stars decorated her ears. While Kikyo walked back towards the counter, a group of pensioners had come into the café, boasting loudly about their successful grandchildren. 

"Hey, Kags," Sango nudged her, "I didn't know you had a twin sister!" Inu Yasha grinned, but Kagome remembered that he'd asked almost the same thing he first time he'd seen Kikyo.

"Kikyo isn't my sister, she's my boss. We might look a bit alike, but we're not related as far as I'm aware - and we're actually totally different!" Fortunately, Kagome got along well with Kikyo, who was a few years older than her. Kikyo owned this café and she was the brains behind the new teas and pastries. She also took care of the bookkeeping and business decisions and sometimes it seemed like she only lived for her work. At first, Kagome had been very intimidated by her, sometimes still was, but Kagome heard from another staff member that working at the Shikon was way better than working at the café next door; the boss there had a bad reputation amongst local servers and baristas. Even the name "Black Spider" had something weird to it.

"Maybe she's a distant cousin or something," Inu Yasha ran a hand through his long hair and looked simply beautiful, "I'll gladly swap - you get an annoying half-brother and I get a distant cousin who owns a café."

"Surely it won't be that bad!" She'd seen Sesshomaru a few times by now and from what Kagome knew, he mostly kept to himself, not interested in his brother's life. He had to be around 25 now, being roughly ten years older than Inu Yasha. “Sesshomaru is only visiting for a week and it's not like you have to share a room.”, she tried to lighten the mood.

“Keh,” Inu Yasha flicked a piece of lint off his red hoodie, "I'll celebrate when he's gone again!" Sango just shook her head and turned her attention to her phone.

"Inu Yasha... if things get really bad, you can always call me, yeah?" Kagome stared at the menu even though everyone had already ordered; then she whispered,

"I'm always here for you"

Her heart was beating so fast in her chest and Kagome looked down at her hands. Why was she so nervous? It was not like she'd confess his feelings right then and there! And Inu Yasha knew that he could always count on her and vice versa!

"Keh, I'll live! I- um - I'll call you anyway! I mean- thanks for the offer!" Inu Yasha scratched the back of his head and looked to the side. Sango grinned and warmth spread through Kagome's upper body. 

The scent of cinnamon filled the air as a waitress with a tray walked past Kagome. The schoolgirl took a deep breath and already she felt a little calmer.   

"I'll be right back," Sango stood up. With her phone in her hand, she meandered towards the toilet and suddenly, only Inu Yasha and Kagome were sitting at the round table. Kagome carefully touched her hair, which she had curled today.

"Say," Inu Yasha's cheeks were slightly flushed as he leaned towards Kagome. "If Sesshomaru gets on my nerves the next days - can I come to your place?" Today was Kagome's lucky day.

"Of course!," she said quickly, “but there's a risk that Grandpa will make you carry all his stuff to the shop again.” Inu Yasha grinned and leaned closer to her; his long hair almost touching Kagome's face. His breath smelled faintly of the gum he'd chewed earlier and Kagome stared at his chapped lips. "Alternatively, we can go out and ice skate in secret or just hide out here in the café or-"

"One large cappuccino?"

Kikyo stood in front of them, a small tray in one hand. Kagome blinked at her for a second, confused. Why did she have to come now of all times? As she took the drinks, she prayed that her face wasn't as red as the glazing on the biscuits. After the food and drinks were distributed, Inu Yasha scratched his nose. 

"Well then - I warned you in advance - you can't say you don't know anything when I suddenly show up at your doorstep like a lost child" He gave her a wry smile and Kagome felt herself literally melting away. Why did her best friend have to be so incredibly charming? Would now be a good time to kiss him? What if Kagome gathered all her courage and confessed her love for him now? Her heart was pounding in her throat. She took a deep breath:

"Ohhh my cappuccino!" Sango was back and flopped down on the cushioned chair. She clasped her hands around her drink and smiled. Kagome sighed inwardly. Why did everyone have such bad timing today? Perhaps earlier had been her chance for her first kiss with Inu Yasha, ruined by a cappuccino!

"Now I get why this café is so popular" Sango placed her empty mug on the coaster. "It was really nice to meet up, but I have to leave now!"

"Before you go - I have something for you," Kagome rummaged through her bag until she found the small glittering gift bag and placed it on the table. "Merry Christmas, Sango."

"Oh Kagome-chan, you really didn't have to do that!" she raised her hands in an attempt to act shocked. “I didn't come empty-handed either!” Sango announced. Under Inu Yasha's eager gaze, she took a small present out of her rucksack. Little reindeer danced on the wrapping paper and it was decorated with a golden bow.

"Merry Christmas, Kags!"

Kagome felt a wide smile forming on her face. Sango and she were simply best friends! The two hugged and as Kagome leaned towards Sango, she noticed the brunette's glittering earrings. If her senses weren't deceiving her, it was the jewellery Miroku had given her for her birthday…

"Pretty earrings," she whispered and Sango blushed.

"Thank you" It was so obvious!

"Hey Sango, who are you meeting up with?’"Inu Yasha asked.

"I wonder who," grinned Kagome. "I don't know, you're like friends with half the school!" “Come on,” Kagome nudged him, "you definitely know that guy!" Sango tried to stifle a laugh, but the corners of her mouth twitched suspiciously. Inu Yasha raised his eyebrow. Clearly still thinking about it, he took a sip of his hot chocolate and a splash of cream left a film on his upper lip. Kagome wanted to pinch his cheeks. He looked at her with his big puppy eyes.

"Well," Sango said, "maybe Kagome will tell you if you ask nicely. I really have to go now," Sango stood up and wrapped her scarf around her neck, "Happy holidays to you too, Inu Yasha!"

.

"Tell me, who is she seeing?"

Kagome grinned. Was Inu Yasha really that blind?

"Come on," she grabbed her lemon tea even though it was almost empty. "Who would Sango be so happy with if he asked her out on a date?"

"Wait, she's on a date?" Inu Yasha stared at her. Had he even listened to their conversation earlier? "But with whom? Now, tell me!" Kagome shook her head. "As if you can't figure it out! Think about it, I know you can do it!" Inu Yasha was kind of cute when he wrinkled his forehead.

"Pff," he flicked a few crumbs off his red hoodie. "Someone we know well and who seems to be a good match for Sango and therefore probably goes to our class..." Then he paused. Kagome wondered if her best friend really was that unaware.

"Wait- you mean she's seriously on a date with… Miroku?"

"Bingo!" Kagome clapped her hands. "And it's about time he asked her out. I mean, have you seen how the two sometimes exchange glances or have their little insiders?"

"Hmm, maybe," Inu Yasha suddenly seemed to have his mind elsewhere. Had he really that little interest in their friends love life's?

"Hey, Kagome?"

What was going on now? Why was Inu Yasha suddenly looking at her like that?

"Yes?" her voice was shaky. She quickly took another sip of tea. 

"So... you've exchanged Christmas presents with Sango earlier and... I have something small for you too" Oh? “Well, it's nothing big,” he rummaged in his bagpack, “here.” He placed a small parcel on the table. It was wrapped in Christmas-themed paper, and a lot of tape had been used to keep the paper from falling off. 

"Thank you," Kagome wanted to put it in her bag, but Inu Yasha stopped her.

"You might as well open it now," his voice was raspy and he looked to the candle, avoiding her gaze. Kagome's breath flew faster as she carefully removed the tape from the paper and opened the cardboard box.

"Oh my god, it's beautiful!"

Kagome couldn't believe her eyes: a filigree gold-coloured chain lay in her hand. And there was a pendant on the chain. In the shape of a heart!

"Inu Yasha," blood rushed to her face.

"Open it," he said, still looking at the candle that reflected in his pretty eyes. Kagome's hands trembled. What could possibly be in the pendant? Somehow it was so warm, even though she wasn't sitting by the heater. Her fingers kept slipping on the narrow opening. She felt so stupid - was she really too nervous to open a pendant now? 

"Shall I help you?"

"Yes, please," Kagome handed him the necklace and their hands touched. They both flinched briefly at the contact. He opened the heart with his long fingernails and a soft click was heard. Kagome gasped. Two pictures were embedded in the heart-shaped pendant. One was of Inu Yasha, the other was of herself.   

"Kagome, I-"

"Inu Yasha, I love you!"

Kagome slapped her hands over her mouth in horror. Had she really just said that out loud? She felt hot and cold as she looked down to the ground. One thousand thoughts were buzzing through her head. What if he didn't really mean it? What if it was just a friendship necklace? 

"Hey," Inu Yasha gently placed his hand on hers. “That's what I wanted to say first”

He looked into her eyes and gave her a small smile. 

"Kagome," he cleared his throat, "will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes," A smile spread across her flushed face. Kagome now grabbed his hand and squeezed it. 

"Oh, Inu Yasha?"

"Huh?" Kagome didn't know where she got the courage from, "I have a present for you too"

Kagome leaned over and kissed him on the lips. Inwardly, she screamed.

For a moment, Inu Yasha didn't react and Kagome was mortified. She had been so sure that-

He returned the gesture. Relief washed over her and Kagome was on cloud nine when she could feel his smile against her lips. He tasted of the cocoa and biscuits and Kagome loved it.

Her whole body tingled and when they broke away from each other, the world around them seemed to be bathed in a golden glow, golden like his eyes and the lights around them. Kagome felt like she was in a dream. 

"Okay, but I also have a real present for you," she finally said. Inu Yasha's eyes sparkled as he unwrapped the parcel.

"Oh, gingerbread! I love you, Kagome!"

"I love you too"

"But I love you more!"

"I confessed first!"

"Keh!"