Work Text:
December arrived at Tracen Academy the way it always did—too fast, too cold, and full of expectations.
Special Week loved it despite all the chaos.
She loved the way the training grounds were glittering with frost in the mornings, the way the dorm halls smelled faintly of pine and sugar cookies, and the way everyone seemed just a little softer as Christmas crept closer. Even training felt lighter somehow, all the trainers were being light on them, like the season itself was cheering them on.
Silence Suzuka, however, didn’t seem to notice any of it.
She still arrived at the track before sunrise. Still ran with the same quiet focus, her breath steady, her stride effortless. Still smiled politely when others talked about decorations and parties, then returned to training like nothing else mattered.
Special Week noticed. She always did.
They ran together that morning, snow crunching faintly under their shoes as the sun crept up over the track. When they finished, Spe bent forward, hands on her knees, catching her breath.
“Wow, Suzuka, you’re amazing as always!” she said, grinning.
Suzuka turned, her expression softening just a little and smiled lightly. “You’re improving quickly too, Spe-Chan.”
Spe smiled widely, to her, those words meant more than a random Christmas present.
Later that day, the dorm exploded into festive chaos.
Symboli Rudolf declared a big party in the academy for Christmas saying that it’s a reward for everyone working hard. With that, she had everyone cooperate and decorate the place to be festive. El Condor Pasa and Gold Ship argued over who should be titled the “Queen of Christmas.” El won and demanded everyone to call her by that title. Gold Ship tried to hang decorations upside down on purpose. (Also as an act of revenge for losing..).
Somehow—no one ever figured out who decorated the common room with lights, garlands, and a towering tree that leaned slightly to the left.
And right in the center doorway…
Mistletoe.
Special Week stopped dead in her tracks and turned red like a tomato.
“M-mistletoe?!” she squeaked.
Nice Nature tilted her head. “Wow, bold placement.”
Tokai Teio laughed. “Guess someone wants drama.”
“Woah!! Who’s gonna be the lucky couple underneath??” Haru Urara said while jumping in excitement.
Spe’s ears burned. She glanced around quickly, hoping— wait— not hoping to see Suzuka nearby.
Right as she spotted her, Suzuka was already walking away as fast as she could, avoiding eye contact with anyone in sight.
For the rest of the day, something strange happened.
Suzuka avoided the common room.
Every time Spe entered, Suzuka had just left. If Suzuka walked toward the doorway, she’d suddenly turn aside as if she remembered something important elsewhere. Her main excuses were to use the restroom, she forgot to grab something, she was in the wrong area, or pretending someone called for her and saying ‘yes’ Somehow no one caught onto this pattern.
Special Week tried to tell herself it didn’t matter.
But in all honesty? It really did matter.
As she was standing outside to admire the snow, El ran up and hugged her from behind, startling her. Grass yanked on her tail to pull her off.
“Sorry Spe-Chan.. I tried to tell her to leave you be. As you can see— she didn’t.”
“Grass!! You pulled on my tail too hard! That’s a no go!”
“Anyways.. What are you doing out here alone? Don’t you wanna stay inside with us?”
Spe laughed nervously and shook her head politely, “That’s ok, Grass. I just wanted some alone time and felt like admiring the snow.. don’t worry about me.”
El and Grass looked at each other with concern. Knowing how their friend is she would be hyped and trying to eat every single piece of food.
“Why the frowny face, Spe-Chan?? It’s Christmas! You know.. the most wonderful time of the year! Santa won’t be too happy to see this!”
“El.”
“Ah! I’m- I’m not upset or anything! I’m just tired. We did spend the majority of our time decorating and cooking, so I’m just a little out of it. But don’t worry, I’ll be the same Special Week you know soon enough!”
El and Grass look at their friend not convinced one bit, but they don’t bother to say anything. Grass clears her throat to speak, “Ok well if you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask. See you later.”
Grass smiles and walks off, El waves and tags along. Spe sighs and looks back up at the sky.
“I wonder… how would it go if we really kissed under that mistletoe?”
*In Special Week’s imagination*
“M-mistletoe!?!? Who put that there! Who’s gonna kiss me?!”
“Spe-Chan…” Suzuka said with a flirtatious manner and smug expression.
“Wah! Suzuka!”
Suzuka grabs Spe’s face with one hand and her waist with the other, catching her off guard.
Everyone stops to look at them, making Spe turn red and feel faint.
“I can’t hold back anymore… you’re too adorable to resist. Please, let me be your first kiss.”
Suzuka closes her eyes and leans in
*End of imagination*
“Aghhh!!!! Stupid, stupid!! Suzuka would never do that! And why was her voice so deep?!”
Spe covers her face and screams in embarrassment.
That evening, snow began to fall—slow, heavy flakes that piled up quickly. Training was canceled, dinner ran long and the students were chit chatting and eating almost all the food. Everyone decided to wear pajamas to their little party to be festive and cozy, except Rudolf who was wearing an inflatable tree suit despite Groove telling her they’re all wearing pajamas. Just then, dorm lights flickered once… twice… and then went out completely.
A chorus of groans followed. Some even squealed.
“Well!” Teio said cheerfully. “Looks like Christmas is getting dramatic.”
Candles were lit. Blankets were shared and hot chocolate was being passed around. Everyone gathered in the common room for warmth, laughter echoing softly as snow pressed against the windows.
Spe sat on the floor away from others, wrapped in a blanket, clutching a mug of hot chocolate and looking down to see her marshmallows floating around. Wanting to see the snow falling down she looks up, but she sees a familiar figure.
Suzuka sat nearby.
Not too close. Not far either.
They talked quietly—about training, about races, about small things that somehow felt important in the candlelight. The storm raged outside, but inside, everything felt warm and still.
At some point, Special Week stood up.
“I—I’ll grab another blanket,” she said.
Suzuka stood at the same time. “I’ll help.”
They reached the doorway together.
Spe looked up. She made a noise that didn’t even sound human.
Mistletoe.
Her heart jumped straight into her throat.
Suzuka noticed too. She stopped, eyes widening just slightly—enough that Spe saw it.
“Oh,” Suzuka said softly.
They stood there, frozen, the green leaves and red ribbon swaying gently above them. The silence was uncomfortable and awkward for both of them. Suzuka fiddled with her hair while Spe looked around looking for something random so she could make an excuse to run.
“We could just… go back and pretend this didn’t happen,” Spe said quickly, laughing nervously.
“Yes,” Suzuka agreed.
Neither of them moved. Both were waiting to see who would walk away first.
The room behind them had gone suspiciously quiet.
Suzuka took a slow breath. “Spe-Chan… may I say something?”
Spe jumped a little and nodded frantically, her ears twitching. “O-of course!”
“I’ve been avoiding this doorway,” Suzuka admitted. “Not because of superstition. But because I didn’t want to rush something I care about.”
Spe’s chest felt warm and tight all at once. “Oh.. well- I thought… maybe you didn’t want to be near me. I was even nice enough to not run up and ask what’s wrong.”
Suzuka shook her head immediately. “Never that.”
She hesitated, then smiled—a genuine, soft smile Special Week loved and cherished every time.
“If it’s alright with you,” Suzuka said, “I don’t want to be stubborn and avoid it anymore.”
Special Week smiled back, bright and nervous and happy. “It’s more than alright.”
They leaned in.
The kiss was brief, gentle, and warm—more like a promise than anything else. When they pulled back, both of them were smiling and giggling, cheeks flushed.
Applause erupted behind them.
Gold Ship cheered far too loudly.
Suzuka sighed softly. “I suspected that would happen.”
Spe laughed. “Yea, it’s ok though.”
Later that night, the power returned. The storm faded. Everyone drifted off to bed, still buzzing with holiday energy. Spe and Suzuka shared a blanket and cuddled next to each other.
The next morning, the mistletoe was gone.
No one mentioned it. Not once.
But when Spe and Suzuka ran together on the track, the winter air felt different—lighter somehow. And when they exchanged smiles, no mistletoe was needed to explain it. Once they stopped running, they held hands and enjoyed the cool air flowing.
Some Christmas moments didn’t slow you down.
They helped you run forward—together.