Winter settled over Yamato High School, blanketing the courtyard in soft snow. Hiroshi Nakamura pulled his scarf tighter, his breath visible in the crisp December air. The school buzzed with holiday excitement, with Christmas decorations twinkling in classrooms. Hiroshi, now more at ease in Class 1-A, felt a quiet hope stirring. His thoughts often drifted to Emi, the literature club girl whose smile warmed him more than any heater. After their festival collaboration, they’d grown closer, but Hiroshi still hadn’t confessed his feelings.
In the art club, Hiroshi worked on holiday cards for a school charity event. One snowy afternoon, Emi visited the clubroom, carrying a stack of books for a joint project. “Mind if I sit here?” she asked, settling beside him. “Not at all,” Hiroshi said, his heart racing. They chatted about the cards, then the conversation turned to books. Emi mentioned a sci-fi novel about time travel. “Imagine having a time machine,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “I’d go back to the Heian period, live in a world of poetry. What about you?” Hiroshi hesitated. “Maybe… I’d redo some moments. Say things I didn’t before.” He glanced at her, thinking of all the times he’d stayed silent about his feelings. Emi tilted her head. “That’s deep, Hiroshi. You’d make those moments perfect, right?” He smiled shyly. “I’d try.”
Their talk left Hiroshi daydreaming about Christmas. He imagined spending it with Emi—maybe exchanging gifts or walking through the town’s light displays. But he couldn’t muster the courage to ask her. Instead, Kenji swooped in with plans. “Christmas Eve party at my place!” Kenji announced at lunch, grinning. “You’re all coming—Hiroshi, Aiko, Yumi, no excuses!” Hiroshi wanted to decline, hoping to spend the day quietly, maybe with Emi. But Kenji’s enthusiasm was hard to resist, and Aiko and Yumi were excited. “Fine,” Hiroshi said, feeling trapped but not wanting to let his friends down.
As Christmas Eve approached, Hiroshi’s hopes faded. He hadn’t seen Emi much, busy with club projects. He bought a small gift—a bookmark with a pressed flower—for her, just in case, but kept it hidden in his bag. The night before the party, he sketched her reading by a snowy window, his heart heavy with unspoken words.
On Christmas Eve, Hiroshi arrived at Kenji’s house, where lights glowed and music played. Aiko brought homemade cookies, and Yumi decorated with paper snowflakes. The room was warm and lively, but Hiroshi felt a pang of loneliness. Then the doorbell rang. “Got a surprise guest!” Kenji shouted, opening the door. Emi stepped in, her cheeks pink from the cold, a scarf wrapped around her. Hiroshi’s breath caught. She smiled at everyone, then spotted him. “Hi, Hiroshi,” she said. “Didn’t expect to see you here.” “Me neither,” he replied, his voice soft. His heart soared—she was here, in this moment, with him.
The party was fun. They played games, ate pizza, and laughed at Kenji’s terrible dance moves. Hiroshi and Emi ended up on the couch, sharing a plate of cookies. “This is nice,” she said. “I’m glad you’re here.” “Me too,” Hiroshi said, his shyness easing. He wanted to give her the bookmark but hesitated. Instead, he asked, “Read any good books lately?” Emi laughed, launching into a story about a time-travel mystery. Their talk flowed easily, and for the first time, Hiroshi felt like he could be himself with her. As snow fell outside, he thought, *This is enough. Just being here with her is enough.*
When the party ended, Emi pulled him aside. “Merry Christmas, Hiroshi,” she said, handing him a small wrapped gift—a sci-fi novel. “I thought you’d like this.” Hiroshi’s hands trembled as he gave her the bookmark. “For you,” he said. “Merry Christmas.” Her smile was radiant. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Walking home under the stars, Hiroshi felt content. He hadn’t confessed, but tonight was a step forward. Emi’s presence at the party felt like a gift, brighter than any Christmas light. For now, he’d hold onto this moment, satisfied with the warmth of their growing bond, ready for whatever winter brought next.