Romance Fan Fiction / Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ High Fever ❯ Volume Two, Chapter Seven: Stay with Me ( Chapter 7 )

Stay with Me

Christmas Eve was rough on Toshiki and Yumi. Now it was Christmas. They needed a little pick-me-up. Yumi knocked on his door on Christmas morning. Toshiki groaned awake.

“What is it?” he asked. Yumi opened the door and poked her head inside.

“Are you awake?” she asked.

“I am now,” he said.

“Can I come in?” the girl asked.

“Sure, I guess,” he said. Yumi perked up and jogged inside. She bounced onto the futon. Toshiki sat up as he stared at her in the dark. Yumi grinned at him. Toshiki blinked.

“What?” he asked.

“Spend Christmas with me,” she said.

“Huh?” he asked.

“Please?” Yumi asked. She pouted at him. The man had an uncomfortable look on his face. She wasn't going to take no for answer, was she? He put up his hands.

“Okay, okay, I'll do it,” Toshiki said. Yumi leaped forward and hugged him.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” she said over and over. Toshiki reluctantly hugged her back.

“Yeah…” he mumbled. He forced himself to smile.

--------

Yumi had today planned out. She was going to keep it simple. Up until tonight. First came school. That was going to be so annoying. But she had no choice if she wanted to finish her last year of junior high. Plus, Toshiki had work today. Yumi tried to be patient. This evening would be worth it.

The day dragged on. Yumi looked so bored at her desk.

“Hey!” a girl called to her. “Hey! Hey! Hey!” Someone grabbed her on the shoulder. Yumi turned her head.

“Huh?” she asked. A girl with light red pigtails. Yumi blinked for a moment.

“Oh, it's you,” she said. The other girl frowned.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Oh…” Yumi said. She broke into a huge smile.

“I'm good,” she said. The other girl gave her a strange look. Yumi rubbed the back of her head.

“I'm sorry. Did you want something?” she asked.

“No…” her classmate said. “Just… What are you doing for Christmas?” Yumi's eyes lit up.

“Spending it with my boyfriend!” she said.

“Again with your boyfriend?” she asked.

“Uh-huh,” she said. Not even the skeptical look on her classmate's face could detour her. However, her smile dimmed. Why did class have to be so long?

“Damn it,” she muttered to herself. Yumi dropped her head onto her desk. So many hours to go.

-----------

Yumi skipped out on after-school activities to leave early. She made her way to the Tokyo Community Center. A woman dressed in a white dress suit pushed open the door.

“Hello, Taira-chan,” she said. Yumi calmed down and cleared her throat.

“Hello, Akita-san,” she said.

“Are you here to see Okawa-san?” the pale woman asked.

“Uh-huh,” Yumi said. “Is he here?”

“Why yes,” Akita-san said. “He will be out in a few minutes.”

“Great,” the girl said. The ladies bowed.

“Merry Christmas,” Yumi said.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” Akita-san said back. Yumi walked inside.

----------

Yumi waited in the lobby. She smiled to herself. This was going to be an easy Christmas. She only had one gift for Toshiki. She had to make it count.

“Yumi?” she heard someone ask. The girl lifted her head. Toshiki stood in the doorway. Yumi rose to her feet, excited.

“Ready to go?” she asked. Toshiki threw back his head and groaned.

“Yes, please!” he said. Yumi held out her hand.

“Let's go!” she said. He took her hand and left with her.

----------

Yumi led Toshiki around the city. They didn't speak at first. Yumi smiled and giggled to herself.

“What?” Toshiki asked with an eyebrow raised. Yumi turned her head.

“Will you marry me?” she asked. She looked like she was glowing.

Christmas Love