Time flew by with Darc starting his normal life and that meant back to being a student for most of his time. To be a little bit more precise about the time, it has been about 3 months now.

Winter came and everything became covered in white snow. The time of Christmas was really something special in his previous life and it wasn't that different here. At the same time, he didn't really enjoy getting presents any longer.

He just got used to this festivity where people gifted each other. And it was still a time where he would come together with his family. His father, Truff, was also going to come back for Christmas. He did so every year and Darc didn't really think he would miss it this time either.

Darc breathed out and white hot air traveled into the sky in front of him.

"Damn, it's pretty cold this year.", said Darc after his action.

"You think so?", asked Lite. "I still prefer the cold instead of sitting inside on a chair and learning stuff. Why couldn't the holidays be here already?"

Darc looked at him and chuckled. "Are you actually only using your brain for sleeping in class and waiting for holidays to come?", Darc asked back after being amused by his friend's airhead.

"Hey, I am not that dumb! I am just getting sleepy while sitting in a room. There is no action at all. Also, it's you who is weird. You never seem to think about when the holidays start.", retorted Lite immediately.

"Well, I am just not thinking about them. They appear pretty fast without you knowing.", Darc said after thinking about it. It was the truth. He only knew work and vacations that he had to ration over the year. Having so much free time as a kid is really a blessing but Lite doesn't know that yet.

"And is that why you joined teachers dojo?", Darc added to his previous words.

Lite looked a little bit indifferent to Darc "Well, a certain someone didn't bother keeping his promise in teaching me so I just joined teacher Zarid´s dojo, so yes."

"So you are still sulking about that? I told you. First, go through the training that Zarid gives you. And when you finish, then we can talk about me teaching you further. Until then, you know what my answer will be.", said Darc with an arched brow. "Also, do you know what the town plans to do? I hear this year's festival is gonna be a little bit more special.", he tried to change the topic.

Lite was learning some martial arts and was trained by Zarid in his dojo that old man opened 2 months prior.

It all ended like that after Lite annoyed Darc so much that Darc just simply gave him a goal he had to work for before even coming close to asking him about training him again.

Weirdly enough Lite made quiet the good progress in his training. A natural musclebrain just does excel at sports it seems.

"Nah, I just heard they plan to plant a big Christmas tree at the village center, decorate it up and invite everyone in town to celebrate under that tree. Fireworks will also be done.", said Lite after thinking about it. Seems like the change of topics succeeded. But that was shortlived since he continued.

"Hey, I heard something weird last time around. Last time. What I mean is in the summer holidays. Did you travel around collecting some weird wishing beads?", asked Lite suddenly.

"What, where did you hear that from?", asked Darc back with a little bit of surprise in his voice.

"My mother got it from yours I think. And she kinda told me. So, is it true?", said Lite and asked at the same time.

"Yeah, it's true. They are called Dragonballs and they fulfill any wish you may have. You need to collect all seven of them though and they are scattered all over the Earth.", answered Darc truthfully. It's not like he would go and search for them now, would he?

"Nice~. Did you find them? And what did you wish for?" Lite

"I did. They are real. A healthy body.", answered Darc.

"What, for real man? That's such a waste.", sighed Lite after hearing his words and daydreaming what he could wish for himself.

Darc chuckled "Says the one that wants to learn martial arts but doesn't see the importance of a healthy body. Now, let's go and meet the others. They are probably waiting for us."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Lite nodded and followed.

-------

Walking along the snowy street both Darc and Lite finally arrived at the meeting place. It was a diner where the five of them often met after school. At least at those times where Darc had time and didn't train.

It was a good thing to keep your contacts lively. Life would go on and become dull if he didn't maintain contact with the social world.

He isn't a crazy battle maniac after all and really doesn't like doing the same things for months and years. Of course, if he had to, he would.

"Hey there guys.", said Darc after entering the diner and going to a table a little bit further in. While coming closer he unclothed his winter jacket and took off his wool hat since it was way warmer inside here.

"Hey, Darc. And you as well, Lite", said Otamo with a smile to Darc and shifted his gaze towards Lite that was behind Darc at his second words.

"Yo", said Lite back.

Both Glew and Luffa were chatting with each other but hearing Darc and Lite calling to them they stopped and looked at them.

"You are late.", said Glew and Luffa only gave a small "Hello."

"Sorry, we just forgot about the time. Did you already start without us?", asked Darc after apologizing. What he meant with start is taking an order for something to eat.

"No, we just arrived here and were just about to order. Join us.", said Luffa while managing her courage to keep calm. She still didn't seem to have overcome her crush for Darc but she also knew it was a pretty one-sided thing. So she tried her best to act normal and remain as friends.

"Sure. Okay let's sit down, Lite.", said Darc and agreed to their offer to join them. He chose the place beside Glew and Lite himself sat down beside Otamo who was already sitting near his younger sister Luffa

"Hey, are you scared of me or why didn't sit beside me?", asked Glew and looked at Lite.

"Huh? What is that all about?", said Lite and was confused. Why does it matter where he sits?

"Ah, sorry Glew. Next time I will think of it.", said Darc and chuckled.

Glew stayed silent after Darc´s words and didn't want to go further into that conversation.

Well, it didn't take long that those two really started getting feelings for each other. And it all just started with Darc and Otamo teasing them. Glew seemed more honest about it though. Lite on the other hand....it was like a brick not knowing where the wall was. But it was still noticeable that he liked Glew.

"Now, let's not talk about such things. Let's get something to eat first and then we talk, alright?", asked Darc this time.

"Sure, I want a hamburger.", said Lite.

"For me its gotta be pasta." Otamo.

"I will get a tuna salad" Glew

"Also pasta." Luffa

Taking in all orders from his friends he went to the counter and ordered those meals and a cutlet for himself.

Going back to his place the others were already talking about the Dragonballs again.

´Did Lite incite that talk again?´, he thought and sat back down.

"How was it?", came from Otamo.

"How was what?", asked Darc back.

"Of course the adventure, mate. How was the journey to collect those Dragonballs?", asked Otamo again. The others also listened and waited for an answer from him.

"Did Lite really start with that again? Alright. I will tell you a little bit about it.", said Darc and so he started to tell them how he got a radar to search for them and where he found them all at. Well mostly. He still lied here and there. He didn't include things like him flying and all that. But he did include Korin's tower and that he climbed it.

"So now you know how it was. Any more weird questions?", he asked them with a smirk. Otamo and Lite were amazed by the story. Lite more because of Korin and his tower. He found it amazing that there is such a test for martial artists.

Otamo was more amazed by the dragon from the Dragonballs. He actually liked fantasy stuff and legends and what not.

"So he can really fulfill one wish?", asked Glew interested. It seemed to have picked her interest as well. She was normally a person of science and didn't believe in the unnatural. That's the class president for you.

"Pretty much.", answered Darc to her.

"Hey, guys. How about we do that journey as well? But this time together as a team?", came out of Lite´s mouth with excitement in his eyes.

Darc furrowed his brows. Seems like he shouldn't have told them.

"But we can only do that when the year is over. Best time would be summer vacation again.", sighed Otamo and mentioned that to them. After all, Darc took about all the length of the holidays to get them together.

"Still, I am all in for it." Lite.

"Well, I didn't say I would just say no." Otamo.

"I want to see how the dragon looks. I want to go too. Don't even bother telling me something like I shouldn't go because I am a girl. Besides we got you guys to protect us, right." Glew chirped in and looked at Lite first and then at Darc.

Lite grinned at her words. "Of course! Don't you worry! Darc and I are the strongest. Beating up some idiots is no problem."

"Me too....", said Luffa as if she was whispering but everyone heard her clear and loud.

Otamo chuckled at his sister and gave her a thumbs up.

"Alright, alright. Then get your parents to give you a go first. If you don't get permission then don't bother about that, you hear?", said Darc determined after seeing that his friends didn't budge and now had that idea in mind.

Seems like he would go on another Dragonball hunt. Wonder what these friends of mine do have in mind.

The waiter came and put the food on to the table. Then he turned around and grinned with an evil smile. His face was pretty shifty at this moment. He seemed to have eavesdropped on their conversation all along.

Darc and his friends started to eat. They talked a little bit more about the journey and later diverted their topic to school and Christmas. After finishing up they said their goodbyes and told themselves to see each other back at school.

Darc also had some kinda feeling of dread but also excitement. So, next summer he would end up being the babysitter of those four. Well, he didn't mind it that much in the end. He liked these four and being young one should enjoy themselves.

But he should make sure that at least one adult is with them on this trip. Maybe he could convince Zarid to come along? Like that the parents also wouldn't object so much.