The days were gradually becoming more demanding; the number of customers kept growing, and our workload piled up more and more.

—Naoko, — I said one day as we were closing the café.

—Yes? — she replied, arranging some boxes.

—Do you know why we’ve been getting so many customers these past few days? — I asked, curious.

—Hmm… could it be because it’s the holiday season? — she responded, shrugging.

—What do you mean by 'holiday'? —

—You know, Christmas. —

—Christmas? — I said, confused.

—Wait… I get that you’re from another world and all, but… you don’t know what Christmas is? —

—I have no idea what you’re talking about. —

Naoko turned her head, now visibly more distressed.

—And you, Kiomi? — she asked, almost pleading.

—I don’t know what you mean by 'Christmas.'—

—Seriously?! — she exclaimed, putting her hands on her head.

She approached Lyra, who was calmly sipping tea at a table while listening to our conversation.

—And you, Lyra? I have faith that at least you, being the youngest, know what Christmas is. —

—I don’t know what you’re talking about, — Lyra replied calmly.

Naoko took a step back, her gaze lost.

—It can’t be... —

She looked completely bewildered, as if the world no longer made sense.

—Seriously, no one?! — she repeated, looking at each of us.

—The lights, the cold, the cheerful atmosphere? None of it seems familiar? — Alexander chimed in, equally concerned.

—Not at all, — we replied in unison.

—It can’t be... — Naoko murmured, almost to herself.

Flustered, Naoko began explaining Christmas to us. She seemed quite excited as she did so, though there was a hint of disappointment in her expression because of our ignorance.

—By the way, — Alexander interrupted, —do you already know what you’re going to do that day? —

—Well, we don’t have any plans, so I guess we’ll just stay here at the café. What about you, Alexander? — I asked.

—I’ll be going to dinner with my wife that evening, and afterward, we’ll spend the night at her parents’ house, — Alexander replied, passionately pulling Mei by the waist. —By the way, the café will be closed that day, so you’re all free to take the day off. —

—I’ve got an idea! — Naoko exclaimed, her face lighting up with a big smile. —Why don’t you come to my house that day? Usually, it’s just a few people, so there’s plenty of space. —

—Wouldn’t it be a bother if we came over? — I asked, hesitating a little.

—Of course not! In fact, I’d love it if you all came, — Naoko insisted, visibly excited.

Her enthusiasm was so obvious that we couldn’t say no.

On the 24th, the café remained closed, so we didn’t do much during the day. Thankfully, Naoko spent a good chunk of the day with us, keeping us entertained with games or simply chatting.

As night fell, we left the café. It was a bright, vibrant evening, despite the loud noises that characterized the city. The lights were beautiful, the signs glowed, and people sang in the streets. The atmosphere was cheerful, although the cold was far more intense than in Ilmenor. We were bundled up warmly; otherwise, the cold would have been unbearable.

Naoko picked us up to take us to her house, which wasn’t very far away. I finally understood why she frequented the café so often without it being an inconvenience.

She lived in an apartment building, in a modest yet charming and cozy unit.

As we entered, we were greeted by an older woman, very sweet in demeanor. From what I gathered, she was Naoko’s grandmother and apparently the only person living with her.

The apartment was beautifully decorated: lights, rugs, ornaments on the walls, and even a Christmas tree that was truly stunning.

Naoko's grandmother greeted us warmly, offering us food and comforts. Although I felt a bit awkward with all the attention, Lyra seemed perfectly at ease. She acted as if she were at home, and the lady didn’t mind at all; in fact, she seemed delighted.

The atmosphere was warm and lively. Lyra played with Naoko’s grandmother while we watched them from the couch. We talked about our lives, experiences, and shared stories, savoring the moment.

Now I understand why Naoko was so disappointed that we didn’t know what Christmas was. It’s more than just a holiday; it’s a time to be with those we love most, to reconnect with people life has distanced us from. It’s a pause in time to remember what truly matters.

It pains me to think that Thailon can’t be here to see this. I know that if he were, he’d enjoy every moment, with that serene smile of his that always found a way to calm any storm. I’m sure Kiomi feels the same; her eyes reveal it whenever we talk about Ilmenor.

This moment reminds me of the festival in our village, just before the tournament. That day, despite the shadows looming over us, there was light, laughter, and that fleeting feeling that everything would be okay, even if just for a few hours.

Kiomi… Kiomi looked as beautiful as she did that day. Her long black coat draped with a natural grace, almost grazing the floor. Underneath, she wore a fitted sweater that elegantly outlined her figure without any need for pretense. The high neckline of the sweater seemed to embrace her warmly, while a plaid skirt in shades of gray and black added a classic, sophisticated touch.

Her tall black leather boots, paired with matching gloves, completed an outfit that seemed made for her. But what truly caught my attention was her hair: carefully tied up, with loose strands framing her face. It was a simple hairstyle, but on her, it transformed into something absolutely stunning. The small earrings she wore sparkled in the tree’s light, as if they were trying to compete with the brilliance of her eyes.

I, on the other hand, looked like I had thrown on the first thing I found in my closet. Although I didn’t think I looked that bad—at least in my opinion—compared to Kiomi, I couldn’t help but feel out of place.

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—This reminds me of the festival, — I said, breaking the silence. —Do you remember, Kiomi? —

—Of course I remember. It was a beautiful night, — she replied, with a nostalgia that seemed to envelop us both.

—What festival? — Naoko asked, intrigued.

I started telling her about it. I tried to describe every detail: how beautiful the festival was, how the atmosphere of that day felt similar to this season, though it wasn’t as cold back then. I talked about the stalls, the lights illuminating every corner, the music that seemed to wrap us in a warm melody, and the ambiance, filled with hope and joy. As I spoke, a pang of melancholy pierced my chest. They were memories I cherished deeply and knew I would always miss.

—Despite everything, we’re still here, celebrating. That makes me really happy, — I said at last, letting the words linger in the air.

Kiomi and I stayed silent for a moment. We looked at each other, and a smile appeared on our faces. Then we laughed. It was a simple moment, but full of meaning, a joyful breath after everything we’d been through.

—Guys! — Naoko’s grandmother called out to us. —Come to the table! Dinner’s ready! —

We approached the table and were stunned. It was covered with food. The aromas were so rich and delicious that it felt like each dish was telling its own story. My eyes landed on what appeared to be a roasted animal, perhaps a bird, whose wings were still visible. But there was so much on the table that I couldn’t describe it all precisely.

When we began to eat, it felt like discovering a new world. Every bite was an explosion of flavors.

—This is amazing, — I said, astonished. —Who cooked all of this? —

—Naoko and I, — her grandmother replied with a proud smile. —Although Naoko did most of it. —

—No, I…— Naoko lowered her gaze, visibly embarrassed.

—You did an excellent job, Naoko. The food is delicious. —

—Thank you…— she murmured, but her shy smile spoke volumes.

The evening continued, filled with laughter and anecdotes, as if time itself decided to take a break just for us. Everything felt so warm, so alive.

—Here, — Naoko said as she handed me a drink. —It’s a recipe from my mom, something typical from where she’s from. —

The drink had a unique flavor, comforting, as if it carried a piece of her home with it. Meanwhile, Lyra had turned into a living vacuum cleaner: whatever she saw, she devoured. I tried to stop her, but she refused outright. We ended up running around the table as she escaped, laughing, a laughter that filled the room with joy.

—I’ll be right back, — Naoko said, standing up and disappearing into a nearby room.

Suddenly, her grandmother’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

—Thank you. —

—For what? — I asked, puzzled by the unexpected sincerity in her tone.

—For the past few days, Naoko has been more cheerful than usual. I’ve never seen her like this since she was seven years old. — Her voice trembled slightly, a mix of sadness and relief. —These days, I’ve seen her smile, a smile as radiant as the one she had as a child. She hasn’t stopped talking about you all, about how happy she is. —

She paused, her trembling hands clasping tightly together.

—I always feared that when my time came to leave this world, Naoko would be left alone and sad. The thought of not being here to help her kept me awake at night. But now… now I feel like she’ll be okay. —

There was a deep sorrow in her words, but also a spark of hope. Seeing her like that filled me with a mix of emotions I could barely comprehend. Carefully, I placed my hand over hers, trying to offer her some comfort.

—Don’t worry, we’ll take care of her. You can rest easy, — I said firmly.

Her eyes began to fill with tears, and though she tried to hold them back, they eventually spilled over.

—Forgive me, it’s just that…— her voice broke, and the sadness in her words pierced through me.

I gave her a warm smile, trying to reassure her that everything would be alright. Words weren’t necessary; it was a silent promise.

Naoko returned at that moment, her joy lighting up the room as she held a box labeled "board games." We dove into them, laughing and enjoying ourselves as if time didn’t exist.

Suddenly, her expression changed.

—Crap— she said, clearly worried.

—What’s wrong? — Kiomi asked, alarmed.

—I completely forgot I had to pick up a dessert to bring here. What time is it? — She quickly checked the clock. —There’s still time. —

She stood up hastily, grabbed her coat, and got ready to leave. I did the same.

—I’ll go with you. —

—Don’t worry, I can go alone. I’ll be back in no time. —

—I can’t let you go alone. —

She hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.

We walked together through the city center. The warm glow of the giant Christmas tree lit up our faces, casting dancing shadows in the cold night air. Naoko walked slightly ahead, her hands clasped behind her back, fidgeting with her fingers as if something was on her mind.

—Do you remember? — she suddenly said, turning her face toward me. —This is where we first met. —

I looked around and smiled at the memory.

—You’re right. —

—Time flies, doesn’t it? — Her voice carried a mix of nostalgia and sweetness.

—Yeah, it does. —

She stopped for a moment and, without looking at me, softly said:

—Thank you. —

—For what? —

—Since you came into my life, everything changed. Even though it hasn’t been long, I feel like these days have been the happiest of my life. I hope it stays that way. —

—Me too,” I replied, a lump forming in my throat.

Naoko turned to me, stopping in front of the Christmas tree, the lights reflecting in her eyes filled with emotion.

—Before… I didn’t feel like living. I felt lost. But you all… you… brought that back to me. You brought me back to life. Thank you. —

She quickly spun around, walking backward while looking at me with a playful smile, her hands still clasped behind her.

—What do you think about grabbing something just for the two of us? — she asked, her tone a mix of tenderness and excitement.

—Wouldn’t they get upset if we did that?” I replied, smiling in an attempt to hide my slight uncertainty.

Naoko leaned slightly toward me, aligning herself so I could see her better. Her face lit up under the glow of the Christmas tree, and as she placed a finger in front of her lips, she gave me a mischievous look.

—Then let’s keep it our little secret, — she whispered, her radiant smile making everything around her seem warmer, even in the cold night air. Her simple, cozy outfit, paired with the twinkling lights, made her look even cuter than I dared to admit.

On the way back, Naoko started bombarding me with questions, as if she wanted to know everything at that very moment.

—Hey. —

—What is it? —

—If someone asked you to teach them fencing and how to fight, what would you say?—

—It depends on who’s asking, — I replied with a teasing tone.

—And what if I were the one asking? — she said, her voice a mix of shyness and curiosity.

I looked at her, surprised by her sudden confession.

—I could teach you, though just the basics. I’m not the best teacher. —

—That’s more than enough for me, — she said with a smile so persistent it seemed to defy the cold.

I couldn’t help but glance at her from the corner of my eye as we walked. Even though she wore little against the chill, her presence made the air around her feel warm, almost comforting.

When we returned, Lyra ran to Naoko, pulling her along to play with her and Grandma. Their laughter filled the room, but my attention was drawn to Kiomi, who was standing alone on the balcony. Concerned, I walked over to her.

—Are you okay? —

—Yes, — she replied softly, gazing at the street without turning to face me.

—These days have been better, don’t you think? — I tried to cheer her up.

—You’re right, — she admitted after a moment, letting out a faint sigh. —I wish my dad could see all this. —

That was when I noticed a silent tear falling from her face to the ground. Without thinking, I hugged her, holding her tightly as if I could ease even a fraction of her pain.

—So do I, Kiomi. So do I. —

Later that night, the dessert Naoko and I had brought became the center of attention. The five of us devoured it quickly, surrounded by laughter and moments we knew we’d treasure for a long time.

The night carried on with smiles, laughter, and a warm atmosphere that felt almost unreal, as if nothing bad could touch us in that moment. Slowly, sleep began to take over. Lyra had fallen deeply asleep in Kiomi’s lap, while she, kneeling on the floor, leaned gently against my legs, defeated by exhaustion.

I, too, struggled to keep my eyes open, the soft glow of the Christmas lights in front of me making me blink more frequently. Beside me, Naoko seemed just as drowsy, her movements slow and her words dragged down by the day’s weariness.

—Zein, — she called out, barely a whisper, her voice tinged with sleep.

—What is it? — I replied, turning slightly toward her.

—Thanks again, — she said, her tone carrying something more than simple gratitude.

—No need to thank me, — I answered softly, trying not to wake the others.

Naoko remained silent for a moment, as if gathering the courage to say something else. Finally, she murmured:

—You know? You’re pretty strong… you should protect people, just like you did for me. —

Her voice trembled slightly, not out of insecurity but from the emotion she was holding back.

—Maybe…— I said, unsure of what else to add.

Before I could continue, I felt her head rest gently on my shoulder. It was a small gesture, yet it carried a trust and warmth that caught me by surprise.

—Thank you, Zein. Again, — she repeated, her voice barely audible now, as if sleep was beginning to claim her.

I didn’t reply. I just sat there in silence, watching the twinkling lights before me. They seemed to paint sparks of hope against the darkness of the night.

—Merry Christmas, Zein…— were the last words she whispered before falling completely asleep, her peaceful breathing filling the air with a tranquility I hadn’t felt in a long time.

—Merry Christmas, — I murmured back, even though I knew she couldn’t hear me anymore.

Eventually, sleep overtook me too. Under the soft glow of the Christmas tree, I drifted off on the couch, surrounded by those who had given new meaning to my life.