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Takahashi-san, you're still without your many eyes, right?

[ It turns out, even the most robotic of processes can slowly be altered. Haruaki's getting better and better at staying up until midnight, and especially now that he more-than-occasionally has a duty that takes him out of the house in the dead of night–

Which is why, at 11:59 PM on the dot, the front door to the flat above Takahashi General Clinic bangs open. ]

I made it just in time! Life is so much easier now that I can think of sailor uniforms to run at super speeds again!

[ Who knew that was a power worthy of being stolen from him and regained? Anyway...

He scoots right over to where Akira's surely hunched over all his papers and books, hands over his shoulders to try to lift him up. ]

I got Principal home from the bar for his bedtime, and now it's your turn! Abe-sensei's work is never done!!!

[ Whether out of shame, embarrassment, or simply a mutual, silent agreement to not rock the boat, they haven't spoken about it. They haven't let it change anything about their habits, either – they've still fallen asleep cuddled up in one another's beds every night after whispering a question into the darkness. Haruaki's tried to put it out of his mind, but...

He feels it every time Akira wraps his arms around him. The dull pressure of a scalpel slicing through his skin, a firm hand wriggling between his ribs to wrap right around his heart. His own blood in his mouth, pushed there by Akira's tongue.

That first touch of their lips together, the last thing he felt before it all went pleasantly numb.

Not talking about it isn't in Haruaki's nature. He can keep secrets, and he can avoid topics until someone is ready to bring them up, but... this is a big deal for him. A massive one.

And he doesn't think Akira knows.

He's not sure if those feelings they both expressed were just a byproduct of the room or not. He's not sure of much of anything, lately, but one thing he's sure of is– ]

Akira-kun. [ It's quiet, but firm. Serious. Haruaki lingers at the edge of the kitchen as they clean up after dinner. ] About the labyrinth...

[ And then, immediately: ]

I'm not upset. I just want to talk about it.

[ On Christmas morning, Akira will receive a small wooden box with intricate geometric designs carved deep into each side. Inside, an unassuming gift: a bracelet of braided cord that's been dyed deep blood red.

It might take some blushing and stammering to get out, but eventually Haruaki will tell him that he doesn't know if they can take anything from this world back to their own – they may return to Hyakki without any items, without any memories. But if there's any way to keep ahold of something, he knows Akira will be the one to do it. He held onto that mysterious, helpful oniisan for more than a century, after all.

The bracelet is a promise. That when they do return, Akira won't forget what they found here. That even if he has to wait for Haruaki to remember all over again, he will remember, and they'll be able to continue nurturing what they've begun to grow together. ]

[ On Christmas morning, Akira will receive a couple exceedingly nice bottles of wine, as well as a cute little doggie sweater for Hana and a note:

Merry Christmas, Takahashi-sensei. Let's both work hard next year.

- Dr. Maruki ]

[Douman's gift is delivered by a courier and wrapped in dark blue paper with snowflakes and stars. Inside is a puzzle box of the hidden room kind, offering a couple of distractions for a curious Dodomeki along the way to his prize: a selection of fine alcoholic chocolates and one smooth stone of an unknown substance.

'Since I know that figuring out the unknown tickles you the most. Merry Christmas, Douman']

[Oda is a pretty straightforward guy. He recruited some help and selected a book for Takahashi-sensei on the varied magic plants that grow in the Enchanted Garden. It includes a comprehensive list of the last several years' worth of seasonal blooms and their effects.

[There's a concise note attached.]

Abe-sensei helped. Let's meet sometime.

- Oda Sakunosuke

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE I'M THE ONE BREAKING THIS IN HELLO??? idk sometime mid-march <3

is it another bedtime question game. yes it is

> mid-september

> 12/25 gift delivery

> 12/25 gift delivery

Christmas Present!

12/25; secret santa