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The cold breeze, the falling of white snow from the sky; it was the start of the winter season in Tokyo. And by that, it was also a few days left to pass before Christmas comes. Everyone is anticipating that day; a day where the air will be filled with happiness, love, and appreciation. Gifts will be exchanged, groups of people throwing a party at their houses, and even couples will try to get a chance to kiss underneath a mistletoe.
Everyone is excited as much as they’re busy preparing for that day. And Hiroshi, the mysterious second-year student in Shinjuku Academy and the guild master of the Summoners, is definitely no exception. Despite coming to this peculiar world with no memories of his life, Hiroshi never forgot the essence of Christmas. It’s one of the two holidays that he loves, the other being Valentine’s Day.
So, right now, Hiroshi is roaming through the crowded shopping street of Shinjuku and hopes to buy nice gifts that he will be giving to his friends on Christmas. With a little skipping of his feet, he looked around for a store that sells swords. Why a sword to be a gift if anyone would ask? It’s for Moritaka; Hiroshi wants to give the aspiring samurai canid Transient something that he favors.
And since Hiroshi isn’t fond of swords except for his Sacred Artifact, he had brought someone with him on his gift shopping spree.
“My hero, I have found the store that sells the greatest swords in Shinjuku.” Horkeu Kamui points at a place with a huge sign called “Blade Center.”
Hiroshi grinned at Kamui. “Really? Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” And he pulled the wolf warrior’s arm and dragged him to the direction of the store.
Meanwhile, Kamui is secretly nervous and pressured. At first, he wasn’t aware of the upcoming holiday where people would be giving gifts to each other. And when he had known about it, his mind began having mini breakdowns because he still hasn’t found a gift for his beloved hero. There are only a few days left before Christmas finally comes, and the wolf warrior had no idea what to give to Hiroshi.
As they entered the sword store, Kamui insisted to stay behind and look for some things that he can buy himself. Hiroshi was a bit concerned, but he waved it off and went to look for his gift for Moritaka.
‘Okay, he’s gone for now. What do I give him?’ Kamui thought as he paced back and forth outside the store. ‘He already has a sword, so I can’t just pick something out in this place. Should I buy him some clothes like his gift for his fellow guildmates?’
To tell the truth, it was only yesterday when Kamui got aware of the gift-giving because Hiroshi asked him to accompany him today. Only three more days before Christmas, and he’s really panicking right now. He knows about the holiday from his previous heroes, but he didn’t manage to give them gifts in the past. He doesn’t want his current beloved hero to think negatively about him. He must get him the best gift that he could ever receive.
But the question is what gift would that be?
‘Ugh… Think, Kamui, think!’
“Excuse me, young man. Are you having trouble or something?” An old female therian Transient approached him. “You look like you’re having a problem about what to give to someone on Christmas.”
How did she read him so easily, Kamui thought. He looked at her with wide eyes of surprise, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Oh, young lads these days are so easy to read. Do you want me to help you with your problem?”
Kamui didn’t know if he should trust this old lady. She looked nice with her simple floral dress outfit as if she’s on a shopping spree too, but the way she guessed his problem correctly made Kamui have some doubts.
The old lady then sat on the bench beside them, Kamui was eyeing her suspiciously. But the statements that flew past her lips made the wolf warrior be confused. “Christmas gifts aren’t just material things to give to someone you care for. Just being there for them is the best gift that you can offer.”
“But I want to give Hiroshi something that he will always remember me.” It took a few seconds before Kamui realized that he had stated his hero’s name to this stranger, and the old lady chuckled.
“Is this Hiroshi the one with you who just went inside the store?” Kamui didn’t want to spill more truth, so he didn’t answer that, but the old lady chuckled again. “Can I assume that you two are boyfriends?”
Kamui’s face blushed a thousand shades of red.
It…was true, though. He and Hiroshi are boyfriends, and he’s still overwhelmed about that fact. They’ve been dating for about a week now, and although Kamui was sometimes busy in his own guild, he still manages to spend much time with him. He just sometimes forgets that they’re in an intimate relationship, but Kamui is sure that he loves him deeply.
So, what if this old lady figured out that they’re boyfriends? Kamui didn’t even agree to help him with his own problem in the first place.
“Hmm… You can give him a ring or a pendant.”
… How come he had never thought about that! Now, Kamui’s starting to feel bad that he doubted her.
The old lady smiled. “I think I hit your realization button, hmm?”
Kamui sighed. “Yeah… I never thought of giving him a ring or a pendant.”
“But from the likes of you, I’m sure you’d be giving your boyfriend something more than a simple ring or pendant.”
“… Do you have any suggestion?”
The old lady then pointed at a certain store not far away from where they were. “There’s a human summoner in that place named Greg. He may look like he’s just selling antique items, but he’s also selling the rarest ones that their value couldn’t be matched by anything in Tokyo. Just tell him my name, Jessica, so he can agree to make you look for whatever you’re looking for.”
Kamui looked at the store with hopeful eyes. If that’s where he can find the best ring or pendant that he can give to Hiroshi, then he’s sure that his hero and boyfriend will receive the perfect gift for Christmas. He will do anything to make Hiroshi feel loved the way he deserves.
“I, Horkeu Kamui, give you my utmost gratitude, Jessica-san.”
~~~~~~~~~~
While waiting for the sword that he ordered, Hiroshi wondered about what he should give to Kamui. He had been thinking about it ever since he had decided to give gifts to his friends for Christmas. He’s quite sure that anything that he decides to give him will be much appreciated by his boyfriend…
‘Somehow, I’m still amazed that Kamui is my boyfriend now…’ The male summoner blushed at that thought. It was still a shocker to him because nothing seemed to have changed between them ever since they started dating. Kamui was still attentive and giving him much attention, and Hiroshi was always flustered about it. It feels like they were already boyfriends ever since they met, and that situation when Kamui fed him with rabbit-shaped apples was etched to his mind and heart forever.
‘Okay, okay, Hiroshi! Focus! I still don’t have anything to give to…’ While shaking off the flustering thoughts off his head, Hiroshi suddenly spotted something that caught his eyes. There’s a peculiar craft just beside him on the countertop. He ought to touch it, but a voice suddenly stopped him.
“Sorry, bud. That ain’t for sale.” The store owner noticed his curiosity about the craft.
Hiroshi frowned. “Aww… Can’t I buy this even at a double price?”
“Hmm… I bought this for 10,000 coins. You’re willing to pay double for that?”
‘Way too easy…’ Hiroshi nodded eagerly. It’s not like he’s rich, but the past battles that he went through in the Ikebukuro Colosseum made him earn many coins. 20,000 is not really too bad for him.
The store owner sighed. “Okay, but don’t return it to me when you change your mind or if something happens to it.”
“Sure, sure!” As he handed over the certain amount of coins, Hiroshi couldn’t stop grinning like a goof. Oh, how he would love to see Kamui’s reaction when he sees this.
~~~~~~~~~~
“What do you mean you can’t sell this with coins? Is there another currency that you have in mind?” Kamui was getting irritated, face contoured with a frown.
He finally found the thing that he wanted to give to Hiroshi on Christmas; a sapphire ring necklace. It isn’t just any ordinary ring necklace because the sapphire gem on the ring is a very rare kind of sapphire. And the problem right now is that the store owner named Greg doesn’t want to sell it even at a million number of coins—well, not like Kamui actually had that enough amount in his rucksack, but that’s beside the point.
Greg chuckled half-heartedly. “Well, as I said earlier, it’s a pretty rare item. I had to risk my heart and soul to obtain it. You have to do so as well.”
… That didn’t make sense to the wolf warrior at all.
“Okay, you don’t seem to understand, so I’ll just lay out my instructions for you to get this.” Putting back the necklace inside the box, Greg smirked. “You’ll need to defeat the monsters who once guarded this precious item. They’re in a certain cave in the snowy mountains.”
Deep down inside Kamui, he knew that he would do anything to obtain the perfect gift for his beloved hero. And even if it means to risk his life, he will stop at nothing to get this sapphire ring necklace.
There’s just a problem though; Kamui can’t just abandon Hiroshi from their shopping spree to travel up to the snowy mountains. It would take some days to get there, and some more days to go back to his hero.
As if reading his thoughts, Greg says, “I have a tool that can teleport you there and get back here once you defeated the monsters. And if you’re worried about your boyfriend waiting for you, Jessica had already fixed it by now and probably distracted him for a while. That would be enough to buy you some time to finish the job, hmm?”
Kamui couldn’t process completely what Greg said at first, but then he blushed furiously. “I-I… H-He’s… Um…” Again, he’s definitely not used to referring to Hiroshi as his boyfriend.
“I’ll take that as a yes. You do your job, you get this item. From the likes of you, I know you can defeat those monsters easily.” Without letting the wolf warrior say another word, he handed over a strange phone-like device to him. “That'll automatically teleport you after you defeat the monsters. Don’t underestimate them though; they’re not like the veteran app users that you’ve known.”
Finally regaining his composure, Kamui nods. If this is what it takes to obtain the perfect Christmas gift for Hiroshi, then he wouldn’t back out now. ‘Wait for me, my hero…’ he thought with determination in his eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~
Of course, Kamui successfully completed his quest and obtained the ring necklace. And Greg was right; he had to risk his heart and soul to fight the monsters. They were too many for him to handle alone—ten in total—and their strengths weren’t merely like the yetis that he once fought in the snowy mountains a long time ago. The monsters are somewhat like Shadows, but Kamui managed to barely defeat them all.
Hiroshi, on the other hand, was very worried when he found his wolf boyfriend covered in scratches and bruises. He asked what happened and where the heck did he get himself into, but Kamui simply brushed it off and told him that he was okay. Of course, Hiroshi’s worry didn’t fade off easily. After setting the bought gifts back to his dorm, he led Kamui back to his place in Ikebukuro and took care of him.
Let’s say that Hiroshi didn’t even let his stubborn boyfriend get up from bed to do any strenuous activities. And yes, he stayed in Ikebukuro until Kamui had fully recovered. Good thing that classes were already over in preparation for the holidays. He let Shiro be in charge of the guild for a while.
It was the day when Christmas eve starts at midnight, and that’s when Kamui had finally recovered from his injuries. Currently, he’s eating breakfast with Hiroshi, and he was secretly hoping that he will appreciate his gift for him tomorrow. He had been thinking about it ever since he finally obtained and got the item on his hand a few days ago.
Kamui was thinking so much that he didn’t even notice that Hiroshi snapped his fingers right in front of his face. “Kamuiii… You’re spacing out again.”
“I-I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
Hiroshi sighed. “I’m gonna be heading over to my guild before Christmas eve. And I think I remember Claude saying that there’ll be a huge party in your guild as well.”
Blinking a few times, Kamui doesn’t actually realize what he meant. “Are you not spending the holiday eve with me?”
Hiroshi couldn’t help but blush and facepalm at the same time. “You silly boy, Kamui. The Summoners will be at the party as well. Haven’t I told you that we’re invited?”
“Oh…” It was Kamui’s turn to blush.
“You still haven’t told me what happened to you last time. Is it related to you spacing out so frequently?” The male summoner frowned. “You had me worried that time; you’ve been gone for some time that I never realized it because an old therian Transient named Jessica was helping me to buy more gifts.”
Kamui sighed and decided to tell the truth. “I went to get my Christmas gift for you.”
“… O-Oh. You did?”
“Yeah… I once had a hard time picking something out for you, but Jessica-san helped me somehow.”
“The old therian Transient?”
Kamui nods.
“I guess she’s quite an expert on gifts, huh…” Hiroshi smiled and blushed. He began wondering what Kamui got for him. “Well, I can’t help but be excited!”
The wolf warrior smiled as well, but he still couldn’t push off the thoughts of doubt that his beloved hero will appreciate his gift.
~~~~~~~~~~
The Christmas eve party was pretty epic. There had been games, a huge feast, and some kissing under mistletoes. Of course, the latter was also done by Hiroshi and Kamui—the wolf warrior had been too flustered to move when his hero placed his lips on his, but he eventually kissed back with much passion. Everyone had a great time that midnight and Hiroshi eventually stayed the night at Kamui’s place.
It was then the morning of Christmas finally came, and it was the time that Hiroshi becomes Santa to give his Christmas gifts to the ones on his long list of friends. He managed to pull Kamui to help him, of course, and they head out to his dorm to pick up a huge white sack filled with gifts. It was a special sack, though, because it doesn’t make the gifts be heavily weighted inside.
Hiroshi even managed to put up a Santa costume, and when he asked Kamui how he looked, he blushed furiously as Kamui said with a warm smile, “You look stunning, my hero…”
Now, the male summoner and the wolf warrior took off to Toshima Ward. It was the first ward on his list, next would be Shibuya Ward, then to Minato Ward, and so on until they go back to Shinjuku. Yep, Hiroshi’s guildmates are saved the last on his long list, and it will definitely take a whole day to give out all the gifts to everyone.
Some time during his gift-giving with his friends in Yoyogi Academy, Hiroshi noticed Kamui’s odd behavior. The wolf warrior was slightly fidgeting and couldn’t stop taking a peek inside his rucksack. ‘I wonder what’s inside that…’
Gunzo, the last in Yoyogi that Hiroshi gave gifts to, snapped him off his thoughts and grinned. “Hey, Hiroshi! Thanks for these gifts! I can’t believe you even bought Legion some gloves as well.”
“No prob, Gunzo! I’m glad you liked them.” While conversing with the rugby player, Hiroshi couldn’t help but steal quick glances at his wolf boyfriend. He was really curious about what was inside the rucksack; was his supposed gift from Kamui is inside it? ‘I think I would be finding it out later…’
After giving out all the gifts to their friends in every ward in Tokyo but Shinjuku, Hiroshi and Kamui grabbed the train to go back to the last ward. The sack didn’t really seem to have been decreased in content because Hiroshi also filled it with the gifts that he and Kamui received from their friends as well.
Kamui was kinda surprised that he even managed to get gifts from others as well, and he’s very grateful for them. He felt a bit bad that he didn’t manage to gift them gifts, and he vows to participate in the next gift-giving next year.
While on the train ride, a sudden tremor from the ground was felt. Everyone kinda panicked, even Hiroshi clutched to Kamui’s side in shock, and the wolf instinctively wrapped his arms protectively around him.
How come there’s an earthquake? Was there an Exception in the area? Questions flooded Kamui’s danger-alerted mind as he didn’t let go of Hiroshi so easily until they arrive at Shinjuku safely.
When they did arrive, Kamui was first to stand up from his seat. And to Hiroshi’s surprise, he says, “Please wait here for a while, my hero. I shall check if it’s safe outside for everyone to get off the vehicle.”
‘He’s really protective, isn’t he…?’ Hiroshi couldn’t help but chuckle as he nodded.
And when the station captain announced that it was only a normal low-magnitude earthquake, that’s when they finally left the station.
Heading out to the Summoners guild, Kamui was beginning to get nervous once again. The time to give his gift to Hiroshi was coming closer, and he’s can’t help but grip the seam of his rucksack shakily. What would his reaction be? Would he like it? Would he be happy about it?
“Kamui?” A voice snapped him back to reality, making the wolf warrior turn to his hero’s concern-filled face struck with the afternoon sunlight. “You okay? You seem nervous about something.”
“I-I’m fine, my hero.”
“You stuttered, though.” Hiroshi paused on walking, the frown on his face deepening. “Wanna talk about it?”
A few seconds later, a sigh escaped his lips. “To be honest, I’m very nervous about what you’ll think and how you’ll react to my gift for you…” Kamui grips his rucksack tightly again. “It is my first time giving a Christmas gift to my hero. And I—”
“Hiroshi! Merry Christmas!”
Their conversation was interrupted by Ryota’s jolly voice. At the Summoners’ guild house stood every other member smiling widely with wrapped presents on their hands. It looks like they anticipated Hiroshi’s plan, so they managed to prepare their gifts for him as well.
Hiroshi turns to Kamui with a sympathetic smile. “Let’s just give them their gifts before we have our moment, okay?”
“… Alright.”
Everything was going smoothly now. The time to give the gift was nearing, and Kamui began moving slightly away from the crowd to prepare himself. Sunset was drawing near; a perfect time to give his gift. He really wants everything to be perfect, to make Hiroshi feel that he’s the most amazingly perfect thing that happened to him.
But when Kamui peered inside his rucksack, that’s when his world started crumbling.
‘W-What?!’ He blinked furiously as if not believing what he’s just seeing. Or rather, he’s not believing that he’s not seeing the thing that he’s supposed to see inside his rucksack.
Kamui's eyes widened as the realization hit him like a freight train. There was nothing inside his rucksack; his gift for Hiroshi was missing! The boxed item wrapped in a winter blue wrapper and red ribbon couldn't be found inside his bag. He had searched through every pocket, every zipper, but the gift was just not there.
"No, no, no..." Kamui tried to fight the tears from pouring out of his eyes. "I-It's for my hero... W-Why...?"
How stupid and careless he had become, he thought. Kamui had put his heart and soul to search for that gift. He just wants to give his hero the perfect give that he will ever receive today, and he just suddenly lost it. He didn't know where to start looking; he had gone through many places just to get that precious item. It was something that will express his irrevocable affection and adoration for his hero. And to think that he just lost it made Kamui feel depressed and starts losing hope.
Kamui sobbed as he watched Hiroshi and his guild members from afar. They were laughing and smiling as they exchanged gifts from one another. The Summoners' guild master is surely pleased with all the varieties of gifts that he received from the people that adored him.
But sadly, Kamui isn't one of those people. He wasn't able to give his gift; he couldn't make his hero smile that way towards him.
He had failed.
Again.
Like in the past, he never got to show how much he cared for the heroes that he once served. And to think that Hiroshi is more than just a hero for him.
He’s a failure…
...
...
"Kamui! I have a gift for—Wait, why are you crying?"
It took a few seconds for Kamui to realize that his hero was right in front of him with a worried face. His guild members were nowhere to be found, and it was only the two of them beside an alley where the light of the sunset illuminated against their forms.
Kamui sniffled. “I-I couldn’t give you the gift that I deem to be perfect and would show how much I care and love you, my hero…”
Hiroshi blinked a few times before giving him a smile. “Is this what you’re looking for?” he says as he pulled out the familiar small box from the sack.
Oh… Oh! “I-It is the one, my hero!” Kamui reached out for it, feeling a bit embarrassed that Hiroshi found it out so soon. “H-How did you—”
“You were too busy being protective and all that it accidentally slipped off from your bag,” Hiroshi says shrugging. “Don’t worry. I didn’t look inside it yet. But are you really worried that you won’t be able to give me anything for Christmas?”
Kamui nods shamefully. Why did it even matter to him so much again? It’s because he never treated his past heroes like this before. He never got the chance to do so; they always end up getting killed in a battle upon sacrificing themselves for others. He never got the chance to show them how much he cared and loved them.
And now that he had found Hiroshi as his new hero, he doesn’t want to make the same mistake again. He didn’t want to be too late to express his true adoration and affection for him. That’s why Kamui wants to give him the—
“H-Hiroshi…!” The wolf warrior gasped as his hero suddenly pulled him into a hug. Hiroshi nuzzled Kamui’s furry neck, inhaling the scent of a wolf warrior who had been putting his life at risk for his hero. What kind of scent was that; no one actually knows but him. “Hiroshi… I…”
Pulling back, Hiroshi gave off a certain smile. A smile that Kamui witnessed earlier when he received a gift from his friends. And it confused him; he still hasn’t given the gift yet.
“Kamui, even if I don’t receive a Christmas gift from you, I already received the perfect one.”
The wolf cocked his head in confusion. “I don’t quite understand you…”
“Silly, Kamui.” The male summoner poked his nose teasingly and giggled. “Just you being with me is the best gift that I could ever ask for.”
…
…
It all made sense to Kamui now. That line just sounds so the same as what Jessica told him the other day. The essence of Christmas isn’t about the gifts that people receive and give. It’s about being with the one you love is the best gift that everyone can get. It doesn’t matter if it’s a toy, a ring necklace, or a sword. Just staying with the one you care for and love is the most wonderful thing, and it’s not just for Christmas either.
And so, Kamui was enlightened why his heroes in the past didn’t mind receiving nothing at all. It’s because just his presence and loyal care made them not want to ask anything more.
Hiroshi… Kamui had to admit, but Hiroshi is a different kind of hero that he encountered in his life as the attendant to the heroes. And he could never ask for more either; he loves and cares for him more than his own life.
Like most of the time, Kamui will not let anything happen to his hero. He swears to protect him, to be loyal to him, and to make him feel loved. He will keep him safe until his last breath. “I love you, my beloved hero…” He finally spoke with a teary smile.
Grinning, Hiroshi grabbed his free hand and intertwined it with his own. “I love you too, Kamui.”
~~~~~~~~~~
“… My hero?”
Hiroshi hummed, trying not to laugh at Kamui’s weird expression. “Do you like it?”
“I-I’m not quite sure…” The wolf warrior inspected the craft curiously.
“It cost me much, so you’re not supposed to return it to me!”
“I-I didn’t say I won’t accept it…!” Kamui began to panic at his hero’s sudden sternness. “I’m just a bit confused why would you pick this…”
“Well, it reminded me of that one time when we were cuddling at your place.”
What Kamui received is a crafted figure of a wolf sleeping beside a human. It’s quite a peculiar and rare craft, and that’s what had drawn Hiroshi’s attention in the first place. He imagined that it was Kamui, and he was protecting him from the harsh reality of the world while he slept.
“… I assume you want to cuddle right now?” Kamui finally sighed and smiled.
Hiroshi grinned. “Oh, I really love you, you know.”