It was finally Christmas.Makoto had made his room spick and the others had finished preparing all that was needed for the party. The window was adorned with silver bells and there was a small Christmas tree beside it. Celestine and Odellia were fixing the lights on before placing party poppers in the tree.
Leandra and Rima were getting the champagne ready on the table. Cintare had brought over lots of food and snacks which they could feast on, while Makoto was placing the star atop the tree.
Meanwhile, a few rooms away, Jellal was helping Hyusune to pack the festive cakes into boxes, while Hyusune wrapped each box with a ribbon.
“We gotta go over soon, they’re probably about to start the party.” Hyusune said as she took some of the cakes. “Can you help me take the rest?”
“Sure. You go ahead first, I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
“Okay.”
Hyusune left her door open so Jellal could walk over easily. His hands were full of cake boxes.
Makoto, on the other hand, left his door ajar. Hyusune pushed it aside gently and went in.
“Sorry to keep you all waiting!”
“Ah, the cakes are here!” Cintare and Rima rushed over to help Hyusune carry them over to the table.
“Jellal’s coming with more cakes in a bit, I’ll go check and see if he needs any help!” Hyusune went out of the door and back to her room. Jellal actually had a small present in his hand, and he was tying a white ribbon over. Hyusune decided it would not be a good time to intrude, so she went back to Makoto’s room and waited for Jellal with the others to start the party.
While waiting, Cintare suggested mixing the soda with alcohol so it would be neutralized and they wouldn’t really get too drunk. The rest agreed and they all went to grab some peach soda and mix it with small amounts of alcohol. They then placed it in a jug and set it nicely on the table.
Just then, Jellal arrived with the last bit of cakes, and while everyone helped him out, Hyusune realized he didn’t slip the present under the tree. Was the present not meant for anyone at the party?
“Ok guys! Let’s start this party—!” Makoto exclaimed enthusiastically as their emcee for the night. Everyone cheered.
They all sat down on two long sofas around the table where the drinks and food were.
“Firstly, before we begin our meal, lets have a tasting session of…Hyusune’s festive cakes!”
Cintare handed out the plates and they began their feast.
Everyone’s face lit up with a glee of delight as they munched happily on Hyusune’s cakes.
“Delicious~”
“Yum yum~”
That was a great way to start the night.
After that, they started the main course, which was an array of western and japanese food ranging from grilled chicken, steak and spaghetti to sushi, japanese salad and sashimi.
“Eat up, everyone!” Cintare grinned.
“So much food!” Hyusune gasped.
“This was our month’s worth of savings, so please enjoy yourselves and eat more!”
Everyone sat down at the table and ate heartily.
Makoto went to turn his music player on and played some festive music.
Everyone was in a festive mood as they tucked in.
“Thanks for the meal, Cintare!” Everyone exclaimed.
For the next few hours, they played Just Dance 2016 on the PS4 together and took turns dancing.
When they got tired, they decided to bring the Karaoke over from Celestine’s dormitory to do some singing.
“Hyu-chan! Cintare! Join me for this one!” Rima exclaimed.
‘One, Two, One Two Three Four!”
“I want you!
I need you!
I love you!
kimi ni ae te
dondon chikazuku sono kyori ni
MAX high tension~”
Hyusune and Rima and Cintare gave a bow at the end after their performance.
“Alright guys…why don’t we call it a day and just rest for the next 1.5 hours before midnight?” Odellia suggested.
“We still haven’t drunk the champagne and the wine yet, though…”
“Yea…I’ll go fetch the drinks okay? Including the mixed soda.”
Makoto went to the kitchen and poured drinks for everyone. However, he accidentally poured a tad bit too much of alcohol into the glasses, which kinda overwhelmed the soda.
“Ouh crap. ” Makoto flipped the kitchen to find if there was any more soda he could use to dilute the alcohol with, but he couldn’t find any.
“Ahh this is bad…oh well. Nevermind.”
He brought the glasses out, filled with soda and alcohol, and the bottle of champagne which Leandra and Rima got.
“Um guys, you may wanna drink less…I accidentally poured too much alcohol into the glasses and we’ve run out of soda to dilute it—” before Makoto could complete his sentence, they all drank up because they were thirsty.
“Oh no!” Makoto shrieked and rushed to the kitchen to fetch some iced water instead.
“I kinda feel giddy…” Rima’s voice faltered as she touched her forehead.
Leandra touched Rima’s forehead and realized she was running a mild
fever. “Ah crap…I’ll walk her back to the dormitory to cool her head down. I think she can’t take alcohol…”
“Alright…I’m really sorry!” Makoto apologized.
Meanwhile, Odellia, Celestine, Hyusune and Jellal were still sober, so they decided to unwrap their presents from their “secret santas” among one another.
Hyusune recieved a pastel pink alpaca plushie, while Odellia got a fountain pen, Celestine got a pair of Nike Flyknit shoes and Jellal got a new Adidas bag. Makoto, on the other hand, receieved a note in a letter.
When he saw the note, he quickly kept it away. His eyes widened in shock.
“What’s the matter, Mark?”
“Nothing…” Makoto shook his head. “And its been a long time since you called me that, Jellal.”
For the rest of the night, they played Blackjack, and each time, the loser would drink a small glass of champagne. It was 20% alcohol, and so their face turned red within a couple of games.
For ten straight rounds, Odellia won.
“Haha~! I won again~!” Odellia exclaimed.
“Nooooooo!” Hyusune exclaimed held her head in her hands.
“I’m…so…done with this…” Celestine couldn’t take anymore alchohol. “I’m going back…”
“I’ll walk her back~” Odellia exclaimed cheerfully, as she was the only sober one.
“I’m…g-going back…to my r-room too…” Hyusune said drunkardly as she stumbled to her feet. “Hiccup-”
“I’ll be taking my leave too…Bye Mark.”
“Party’s over then. Bye guys!” Makoto said as he opened the door for them and shut it after they left.
Looking at the mess they left behind, he shook his head and began to clean his room once more.
Hyusune and Jellal walked back along the corridor.
“Hyusune, can I stay over at your room for a bit?” Jellal asked. Somehow, he didn’t seem as drunk as the others.
“Sureeee…” Hyusune grinned.
Holding the alpaca plush in one hand, she opened the door to her room and switched the lights on. She took off her shoes slowly and stumbled towards her bed. Before she could sit down, she lost her balance and fell.
“Ah-”
Thankfully, Jellal managed to grab her before she could fall onto the floor.
“Eh?” Hyusune’s eyes widened and she somewhat became more sober.
“Are you okay?” He asked.
“Yea…” Hyusune said as she lay in his arms.
“Geez…” He scooped Hyusune up all of a sudden and princess carried her to bed.
Hyusune’s face turned red.
“T-thank you…”
She sat upright in bed and dangled her legs off the side. Jellal went to close the door, before he sat beside her.
“Earlier today…I saw you holding a white box…” Hyusune said as she turned to look at him.”Is that for someone who didn’t attend the party? You didn’t give it away just now…”
Jellal took a deep breath.
“Yea, I didn’t give it away…”
“So…who’s it for…?”
“A…girl…”
“Someone you like…?”
“Yea…I decided I should give it to her in person.”
“I see…” Hyusune said as she got up from her bed. “I guess you should go find her then…it’s late today so…probably tomorrow—”
Before she could complete her sentence, Jellal embraced her in his arms.
The alpaca in Hyusune’s hand dropped onto the bed and she shut her eyes.
“I wanted to give it to you in person…you idiot.”
He took the box out and opened it gently. Inside was a silver necklace with a diamond in the shape of a clover dangling at the bottom.
He took it out and put it on for Hyusune, who somewhat was still in a daze.
“It suits you well…” Jellal complimented, as Hyusune admired the necklace.
“Merry Christmas, Hyuu-chan…I love you….” He whispered in a soft, faltering voice. Placing his hands at her cheeks, he bent forward and kissed her gently.
Garden of the Spirit of words 