Peppermint [Asahi Azumane]

The next few days blend together, in a good way of course. We were finally able to link our fingers together as we walked home, admiring his handsome face that only seemed to get even more handsome with every passing minute. Finally able to study on his bed together instead of keeping my distance with one of us sitting at his desk. Finally able to get kisses in return for a correct answer from my study sheet.

I was also more giggly and extroverted around him, still keeping my regular attitude around the team. It was a whole other story when we were alone. We were both absolutely smitten for each other. And no one knew about this blossoming love other than the managers and Noya. He was doing a good job keeping this secret. This to me was pure bliss. Asahi melted away all of my worries.

My phone rings as I get home from another study session at Asahis.

"Mom?" I say with a smile.

"Hi sweetheart." small talk ensues.

How is school? Any new friends? Are the teachers good?

Finally, the heavy topic comes up.

"I know we won't be able to spend Christmas together this year, but I promise to make it up to you when we get back, okay?"

"What about dad?"

"You know Dad. He's been really stressed lately and-"

"And what?" I interrupted, "You're working with him too. Youre stressed too. But you still find the time to call me. You still bother to tell me about stuff like not coming home for Christmas. Dad wouldn't think to even mention it Mom, we both know that."

"Y/n, I'm sorry-"

"No. I'm fed up with him. Does he not know how to ever take a break?"

"Y/n. I know. It sucks. I've been trying to talk about it with him. Just know that we're gonna go to New York when you graduate still, okay? You just have to keep yourself going by thinking of your dreams. It isn't fun now, but it'll all be worth it."

"Yeah, I know." we both sigh.

"It's getting late, you should get ready for bed. I'll call you tomorrow?"

"Okay mom. Love you, bye."

"Love you too"

Shit. Christmas was fast approaching and so was my third year.

It was a lifelong dream of mine to be an author, maybe even a part time poet. It was my passion. I'd have to leave behind your life in Miyagi. This was supposed to be easy because falling for Asahi was never supposed to happen. Making amazing friends wasnt supposed to happen. Regret was flowing into every empty space in my brain, why couldn't I have wanted a more simple job, one I could stay in Miyagi for?

My phone buzzes a few times more. I look over to see everyone discussing their Christmas plans. Great, just what I need, Suga sharing his dessert recipes with the team.

Noya: y/n, whatcha doin for xmas this year XD

y/n: it's just gonna be me and my parents at my place, nothing big

Okay, so maybe I lied. But what was I supposed to do? Tell the whole team I didn't even like Christmas and am therefore 'celebrating' it home alone like the fucking Grinch? Nope.

- - - - - - - - -

A few days of Christmas break have already passed. Before it had started, the team did a secret santa type thing, and I got Asahi. I knew Tanaka and Noya were the reason behind it, not wanting to buy more than one present and making sure me and Asahi got to give each other a present. He had graciously given me a new notebook, as he saw the amount of pages in my old one depleting quickly.

"I tried getting one with thicker pages because it's so annoying when the papers all flimsy." he said while rubbing the back of his neck out of nervousness. "It also looked like the most subtle looking one, yannow, with the basic cover and stuff. I really hope you like it."

It took everything in my power not to mount this gorgeous man that very second. It still wasn't official, and I still wanted to avoid having the team find out too.

I gave him a tight hug, rocking back and forth in contentment, sniffing in his smell that Ive grown so fond of.

I hand him a medium sized box wrapped in glittery wrapping paper. He excitedly opened it up, revealing a distinguished looking mug, deep brown grooved wooden pattern with a glossy finish overtop. He always liked tea, specifically peppermint, so I tell him to look inside the mug to find a few packets of peppermint tea neatly packaged inside.

"Thank you y/n, I love it." he says with another one of the warmest smiles I'd ever seen, him opening his arms back up for another much needed hug.

Well now I have been at home for the past few days, in comfortable clothing and my regular makeup that I only did out of boredom, sitting on the couch with my brand new notebook perched on my lap, still empty. It was so precious to me that I couldn't stand to use it.

*knock knock*

I creak your door open.

"Oh, hey Asahi. What's up?"

"I made cookies with my mom and my sister today, and I wanted to give you some for you and your parents."

"Ahhh, thanks." I take the festive box and step back a bit, beckoning him to come in. "come in for a bit. If you have time, that is."

"Yeah, sure I can stay a bit," he steps in, slightly shivering due to the cold. Snow had started to fall more recently. "where are your parents? The car isn't in the driveway." he questions.

"Somewhere for work, I don't know where exactly this time. They left a week ago I think?" I say, getting peppermint tea for the both of is without having to ask him. He was always in the mood for tea. Silence ensues for a minute.

"Oh, so are they coming back tomorrow for Christmas?"

"Nope."

I pour the tea into two separate mugs and walk back to the coffee table, setting the steaming cups down beside the now opened box of cookies.

Another uncomfortable silence.

Asahi finally decided to break it."Come over to my house for Christmas then."