Bokutachi wa Akuma: Chapter Thirty-Nine

It was one week until Christmas, the most romantic holiday of the year in Japan. Though none of these friends had a partner to share it with, they all agreed that they had something better, each other. Mikiya had made plans for everyone to have a get together on Christmas eve to have a sleepover at his home to open gifts on Christmas.

The one task was to call everyone and have them available for Christmas, seeing as most of group was away from their families, it would not be difficult. Mikiya looked out, seeing the ground dusted in a thin layer of snow. This city rarely got snow that stayed, but when it did, it was beautiful.

Mikiya was one for the big Christmas spirit, his entire house was decorated and with the help of seasonal candles, smelled like Christmas.

Maika sat in a lounge chair near the fireplace, reading a book quietly. Every now and then he would look up to watch Mikiya run around the house like a chicken. With his feet propped up on an ottoman, he dropped his book to his lap, holding the page with his thumb. Mikiya was being watched fully now, his running around seemed somewhat hilarious.

“Mikiya.” He didn't stop running around the living room. “Mikiya! What are you doing?” Maika shifted in his chair, his gaze following Mikiya around their open concept home.

Stopping at the island counter, Mikiya looked up at his roommate who seemed very Papa like sitting in front of the fireplace. His eyes were frantic, he wanted to get what he was doing done.

“I need to make the Christmas tree look perfect.” Mikiya was going overboard again. “And make sure we have enough places for everyone to sleep.” For a house that comfortably accommodated three people, ten was over doing it.

Mikiya darted off again, running down the hallway down to the rest of the house. Maika shrugged and returned to his book comfortably in front of the warm fireplace.

Five days until Christmas, as the house looked perfect according to Mikiya's standards, over done according to Maika and Mizuki's standards. Around the inside of the windows was green garland decorated with metallic glass balls. Above the warm electric fireplace was a series of porcelain houses on a fake bed of snow. The tree next to the fireplace was rather extravagant, 215cm tall, full of volume and not a bare spot from an overdose of ornaments, candy canes and homemade cookie decorations.

Mikiya had found time in his unnecessarily busy schedule to call all of his group mates and ask them if they could come to his party.

“Rin?

“Yeah Miki?

“What are you and Ryuu and Miku doing on Christmas Eve?”

“Nothing really, just going to have Choco and cake, why?”

“Did you guys want to come over for a sleepover party?”

“Oh?” His voice lightened up. “I would love to. Hold on let me ask the others.”

“Okei.” Mikiya sat back at the dinner table, waiting for Rin to ask his roommates.

Walking around the house, Rin looked for Miku and Ryuu to ask them if they would like to go over to Mikiya's for a party.

“Ryuu? Miku?” he called out down the hall looking for both of his roommates.

“Yeah?” They replied at the same time from different rooms.

“Did you two want to go over to Mikiya's for a Christmas party of Christmas Eve?”

“Yeah sounds like fun!”

“Sure, sound like it could be fun.” Miku replied quietly as normal.

“That's wonderful.” He clapped happily. “Hope to see you soon you guys.” After saying good-bye, Mikiya hung up the phone.

Calling the next person in his contact list, he called Maruki and Aiya; they did everything together, and in knowing Aiya, he would like to spend a romantic day like Christmas alone with Maruki. There was always a possibility that he would want to spend it with others this year.

The phone rang a few times.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Maa.”

“Oh Miki. What's up?”

“Just wondering what you two were doing on Christmas Eve?”

“Hm.” He looked at his calendar. “Nothing. We were just going to stay home and spend it alone together. Maybe go for a quiet walk. Why what did you have in mind?”

Give it to Maruki to know when Mikiya had something planned.

“Did you two want to come over for a Christmas Eve sleepover party?”

“Oh!” He lightened up. “That sounds like fun. Who else would be going?”

“Hopefully Everyone.”

“Everyone?” His voice became much louder. ”That's a lot of people in one place Miki.”

“I have room!” Maruki doubted the size of his house. “I have three bedrooms and a big enough living room to hold everyone.

“If you say so Miki.” He laughed. “Excited to see you and everyone else there Miki.” He laughed again and said his good-bye before hanging up the phone.

“Jaa Maa.”

That was five coming, seven including his roommate and his loitering foster brother. There was only one more house to call, and that was the one he was weary of; Daichi had not been focusing very well in rehearsal and he didn't know why. He was hoping Daichi and Ryota were feeling well enough to go.

The phone rang, that was a good sign; except it was Ryota's keitai.

“Hello?”

“Ryo kun!”

“Hirota san. How are you?”

“I'm good how are you?”

“Good. What's up, Hirota san?”

“Just had a question for you.”

“Sure.”

“Did you two want to come over on Christmas Eve for a Christmas sleepover party?”

“A sleepover?” Being on his own was hard enough as it was; now that he lived on his own, sleeping elsewhere was hard. “S-sure. I will but I will go ask Dai chan.”

He heard the stutter in his voice.

‘You sure? You don't have to. I just thought it would be fun if we were all together on Christmas considering none of us are around our families.”

“No, no! I’ll come.” He stood quickly. ‘I’ll go ask Daichi.”

“Okei.”

“Daichi!” He searched. “Would you like to go to Hirota’s in a few days for a sleepover?” He found him in his room at his study desk.

He turned from what he was doing.

“Sleepover?” He asked in almost the same manner Ryota did. “Like away from home?”

“Um, yes?” he hugged the doorframe as he stood in it. “We don't have to if you don't want to Dai.”

“No, no, no.” He looked to the floor quietly. “I want to go.” He was rather sad that Ryota had suggested that they didn't go to Mikiya's house.

“Oh, okei.” He blinked rapidly. “He said he would come Hirota.”

“Oh that's great! Cant wait to see you two here!” he smiled happily. “Jaa.”

That was everyone, all ten members of Hey! Go Hei were going to be together on Christmas for the first time. Though they had only formed at the beginning of the year, no much had gone on this year, it had felt longer and Christmas was a good time for relaxing from it all.

☆ 14:00, one more hour before everyone was to arrive. Everything was going to start of with a group made dinner of Yakiniku; it was something everyone enjoyed doing.

14:56, a knock at the door before the guests let themselves in.

“Konnichiwa Miki chan!” it was Rin and his roommates, Miku and Ryuu. “I think we are a bit early.” Rin giggled before a loud thud was heard.

After hearing the loud thud, Mikiya came running, hoping no one had hurt themself. Looking down his short hallway to the main entrance, he shook his head at the trio; Rin had fallen into the wall after losing his balance from trying to take off his shoes.

“Come on in guys.” He turned and headed off to the kitchen. “And don't hurt yourself.” His comment was directed at Rin especially.

Everyone made their way inside the house with bags of presents. Instead of a secret Santa like Maika had suggested, Mikiya had decided to make everyone buy a gift for everyone else, making it nine in total.

The tree next to the fireplace had already had almost thirty gifts under it from M&M and the freeloading foster brother Mizuki. After everyone else had placed the gifts under it, it had looked more extravagant than Mikiya had imagined.

15:06, the door opened without a knock or ringing the doorbell first, it must have been someone who was very close to Mikiya. The shoes were off and then placed to the side, multiple footsteps were heard coming down the hall.

“Yo, Miki!” The youthful voice was happy as usual, it could be none other than the bubby Maruki.

Coming back from the tree from helping the others place the gifts under it neatly, Mikiya almost flew over to the two friends, diving at them to hug them. Instinctively, Maruki dropped his bag to the floor to catch Mikiya; panicking, Aiya fumbled everything in his arms and caught Mikiya as well.

“Hello you two. How are you?” Mikiya spoke happily, like a parent who has not seen their child in a while who had left for college.

Both Maruki and Aiya held one arm around Mikiya as they walked towards the living room, carrying Mikiya as they did. After those two presents’ were under the tree, there would surely be more then that of a large family when they were all done.

Aiya's presents were perfectly wrapped boxes of red and white paper; whereas Maruki's were neatly wrapped, not perfect, and were every colour of the rainbow.

15:15, there was a knock at the door yet no one let themselves in. There was a knock at the door again; this person, whoever it might have been, was not familiar with Mikiya's rules. Running to the door, Mikiya opened it happily, in seeing who it was he was more than surprised.

“Kazuki? Ruka? And…” the last unexpected guest he did not know.

“Kousuke.” Ruka introduced him, emotionlessly.

“Kazuki kun? How come you are here?” it was not as if he did not want to see him, it was just unexpected.

“Oh! Nii chan invited me.” He said happily.

“Oh, and you invited your friend I see.” He smiled happily at Ruka, whom he had not seen for a while.

Thirteen people in a three-bedroom bungalow, this was going to be a tight party.

15:43, there had been no sign of Daichi nor Ryota yet, which was worrying Mikiya and Maruki. Looking at the clock on the wall sighing softly, Mikiya was looking around at everyone in his house, seeing that they were all concerned as to why they weren’t there as well.

“Yo Miki. Where are the other two?” Though they were still very new as an entire group, the ten of them had grown accustomed to being with each other all the time; missing even just one friend would be lonely. “Where are they?” the others looked at each other gloomily.

Mikiya looked to each of his friends one by one, seeing all of their gloomy faces. he looked to his side, reaching for his keitai. As he grabbed for it, the door had opened, there was only one pair left, it had to be them.

“Daichi? Ryota?” the mama stood up and darted for the door.

the two of them stood in the foyer taking off their snow dusted shoes, placing them with the dozen other pairs. They looked up to the tall lanky mama darting down the small hallway to them.

“Sorry we were wrapping the gifts.” Ryota looked up from slipping shoe off his foot. “Sorry I know we should have called.” He chuckled slightly and put his shoe on the floor. He looked up to Daichi holding the two bags of small gifts, one was his, the other was Ryota's.

Mikiya smiled happily and took the bags from Daichi, allowing him to take off his own shoes.

Not that everyone was there the party could get started. Everyone had cider and snacks, and they were all talking amongst each other, while being scattered around the living room and dining room. As an odd group, the conversations were random and all over the place; until a conversation that stretched across the room caught everyone’s attention.

“You know, the ones with the high backs?”

“Oh yeah! I like those ones! Especially the ones with the spikes.”

“Oh! That's nice.”

“I like shinny ones.”

“Like Sparkles?”

“No, like buffed. You know, leather.”

“Oh yeah. Those are nice too.”

“What do you like Ruka kun?”

the quiet one was finally brought into a conversation.

“Um, of what?”

“Shoes!” Maika laughed from the dining room, taking a sip of his sparkling apple juice from the straw.

“Oh?” He looked up at Kousuke, whom of which was still not introduced. “Shoes?”

“Yes shoes.” Maika nibbled on his straw. “Which kind?”

“Uh,” he fiddled with his cup. “Soft rubber sneakers?”

“Oh! Sneakers! Mysterious.” Mizuki laughed from beside the fireplace on the floor. “So suspicious Ruka kun.”

“Yeah you hiding something Ruka kun?” Rin raised his glass and toasted Ruka.

Maruki's gaze shot from Mikiya to Ruka who looked at him for assistance in answering the two’s questions. Secretly and nervously, Maruki shook his head, telling him to answer ‘no’.

“No.” Ruka answered blankly.

“No?”

“No hiding things?”

“Oh?” Rin furrowed his brows and looked back to the group and continued talking with them.

“Wait, wait, wait. Before you continue.” Maika spun in his chair, looking over the back of it. “Who are you?” he directed everyone’s attention to Ruka's friend.

“Oh?” Kousuke’s back stiffened as the pressure was put on him. “I am Kousuke. Mimiru Kousuke.”

“And how did you meet Ruka kun?”

they had need saying it for the past couple of hours, yet it never struck him, that they were saying Ruka's name.

“Wait, that's your name?” He looked to him shocked. He was not faking at all that he did not know his name. “I finally know your name!” He clapped loudly.

Everyone looked to Kousuke with a cocked brow and dumbstruck looks plastered over their faces. Someone who was closer to Ruka more than anyone spoke up.

“ You didn't know Ruka kun’s name, Kousuke kun?” Maruki had not spoken to Ruka in a long while, but he still had his strong connection with him.

Kousuke chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

“No I hadn’t. He never told me it.” He looked over to Maruki, directing the conversation to him.  “I had given him a nickname because he would never tell me.”

“Oh?” He placed the cup on the floor in front of his crossed legs. “What was that?”

His face lit up in embarrassment. He looked from Maruki to Ruka, never having said it in front of anyone other than Ruka.

“Shadow Boy.” He looked back to Maruki after saying it to him, able to continue the conversation normally. “Because he is so mysterious.”

Everyone who had met him let out a long, understanding ‘oh’.

Ruka was indeed a mysterious person and somehow, ‘Shadow Boy’ was a fitting name for him.

“So everyone.” Mikiya sat up from lying on his back in front of the fireplace, looking at the dozen boys scattered about his house. “Would you like to get dinner started everyone?”

There were a lot of people around and all were men, meaning there was a lot of food needed to be cooked. Luckily, Mama Mikiya had bought more than enough meat and dipping sauces to serve everyone.

Everyone looked to each other, it had become a web of gazes from everyone. Who would be the first to speak?”

“Food?” Obviously it would be Mizuki to be the first to speak. He was always a fatty and eating everything he could. “I like food.”

“Of course you do.” Kazuki mumbled under his breath looking up to Mikiya who sat across the coffee table from him. “Would you like help cooking, Hirota kun?” the youngest member inside the house now became the most polite.

Shaking his head, messing his hair, Mikiya looked to Kazuki with a dizzied look in his eye.

“Well Kazuki kun, everyone is going to help cooking.” There were thirteen people in the house, thirteen people around a grill would be very crowded.

Nevertheless, everyone had gotten up from their seats and gathered around the island in the kitchen with an astonishing amount of beef and a surprising two burners instead of the one everyone was expecting. The burners did not take long to heat up, which was good considering everyone was getting hungry from only having various virgin drinks since they had gotten there.

After everyone had filled their plates and emptied the meat trays, the scattered throughout the living area again to eat; the majority of them snuggled in around the rectangular coffee table in the living room. Quickly devouring their plates of meat and rice, everyone gathered in an assembly line at the sink to clean all of the dishes. Surprisingly, the dishes took longer to clean than if only a couple of people took the responsibility. Having thirteen people in a reasonably sized kitchen made it feel like an assembly line that much more, they were all shoulder-to-shoulder and even began to play a game. A game of organization, the shortest member was to wash the dishes, the tallest was at the end to place the higher dishes away easily.

After the daunting task of cleaning almost two-dozen dishes, the large group gathered in the living room to continue an old conversation.

Lazed about in the long chair, with Daichi curled in, falling asleep, Mikiya held him and looked over to Ruka who had moved over to the couch.

“So Ruka, you really never told him your name?” glancing up at him, Ruka shook his head. “How can a friendship last without knowing someone’s name?” Daichi had made a soft sound and curled into Mikiya's chest comfortably. Holding him up, Mikiya looked down to him, just as everyone did as well. Daichi had caught everyone’s attention with his kawaii actions.

Everyone was silent for a moment, looking at Daichi as he fell victim to sleep. Ryota peeked up over the coffee table with sadness in his eyes. The only thought going through him mind was why couldn't he be lying where Mikiya was.

“Anyways!” Kousuke spoke up, feeling uncomfortable in a silent room full of people he didn't know. Everyone shushed him, making a blush grow on his cheeks; they didn't want Daichi waking up.

Mikiya wrapped his arm around Daichi to hold him up from falling to the floor. Dinner was just eaten, non-alcoholic beverages were consumed due to the number of under-aged friends in the room, and one had already fallen asleep and it was not even 20:00 yet. Mikiya was the hos, but with the sudden immobility cast upon him, his position was quickly taken over by his roommate who was getting bored of sitting around watching Daichi sleep.

“Does anyone have room for dessert?” everyone propped up at the mention of sweets. “Miki and I made Strawberry shortcake for dessert.” There were actually two cakes but one was for Christmas day.

“Cake!”

“I love sweets.”

“I hope it’s as good as it sounds.”

Everyone was shouting at the same time like a bunch of wild animals at a watering hole. Maika was shushing them all at the sight of Daichi rolling and grumbling. If he was like most, he would be cranky as soon as he would be woken up from just having just fallen asleep.

Everyone froze all shooting their gaze to the stirring Daichi. When he rolled back into Mikiya, cuddling him again, they all darted on their tip-toes to the fridge in the kitchen.

“Oi, oi, oi!” Maika ran passed everyone, guarding the fridge with his body like the Grinch hiding all of the presents.

He pressed his back tightly to the door of the stainless steel fridge, gripping to it for dear life with a maniac look in his eye. Everyone froze again at the sight of him; it was quickly turning into a game of ‘Mr. Wolf’, everyone stood as still as a statue until Mizuki dove through the crowd of boys.

“It’s my fridge too, Mai!” He whispered, still feeling the need since their friend was sleeping. “I live here too.” He dove to Maika, wrapping his arms around his waist, readying to pry him away from the fridge to get to it.

Mikiya dipped his head back over the back of the chair, looking at the group of boy statues standing in his kitchen.

“You only live here because Mama and Papa went on vacation with Seishiro to America.” Of course Mikiya whispered, cradling Daichi in his arms. “Remember they come back in about a month and then you go back to live with them.” It was harsh words to hear from an older brother, but a kid his age had to hear it straight.

Mizuki loosened his grip off of Maika's waist enough for him to push him off, sending him to the floor at his feet. Mizuki could not see passed the forest of legs or the countertop, but he knew that he was looking right at Mikiya, sending him a big pout.

“You’re so mean Aniki!” He crawled on his hands and knees and pushed himself to his feet. “Baka.” He mumbled to himself, suddenly not having any appetite.

Rolling his eyes, having heard Mizuki call him a name, Mikiya returned his attention to his puppy-like friend who was almost sleeping on him now.

Maika looked to the other ten people crowded around him, giving them a wide, happy smile.

“I will get it. I will cut it, and I will decide as to who gets what piece.” His bright, wide smile disappeared quickly and he became suspiciously serious.

Everyone ignored his seriousness and pushed him out of the way.

The fridge was raided and emptied of the cake and extra whipping cream. It was a large heart shaped cake that looked like a lot of work went into it. Mikiya looked over the back of the chair again, looking back to the herd of boys.

“Save a piece for Daichi everyone. He likes strawberries remember.”

Everyone spun, looking at Mama Mikiya, nodding.

“Hai!” They all whispered and went back to the cake.

As he announced, Maika cut and divided it evenly between everyone, thirteen equal pieces, or almost equal.

Maika served each piece to each boy in the house, when they received their portion, they ran away to a free spot in the house. First the bar stools were stolen, and next was each space around the coffee table. Dessert was more delicate than dinner, they were all eager to get a spot that had a flat surface to eat off of.

Once Maika got the opportunity to sit and enjoy the sweet treat, the first person was almost done theirs. The only seat that was left was his lounge chair by the fireplace. Plopping himself down, he looked over at Mikiya and Daichi on the long chair, passed out. It didn't take Mikiya long to fall asleep holding Daichi as he slept. Maika had a sly smile grow on his lips as he stuck a small piece of cake in his mouth. The two of them passed out on the chair arm in arm was cute.

The dozen plates and forks that piled up quickly turned into yet again another assembly line. This time Kousuke was forced to wash the dishes, being the newest person in the house. Having half the amount of dishes then the last time, it was much faster to clean all of them and have them put away.

After a small yet filling meal and dessert, everyone was feeling drained of their pep and energy.

“Ne, would anyone like to play a game or two?” He was a kid and the second game was one that was played by a typical kid.

“A game? Like what?” Mizuki, his brother looked over to Kazuki, wondering what he could be thinking.

 “Well, one I was hoping we could play the thumb game.”

“Thumb game? With eleven people?” Aware as what the game was, since everyone played it as a kid, Rin looked to Kazuki surprised. “That would be a long game.” He factored Mikiya and Daichi out considering that they were asleep.

“What was the other game, Kazuki kun?” Ryota looked to Kazuki from the floor next to Daichi.

“Seeing who could stay awake the longest.”

“Eh?” A few boys on the sectional couch remembered playing that game when they were younger.

“I'm in. what do we get if we win?” give it to Rin for being greedy that way.

Kazuki looked around for a suitable prize.

“Well you guys seem to have many gifts. Why not let the winners open the first one?”

“Sounds like a good idea. I'm in.” Maika was participating now.

“I’ll play.” Ryuu decided as well.

He gave the person next to him a look.

“Aiya and I will play.” Maruki smiled cunningly, sure that he could win this game.

“I’ll play.” Miku spoke up.

“I guess I’ll play.” Ryota was one to play, since Daichi was sleeping.

“Wanna play Ruka kun?” Kousuke looked over to the friend whom he had just found out the name.

“Sure why not.”

“Okei, well play.”

“Well since I am the only one left, I guess I’ll play.” Mizuki was the last to agree, finding his brother’s idea stupid.

“So we’re all playing?” Kazuki smiled widely, particularly at his older brother.

As most had suspected, both games got boring rather quickly’ especially since Aiya had won three thumb games in a row, only by chance. Though they found it boring, all of the boys continued to play anyways, until the first one fell asleep, Kazuki. After he had collapsed on the couch, everyone came to the mutual agreement that they would all just go to sleep. Maika was still quite awake and was assisted by Mizuki to get everyone blankets and pillows. Since there were only three beds, Maika concluded that it would be unfair if only a few people got to sleep in a bed; considering that, no one got to sleep in the beds.

The coffee table was pushed up against the wall and most of the boys curled up in between the two sectional couches and the long chair that everyone refused to touch, afraid that they would wake up Mikiya or Daichi.

“Everyone have a place to lie down?” Maika sat up from his spot next to the long chair looking around the dark room. There was a scattered mumble around the large room. “Okei.”

Cuddling on one of the sectionals, Maruki and Aiya were the first to be comfortable.

“Oyasumi nasai minna.” Aiya looked up and wished everyone a quiet goodnight.

“Oyasumi.” A whispered reply scattered out through the large living room wished him a goodnight as well.

Surprisingly, throughout the night, no one had woken up from an uncomfortable sleep; sleeping all together in one room must have had an effect to it. Early in the morning, the boys started to stir awake, only to see a blinding light coming from outside due to the new layer of snow.

The first to wake up was the first one who fell asleep, Daichi. He sat up, looking around the room, seeing a dozen other boys scattered around the room. He groaned quietly and stretched his arms up in the air as he looked down to Mikiya whom was holding him. Looking around the room, he was groggy and was confused as to why everyone was sleeping in the living room.

He turned to Mikiya again, shifting his feet around Maika who was sleeping at the foot of the chair.

“Ne, Mikiya.” He shook Mikiya's shoulder, and leaned down to him to whisper to him. “Is it Christmas now?” he had just fallen asleep from eating dinner and boredom from the night before, and he had already forgotten what day it was.

Stirring awake, Mikiya looked up to Daichi in a sleepy haze. Slapping his hand to his head, Mikiya rubbed his eyes and groaned softly.

“Mmm…” He rubbed his eyes slowly. “Yes. Why Daichi?” He slid his hand down his face, resting his hand on his chest.

“Presents!” Daichi had turned into a child at the note that it was Christmas and there were many presents just feet away from him.

“AH!” Many boys shot up from their sleeping spots and shot there gazes around the room quickly.

“What? What's going on?”

“Presents!” Daichi dove to the tree from the chair and landed on his knees next to big pile of presents.

The rest of the boys in the room that had not been shocked awake from him screaming stirred awake and looked up and around at the other people in the room. Sitting up, Mizuki looked outside and was blinded by the fresh, thin layer of snow. Looking into the room again, he was blinded again by seeing the tree light up with white and rainbow lights; Daichi plugged in the tree, and picked up one of his presents, shaking it to see if he could hear what was on the inside.

“Christmas day?” he groaned. “More sleep.” He collapsed back down and pulled his blanket over his head, blocking out the light.

Mikiya sat up, draping his feet over Maika as well who was still sleeping. He looked over his shoulder at Daichi by the Christmas tree, giving him a small chuckle.

"Well since you were the first one awake Dai chan, you can open the first one." Mama Mikiya leaned forward, patting Maika's shoulder as if he were a pet, to wake him up.

Daichi spun from Mikiya with a happy smile back to the tree, looking for gifts for himself.

Maika stirred awake, and sat up, running into Mikiya's legs, making him fall back to his back. Chuckling softly, Mikiya gave him a sarcastic 'sorry' and moved his legs for him.

"Why is he so excited?" Maika groggily asked Mikiya as he sat up, resting his arms on the long chair. He looked up to Mikiya who was just as confused as he was. "Is he expecting something in particular?" His already curly hair was a big nest on his head, it shaded his eyes as he looked up to Mikiya.

He shrugged, not knowing why he was so excited either.

"Maybe he's just well rested?" It was the only thing he could think of, Daichi hadn't been like this for a long time. Everyone began to sit up from their positions, all trying to make room for others to sit if they were on a couch; everyone moved except Mizuki.

Mikiya moved from the long chair and stepped around the blankets and pillows on the floor, he threw his arm up and slapped Mizuki on the stomach hard, making his body coil in surprise and pain.

"Get up so people can sit!" He lightly tapped Mizuki's legs, getting him to lift them up so he could sit.

Maika had stolen Mikiya's seat anyways, relaxing with his arms behind his head.

The dozen, sleepy boys around the room watched Daichi by the tree as if he were a toddler on Christmas; ready to rip all the gifts open, even if the did not belong to him.

Maruki and Aiya moved from the couch to the floor, piling all the blankets together to make a nest of their own.

"Which one are you going to open first Dai chan?" Aiya leaned himself on his palms, sending Daichi a bright smile.

Everyone around, even those who weren't receiving gifts were excited for Daichi more so than getting to open gifts themselves, they wanted to see what Daichi's reaction would be to the gifts they got him.

After digging through the big pile of gifts, Daichi pulled out all the gifts with his name on them and made his own pile at his side.

He looked at all the neatly wrapped gifts of all sizes and questioned as to which one would be best.

"This one!" Mikiya's, it was a small box no bigger than a rubrics cube. He spun it around, looking for the name on it. "Hirota kun!" He shifted on his butt and faced Mikiya, wanting to be polite as he opened it.

Mikiya looked up, seeing it was his gift that Daichi wanted to open first, feeling honored that it was his.

"Oh, I hope you like it Dai chan!" He gave a wide smile, his eyes narrowing happily into small slits.

"Un!" Quickly, like a child, Daichi ripped apart the pretty wrapping paper and saw a small black box with a diamond engraved on it. "No!" He was shocked, knowing exactly what it was from its size. His dark chocolate eyes widened as he opened it, seeing a beautiful, sparkling ring beaming back at him.

He hopped around in a circle on his butt ecstatically.

"It's so pretty!" He hopped up and ran over to Mikiya, jumping on his lap with his legs on either side of him as he gave him a big bear hug. "Domo Miki kun!" He hugged him hard, holding the open ring box tightly in his small hand.

A small gasp left his lips as Daichi came running for him, a louder gasp and a grunt left his lips when he jumped on him.

"Daichi..." He chuckled softly; smiling widely while Daichi was still hugging him. "Did you want to see if it fits?" It was a special ring, a very expensive ring as a matter of fact; it was not meant for a ring finger like most would expect, it was smaller and meant to fit a pinky.

Daichi leaned back on his lap, bouncing up and down on Mikiya's knees. He nodded happily, slipping the small ring out of the little hole. Looking at it, he was confused as to why it was so small. Giggling at his cute face, Mikiya took the ring from him in one hand, and took Daichi's left hand in the other. With everyone watching, Mikiya slipped the small ring on Daichi's pinky, seeing his face light up as it was slipped on.

"It fits perfectly Miki!" He dove to Mikiya again, giving him another big hug.

Everyone was in awe at the sight of the small, sparkling ring. It looked to be made of platinum and all diamond; why would Mikiya spend so much on one gift? If Daichi's gift was so extravagant, what was everyone else's like?

The metallic band was half encrusted in small, clear jewels, in the middle was a crescent around a smaller circle, with a ribbon attaching both, it was a simple design, but a beautiful ring indeed.

"Come on Daichi, go open the rest of your gifts." He patted Daichi on the butt, telling him to get up and go back to the tree.

Everyone was having too much fun watching Daichi open gifts to want to rush into opening their own.

Daichi hopped off of Mikiya's lap, and dove to the floor again, picking up yet another small box; he shook it, this one made a noise.

"Ooo..." He made a sound of awe, ripping this one apart quickly as well. It was yet another small black box, this one had no design etched into it. He opened it slowly, seeing two of the same necklace in it. A matching pair. "Who's this from?" He had ripped it open to fast to even read whom it was from.

Sweat drop. Maruki crawled over to Daichi and took the box from him. He pulled out both necklaces and opened the clasp of one of the necklaces, crawling closer to Daichi.

"Come here, I'll put it on you." Daichi leaned forward and put his head down gently, bowing so Maruki could put the necklace on him. "It's a matching pair. You'll have one, and I'll have one." The small pendant on the chain was simple, yet sparkles brightly. Encrusted in jewels as well, yet they weren't nearly as extravagant as Mikiya's gift; the simple skull pendant made of small crystals was cute and perfect. Maruki made it meaningful by making it a pair.

After Maruki put another article of jewelry on Daichi, he turned and dug through his pile of gifts, looking for a good one to open next. His dark chocolate eyes landing on a large, long box on the bottom of his pile, it had to be the next one to open.

"Mizuki!" He pulled it out, laying it in front of him. It was slightly heavy and did not make a sound.

Daichi ripped apart the wrapping paper and threw it to the side, seeing a shiny black box staring at him, the borders trimmed with a glossed red ribbon. He opened it slowly, peeking in before anyone else could see. When his eyes caught the glimpse of reflecting light, he threw the lid open, seeing the beauty of the item fully. "Mizuki!" He shouted at the cool item in the box, making everyone look harder at it.

In seeing what it was, both Mikiya and Maruki dove for it, for two entirely different reasons.

"Mizuki!" Mama Mikiya was angry. "Why would you get Daichi something so dangerous as a gift?!" Mikiya pulled the box away Daichi, pulling it onto his lap, slapping the lid shut.

Mikiya shot a glare to Mizuki at his side and smacked his head. Mizuki looked to Mikiya, giving him a glare as well.

"It's just a gift!" He snapped back at Mikiya, moving away from him and onto the floor.

"It's a dangerous gift!" He gripped to the box tightly. "You don't just get someone a sharpened sword for no reason as a gift! It could hurt someone!" Mikiya looked to Daichi on the floor, his eyes getting sad. Sure he was mad at Mizuki for getting him the gift, but he couldn't let Daichi receive the punishment as well. After a small thought, Mikiya reached out, handing the gift back to Daichi.

"You can have it Daichi, if you promise to never use it." Mama Mikiya was always about the safety of his friends, and if any of them got hurt, he would feel responsible for not keeping an eye on them.

Daichi nodded to him slowly, as he took the gift back from Mikiya hesitantly.

"I'll be very careful with it okei Mikiya?" He smiled to him happily and closed the lid of the super cool gift and left it to the side; doing as he promised and was being very careful with it like Mikiya had told him to be.

The rest of the gifts were opened by Daichi first, after he had received gifts from everyone and thanked them all, the rest of the boys of Hei, were happy to open their gifts and thank everyone as well.