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“Come on Senpai where are you…” A red-hair girl muttered as she rubbed her gloved hands together in a vain attempt to stay a little warmer, “Please don’t take much longer… I’m going to freeze solid.”
A minute passed until the red-hair girl’s phone rang which she eagerly answered, “H-Hello, Senpai! A-are you nearly here?”
“Hey, Sumire.” Sumire’s boyfriend Ren Amamiya responded, “The train was delayed so I only just arrived at Kichijoji. So I’ll be another five minutes, Sorry… I know being late isn’t the best start to Christmas.” Ren jokingly apologizes.
Sumire let out a frosty sigh, “That’s okay. I’ll be waiting, oh, and be careful the paths are really icy right now.”
“Thanks for the warning. I’ll be there soon, I love you.”
“Love you too, Senpai,” Sumire responded before hanging up her phone, and Sumire’s thoughts drifted. It was currently the 24th of December, better known as Christmas Eve, so to celebrate the holiday Sumire and her boyfriend Ren decided to go on a little date in Inokashira Park and to make the day even more romantic last night Tokyo go blanketed in a thick heavy layer of pure white snow.
Which while beautiful left the waiting Red Head shivering despite her thick and warm winter outfit. “Soon Senpai will get here and we’ll start walking around and everything will be okay…” Sumire muttered as she continued to shiver.
A few more minutes passed and Sumire turned to look down the street, hoping she’d see Ren. “M-Maybe I could go and look fo- Achoo! Achoo!” Sumire continued to let out short and squeaky sneezes as the cold tickled her nose.
“Bless you.” A deep but warm voice whispered into her ear as she felt a pair of arms wrap around pulling her back into a surprisingly warm embrace, “I forgot how adorable your sneezing is.” Ren teased.
“Wah! S-Senpai! D-don’t tease me like that… it’s really embarrassing…” Sumire murmured as her face suddenly went from very cold to very hot.
“I’m not teasing, your sneezing is really cute. So all I’m really doing is telling you the truth.”
“Ahhhh… Seeeeenpai!” Sumire whined, wanting to bury her face into her hands but Ren’s embrace stopped her from moving her arms.
“Merry Christmas Sumire,” Ren whispered into her ear as he tightened his embrace.
Sumire finally gave in and relaxed into Ren’s grasp, “Merry Christmas… Ren.” Sumire spoke back softly, Ren being able to see the hint of a smile gracing his girlfriend’s face.
“Oh right, Sophia has a message for you.”
“Hmm?” Sumire hummed with curiosity.
“She said, ‘Merry Christmas Mom! I hope you and Dad have fun today, I cannot wait to see you tonight. I love you thiiiiis much!’ She was stretching her arms out as far as she could when she said that last bit.”
Sumire giggled as her smile grew wider, “She is so sweet… I hope she doesn’t mind us coming out on our own…”
“Don’t worry.” Ren slightly tightened his embrace as if to reassure Sumire, “I think she and Futaba are going to play Smash Bro Ultimate until we go and pick her up. So I think she’ll be having fun.”
“That’s good then…” They continued the hug for a little while longer until Ren finally broke up the hug and walked out from behind Sumire. “So did that help warm you up?” Ren questioned with a smug grin.
“Maaaybe… I could still use a little more while we go through the park, it is really cold after all.” Sumire glanced away, her cheeks turning a light shade of pinkish-red as a small smile cross her face, “A-and… I want to make sure we’re together the whole time…”
Ren chuckled and walked up next to Sumire and offered her his hand which she happily accepted.
“Thank you…”
“No problem, I was going to do this anyway,” Ren confessed. “Ready to go?”
“Of course… I’ve been ready for the last fifteen minutes, unlike a certain someone.” Sumire teased.
“Haha, you got me there. Well then, let’s not waste any more time.”
“Good idea!” Sumire exclaimed, taking the lead and gently tugging Ren through the entrance of Inokashira Park with child-like glee. Ren caught up to Sumire and they began to walk side by side at the same pace, remaining silent as they enjoy the calm and serene peace that covered the snow-covered park.
As they made their way deeper into the park the paths that previously had shown some signs of people walking through snow slowly faded out, “Woah… It looks like we’re the first ones that have come this far in today.” Sumire murmured in amazement as her eyes sparkled at the bright and undisturbed snow-covered ground. “It almost feels like a crime to ruin it…”
“It is a shame but you know what…” Ren’s smirk grew, “This way we get to be the first ones to experience it and anyone that comes after will know we beat them here.”
“I guess you’re right…” Sumire giggled and then took a deep breath, “Okay… I’m sorry for doing this but we need to keep going!” Sumire whispered to no one in particular as she took her next step into the undisturbed path.
The pair continued to walk through the park until they reached the edge of the lake was slightly frozen over with a light dust of snow covering the fragile surface, “Woooah… This is amazing.” Sumire said, looking out over the picturesque lake
“You know… seeing this really reminds me of my old home. I nearly forgot how nice it looked when it snowed.”
Sumire turned to Ren with a slightly jealous expression, “That sounds wonderful… makes me a little jealous of you. I can only imagine how beautiful this would be there.”
Ren chuckled and tightened his grip on Sumire’s hand. “Well, we’re going to visit my parents in a few days, remember? You’ll be able to see it then.”
“I guess that’s true… I just hope the snow sticks around until then...” As Sumire muttered a few white flakes began to fall from the sky. “Oh…”
Ren gently brushed the flakes that landed on Sumire off, “I have a feeling it will be.”
“You can’t take credit for that, Senpai.” Sumire rolled her and tried to brush the snow out of Ren’s hair in return but all she ended up doing was mixing it into his curly locks. “Ah… sorry…” Sumire stifled a giggle.
Ren let out a heavy sigh, “Don’t worry… this happens.”
The two stayed at the lake for a short time as the snow started to fall harder and harder, covering up their footprints that they left. Once the cold had started to get to them both so they continued along the path that lead around the lake, passing by the bridge that lead to the boating house and eventually going deeper into the snow-covered park.
As they continued on through the park their relaxing walk was interrupted by a group of kids throwing snowball snow of which nearly hit Sumire but Ren was able to block followed by the kids apologizing to the pair.
Once they got away they found themselves in a large open area of the park with various Snowmen and Snow Sculptures either completely or being made, both of them were mesmerized by the creations on display and they silently agreed to go and look at them all before they finally went home. They walked up to a small cat one that had been placed on a nearby fence post.
“Hey Mona, when did you get here, didn’t you promise us some privacy?” Ren joked.
Sumire giggled, “Yes Morgana-senpai, it’s very rude to break your promise like that.”
“That’s it! No more sushi for you!" Ren sternly told the snowcat before both he and Sumire broke down into a small fit of laughter.
“OH Senpai! Look at this one!” Sumire shouted and pointed off towards the field of sculptures.
“Uh, which one?”
“This one!” Sumire gently pulled Ren’s arm bringing him toward the sculptures until they arrived at a small Joker mask. “I think you have a fan.”
Ren leaned in to get a closer look, “Not going to lie… That’s really impressive.” Ren looked around the immediate area, “Looks they not here anymore…” Ren’s eyes lit up, “Wait I’ve got an idea…”
“Huh?” Sumire tilted her head in confusion as Ren pulled out a familiar red calling card and pen, he then wrote a short message and left it embedded into a bit of snow next to the sculpture.
“There we go. Now they’ll know the Phantom Thieves approve of their creation.” Ren smugly declared, Sumire rolling her eyes.
“Why do you have that,” Sumire questioned.
Ren shrugged, “A Phantom Thief must always be prepared.” Before Sumire could press further Ren moved onto another sculpture forcing the Red-Head to drop the subject and catch up to Ren who was looking at a fairly large sculpture of the Tokyo Tower.
They continued to look around the small section of the park, looking at all the various creations. At one point Ren and Sumire made their own small little basic snowmen that they placed underneath a tree together after which they were approached by a little girl who was really impressed with how quickly they made them. The little girl then asked if they could help her because she was in a contest with her older brother’s but she had never done a snowman before.
Ren and Sumire happily agreed and they started to help the girl roll out and smooth the large snowballs that they used to build a decently sized snowman followed by joyfully decorating with sticks and rocks they found buried under the snow. Once they were done the little girl ran off to show her family, “Thank you for your help! It looks so cute!” The little girl cheered as Sumire and Ren left the area.
After getting far enough away Sumire started to giggle, “That was a lot of fun. Hey, I know! We should make one with Sophia, I bet she’d love it!”
“Hmm…” Ren hummed, “I don’t think there’s any great place to do it at Yongen…” Ren looked over who had become visibly disappointed. “Buuuuut there will be plenty of space at my parents.”
“Great idea!” Sumire exclaimed as her eyes lit up.
Ren smiled, “You’re so cute when you’re excited. It almost seems like you want to do it more than you want Sophia too.” Ren said with a smug tone.
“S-senpai… That’s not…” Sumire muttered as her face began to turn red, signaling to Ren he hit the nail on the head.
Sumire noticed something in the distance and started to run off in an attempt to get some distance from Ren and let her flustered expression die down, “Come with me, Senpai!”. Ren followed her close behind until they were at a small collection of small rabbit sculptures that had been arranged and placed by a tree, “Awww look at how cute these are…” Sumire whispered, keenly down to get a better look at them.
“They are… the amount of detail is incredible… wait did one just move?”
“Huh… what do you mean…” Sumire trailed off, looking back towards the sculpture and she notices one of the rabbits blinked at her before leaping out of the snow and hopping right past her, “Wah!” Sumire shrieked as she stumbled backward in surprise, followed by falling over onto the snowy ground. “Ow!”
Ren moved over to Sumire, holding back a chuckle, “Are you okay?”
Sumire nodded, “Yeah, that was nothing compared to what can happen during practice… it just surprised me.” Sumire answered as Ren offered his hand to help pull her up. “I’m also really wet now…” Sumire sighed as some snow slid off her back.
“Maybe that’s a sign it’s time for us to go.” Ren mused.
“You’re probably right… I’m sorry Senpai… I should have been more careful.”
Ren gently patted Sumire’s head, “Don’t worry. It’s starting to get dark so we’d have to leave anyway. And Sophia will get to see you sooner.”
“Right…” Sumire whispered with a small grin. “Let’s go then.”
Ren and Sumire then made their way out of the park and towards Kichijoji station and they started their journey back home to Yongen-Jaya.
Upon reaching Sojiro’s house in Yongen they found Futaba and Sophia already waiting by the door, “Mom! Dad!” Sophia cheered, running out of the house and into Sumire bring the older girl into a hug, “Did you have fun?”
Sumire tenderly wrapped her arms around Sophia, “We had a great time.” Sumire started to stroke and fluff up Sophia’s hair, “But we did miss you the whole time.”
“Mooooom!” Sophia whined at Sumire fluffing up her hair, “Stooop!”
Ren simply smiled and shook his head before turning to Futaba, “So did you two have fun?”
“She is evil.”
“Huh?”
“That girl… she said she had never played Smash before but she destroyed me! Pro players are easier than her, she is an evil monster!” Futaba shouted.
Sophia turned her head as best she could while still being in Sumire’s embrace, “But… I just did what you told me. It was so much fun!” Sophia innocently declared.
“And this…” Futaba growled, “She doesn’t even act all smug about winning so I can even get mad at her…”
Sumire and Ren both laughed at Futaba, “I’m glad you both had fun. But I think we’re going to head to LeBlanc now.” Ren said.
“Good! I need to practice.” Futaba glared at Sophia, “Next time it won’t be so easy. I will not be defeated again!”
“I look forward to playing it with you again!”
“Ahhh! Stop doing that! Maybe I should get Mona to play so I can practice…” Futaba grumbled as she started to close the door, “Oh and Merry Christmas.”
Ren rolled his eyes, “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas Futaba!”
With that Futaba all but slammed the door shut, allowing Ren and Sumire to turn their attention to their daughter. “I missed you both!” Sophia said in a muffled voice as she continued to hug Sumire. “We spending the night together, right?”
Ren nodded, “That’s right. So how about you let Sumire go so we can head home.”
“Okay!” Sophia cheered, letting Sumire go followed by the short Red-head girl marching on down the street, “Let’s goooooo!” Sophia shouted pointing ahead, much to Ren and Sumire’s amusement.
“Home, Sweet Home,” Ren said walking into LeBlanc, stifling a yawn. “So what do you two want to do for the rest of the day?”
Sophia placed her hand to her chin and loudly hummed, “Hmm… I just want to spend time with you both.” Sophia answered with a smile.
“Honestly I’m with Sophia… after all the walking we’ve done… I think I’d like a nice quiet night.” Sumire added.
Ren smiled, “Sounds good to me, Hmm…” Ren hummed in thought. “I know. Why don’t you two get changed and we can finish watching the rest of the new Feathermnan season together.”
“Oh yes! Yes!” Sophia cheered, “Futaba keeps telling me the rest of the season is really good, apparently-” Sophia’s ramblings were silenced by Sumire placing her hand over the young girl’s mouth.
“Remember Sophia, don’t repeat anything Futaba tells you about Featherman, every time you and up spoiling what happens…”
“Oh right… sorry! I forgot!” Sophia exclaimed, her voice being muffled by Sumire’s hand. Sumire voiced her hand, “Eheh sorry Mom! But yes can we pleeeease watch it! I really want to see it.” Sophia asked with an almost pleading expression.
“Looks like we’ve got no choice now,” Ren said with an amused smirk.
Sumire nodded, “Don’t want to disappoint our sweet daughter after all.”
“Hehe yay!” Sophia giggled and ran to the stairs in the back of Leblanc with Sumire and Ren following closely behind. Once they entered the attic, Ren grabbed his sleepwear and made his way back down to change in the bathroom, giving his girlfriend and daughter some privacy.
After changing into his nightwear Ren moved over to the LeBlanc kitchen where he opened the fridge, “Thanks Sojiro.” Ren whispered in relief upon seeing the Christmas cake he asked Sojiro to pick up for him.
Carefully taking the plate with the treat out of the fridge he made his way back to the stairs. “Are you two ready?”
“Yep! You can come back up, Senpai!” Sumire shouted back. Ren went back up the stairs and was greeted with the familiar sight of Sumire gently brushing Sophia’s hair. Something the two got in the habit of doing every time Sumire stayed over much to Sophia utter delight and joy.
Sophia’s relaxed and joyful expression lit up upon seeing Ren and the cake, “What’s that Dad!?”
“It’s a Christmas cake.” Ren answered with a smile as he placed the cake down on the table.”Ann recommended it to me so I asked Sojiro to get it while we were out.”
“That was sneaky Ren.” Sumire teased as Sophia leaped off the bed and ran over to Ren.
“What kind of Phantom Thief would I be if I couldn’t sneak a surprise for my family.”
“Can I try some?” Sophia asked, looking at the cake with a wide and curious gaze. “I wanna try it, please!”
Ren chuckled, “Of course you can. Just don’t have too much, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Would you like some, Sumi?”
“Hmm… I think I’m okay for now.”
“Alright.”
Ren then cut him and Sophia each a slice which Sophia eagerly bit into, “Ah! It’s soo goood!” Sophia squealed in delight before continuing to happily eat aware at the slice, leaving crumbs around her face.
While Sophia ate her slice Ren moved over to the bed where Sumire was laying down, he placed his slice of cake off to the side and slid into the bed next to her. “I’m surprised you didn’t want any.”
“I’ll have some later but right now…” Sumire trailed off and wrapped her arm around Ren, “I think this is a good enough Christmas treat for me.” Sumire said her cheeks turning bright red, snuggling closer to Ren.
“And you say I’m cheesy.” Ren teased as he put one arm around his girlfriend and pulled her in closer. “Shall we start the episode?”
Sumire nodded, “Oh wait for me!” Sophia exclaimed. Running across the room and all but jumping on the bed and placing herself between Ren and Sumire, “Now I’m ready!”
Ren and Sumire both chuckled and rearranged how they were sitting so Sophia could be a bit more comfortable, Ren then reached over for his slice of cake… which he shared a small bit of with Sophia after she requested with wide puppy dog-like eyes as Sumire started the episode.
The three spent the rest of their evening in each other's warm, comforting familial embrace as the snowflakes continued to fall down outside.