Gift Fic for nekobot01 [1/2]

[santa_johnny]

To: nekobot01
From: orenji_kiseki



SEASON'S GREETINGS!


Title: Lucky Rainbow (Or A Christmas Love Story)
Pairing/Group: Arashi and cameos from other groups like Kanjani8 / Matsumiya, Aimiya, Juntoshi (yes, all at once), some hints of other side pairings.
Rating: R (mostly for the UST)
Warnings: slightly angsty moments, love triangle (I meant it), dirty christmas joke I am in no way responsible for any potentially and painful mental images
Notes: Merry Christmas to my recipient! I hope you might enjoy the story. I tried to add everything you like, though I guess I failed at the melodrama aspect and I apologize for that xD;
This story can be called a Lucky Seven AU, but with Arashi Detective Agency instead XD the specifics of detective work is about as accurate as that jdrama was (meaning some accurate stuff and lots of not true). Other than that, it’s just a slice of life/christmasy love story.
Summary: Five guys work in a small and not very popular detective agency which has very little clients. It's hard to say whether it’s because Nino isn’t picking up the phone half the time or because the people who contact them are usually calling the wrong number.

He is Matsumoto Jun, a famous journalist of one of the glamorous bestselling magazines, currently on his fifth day in a new branch office and already doing great job there. It was only to be expected considering his good marks in his uni days and how quickly he found his job. He earns his success to his hardworking attitude, his dedication to finding and polishing interesting topics and never leaving office before the whole issue is wrapped up, which maybe made him into a bit of a workaholic, but also into a person who is highly satisfied in his own job. That's why it was so hard to tolerate the subordinates, that he quickly gained under himself, slacking off in the middle of their work.

"Don't tell me you're again spending time on some social sites, work properly or we will never finish," he scolds one of his workers.

"I'm not spending time on social sites," comes the quick retort, with the guy not even turning in his direction. "I'm gaming. There's a difference," and Jun doesn't have to see a smirk to recognize one.

"I must be too lenient towards you if you're so cheeky. I told the higher ups that you're writing your article, but it turns out you haven’t yet done a thing" Jun grimaces, like that alone could change Nino's attitude. But it just proves he doesn't know him enough yet.

"I did something. I’ve already earned three achievements since morning. Isn't it impressive?"

Jun pauses and asks "In the game?" and this time the smirk turns to him. "Yep."

Jun then sighs and leans on the desk close to Nino, his voice turning serious and seeking to look him in the eyes. "This article needs to be written for today. Do you understand? You can't keep up this attitude and disrupt the pace of the whole office." But even this only earns him a roll of eyes reaction and turning away.

"Seems Mr Perfect is after me, it must be my bad day," Nino winks to the intern who seems to stand bored next to the photocopying machine. "Or rather my bad week. Aren't you harrassing your cute subordinate for the few days in a row already? Should I actually report on you? I need to admit I feel very uncomfortable being nagged upon like that, it creates... how do they call it? Stressful working conditions, right? I need my peace and breaks to be able to work efficiently." He looks at Jun, satisfaction written all over his face and Jun can't take it anymore and snaps.

"Work finally!" he smacks his head angrily which is followed by a whiny "ow" from Nino. "Hey, watch it! You have those odd rings on and it hurts like hell. I will report you for sure, for bullying your subordinate!"

Jun then smirks too and fixes his glasses position. "Just try that. I only keep discipline in my workplace, which is also expected from me"

Nino grunts as he massages the painful spot on his head. "I also am just doing what I'm supposed to. How am I going to write an article about a game I’ve never played and found out it existed only this morning without checking it out first? It's ridiculous!" he protests , but Jun only says "Then work ten times faster. It's just to be expected."

Nino's eyes turn cold and narrow. "Great, I will be sure to play this game whole day so you will have to stay and watch over me at night hours till I'm done," he says in sarcastic tone that isn't lost on Jun.

Oh gosh, how this guy annoys him. "Fine, then I won't treat you to lunch, like I was planning to at first, so you could feel more motivated," Jun said through gritted, perfect white teeth.

"I don't need that anyway. Who would want to eat with you?" Nino retorts and gets back to playing his game, seemingly not noticing when Jun angrily walks away.

Yet at the lunch break he returns to Nino and orders him to come quickly with him or he won't wait. "I didn't ask you to," Nino replies, but still gets up and follows to the cafe after him, to their usual table.

"So? How is it going?" Jun asks when they get one of the food sets, with tempura, miso soup and omurice.

"Like I told you," says Nino between his spoonfuls of food. "Earned five more achievements. It's quite an easy game, probably that's why it's so popular"

Jun's voice grows more serious. "I'm not talking about that. Our mission!" Nino smiles calmly, like he has all the time in the world, which only makes Jun frown. "Well, about that it’s you would have to tell me? I'm after all just your support here, playing your subordinate you seem to love to quarrel with so much."

Jun nods then, honestly quite used to Nino’s babbling by now "I have reported to the chief just few moments ago. Seems we can finish our investigation today, we already gathered all the informations we needed."

"Great. So I can go home after I finish playing the game," Nino declares matter-of-factly, but his hopes get crushed fast. "No, you have to write that article. You can't leave your job half-done," Jun scolds him and Nino smiles despite himself.

"Yes yes, I know, otherwise you won't forgive me. I will do my share, even if it's not my main task. Should I notify Aiba?"

Jun nods. "I will let Sho know."

After finishing lunch they just return to their assigned desks and work like usual till late evening. Nino needs to admit it was a pain to still have to return and report back at their own office.

***

Next day at work suits much better to Nino's liking. When he comes the next morning, first thing he sees is Sho and his busy attitude which manifests itself in him holding newspaper in his one hand and apple in the other, yet amazingly enough he still finds enough hidden attention span to greet him. "Good morning, Nino."

"Hi, Sho," Nino answers back with a small smile before taking his usual seat and after undressing from his jacket. "It's so good to be back here, you have no idea. Working in a magazine office is so boring and annoying!" he declares and Sho smiles at the words.

"But I heard you could play games there."

"Who told you on me? Was it Aiba? Jun?" Nino snarks, already starting up his computer, so it could warm up when he will have his first tea.

"Both of them," Sho clarifies.

"Well, it's still the best to play at my own office. Being surrounded by strangers from all sides, who can see everything you do, even when you just move your finger... such an awful experience. I never want to work in a place like that again," he complains and rants while Sho only smiles emphatically from above his newspaper.

It's not long till another person joins them with a clear greeting, which quickly turns into "Nino, you're here before me? No way."

Nino smirks and answers "What, is this worth being noted in your secret list of fails? This slacking Nino came to the workplace faster than you. This will look disastrous on your perfect image!"

"Quit the snark, we're not at the magazine office anymore," Jun rolls his eyes and sits on the opposite side of Nino.

"That's great, I thought it became your new hobby. Though it's not like you're not quarreling with me on a daily basis anyway," Nino adds when he starts his favourite game, only half a minute away from becoming unavailable to the rest of the world.

"Who would want to argue with you," Jun snorts. "It's total waste of energy. You prefer to interact with virtual reality than with people anyway," the mean comment reaches Nino, but he doesn't even shrug it away. It is a clear and quite childish provocation he finds unworthy in comparison to the new quest in his game, and just like he expected, Jun grew bored waiting for his response and shifts his attention to interrupt Sho instead. And that means one victory for Nino already, he thinks as he smiles slightly to his own screen.

Jun usually becomes a bit guilty when disrupting Sho's usual morning ritual of following the news, so he welcomes Aiba's cheerful and loud "Good morning to all!" from the door with a relieved smile.

Aiba's enthusiasm makes even Nino smile randomly in the morning and the light mood continues for a while until Sho, after finishing his newspaper finally speaks up. "It's Christmas in few days. Do you have any plans?"

"Not really" Jun admits. "Maybe we can do the same thing as the last year?"

It's only at this moment that Nino's expression grows a bit grim, thankfully unnoticed by the others as the phone chooses to ring at this exact moment. Jun picks it up quickly, like impatient for what kind of work awaits them today. After a short exchange of "Yes, we do take care of things like that. Can you give me your address?", he finishes the talk and declares to everyone's already awaiting ears.

"We got our first job today. Aiba, you will go," Jun orders and despite Aiba's initial excitement, he gets a bit wary.

"Wait, it's not by chance another lost pet report?..."

"It is," Jun confirms his fears.

"It's unfair," Aiba protests immediately. "I rescue lost pets all the time lately, it shouldn't be my task this week! It's cold outside already!"

"It's always your week," Jun says almost apologetically. "You can consider it your main, specialized task in this job"

"But why won't any of you go for once?!" Aiba still doesn't give up, looking desperately at all the others. He hasn't even had time to drink his first tea this morning yet.

"Sorry, animals hate me," Jun says simply and Aiba indeed knows it firsthand, he brought Jun along sometimes on the missions, and while it's true he is more in the way, he still wants to deny that fact now.

"I don't go on outside missions, unless there is not enough people. I'm a computer specialist, remember?" Nino smiles to his friend, making the other only pout.

"I can switch with you," Sho offers, probably taking pity on him. After all, it is indeed quite cold today. "But you would have to take care of all the paperwork then."

Aiba's eyes sparkle with tiny hope. "I will do anything, even the most boring job!"

"I'm glad for your enthusiasm about work," Sho nods in compromise. "But can you do the paperwork, Aiba-kun?"

"I will learn!"

"Then look here. It's a detailed report on our last company investigation work and if you can't do it by today we will be in trouble and I might have to cut your salary. Is it okay?" Sho asks to confirm, showing him the large pile of folders filled with files on his laptop, all written in a program Aiba can't even operate.

“Cut my salary?..." Aiba blinks, then puts a glance over Sho's shoulder on his computer screen, then slowly backs to the door. "I'm going out!" he declares with teary eyes at the thought of the coldness outside when he quickly puts his coat on, but never forgetting a bit of a smile to send towards his comrades before he vanishes out of the door.

They wait a minute or two before Jun speaks up. "I feel a bit sorry for him."

"Can't be helped," Sho concludes, returning already to his computer screen and all the awaiting work.

"Right, aren't we still lacking one of our members?" Jun realizes, when he thinks of another person who might handle the task of finding a pet without much complaint.

"Ohno is probably still asleep. He never comes on time"

Jun grimaces at his companion's lack of professionalism and will to work and sighs defeated in the end, just in time for another call to come that he picks up. "Rainbow Splash Detective Agency, what can we do for you?"

Sho and Nino await the end of the call with mild interest, but this time Jun is reluctant to announce what kind of job they're given.

"It's not actually a detective work. I think we should refuse," he starts, but Sho only prompts him to share more. "One of the Santa Clauses in shopping mall got sick and they need a quick replacement. They said they pay well..." Nino smiles at Jun’s dedication to report all the important details like pay, even though he is at the same time suggesting to deny the job.

Sho ponders over it when the rest of the office awaits for his decision. "Actually, I think I can somehow list it as a detective job. We're helping people and if I remember right, we have a debt of gratitude towards the shopping mall's management. I think we can count it as exchanging favours with our agency's partners..."

Jun's face get a bit pale and his voice visibly quieter. "Wait, no, it doesn't, no matter how I look at it!"

Nino just observes them and knows what's the reason behind Jun protesting so much. He is the only one out of them who has time to go for that job now. Nino pretends it doesn't amuse him or at least tries to, but Jun still catches him covering his mouth not to laugh.

"MatsuJun" Sho starts. "We have financial troubles this month. You know that besides our last investigation at the magazine publishing office, we only get the finding pets jobs. We're a small agency and in desperate need of money this month. I suggest that you go."

Jun grows silent, then his eyes widen slightly when he says "You gotta be kidding me," accompanied by Nino's short laugh, which earns him a throw of tea coaster. Only his reflex to defend himself with his hand saves him from ugly black eye, much to Jun's unhappiness.

Jun finally sighs, defeated, but still utterly frustrated. "And to think I was so happy to return here this morning from the last company investigation job. I was so stupid!"

This time it's Sho who chuckles slightly and Jun doesn't spare him a glare of 'Brutus, even you against me?'.

Sho notices his look and quickly excuses himself. "Sorry, I just got reminded of another someone who declared the same thing as soon as he came inside the office today," Sho smiles apologetically, sending a meaningful look at Nino.

Jun blinks in Nino's direction and smiles, which makes Nino only a tiny bit uncomfortable. "Aren't you an odd one? I thought you used to work in one of these offices before you joined our line of job? You looked quite happy scolding me and working there."

"Well, I did like it before. But I quit for a reason. Now I like it here better," Jun explains, still smiling knowingly in Nino's direction, much to the other's horror. "But I won't explain it to you anyway," he finishes with mean intentions, and sighs some more before leaving the office. "I will kill Ohno, it's a job for him and only because he isn't here on time I have to do it!" he declares just before saying bye to Sho and Nino. A moment later he is already on his way towards the shopping mall located three streets away. He swears at Ohno again and his breath turns into a white cloud in the chilly december air.

***

Sho and Nino end up alone in their office, both of them working almost silently on their respective computers, accompanied by each other's sounds of tapping on the keyboard. It goes on like that till noon, when Sho starts to stretch his stiff already from sitting work arms and then he looks at the clock on the wall of his office (Nino can never understand why won't he just look at the clock in his laptop in front of his eyes). "I think I will go for a visit to our closest police station..." he announces thoughtfully.

"Why?" Nino feigns innocence and almost complete lack of curiosity in his question. It almost works.

"Hm, I need a break, and maybe they have some job we can help in..." Sho wonders, his voice also a bit too casual.

"That's a good idea, if one forgets they can't really pay us properly for helping?" Nino offers, still keeping up his innocent tone.

"Nino, you're thinking too much about money. That's not our main objective in this job." Sho scolds him lightly as he already prepares himself to leave.

"Really? I thought it is. Besides playing games in work time, of course."

Sho ignores Nino's attempt at sarcasm. "We need informations on what's going on in the city, since we're having not enough clients seeking help of our agency. And what's better place to gain all the necessary sources of information than our friendly, always on standby police station?" he explains, just because he still takes his time to clean after his many hot drinks from the morning, and also because Sho likes to explain things, at least that's what Nino suspects.

"Yes, of course, always on standby. While my impression is that they're usually napping at their desks, watching tv whole day or watching Maru dance some impromptu stuff," Nino snarks. "I wonder if you're explaining the obvious stuff to me just to prevent me from wondering as to why you like to go there that much..." he points out, not even peeking in Sho's direction, but the tiny smile he has on his lips says it all anyway.

"I don't know what you mean," Sho says quickly, before excusing himself just after he put his coat on and vanishes through the door. "Remember to pick up phone calls and welcome clients!" he says when opening the door back just to remind him of his responsibilities.

"Yes yes, of course mom." Nino says without sparing him even a look. "No one comes here anyway."

"That's not true." Sho pouts, but still says bye to Nino with a smile, pondering for a while whether to ask more and seems he decided to do it anyway. "Should I bring you something? Snack for lunch?"

"Sure, you always bring something anyway. I will eat anything as long as you pay for it," he smirks, but Sho seems not to get discouraged by that. "I will see what they have at the usual store or bakery. Going now."

"Have a safe trip," Nino waves him off from his seat.

Left to himself, Nino just continues playing, though part of his mind is already far away from the game. He wonders involuntarily when was the last time he was all alone in their office. He can’t honestly remember, but some other event resurfaces from his memory.

That day few years ago Nino was sitting in front of the computer and doing his stuff as well, when suddenly a phone rang. Nino didn't pick it up right away, because he usually just doesn't and this time it rang for six times before Nino turns around to double check that no one is indeed here. Right, Sho and Aiba were outside on some mission, and their chief is doing his own stuff (whatever that might be). He grimaces, before sighing when it goes for its 9th ring and he finally picks up. There is only so many calls he can ignore and pretend no one tried, after all.

"Excuse me, is this Rainbow Splash Detective Agency?" the voice asks and Nino confirms, only a bit gruntly. "We have a problem with your supposed worker called Aiba Masaki. He actually walked into the cage of tigers and almost got bitten." Nino stares mesmerized at the phone speaker, like wondering if it's some prima aprilis joke, and just in case checks the calendar for today (on his computer, he doesn't trust the one on the wall).

"He what...?" he asks finally, giving in to his shock.

"Can someone come for him? If you don't we will call the police instead," the next sentence comes, and Nino quickly assures. "Yes, we will come immediately. Please give me your address," and soon after he ends the call and sighs. Great, now all he can do is go by himself, but before he does so, he unhurriedly finishes his cup noodles. He has to have something out of this too, right, if he is going to sacrifice his comfortable desk work for fetching and scolding their new worker.

*

"So you really walked into the cage? What for, for god's sake?" Nino asks Aiba now that they're out of the office and after tons of apologies and low bows (Nino thinks his back will remember it for next few days) that earned them their escape. Nino’s idea to give some expensive gift that he fetched on their way to "buy" Aiba out of the troubles also helped a lot. From the moment he appeared in the office he sent few confused looks to Aiba's side, but all he got was the other's apologetic smile turning quickly into a kicked puppy face, so Nino finally just focused on doing his job.
"Eh, yes..." Aiba says. "I'm really sorry!!" he says and bows enthusiastically but desperately.

"Well, at least tell me why you did it?" Nino prompts him, still more confused than anything, and when Aiba lifts up his eyes to Nino, they're a bit teary. "If I remember well you were only asked to find some lost animal, so how come you ended up in a zoo in the first place?"

Aiba bites his lips and looks elsewhere, before explaining hesitantly. "Because I couldn't find the girl's cat... and she was crying so hard and I had those free zoo tickets that I got from lottery and I felt sorry for her so I proposed to take her along, to cheer her up!" he says and looks at Nino like he could relate and nod that it's indeed what anyone would do in his place. Nino wasn't convinced.

"And so you just randomly walked into a tiger's cage?" he asks and Aiba quickly shakes his head.

"Well," then he tilts his head and rethinks. "Not exactly at least. I just wanted to make her smile, because she started to cry again, and the tiger seemed so friendly when I tried to highfive with its paw... and then I showed her that I'm a detective so I can open the cage door easily, you know, like doing a magic trick, and... then I got scared and zoo workers had to help me out," he admits ashamed while Nino skims over the other's clothes, all messy and dirty from the cage's floor, with his jacket ripped slightly.

"This should be a lesson for you not to do it again. And you're returning me money for the expensive apology gift I had to buy," he points out. Aiba nods and then remembers about the little girl that they find on the bench just outside the office. "Oh, sorry, you’ve been waiting? It seems I destroyed our zoo trip..." but the girl shakes her head and says "It was actually funny when the tiger started to snuff at you and bite your shoes!" Because, in reality, Aiba panicked, stepped into water and food bowls, tripped over, ripped his jacket on the branches of the trunk in the cage and wailed pitifully in a corner trying to vanish and not to attract the tiger's attention, crying out "no no no go away please."

Aiba shhes the girl and reminds her, "It was supposed to be our secret!", but it’s already too late and Nino is already getting interested. "Oh, tell me more? I would like to hear the story too," he says with a mischievous smirk, while Aiba tries his best to change the topic. But since they are already in the zoo they decide to go around the it for longer, Nino claiming he will make sure Aiba won't do anything stupid again.

"But it still means you have to do your job. When we're back you're going to search for her cat again."

Aiba nods, though asks him in a worried half-whisper. "But does it mean I will get my salary cut?"

Nino looks at him and smiles "I don't know what our chief will decide, but if you want I can defend you. If you give me 1/3 of your salary," he clarifies but Aiba's mouth hangs open and his eyes widen, and Nino chuckles. "It's still better than having no salary, right? Of course you don't have to accept my help and just end up not getting paid at all in your first month of work. It's up to you," and then only watches Aiba whimpering silently about being short on cash and everything and smirks in the opposite direction where giraffes are located. He knows, with certainty of a someone who knows most of the things and mechanics of the universe, that Aiba will accept the deal in the end.

Now in his office Nino smiles and looks at Aiba’s usual seat, right next to him. What got into him that he starts to reminiscence so nostalgically about the past? Maybe it’s just the possibility of another call happening that will report Aiba getting into trouble again? Or was Nino really getting so sentimental when nearing his thirties?

It could be also because Aiba's birthday was nearing so Nino subconsciously has the other on his mind. He guesses they will celebrate it here, in the office, like usually, maybe also going to karaoke or just ordering a take out from some restaurant with Aiba's fav dishes. But for Nino, the 24th of December also carried different meaning.

So it's already this time of the year, he thinks. Nino almost didn't notice before Sho brought it up this morning. "I guess I was unconsciously trying not to pay attention to the time lately..." he mutters to himself, then looks out of their office window.

The view they have there isn't any spectacular, half of it taken away by a massive wall of the building which forms a big L and they're located exactly at the inside corner of it. Other than that, he sees only gray sky. If he wished to see anything else, he would have to go closer to the window and look down and even then all he would see is some playground. You could wonder why this office is located in such a spot. Well, to be honest, their chief couldn't afford any other place. Sure, it would be so much cooler to be located in a basement, or in one of the office buildings in the centre of the town (then they would be recognized more and maybe have more jobs), and not in one of the community flat buildings. Well, one has what one can afford, though that seems only half-true to Nino's life philosophy. After all you can also have what others buy for you, he smirks, already looking forward to whatever treat Sho will come back with.

But his smile fades as fast as it has appeared and he sighs, covering his face in his hands and when he finally retreats them, his eyes seem even more tired. Sometimes, he concludes, it's better not to remember.

This year he won't be granted lukewarm indifference for christmas, he can already predict that from all sort of dark emotions gathering in his heart. "It's time to work," he tells himself and finds the hidden folders on his computer, filled with half-clues and old traces leading to nowhere.

No, not this way this time, he frowns upon the informations filled with more holes than essence, reminding him inevitably of very unfortunate cheese slices.

Maybe it's finally time to make a move instead, he decides as he gets up from his seat.

***

"Hi," Sho flashes the officers in police station a smile and asks, "is Yokoyama available?"

"Always. He is at his usual place, go ahead," Subaru tells him in the middle of slurping from his cup of noodles.

"He is also available in other ways," Yasu tries to be helpful as he smiles, in what he believes is an honest way.

"You mean he is single," Subaru corrects him, almost spilling the soup on his clothes, and Yasu is kind enough to wipe him with a tissue before it happens. "I think it means the same thing," Yasu says, despite Subaru still being not very convinced. But Sho isn’t listening to them anymore, just excuses himself politely and steps towards Yokoyama’s office, already knowing the way by heart.

The moment he steps into the secluded room, he pulls the plastic bag he was keeping behind himself, like to leave it in open view, but not opening it yet. "Hi, do you have some time now?"

He finds Yokoyama sitting at his place and keeping his hands just under the desk, probably playing on his DS discretely, but the repetitive motions betray him to Sho.

"Oh," Yoko says instead of a greeting, feeling a bit awkward and guilty to be caught. "It's my break but sure, come in," he excuses himself, trying to move the DS away while not exposing it to the view.

Sho nods and approaches the table. "So, how is your day? Busy with work before christmas?" he asks, feigning ignorance to what he caught Yoko doing.

Yoko side-eyes him slightly and then carefully says, "Well, not really. Not at our local station, you know it's usually peaceful and boring," he half-mumbles.

"We're out of work too," Sho admits in empathy, then looks straight at Yoko with expectant eyes. "So, do you have any informations for me today?"

Yoko turns away. "I can't give you informations of any sort, I tell you that every time. It's against the rules."

Sho only takes something out of his plastic bag and places it on the table, just next to a small desk-sized christmas tree. "Don't say that. Here, I was at the food stand nearby and got hungry. You can try some too, I think you didn't have lunch yet?"

Yoko doesn't answer, but his hand already reaches towards the food, and soon he’s munching on one of the buns. Sho knows he isn't the type who needs to be invited twice to eat.

"You won't tell me anything even if I give you food?" he asks innocently, also taking a bun and eating it, while his other hand already searches inside the bag for something else he soon puts on the table as well. It's a special edition of Monster Hunter for 3DS console that Yoko wanted for some time already. They look at each other in the eyes.

"...it's a bribe, isn't it?" Yoko asks. There is a short silence between them, which Yoko uses for consuming more of the food, before he speaks again, playing with his fingers a bit. "Fine, I think I can share a bit. It will do no harm to cooperate. But I'm doing it only because I admire you as a smart and responsible leader," he explains seriously despite his hand already reaching for the next snack.

"I'm not the leader," Sho reminds him kindly, despite having a tiny victory smile he hides with stuffing food in his mouth.

"But you should be. Your chief does nothing really?" Yoko says like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Well, besides being odd and scary. While without you that agency would go bankrupt already."

"No, he... I mean she, gives us missions too... sometimes," Sho defends the chief, but soon finds no other flattering words to add, so he instead changes the topic. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Just the usual, I guess," Yoko says while bringing his own fingers to his lips, licking them clean, already missing the food. "But if you're thinking of going out together then I refuse."

Sho's expression sinks visibly. "Even though you don't have any plans?"

Yoko almost smirks at the obvious disappointment on Sho's face, but instead brings his act together and says seriously, but not missing a whiny tone. "We have already gone out yesterday. You shouldn't stay with us all the time, your relations to this police station are already suspicious enough as they are."

"It doesn't matter, we're just good friends, right?" Sho pouts slightly, but soon smiles as he comes up with another idea. "Then come to our Christmas Eve party at the agency?"

"Sorry, we have our own party here. I can't be at two places at the same time. But I guess Subaru and others won't mind if you all come here," Yoko assures him, his fingers slowly approaching the gift game that is still lying on his desk.

"I don't know, I think I prefer to make it into Aiba's party. He is always so sad when we don't make it into his birthday celebration." Sho shakes his head and retreats from his attempts as well as in his chair.

"Oh, right. It's Aiba's birthday on Christmas Eve? I almost forgot," Yoko shares sheepishly the moment his fingers grab the game, which is still covered in shop's plastic wrap and he starts to look over it from all angles.

"I think you could help us. We actually have a sort of trouble right now. One section is running around town since the morning and still has no results. If it goes on I will have to send almost my whole station out," Yoko tells Sho.

"Is it something serious?" Sho asks concerned, stopping to smile for a moment.

Yoko turns to him. "You know we organize it since last year? This action when we supervise collecting clothes, toys and all sorts of stuff to send for kids in the local orphanage. Until yesterday, we had all the bags prepared here and were about to send someone to deliver it this morning. But we can't find it," he explains, tapping his finger on the game package to emphasize his point.

"It went missing?" Sho asks out loud, thinking it over. "Someone took it?"

"That's possible. But if that's what happened, it would mean it was done by someone who works here. That's really bad," Yoko says, his voice dropping a bit. "For now, all we know is that Ryo saw someone taking some things away before the rest of us came, but he didn't think it could be the bags for the orphanage. For now we're trying to follow that lead, that's why the station is almost empty now, everyone is out searching by following the description from Ryo's memory."

"How did the person look? Was he using a car?" Sho inquires.

Yoko nods. "Seems so. Here are the partial numbers and description. Sorry, no drawing, we don't have such specialists here," he apologizes when handing to Sho the sheet of paper.

"So, you want us to go and help you investigate this matter?" Sho asks to make sure, after he skims through the paper.

"Actually… the most important is to get the bags back. You know, when I think of those poor kids, awaiting their Santa Claus gifts and learning they won't be lucky this year... I don't even want to imagine that." Yoko grimaces when pressing a finger on his lips, before turning back to Sho. "Your priority will be to do something so it won't end this way. Think of something so I won't be haunted with mental image of dozens of unhappy kids faces on Christmas, okay?"

Sho's expression gets serious and soft. "Sure, I wouldn't want it to end like this either," he nods and then worries his lips. "This is a very difficult request, but I will try my best to help," he agrees.

"Sorry, we might not be able to pay you for this," Yoko smiles half-apologetically and half-amused. "But I will think of ways to somehow make it up to your agency."

"I already figured it would be like that," Sho returns his smile, although in slightly more sheepish way.

"You wanted informations right?" Yoko returns to their original topic and peeks at the clock, as his fingers seem to have a hard time separating from his lips, a visible restlessness taking over in his moves. "Let's go for lunch then and I will share with you what I have," he decides, not even asking Sho about his opinion as he already gets to the door.

"Going out with Sho-kun, take care of the station," he announces to Subaru and Yasu and they smile knowingly.

"Oh, you didn't deny Sho-kun today either?" Subaru asks in his usual prying way, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Shut up," Yoko burks back, quickly leaving with Sho following fast along.

"Damn, so I lost 500 yen to you. I was so sure he would refuse today." Subaru gives coins to smiling Yasu, irritated with his loss. He hates losing, and Yasu knows that so he pets his head in comfort.

***

It only starts to get colder and already getting darker when Ohno looks up in the skies and then at all the slowly lightening up decorations. He likes going down this street to their workplace, this small shopping alley filled with colors, covered in red, green, white and pink, and brightness. It's almost like he steps into one of those christmas towns from western movies and he completely forgets to feel guilty for not coming to his work any sooner. This place is worth every overslept morning in the world and he can only regret that it will end the moment he crosses the next street. Sadly not whole town is prepared so prettily for christmas, only few corners, and if it depended on Ohno, he would make whole Tokyo covered in lights, together with putting a star on top of the Tokyo Tower.

Just when he passes some Santa Claus advertising the shopping mall's 40% promotion of today, he stops suddenly. It's not the promotion offer he doesn’t care about, neither distinct eyebrows completely hidden by the cap nor the familiar nasal voice that makes him stop and recognize Jun, no, it's his scent, exactly the same one he followed that fateful day the first time he entered the Rainbow Splash Detective Agency office.

"MatsuJun!" he exclaims in high voice with his finger points straight at his comrade, now dressed as one of the many Santa Clauses.

Jun though seems pretty annoyed and hisses for Ohno to be more discreet. "Don't make a fuss, it's your fault I'm here in the first place and let me tell you I'm not happy about this situation at all"

Ohno just blinks slowly and makes small steps to reach Jun's side. "We're not working today?" he asks.

"Of course we are," Jun sighs, still irritated but letting it go a bit already. "Wait, does it mean you weren't yet in the office?" he looks incredulously at Ohno like he just fell from the moon. And for all Jun knows, he maybe did. "Do you know which hour it is? Don't tell me you really slept till this time? It's afternoon already!"

"I did sleep," Ohno admits with a small, out of place smile. "But I also ate at home. I supposed that since I'm late already I could as well come after lunch."

Jun looks at him openly like he is an alien, before sighing and turning his eyes away. "Whatever, it's a waste of effort to get mad at you. But still, this is so much your type of work, not mine. I don't even suit a Santa outfit. I look ridiculous."

Ohno's smile falls as he protests with a serious frown on his face. "That's not true. You're a pretty cute Santa Claus. And you look quite nice in red?" he tries.

"Don't be silly. If you want to cheer me up then help me and finish this job instead of me." Jun's voice turns authoritarian.

Ohno's frown remains when he wonders why Jun is so unhappy and hard to please. Then a realization brightens his mind. "Oh, I get it. You're embarrassed!" he says with a wide smile and a laugh.

He hits a bullseye and Jun almost kicks him out to the management of the hall. "And be sure to return here to take over the job!" Yet Jun gets only more disappointed and surprised when Ohno returns clothed in animal suit instead, with big red nose and cute ribbons on his yellow antlers. "What the hell happened? Why are you a reindeer?"

"They said they ran out of Santa Claus outfits, despite needing more people to advertise. So they gave me this," Ohno explains calmly, already taking his place next to Jun.

"Wait, no," Jun protests, completely forgetting to advertise anymore. "You were supposed to take my place, not work together with me!"

Ohno only smiles apologetically, then makes a pose and dances with his mouth wide open. "Stupid," Jun sulks anyway and shoves an elbow at his ribs, but it only meets the round, plush costume.

Ohno doesn't give up though and soon Jun smiles despite himself. "Stop that and advertise properly," he finally tells him, then watches him closer and reaches to pull at his antlers. "What are those ribbons anyway? Since when reindeers have ribbons?"

"Hm, I guess it's because I'm a cute reindeer," Ohno frowns and answers seriously.

"You wish you were," Jun snarks and pulls at his red nose, releasing quickly so it jumps back and hits Ohno's face. Ohno whimpers slightly, but soon smiles, because Jun also is smiling right now.

"Now we're stuck here, probably till night" Jun sighs, defeated and Ohno just reacts with small "Oh."

"I wonder what others are doing now..." he voices his thoughts as he looks a bit further towards their street (though he can’t see their building from here) where agency is located. "I will kill them if they just sit in warm office, drinking their tea whole day."

***

Sho’s cheeks are not only pink from hurrying back when he pushes the door to the office, his eyes escaping already not to face Nino who must be smirking smugly at the moment. “I wasn’t in police station for so long, before you ask…”

But as he looks inside the room, he’s surprised to see that he’s not the only one back.

“I didn’t ask…” Aiba chuckles with a curious smile, his hands cupping something against his chest. At Sho’s glance, he doesn’t hide, but caresses more soothingly, like to prevent any scare from Sho’s sudden arrival.

“Nino isn’t there?” Sho asks in disbelief, still expecting to hear the snarking remarks reaching him from behind Nino’s screen. His computer is the most modern and largest one in the office so he can’t see whether his work partner is sitting there or not without approaching from different angle; after all Nino is pretty small.

“There was no one when I got back,” Aiba confirms it for him.

Sho nods in approval, his gaze stilling for a second on his own desk, and then Jun’s just between his and Nino’s. “Jun is out on the extra job, though I’m not sure where Nino and Ohno are… But if it’s for a client, I won’t complain,” he cheers finally, then puts down the bag of snacks on table. “I took some more than necessary, maybe you want some? And if that’s a pet you’re holding there, maybe it’s hungry too?”

Aiba tries to pretend Sho is under a wrong impression, but a tiny meow betrays his attempts. “I got found out? I think it’s too small for eating our type of food… but I am very hungry!”

Sho smiles warmly and points at the paper bag. “Help yourself, but just leave at least one or two for Jun, I’m sure he will return very annoyed. If you’re starving you can have Nino’s and Ohno’s share as well, but if they ask why they didn’t get anything then you’ll have to come up with something.”

There is lots of different thoughts on Sho’s mind even as he watches Aiba eating happily and leaving many crumbles on his fingers, which end up licked away enthusiastically by the kitten’s tiny pink tongue. “You’ll need to earn more money if you want to have a family, you know,” he says very seriously, making Aiba’s eyes widen.

“He won’t bring us many big expenses and I can take care of him, it’ll be fine!”

“You want to keep him in the office?” Sho guesses. “We already have one member who doesn't work and sleeps whole days, we don't need another" Sho jokes.

"The position for a person who is playing whole days is also a taken, right? Not good, where can you fit?" Aiba asks the kitten who snuggles closer to his elbow, curling and closing his eyes like the meal on Aiba’s fingers was enough to satisfy him for now. Regretfully reverting his eyes from the adorable sight, Aiba exclaims in a voice low enough not to disturb the kitten’s nap, "Sho-chan, think of something! The kitten has no other place to go!"

Sho frowns slightly as he looks around their, to be honest, quite tiny office. There are only two rows of desks standing parallel to each other and to the walls, leaving a way to pass through the middle. Wherever there is any free corner, it’s almost instantly filled with shelves full of reports and other files overflowing with informations, documentations and secret datas as well. In the other part, closer to the door, there is a sofa with few armchairs around and a coffee table. Located strategically behind the corner is a place for tiny kitchen set, consisting mostly of a microwave and an electric kettle, and thankfully a sink. Any toilet they can use is actually out in the corridor and not part of their office.

And there is also the chief’s office, Sho’s eyes reluctantly following there. It’s separated from them by walls and an additional door, and the roller-blinds are constantly shut closed. Sho thinks it’s for the better, because the inside of that part of the office weirds him out, and he would rather spend as little as possible time there. Besides, the door is always locked with a key when chief isn’t in.

“We don’t really have place here to keep a cat,” he concludes with the obvious fact. “That’s a problem,” but when he turns back to Aiba to see the expression on his face, he quickly adds, “I will try to find some solution?”

Aiba smiles slightly and pets the fluffy ball on his lap. “Did you hear that? You will stay with us!”

Sho doesn’t even bother to correct him on that. He has a strong feeling it might end this way indeed, if not for one thing. “We need to ask the chief for permission…” he says and his voice drops.

Aiba’s face grows a bit pale, but he nods solemnly, secretly hoping Sho will help him with that too.

***

The next morning Sho arrives first, and a very sleepy and irritated Jun appears soon after. "Everything fine?" Sho asks, a bit concerned. "How was yesterday's job? You didn't return in the evening."

"It was the worst. I worked there until midnight! Can you believe it?" Jun exclaims with lots of dramatic tones in his voice. "I got shivering cold despite wearing this thick costume..." he continues and Sho listens properly, even putting his newspaper away just for that purpose.

"It's good that the job is finished at least," Sho tries to find a good side of the whole situation. But this, instead of meeting Jun's nod of confirmation, is only received with silence. "MatsuJun?" Sho prompts him, a bit worried.

"It's not finished. They said they still need me today. And possibly all the days till Christmas Eve..." Jun explains flatly, then looks at Sho. "There is no way for someone else to do it?"

Sho has no heart to crush his hopes, so he tries to find some other way out. "We could try sending Ohno..."
But contrary to what he expected, Jun's face fell. "He actually got himself into that job too. Now they need both of us," he mutters.

Sho blinks, wondering how it even ended up this way, but he is sensible enough not to ask at this exact moment, knowing better than to irritate Jun with more questions. "I will send Aiba to change you for the afternoon?" he proposes and hears a grateful, though still quite flat "Thanks" back.

Sho wants to get up and make Jun some tea or coffee, but Jun finally stands up by himself and asks him what to do for him instead, already partially coming to terms with his new seasonal job.

Just when he returns with the two cups, Aiba comes in, crying out a good morning before carefully taking out a tiny, hairy creature from his pocket. "You didn't freeze, I hope?" he asks the little fellow.

"Aiba, what's that?" Jun asks, frowning in the other's direction, his eyes pointing at the tiny thing in his palms.

"It's our sixth member!" Aiba chirps.

"Since when? I didn't hear about that?" Jun inquires further, crossing his arms on his chest.

"Recrutation interviews kinda happened yesterday afternoon," Sho hurries to explain. "But this matter still needs our chief's approval."

Jun turns to Sho and frowns. "Even you are already persuaded?" then talks back to Aiba again. "You know you can't just take a cat from the street randomly like that. We can't keep it here, even if you think it's not linked with big expenses, but buying cat food isn't a cheap matter..."

Before he finishes, Aiba approaches him and tells him to expand his hands, which Jun somehow ends up doing, and not even a blink later, a small warm kitten is placed on his palms. Jun doesn't have the heart to deny it some petting and affection, but still scolds Aiba. "It's unfair to convince me this way."

"I couldn't leave it alone," Aiba admits, turning his eyes away, feeling guilty that he used such a trick on his friend, though he did it for the kitten’s sake.

And Aiba’s voice drops a bit lower, his eyes locked on the kitten as he tells them about how he rescued it, remembering in himself his relief, at first, when he found out that the lost cat was returning home on its own, and then the shock, because the family tried to kick it out, slamming the door closed. That’s only when he had noticed the tiny furball in his mouth, that wasn’t a mouse, much more alive, and meowing in pitiful tiny whines. That’s when he realized that the family’s cat wanted to adopt it, but his human family had other opinion on it…

“I couldn’t watch him being abandoned twice,” Aiba states simply, his eyes a bit teary, but his voice determined as he smiles a bit more, like cheered by the reassurance that the kitten won’t have to go through such a sad fate.

His teammates don’t seem as open to the idea, but he doesn’t let it lower his enthusiasm, lifting the kitten above on the cup of his hands. “He will be the first cat investigator, so you can be proud of your sixth member, and I’m sure Furball will be at least as useful as a detective dog!”

“Furball?” Jun’s eyes narrow, despite being hesitant and maybe a bit shiny just a moment ago. “That’s quite a lame name. At least think of something better, or I will have to feel sorry everytime I call it! And don’t lift it like that, it might fall”

Sho smiles and returns quietly to his newspaper, already convinced that Jun is on their side in this matter.

For the rest of the morning they spend their time playing and trying to feed the kitten with whatever they have, which turns out to be nothing. "How could you not bring cat food with you, you silly," Jun scolds him and sends him to the closest pet shop with a small shopping list.

But even as Aiba is back and kitten isn't hungry anymore, they still stay only in the number of three, despite noon slowly approaching.

"Nino and Ohno are missing today. Isn't it strange?" Sho shares after his third cup of tea.

"For Ohno it's not that strange. When is he ever on time?" Aiba laughs.

"Yes, but it doesn't happen so often with Nino. I haven't heard from him since yesterday's lunch time. I admit I'm getting a bit worried," Sho says when pulling out his cellphone and checking it, clearly just a moment away from calling him.

"I guess he had to work till late yesterday too and now sulks at coming back to work," Jun snarks, not yet worried at all. "Besides I have to go already for my job," he announces.

"Oh right," Sho stops himself from calling Nino to address the rest of them. "I thought I could share this when all of you will be here, but I guess it's not possible, so I will tell you now. We have a new mission to do before Christmas. And it's a very important one." He pauses for a moment. "Though with Jun busy with his new job, I guess I can only use Aiba's help for now..." he traces off and Jun fights the grimace threatening to appear on his face.

"So I'm missing out on all the big stuff because of the silly task I was given? Simply great."

"What is your job, MatsuJun?" Aiba asks curiously, because last day he forgot to question Sho about it, too busy with trying to take care of his new little friend and make sure to prepare it a place to stay.

"Don't be nosy and take care of your cat," Jun answers a bit coldly, making Aiba pout, but definitely not give up.

"Tell me, tell me! It's unfair I'm missing out on stuff too!"

"No," Jun states, having no intention to say it himself nor for someone else to say it out loud in his presence. That's why just in case he watches over Sho not to slip it out. "What's this important mission I won't be able to take part in?" he asks and Aiba turns his attention for a moment away from Jun too, when Sho says "We have to get back the gifts for kids in orphanage before Christmas Eve. They're either lost or stolen."

"Christmas Eve is in two days," Aiba states.

"That's why it will be difficult," Sho nods.

"Good luck to you," Jun smirks as he leaves the two of them alone to their own problems and prepares himself to leave for the shopping mall.

***

Today is even more chilly than yesterday, and on his way to the shopping mall, Jun only hopes he might be allowed to work inside this time. Surprisingly enough, they allow him that and he stays in the corridor close to the door, with given task to hand out special coupons and direct people to the correct shops.

"You sacrificed lunch today?" Jun asks incredulously the person joining him.

"Since you scolded me so much yesterday I thought I needed to arrive faster," Ohno clarifies and Jun hums surprised, but also appreciative of the other's change of attitude.

"Still, why are you still wearing the reindeer costume? They had no Santas today either?"

"I kinda like this one," he flashes Jun a disarming smile and again stands close to his side. He doesn't mind the following "You're a strange one," comment from Jun. Honestly he wouldn't mind anything as long as he can spend whole day right next to him.

*

Still at the office, Sho and Aiba try to come up with some kind of plan for the investigation of missing charity bags, when a familiar person enters the room with a huge yawn and even huger form. One peculiar thing about this entry is that it happened from the inside door in the office.

"Chief, you were here all the time?!" Sho asks with his eyes comically big.

"Right, I returned yesterday late at night, and going back to my flat was too much of effort. After all, we have rice cooker, water heater and microwave here. What else would I need? I have to sometimes make some use of my luxurious bed in the office, right?" the person says between other yawns, before it seems to occur to her that she is being seen. "Oh no, I'm yawning so openly and with yesterday’s make up on, in front of two handsome guys. Where is your manners? You should pretend to look the other way, not to make me appear unladylike!" she scolds them, placing a hand on her chest in theatrical gesture.

“I can assure you we weren’t looking,” Sho says diplomatically, which earns him a slap on his head.

“You’re good in words, but I won’t fall for that.” She cheers and brushes away her long, black hair to the back where they match the equally black one-piece dress.

"Where is Nino? I missed him so much, him and his bratty but honest mouth.” She looks around, but sees their computer specialist nowhere in sight. "Is he out on mission?"

Aiba and Sho look at each other's faces. "We actually don't know. He didn't show up at work yet."

"Then call him! Right now" she orders them around and Sho doesn't wait another second, before dialing Nino's number.

"He isn't answering..." Sho announces, but under their chief's gaze he hurries to assure. "I will be trying till I get a hang of him."

"Good boy," she nods with appreciation. "And what do we have here?" she asks to Aiba's palms, which hide something extremely cute and lively, but before your mind sways this way, without meaning any innuendos.

"Well, that's..." Aiba struggles to explain. "Rainbow Splash Detective Agency's sixth member?..." he tries with an awkward smile.

For a moment or few their chief only stares without saying anything, and Aiba dedicates this time to squeezing his eyes shut just in case, secretly hoping to avoid punishment and maybe to even hear the approval, but more the latter.

Her face tenses then grimaces. "Such a cutie!" she declares in a sweet and low voice. "What's its name?" she asks, when caressing the tiny kitten who is too small to be any scared and just meows.

"Er, um, Furball, but... MatsuJun doesn't like the name and told me to change," Aiba stutters a bit.

"Agent Furball doesn't sound well. Do think of some other name" she tells him, her hand reaching towards Aiba's hair which she pets as well and Aiba freezes, trying to look at his side to seek some help from Sho, but to no success. Only when she steps away, Aiba takes a deeper breath, like the Groke itself touched him, and Sho pats his back comfortingly.

"Okay, gentlemen, earn us some living, and I will go back to rest away my jetlag. Do not disturb me, unless you want to join me in bed. Then I might reconsider." She sends a wink to them and vanishes back behind her private door.

After she is gone, Sho tries to call Nino again, frowning slightly when he waits out the signals and looks out of the window at the gray sky that looks exactly the same as yesterday.

***

Sneaking around while working, as he hides behind Ohno and his big reindeer outfit, Jun is also trying to call Nino, but no one picks up. It makes him frown, trying repeatedly whenever he has any less busy moment, probably causing a crazy amount of missed calls on Nino’s phone screen display. He even tries to call Sho, in case Nino would have returned to the office, but there’s no news from him on this matter either. There is lots of informations and doubts about Sho’s mission though, but Jun isn’t particularly interested in the project he can’t take part in.

Ohno does his best to conceal him, making stupid faces and pushing his jaw forward, like to scare people away or make them focus on what Ohno is doing rather than the fact that Jun is hiding. When he realizes that, Jun can barely repress his laugh, wondering whether he should thank or scold him.

He tries to help Ohno to retreat to the back as well, so that they can talk without people around hearing, but one kid is already tugging at his sleeve, whining and demanding. “I want to sit on Santa’s lap!” Jun very much feel like telling him that Santa is too busy and isn’t providing such services as his sole purpose is to lure clients, but Ohno is already lifting the kid in his hands, smiling gently. “Santa is trying to find a good position on his throne, and then he will let you sit there, and your parents can even take photos!”

Jun can’t protest despite really wanting to, it really wasn’t part of his job, the Santa on the throne was on the lower floor and there was no way to do it here. Ohno already irresponsibly promised the kid and he grumbles a little and it feels like complaining is already useless, and he doesn’t have much choice. He tries to think of a way as he manages to change his grumpy tone into some “ho ho ho” when the kid comes closer.

They finally settle on one of the regular customer benches that are lined in the corridors outside the shops which mimics the way parks are designed. The kid isn’t even heavy, but Jun can’t wait for this to be over, and he growls inwardly as he can hear all the other kids asking to do the same. “You must be joking me,” he half-whispers at the sight of a line which is already creating in front of him, full of impatient kids and parents holding cameras. At least the fluffy white beard is hiding a bit of Jun’s unwelcoming grimace and angry eyebrows, but he still tries a smile, which becomes surprisingly easier when he feels Ohno staying near and imagining all sort of awful things he can do to him in revenge.
Still it doesn’t escape Jun’s attention that lots of kids start to queue only to make a photo with Ohno included, whining loudly when he tries to move away to make more space for Santa. Soon the reindeer becomes the obligatory part of the whole thing and Jun has to admit he is impressed by how he gives his best in it, doing different funny pose every time. He suspects it’s part of Ohno’s nature.

They continue like that till some Santa whispers to them that it’s their turn to have a short break and Jun sighs relieved, thinking he wouldn’t have found any way out of this situation. He announces the break and recommends the parents to head to lower floor, hoping that after they’re back, they won’t have to deal with another mistaken queue, and the whole thing will be forgotten.

He’s heading to the toilets to change and get rid of this Santa costume, but then he remembers the break takes maybe 20 minutes or half an hour if they’re lucky and he isn’t sure it’s worth to waste whole 10 minutes to get out of it and then back in. The moment he steps in the bathroom, he turns to face himself in the mirror, blinking his eyes tiredly, because of using his contact lenses for a bit too long. Maybe he should consider taking them off and play a Santa in glasses? But either way he can’t see much, because his sight is narrowed by all the fake white hair around his face and the wintery hat on the top of his head. He still can say he looks ridiculous and he sighs angrily removing his beard and cap to feel better about himself.

Ohno seems to notice that and follows just behind him, his own big nose still on its place. “Maybe you want to switch the costumes if you dislike yours so much?”

Jun sends him a glare, suspecting that Ohno slightly lost his mind and his comrade only laughs. “You find it very funny it seems,” Jun says in a low tone, promising all but the good stuff.

“That’s not true,” Ohno says, but his gaze escapes a bit. Jun is now certain that Ohno indeed finds it hilarious. “I still think you look cute, MatsuJun. It suits you.”

Jun gets a bit uncomfortable and he doesn’t exactly understand the reason behind it as he turns back to the mirror. “It suits you, but not me. You seem to be able to pull off any kind of costume, while I only hope it can be already the day after tomorrow so I can toss it out of my memory that I ever did it.”

“But I thought we can make a memory photo before we finish our job here!” Ohno protests.

“In your dreams maybe. I’m so not gonna do that,” Jun crashes his hopes mercilessly and without even a bit of remorse. “And if you sneak a photo I will make sure to destroy it before it sees daylight.”

Ohno’s mouth gapes, then pouts and frowns. “Unfair, I want a memory photo.”

“No,” Jun denies him flatly. But what he didn’t expect is Ohno’s reaction, starting from high whiny protesting voice and ending with tapping his feets on the ground fast and repetitively, making sure to make it loud. “Are you feeling alright?...” Jun frowns at the messy action, seeing it in the mirror, but Ohno’s intention behind it is completely lost on him. “What was that even?”

“Well, it works for kids” Ohno explains simply, stopping what he was doing and smiling back already. “Kids have it so good,” he says in envious, but his usual calm voice.

“You seem like a kid yourself to me though,” Jun says, quite amused. “You’re not hungry? Our break is short.”

Ohno protests he is an adult, but the idea of food makes his eyes shine when he nods his approval.

“They have stands with food here on upper floor, I thought we can go there. Also you should apologize to me for the whole action with sitting on Santa’s lap, so I expect you will treat me today.” The corners of Jun’s lips lift up in a small smile betraying his satisfaction for the revenge plan he came up with.

To his surprise, Ohno not only doesn’t oppose, but also smiles behind him brightly, his lips forming confident and gentle words. “Sure, I can treat you in many ways, if you only want.”

Jun blinks. And doesn’t blush, of course not. His voice is just a bit wavering when he avoids to answer and hurries both of them instead.

PART TWO