December had come since the day of the instructor's arrival, with Christmas fast approaching.
After the end of the first semester, the second semester was in a better flow and the experience the students were gaining was becoming more successful for their futures.
Barnaby's marksmanship was greatly appreciated in helping with weapons training. He even came up with new weapon designs to help Casters with low-level spells use them to enhance their attacks.
Alexandra helped with Physical Education, she also became the faculty advisor for the Body Improvement Club. Ryuji was taken in as her project much to his chagrin, she helped with his development in his physical growth. She taught him the basics of Sambo as well though he was against it at first, even how to discern what he could touch or eat to make different armors with his newly developed ability.
Hiro spent more time working on hands-on training than on his studying methods to avoid being caught as he had during the sparring matches. He was the head of his family and needed to be strong for them, any mistakes were not acceptable to him.
Ren spent his time with Gentaro after he took over all the martial arts and Kendo Clubs. Ren wanted to become stronger, he had no magic to use, and his abilities as an Esper were average, his swordsmanship was his best quality, since magic wasn't a requirement for a sacred blade like the SuiRyu, only an affinity for it. One of the only loopholes for even a normal civilian to have to use magic items like that.
Tatsuya had to apologize multiple times for his late registration, his Manager was embarrassed enough by his lack of motivation. Since he made up all the schoolwork when he wasn't around he had to do the same for the tests he missed. He felt like he was in Hell with all the work and gigs he had to do on top of the tests. Akira's teachings gave better insight for Casters to control their magic and knowledge of artifacts lost in time. She was also perfect in teaching sutras and tools like her hammer that could help in fighting for those on the holy path. She also took up a job as the school's therapist helping students with their troubles.
Kousuke would see her from time to time. Even after the match, he still felt like he needed more work to do on himself. He didn't want the triggers to come back when least expected or rely on his inhaler anymore, he was taking another step to help his mental strength increase. He got his flames under control, he wanted it to stay that way.
Megumi was the only one who didn't get a teaching position. After that match all the parents and board members wanted her fired and banned from the school. Anna agreed but Kousuke went to bat for her. He convinced them to hire Megumi as the head of security, he stumbled a bit in his speech but he convinced them nonetheless to give her the job, arguing that if anything happens she'll be the best bet for the safety of the students.
The second semester had come to an end, and everyone had become more adjusted to the new changes in their lives and interactions with each other, and their bonds had deepened further. It was a small respite they needed with everything coming their way.
Kousuke was able to get to work after school with Anna's help. She approved it since he was living alone and needed money for expenses.
He applied at the cafe in the shopping district, it was the first thing that came to mind since he couldn't do other jobs with the small amount of time he had with school and after-work training.
He was a huge hit bringing in lots of customers, mostly young females.
Much to Itsuki's annoyance when it would happen, but she got to try his cooking there and loved being spoiled by it. Since he learned to cook with Mana his food was the best at the cafe, which helped with having the Coded Eyes as it gave him an advantage in finding perfect measurements and ideas in his cooking recipes.
Kousuke was jogging to his work instead of using his bike, he was feeling sluggish since he had taken some time off to rest. He was overwhelmed with the extra training regimen Megumi gave during her deity days.
He wanted to try her methods, he needed to get strong enough to fight even without the flames helping him. He was ignoring the Esper part of himself for too long.
Kousuke made it to his job early, the customers saw him walk into the store, and the sweat dripping off his body from his run made the girls swoon over him as he walked in.
"Ohayou Kousuke, you made it early again as usual." The Manager greeted.
"Ohayou Boss. You know me I don't like cutting it close, especially during the early mornings, Give me a few minutes I'll be ready to help with breakfast."
The Manager nodded continuing to serve customers. Girls couldn't stop looking at Kousuke, he was thanking God that Itsuki wasn't here this time, she'd freeze all their drinks with her annoyance at the stares they would give him.
Kousuke got into his uniform to make breakfast for the customers, the cafe was becoming a success with his help. All the tips he was saving along with his paychecks were for Christmas gifts. He wanted to treat his friends for all the help they gave him with his mental health growth and camaraderie he was building with them.
Rina walked into the cafe, she was on her lunch break from her job. She always came to the cafe to eat Kousuke's food and talk with him. They were getting closer even more now that they were working near each other, she was reaching the same level as Itsuki with the level of friendship they had.
Kousuke greeted her as she walked in, he noticed she had a different hairstyle this time than the one she had when they originally met.
Being a fashion and style major, she tried to keep up with the newest trends to help in her goal of owning her own company someday, learning a new style like this helped increase her repertoire for future clients.
Her hair was shorter now a little past her ears, she still had a ponytail on the top of her head with a spider hairclip, and two long bangs on each side of her hair, imitating the leg design her hair clip had.
Rina sat at the front bar to speak with Kousuke, she was the only one who dared to sit in front of him since she was his friend. Natsume was still a bit jealous of their bond, but she wanted to try and earn that even if she still would slip into her old habits at times. "Konichiwa Rina, usual for you today?"
"Konichiwa, not today actually can you make me some sweets and a coffee? I need some energy for today with all the sales going on."
With Christmas approaching the stores were swamped with customers. Rina was taking extra shifts to make up for the sales rush since she was the best at giving the customers what they wanted thanks to her fashion knowledge.
"Coming right up, how's work going so far I know you've been busy lately?"
"Exhausting, it's hard when I'm the only one who has the best advice and insight with styles or brands. What about you you're taking the job very well. I never thought you could cook with how obsessed you are with training." It was a left-field turn, Kousuke never showed any interest in other hobbies other than training. For him to be good at cooking was a big surprise to everyone.
Kousuke laughed, he was enjoying the job for sure, it felt like he was connecting to Mana again by cooking. He hadn't heard from her since she left, and he was worried about her every day. Major Komon promised to look for her, but Mana was surprisingly smart at staying hidden in the shadows.
"Yes, my cooking's getting better and better guess having a great chef for a Mom was a big help. I'll be good enough with baking to make my birthday cake soon."
Rina was caught off guard, he hadn't mentioned his birthday before.
"Your birthday? You haven't talked about it before? Are you doing anything special?" Rina asked astounded that he had not mentioned it since they met.
"Nah, it's on the 26th so everybody will be busy during the winter break celebrating Christmas with their family. Besides I'm used to doing both alone now so it doesn't bother me as much."
Rina felt bad, that he was going to spend it alone. Itsuki mentioned her family needed her to help with business during the break, and Natsume was going to spend it with her family overseas. Kousuke got along better with the boys but he still wasn't that close to them yet to visit their families.
Rina saw this as her chance. Kousuke and Itsuki weren't an item yet, she wanted to try and take this chance to get close to him.
"Hey, you're not doing anything then maybe I can throw you a party at your place."
Kousuke was caught off guard. Rina was blushing a bit, she was trying to make her best efforts to ask him without sounding like Natsume in her usual attempts.
"Come again?" A surprised Kousuke asked.
"Well, I don't have family close by either, I was going to spend Christmas by myself too, I can keep you company if that's ok with you. We can celebrate both Christmas and your birthday. Is it ok?" She asked with sincerity in her voice.
Kousuke had no words to say. He didn't know if it was ok to say yes without serious consequences to his safety or if he would be a jerk and let her be alone on Christmas.
"Umm, I guess it's ok, I mean you and Itsuki are friends and she wouldn't be mad really if you came over. She trusts you more than Natsume, you wouldn't try anything shady." Rina was silent, she wasn't going to respond because she had some motives for asking.
"Here you go, a house special, vegetable sandwich cuts, a piece of triple chocolate cake, a strawberry parfait, with a special Colombian coffee blend. Enjoy."
Rina was impressed, the food looked delicious, and she couldn't help wanting to eat it.
"Itadakimasu!" Rina took a bite of the cake, her face melted with excitement and its delicious flavor. The parfait was even better, her face couldn't stop turning red with joy. The vegetable sandwich cuts were a great balance for the sweets, and the coffee was warm and refreshing.
"Hey, are those two a couple, they're acting like it."
"I'm jealous, I wish he would make me a desert set like that."
Rina's red face brimmed more, she started to understand how Itsuki felt when people teased her like that. Kousuke didn't pay the comments a mind. He had gotten used to it by now. Rina finished her food before thanking Kousuke for the delicious meal.
"Thank you for your business, please come again." Kousuke waved to her as Rina left to return to work.
Rina took her leave waving goodbye, she was feeling guilty about going behind Itsuki's back. Rina felt like she was betraying her trust, but she liked Kousuke too, she had to know if he felt the same for her.
'I need to get him a gift. I can't show up empty-handed. It's not like I can give him something from the store either, he shops there more often now as is, I can't just strip naked in front of him, Itsuki would kill me or have Tsukikage bite my throat out. Argh, what should I get him?'
Rina was frustrated at figuring it out, she was in deep thought, till a scent caught her nose, the aroma was amazing, and it led her to the area of the antique shop where Kousuke bought the bracelet for Itsuki.
'What's this place, this wasn't here before, am I crazy or did I not pay attention? No that's not the case, I've been here a long time and I've never seen this place.'
Rina's curiosity prompted her to walk into the store, she thought all the antiques were fascinating, a different mentality than what Kousuke had when he entered.
"Oh ho, a pretty lady has entered my store now. How may I help you, Missy?" The voice speaking to Rina was Jabi, using her old woman disguise again.
"Oh pardon me, Oba-San, forgive the intrusion. But what was that smell from your shop was that a candle or perfume by chance?"
"Oh child, why yes it was, I spray a bit of perfume in the shop to hide the smell of the antiques here. Tell me, child, what would you like to purchase?"
Rina was nervous to ask, but she had come this far already.
"I'm looking for a gift for a friend of mine, his birthday is coming up after Christmas I want to get him something that can be good for both, I'm sorry I don't have much money so I can only get a small gift." Jabi could see how Rina was sincere, it was like the day Kousuke was desperate to get a gift for Itsuki.
"Hmm, does this boy have something precious he would like to keep preserved?"
"Preserved? Well, he wears a ribbon on his neck. He's very protective of it, it was a gift from someone special….." Rina stopped talking, mentioning Itsuki when she was trying to get close to Kousuke, it was about to make her feel guilty.
"I think I have the perfect gift for you to use, excuse me for a second."
Rina waited for a bit. Jabi came back with another box similar to what she gave Kousuke. Rina opened it to see what it was, it was a silver chain necklace, on it were six small fang ornaments and another was a feline head with a white diamond in the forehead in the middle of the necklace.
"This is pretty. What is it?"
"Ho ho ho, it's a special necklace, if you open the headpiece and put something important in it, it'll keep the object safe and also show your feelings or concern for the boy."
Rina flustered at the thought. The word feelings made her nervous. Although those were lies, there was a true reason for the necklace that Jabi didn't disclose.
"I love it. Thank you, Oba-San, how much for it?"
"No need, it's free missy."
"No no please, I have to do something for you I'd feel horrible for not reciprocating your kindness. Please let me do something." Rina begged not wanting to feel like a mooch.
Jabi pretended to ponder. She didn't want anything in return, so she faked a request to make Rina feel better.
"Well, you can help fix my hair a bit. You have great hair I'd like help with mine."
Rina nodded in acceptance, she untied the hair bun and fixed Jabi's hair for her. She braided it for her in a large single braid fixing all the knots and frizziness in her hair.
"There you go Oba-San, I hope you like it."
"I do child, I feel younger in my old age ho ho ho. Oh, by the way, your watch has been beeping for a bit. Do you have something important to do?"
Rina looked at her watch. She freaked out as it was telling her she had five minutes left to clock back in for work. She thanked Jabi and dashed back to the store. Jabi waved her off, she looked somewhat concerned as she left.
"I hope I made the right call. I know I said to leave him to his own choices but time is running out. Byakurai, forgive me. I just gave away your last child for that boy."