It was the final night of the year.
Kosaka Nao sat alone on her couch, wearing her usual comfy oversized hoodie and sweatpants combo. The TV was on, displaying the annual year-end music show, Kouhaku Uta Gassen, but she wasn’t really paying attention. She stirred the hot chocolate in her hands absentmindedly, glancing at the clock.
11:00 p.m.
New Year’s was approaching. This was the first time she would celebrate it entirely by herself. She had declined invitations from her fellow group members, citing exhaustion from the previous week’s concert at Tokyo Dome. It was true, the lives had drained most of her strength, but the real reason she wanted to be alone tonight was far more personal.
Kosaka sighed, glancing at her phone on the coffee table. No new messages. No missed calls. Not a single notification. She sighed again, setting her mug down next to her phone.
Her thoughts were cut off by the sudden sound of her doorbell.
It was so late now, who could possibly be visiting her at this hour? She hesitated, cautiously approaching the door. The moment she peeked through the peephole, her eyes widened slightly.
Outside, standing in the hallway with a scarf wrapped snugly around her neck and a bright smile drawn on her face, was Watanabe Miho.
Kosaka opened the door, her expression staying cold. “What brings you here, Miss Famous Actress Watanabe?” Her tone was sharp, and she didn’t bother hiding it.
“Aww, don’t be so distant to your girlfriend like that, Nao,” Watanabe teased, stepping forward to walk inside.
Kosaka blocked the doorway, crossing her arms. “Answer my question first.”
“Your girlfriend is here to give you a Christmas present.”
Kosaka raised an eyebrow. “What kind of girlfriend doesn’t even call on Christmas? And Christmas was a week ago, Watanabe-san.”
“If you keep calling me that, I’m gonna cry,” Watanabe said, pretending to sob.
Kosaka let out a sigh and moved aside. “Come in.”
Watanabe entered the apartment with a satisfied grin, scanning her surroundings. The place hadn’t changed at all since the last time she visited. Still as neat and simple as ever, just like Kosaka herself.
“Have you eaten dinner?” Kosaka’s voice broke the silence.
“Uh, no-”
“Then sit at the table,” Kosaka cut her sentence off, already moving toward the small dining table.
Watanabe obediently sat down, watching Kosaka brought over a hotpot and a few side dishes. The smell was incredible, which made her stomach grumbled. Finished preparing, Kosaka pulled a chair out and sat down in front of her.
“Itadakimasu,” they said together before starting to eat.
The food was delicious and warm, but the atmosphere was cold and heavy. Watanabe could feel the deadly glare Kosaka was throwing at her, even without looking up. Trying to break the tension, she smiled.
“I went to Tokyo Dome and watched your concert on Christmas,” Watanabe said. “Congrats on your first performance of the new single! You were so amazing, like you were literally shining on stage!”
“Thank you,” Kosaka said flatly, not even looking at her.
“...”
“...”
The conversation died immediately.
Watanabe knew she had messed up. She felt awkward, it had been a while since she had seen her girlfriend become this angry, and she didn’t really know how to fix it. After dinner, she offered to help clean up, but Kosaka refused.
“Go sit in the living room,” Kosaka commanded.
Having no other choice, Watanabe wandered to the living room and sat on the floor. The television was still playing Kouhaku, but she couldn’t focus on it. Her thoughts were a mess as she tried to figure out a way to apologize. She knew she had hurt Kosaka by not spending Christmas with her, but her schedule had been packed with filming and promotions. Still, that was no excuse for not sending even a single text.
The sound of footsteps pulled her out of her thoughts. Kosaka had finished cleaning up and quietly sat down next to her. Without saying a word, she leaned her head on Watanabe’s shoulder.
Watanabe blinked in confusion at the sudden move. She glanced at Kosaka, but the girl kept her eyes glued to the television. Quickly taking it as a chance, Watanabe pulled out a small gift box wrapped in a red ribbon.
“Merry Christmas, Nao,” Watanabe held it out.
Kosaka didn’t say anything, but Watanabe noticed the ears of the girl in front turned faint pink. Slowly, Kosaka took the box and unwrapped it. Inside was a silver necklace with a small heart-shaped pendant The engraving read “WM♡KN”.
Kosaka stared at the gift for a moment before mumbling, “T-thank you...”
“Let me help you put it on,” Watanabe offered with a smile.
Kosaka hesitated but eventually stood up and walked over to Watanabe, sitting on her lap without warning. Watanabe laughed softly at the unexpected gesture but carefully fastened the necklace around Kosaka’s neck.
“It looks perfect on you,” Watanabe said, admiring how the pendant rested just above Kosaka’s collarbone.
Watanabe watched as Kosaka remained quiet for a moment, her fingers brushing against the new gift.
“I’m so sorry that you guys weren’t chosen for Kouhaku this year.”
“It’s fine. We weren’t chosen last year, either.”
“...I know it’s bad to say this, but I’m kind of glad you weren’t,” Watanabe admitted, wrapping her arms around Kosaka’s waist. “So that now I get to spend New Year’s with my lovely girlfriend.”
“Who said I wanted to spend New Year’s with you?” Kosaka shot back, her cheeks growing hotter as she turned her head away, trying to avoid Watanabe’s gaze.
Watanabe grinned. “Nao, you’re living alone, but you made dinner for two. Obviously, you were waiting for me.”
Kosaka’s face now officially turned red like a tomato. She turned around to argue but froze when she realized how close their faces were.
“I’m really sorry for not spending Christmas with you,” Watanabe said, her voice soft and sincere. “Please forgive me, Nao.”
Kosaka stared at her for a moment before picking up the red ribbon from the gift box and placing it on Watanabe’s chest.
“Nao will forgive Miho if Miho also becomes Nao’s Christmas present,” Kosaka pouted, her voice was uncharacteristically spoiled.
Miho blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing. “Haha, Merry Christmas again then, Nao.”
Before Kosaka could respond, the countdown to the New Year began on the television.
Ten... Nine...
Watanabe cupped Kosaka’s cheek, her smile soft.
Eight... Seven...
Kosaka’s heart skipped a beat as she felt the touch from her girlfriend.
Six... Five...
“Nao…” Watanabe whispered, her voice filled with love.
Four... Three...
Kosaka closed her eyes, leaning forward.
Two... One...
Their lips met, they shared a soft and warm kiss, as the New Year began.
When they pulled away, Watanabe rested her forehead against Kosaka’s.
“Happy New Year, Nao. I love you.”
“Happy New Year, Miho. I love you too.”