Chapter 8 Christmas Present

No one's POV

It's been 2 weeks since Nhazul accepted Ruka's as his trial girlfriend, and he's had to date her on a provisional basis, and it is now the beginning of winter. Currently, Nhazul was in the middle of texting Ruka, with an annoyed look.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Two phone calls per day, no leaving her on read, like her stupid tweets...! It's like a full time job dealing with her... I feel like I should be getting paid...

Nhazul just sighed, before looking at his wall, wondering what Chizuru was doing.

Nhazul's thoughts: And I haven't heard anything from her ever since she dumbed this on me.

(Timeskip)

(A/N) Nhazul's Winter outfit. He's wearing high tops and black jeans. The jacket is gray.

It's the next day and currently, Nhazul was walking through campus, getting ready to leave when suddenly, Ruka jumped out in front of him.

Ruka: Surprise!

Nhazul: ...

Ruka looked at Nhazul confused.

Ruka: Nhazul?

Nhazul didn't say anything, walking past her, grabbing her by the collar, and away from people.

Nhazul: ...-_-... Why are you here?

Ruka: Well, you wouldn't contact me, so I decided to take maters into my own hands.

Nhazul: And you chose here of all places?

Ruka: Huh? Did I mess something up?

Nhazul; ...-_-... You do realize people here think I'm dating Chizuru, and if you come waltzing in, announcing I'm your boyfriend, it'll defeat the entire purpose, right? Especially since Sai goes here too.

Ruka: But I don't think we can keep this hidden forever. Besides, I was just a rental girlfriend. From the vibe he gave, he didn't really like me that way.

Nhazul: ...-_-... Did your ears turn off or something...? That's not the issue here...

Ruka: No, I understand. I'm the one who said I was okay with a trial. It's not like I want to put you on the spot, so I'll stay away.

Nhazul: Good.

Suddenly, Ruka started hugging Nhazul's arm, happily.

Ruka: All that aside, wanna catch a movie this Saturday? Love Clouds! It's a romance flick! Christmas is coming up, too. All couples grow closer in winter! It's the season for us!

Nhazul: ...-_-... I'm sure that only applies to actual couples, not trial stages ones...

Ruka just started pouting at Nhazul.

Ruka: Meanie!

Nhazul just rolled his eyes.

Nhazul: Fine, we can do the movie.

Ruka: Really?! Yay!

As Nhazul tried to walk, Ruka continued clinging to his arm.

Nhazul: ...-_-... Can you stop clinging to me...?

Ruka: Please, I know you love it.

Nhazul: You must not know me very well.

As the two walked off, unbeknownst to them, Chizuru was watching from a window.

Chizuru: ...

(Timeskip)

It's currently the middle of the night, and after lying to Ruka to avoid here for Christmas, Nhazul just laid down on his bed, thinking to himself, looking at his wall.

Nhazul's thoughts: Still no word from Chizuru. I haven't seen her on campus either. I've talked to her so often, I'm used to her pissy attitude now.

Nhazul: It's whatever. It's none of my business, nor do I care.

(Timeskip)

It's Christmas Eve, and currently Nhazul was walking through the streets, to take his mind off Christmas, when he noticed Chizuru with a man as the the two were walking together.

Nhazul's thoughts: Even on the job on Christmas Eve, huh? Still, that guy doesn't looks like the type to need a rental. Or maybe that's her actual boyfriend. Wouldn't put it past her. She loves her secrets after all.

Suddenly, Nhazul overheard two girls talking about Chizuru and the guy.

Girl#1: Look at those two!

Girl#2: They're both gorgeous! The guy's so hot.

Girl#1: I'd love to have that someday.

Nhazul: ...

Nhazul started thinking back to his time with Mami and all the times they had spent Christmas together. Nhazul quickly shook away those thoughts, as he started to walk away. Nhazul just took the entire day to walk around, trying to get rid of the thought of himself and Mami in the past, but always found himself thinking about her, annoying him, as he found himself at the massive Christmas tree.

Nhazul's thoughts: This is why I hate this time of year. My mind always wanders to back then...

Nhazul just sighed annoyed, before looping down a bit saddened.

Nhazul's thoughts: Maybe I shouldn't have lied to Ruka... At least then I'd have something to keep my mind off this... I'd rather her annoy me, then thinking about this constantly...

???: Ah? Nhazul?

Hearing his name, Nhazul looked over and saw Chizuru and the guy from earlier.

Nhazul: Oh? You took him here, huh? I'm not surprising, it is Christmas Eve.

Chizuru: W-Why are you here?

Nhazul: Last I checked, this was a public area.

Chizuru just looked at Nhazul annoyed, before the boy spoke up.

???: Do you know him, Chizuru?

Chizuru: Oh, uh, he goes to my college.

???: Oh. But anyway, did you still want to go over the script?

Chizuru looked at the boy surprised.

Chizuru: U-Umi...! Shh!

Umi: Oh, I suppose I wasn't supposed to mention that, huh?

Nhazul: Script?

Chizuru just looked at Nhazul annoyed, before she began contemplating something.

Nhazul: ...-_-... What are you doing? No one has a gun to your head, if you don't want to tell me, I honestly don't-

Chizuru: I'm an actress.

Nhazul: Actress?

Chizuru: Or, well, I'm just starting out. I work that job because acting school costs money and it serves as good practice. Umi goes to that school with me. He's a fellow actor. He was helping me with a script reading while shopping.

Umi: I have to head over to the shot anyway.

Chizuru: Thank you for today, Umi.

Umi: Of course.

As Umi left, Nhazul and Chizuru were left alone, as she looked at him.

Chizuru: Of course you'd come here of all places.

Nhazul just rolled his eyes.

Nhazul: Well, excise me.

As Nhazul was getting ready to leave, Chizuru spoke up.

Chizuru: Here...

Nhazul: Hmm?

Nhazul turned around and saw Chizuru holding up a bag to him, as he took it confused.

Nhazul: What's this?

Chizuru just looked away, covering her mouth with her scarf.

Chizuru: U-Umi only had free time today. And I figured I needed a guy's opinion if I was picking something out for a guy...

Nhazul opened the bag and saw it was a heavy duty phone case.

Nhazul: A phone case?

Chizuru: I-I mean, you've been using your broken phone without a case... It looks awful like that. That said, our secret belongs to the both of us. And I feel bad that I left you to deal with Ruka alone... I-It's not a gift or anything, okay? Just a token of my apology...

Nhazul just looked at Chizuru, genuinely surprised that she got him a gift, before he formed a small smile.

Nhazul: You know, given your line of work, if you would have said it was a gift, I'd figure you give all your clients gifts and think nothing of it.

Chizuru just looked at Nhazul annoyed.

Chizuru: If you don't want it, then you-

Nhazul: But since this is just an token of your apology, I know it's genuine.

Nhazul looked at Chizuru and gave her a genuine smile, surprising her.

Nhazul: So thanks, Chizuru.

Chizuru just started blushing a bit more, looking away.

Chizuru: You're welcome....

Suddenly, it began to snow, as the two looked up into the sky.

Chizuru: It's snowing.

Nhazul looked over at Chizuru, and unbeknownst to him, he was starting to see her in a different light.