"Merry Christmas!!!" We all shouted on top of our voices.
"Whoohoo! Let's eat and have lots of fun today." Nakamura said.
"Yeah!!" We all shouted as we began eating and drinking what I had prepared.
"Atsu-kun, it seems like you went all out today. Do you want us to gain more weight?" Akatsuki asked, tearing his chicken lap.
"Sorry. Ah… I also baked a cake. Looks like that's going to be a waste."
"Of course I want one!" Kimishita said.
"Bring it over here."
"Watch your weight, kids." The coach said, walking down the stairs with his luggage.
"Merry Christmas, coach." We all said.
"Oh, same to you all. I'm leaving, I'll be back by New Year." He said about to leave.
*Till new year?!* I thought.
"Hey, come on now, why don't you join us for a bit." Akaji said, smiling at him.
"Yeah."
"After all, you bought us a tree and gifts."
"That's right."
"Huh?! Who told you guys I bought gifts for you?" He asked.
"Um… I helped carry it…" I said as husband face turned red.
"Come on, don't be shy, Coach." Hayashi said as she and Tamura walked towards him, pulling him towards the table.
"Hey."
"I didn't leave you out while preparing the dishes, too." I said, serving him food.
"W-well, if you guys insist, I don't mind joining you guys before leaving." He said, grabbing his chopsticks.
When we all finished eating, we brought out the gift we got for the coach and gave them to him.
"Why do you give me all these?" He asked, looking surprised.
"A gift from us."
"Have a safe trip." We all said waving at him.
"Okay then, thanks." He said, waving back at us before walking out of the house.
"Woohoo, yet another day without an adult, let's have tons of fun." Watabe said.
*I don't think I'll be able to keep up with these guys.* I thought, bringing out the cake.
"Here." I said.
"It looks pretty." Ueta said, her eyes glistening.
"For reals man."
"You can also bake well, too?"
"Mmn."
"I was lucky we all went shopping yesterday, I bought the stuff I needed for it then." I said, cutting the cake into 12 slices before handing each slice in a plate over to them.
"Damn, this is so good." Akatsuki said.
"Yeah."
"For real."
"Thanks." I said, taking a bite of it.
Although we didn't run a bakery, my mom still taught me how to bake a cake. I insisted on learning how to bake one as a form of gift to my mom or my uncle during their birthdays.
"Let's play a game, guys." Akaji said, smiling.
"I'm up for anything."
"Let's have fun till evening."
*Till-till evening?!*
"I think I'll…"
"Where are you running to?" Akatsuki asked with a smirk.
"It's till evening, bro. I can't stay here till evening. I've got a lot of things to do." I whispered.
"Come on, it's gonna be fun. See? They're all happy, if you refuse now… tsk-tsk, you know how it'll turn out." He said, demonstrating what he was saying.
"Ah… you're right. I guess… having fun is not a bad idea. Even though it'll take up my whole day." I said.
"Now we're talking." He said, putting his arm around my neck.
"I bought a deck of cards. Why don't we play cards for now." Akaji said.
"Yeah, let's do that."
We played cards for a while, and I admit it was kinda fun. Fun for those who kept winning!
"Hah, I can't believe I've been failing since. You're really good at this, Akaji-kun." Akatsuki said as Tanaka smiled at him.
"You looked like someone who could play, I can't believe you failed." I said, snickering.
"Bastard." He cursed under his breath.
"Ha ha ha." I laughed as the others joined me.
"Is that how it is, Atsu? I'll get you back for this. Let's settle this on the pitch." He said, smirking forcefully.
"Yeah, yeah, we'll do that later." Akaji said.
"So, are we going to keep playing only cards? Come on, it's gonna get boring." Tamura said.
"Nah, we can't play only cards. Let's play hide and seek." Saitō suggested.
*Are we kids or what?* I thought.
"Good idea." Hayashi said.
"Huh?" I asked, looking shocked.
"I'm up for it." Ueta said, raising her hands.
"Me too." Yamazake said.
"Well, since the girls want us to do it, why not." Akaji said.
*Urgh, hide and seek? Why don't we just play rock, paper, scissors?* I thought.
"Let's do rock, paper, scissors to decide who'll begin the seeking." Sugawara said.
*What did I just say?* I thought.
"I can guess what you were thinking." Akatsuki said, snickering.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors."
*Argh, why the hell'd I go and lose?* I thought facing a wall and shutting my eyes.
"1 2 3 4...." I counted till 60.
"Here I come." I said, opening my eyes and looking around.
*This really sucks.* I thought walking up the stairs.
*I wonder if I'll see anyone here?* I thought, opening the door to Nakamura and Kimishitas' room.
I walked in slowly and steadily before checking under their beds.
*Ah… not like anyone would be there anyway.* I thought leaving the room.
I walked on and on before deciding to take some water.
*I've been walking for a few minutes, are they really inside the dorm?* I thought, opening the refrigerator.
I picked up a bottle of water and gulped it down. As I was about to close the refrigerator, I saw someone's feet.
*Ha… beside the refrigerator, really?* I thought, looking at the side of the refrigerator.
"Yeah, you caught me." Tamura said, walking out.
"Mmn." I said, still staring at each other.
"Haha, this feels scary for some reasons. It makes me excited." She said, smiling at me before walking towards the sitting room.
"O-kay? Well, I'm gone." I said, walking out.
*How come I didn't think of checking here? Anyone could hide here.*
I decided to check the store, equipment room and the empty rooms.
☆☆☆
"Wah, you really found me." Watabe said, walking out.
"That makes all of us." Akaji said.
*Hahaha, I'm good, aren't I.*
"You seem like you're really enjoying this." Akatsuki said, smiling.
"Of course I'm enjoying this. Crushing others feels rather good." I whispered.
"Ugh… you're smiling weirdly now." He said as I coughed.
"Well, let's pick again." Akaji said.
"Rock Paper Scissors."
"1 2 3 4 5...." Akatsuki counted as I kept laughing.
*Hahaha, he's the one counting now.* I thought, clutching my ribs.
*Wait! I have to hide.* I thought while running upstairs.
"55 56 57...."
*Argh, I'll just hide in a closet in any room. And not a girls' room. I'd be burnt alive. They won't think I'd be here.* I thought walking into the room closest to where I was, Nakamura and Kimishitas' room.
"Here I come."
I ran into the closet immediately before shutting the door quietly.
*Safe. At least it's kinda hot in here, I won't feel too cold. * I thought, trying to relax.
"Hey…" I heard someone say as I looked up immediately.
*Holy shit! This closet is too tight for a disaster such as this!* I thought.