❤ ❤ ❤
“Hanbee, can you straighten the star?” asks Keijin. “You’re the only one tall enough.”
Hanbee sighs, but rises from his position on their couch besides Suzuya. He reaches up to adjust the crooked, rainbowed star. “There.”
“Yay!” Suzuya claps his hands. “Is it present time yet?”
“Yes, it’s present time.” Mizurou agrees.
“I’ll play Santa!” Suzuya swipes Mikage’s fuzzy red and white stocking off his head.
“Hey!” cries Mikage, but he’s laughing to show he doesn’t really mind.
“This is for Hanbee.” Suzuya hands his best friend a small box. “From me!”
“And to Mikage, from Keijin.” A large, heavy package nearly topples Mikage.
“And Keijin, from Mizurou.” A tall, heavy box.
“To Mizurou, from Mikage.” A small, light wrapping.
“And to me, from Hanbee!” Suzuya crows, looking at the large box peppered with holes.
“One – two – three – go!”
Wrapping paper flies everywhere as the young men tear into their presents.
Hanbee leaps a mile at the Jack-in-the-box. “Suzuya! You would.”
“An astronomy encyclopedia? This is phenomenal,” gasps Mikage.
Keijin beams at his small falcon statue. “I love it, Mizurou.”
“Good.” Mizurou waves tickets to the next gaming convention. “Mikage, you’re the best.”
“Suzuya?” Keijin leans forward with anticipation.
Suzuya stares down into the box. A squeak emanates from his lips. “Hanbee!”
He bends down to lift out a snowy white kitten with red eyes.
“It’s a Suzuya cat!” offers Hanbee. “Also albino.”
“I love it!” Suzuya shrieks as the cat buries its face in his shoulder. “I love it! It’s so cute! Oh my goodness!”
“What will you name it?” asks Mikage.
“Mischief,” says Suzuya, stroking it with tears in his eyes.
Mercy and Magic 