Happy Holidays to you, too! ❤
“Kid, how much sugar have you had?” Nico may not know what sugar tastes like, but she knows it makes kids hyper. And she’s never quite seen a child hyper like this one.
“I ate all the cookies you bought me.” The girl, Reiko of no discernible surname, giggles. “They’re delicious.”
“Chocolate is still better than vanilla,” calls Souta. He remembers chocolate enough to be offended whenever anyone prefers vanilla. Which this brat does.
“It is not!” She stomps her foot.
“I’ll side with her,” says Itori, casually sipping her wine.
“You know,” Uta says slyly, “we could decorate his face green to make him look like the grinch.”
“Jesus Christ,” says Souta.
“Don’t swear in front of kids,” cries Nico.
“I’ve heard worse,” says Reiko.
“Still,” says Donato, holding up a cross towards a scandalized Souta.
“Are you all – you’re all seriously going to – wait -” Souta dives for the door, but Roma wrestles him back. “Uta, touch me and you will pay for this.”
“I’m not going to,” Uta replies, handing Reiko the face paint he gave her for Christmas this morning. She cackles with joy, and Nico gives Souta a stern glare.
Nimura Furuta hangs his head and lets Reiko smear green all over his beautiful skin.
“The problem is your heart is three sizes too small,” sings Reiko.
All of us have that problem. Nico watches Reiko soberly. Maybe this kid is exactly what she and the rest of the clowns need.
