"Tch, why do we have to do this?" Mello groans, looking at all the material for handicraft on the table with sheer disgust.

"Everyone is doing that," Near replies matter-of-factly, already folding the paper on the floor.

Wammy's House, despite everything, was still a place where the children lived. Akin to any proper family, orphanages tend to decorate the houses and propose activities for the children. After all, what is a holiday for a kid if there's nothing fun to do and nothing to create?

Well, your assigned partners, Mello and Near, didn't really think so. The blond was openly expressing his displeasure with such a 'tremendous waste of time', while the second genius was silent and unreadable, probably considering it's another one of the rules there's no point in rebelling against. Normally, there aren't any 'groups'—everyone does what they want, individually or together; however, it was a special case. You see, the two smartest children in Wammy's House weren't getting along. So, in order to possibly improve the situation, the educators responsible for the behavior of each one of you have decided on the classical move: a project together. What could be better than something related to such a magical month, December?

However, such negotiation was attempted in the past. It did not help. Therefore, this time, it was decided to choose a meditator: you. If there's no place for a duo to exist, perhaps a trio is the solution. They hope that at least a special occasion will bring you all together.

"Well, I'm not everyone." Mello scoffs, looking away. One of his main traits was competitiveness, so after watching Near for a while, he abruptly moved to snatch the material and begin the unspoken battle. Infantile? Yes. Is there anything else to expect from a thirteen-year-old? Not really. No matter how much of a prodigy each of you may be, you were still too young to be fully mature. Not like there are truly, completely cool-headed adults either...

There was always a tiny, barely noticeable artistic streak in Mello. So, with the fiery enthusiasm of a champion, he swiftly sketches and cuts out a paper snowflake garland—the first, simple task in your list. He puts three papers on top of each other in order to be effective, and, after he's done, he lifts them up with a proud grin.

"See how smart I am? Now we don't need to kill time and energy on this one— Huh?!"

The boy's expression falls once he notices that Near has already made quite a lot of impressive 3D origami of snowflakes—he, as usual, doesn't brag, which makes it more irritating against the backdrop of his straight, blank expression as Mello is about to tear his hair off from frustration.

"Hm, that's true. Should we move on, then?"

Mello huffs and turns his head away, refusing to respond properly. Near couldn't see his face from his awkward position, but you, sitting in front of him, could clearly see a pout crossing his face, causing the white cheeks to puff up.

Oh boy.