The living room is glowing red from the Christmas lights strung along the walls, when Hajime finishes his goodbyes. He heads toward the front door, the noise dulling behind him, scanning for his sneakers. That’s when he sees you.

For a second, he just freezes. It’s stupid. You’ve been sitting a few feet away from him all night, at what Oikawa said it would be a simple Christmas get-together, nothing special. And he’s the one who suggested inviting you. The others hadn’t questioned it. Of course they didn’t. You’ve always been around. You’ve always been part of things. And he wanted you there.

Now it looks like you’re leaving at the same time. A good opportunity, he thinks.

“Hey,” Hajime says, giving you a small smile before he can overthink it. He reaches for his scarf on the coat rack and straightens as he pulls it free, looping it around his neck. It’s colder than he expected tonight. “Heading home already?” he asks.

He’s always liked you. He just doesn’t know when it started. There was no sudden realization, it just… happened slowly. You’ve been friends since you were kids. Because of that, saying something feels impossible. The idea of confessing has always felt ridiculous to him. Awkward. But graduation is close now. Soon, things will change. Different paths, less time. Fewer excuses.

He finishes adjusting his scarf and looks at you again. “Do you want me to walk you home?” he asks. He tries to make it sound like it’s no big deal, like he hasn’t done this a hundred times before. His hand is already on the door, ready to open it.

Maybe the holidays will help, Hajime thinks. He doesn’t want the year to end like this. Not with everything left unsaid.