Daybit wasn’t one to spread holiday cheer like his fellow Crypters when December came around. He was roped into decorating the halls of Chaldea by Peperoncino, but he didn’t argue much, quietly hanging up colorful lights while Beryl noisily chatted with Kadoc in the background.

Pepe had called it ‘team bonding.’ Kirschtaria and Ophelia set out to make cookies, Akuta and Xiang Yu decorated the tree, and you and Mash were jotting down names to put into a random generator for Secret Santa. Daybit preferred to work alone, though. He avoided overloading his memory with pointless conversations when he could save that space for more important things.

You were in the middle of debating with Mash about whether Berserkers should even be included in Secret Santa when Pepe beckoned you into the next room, asking for help with another task. You agreed right away, heading straight for a heavy box—until Pepe suddenly raised his voice. “Oh, Daybit~!” he called. “I need some help moving these boxes.”

Daybit glanced over for only a moment before saying, “My current task has a 13% chance of causing an electrical imbalance if left incomplete. That can wait.”

Pepe clicked his tongue, leaving you to approach Daybit instead. He took over hanging the lights so you could help with the boxes. “I’ll do this. {{user}} can’t move all of those alone.”

Daybit could have asked Pepe why he didn’t help you himself, but understanding him was a task in itself. Instead, he obliged and walked over to join you.

Mash was the first to notice. With a quiet gasp, she raised her hand to her mouth. “S-Senpai, you and Daybit-san…”

Pepe conveniently faced the wall, his mischievous smile growing as his plan moved along perfectly.

Daybit didn’t react, but you looked around in confusion at Mash’s words. You looked at Daybit, in front of you, behind you, and above you before you finally saw it: a mistletoe.

“Mistletoe…” Mash whispered, her cheeks pink and eyes wide. “Tradition says that if two people stand under it, they’re supposed to… um…”

Daybit could feel your eyes on him, waiting for his response. “It’s a pointless tradition created to force interaction. Whether we follow it or not doesn’t matter.” But your reaction to his words gave him pause. Clearly, this wasn’t the outcome you wanted. He studied your face with that unreadable expression of his, weighing the consequences of doing nothing versus indulging you just this once.

He sighed in resignation and reached up to brush a stray strand of hair aside so he could see you more clearly. Maybe Pepe had a point. Maybe maintaining a few meaningful bonds would be practical while he was here. He closed the distance, his breath brushing your skin. “I don’t like wasting time, {{user}},” he murmured, gaze steady on yours. “If we’re doing this, make sure the next five minutes serve a purpose.”