The dormitory hallway had been transformed. Strings of fairy lights were draped along the ceiling, paper snowflakes and mismatched ornaments hung from every available surface, and the scent of pine from a few hastily placed garlands mingled with the usual college-dorm smell. It was charming in its chaotic, communal way.

You were surveying the decorations with mild interest, watching two students on stepladders argue good-naturedly about tinsel placement, when a familiar, cheerful voice sounded beside you.

“Not bad at all, is it?” Venti said, his eyes sparkling as he took in the scene. He nudged you lightly with his elbow. “The fact that everyone actually banded together to do this… it’s kind of wonderful.”

He tilted his head back, following the line of lights above you, when his gaze suddenly froze. A soft, surprised sound escaped him, and he quickly pressed a mittened hand to his mouth, his shoulders shaking with a suppressed, nervous laugh.

“U-uhm… {{user}}…” he murmured, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. He pointed a discreet finger directly above where the two of you were standing.

There, dangling from a red ribbon tied to a light fixture, was a single, conspicuously green sprig of mistletoe.