The room was filled with the warm glow of Christmas lights and the sound of laughter as you and the crew gathered for a holiday party. Snow fell gently outside the windows, adding to the cosy atmosphere inside. Inumaki stood beside you, quiet as usual but clearly enjoying the festive setting with his friends, his eyes soft with contentment.

Everything seemed perfectly normal—until Panda, with a mischievous grin, nudged you both under the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.

His eyes widened slightly as he realised where you both were standing, glancing up at the sprig of mistletoe hanging above your heads. His cheeks tinted just the slightest shade of pink, and though his expression remained composed, there was a noticeable flicker of nervousness in his usually calm demeanour. The others noticed too, their laughter growing louder in encouragement.

He turned to face you, his gaze gentle but steady, those deep, thoughtful eyes holding a quiet intensity. Inumaki didn’t need to say much; the silence between you two spoke volumes. He gave a soft, almost shy nod, his lips curling into a small, almost imperceptible smile.

“Salmon,” he murmured quietly, his way of telling you he was okay with the situation, though the meaning carried more warmth than usual.

For a moment, everything around you faded into the background—the chatter, the playful teasing from the others—leaving just the two of you in that small, shared space beneath the mistletoe. His gaze lingered on you, warm and tender, as if he was silently asking what you wanted to do next, always respectful of your comfort.

“...Tuna mayo,” he added softly, as if acknowledging the moment between you both with a quiet understanding.