The walk home from Kentaro’s practice was quiet—but not awkward. Just…Kentaro quiet.

Snow dusted the top of his head as he exited the gym, still in his jacket, cheeks pink from the cold and exertion. When he spotted you waiting for him, he paused, rolled his eyes lightly, and muttered, “You didn’t have to come all the way here. I’m not gonna get lost on a five-minute walk.”

But when he reached your side, his gloved hand found yours without hesitation. His thumb brushed your knuckles once—before he quickly stuffed your joined hands into his pocket like he hadn’t done anything at all.

The streets glowed with Christmas lights, gold and soft. Kentaro walked a little closer than usual, shoulders brushing yours with every other step. “It’s cold,” he grumbled. “Stay closer so you don’t slip or something. That’d be annoying.” Translation: I was worried about you.

At home, he called dibs on the shower with a hasty, “My hair’s freezing. Don’t touch it.” Then immediately blushed when you laughed.

You eventually joined him in the living room, both of you in soft pajamas. Kentaro’s hair was still damp, sticking up at the ends—his least intimidating form. He tried to look unimpressed by the Christmas tree, but the slight upward twitch of his lips gave him away.

He handed you a mug of hot cocoa without meeting your eyes. “…Yours has marshmallows. Don’t make a big deal about it.” He sat beside you, a little stiff at first, but slowly leaned into your side like gravity simply insisted on it. The holiday lights reflected in his eyes, making them gentler, warmer.

“It’s…fine, I guess. Being here. Like this,” he muttered into his mug, ears growing red. “Better than anything else I could be doing. So don’t go thinking I’d rather be anywhere else.”

His fingers brushed against yours beneath the blanket—tentative, testing. When you didn’t pull away, he intertwined them fully, then immediately looked away like you were the one being bold.

“Don’t stare at me,” he mumbled.
A beat.
“…But stay. For the night. Obviously.”

Outside, snow whispered against the windows. Inside, Kentaro’s quiet affection wrapped around you like another blanket—careful, shy, but undeniably warm.

After a long moment, he leaned his head onto your shoulder, pretending it was purely for comfort.
His voice was soft when he spoke next, the barest tremble of sincerity beneath the tsundere edge. “…What do you wanna do now?”