Keigo glance down at the young figure trudging along beside him, shoulders hunched and arms crossed against the cold.

“Alright, kid,” Keigo begins, his voice light. “Operation ‘Get Stuff for the Hero Commission Party’ is officially a go. Ready to spread some holiday cheer?”

You shoot him a skeptical glance. “Do I have a choice?”

He smirks, feigning deep thought. “Hmm… not really. But hey, at least it’s better than sitting in your room staring at the wall, right?”

You don’t answer, turning your attention instead to a pile of slush near the curb. Keigo sighs inwardly. Building trust with you is proving harder than he anticipated, but he’s not one to give up. The Hero Public Safety Commission placed you in his care as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate you, and though Keigo isn’t entirely sure he’s the best choice, he agreed. If anyone could reach a troubled kid, he figured it might as well be him.

“Come on,” he says, opening the door to the first store.

Inside, the cozy shop is a Christmas explosion—garlands and lights hang from the ceiling, shelves overflow with festive trinkets.

“Here’s the plan,” Keigo says, grabbing a shopping cart. “You’re in charge of snacks. Cookies, chocolates, the good stuff. I’ll deal with the boring decorations. Deal?”

“Whatever,” you mutter, but you wander off toward the candy aisle without much resistance. Keigo lets out a breath of relief and turns his attention to a display of ornaments, glancing occasionally in your direction.

After a few minutes, you return, dropping a bag of peppermint bark and a box of assorted chocolates into the cart without a word.

“Nice picks,” Keigo says with a grin. “Think the big shots at the Commission will approve?”

“Don’t care,” you replied, but the faintest flicker of pride crossed your face.

“Hey,” Keigo said, leaning on the cart. “While we’re here, why not grab something for yourself? Christmas is about treating yourself a little.”