Chapter.27: Gifts and Feelings

December had come since the day of the instructor's arrival.

After the end of the first semester, the second was in a better flow and the experience the students were earning was becoming more successful.

Barnaby's marksmanship was greatly appreciated in helping with weapons training, especially for the Espers, they were more efficient with the experience they were gaining.

Alexandra helped with Physical Education, she also became the head of the body improvement club. Ryuji was taken in as her personal apprentice, she was determined to make him more of a man and gain a better understanding of his abilities. He would complain at times or try to start a fight, but he enjoyed feeling better about his body and his progress.

Hiro spent more time working on hands-on training than his studying methods. He would be the head of his family after graduation, any mistakes were not acceptable to him.

Ren spent his time with Gentaro after he took over the martial arts and kendo clubs. Ren wanted to become stronger, he had no magic to use, and his skills as an Esper were average, his swordsmanship was his best quality, since magic wasn't a requirement for a sacred sword like the SuiRyu, only an affinity for it. One of the only loopholes for even a normal civilian to have to use magic items like that.

Tatsuya had to apologize multiple times for his late registration, his Manager was embarrassed enough as is. Tatsuya had to make up all the school work and tests he missed to avoid being expelled. He felt like he was in Hell with all the work and gigs he had to do.

Akira's teachings gave better insight for Casters to control their magic and knowledge in artifacts lost in time. She also took up a job as the school's guidance counselor helping students with their troubles.

Koutetsu would see her from time to time. Even after the match, he still felt like he needed to talk more. He didn't want the triggers to come back when least expected, he was taking a step to help himself. He got his flames under control, he wanted it to stay that way.

Megumi was the only one who didn't get a teaching position. After that match all the parents and board members wanted her fired and banned from the school. Anna agreed but Koutetsu went to bat for her. He convinced them to hire Megumi as the head security, he stumbled a bit in his speech but he convinced them nonetheless to give her the job, arguing that if anything happens she'll be the best bet for safety.

The second semester was almost over, and Christmas was in two days.

Koutetsu was running to his part-time job he took up. He applied for work during the summer break for expenses, keeping to his word on not using the black card on anything but rent and food.

He applied at a cafe in the shopping district that Itsuki took him to.

He was a huge hit bringing in lots of customers, mostly young females.

Much to Itsuki's annoyance, she had to accept he wanted to earn a living. Since he learned to cook watching Mana his food was the best at the cafe, it helped with having the Coded Eyes, and it gave him an advantage in finding perfect measurements and techniques in his cooking.

Koutetsu would jog to his work instead of using his bike, he was continuing his training even during work. Koutetsu made it to his job, everyone saw him walk into the store, the sweat radiating off his body from his run made the girls swoon over as he walked in.

"Good morning Koutetsu, you made it early again as usual." The Manager greeted.

"Morning Boss, Give me a few I'll be ready to help with breakfast."

The Manager, nodded continuing to serve customers. Girls couldn't stop looking at Koutetsu, he was thanking God Itsuki wasn't here, she'd freeze all their drinks with her annoyance at the stares.

Koutetsu got into his uniform to make breakfast for the customers, the cafe was becoming a success with his help. All the tips he was saving along with his paycheck were for Christmas gifts. He wanted to treat his friends for all the help they gave him.

Kaori walked in, she was on her lunch break from her job.

Koutetsu greeted her as she walked in, Kaori had on a different hairstyle.

Being a fashion and style major, she tried to keep up with the newest trends to help in her goal of owning her own company someday.

Her hair was shorter now a little past her ears, she still had a ponytail on the top of her head, and she had two long strips of hair on each side of her hair.

Kaori sat at the front bar to speak with Koutetsu, she was the only one who dared to sit in front of him since she was friends with Itsuki now.

"Hey Kaori, usual for you today?"

"No actually can you make me some sweets and a coffee? I need some energy for today with all the sales going on."

With Christmas approaching the stores were swamped with customers. Kaori was taking extra shifts to make up for the sales rush.

"Coming right up, how's work going so far?"

"Exhausting, it's hard when I'm the only one who has the best advice and insight with styles or brands. What about you you're taking the job very well."

Koutetsu laughed, he was enjoying the job for sure. It felt like he was connecting to Mana again. He hadn't heard from her still since she left, and he was worried about her every day.

"Yes, my cooking's getting better and better guess having a great chef for a Mom was a big help. I'll be good enough to make my birthday cake soon."

Kaori was caught off guard, he hadn't mentioned his birthday before.

"Your birthday? You haven't talked about it before? Are you doing anything special?"

"Nah, it's on the 30th so everybody will be busy during the winter break or studying for entrance exams."

Kaori felt bad, he was going to spend it alone. Itsuki mentioned her family needed her to help with business during the break, and Natsume was going to spend it with her family overseas. Koutetsu got along better with the boys but he still wasn't that close to them yet.

Kaori saw this as her chance. Koutetsu and Itsuki weren't an item yet, she wanted to try and take this chance to get close to him.

"Hey, you're not doing anything maybe I can throw you a party at your place then."

Koutetsu was caught off guard. Kaori was blushing a bit, she was trying to keep her best efforts to ask him without sounding like Natsume in her usual attempts.

"Come again?"

"Well, I don't have family close by, I was going to spend Christmas by myself too, I can keep you company if that's ok with you. We can celebrate both Christmas and your birthday. Is it ok?"

Koutetsu had no words to say. He didn't know if it was ok to say yes without serious consequences to his safety or if he would be a jerk and let her be alone on Christmas.

"Umm, I guess it's ok, I mean you and Itsuki are friends and she wouldn't be mad really if you came over. She trusts you more than Natsume, you wouldn't try anything shady." Kaori was silent, she wasn't going to respond because she had some motives for asking.

"Here you go, a house special, a piece of triple chocolate cake, a strawberry parfait, with a special coffee blend. Enjoy."

Kaori was impressed, the food looked delicious, and she couldn't help wanting to eat it.

"Itadakimasu!" Kaori took a bite of the cake, her face melted with excitement and its delicious flavor. The parfait was even better, her face couldn't stop turning red with joy.

"Hey, are those two a couple, they're acting like it."

"I'm jealous, I wish he would make me a desert set like that."

Kaori's red face brimmed more, she started to understand how Itsuki felt when people teased her like that. Koutetsu didn't pay the comments a mind. He had gotten used to it by now. Kaori finished her food before thanking Koutetsu for the delicious meal.

"Thank you for your business, please come again."

Kaori took her leave waving goodbye, she was feeling guilty about going behind Itsuki's back. Kaori felt like she was betraying her trust, but she liked Koutetsu too, she had to know if he felt the same for her.

'I need to get him a gift. I can't show up empty-handed. It's not like I can give him something from the store either, he shops there more often now as is, I can't just strip naked in front of him, Itsuki would kill me or have Tsukikage bite my throat out. Argh, what should I get him?'

Kaori was frustrated at figuring it out, she was in deep thought, till a scent caught her nose, the aroma was amazing, and it led her to the area of the antique shop where Koutetsu bought the bracelet for Itsuki.

'What's this place, this wasn't here before, am I crazy or did I not pay attention.'

Kaori walked into the store, she thought all the antiques were fascinating, a different mentality than what Koutetsu had when he entered.

"Oh ho, a pretty lady has entered my store now. How may I help you missy." The voice speaking to Kaori was Jabi, using her old woman disguise again.

"Oh pardon me, mam, forgive the intrusion. But what was that smell from your shop is that a candle or perfume by chance?"

"Oh child, why yes it was, I spray a bit of perfume in the shop to hide the smell of the antiques here. Tell me child what would you like to purchase."

Kaori was nervous to ask, but she came this far

"I'm looking for a gift for a friend of mine, his birthday is coming up after Christmas I want to get him something that can be good for both, I'm sorry I don't have much money so I can only get a small gift." Jabi could see how Kaori was sincere, it was like the day Koutetsu was desperate to get a gift for Itsuki.

"Hmm, does this boy have something precious he would like to keep preserved?"

"Preserved? Well, he wears a ribbon on his neck like a chocker. It was a gift from someone special….." Kaori stopped talking, mentioning Itsuki when she was trying to get close to Koutetsu, it was about to make her feel guilty.

"I think I have the perfect gift for you to use, excuse me for a second."

Kaori waited for a bit. Jabi came back with another box similar to what she gave Koutetsu. Kaori opened it to see what it was, it was a silver chain necklace, and the ornament on it was a feline head with a white diamond in the forehead.

"This is pretty. What is it?"

"Ho ho ho, it's a special necklace, if you open the headpiece and put something important in it, it'll keep the object safe and also show your feelings or concern to the boy."

Kaori flustered at the thought. The word feelings made her nervous.

"I love it. Thank you, mam, how much for it?"

"No need, it's free missy."

"No no please, I have to do something for you I'd feel horrible for not reciprocating your kindness. Please let me do something."

Jabi pretended to ponder. She didn't want anything in return, so she faked a request to make Kaori feel better.

"Well, you can help fix my hair a bit. You have great hair I'd like help with mine."

Kaori nodded in acceptance, she untied the hair bun and fixed Jabi's hair for her. She braided it for her in a large single braid fixing all the knots and frizziness in her hair.

"There you go mam, I hope you like it."

"I do child, I feel younger in my old age ho ho ho. Oh, by the way, your watch has been beeping for a bit. Do you have something important to do?"

Kaori looked at her watch. She freaked as it was telling her she had five minutes left to clock back in for work. She thanked Jabi and dashed back to the store. Jabi waved her off, she looked somewhat concerned as she left.

"I hope I made the right call. I know I said to leave him to his own choices but time is running out. Byakurai, forgive me. I just gave away your last child to that boy."