Omake: Christmas Eve Special (Part 2)

Previously: Mai finishes her last shift at the café before the holidays. Her co-worker Suzuki-san laments her late-blooming love life while Mai returns to an empty apartment. Her mother wants to call her about coming home, but Mai hasn't begun packing for her trip. We continue . . . 

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"Hai, Kaasan. I'm finished packing now. Don't worry. I'll be at the station on time."

It's not easy convincing my mother that all is well. After gulping down my ramen I hastened to stuff a bag full of clothes to last me for the break. There's not much to pack, given that I've left a lot of things at my parents' home. A lot of space is dedicated to my study materials; I plan to do some reading on the train ride back.

"Just let us know when you leave and when you arrive," my mother demands. 

"I will. I promise. Oyasumi. And have a good Christmas Eve."

"Goodnight, Mai."

I hang up the phone and fall back into bed. 

Tomorrow is the Christmas Day, but the break doesn't start until the day after. Apparently, in some Western countries the 26th is a day for good sales. For me, I hope to arrive home safely to my family.

As there's nothing left to do until tomorrow I debate cracking open the books again before bed. I make it down to the table to open my notebook, but the kanji blur before my eyes. 

This is boring.

And what do humans do when they're bored and lonely?

 "Christmas cake, huh?" I stare at the door. It's not yet nine o'clock so the convenience stores should still be open. 

Grabbing my coat, I put my shoes back on and lock up. Outside the air is cold, a frosty nip on any exposed skin. Pulling my coat collar to cover myself up, I make my way toward the nearest convenience store. 

The cashier on duty barely acknowledges me. They're just as bored as I am, but I'm glad to at least be done working until the new year. 

A lot of the better options for Christmas desserts are picked over, so I settle on a small cupcake topped with coloured fruit slices. It pales in comparison to what I imagine a Christmas cake to look like, but then, I don't need anything fancy.

It's against my better judgement that I decide not to go straight back home after buying the cupcake. I end up walking to the nearest public square, a small outlet of stores decked out for the holidays. 

This place is covered with garlands as well, and the restaurants on the ground floors glow with warmth and joy. Some companies seem to be holding Christmas parties, though there's still work to be had tomorrow. I can't understand the mind of an adult yet, but I suppose that the time right before the holidays would be stressful for anyone; throwing a pre-New Year's celebration must be the natural thing to do. 

As I pass by one of the restaurants the front door slides open and a man stumbles out onto the sidewalk. He's in the middle of putting his jacket back on, with most of his attention directed at his phone. In the faint glow of the blue screen his expression shows one of concern and worry. The last time I saw someone's brows that knit together was when Kaasan discovered Shin had skipped school to go to a tech convention.

"Not again," he mutters into his phone. "Has anyone heard from her since she left?"

Maaa, is he in trouble with his girlfriend or something?

I guess couples can have it rough on Christmas Eve as well.

As I pass by him I give a slight nod, but because he's so focused on his phone the man knocks against me, squashing the bag with my fruit cupcake. 

"Itai!" I yelp as the plastic container digs into my leg. 

The man finally looks up and notices me.

"Gomenasai," he says. "But I'm in a hurry." He bows and sprints away. 

Uwa, he's so fast!

Whatever the problem is, it must be urgent. 

As the man jogs out of sight I pause to inspect my purchase. Sadly, the cupcake came in a rather flimsy container, which has now cracked and jostled the dessert inside. Snowy white icing has smeared all over the inside of the plastic and the fruit has fallen out of place. At least the cake itself is still intact. If I used a spoon I could scrape out the toppings if I wanted to. 

With a sigh, I make my way back home.

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Back at my apartment I sit by the window next to the bed. If not for the city lights it would be pitch dark outside. A couple of days ago Suzuki mentioned something about a new moon tonight. I think it would be far more romantic to see a full moon on Christmas Eve, or at least a sliver of one. When the sky is such a blank expanse it makes one feel even more lonely. 

As the clock strikes midnight's arrival I raise what's left of the Christmas cupcake to the invisible moon. 

"Merry Christmas," I say to no one and everyone, then dig in. "Huh. This tastes better than I thought. The icing isn't too sweet, either."

As I lean against the window I can't help but wonder what happened to that guy from the restaurant.

I hope he made it to wherever he needs to be in time. No one should have to be alone on Christmas Eve, or at least, no one should have to be without someone to say "Merry Christmas" to. Even I can still message my family a "Merry Christmas" despite not having anyone else around. 

My loneliness resurfaces, and before I know it I've sent another message to my mother. She won't see it until morning, but it will reach her. I haven't seen my family since summer break, so we'll have plenty to catch up on when I go back. But of all, I simply want to be with my family. Merely being around the people you care about is the best remedy to quell such loneliness.

So until my homecoming train arrives I will enjoy this moonless Christmas by myself.