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It wasn’t the first time that Shu opened his eyes this morning, but this time the church bells nearby were more persistent. He sighed. No matter how much he tried to ignore it, the day wouldn’t get better.
He finally opened his eyes fully and sat up. To no one’s surprise, he found a glass of water on his bedside table, with a small handwritten note.
N'oublie pas tes antibiotiques.
As if there was any way he would forget his antibiotics; not after 7 days of being so utterly sick. Though he was doing better now – finally – he knew he was far from being fully recovered.
He reached for his pills to take out another one. 2 more days until he would finally be done with them. And not like they wouldn’t help, but he was in a bad mood. He had never had a sinusitis like this before, and he would gladly never experience anything like that ever again. Especially during this time of the year.
Even though his body was still weak and he was still dizzy, he finally got out of bed.
“Bonjour”, he muttered to Mademoiselle, who was sitting on the shelf, smiling at him like always. Just that this time she was holding a tiny note.
Je vais faire les courses. Repose-toi.
Of course it wasn’t Mademoiselle, who did the shopping and told him to rest, but landlady. But she probably knew the first thing Shu would do when he got out of bed, was to greet Mademoiselle.
He didn’t need to rest more though, he had slept all night. But he knew that landlady only meant it well. She had been amazing the last week. When he had said first that he felt sick, she had constantly checked on him. And when the common cold turned into him experiencing the worst headache ever, which made him cry out in pain as soon as he bent over his fabrics during sewing, she had personally dragged him to her family doctor, despite his protests. Of course she had been right and it was not just a normal cold, and Shu had quickly learnt to never doubt her female instincts.
Also when the doctor said that it was out of question that Shu would fly back to Japan with a sinusitis within the next week, she had been nothing but sweet, and had tried to spoil him from the first day onwards. And yet… even her kindness couldn’t heal the pain he felt about not being able to fly back. Well, nothing he could change now. He tried to ignore the lingering guilt over it – as he had tried to do the last seven days already. Without success.
Shu walked over to the kitchen, only to find another handwritten note on the door.
Les préparatifs sont en cours. Pas d'entrée.
He didn’t plan to disturb the preparations, he just wanted something to eat so his stomach wouldn’t be as upset about the antibiotics. Even if the door told him not to enter, Shu anyway reached for the door handle, but apparently landlady knew him too well already. The kitchen door was locked.
“Really?”
But then he saw that she had left 2 croissants on the small counter next to the bathroom, sweetly set up next to an orange and an apple on a small plate.
Ton petit-déjeuner.
As if he would eat 2 croissants and fruits for his breakfast. He hadn’t been eating a lot lately, but oh well. She really meant it well. Shu grabbed one croissant, to at least get something down, so that the antibiotics would have company in his stomach.
He sighed again. It was so sweet of her, to try to make the day less awful. And yet Shu couldn’t help, but feel totally down.
As he was anyway next to the bathroom, he stepped inside and turned on the hot water. To break the silence, he turned on the radio as well and of course Christmas songs were being played. Well, what else. Nothing else would be on the radio today.
Because it was Christmas.
And he was not in Japan.
Not like he was religious or that he wanted to see his family. Christmas didn’t really have a tradition in Japan. But it was the first time in years he wouldn’t be together with Mika. And even worse. He wouldn’t be there for his birthday either.
Shu stepped under the shower, hoping the water would wash away at least part of the guilt he felt for not being there for Mika. Not that Mika hadn’t understood, or had complained or had been angry. On the contrary.
Shu had called him right after the appointment at the doctor’s, saying that it was impossible for him to fly with a sinusitis. And Mika was so kind. Shu knew that Mika was disappointed, and yet his voice had only reflected worry, and Mika had said again and again that it wouldn’t matter if he was in Japan or not, as long as Shu would recover.
Mika had been indeed very worried, had texted Shu every day to ask about his health and if he was resting enough. And 2 days ago Shu had received a care package from Japan, including tons of lemon candies (Mika was of the firm opinion that lemon candies cured every disease), a knitted scarf for Shu and Mademoiselle, and fashion magazines to read, to make sure Shu would stay in bed. Shu was very grateful. And ashamed.
Only because he wanted to study abroad, they were separated this year.
Landlady hadn’t said a single word about it in the last days, but she definitely noticed how Shu had been fighting with his emotions; especially when he asked her if it was really alright for him to stay for the winter holidays with her. Her own daughters were both living abroad with their families, so landlady had enthusiastically announced only one day later that she would host a traditional big French Christmas festival for Shu, which she hadn’t done in many years.
Shu wasn’t too fond of the idea to celebrate, when all he wanted was to sleep until the next year, but also he felt so grateful that she tried everything to cheer him up.
Of course he had read about Réveillon de Noël before, and he knew that it was an extravagant dinner, which lasted for hours, and he definitely wanted to experience it one day. He just hadn’t thought it would be like this. And without Mika.
The Christmas songs were getting too annoying, so he stepped out of the shower. He quickly dried his body and got dressed in comfortable clothes, before walking downstairs. He could sit around all day and be depressed, or he could try to at least get something done for his studies.
His atelier was connected to the first floor of the building, and when he wasn’t at the university, he spent most of the time here. Of course landlady had expected him to come here. The heating was on, and on his working table was the water boiler, with cups and some tea bags.
Bois suffisamment si tu ne te reposes pas.
She was really too much, but of course she was right. He had to drink more. So he made himself a cup of tea, grabbed the blanket that she had put on the table and opened his notes. He was working on three designs for university classes, which really needed a second thought.
His phone lit up.
One of his friends had sent a group message. Shu never responded in the chat (at this point none of them expected him to), but he had learnt how to read them at least. Only now he saw that he had an unread message on top. He forgot to check his phone most of the time, to everyone’s annoyance.
To his own surprise Mika hadn’t even texted him since yesterday, but the unread message was from Wataru.
Shu opened the messages, and was greeted with a photo of Wataru, wearing a Christmas hat, waving at the camera.
“Ho ho ho, my dearest Shu! Santa Clause has sent you a Christmas present from Japan! I hope my gift will help you to feel better soon~!”
Shu smiled. “Thank you”, he texted back, “I fear what it will be, but I know that you only mean well.”
Wataru answered with an emoji, that stuck out its tongue. He quickly sent another photo, of his livestage shoes perfectly lined up against the wall. He was apparently backstage… and right. It was the Christmas live, that fine and some other units would hold today.
“Good luck”, Shu texted, “Only to you though.” He still hated a special member of fine.
Wataru sent him a kiss emoji.
Shu smiled and put down his phone.
The warmth of the room and the hot tea made him sleepy again, despite him just getting out of bed before. Taking a shower was exhausting when being sick.
The blanket was really comfortable. He leant back, taking his notes in his hands. He would just go through everything once.
When he had fallen asleep, he wasn’t really sure. But he was awoken by a soft hand, that stroked his head.
“Tu devrais dormir dans ton lit, pas ici.”
Shu blinked. For a moment he actually thought he was sleeping in his bed, and not in his atelier. He blinked. Landlady was still wearing her warm hat, and her warm scarf. Apparently she had just gotten back from doing the shopping. And she smiled at him so kindly.
“Oui”, he answered, sitting up. He hadn’t really wanted to fall asleep here, but the antibiotics really made him weak.
She smiled at him. “Je t'ai rapporté un cadeau du Japon.”
A gift from Japan? Well that was surely what Wataru had meant with his message. Did he send the present express or why was it already here? On Christmas Eve even.
Landlady finally started to take off the scarf, and stepped back outside. Shu was still too tired to hear what she was saying, but she was definitely saying something. Probably telling him to go back to his room. He put away his notes and got up from the chair.
Not like she would let him help prepare the dinner or help with the Christmas decoration in the living room.
Shu followed her back to the apartment, but when he opened the door fully, it hit a large suitcase.
Shu narrowed his eyes, wondering why Wataru would send him a suitcase, when a sudden voice from behind him, startled him.
“Joyeux Noël, Oshi-san.”
For a moment Shu thought that he was still dreaming.
He still stared at the suitcase, not even able to turn around. Now that he thought about it, he actually knew that suitcase. Very well. He knew those stickers. The cute cat and the doughnut, as well as the lipstick, which Arashi had slapped on it some months ago, to remind Mika to bring her a souvenir from Paris.
“Kagehira”, Shu finally whispered, before he slowly dared to turn around. And indeed, there he was. Landlady looked very pleased. She took Mika’s coat and hung it next to hers.
“Je suis dans la cuisine”, she said as she grabbed the shopping bags, winking at both of them.
“Oui, merci”, Mika answered before Shu could.
Shu blinked.
“Surprise”, Mika said again. He smiled all over his face, though he seemed a bit worried. Maybe even insecure.
“That… is indeed a surprise”, Shu whispered, absolutely not able to realize if this was real or not, “A true surprise…” He felt his heart beating faster than ever. His head was spinning, but differently than in the last days. It was definitely a positive feeling, though he was still speechless, totally taken by surprise.
“Ya shouldn’t really stand around in the entry hall like this”, Mika finally said in a scolding tone to break the weird vibes between them, “Let’s go to yer room. Yer dressed way t’ lightly.”
“I am not”, Shu answered, but Mika had already grabbed both of his suitcases and carried them upstairs. Shu followed, suddenly feeling rather insecure as well. He wanted to grab one of the suitcases, but Mika was too fast. Being sick really made him slower than usual.
And then it hit him! He was sick! And dressed in his comfortable clothes! “You shouldn’t see me like this”, Shu muttered, angry with himself. He knew that his nose was still red and bloody, and his skin colour had been better. Not to mention that he hadn’t even brushed his hair after the shower! And those awful comfortable clothes! If he had known that Mika would come, he would have put on his finest clothes!
“I think ya look good, like always”, Mika said, smiling at him, “This is the Oshi-san I wanna see. No wait, that sounds wrong. I wanna see a healthy Oshi-san. But when yer sick, I also want t’ see ya and help ya feel better. Ya look good t’ me, always.”
Shu followed him into his room, still a bit overwhelmed with his emotions. He sat down on the bed, still not sure if he was really awake.
Mika pushed his suitcases into a corner and pushed the door close, “Ya better lie down. Tonight will be long, ya know? The dinner will take hours.”
“First you explain why you are here”, Shu said, but he didn’t protest when Mika pulled the blanket over his shoulders.
“Well ya couldn’t come, so I thought… ah wait. Maybe ya didn’t want me here, right?”
“Don’t be stupid, Kagehira! Of course I do!”
Mika suddenly looked very relieved, “Ha, then everyone was right after all.”
“Everyone?” Shu blinked. Mika bit his lips, apparently not happy that he had spilled the beans.
“Start from the beginning, and explain everything.”
Mika giggled a bit. Because Shu patted with his hand next to him, Mika finally dared to sit down.
“Nnah, where should I start?”
“When did you plan to come here, and why didn’t you tell me anything? I could have prepared everything!”
“Nnah, that wasn’t initially my idea”, Mika sighed, “So it all started when ya called me, after the doctor’s appointment. Ya said yer not allowed t’ fly t’ Japan because of yer sinusitis, right?”
How Shu remembered that. He had fought the tears when he had said it. And Mika had fought his tears as well, Shu could hear that in Mika’s voice, despite constantly saying that this wasn’t a big deal, and that Shu had to focus on his health.
“So I was at Café Cinnamon when ya called, and Amagi-senpai overheard our conversation. The moment I hung up, he already grabbed ma arm and dragged me outside.”
Shu looked surprise, “Amagi?”
Mika nodded, “I thought he was gonna do sumethin’ weird again, but he said he cannot allow that t’ happen. He dragged me all the way back to the ES office, not even givin’ me a chance to say anythin’.”
“And then?”
Mika sighed, “I didn’t even understand what he was gonna do. He stormed right into vice president’s office, and he demanded I hafta be flown t’ Paris right away, because yer sick and ya need me by yer side. Before vice president could even say anythin’, Amagi-senpai said that it was important t’ not separate us over Christmas. And that this is what the fans would want as well. He didn’t even give vice president or me the chance t’ say anythin’ in return.”
“And that was it?” Shu asked puzzled.
“Vice president suddenly said that Amagi-senpai wasn’t wrong, and that it would be… nnah, forgot what he said. Fanservice or so?”
Shu looked as puzzled as Mika.
“He then agreed and said it would be best fer me t' spend the holidays with ya, and immediately sat down t' book a flight fer me.”
Shu looked surprised, that Ibara would have agreed right away. “But what about your birthday stream? You have to be in Japan on your birthday.”
Mika grinned, “Na, Oshi-san. Yer usually so intelligent, but the internet is still a mystery t’ ya, right?”
Shu blinked.
“Doesn’t matter where I am, as long as I have internet. I’ll stream from here. I hafta get up in the middle of the night, but that’s fine. I will be jetlagged anyway. Vice president said if I promise him t’ not miss the stream and explain it t’ the fans that I rushed t’ Paris to be with ya when yer sick, we’d have a deal.”
Shu shook his head.
“Yer angry?” Mika asked carefully.
“I am not, on the contrary”, Shu said, “I just can’t believe you have known for six days that you would fly here, and have managed to keep it a secret from me. I didn’t even have the faintest idea.”
“Nnah, because I wasn’t sure if it was really alright”, Mika admitted. He shifted a bit on the bed. “Even though vice president immediately booked the flight, and he even had t’ book a business seat, because economy was already full, I said I can’t just come t’ ya. Ya don’t live here alone.”
Shu nodded.
“So Amagi-senpai made a big fuss in the ES building that I hafta go. Kiryuu-senpai saw that and came over t' save me from him.”
“Don’t tell me Kiryuu is also part of this conspiracy…”
Mika giggled a bit and pulled his legs up on the bed, “Nnah, can’t deny it. I told him ‘bout ya bein’ sick, and he immediately agreed with Amagi-senpai and said I hafta fly t’ Paris. I told him I am worried about landlady. I can’t just ring the doorbell on Christmas and invite maself, right? He understood that and suggested we should ask someone, who can contact her and ask her if it was alright if I came t' Paris.”
Shu narrowed his eyes, “Don’t tell me you two…”
“We went t’ see yer grandfather the next day”, Mika admitted, “I was too scared t’ go alone, so Kiryuu-senpai said he’d accompany me. I’ve been at the hospital with ya, so I know where grandfather is currently livin’. Nnah, I was so scared when I knocked at the door, but yer grandfather was so happy when I stepped into the room. He had his laptop open already, and immediately started to type right away and greet me!”
Shu could imagine that. He knew that his grandfather was rather fond of Mika. They would sometimes write each other letters – yes handwritten letters, because both of them were eccentric – and his grandfather had said multiple times already that Shu had found such a wonderful partner in Mika and that he was glad to know, that Mika would always be by his side.
Mika looked a bit embarrassed, “I wasn’t really sure if he would say anythin’…”
“Ah yes”, Shu smiled, “You talked quite a bit with Raphaelo about me. I don't know any details, because both of you still keep it a secret from me.” Shu had no idea why, but his grandfather loved to tease him about the little secret he shared with Mika.
“I have said a lot of things back then”, Mika said, blushing a bit, “So I was worried that he would talk about that in front of Kiryuu-senpai. But instead he already knew why I’d come.”
“He did?” Shu reached for a tissue and blew his nose. Though he hated to do that in front of Mika, his nose would not corporate in this very second. Mika anyway knew that Shu was sick, and he couldn’t bother to go outside now.
“He said that yer sick, and we need t’ find a way t’ make yer holidays special.”
Shu smiled, but then he frowned, “Wait. I hadn’t told him that I was sick.” A sudden realisation hit him. “… these two have been in contact all along!”
“These two?”
“Landlady and grandfather.”
Mika nodded. “Actually, yeah. I said that there was the possibility I could visit ya, but I was worried about landlady. Grandfather immediately grabbed his phone and typed right away. Nnah, before I was finished with what vice president hat planned, he already smiled and typed on his laptop, sayin’ landlady agreed that it was a great idea, and I am more than welcome here. And that she wants to show us how Christmas is celebrated in Paris.”
Shu shook his head, “So she knew all along as well… no wonder she constantly said all those days that I will definitely have a wonderful Christmas.”
“I hope ya will”, Mika whispered. And finally the awkward distance between seemed to fully disappear. Mika reached for Shu’s hand, and Shu gladly took it.
“Oh, but what a stupid mistake I have made”, Shu suddenly realized, “I have sent your Christmas present and birthday present to Japan!” Two days ago Shu’s friends from university had visited him (and unfortunately even had to point out how he would miss Mika’s birthday on top), and then one friend had offered to immediately send the package to Japan.
“He he!”
Mika let go off his hand and jumped off the bed. He rushed over to one of the suitcases and opened it. And surely enough, there was the very package Shu had sent to Japan.
“How is this possible?” Shu whispered, “I asked my friend to send it to you only two days ago… even though I said to please send it express…” Shu hesitated.
Mika grinned, as he took out not only that parcel, but also neatly wrapped presents, placing them on the table.
“Wataru, right?”
“Yes and no”, Mika said mysteriously, “He was there, but he was not the one t' make that miracle possible.”
Shu pointed to the bed and Mika quickly came back, “Because I wouldn’t be in Japan on ma birthday, Naru-chan, Ritsu-kun and Ayase-kun celebrated ma birthday with me before ma flight. We went to a trendy café, and from there Hibiki-senpai picked us up with the car and drove us t' Narita.”
“To Narita?” Shu asked surprised.
“Mmh, because the flights were already full, vice president had to book me on a flight from Narita!”
And Mika had said earlier, it was even a business seat! Shu was surprised Saegusa spent so much money on them without making a fuss.
“On the way t’ the airport, vice president called me and said that I just got a package from ya. But it was t’ late t’ turn around and get it. We had no idea what t’ do. But then Ayase-kun had an idea! He called Kazehaya-senpai and explained the situation. Kazehaya-senpai said that it’s no problem at all, he would gladly bring me the package right t’ the airport. And when we arrived in Narita, he was already there! I have no idea how he did that. When I asked if he had been flying, he just laughed.”
Shu shook his head again, “So let me get this straight. Besides you, Amagi, grandfather, landlady and Kiryuu, Wataru, Kazehaya, Narukami, Ayase and Sakuma otouto also were in this together!”
“Yep!” Mika grinned, “And because I had a business flight, I could have two suitcases anyway. So we quickly bought a second one right at the airport, re-arranged everythin’, and then I was good t’ go!”
“Half of ES did that behind my back”, Shu said, still shaking his head, but smiling softly.
“Not just fer ya”, Mika pointed out, “I was so sad t’ be without ya as well.”
“Wouldn’t you have preferred to be in Japan though?” Shu asked.
It was Mika’s turn to shake his head, “I just wanna be with ya, no matter where.”
This time Shu reached for his hand and gently took it in his.
“When is your flight back?”
Mika hesitated. “Nnah, I haven’t booked a flight yet.”
Shu rose his eyebrows.
“I…”, Mika looked away, avoiding Shu’s eyes, “Well I didn’t know when ya would feel better, right? And I thought I should just stay now fer the time bein’, until yer really better again. And just see how… how everythin’ will be. Is… is that alright with ya?”
Shu knew what this meant. He softly nodded, not able to answer really. He softly pressed Mika’s hand, and Mika pressed back. Mika finally dared to look at him again.
For a moment both just looked at each other lovingly, until a soft knock was heard from the door.
“Mika, j'ai besoin de ton aide maintenant.”
“Ah, oui!” Mika immediately let go off his hand, though Shu was sure that the landlady already knew that there was something between them.
“She just said that…”
“She needs my help”, Mika said to Shu’s surprise, “I know what this is about. We have made plans the last days already.”
“You two have what…?”
“Oh, when I was at yer grandfather’s, she said we should exchange phone numbers. She already wanted t’ ask me last time I was here, but then thought I might find it weird. She said it’s easier t’ just talk in person if something ever comes up. And ‘cause I felt bad for her doin’ all the Christmas cookin’ alone, I said I have become interested in cookin’ maself and would like to learn from her. She was delighted t’ hear that and said she would gladly teach me. She picked me up from the airport earlier, and then we did the grocery shoppin’ together. Already learnt a lot!” Mika looked excited. Shu couldn’t believe what he just heard. They were already so close?
Mika finally got up from the bed. He pulled the blanket over Shu, softly pressing him back to force him to lie down on the bed. “Maintenant, repose-toi un peu.”
Shu’s eyes widened. Since when did Mika speak French with him? And wait. Landlady only spoke French. And she was in contact with Mika? How were they even communicating?
He knew Mika was starting to pick up the language and had started to study together with Aira, but… was he already that good?
“But I…” Shu said, but in that moment another knock was heard from the door, and this time the door opened, and landlady came in, holding a hot tea cup.
“Mika a raison, tu vas dormir maintenant. Tu n'es pas encore complètement rétabli.”
Shu blinked again. The way how she smiled at Mika made him a bit worried. They seemed to get along really well – and Shu was not sure if it was best for him when these two sided together. He had no other chance already but to listen to them now and get some more rest.
And then it hit Shu. She was probably the reason why Mika had gotten so much better in French! He wasn’t the best at studying, but he had an extreme talent to pick up knowledge when it was in front of his nose, just like how he had learnt how to sew just by copying Shu.
Unbelievable.
“I will ask Mado-nee later if you have rested”, Mika said before he left the room.
Oh right. And Mademoiselle, of course. She would also side with Mika and landlady. He really stood no chance.
Shu closed his eyes. He was really tired. And when he fell asleep, he fell asleep with a smile on his face, hearing the laughing voices from the kitchen. He really felt home.