The Binding Vow of Lazarus

Chapter 17

Satoru just laughed, slinging an arm around his best friend. “Oh, nothing. Just feeling extra motivated today," he said with a grin.

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Suguru blinked groggily, the room still half-dark except for the faint glow of Christmas lights strung up by Satoru weeks ago, claiming it was "festive ambiance." He cracked open his eyes to find both Satoru and Sarah looming over him like two hyperactive Christmas elves, their grins wide and mischievous. 

Before he could say a word, they shouted in unison, "Merry Christmas!" 

Suguru groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “You two really know how to start the day," he yawned, his voice thick with sleep as he tried to will himself back into unconsciousness. 

“Are you trying to go back to sleep?” Satoru gasped dramatically, placing a hand on his chest like Suguru had just suggested canceling Christmas altogether. “Suguru, it’s Christmas! It only comes once a year! Show some spirit, man!"

“Yeah, c'mon Geto,” Sarah chimed in, crossing her arms with a mock pout, “We already almost died when we woke up Shoko, and she’s way crankier than you. If she’s up, you have no excuse." 

Suguru groaned again, rubbing his eyes and sitting up slightly against his pillow. “You two have been hyping this up for weeks. Don’t you ever get tired?” he mumbled.

“Of Christmas?!” Satoru scoffed, “Never.” 

“And besides,” Sarah added, her grin softening into something more genuine, “we made pancakes. Like, really good ones. Chocolate chip and blueberry. You don’t wanna miss that, do you?” 

Suguru sighed, his resolve weakening at the mention of food. “You’re lucky I like pancakes,” he muttered, swinging his legs out of bed. 

Sarah clapped her hands, and Satoru ruffled Suguru’s hair as if he were a grumpy kid reluctantly joining the festivities. “That’s the spirit!” Satoru declared, already half-dragging him out of the room. 

As they headed down the hall, the faint smell of warm syrup and butter hit Suguru’s nose. The common area was a chaotic but cozy mess. Shoko was slouched on the couch, sipping coffee like her life depended on it, glaring half-heartedly at the cheerful Christmas playlist Satoru had blasting from the speakers. The tree in the corner looked like it was holding on for dear life under the weight of way too many ornaments and lights.

Sarah led the way to the kitchen, gesturing proudly at the mountain of pancakes stacked on a platter. “Behold! The breakfast of champions," she announced, grinning at Suguru. 

“You mean sugar addicts,” Shoko muttered from the couch, not even looking up. 

Satoru ignored her, handing Suguru a plate and patting his shoulder. “We’ve got all morning to eat, so load up," he said, "Oh, and we’re opening presents after breakfast, so don’t even think about sneaking off.” 

Suguru chuckled despite himself, the exhaustion melting away as he took in the scene. “Alright, alright. Merry Christmas, you lunatics," he said with a sigh as he sat down with his pancakes.

“Merry Christmas!” Satoru and Sarah chimed again, beaming like they’d won. 

Suguru rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. Exhausting as they were, Christmas was turning out to be pretty fun.

Gifts exchanged, and pancakes demolished, it was time to play outside. The courtyard was alive with chaos, and flying snowballs after when Suguru, Shoko, Satoru, and Sarah launched into an all-out snow battle. Satoru had immediately declared himself the “Snow Emperor” and somehow managed to form an alliance with Sarah, leaving Suguru and Shoko to fend for themselves.