Enter EXTRA chapter?
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Enter Tear's POV?
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I remember it clearly, it was a Christmas that I would never forget, a Christmas that I will always treasure in my memory. I wish I could relive that memory again, but even I know the impossible will never happen.
This was a year before any of this tragedy happened, we were all good friends who would stick together like magnets. We do everything together, we celebrate, we laugh, we play and we study together. However, on occasions like these, I prefer to keep a distance. Why do I keep my distance?
Because Christmas was never one of my favourite holidays.
But on that cold winter day, it was perfect white Christmas for everyone, all of my classmates and other fellow students are all gathered on the mass of white snow to mess around, they were acting out their youthful age, snowballs, snow pranks, snowman, an imperfect Igloo, everything that I should be doing right now.
But as I said before, Christmas was never one of my favourite holidays.
On that Christmas day, instead of having fun, I climbed to the tallest bell tower the school has to offer. Usually, it would be locked but as a teacher's pet, they trust me with a spare key, mostly because I always make sure the tower was clean every week.
Most would say it's just for extra credits, or a great way to get on the teacher's good side, but it's actually for a personal benefit.
I would have time alone inside the bell tower, away from everyone else- away from the world.
Because inside that bell tower, is when I can really think to myself. To me and only me.
I watch everyone from high above and I couldn't help but noticed some familiar faces from here, Blue, Shin and Asahi, a trio gathered in the snow, after hanging out with them for so long, it's not a surprise to see Blue and Shin fighting over something probably stupid, and Asahi, the group's middleman, tries to keep the peace the ushered the two hotheads to cool down in this cold weather.
All of them are there and yet there was still one person missing, "Where is h-?" before I could search for that familiar face, "guess who~" my eyes were covered by leathered small hands but I smirked to myself knowing full well who it was, "how did you find me Nagi?" I pulled away from his slender hands and turned to face his cute petite face.
"Well, how long do you think I've known you for? at this point, I can practically read your mind." I chuckled at this fact, he truly does know me best, but I feel that he knows me too well...
"Anyway how long are you going to stay up here for?" he stands across me while leaning against the window, "well I don't know, depends on my mood I guess," I shrugged as I watch his mouth turns up for a chuckle, "that means you're gonna stay here all day," he exaggerates with his eyes rolled back, "anyway never mind that for today, it's Christmas! you should be happy! everyone is going to celebrate it down at the dorm!" he says with false enthusiasm.
I always knew Nagi was the type to hide his true emotions so it's pretty easy for me to sense his real emotions, but of course, I don't let him know that.
"Maybe next time Nagi," I look back outside the frozen window to watch the sun slowly setting down, "it's getting pretty late," I breathe a white huff against the cold screen, I could feel Nagi watching me, so obvious so I couldn't help but get drawn to his eyes and look into the depth of his pinkish eyes.
"Hey Tear I want to know something," in response, I hummed as a way to say 'what is it?', I watch his hand enter the depth of his blazer pocket to grab something, but kept the object in hand a secret, "Tear-" I look up at his face to see a presented smirk and a pop followed by streamers, and on cue to the party popper I heard the wooden door slam open, followed by numerous sounds of party poppers going off and a nearly in sync shout, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!"
I flinched by the sudden surprised so I didn't recognise the familiar faces, "what the-?" the trio from below was here, Blue and Shin were holding the party poppers and in the middle was Asahi with a large single layered messy crumbly chocolate cake. The decorations were simple icing and a weird white chocolate figure of me but chibi version, in the middle was red icing which read, 'HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY TEAR!' I was in shock.
How did they know today was my birthday? "we all gathered together to plan out for your surprise birthday party," Asahi sheepishly said with flush cheeks, "we even got you presents!" Shin pulled out his gift which wrapped rather messily, "pft you call that a gift?" Blue pulls out a smaller box wrapped neatly with a bow on top, "w-well I made this cake for you! although it doesn't look very good... but I'm sure it'll taste great!" he says with confidence.
"HA!" Nagi scoffs, "you call those presents? well check this out~" with a snap of his fingers the room went dark, the only thing that was lighting up the room was Asahi's cake with lighted candles and the large arched window.
"Look outside Tear~" he pointed outside the window and I looked directly at where he was pointing at.
The Academy.
The lights were off which was rather unusual, usually the academy's lights will always be on and yet it's off on a Christmass day before I could question on what I was meant to see, I noticed a flicker of a bright light being ignited at the school's ground, the light quietly flickers until it disappeared followed by the sound os a slight screech into the air.
My eyes followed whatever was released into the air and watched it explodes into many smaller bits with bright colours, first it was green, then another exploded painting the dark sky neon red, until I watch smaller explosions form together to spell out bright bold words, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' followed by an explosion of Nagi's face with a peace sign and his tongue stuck out.
I was in awe and giggled at the funny Nagi explosion, this is so nice of them.
I silently thought to myself, but, when was the last time someone celebrated my birthday? my sullen thought brought tears to my eyes.
I can't remember the last time someone said happy birthday, to be honest, I never expected anyone to since I never told anyone my birthday, then how did they find out?
I look back at their brightly lit faces by the multi neon colours, everyone was more focused on the fireworks then me, although Nagi knows me very well, I never once told him my birthday and he never asked me either.
I may be close to the others, but if Nagi, my best friend doesn't know my birthday then obviously they won't know either, so how did the find out when my birthday is?
"Aaaw it's over," I turn to Nagi who expresses his disappointment, "so what did you think Tear~?" he turns to me with a bright smile, "O-oh I thought it was great!" Although I didn't watch the rest of the fireworks I did enjoy the gift.
"Thanks, Nagi~" I felt the corners of my lip naturally go up and as of result Nagi's face becomes crimson red, "I-I see-" he stutters and looks away out of embarrassment.
"HERE!" pushed into my view was the crumbly cake, the candles seemed to have melted a bit due to the wait, "I MADE THIS FOR YOU! ALTHOUGH IT ISN'T AS GREAT AS NAGI'S! I DID MY BEST TO MAKE IT!" he yells with strawberry coloured cheeks.
I closed my eyes and thought of a wish before I quickly blew out the candles before any more wax got onto the cake, "I made a wish before any more of the wax got onto this precious cake." I smiled happily at the now happy Asahi who was bubbling with positive emotions.
"What did you wish for?" Shin asked out of curiosity, "well..." I thought for a moment before I said, "I wished we could do this again next year, right here with you guys in this bell tower, to celebrate Christmas and my birthday~" I said happily with bright hopes.
Everyone looked at one another and nodded, "of course we will!" they all agreed with a smile and a couple of embarrassed chuckles. We had the cake which was surprisingly delicious regardless of its appearance, we would tell each other funny things and laugh at one another. IT was moments like those I wish lasted forever.
But in the current present.
The bright hopes I had back then was fruitless.
Once again it was December 25th, I'm alone in this bell tower, I can hear the echoed cheery laughter of my fellow classmates.
They're all playing in the snow celebrating Christmas, I look over the crowd of bright shivering youths and noticed the familiar smiles that were once by my side, Nagi, Blue, Asahi and Shin. They were all smiling at one another, but mostly at the sole female in the middle of the group, Rose.
My hand meets gently with the freezing glass, was this room always this cold? as my hand slowly glides down, I noticed the reflection between the trace of my hand trail, it was a gloomy face. I don't remember seeing this face before, did I always have this face during Christmas? maybe because it was my birthday as well?
Well, this is my own fault for having hopes because they were easily destroyed, my head presses against the cooling window and quietly but bitterly sing to myself.
Happy birthday to me~
Happy birthday to me~
Happy birthday dear Tear~
Happy birthday to me~
And Merry Christmas Everyone~
END OF EXTRA?
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END OF EXTRA
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AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.