“I didn’t either, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to try.” And he did feel a sense of obligation to her. He still does. She’s the first adult—real adult, not teenager—he’s met so far who seems to give a damn about him.

Joscelin looks at one of the store windows and sees a Christmas tree in it. Oh, that’s right. He knows about Christmas, doesn’t he? He can’t say why or how, but he does, probably the same way he knows how to read and fight and play the piano. Christmas Eve is tomorrow, so he’d better figure out what to get Ayumu...and his other friends besides. But definitely Ayumu. He wants to buy her something special and make her smile.

“Mistress, may we stop in that art store for a moment before we go back? I want to buy something...”