Chapter Text
December 22
Two nights before Christmas Eve
“Merry Christmas!”
Retsuko, Gori and Washimi laugh as they clink their glasses together. They are out having drinks in a posh new bar. Gori looks around in awe, and turns to the red panda.
“How did you find this place? It’s fabulous!”
Before she can answer, Washimi interjects with her dulcet tone. “Tadano brought you here, didn’t he?”
Retsuko blushes. “Yeah… He likes discovering new places before they become trendy…”
“Always the pioneer, I see...”
“Still, we discovered you first!” Gori points out. “I’m glad we could see you tonight. We’ve missed you so much!”
“Sorry…” Retsuko smiles, clearly not sorry. “These last weeks have been like a dream… But enough about me. What are you doing on Christmas Eve?”
“I’m going to the Hakuba ski resort!” Gori beams, showing off pictures on her phone. “I wanted to bring Washimi with me, but she hates snow…”
“That’s right.” Washimi waves her hand. “I’m taking it easy this year. I just want to stay home, drink wine and watch the shows I’ve missed.”
“Both of your plans sound awesome...” Retsuko takes a sip of her cocktail. Her friends share a glance, and then smirk at her.
“You want us to ask you what you are doing this Christmas, don’t you, Retsuko?”
“Well, we know who she’s doing…”
“Goriii!”
The trio bursts out laughing, fueled by joy and alcohol. Retsuko can’t stop giggling as she puts her drink down.
“Actually… I have no idea.”
“What?!” Gori is incensed. “Did Tadano not ask you out? Do we need to beat some sense into him?”
“Oh, no! He asked me out! But it’s a surprise. He just told me to clear my schedule from Christmas to New Year’s Eve…”
“Oh my gosh!” Gori wiggles in her seat. “He’s totally taking you on a trip! So romantic!”
“It’s a possibility.” Washimi nods. “Do you have your passport ready?”
“Passport?” Retsuko blinks. “I don’t have one… I’ve never been out of the country, so…”
“Hmm…” Gori and Washimi ponder for a moment. “It’s too late to get one now...”
“Maybe he’ll take me to Hokkaido.” Retsuko smiles. “We had our first date there… And he always says it’s beautiful in winter…”
“Aww!” Gori’s squeal turns into a groan. “We won’t be at the same resort!”
“It’s for the best,” Washimi pats her friend’s back. “Retsuko and Tadano are going to be too busy for the slopes, anyway.”
Their laughter rings across the bar, and Retsuko glows with happiness.
***
Later that night, Retsuko checks the contents of her suitcase and closes it with a smile, thinking about the certain items she had packed to surprise Tadano with. He had played coy on the phone, saying he would pick her up first thing in the morning. Retsuko hums a happy tune as she gets ready for bed, eager for tomorrow to come.
The crackling of the fireplace is the only sound in the bedroom, besides the sighs of the young couple kissing on the couch. Retsuko reluctantly draws apart to catch her breath. Tadano hums, hiding his face on the crook of her neck.
“I don’t ever want to leave…”
She laughs, still breathless. “But we’re on vacation. Won’t it be a waste of time?”
“Never.” He squeezes her like a pillow. “Every moment with you is time well spent.”
He kisses her again, pinning her down on the couch. Retsuko moans, feeling herself getting carried away by the moment, until a sharp pain makes her gasp. Her boyfriend stops, looking at her with concern.
“Retchan? Did I hurt you?”
Retsuko wakes up. The sharp pain is still there, and she frantically pats her bedding, the moist sensation confirming her worst nightmare.
Her period. Right before her trip.
She slowly limps across her small apartment to go to her bathroom. After changing her pajamas, she puts on her teapot and sits down, pressing her temples. Having her period during the holidays is not ideal, but maybe she can power through it.
Her teapot whistles and she pours the hot water on a mug. Another cramp makes her double over on her seat, and she whimpers. She feels nauseous and weak and this is just starting.
“Please,” She begs, almost in tears. “Please let me go on this trip. Please…”
Retsuko drags herself back to her bed, hoping to feel better in the morning.