"Say..."

Iris took a sip of her coffee as she look up at Jin.

"It's getting colder these days huh."

"Since it's Christmas soon after all."

Jin replied with a eye-closed smile. Stella had been reminding him everyday so it's hard not to remember it. 

*clack*

Suddenly, the sugar spoon Iris was using suddenly fell on the table, her eyes widened. Her lips started to move but no sound was heard.

"Iris-san?"

Jin tilted his head in wonder.

"...mas..."

"Yes? What did you say?"

"Christmas is COMING?!"

Iris immediately stood up as she slammed her hands on the poor table, which made everyone in the cafe turned their attention to her. The moment she realized she was too outstanding, she embarrassedly faked a cough then bent down to pick up her things and put them all in her purse. 

"I-i just remembered that I still have works to take care of so I'm leaving now."

"O-oh, it can't be helped then.", Jin nodded understandingly. "Please take care of yourself  Iris-san."

He then sent her off with a warm smile.

"Of course! See ya Jin!" 

Iris smiled back then dashed out with full force. Her cheeks was a peach-color pink, that smile just now of Jin was somewhat a critical hit.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

About half a week before Christmas.

Iris had been shutting in her room for the whole time, forbidding everyone from entering. Only Haru was called in for a few times though. No one except her knew what Iris doing and of course, she had to keep it a secret.

But Iris is not the real main problem here, everyone were worried about Jin on the other hand. Ever since then, he had always been like a puppy that lost his owner. Anyone could see his so-called puppy ears cupped as he sulked on his own in the corner of the gathering room.

"Iris-san is ignoring me..." would always be his first line if anyone asked him what's wrong.

Then there's this one day.

Jin was talking to some soldiers when his contact device lighted up. The name on the screen was...

"Iris-san!"

He quickly answered the call. From the other side of the screen was his beloved's voice, as calming and energetic as always. 

"Oh Jin! Are you near here? Are you near a shop then? Well whatever, can ya bring me some wool rolls? The yellow ones. Quick, it's an emergency!"

"G-got it! Let's talk another time guys. Goodbye!"

Jin then dissappeared as fast as when his 3D screen showed up, at lightning speed. Thoses who were left could do nothing but sigh and laughed at Jin's reaction.

As soon as possible, Jin had already arrived at Iris's room, knocking at her door.

"Iris-san? Iris-sann!?"

He called her name impatiently.

"Coming~!"

After a minute, a familiar figure appeared in front of Jin's eyes. Must had felt like forever, for him to get to see her, since his heart was beating so fast he couldn't breath.

"Iris-san!"

"Yes, what's up?"

"Er, uh, the emergency?"

"Oh that! Yup I'm really in need of wool right now! Did you bring any?"

Iris looked as if she recalled it just now.

"Of course" Jin answered as he took the wool rolls out of his bag, "here it is."

He placed them on Iris's hands.

"Thanks! You a my life saver!"

She replied with a smile as she closed the door right away, not giving Jin any chance to react.

Going back to the small table near her bed, the humming Iris was called out by the other girl in the room.

"Iris-san..."

It was Haru, sitting on the floor, she couldn't help but feel bad for the boy who's the same age as her.

"Don't you think Jin-san is kind of pitiful...?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Haru sweat dropped.

"You guys haven't since each others for days, you know? At least you should try praising him or something...? I'd be happy if... E-Erwin-san did so... I think..."

Iris was dumpfound, seemed like she was unawared of the obvious fact.

"Ah!"

Her head finally finished loading everything, she then immediately dashed to the front door, finding Jin still standing there, seemed to be pouting.

It's a pouting Jin!!!

At that moment, something striked Iris's heart.

"S-sorry for closing the door on you Jin haha..."

Hearing Iris's voice, the guy looked up with stars in his eyes.

"L-let's see." His gaze made it harder for her to calm herself down. "I'm doing some really really really important work so I didn't have the time to meet up with you haha... sorry. But thanks to you, I'm finishing it! S-so!", Iris slowly raised her hand and pat Jin's head. "You was a great help."

Jin's eyes widened. He couldn't find anything to say so he just stood still, blushing.

After Jin left, Iris finally could come back into her room. Iris's face was so hot that it felt like it was on fire just now, she tried her best to look calm. She was then greeted again by Haru.

"Welcome back. You did well, Iris-san."

Haru smiled warmly.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chirstmas Eve

They finally have a date tonight!

Jin was waiting impatiently at Grace City Square. Normally he wouldn't be like this at all. He just can't help but feel happy to meet Iris after all those times, not to mention going on a date together.

"Jin!!!!"

The suddenness almost made Jin dropped the drink he was holding.

"Iris-san!"

His face brightened up as soon as he saw Iris's face.

"Sorry, did I make you wait?"

"Not at all! I had also just come here!"

He came here half an hour ago. But Iris didn't arrive late, Jin was too soon ahead.

"Really? Thank goodness..."

Iris sighed with relief.

"Should we go now? I think they're holding something quite big there."

Jin pointed at the most crowded part of the city as he took Iris's hand.

"W-wait!"

Iris suddenly pulled back which took Jin by surprise.

"Is something wrong?"

Jin tilted his head in confused.

"Actually! A-actually... I got something... for you."

"Eh?"

Iris avoided Jin's gaze in embarrassment. She then took out the gift carefully wraped in a dark blue wrapping paper.

"...this. A hand-knitted scarf..."

"Wha-"

Jin looked dumpfounded. His mind was overflowed with both surprise and joy. He tried to say something but the words remained stuck on his tongue and wouldn't come out.

Is there a word to describe this kind of happiness? He doesn't know. The only thing that was able to move were his hands, opening his gift.

"W-what do you think?"

Iris's voice seemed to be the only sound that could be heard by him right now.

"..."

The way Iris knitted the scarf was kind of clumsy. There were still some minor mistakes but it showed that she tried her best doing it on her own. It was also not a surprise if a rebellious and unique child like Iris didn't learn to knit in the past. Is this her first time?

"Is it really that bad? I'm sorry if it doesn't look that fashionable, I'll--"

Before Iris could finish her speaking, Jin cut her off by dragging her into his strong embrace. Finally he could word out his mind.

"It's beautiful..."

"!!!"

"The most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life."

"...liar hahaha" Iris let out a heartfelt laugh. "Any girls could make it prettier than me."

"But it's yours that matters."

Jin denied Iris's statement without hesitant. He only says what's truthly in his heart.

That surprised Iris a bit but knowing what kind a person Jin is, she can't help but expect this kind of reaction. Jin Seipatsu is truthly a sincere boy, no, to her, he's now a fine young man whose kindness has captured her heart.

Iris then placed a kiss on Jin cheek as she backed away.

"I'm glad. Should we go now?"

Seeing so Jin also smiled back.

"Yes, the others might be waiting."

"Hah?"

"I'm kidding haha it's just the two of us today."