A very Merry Cakemas

	If she said she wasn’t nervous, that would be a huge lie. It was her first (actual) Christmas with her boyfriend and, despite being way past the whole schoolgirl crush phase, the thought of it still managed to turn her into a blushing mess. He was coming into the city for the holidays and had insisted on spending the two days of Christmas with her instead of at LeBlanc. ‘I’ll have plenty of time with them later’ he had said, though by the look on his face he was picturing the earful Sakura-san’s daughter would give him for that.
	Tokyo was cold, white and absolutely packed with residents and tourists alike. Yesterday had had pretty intense snowfall, and people were enjoying themselves playing around in it; from forts to angels to snowball fights, people delighted themselves with the cold powder with friends and family. For her, on the other hand, snow was kind of a bother. Hard to move in and cold, getting into places it most definitely shouldn’t (entry to those was a pretty short list of one; she hoped to put it to good work back in her apartment and… ‘Whoa, slow your roll, Sadayo!’), not to mention COLD, too much snow got her in a bad mood.
	‘I miss the heat of Hawaii… This year’s trip was so lame too…’ The memory of Yakushima’s small beach and humidity crawled to the front of her mind.
	‘I could do without all the bugs, as well.’ Apparently the best spots on the beach were reserved by some hot shot rich people, leaving everyone else to share the rest of less desirable places. Kiri-something, a big group with government ties or so it went.
	“Though there was that kid…” She mused aloud. She had seen a group of people, obviously with ties to the rich folk, gathered and playing and, for some insane reason, one of them just reminded her of her lover so much. It was uncanny; they had that same deep, meaningful stare he usually sported. When they looked in her eyes, some sort of shock passed her system; she couldn’t explain, but there was something about the youth that was the same as her former student.
	While she was lost in thought, the loud speaker of the train station announced an arrival, breaking Sadayo out of her spell. When she looked up, her eyes shot open and she trembled. He was supposed to be in this one! Was it time already?! She wasn’t ready! Looking from one side to the other, she couldn’t see him among the sea of people leaving the train, which only served to make her more nervous. Had there been any problems? What if he couldn’t make it? Had he sent her anything and she didn’t notice?
	She swiftly fished her phone out of her bag and started looking through her emails and messages, hoping to find nothing that would ruin the day for her. All around her cheers and happy greeting sounded out, from family reunions and friends excited to see each other on this special occasion. Just then, someone tapped her shoulder and a voice sounded out:
	“Excuse me miss, is there something wrong?” She looked up and there he was, down to that stupid smug grin of his.
	A second later, she was squeezing him for all she’s worth, his wince at the strength she used almost as satisfactory as holding him in her arms. Everything happened automatically, but it’s not like she couldn’t control herself. She totally could, shut up! She just chose not to. It was the season.
	“You’re really here!” She whispered into his shoulder, her arms absolutely NOT shaking.
	“I really am. I missed you a lot too, you know?” He finally wiggled his arms out enough to circle them around her and she never felt happier than in that moment.
	“When I couldn’t find you I thought something might’ve happened.” She pushed away to look into his eyes, the familiar electricity of his gaze traveling down her spine; she couldn’t understand how it happened every time.
	“Sorry about that; I wanted to surprise you.” He said, not looking sorry at all.
	“Jerk.” She replied, pouting.
	“Well, now that I’m here, how about you take me to your place?” His voice had an edge that made her body tingle for a completely different reason.
	“W-W-What? What are you, a dirty old man?” She tried to sound miffed, but all she managed was badly embarrassed.
	“That’s what gets you going? What a shame…” the man said, feigning disappointment.
	“Ugh, you’re impossible!” She turned around and started walking, with her boyfriend following behind with a victorious smile.
	The ride home was wonderful, just the two of them basking in each other’s presence. As cliché as it sounded, even more given the occasion, love was in the air between the two. Not having to hide themselves from the public eye was invigorating, and they just couldn’t get enough. Was it some sort of drug? Maybe Tae was involved somehow? He wouldn’t doubt given what he knew of the shrew doctor.
	Sadayo’s apartment was decorated for the season, and he couldn’t help the silly grin that formed on his lips as he saw all the cutesy decorations. It was so…girly. As much as his girlfriend liked to present herself as a serious, no-nonsense adult, she was secretly very much a girl. It made him very happy that she openly shared this side with him alone; it just made everything feel more special.
	“What’s that face for? You doofus.” She giggled, taking her time in shedding the outer layer of clothing; she wanted to give him a show.
	“It’s just funny that for all your talk about being old and responsible, you’ve such girly tastes. Makes you all the more endearing.” He winked at her and her face went aflame.
	“H-Hey! Watch it, young man, this “old” lady might give you a run for your money.” She took a stance, as if daring him.
	“Oh? Yes, please teach me a lesson, sensei~” The amount of smug swagger rolling off him was enough to choke on.
	“Ah… N-Not fair…” How did he always manage to make her stutter like a shy schoolgirl?!
	“W-We’re going out together. You’re gonna spend all day with me!” She stomped her foot to show how serious she was.
	“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His charming smile threw her for a loop.
	“G-Good.” Damnit!
	As much as she wanted to have him all to herself today, she couldn’t keep him from his friends and family. He might’ve said it was okay, but she just wouldn’t feel right. Truth is she was terribly embarrassed to be presented to his little group as the girl in his life. Two of those were her students, for pete’s sake! Sakura-san’s daughter was going to start her freshman year in her school, as well. Knowing the computer genius, she’d probably make sure to fall in her class as much as she could, and would tease her endlessly. Niijima-san and Okumura-san were also tough to face for different reasons. Niijima was the mother hen of the group and, despite deferring to her leader’s judgement, the scrutiny would be mortifying. Okumura-san, on the other hand, had a very pleasant, understanding image that would just make her feel uncomfortable.
	The meeting went much like she envisioned (except for Sakura-san’s grin. Were those two really not related?), with her face red throughout much of it. The group had all known “Joker” was in a relationship with his teacher (Dude, for real?!), but she had never been formally presented to them and that probably made it worse (Hey t-there, Kawakami-sensei.). She found out that the Kosei boy, Kitagawa-kun, had his own way to embarrass the hell out of her: his passionate speech about burning passion and pure love and his desire to paint it almost made her run then and there, but her lover’s smile of encouragement (was that a blush?) gave her the courage to face them head-on.
	Aside from all that, it had been a very happy time for all of them. Finally reunited after so long and, teasing aside, they had all been very accepting of their relationship, as Sadayo was, according to Sakura-san, the best person to get his boy to behave; the smiles the two shared, on the other hand, indicated a silent conversation that she did NOT want to think about).
	Around late afternoon, the two lovebirds said their goodbyes to the youth’s extended family and went off on their romantic Christmas Eve getaway, complete with candlelit dinner and a walk illuminated by the city lights. The reservation was ready weeks ago and, as much of a pain as it had been, it was totally worth the hassle. The cold had them holding each other for warmth and all in all it was a perfect evening.
	When they finally made it back to Sadayo’s domain, the two had had a few drinks together, and the mood was just right. Love dulled their senses as much as the alcohol and the private setting just got them all over each other. They almost tripped over the low table on the living room when the teacher stopped him with her hands.
	“Wait, there’s something I forgot.” Removing herself from his embrace, she ducked into the kitchen and came back out with a box that she put on the table. Opening it, a beautiful cake rested on a Santa Claus-decorated plate.
	“I made this just for tonight.” Kawakami’s smile was nervous, but sincere.
	“You can bake?” The boy asked, eyeing the treat.
	“I am an adult, you know! Just because I’m a fan of cooking doesn’t mean I can’t do it!” She bit back, equal parts offended and giddy.
	“I see. You just keep getting closer and closer to the perfect woman.” He said, his voice sure and dripping with affection.
	“Stop saying things like that… Let’s just eat, okay?”
	The cake wasn’t the most delicious he ever had, but it was certainly the best. He could almost taste the love and dedication she put into it and it made him feel warm inside. He licked his lips and went for another slice and, soon enough, the whole thing was gone. He looked up at her and noticed she had some frosting on her face. Heh, time to go for the kill. He had the perfect ambush.
	“Hey, the cake is supposed to go IN your mouth.” He said and she looked embarrassed.
	“Where?” He wouldn’t make it easy for her.
	“I’ll get it.” He took a napkin and leaned in, while she presented her face for him to clean.
	He got near enough that she could feel his breath on her face and, suddenly, he pulled the napkin away and licked her just next to her mouth.
	“Got it. That’s some good frosting, let me tell you.” The grin was in full display, and she got hot and bothered.
	“If you’re gonna tease me like this, at least have the decency to finish the job.” Her tone and breathy and charged, an indication of her state.
	“Someone’s eager, huh? Alright, I guess I can give you that much.” He said, all confidence.
	“Trust me, I can give as good as I get; just try me.” Her body was burning with want and she wouldn’t be denied.
	“Yosh!” He gave a fistpump, not resisting the dorky celebration.
	They closed the gap and went to work feeling, kissing and embracing each other. Being apart for so long made every moment all the more precious, being able to touch each other giving an intoxicating feeling. He dove into her; he still had some room for cake, after all.