Hot chocolate is one of the things that say winter without uttering a word. As if it's a sign of when things become cooler, like how popsicles and ice cream are the treats of the warmer weather. It's a sign that friends and family come together to share this delicious chocolate treat as the world grows cooler. Singing along to songs that are well known as the frosty breath escapes their own lips. Showing how they are warm regardless of the cold.

This was one of Kokichi's favorite parts of the holiday. Where Shuichi and himself would go with Rantaro to a small cafe that was run by Kaede. She decided to take on another job aside from her piano playing and she was enjoying it a lot more than she first thought. Because of this she decided to continue working at the cafe. They make the best peppermint hot chocolate that either of them had ever tasted. Kaede told them that her mother was the one to give her the recipe before she moved away from her family to pursue other things. This came along with a lot of other gifts, pictures, and clothing from her parents because they wanted their little girl to be ready for the world.

Shuichi, Kokichi, Rantaro, Ryoma, and Sindy all have been going to the cafe for this tradition for 7 years or more. Before they would all gather in Kaede's home and drink hot chocolate together, but after she opened the cafe out of respect for her they all decided to move it there.

It wasn't always a group of 5 people, it started out with just Kokichi and Rantaro, but after Kokichi and Shuichi had gotten together Rantaro decided to invite him to join. After this Ryoma also joined because Rantaro told him it wasn't good for him to always be alone on the holidays. Ryoma eventually agreed with him and joined the three of them. Sindy came a little later after. She is Rantaro's youngest sister and after she had been found after 2 years of being lost she was reunited with her family. Rantaro invited her after she recovered to join them. He made sure the others were cautious not to mention anything about the time she went missing as not to trigger her. They all respected this and let her come along. In the beginning they let her come along because they pitied her for what had happened, but after some time they came to get to know the real her and appreciate her being around them for being herself not being 'the girl who was lost for two years'

With this tradition going around as well as the party they would host for their high school classmates they had grown close to over the years. They all look forward to these little traditions because it made them feel like a big happy family.

...

"Rantaro! Shuichi and Kokichi are already at the cafe! We need to get going!" Sindy yelled from the bottom of the stairs as Rantaro was grabbing his jacket. "I'm coming, I'm coming," He said back, making her scoff.

"And you say I take forever~," She said with a teasing tone making him laugh a bit. He moved his hand to pat her head. He knew better than anyone that this made her blush. "H-hey!" She yelped moving out of his grasp. He chuckled again before he moved back to her side.

"We should get going though," He said with a wink that made her playfully hit his arm. "Dumbass!" She said with a scowl. He rolled his eyes and moved out to the car with her. She rushed to get into the passenger seat shivering in the cold outside as well as the cold of the car that was still warming up.

"Cold!" Sindy said with her teeth chattering as her body shook trying to warm her up a bit. "It's warming up, just give it a moment." Rantaro said, putting a hand on her shoulder. She shrugged his hand off before moving in her seat so her back was straight.

"I-i'm not cold," She said with a stutter. He sighed and started backing out of the driveway. "Yeah, sure you are," He said, turning the heater up. She smiled a bit but soon placed it with a playful scowl.

"You are definitely special to me SinSin~," He teased before she groaned again. "You are definitely something else that's for sure!" She said angrily. Her face was flushed partially because of the cold and partially because of her embarrassment. Rantaro decided to let it go as they drove to the cafe.

...

"Shumai! I don't want to go outside! It's way too coooollllddd!" Kokichi exclaimed, clinging to Shuichi's coat that he was trying to get from him. Shuichi just sighed and moved over to him to pick him up. He let Kokichi wrap his arms around him as well as letting his legs move around him so he could hold him up as they always would do when he would get home from work.

"But it's traditional Kokichi," He sighed slowly getting his coat away from Kokichi. Kokichi just groaned again. "But Shumai!" He complained before Shuichi got an idea.

"Okay let's make a deal." He said putting a hand to Kokichi's cheek as Kokichi let his body move away from him a bit so they were both standing again. "Okay~ I'm listening~," He teased making it harder for Shuichi to focus. He shook his head a few times.

"If you go to this, which I might mention that Rantaro, Sindy, and Ryoma will all be there, I will let you decide what we do for the rest of the night." He said slightly regretting the words that came out of his mouth. "Anything?" He asked with a smirk making this regret in Shuichi only grow.

"Yes," He said through clenched teeth. "Great! Then let's go!" He said changing his demeanor so he wasn't complaining anymore. Shuichi felt better about this as Kokichi was putting on his coat and his hat. Now they would be able to leave for the party...sure it was still really early and they didn't have to drive far, but it's better to be early than late. In Shuichi's opinion anyway.

"Lost in your thoughts again~?" He asked, pulling the collar of Shuichi's shirt down to his own level. Shuichi blushed at this now wanting to admit he was. Kokichi smiled and planted a kiss on his cheek, making Shuichi's eyes widen.

"K-kokichi?" He yelped before Kokichi groaned a bit. "Come on Shumai~ You don't need to be embarrassed!" He exclaimed, placing another kiss on his cheeks. This made Kokichi know that Shuichi was embarrassed--really embarrassed.

He didn't say anything else as he planted another kiss on his other cheek before moving down to his lips. Before he even moved closer Shuichi had closed his eyes in anticipation only to be met with Kokichi's hand. "Oh you thought I would kiss you my beloved?" He asked in a more serious tone. This made Shuichi confused.

"Yes?" He asked before Kokichi giggled a bit. "Well you are going to have to wait until later if you want me to kiss you~," He said, poking his cheek. He let go of his collar letting him stand up straight again. His face was flustered and he felt like he had some anger and jealousy inside of him because Kokichi wouldn't kiss him...but it was because he was doing it out of spite because of before. Well, at least he hoped that's what it was.

...

"Another Holiday." Ryoma said to his mirror as he sighed again. It has been years since she had left this world...and he always seemed to blame himself because of it. He always wondered if maybe she wasn't with him that she may still be alive today, but this wasn't the case. She was dead, six feet under the ground dead. And Ryoma hated himself for it.

"I should get going before they start wondering about me...or worse Rantaro and Sindy come to get me." He said with another groan as he grabbed his jacket. He looked back at his room. It was always so empty without her...everything just seemed dull to him. But at least tonight he would be around others who care about him. Helping him to remember her.

He grabbed his car keys and checked the group chat. Shuichi and Kokichi were already over at the cafe and Sindy and Rantaro were on their way. So, he wouldn't be super late if he left now...'so best to go.' He thought before grabbing the doorknob. It seemed so heavy when his hand was trying to turn it.

"Come on Ry! You got this!" She said to him with a smile

He blinked a few times before he smiled. "You were always here to get me out of the house every once and awhile, guess I still need to do that for myself huh?" He asked himself to pull out a locket he had. It had a picture of her in it and always made him feel like he wasn't alone anymore, even if it was just for a small moment.

"They would have loved you," He said with a small laugh. "Merry Christmas my love," He said before going out the door before closing it. Leaving the house empty again.

...

"Rantaro! Sindy!" Kokichi exclaimed. Shuichi just rolled his eyes playfully at him. "Don't want to come, my ass..." Shuichi whispered to him before he just winked at him.

"Hey guys!" Sindy said with a smile as she ran over to the two of them. She pulled them both into a hug making both of them return the gesture. "How are you guys doing?" Ryoma asked, coming into the cafe after they had made this exchange.

"Hey little dude!" Rantaro said with a smile moving over to him to give him a pat on the shoulder. He still wasn't super comfortable with hugs or other affection like that, but he was slowly warming up to the others.

"We have been doing alright-" Shuichi said before Kokichi cut him off. "We are doing great! Now that the party can start!" Kokichi said, holding his hands up before wrapping his left arm around Shuichi's waist. Shuichi bushed at this but didn't comment on it.

"That's good," Ryoma said before they all moved to sit down at the booth that was reserved for this occasion. It was a comfy booth, it had nice chairs and there were Christmas decorations around them. Snowflakes, gingerbread, and holly hung from the ceiling as well as around the windows and doors.

"So is everyone ready to get warmed up and celebrate another year?" Rantaro asked before Kaede came over and brought them their drinks. She already knew they were coming so she was prepared to make them, and when Shuichi and Kokichi came in she started making them.

"To another year!" Sindy said holding up her glass. She felt stronger after all the hardships she has been through in the past, but is so thankful for making it this far where she is able to be surrounded by all these people who care about her.

"To another year!" Kokichi said before Shuichi added, "To another year!" They were both very grateful and happy that they had been able to meet one another in high school. Sure they had their fights and hardships together, but that's the key word, together. They have been through it all together and they know that they are going to keep it that way, always and forever.

"To another year!" Rantaro said with Kaede. They were both thankful for how they have been able to become friends. In high school they were never the closest, but after he found Sindy Kaede became friends with her. She was Sindy's first friend who was a girl when she was found and it made Rantaro happy about how kind she was to her. Kaede knew about that but she genuinely wanted to be friends with Sindy and she couldn't even be able to show Sindy how much of a good friend she is even if she can't see it sometimes.

"To another year," Ryoma said before they all took the first drink of their hot chocolate. It warmed his heart and he even felt another presence around him. Like she was there with him...just for another night.

They all laughed and shared stories of the year as they all bonded over the warm chocolate treat. It was a tradition they would never forget, and a tradition that would never be forgotten by anyone.

Wondering if this is my life

Wondering where the time went
Wishing that you were here
Wishing that you were near
Just that you could be mine

Just one last time

Happy of your return

One day we all will learn

How precious the little things are

Loving you with all my heart

Falling harder for your laugh and charm

Love you to infinity
Because that's my love for you

Never ending

Maybe that's what this can be
Endless as we all share this moment

Warming our hearts this Christmas season

-Another part! I love writing these honestly! Thank you all so much for reading!-

-SK-