Christmas Alone

Christmas Alone.

//Takes place in Japan. Main characters are Lucas, who moved to Tokyo, and Ema, who was born and raised. Names, genders, roles are to be discussed.//

Damn, Christmas. It sucked, being alone for Christmas. It happened last year, and now? It was probably going to happen again.

Lucas had dealt with loneliness ever since he moved. Sure, he spoke Japanese just fine, but it didn't exactly mean he had people he spent time with. Most people were well reserved - his co-workers were nice, and always pleasant, but it wasn't like they wanted to be friends outside of work. And being like, 3000 miles from home? He couldn't just go home to family.

Ema, of course, was far from being alone. She was born and raised in Tokyo. She didn't share the empty feeling he did - not exactly. They sat next to each other in the office, though. Probably the only thing they really shared was desk space. It wasn't apparent Ema may have thought the American was... Decent. He was quiet and reserved. He did talk to her at times, but those moments were uncommon and special in that way. Which was what sort of startled her - because today, Lucas pipped up again, and asked her something as he typed away.

"...You have any plans for the holidays, Ema?"

It didn't exactly occur to her from the get go, but maybe it had become apparent that Lucas didn't exactly "have plans." He talked to a couple people in the office a little bit but he probably didn't spend time with anyone outside of work. He didn't have family out here, of course. No ring on the finger, either.

"My family's out of town, and I don't exactly have the money nor the desire to go visit them in Hokkaido."

She responded, typing for a moment, before glancing over to him. This might've been the chance she'd waited for. He wouldn't have to spend Christmas alone, she could get to know him better - it was a win! Oh, but how awkward would it be? What if he didn't want her pestering him like that...?

"What about you, Lucas?"

"Nope. Just gonna go home and enjoy the festivities, I suppose."

"...You... uh, you're alone for Christmas, right?"

"...Yup."

The time between their responses grew longer with each one. They didn't look away from their computers, just talking to each other.

"...Do... You want to come spend it with me?"

"Hm? Oh, I don't want to put that on you."

"It wouldn't be a big deal."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I don't want you to be alone on Christmas."

And just like that, they had plans to spend some time together. Who thought quiet Ema would ever invite the even quieter American Lucas over for Christmas? But regardless, Lucas decided to buy a nice bottle of sake for Ema to say thanks. Customs were really hard, but he had yet to fail etiquette when buying people a drink. He stood outside Ema's apartment, and without hesitation, knocked on the door.

Ema was a bit nervous, of course - what would people think of her?! And she just, invited him over?! They were friends, but she didn't know him that well. She let her emotions get in the way of things, what if he was a killer?! No, no, he couldn't be. Of course, why was he even working a low paying office job if he moved to Japan from America?! But he was going to be alone in Christmas, want that like, a huge deal in America? Ugh, whatever. She simply pulled herself together, and figured she'd struggle through Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Having tidied her apartment, she heard a knock on the door. 7 PM exactly, Christmas Eve. It was Lucas. And so, she mustered courage, and opened the door...

//This is a relatively short and simple starter. I just like the idea of an office-ish romance. The names are just placeholders, and the roles are debatable. Message me if you're interested!