the true flame.

"The party won’t end so early, I think. I can come in after a while."

He turned his head to Koyo, blinking, and wondering if he was off the clock now that the last cake was sold to Spanner. He didn't want to say anything to pressure him otherwise. 

[blushes] T-That would be really nice, Enma-nii! It’s been a really long time since the three of us have done anything together.

Yeah. [smiles] I-I'm getting pretty excited to be together with you guys. I think it's been over a year...?

"I don’t mind the distraction, though."

Blinking up at Spanner, he asked, a bit worried, "They won't mind if you're late...?" He might miss something, after all. It's a party. However, he doesn't mind if Spanner stayed a little longer too. It's been too long since he's seen him.

Mm! [beams] I can cook lots of different dishes now! Maybe I can cook for you some time, if you’d like?

[blinks] ...Really? I... erm, if you don't mind, I guess, heh... [smiles, embarrassed] Maybe Spanner can join us too, if he's not busy. I can make a special batch of cookies for you guys too.

O-Oh.. Um, well, I think so! This Christmas it was just me, Mama, and Ipin. Tsuna-nii and the rest of them had to go off somewhere for the holidays.

[frowns slightly] They weren't at home during Christmas? Well...at least Sawada-san and Ipin were there with you... Did you help with the cooking too?

It was alright! I spent most of it at home. What about yours, Enma-nii? Did you have a good Christmas?

"That’ll be all I’m getting, unless I can buy your time too- I think Enma wants to have a chat." He glances at the redhead who had come to stand next to him in front of the counter, immediately entertaining the urge to ruffle the boy’s hair in greeting.

He returns to look at Spanner, "Are you heading somewhere?"

"I’ll take the cake."

 Trying to hide his face, Koyo only hoped that he wouldn’t be recognized.

"Ah... Spanner?" 

It was just as he expected when they got there, except there weren't a lot of customers than usual. Just one, who ate at the very corner of the room. But more importantly, the warmth--Enma sighs softly in relief and carefully took off his scarf, seeing as he won't need it for now.

If there wasn’t, he figured he could just borrow some money from the household. But seeing that Adelheid was strict about it, she might nag at him for using emergency money for such things. “We could just order something,” he shrugged and continued to walk, but soon stopping. He glanced back at Enma. “Or do you have something better in mind?” 

Koyo was trying to hold back from yelling at the boy. You could say that it was his resolution for the new year. Although this was the case, old habits die hard. “…let’s just eat at home,” he decided, managing to control his emotions. Hopefully there are still leftovers that Adelheid cooked last night. 

Ahh, he can’t handle this anymore. Koyo stopped from walking, releasing his grip on the other. He turned around and fixed his eyes on the redhead’s face. “And why shouldn’t I?” he answered. Enma was making that kind of face again. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?” 

Hanging out with Koyo...could be fun? he thinks, if he actually wanted to spend time with him too. But he can't possibly be the reason for letting him leave his duties.

“Are you an idiot?” He sighed, his breath became visible as he spoke. “I’m different. I have something to do,” he lied, “But seeing as you are now, I can’t just go now, can I?” His hand that was covered with mittens, reached for Enma’s hand forcefully pulling his arm. “Let’s go home.”

Cracking a small smile, another gust of wind blew. He closed his eyes tightly, before opening them again. "H-How about you Koyo? " 

He started to jog upon reaching the bottom. The sky was as white as a sheet…there was really nothing much to see. He continued moving until suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance. 

Hearing footsteps, the redhead looked up from the ground. He stops, trying to make out the person jogging to his direction. "K-Koyo?" He mumbled quietly to himself. 

He had much better things to do, than to dilly dally around here.

He doesn't say anything even as he sees the one responsible.