#chishio

Whether it was the spread-through fact that people believed she was a passionate lover of flowers or not, it was undeniable that there were so many bouquets sent over to her manor today.

And that was also applied to a certain gift which she picked to have some look out of boredom.

it surely looked like a humble gift compared to other outrageous or extravagant presents laying around —But there was a certain reason that drew the ‘poison specialist’ like herself to it.

“To Lady Aichi of Shizuoka

Wish you a happy birthday and a great year forward

Sincerely,

Nara Division”

Greeted by the sweet colors and sweet fragrance of a bouquet full of Sweet Peas attached on its front, their actual gifts were lying beneath in a neatly-wrapped Morning Glory patterned fabric. The first one was a box containing some peculiar and beautiful bracelet made with vibrant seeds of Rosary Pea, making it an exotic choice of jewelry but a good combination of red and black nonetheless.

And thus for the last one was surely harmless, it was a wagashi set full of beautiful wintery flower nerikiris!

—————Meanwhile somewhere else,

“This time your recommendation on our birthday gifts aren’t anything weird, right?”

“Of course. Why do I have to recommend something ‘weird’ in your opinion, Kanata-kun? They’re all lovely flowers and a lovely ornament.”

“…That is because you are the one who comes up with the idea, Chishio-san.”

“Oh, so? I’m more than sure that lady Aichi must like them.”

“Kanon, stop eating my gift.” Reika scowled. “Those were for me not for your cold hands. Get your own damn it.”

Kanon didn't say anything as she stared at Reika straight in the eye and ate another piece of the wagashi. Even lifting the box above her head when Reika tried grabbing it. Smirking as she watched Reika try and reach it.

“I don't know what you expected when you opened that gift in front of her Reika. You know, as well as I do, that Kanon loves sweets.” Sakura huffed from her spot on the couch, watching everything go down.

“Look, if I had known Nara would send wagashi, I would've hidden them.” Reika glared back. “I'm never gonna have a piece at this rate now.”

Sakura raised her hands, not wanting to start an argument with the socialite. Reika, now finally grabbing the gift back from Kanon and much to her rage, found all the wagashi had been eaten by the mad scientist. Kanon then leaned down closer to Reika's height, an amused look on her face as she saw Reika crush the box the wagashi were in.

“They were quite delicious, Reika. Shame you couldn't have one.”

The gifts that those kids in the division have picked for Ritsuko were a set of coasters designed after specimens of human’s brain and a bottle of colorful temari candies. For some tidbits, the candies were symbolized after some traditional ball toys called ‘Temari’ which were often gifted to children on New Year’s day to wish for their happiness. And apparently, one of many reasons why kids crave sweet things is because the principal energy for human’s brain is also glucose —the end product from breaking down most sugars. What a good match for the presents(?)

“And hey. If you seem that scared, why do you follow me here in the first place huh, little miss?”

Chishio frowned a bit as he noticed a small creature snuggling around his shoes after it spending a brief moment running around and checking the new environment it had visited.

…Wait, why was that kid’s kitty stalking him again today?

Gently picking the kitten up from the ground, the old man muttered something as if he was talking with her.

“I knew my master doesn’t really like cats much due to some allergy he has to your fur, but I’m sure that he has never done something rude to you as well. So, why can’t you just stay there and enjoy your time with your owner instead of running around like this? Outside is full of harm, just you know.”

The old man sighed. For whatever he had spoken out just now, there was no way the petite feline in his arms could neither understand nor answer him anyway.

—How ridiculous can this be? He could persuade that smart kid not to tag along with him in almost dangerous places but couldn’t do that with his cat.

“…Fine, let’s go home Ojou-chan. At least you make a less annoying companion than the other ‘cat’ I know.”

Ritsuko plucked a Temari from the bowl and rolled it around her fingers, inspecting the small treat. How amusing, she thought as she popped it in her mouth and began to chew, it was indeed sweet and it scratched at her sweet tooth nicely. Those specimens from Nara were quite intriguing, not only due to their gift giving habits but also because of the members themselves, the scientist made a mental note to do more research on them, she had a feeling that they may prove useful to her.

—Happy Dragon Year guys ;)

Dragonflame —Kirara Magic

Once a certain jet-black car has reached its destination at one of the best hot-spots being reviewed in Okinawa, the boy with reddish hair has been spotted stepping out of the car …with a number of boxes in his arms. 

The seashell chimes hanging above the bar’s doors let out their lovely rattling sound as he gets inside.

“Good afternoon, mister. Are you perhaps Mr. Young of Eagle’s Nest? I’m Yuuya Kanata from Nara division. I’m here today to relay the birthday presents from my team.”

“This box is my gift. They may look all yummy but they are in fact scented candles I found nice. If by any chance, I think they will make good decorations to your bar at nighttime. Their smells are quite something too. This one has a vanilla scent, this one is strawberry milkshake, this one is butter cream, and many more —Well, they all smell like desserts in my opinion.”

And then he brings out a cooler box. 

“Okay, these ones are actually edible haha. They’re Monaka ice cream made from my teammate despite him telling me that making ice cream isn’t really his land of expertise. Even so, he expects something cool like ice cream would sell off rather well in summer and more particularly; maybe somewhere with a tropical climate like in Okinawa. And in case you want to be more creative with them, the empty shells (crispy wafer) are also available in the additional bag.”

“From Saigo-san are the beautifully painted ceramic plates and the last one is from Mr. Chishio —Hmm, the latter is like… the assistant of Saigo-san? Honestly, just how many jobs this guy has been carrying under that title. I don’t know why, but Mr. Chishio seems to know your place rather well even before we entered the DRB. He even asked me to tell you ‘Thank you for the trading’ and give me his own gift for you.”

Inside the box from the guy called Chishio are a collection of kitchen knives for various uses ...Just don’t get the wrong idea. Japanese are known for using different knives for each different role in the kitchen. So, the ultimate motive behind this gift is only for cooking …Definitely, not for murdering someone, maybe?

“And that’s all we’ve got for you today. Lastly, Happy Birthday Mr. Young —EH? YOU ALSO GOT A KITTY?” 

Seemingly distracted for a minute, the boy soon keeps his composure back from petting the kitten a couple of times. 

“…It’s a shame that I’ve to fetch some seafoods for my teammates before dinnertime, so let me say a good-bye for today. Nevertheless, hope you and your teammates all have a nice year!”

——— BONUS: about fifteen minutes ago

Chishio: We’ve already arrived at the bar so why don’t we order some liquor on our way home?

Yuuya: How do you forget that I’m still underage and alcohol seems likely to be downright sedative to me? What wicked humor you have today, Chishio-san. At least don’t convince your minor to be your drinking friend!

Chishio: *chuckles* Aren't you 19 this year, kid?

Rashaad smiled at the handful of gifts he had received from the Nara Division. Truthfully, he wasn't all that familiar with them, though he did know of them. It was one of the many perks of being a bartender; you knew just about everyone in Japan, whether they had revealed themselves or not. He made a mental note that he'd have to interact with the Nara team later on when he had some free time. Before he departed, the bar owner disappeared quickly into his bar before returning with a bottle of sake and some cups.

"For Chishio-san and Fuyugami-san," Rashaad stated, handing him the bottle and the cups. "Tell them to make sure it's thoroughly heated first."

Bidding the young teenager a farewell, Rashaad looked at the gifts he had received. Out of all of them, the candles were perhaps his favorite. Opening a random one, he quickly lit it with his lighter. In a matter of seconds, the entire bar seemed to smell like some fruity cereal, making Rashaad nod his head, enjoying the aroma.

Sitting down on one of the stools in his bar, he chose the vanilla and chocolate parfait as he began digging into it, eating it was his hands. He heard a small 'purr' from above and looked as it was his kitten, Coco, whom Rashaad had forgotten was on top of his head. Looking up at him, he placed a small thing of ice cream on one of the plates, Fuyugami-san had given him.

The feline, not needing to be told twice, dug into the sweet milky treat, using his small tongue to eat it. The scene made Rashaad grin; this birthday was truly shaping up to be, perhaps, his best upon leaving the States.

I have nothing big for the holidays besides previous drawing, so here are Chishio and Hizashi^^