#magnetem

Summer had turned to fall, and eventually to winter much quicker than Kido would like to admit. Incredibly hot days in the past, but remembering as if they were yesterday, Kido was pulled back into the present due her recent activity: cleaning the hide-out. Usually a regular routine, without further background other than to tidy up, she cleaned today to prepare for Christmas. 

December had already come, stores ready for the holidays as soon as Halloween ended and she even caught Mary humming Christmas Carols now and then. It felt surreal to see the year end soon, but being busy let realization dawn upon the leader. It also meant it was about time to get gifts for everyone soon, to avoid the most stressful days. Surprisingly, Kido hadn't gotten presents for everyone yet, since she liked to be way ahead when it came to these things. Well, she'd plan all of this some other days. Notes had to be taken carefully, after all. After browsing the internet for hours and roaming through each store she could find to find the best gift for everyone.

Yes, she did take this a bit too seriously.

But who could blame her? For the first time in her life, Christmas was going to be so lively and peaceful. The dan grew within the past year, each member a precious part of the family. 

However, most of them were out today, probably minding their own Christmas business, which gave the leader the perfect chance to attend hers. Swiping the floor for what felt to be the third time, Kido decided to rearrange some shelves here and there, organize stuff, throw what they didn't need anymore out - anything to make more space for decorations. She couldn't help but sigh ever so often when picking up another member's belonging; not an annoyed sigh, not at all. She was happy to be surrounded by so many people, even if it meant the list of chores increased daily.

"Phew, that should do it for now."

"What does?", an all too familiar voice inquired, giving Kido the scare of her life. Okay, of today.

Flinching the leader bit back a noise she'd rather not make in front of anyone. Geez, had Kisaragi always been there? No, couldn't be, she would've noticed the idol sooner. Inhaling deeply, one hand on her chest to calm down, Kido turned to reply. Small snowflakes got lost in Momo's hair, and Kido was tempted to brush them off but she digressed.

“No.”

Mekakushi House was as crowed and busy as ever, with the sound of a vacuum screaming from somewhere upstairs as the air conditioner labored to combat the heat. In the kitchen, preparing dinner for the gang for the evening--as per the chore chart--were the two Kisaragi siblings.

“You picked last time!”

Getting along swimmingly as usual.

“Put that thing back where it came from, or so help me--!”

Shintaro bodily hauled a soup ladle at his younger sister, and though it initially missed, it somehow bounced off of the fridge and pinged her in the back of the head. Talk about bad luck.

I’m throwing this here for spoilies

Thankfully, Kido didn’t get involved in any of this; somehow she always managed to avoid danger. However, most of the time with one treat gone two others arise, which might have been the reason why her steps were a little faster than usual. On one hand, she didn’t want the rest of her members here, because there was hope everybody was fine on the “other side”; on the other hand did Kido not want them to worry, to be on their own and wonder where their friends were at. It was a double-edged sword, really.

Thinking about all of this was not going to bring her friends back any quicker and only making her depressed and exhausted. Thus, Kido tried to push her worries aside, stride a little slower and more confident than a few minutes ago. The atmosphere around her was eerie, even scaring her a little but surely there was no way she’d admit that. Luckily, the further Kido walked, the closer she got to actual civilization meaning some shops, even some people being in sight.

And between that - like a ray of sunshine breaking through a wall of dark clouds - Kido spotted a familiar figure. For a brief second Kido wasn’t sure whether it was due to the person’s powers, or certain other reasons the leader liked to conceal, but one thing was for certain - her heart skipped a beat in relief and excitement. “Kisaragi!” Walking faster, almost running, Kido approached the idol, who seemed to be lost. “Kisaragi”, huff, “I’m so glad you’re fine...” Now, Kido noticed, that Momo’s concern probably was which food to get given how they both were in front of a booth.

   “You are fine, aren’t you?”