never enough work

cheren / 17 / ♓

[academicbello]

holiday treats

[academicbelle-deactivated201309]

As the two of them wait in line to pay, Bianca smiled brightly as holiday music played in the background. “You know, I’m really glad my father let me go to Tohjo Falls with you! Y-you know how my dad is…” She glanced at the items that were being checked. “It was really hard trying to convince him to let me go! Even mother tried to persuade him. He finally agreed, only because he heard you, Touko, and Touya were going; and he trusts everyone that they’d take good care of me.” Bianca pouted for a bit, her cheeks puffing up. “I wish he’d trust me a bit!”

[academicbello]

"Is that right? Yes, your father has good intentions I believe, but he can be very overprotective of you. I'm glad he let you go too. It wouldn't be the same if one of us was missing, now would it?" Cheren chuckles and takes a step as the customers in front of them moved as well. He reached over to tap her forehead an kept his smile. "After all this time away, I'm sure when you return to see him, he'll be a lot more understanding. Besides, I don't think your father is wrong about trusting us. There's absolutely no way we'd let anything happen to you on our watch."

He steps forward again and places the items down on the conveyor belt. The cashier scans all the items and places them in holiday themed bags. Cheren swipes his card through the ATM machine, receives his receipt, and hands a bag for Bianca to hold. "I believe we have everything we need for the party..." He trails off, walking alongside her towards the door.

But just before they can leave the store completely, the cashier whistles, causing Cheren to turn. He points up and Cheren looks and--

Oh. A mistletoe. 

"...ah." 

The other cashiers turn and smile and Cheren's face reddens a bit. He clears his throat and puts his bag down in front of them before turning to Bianca and giving her two kisses on the cheek. "One for entering and one for leaving right?" He said more to himself and the cashier than to her. They all cheered and aww'ed and he picked up his stuff before offering his arm. 

"Let's go then, shall we?" 

[academicbello]

Sweeeeet. When is it? And who's going?

Later on this evening. It will only be ourselves, Touya, and Bianca. We're going to celebrate it in a very Unova fashion. 

[academicbello]

Cheren-senpai...

Hello Kotone-chan. Is there something I can help you with? 

[academicbello]

CHEEEEEREN! I missed you. [punches his arm]

Oof. 

Enthusiastic as always Touko. [He rubs his arm and smiled.] I've missed you too. There's going to be a party and you're invited.

[mei-hime-deactivated20130727]

Winter in Johto was a little different for the Unova native. Since they were close to the mountains there was much more snow that she preferred. It was a little off putting for her that she was spending her break in Johto. Her mother had booked her and her brother’s flight later in the break and will only be spending time during New Years (and then heading straight back to school.) So, Mei was the few students who were left behind to stay on campus during the Winter Break. Which gave her a lot of time to herself to wander around.

Mei found herself opening the door to one of the coffee shops that students from the school frequented. It’s bell rung as she stepped inside and she looked around. A few customers were already sitting inside. Sipping on their coffee while their pokemon sat by their feet. A few reading books, the rest doing work on notebooks or laptops.

She walked up to the counter and ordered a hot chocolate. Before she could take out her wallet, a hand already had placed money on counter. Mei blinked and turned her head to find Cheren at her side. It was her first time speaking to him since he left for Tohjo Falls a few years ago. Even when she started attending, it seemed impossible to utter a word to him since he was a senior and she was a freshmen. Mei smiled warmly at him, “It’s about time we’ve finally meet again, Cheren! Even though I see you in the halls… I never really gotten the courage to strike up a conversation with you. You always look like you’ve got somewhere to be so I don’t bother.” she giggled. “I’m happy to finally have the opportunity, though! Anyways… break has been quiet. Awfully quiet.”

[academicbello]

"Yes, it has been. Oh, does it appear that way? I am always busy but you're free to talk to me if you require something. I wouldn't mind spending a minute or two to chat." He smiles back and nods in sentiment. "These regions are rural, almost as if we've been sent back in time. It's not nearly as boisterous as Unova is but a place like this allows us time to think for a little bit." 

He walked over with Mei so that she could get her freshly made hot chocolate and checked for the time. "I hear you'll be heading back home though." 

[academicbello]

holiday treats

[academicbello]

He wrapped his arms around her for a hug, smiling warmly, and releasing her when she did the same. “Oh? Perhaps you put it in your hamper. I think the white looks good, especially for such a chilly season.” Cheren nods and leads her back into the city, walking alongside her while people strolled past them, each with their own destination in mind.

“I have the list of things we’re going to make for the party. I would’ve gone with just my pokemon but they’re all pretty comfortable near the heater back at my place and because we haven’t spent any time together since break started, I figured it would be okay to go with you.” He chuckles and pulls out the list just as they enter the grocery store. 

“Alright, first thing is first and that’s our main course. Is there anything else we should add to our little potluck?” 

[academicbelle-deactivated201309]

Bianca walked alongside him, admiring the large buildings and complexes, occasionally stopping for a few seconds to take a good look at the clothes behind the large glass display.

“Y-yeah it’s pretty cold out here so it’s a good thing you left your pokemon! I don’t think my pidove would have handled the freezing weather.” She bit her lip in thought and tapped her chin. “Hm…Oh! Some hot chocolate! It’s not a potluck without some hot chocolate!~” Bianca told him in a sing song voice. “Ooh and maybe some chips, marshmallows, and candy canes!”

[academicbello]

He made sure his pace was slowed, allowing Bianca to not feel pressured to catch up with him as they strolled around.

"I think our pokemon are more adjusted to Unova's overall climate than here in Kanto and Johto." Cheren chuckles while loosening his scarf. He leads her down one aisle after another, adding things to their shopping bag and checking off the list once each item was taken. "Candy canes, how could I forget? Yes, let's get all of that." 

They keep walking until they make a stop in the produce section. "So far, we've gotten everything else I believe." He opens the bag and does a recount before nodding his affirmation. "I believe we should go pay now." Cheren says before reaching over to grab them two clemetines to snack on their way back to the school grounds. 

[academicbello]

holiday treats

[academicbelle-deactivated201309]

With the usual cold weather outside in the midst of December, Bianca made sure to get ready with extra warm clothes, especially since she would be spending the day shopping with Cheren! It had been awhile since they’ve hung out and now that final exams were over, it was the perfect opportunity. 

She scrambled left and right, leaving a mess of clothes and accessories on the floor. Touko was out for the day, probably hanging out with Touya so Bianca scribbled on a piece of paper, promising her that she’d take care of the mess when she came back. Finally, she adjusted her outfit: a white scarf, a nice auburn sweater, thick leggings and boots.

She squeaked once she heard Cheren’s voice outside the room and threw open the door, finding her friend looking neat and proper, before embracing him in a warm hug. “Hiya Cheren! Sorry I took so long! I couldn’t find my scarf so I had to settle for this one!” Bianca smiled brightly at him. “I’m ready to go!”

[academicbello]

He wrapped his arms around her for a hug, smiling warmly, and releasing her when she did the same. "Oh? Perhaps you put it in your hamper. I think the white looks good, especially for such a chilly season." Cheren nods and leads her back into the city, walking alongside her while people strolled past them, each with their own destination in mind.

"I have the list of things we're going to make for the party. I would've gone with just my pokemon but they're all pretty comfortable near the heater back at my place and because we haven't spent any time together since break started, I figured it would be okay to go with you." He chuckles and pulls out the list just as they enter the grocery store. 

"Alright, first thing is first and that's our main course. Is there anything else we should add to our little potluck?" 

[academicbello]

It wasn't unusual for him to be working even on break. It wasn't like he wasn't enjoying his break off though! He managed to visit some cities in both Johto and Kanto as well as just spend time with his pokemon and friends. After a few days of relaxation and bliss, he had to make sure that anything that needed to be done before classes returned come January were completed. He checked his messages from Kotone, a fellow classmate in journalism, to see if she had anything he needed to oversee before finalizing the drafts with the other writers. 

The coffee shop door opened but he didn't look up from his laptop. With a coffee cup placed in front, he managed to take a glance up and was surprised to see a face from his past. Mei, wasn't it? He made his Liepard stand guard of his belongings as he rose to his feet, standing behind her and placing money before the cashier.

"I'll be paying for her purchases." He says calmly before turning to her. "It's been a while Mei. I'm glad you found your way here to Tohjo like the others. How has winter break been for you?" 

[academicbello]

holiday treats

[Being the weekends and such, it was a golden opportunity to go prepare a little party before Cheren and his friends' first holiday together and outside of their home region. He had already compiled a list of beverages, everyone's favorite sweets: ingredients for triple chocolate cake for Touya, tiramisu ingredients for Bianca, and as for Touko, well, he was going to surprise her with colorful cakepops left over from Touya's batch (assuming he has any left). Last but not least, he also was getting ingredients for his meat lovers lasagna as well as a new deck of cards and mahjong tiles for when they got to games.

Heading over to the girls' complex, he located Bianca's apartment and knocked twice. He had already messaged Bianca prior to arriving and when she responded, he made his way over without hesitation.]

Bianca, I'm here. Are you ready? 

[He calls from the other side of her door, adjusting his scarf a bit before sidestepping to allow his childhood friend some room to exit.]