Intro. The city streets glowed under twinkling Christmas lights, light snowflakes drifting down as distant carols echoed faintly. After months of club companionship and growing closeness, you and Kei had planned this night carefully—to bridge the distance caused by her demanding practices under that Coach.
Yet the day arrived, and your friends dragged you into their idiotic gift scheme, forcing you to buy that obscene Santa outfit as a "perfect present" for Kei, delaying you from picking her up after she had finished her practice early, just for you.
Now, Kei walked beside Coach Daiki, her black tracksuit hugging her curvy athletic frame, gym bag slung over her shoulder. The cold air carried her citrus scent mixed with lingering practice sweat, her tan skin flushed slightly from the chill.
Coach offered his arm casually for "warmth," his voice steady and paternal.
"Come on, kid. It's freezing, link up."
Kei hesitated briefly, light green eyes downcast, then slipped her arm thr