String lights everywhere illuminate the streets of Tokyo, casting the city in a colorful glow. Yua slowly trudges through the light snowfall, bundled tightly in her black wool coat and tartan scarf. The streets were bustling tonight – mostly with happy couples spending Christmas Eve together and last-minute shoppers. Yua sighs, her breath a puff of fog that quickly dissipates in the chill winter air. The arcade's neon lights beckon her, cutting through the darkness. Yua pushes open the door, the familiar electronic beeps and cozy warmth of the arcade welcoming her. It’s not very busy, just a few stragglers here and there. Loners, like her, maybe. She couldn't bear to be alone in her dorm room tonight, haunted by the happy memories of Christmases past. At least here she can distract herself. Yua exchanges some bills for coins and tokens, then makes her way to the racing simulator in the back corner. As she settles into the faux leather seat, she imagines speeding down winding coastal roads in an open top sports car, the kind her father used to drive when she was young. He had promised to take her on a Christmas road trip once she turned 18 and got her license. But this year her parents were sipping cocktails on a cruise ship instead of being home with her. That was no fault of their own, though. Yua had told them herself that she had “dozens” of Christmas parties to get through this year, so many she’d be run ragged by New Years. The lie was easier than telling them the truth. The dirty truth that the girl once called “Hime-sama” at school had no friends to spend Christmas with in all of Tokyo. Yua grips the plastic steering wheel tightly as she careens around virtual corners. She didn't notice the single tear rolling down her cheek until it was too late; Her vision blurs and she hits an obstacle. The race ends abruptly as her car veers off the track, the screen flashing "Game Over" in big red letters. Yua sniffles, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.* "Get it together," she mutters. If she couldn't be happy tonight, she could at least distract herself with some crane games. Yua straightens her shoulders and marches over to the rows of plush-filled glass boxes, resolved not to sulk any longer. Christmas is just another day, she tells herself firmly.

It was another day at school, the same old routine. Yua trudges through her classes, half-listening to the lectures and lost in thought. Her mind wanders back to last night's crane game fiasco. She had managed to win a few stuffed animals, but the victory felt hollow without anyone to share it with. At this point, she'd take any sort of companionship over another lonely night. The other students seem to be ignoring her as usual; they never really paid much attention to her in the first place. Her only solace comes from passing by a group of girls giggling and teasing each other playfully about some guy they liked. Yua can't help but feel envious, even though deep down she knows that kind of "love" isn't for her.

Yua glances over at the boy who spoke to her. He seemed nice enough, and she'd be lying if she said she didn't find his gaze a little comforting. "Hey," she mumbles in response, mustering up a small smile before quickly averting her eyes. It felt strange, making conversation with someone other than her professors or cashiers at the local store. "I'm Yua... Yeah, hi Anton." She pauses for a moment, debating whether to ask him if he wanted to sit with her during lunch.

"Well..." Yua hesitates, surprise evident on her features. "I mean, I don't usually eat lunch alone, so... I guess?" She grins shyly at him, her cheeks flushing slightly as she realizes how pathetic that probably sounds. Truth be told, the offer itself was quite heartwarming, and it made her feel a bit less lonely already.

"Oh..." She blushes even deeper now, feeling slightly embarrassed by his generosity. "T-thank you... I mean, thank you for inviting me, and um... paying." Yua's heart skips a beat as she thinks about spending time with him during lunch. It had been so long since she felt wanted or needed by someone other than her parents. Maybe having Anton around would help take her mind off things, even if it was just for a little while.

With a smile on her face and newfound hope in her heart, Yua eagerly follows him to the cafeteria. As they walk side by side, she can't help but steal glances at him out of the corner of her eye. He really is quite handsome, with his messy brown hair and deep blue eyes. She wonders what kind of music he likes or if he has any siblings. So

intrigued by him and wanting to get to know him better, Yua decides to break the ice. "So, Anton," she says conversationally, motioning towards a plate of sushi on the table, "what's your favorite food here?" She glances up at him with what she hopes is an endearing smile. Despite her past experiences with people from Tokyo, there's something different about him that makes her feel like she can be herself around him.

Yua blushes slightly at his compliment before answering. "Well, I've always been more of a curry rice kinda girl," she admits with a small giggle. "But since we're talking about favorites... Hmmm... Maybe I'd have to say sashimi. It just melts in your mouth." She pauses for a moment, thinking back on her previous statement. "You know what? I haven't had much time to try new things around here. You can order anything you want, and we'll share!"

The offer tumbles from her lips almost instinctively; she hadn't even thought about it before saying it. Still, there's something liberating about opening up like this, about letting someone else in. Maybe Anton will become a friend... an actual friend. The thought sends a warm thrill coursing through her veins.

"O-Okay!" she exclaims, her grin growing wider. "Well, I'll take some sashimi too, and... maybe some gyoza! They sound good." She looks up at him expectantly, feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement bubbling inside her chest. Sharing food is one thing; sharing your feelings is another entirely. Perhaps if they keep talking and getting to know each other, she might even find herself making more friends like Anton in the future.

During lunch, they share stories about their families and hometowns. Anton grew up in a small seaside town not too far from Tokyo, and Yua finds herself charmed by his tales of fishing trips and sandcastle building competitions. They also discuss their academic interests; it turns out that both of them have a passion for literature. As they eat, laugh, and talk, Yua can't help but feel an immense sense of relief washing over her.

For the first time in months, she feels truly connected to someone - not just because he finds her attractive or thinks she's pretty, but because she genuinely enjoys being around him. It's a novel concept for Yua, one that makes her heart race and her cheeks flush with every word they share. By the end of lunch, they both agree to hang out again after class the following week. As they part ways, Anton shoots

Yua hesitates for a moment before reaching into her pocket and pulling out her phone, reluctantly adding his number to her contacts list. Handing the phone back to him with a shy smile, she murmurs "thank you." The thought of having someone new in her life is both exhilarating and terrifying; for so long, she's relied on herself and her image to get by, but maybe it's time for something different. Perhaps opening up to Anton was a step in the right direction.

As they part ways once more, Yua can't help but feel hopeful about the future - or at least the rest of this week. Maybe she'll even find herself making some other friends along the way, ones who don't see her as "Hime-sama" or a trophy to be won, but simply as Yua Kaname: a girl with dreams and aspirations just

Yua pauses for a moment, considering his offer. It's not like she has anywhere else to be... and the thought of spending more time with him does sound rather enticing. "Alright," she says with a small smile, feeling herself slowly relax into the idea. "I'd like that."

"Sounds perfect," she replies, feeling the excitement start to build up inside her once more. The thought of spending the rest of the day with Anton is almost too much to bear. She finds herself smiling in anticipation as they head off in separate directions, ready for whatever adventures lie ahead. Today feels different from any other day she's had since coming to Tokyo; it feels like hope has finally begun to seep back into her heart.

Yua can't help but tap her foot impatiently as she waits for the final bell to ring, eagerly anticipating the rest of her afternoon with Anton. She checks her phone incessantly, hoping he hasn't gotten caught up in anything and that they'll be able to meet up like planned. The thought of spending more time together makes her heart race and her cheeks flush with excitement.

As the final bell finally rings, signaling the end of another school day, Yua practically skips out of the building, unable to contain her joy. She sees Anton waiting for her outside by the school's entrance, looking every bit as handsome as he did earlier in class. With a beaming smile, she walks over to him and says "Hey!" before throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug.