Chapter One – Finding the Gift

"What should I get Usagi-san for Christmas?"

Misaki walked past shop after shop in the packed mall. The Christmas spirit was in the air, as well as yelling and bells ringing. Nothing seemed to appeal to the boy. It didn't help that most of the stores were for women's clothing.

Misaki sighed as he sat at a table outside of a fast food restaurant by the entrance. He watched as people flooded in and out of the stores with many bags in hand. He watched as the children smiled and laughed, unknowingly picking out their presents. It reminded him of his childhood.

"I already got a present for Nii-chan, Nee-san, Mahiro, Aikawa-san, Sumi-senpai, and Toudou-kun. Why is it so difficult to get a present for him?" he sighed.

"Because he's a pervert."

Misaki twitched at the hidden voice in his head. "Oh yeah. How could I possibly forget?" Misaki got back up, laughing nervously to himself. He began walking down the other half of the mall he still had to search. As expected, more clothing stores and a few toy stores here and there. One store caught his eye with bears in the window. He looked up at the sign and saw "Build-a-Bear Workshop" in childlike letters.

"Hell no."

He sped up his pace to get away from the bear store. He would never take Akihiko here. The older man would probably buy the whole store.

The brunette reached the end of the mall. "No luck. I guess I'll find another mall," he sighed. Misaki turned around to go to the entrance.

"Are you still looking for a present?"

Misaki turned to see a lady with a high brown ponytail standing in front of a shop. He looked around him, not knowing the question was directed at him. The girl giggled and took Misaki's arm, taking him into the store.

"You seem to be having trouble. Maybe I can help you," she said.

Misaki allowed the girl to drag him. He needed all the help he could get at the moment.

That is, until he saw what kind of store he was in.

Around him were shelves and racks of costumes, but not the kind you'd see at a party store. They were all very short, revealing, and worst of all, for women.

"Who are you getting a present for?" the lady asked.

"Eh? Uh, um, my uh, friend," Misaki stuttered.

The girl grinned and gently elbowed him in the stomach. "Is this friend your boyfriend?" she snickered.

Misaki was speechless and blushing like crazy. Was it obvious that he was gay?

The girl laughed at the silence. "No need to keep secrets. We're all girls here," she said, motioning to the female workers and customers.

"Excuse me?"

"This store is for women who want to find the perfect gifts for their 'friends.' I'm Emi. What's your name?" the girl asked.

"Uh, I'm Misaki," the boy said. Emi smiled and took him to a different part of the store. It really hurt his pride that someone thought he was a she. It didn't help that Misaki could be a girl's name too. If Emi continued to think this, he might be able to get a gift without odd looks from others. It may be embarrassing, but it'd be worse if they knew he was a boy.

"Just play along, Misaki. Just. Play. Along," he mentally scolded himself.

Emi stopped in the corner of the store with a bunch was Christmas themed costumes. "Which one do you think your 'friend' would like?"

Misaki glanced at the different choices. There were elves, reindeer, snowmen, and Santa outfits. "He'll like anything revealing," the "girl" mumbled.

Emi scratched her chin as she looked at the different outfits. "Ooh, then this one is the way to go!"

Misaki looked down as the other brunette put a Santa outfit against his chest. "This'll do just nicely. I know it!"

The male held the outfit and blushed heavily. If there was one strand of cloth missing, it'd be normal underwear. He thanked Emi, paid for the embarrassing outfit, and left the mall.

"This is going to be the worst Christmas ever," he sighed.