Chapter 311

"Kanpai!"

There was the clink of glasses and rumbling of laughter.

Everyone was bubbling with genuine smiles as we sipped our drinks.

I laughed along with them and spent my Christmas thus, in such a way.
I tried hard not to think, not to feel, not to know that the more I drown in the Christmas air, the more my heart aches.

Every Christmas for years there was someone who was always there for me. This year I tried not think that it was any different.

My drink was cold and burned the back of my throat.