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“You cannot be serious,” Inspector Ginoza deadpanned, as he watched his junior officer Inspector Tsunemori walk around the office, fishbowl in hand containing the names of the members of Division 1.
“Come on, it’s Christmas. It’s practically criminal to celebrate Christmas without Secret Santa,” the petite woman cheerfully reasoned.
“This is gonna be great,” Kagari pitched in, picking a piece of paper from the bowl.
“You do realize this would mean we’ll need to take all of the enforcers out to buy their gifts,” the senior inspector argued.
“Do you really want to come out of this as the office scrooge, Gino?” Kougami teased.
“See, even Kougami is on board,” Tsunemori said gleefully. “We’ll do the big reveal during the party on Christmas Eve. Kagari has already planned the menu, Shion and Yayoi are in charge of the decorations. You wouldn’t even have to lift a finger; we’ll take care of everything.”
“This is exactly why stress levels become elevated during the holiday season,” Ginoza muttered. “How will we even know what gift to get for the name we pick?”
“If anything, this will show how well we know each other. Consider this a team building exercise. Look, I’ve saved the last name for you.”
Tsunemori walked over to his table and handed him a piece of paper.
“Remember, this is meant to be a surprise. Absolutely no switching if you don’t like the name you picked. There’s no limit on how much you spend on your gift, but please try to put some thought into what you’re getting your baby.”
Ginoza unrolled the piece of paper in his hand, a slight feeling of dread settling in his gut.
Kougami Shinya.
A look of horror passed through his face.
“I almost feel bad for whoever it is you picked, judging by the look on your face,” Kougami smirked.
“Shut up, Kou, or you’ll be getting your gift from the nearest vending machine.”
***
“So, who did you get, inspector?” Kagari asked.
They were sitting in Ginoza’s car on a routine stakeout with Kunizuka, waiting for their suspect to come out of their hideout.
“Tsunemori was insistent it should be a surprise,” the inspector replied in his usual monotone.
“Come on, it’s just me and Kunizuka. Maybe we could even help you pick out a gift. Have you decided what to get for your baby?”
Ginoza briefly considered this as he was close to pulling out his hair last night trying to think of an appropriate gift for his former best friend. What do you give your childhood friend-turned-partner-turned-subordinate whom you’ve also been in love with for most of your life?
“Fine,” he conceded, “but only because I’m all out of ideas on what to give him, and gift-buying isn’t one of my strong suits. I got Kougami.”
“That should be easy, he loves paperback books,” Kunizuka offered.
“How will I know which one to get? What if he already has a copy?”
“Then get something that’s not his usual genre. What kind of books does he usually read?”
The inspector paused to think. “He likes dystopian and philosophical books.”
“I know, why don’t you get him a book about romance?” Kagari suggested.
Ginoza blanched. “I don’t think he’ll appreciate receiving books about romance from me.”
“You know what’s a good romantic book? Love Story by Erich Segal,” Kunizuka chimed in. “It’s a classic.”
“Love Story?” Ginoza scoffed. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry. That Love Story? Do you think a scruffy, chain-smoking man like Kougami would read a book about love stories?”
“Well, why not? He might be a romantic at heart,” Kagari said with a small laugh.
“Besides, with Sibyl allowing civil unions for latent criminals, marriage isn’t a distant possibility for him now,” Kunizuka added.
“How is he contemplating marriage when he isn’t even dating anybody? Or has he started dating?”
Kagari shrugged. “Kougami has always been mysterious about his personal life. But maybe that book can help him sort out his love life.”
“Fine, I’ll see if it’s available in paperback. But I highly doubt reading a book about love stories would make him want to get married. Kougami doesn’t seem to be the marrying kind.”
“Maybe it depends on who’s asking,” Kunizuka mused, risking a wink at the inspector. “I see movement in the suspect’s apartment.”
“All right, let’s go,” the inspector instructed, exiting the vehicle, dominator in hand.
***
“I heard you got Kougami as your baby,” Tsunemori whispered conspiratorially.
“Lower your voice, who told you that?” He silenced her with a look as his former partner is just a few yards away.
“Relax, he has his air buds on, we could be yelling right now, and he wouldn’t hear. I can hear his music all the way from my desk,” she waved her hand dismissively. “So, what are you getting him?”
“I thought you said this was supposed to be a secret and keep it a surprise,” he retorted.
“Of course, I needed to say that, but this stays between the two of us. You have less than a week to buy a gift.”
“I know,” the senior inspector glowered at her. “I shouldn’t have let you talk me into agreeing to this. It’s been causing me undue stress.”
“You know what I think he might like? A piece of jewelry.”
“Are you insane? Does Kougami look like a man who wears a chain around his neck or something?”
“No, nothing too flashy, but something small, understated, and elegant. Like a ring?”
“I don’t know, Tsunemori,” Ginoza considered her suggestion. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him wear a ring before. But maybe a bracelet? I think I’ve seen him wear one when we were younger.”
“A bracelet might interfere with his wrist communicator,” she reminded him. “Trust me, a nice ring, preferably a plain white gold band. I think it will suit him.”
“Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said there’s no price limit to this, were you?”
“Don’t be a scrooge, Ginoza. He is your oldest and dearest friend. Do it in the spirit of Christmas,” she smiled as she walked back to her desk.
***
“Have you decided on what to get Kou?” He heard his father’s voice call out to him as he was standing outside in the balcony.
Ginoza groaned. “Not you, too. No one in this team knows the concept of keeping secrets.”
“You’re running out of time, son,” Masaoka reminded him. “It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” he muttered darkly.
“I think Kougami would appreciate something more personal. The two of you were best friends for years. Why not make a dinner reservation at his favorite restaurant and invite him, just the two of you? Use it to reconnect and talk about whatever differences you had in the past.”
“Wouldn’t that be too personal? Besides, I don’t even know if he wants us to be friends again. I’ve been awful to him for the past three years.”
“It’s Christmas, a time of giving and forgiving. Or so they say. Society has become more tolerant of latent criminals lately, even Sibyl is allowing enforcers now to have relationships since it was determined it can help their hue recover. A dinner reservation is exactly what the both of you need. Just consider my proposal, son.”
The older man waved off with his prosthetic hand and went back inside.
***
The office Christmas party was in full swing. The entire office was transformed into a winter wonderland courtesy of Karanomori and Kunizuka. The food was deliciously prepared by Kagari and drinks were overflowing, with Masaoka’s private liquor stash taking a significant dent.
Ginoza was standing by the table, drink in hand, looking at the members of Division 1 who seem to be having a good time.
“Are you enjoying the party, inspector?” Kougami appeared at his side, also with a champagne glass in his hand, wearing a ridiculously large Santa hat, which he still managed to pull off effortlessly.
“Not as much as you, apparently,” Ginoza replied, still looking at the hat. “Look at you, practically wrapped with holiday cheer.”
“Well, it is the most wonderful time of the year,” he shot back cheerfully, his cheeks flushed red from the alcohol he’s been consuming.
“Let’s see how wonderful you feel tomorrow when you wake up with a hangover.” He took the champagne glass from his former partner’s hand and replaced it with a bottle of water. “Drink this. You’ll thank me in the morning.”
“You’re no fun, Gino,” Kougami muttered but drank half of the water bottle. “But I’ll still thank you in the morning, when I wake up next to you.”
“Huh? What did you say? I couldn’t hear you over the music,” Ginoza yelled as Kagari increased the volume of the holiday music.
“Nothing, inspector. I think Tsunemori is trying to call you,” he pointed to the petite inspector who was waving her arms at her senior officer.
Kagari turned the music volume down. “Alright, gather round,” Tsunemori called out. “It’s time for the big Secret Santa reveal. Here’s what we’ll do. You must describe whoever it is that you picked, and we’ll try to guess who it is. Then you tell everyone the present you got for your baby and why you chose it.”
Ginoza looked horrified. “Can’t we just give it to whoever we picked? Does it have to be an entire spectacle?”
“That’s the entire point of Secret Santa,” the woman replied cheekily. “I’ll start. The person I picked likes to have fun.”
“That’s easy, it’s Ginoza!” Shion yelled, earning a glare from the inspector.
“No, it’s not Ginoza,” Tsunemori laughed. “He likes to cook, and he loves playing video games.”
The entire Division 1 called out, “Kagari,”
“That’s right,” the woman exclaimed. “I got him a nice cookbook of international cuisine which I think he’ll appreciate and the latest game console in the market since I have no clue about video games. Merry Christmas, Kagari!”
This went on. Kagari got Masaoka, whom he gave a new set of paintbrushes and acrylics. Masaoka got Kunizuka and gave her a stack of old records from his private collection. Kunizuka picked Shion and gifted her the laciest set of underwear known to man.
“This will be the gift that keeps on giving,” the analyst said in her sultry voice, earning her a round of laughs and furious blushes from Inspector Ginoza, recalling his shame when he accompanied Kunizuka to buy her gift from the lingerie store.
Shion picked Tsunemori and gave her a new clothing holo but warned her the selection available is not fit for any professional setting.
Ginoza looked around, confused since his name hasn’t been called yet, when he realized he and Kougami picked each other.
Tsunemori gave a big smile. “Well, it looks like it’s just you and Kougami, Inspector Ginoza. Why don’t you go ahead?”
“Do I still have to describe Kougami when everyone knows he’s the one I picked?” The inspector said evenly.
“Come on, it’s only fair. Every one of us had to describe our baby,” Kagari yelled out.
“Fine,” Ginoza gave in, pinching the bridge of his nose. “The person I picked, I still consider my closest friend. I’ve known him since we were kids. The first time I met him, I had a bloody lip because some kids at school were beating me up. He saved me and he hasn’t stopped saving me since. He’s been by my side all these years despite my best efforts to push him away. He’s smart, reads a lot of books, tends to go on philosophical ramblings unless you stop him, and is exceedingly kind. He’s the most brilliant detective in the entire MWPSB, not even becoming an enforcer has changed that fact. He’s the bravest person I know, and I count myself lucky he’s still in my life, despite everything that has happened.”
“Are you sure that’s me?” Kougami asked.
“Shut up,” the inspector mumbled. “Anyway, I got him a couple of gifts since most of you gave conflicting advice on what I should get him. Let’s not pretend any of you were able to keep it a secret,” he said glaring at the team.
“I didn’t know what to get you, Kou. You know how terrible I am at choosing gifts. So, I followed all their advice. I got you this book Love Story, suggested by Kagari and Kunizuka. Tsunemori said I should get you a piece of jewelry and recommended a simple white gold ring. The gift receipt is in the box in case you want to have it exchanged or something. My father then suggested a dinner reservation since we haven’t talked properly in ages. We can have that dinner at your earliest convenience.”
He handed Kougami the paperback book and the small box, which the enforcer opened and peered inside. A delicate, white gold ring shone inside.
“I’m sensing a theme in your gift selection, which I think escaped your notice,” Kougami said as he placed the book and the small box on top of the nearest table.
Ginoza stared at him in confusion, wondering what he meant by having a theme when it all came together. “No, wait,” he sputtered. “I didn’t do it on purpose, they told me to get those for you.” He glanced around his team and noticed their smug faces.
“You were all in on it, weren’t you?” The senior detective narrowed his eyes. “I bet you even rigged the fishbowl, didn’t you, Tsunemori?”
“Just your name and Kougami,” the junior inspector shrugged.
“It was my idea, don’t get mad at them, Gino,” Kougami said, trying to placate his former partner.
“What are you playing at, Kougami?”
“Wait, I haven’t described who I picked yet,” the enforcer said, his gray eyes focused solely on Ginoza. “I’ve also known the person I picked since we were kids. I saved him from three bullies who were kicking his ass one day at the playground. He thinks I saved him that day. The truth is he was the one who saved me, in more ways than one. He saved me from a lifetime of loneliness since I decided that day to never leave his side. He gave me a purpose as I followed him to become an inspector here at the MWPSB. I swore that day in the playground I would always protect him. I failed him the day I turned into a latent criminal, but I’ve crawled my way from the abyss to be with him and protect him in any way I can. He can be cold and rough, but I’ve seen his warm and caring side. He worked hard and rose above other people’s preconceptions of him. They expected him to become a latent criminal like his father, only to emerge as the best inspector the MWPSB has ever seen. He’s the strongest person I know.”
Kougami smiled at his best friend whose green eyes were glinting with unshed tears behind his glasses. “I asked everyone to give you those gift ideas, so you won’t be completely surprised at what I’m about to do next.”
He pulled out a box, identical to the one the inspector handed him earlier. He opened the box and inside was a simple white gold ring.
Kougami dropped down on one knee and asked, “Inspector Ginoza Nobuchika, would you like to spend the rest of your life with me? We could get married or not, I don’t care. I only want to spend the rest of my mornings waking up next you. I want those startling green eyes to be the last thing I see when I close my eyes at night. We’ve already wasted so many years dancing around this, ignoring our feelings for each other. I’ve loved you from that moment in the playground. I’m hoping you feel the same way. What do you think?”
Ginoza looked stunned. A few moments later, he spoke. “I can’t take anything you say seriously while you’re wearing that ridiculous hat.”
Kougami laughed as he removed the enormous Santa hat and threw it to Kagari. “How about now?”
He pulled Kougami up to his full height and touched his cheek, “I would love to spend the rest of my life with you. There was never any doubt in my mind, we’re going to grow old together. Whether as partners, co-workers, or friends, I don’t care, so long as it’s with you. I loved you since we were kids. I never stopped even when I told myself I should. I love you, Shinya.”
He took the ring in Kougami’s hand and placed it on his left ring finger. He reached out to the table, took his gift, and gave it to his partner, in every sense of the word.
“Good thing I listened to Tsunemori,” he murmured as he watched Kougami put the ring on his own finger. “Perfect fit.”
“I love you too, Nobuchika,” he whispered, ignoring the catcalls and whistles from the entire Division 1 as he pulled Ginoza in for a kiss.
The cheers turned into a dull roar in Ginoza’s ears as he deepened the kiss further, slightly opening his mouth, years of pining and longing came crashing down on him. He wanted to memorize his taste, the feel of his body wrapped around him, until he heard Masaoka mutter, “Maybe try breathing there for a second.”
The inspector reluctantly broke the kiss before he completely lost his mind, throw Kougami at the nearest table and do unspeakable things to him with his tongue in the presence of his own father.
With all the professionalism he could muster, he spoke out. “Thank you, Tsunemori, for arranging this party. All in all, I think it was a complete success. Are we done here?”
“It’s only 10pm, I thought we were going to stay until midnight and welcome Christmas together?”
Kougami interrupted. “I think what the inspector is trying to say is if it’s all right with everyone, we’ll be turning in early tonight. For the sake of Masaoka’s health. He doesn’t need to know how I plan on welcoming Christmas with his son.”
Masaoka could vaguely recall seeing Kougami swipe a can of whipped cream from the dessert station earlier. He visibly paled. “For the love of Sybil, just go.”
The couple didn’t have to be told twice. Kougami grabbed Ginoza’s hand, who yelled, “Wait, my jacket!”
“Leave it,” growled Kougami, and the inspector allowed himself to be dragged away without any further protest.
“Merry Christmas!” He managed to shout out to the rest of the team.
“Looks like the inspector is going to get his Christmas stuffing tonight,” Shion cackled evilly, while Kunizuka and Kagari laughed. Masaoka covered his ears with both hands.
“What’s a Christmas stuffing? That sounds delicious,” Tsunemori asked innocently.
Shion laughed out loud. “Come on, inspector. Let’s get some liquor in you. It might be a while before we see our senior inspector again. You’re holding down the fort.”
All in all, it really was a successful office Christmas party.