Kaisagi Christmas Palooza

by Ironwoman18

Summary:

One Shots - Not interconnected

In this compilation Isagi and Kaiser will have to face different challenges to end up dating on Christmas.

Notes:

This story will be a series of one shots of Isagi and Kaiser in AUs with Christmas songs as the main inspiration. Hope you all like this. Read you below.

Chapter 1: Last Christmas

Summary:

Isagi a Data Analyst.
Rin a professional eSport player.
Kaiser a professional singer.

Rin and Isagi dated and worked closely for two years until Rin met some else and decided to break up with Isagi, on Christmas Eve.

A year later, Isagi meets Kaiser and his charming smile and attitude managed to captivate him until he could say without a doubt that he had feelings for Kaiser.

Notes:

Disclaimer: The BL characters or the song “Last Christmas” belong to me, their owners are Kaneshiro and Wham! I just use them for fun.

Last Christmas

Rin Itoshi and Yoichi Isagi met in their early twenties at a mutual friend’s small gathering, one of those quiet, cozy parties where half the people don’t want to be there, to celebrate the new eSport team for the Call of Duty mobile.

Isagi, freshly hired as a junior analyst, was sitting alone on a balcony, escaping the noise inside. He was staring at the night skyline, nursing a warm drink and trying not to look awkward, he graduated a few years ago as a data analyst and as psychologist almost at the same time, his analytical mind was exceptional and his grades granted him a lot of calls from eSports teams and even normal teams, specially because he had a scholarship thanks to his football skills, however he got an injury that forced him to focus on analyzing the field from the bench rather than on the field.

Rin Itoshi, on the other hand, was a natural talent with a strong body but he decided to play Call of Duty mobile as a profession and now, he was the new star hired by these new eSports team “Blue Lock eSports" which already had teams for FIFA eSport, Brawl Stars, LoL and other famous games.

While Isagi was on the balcony, Rin stepped outside a few minutes later, equally uninterested in socializing.

They didn’t speak at first, just shared the silence. Then Rin said, without looking at him, “You’re the only one here who isn’t pretending.”

Isagi blinked and said half joking, half seriously “…Is that a compliment?”

Rin shrugged, nonchalantly “It’s what made me come out here.”

That was all it took. Two quiet people, comfortable in quiet together. That night they exchanged numbers.

And over time, their small conversations turned into steady affection, not to mention that Isagi was one of the only ones who can read and understand Rin’s aggressive but controlled play style.

He was able to snap Rin out of those aggressive modes and forced him to focus on the match which built a great partnership between them that turned into a more personal one.

Their relationship grew not from sparks, but from warmth, peaceful, slow, sincere, until they confessed their love and began to date which created a synergy that earned their team a bunch of victories and defeated big teams without effort.

Two years passed, and during an eSports tournament, he met Sera Nakamura, a skilled performance analyst working for another team. She was calm, sharp, and with a mind that worked almost exactly like his: strategic, focused, intense, aggressive.

She challenged him. She understood his competitive mindset instantly and for the first time in two years, he lost a match, his team wasn't in danger of losing the tournament but she put the pressure on him.

Her presence felt like looking into a mirror.

Rin didn’t chase her. It happened gradually, naturally and... painfully.

Rin didn’t cheat. 

He didn’t lie. 

But he changed.

After months of trying to ignore the growing connection, Rin did the thing he hated most... He decided to tell Isagi the truth and get rid of the bandaid as fast as possible, for his and Yoichi's sake.

It was December 2024 and it snowed early.

They were getting ready for Christmas dinner at the Itoshi house.

He finished wrapping up their presents and after checking his outfit, a blue sweater and jeans. They got their winter jackets and gloves.

“Ready, Rin?” The player nodded and they left for the Itoshi house.

The car was filled only by the Christmas music from Yoichi's Spotify playlist.

They got there and had a good night with games and fun conversations. Sae Itoshi was a professional athlete, football player, Rin admired him and Sae was proud of him because he was doing what he enjoyed.

At midnight they had dinner and after an overdose of Christmas movies Rin called out Isagi.

Isagi remembers the cold air, the warmth of Rin’s gloved hand in his, the way the city lights reflected in Rin Itoshi’s quiet eyes.

They’d been together for two years, quietly, steadily, a relationship built on compatibility and unspoken understanding.

Isagi believed Rin was his future. Rin believed he could love Isagi forever... Until he didn’t.

A shift Rin didn’t know how to explain.

A new person entered his life... someone Rin unexpectedly connected with.

He looked at Isagi, silent, guilty in every step. Isagi, who was able to read, knew before Rin spoke, something in his eyes, that same look when he, out of instinct, did a play that wasn't planned and it cost them a round.

“I’m sorry,” Rin whispered. “I… I fell for someone else.”

The words cracked Isagi open in a way he didn’t know a person could break.

Rin didn’t cry.

Rin never cried.

But he looked at Isagi like he wished he were a better man... one who hadn’t hurt the person who trusted him the most.

Isagi walked away with the quiet dignity of someone too gentle to hate. He drove back to their shared apartment, packed his belongings and on Christmas morning he was by Hiori’s apartment.

“H...hey Hiori, Can I stay for a couple of days?” the light blue haired boy nodded and let him come in without further explanations.

When he was inside he told his teammate everything while sharing some tea. Hiori was surprised but he kind of saw that coming after some attitudes from Rin but Isagi was too blind or too in denial to see them, he didn’t want to believe his partner and lover liked someone else.

But he felt hollow for months after their unofficial break-up. He asked to be moved to another eSport, away from Rin, he was able to rent a new apartment after Christmas and he left Hiori’s place.

That Christmas became the one he avoided thinking about... the one where he gave his heart, and it was given away the very next day.

New Year's Eve passed. Yoichi spent it with his friends and months later Isagi continued to work as a data analyst, this time with the Brawl Stars team and they were doing a pretty good job, Isagi quit working with just one player but focused on the whole team, making sure all of them were in sync, he continued to heal slowly, learning to exist again, alone and working on his self esteem.

Rin moved on, though there was a shadow in his eyes whenever Isagi’s name came up, he was spending time with his new crush and they were having fun dates and cute moments but, somehow it felt weird for him, he missed Yoichi’s voice in his ear when he was about to exploit or when he rushed to attack and the timing wasn’t right.

He started to notice how the CoD team was losing their good rankings and the Brawl Stars team was getting better and earning more points as their season continued, he knew there was only one reason for it... Yoichi Isagi. He learned the Meta of the game in record time and led the team to a win streak, Rin was proud of him but his selfish side wanted Isagi back with them, with him but he screwed it up.

Then suddenly, Isagi and Kaiser had their first meeting, which was in the summer, at an event Isagi attended to give a seminar on eSports performance data. Kaiser bumped into him backstage and spilled hot chocolate on both of them.

“Verdammt...!” he swore in German, then his light blue eyes met with Isagi and he got stunned by his good looks, and, as extrovert as he was, he said with a smirk “Oh. You’re pretty. That makes this less embarrassing.” which made Isagi blinked, stunned by the audacity of the blond man.

Normally people didn't talk to him like that. Kaiser grinned. And somehow, this made Isagi laugh “Thankfully I got a spare shirt in my camerine” he mentioned and left Kaiser stunned.

From that moment, Kaiser kept finding reasons to see him again, and those were from “collaboration research,” to “creative consultation,” and the less subtle of them all “accidentally passing by your office,” excuses transparent enough to see through, but charming enough that Isagi didn’t mind.

Hiori teased him every time they noticed Michael around their building and suddenly showing where he was “by accident” which made Isagi to blush but he didn’t mind at all, in fact he was enjoying the attention and even thought he loved Rin, he was so cold he could never do things like this, maybe because they were 24/7 together and never feel the need to catch the other’s attention.

Where Rin was a quiet winter frost, Kaiser was a warm holiday light, Kaiser was intrusive, bright, and impossible to ignore, something Isagi was getting more happy to have now in his life.

And suddenly, December arrived, the city hung lights, the snow gathered on the windows and Germany’s golden boy, Michael Kaiser, the shining idol whose voice flooded winter radios as his new cover of “Last Christmas” climbed the charts and, as expected, social media exploded. showed up in the scene. 

He was dramatic, arrogant, annoyingly gorgeous, and absolutely incapable of subtlety, but no one can’t deny that his vocals were gorgeous, emotional, soft and shockingly vulnerable for someone like that. Isagi listened to it alone one night after a long day working for the world finals of Brawl Stars, he was stunned by his voice but when the chorus comes:

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…

But the very next day, you gave it away…

He realized something impossible, Kaiser was singing as if he understands heartbreak... His heartbreak. Maybe it was just the song’s lyrics but the way his voice sounded so vulnerable, made him feel like he understood him.

When Isagi saw him to thank him for the song the next day, Kaiser just smiled “Music is always for someone. And I’m glad I was able to let some of my own in a song, even if it’s not mine”

Isagi asked quietly “Someone… special?” he wasn’t looking at him so he didn’t notice the slight blush on Kaiser’s cheeks or his almost watery eyes. During the last few months he got to meet Isagi and he wasn’t a weak guy, he was strong and handsome and a person with the power to speak up for himself but right now he saw a broken Isagi like this song brought out some terrible memories.

Kaiser stepped closer, his voice low and sincere for once. “Only if you let me be.”

Isagi’s breath caught up, not in pain this time, but in something warm and new “Since today is the day before Christmas... Would you like to come with me to a local market close by?” Kaiser nodded and they put on their coats and left the building. 

They walked through the Christmas market together. Kaiser bought Isagi a warm pastry. Isagi wiped powdered sugar off Kaiser’s cheek. Kaiser pretended his heart didn’t just stop.

They stopped by a park, watching kids playing with the snow, adults and teens were ice-skating and Kaiser asked “What happened to you?” and Yoichi told him.

“Last Christmas, my ex boyfriend told me he liked someone else... on Christmas eve... and I was about to give him a necklace with our initials with the words “Yours For Ever” but we broke up before I even had the chance to give it to him...”

Kaiser was angry as he felt the hurt in Yoichi’s voice, how that still hasn't healed completely “Yoichi,” he says softly, after a minute of silence “give me the chance he lost...” he looked at him right in the eyes

The snow fell harder, the lights glowed warmer and for the first time in a year, Isagi felt wanted without doubt, desired without fear, and cherished without conditions.

He whispered “…Okay. This Christmas… you can have my heart.” This year Yoichi gave it to someone who wanted to keep it.

Kaiser’s smile was unlike anything Isagi had ever seen, bright, but gentle, confident, but sincere. It was a promise, not a performance by the most dramatic singer out there, and suddenly a woman winked at them as she put a mistletoe above their heads and the most wanted thing happened, they kissed right there, Michael, gave a fuck about the paparazzies, he was on cloud nine, as he was able to kiss the man he wanted for the past ten months.

Meanwhile, somewhere far away at an eSports event, Rin Itoshi felt a strange ache in his chest... an echo of a mistake he can never undo.

A year after the breakup, Rin attended a winter eSports exhibition match. He tried to keep his focus on the stage, on strategy, on anything but his past.

After the event, he stepped outside into the softly falling snow and froze. Across the plaza, he saw Isagi walking beside Michael Kaiser, THE MICHAEL FUCKING KAISER, the world’s most golden, radiant star. Kaiser was laughing, holding Isagi’s glove-covered hand, swinging it a little as if he couldn't contain his happiness.

Isagi looked... different. He didn’t look broken. Not hesitant. Not hurting.

He’s warm, relaxed, smiling, like genuinely smiling.

Kaiser brushed snow from Isagi’s hair, teasing him, and Isagi nudged him playfully. They looked like two people who found each other at exactly the right time, this made Rin’s chest tightened sharply.

He knew Isagi would move on. He just didn’t expect it to look this gentle, this natural... this happy. Sera came up beside him and touched his arm “Rin? Are you okay?”

Rin forced a faint breath “Y…Yeah. I’m fine.” But he watched Kaiser kissing Isagi’s forehead under the snowfall, a soft, intimate gesture Rin never used to give... and realized the truth... Isagi wan’t his anymore. He belonged to someone who could warm him better.

Rin looked away first.

After this wonderful afternoon, Isagi promised Kaiser he would invite him to try a nice Japanese restaurant but his boss called for a meeting. 

So now, here he was, sitting still, something he was never good at, but he was trying, like really trying hard... because Isagi had asked him to wait while he finished a quick briefing with league staff.

He lounged on a bench in the hallway, scrolling through his phone, humming under his breath. The winter event building was buzzing with energy, reporters, players, analysts... and then Kaiser heard Rin Itoshi’s name.

He didn’t look up at first. But then he heard Isagi’s name right after, and Kaiser’s attention snapped up like a magnet. Two staff members were chatting a few steps away.

“Yeah, Yocchan used to work directly with Rin. He was basically his personal data analyst for a whole season.”

“Weren’t they dating too?” Kaiser’s hand froze mid-scroll.

“Yeah. Quietly. It ended around Christmas last year, I think. Shame... they worked insanely well together.” Kaiser turned his head slowly, like a cat spotting prey. And he connected the dots, this was the ex he told him about just a few minutes ago was Rin Itoshi.

Kaiser had the bad luck of meeting Rin in an event where pro players and artists were competing for charity. His team won thanks to a miraculous save by Seishiro “The Lazy Genius” Nagi, famous streamer, and from Kenma “The Brain” Kozume, another famous streamer.

Rin and Yoichi... Yoichi and Rin... Dating.

The staff members walked off, oblivious to the existential crisis they’d left behind. Kaiser blinked once, then twice and then he said, very softly “…Hä? WHAT?” He stood up so fast his coat flared out dramatically. He started pacing, running a hand through his hair. “When the hell was he planning to tell me he dated that guy?” Kaiser muttered to himself. “The human glacier? The one who glares at me like I kicked his puppy?”

His outrage was theatrical, but underneath it was something sharp and unfamiliar. A sting... Jealousy. And Kaiser, without a doubt, hated the feeling.

Isagi stepped out of the briefing room and spotted Kaiser immediately... pacing like a lion trapped in a cage, flustered, looking like he was either about to start singing or start a fight “Umm…Michael? What’s wrong?”

Kaiser marched up to him “Yoichi,” he said, voice dramatic but eyes dead serious, “I need you to answer one question.”

“O…Okay?” Yoichi looked confused but accepted

Kaiser leaned down slightly, face close enough to make Isagi blink “Were you...” Kaiser enunciated, “...Rin Itoshi’s personal analyst?”

Isagi frozen “…Ah.”

“That’s a yes...” Kaiser said, hand flying to his forehead. “Okay. Fine. I can live with that. I can...” He paused then leaned in even closer, all too dramatic it could be funny if his face wasn’t red with jealousy “…Were you also his boyfriend?”

Isagi closed his eyes, just for a moment, then sighed and nodded as he didn’t trust his own voice at that moment.

Kaiser stepped back like he’d been stabbed “Verdammt,” he breathed “I knew the universe hated me.”

Isagi sighed softly. “Michael... It was a long time ago... We ended things quietly and... he’s the one I told you about... I didn’t lie, I just hide his name”

“I’m not mad you dated,” Kaiser said quickly. “You’re allowed to have history. I have history too.”

Isagi raised a brow, “You broke up with three backup dancers in a single afternoon...”

“NOT THE POINT...” Kaiser ran his hands through his hair again. His voice softened but it was still dramatic, but tinted with something vulnerable. “It’s just… Yoichi, why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Isagi hesitated “…Because I didn’t want you to look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like I’m someone’s leftover...” There was again that small, vulnerable voice and in that moment if Rin Itoshi passed by them, he would punch him in the face

Kaiser froze then, very carefully, he stepped closer, gentle this time, no theatrics, just sincerity.

“Yoichi,” he murmured, the Japanese young man looked down so Kaiser lifted his chin up lightly and said “you are not anybody’s leftover.” Isagi looked up at him, surprised.

“You’re the person I fell for,” Kaiser said, voice low and warm. “Not because of who you dated. But because of who you are with me and for the way you make me feel when I see you and when I am with you...”

Isagi felt his heart stutter “And Rin?” he whispered.

Kaiser smirked, soft, not smug “Nah... Rin is the past.” He touched Isagi’s cheek with gloved fingers “and, right now I want to be your future.”

Isagi swallowed hard, the cold air suddenly warmed “O…Okay.”

Kaiser pressed his forehead gently against Isagi’s “I just needed to know,” he whispered, “so I can beat him properly.”

“Michael...” said Isagi, rolling his eyes playfully.

“What? Emotionally... Romantically... Competitively... All of it.”

Isagi laughed, quietly, warmly, and Kaiser’s chest loosened, he wasn’t angry or jealous anymore, because Isagi was standing in front of him, right here, right now, choosing him, and that was all Kaiser needed.

The hallway backstage was dim, lit only by the soft glow of overhead track lights. Most of the staff had already gone home. Rin was heading out from an exhibition match review, hoodie up, hands in pockets, his expression its usual unreadable calm. He was passing the side corridor when he heard voices, two he recognized instantly.

Isagi’s and... Kaiser’s? Rin stopped walking. He didn’t mean to listen but his body just… didn’t move.

Kaiser’s tone was quieter than Rin had ever heard it. “…You should’ve told me sooner, Yoichi.”

“I know,” Isagi replied softly. “I’m sorry.” Rin’s fingers curled inside his sleeves.

Kaiser exhaled, voice raw with sincerity “He hurted you last Christmas. And you still talk about it like you’re the one who did something wrong.”

Isagi said nothing for a moment, a silence Rin recognized, the silence he used to rest in, and now the one that hurt him deeper than knives, then he said “Rin didn’t hurt me on purpose,” Isagi murmured. “He just… changed.”

Rin’s breath caught. He had never heard Isagi say it out loud, but above all people around him, he would be the one noticing it, his change towards him.

Kaiser’s voice lowered, warm, protective “You don’t have to defend him.”

“I’m not,” Isagi replied gently. “I’ve just... accepted it.” Rin’s chest tightened... Accepted it. Accepted losing him “It took me a year and even some visits to my psychologist but I found my inner peace...”

“Yoichi,” Kaiser said, “look at me.” Rin could almost hear the shift of clothing, the soft scuff of shoes, Kaiser stepping closer to him “You don’t belong to him anymore.” Rin felt the words like a hit, clean, quiet, and devastating.

And then Isagi said “…I know.” That was the worst part, there was no hesitation in his voice, no lingering hope, just certainty. Rin closed his eyes.

“I’m not trying to replace him,” Kaiser murmured. “I just want to be the one you trust from now on.”

Isagi breathed out, a soft, shaky exhale Rin had heard many times in the past, but never because of someone else “…You are,” Isagi whispered. “I do trust you... I trusted from the moment we started to hang out more...”

Rin felt something in his stomach drop. A year ago, those words belonged to him. Now they belonged to Kaiser, he moved silently, like a shadow, retreating down the corridor, he didn’t need to hear anything else, he knew now that Yoichi moved on... He had someone to belong to, to call home and he wasn’t going to become the toxic ex-boyfriend who would try to hurt them because he made a mistake.

The truth was painfully simple... Isagi had healed and he had healed with someone else. Outside, the winter air hit Rin’s face like a rude awakening. He pulled his hood lower, breath fogging in the cold.

A small voice... uncharacteristic, fragile and one who would never allow it out for the world to hear it... slipped into his thoughts “I did this... I was the one who let him go.”

Rin clenched his jaw and kept walking, footsteps slow, heavy with the knowledge that he was now just another person in Isagi’s past. And Kaiser… Kaiser had become the person Isagi leaned toward.

Rin didn’t cry.

He never cried.

But for the first time, he wished he had said or done something... anything... before Isagi stopped being someone he still had the right to reach for.

Notes:

Next Chapter’s song: All I want for Christmas is you.

Chapter 2: All I Want for Christmas Is You

Summary:

Yoichi Isagi, a second-year psychology student, never planned on getting caught between an upperclassman and a classmate with magnetic personalities and worse communication skills. He just wanted a quiet December, his psychology research, cheap campus hot chocolate, maybe snow.

Saint Cloelia University — Winter Term

Yoichi Isagi, a second-year psychology student, never planned on getting caught between an upperclassman and a classmate with magnetic personalities and worse communication skills. He just wanted a quiet December, his psychology research, cheap campus hot chocolate, maybe snow.

Instead, he somehow attracted the attention of Michael Kaiser, a third-year business star, who sparkled like a walking holiday commercial and flirted shamelessly.

And Rin Itoshi, second-year law prodigy, silent winter storm wrapped in a perfect suit, whose rare softness was always directed at one person: Yoichi.

And, even with his high IQ and the ability to read others, he had no idea why either of them bothered to go after such a boring guy.

All this began when Isagi was hanging gold stars at the Psychology Club booth for the Holiday Fair, snow was falling lightly and his breath formed little clouds, he was humming “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” while it was playing from his speakers, he thought no one could hear him.

But Michael Kaiser heard which made him stop instantly, like someone hit pause on his whole world and he said soft and a little amused “You’re dangerous, Schatz. Singing like that in public.”

Isagi heard that and nearly dropped the star and Kaiser just smirked

Then they started to decorate together and Kaiser was pretending that he knows how to hang the Christmas lights which caused Isagi to laugh “Hey... don’t laugh dude... I know what I am doing...”

“Yeah, of course” said Yoichi, smirking and Kaiser could feel his knees getting weak from it. 

Kaiser was also pretending the tangled lights were on purpose as he was trying to place the lights on and Isagi blushed whenever Kaiser leaned too close to him, either on purpose or just to help him do something. Michael Kaiser was charming and flirted with him now and then, complementing him quite a lot.

Kaiser swore he was only helping with the decorations, but really he was studying Isagi’s smile, laugh and him as a whole like it was coursework or one of the cases he had in business class, he was fascinated by Yoichi Isagi.

While all this happened, Rin Itoshi stopped when he saw them as Kaiser was standing too close, Isagi’s cheeks were pink and the sound of laughter was fading.

“You’re blocking the walkway... shitty rose” in a really bad mood all the sudden, using Kaiser’s nickname because he had a tattoo of a blue rose on his neck then covers all his arm with the thorns, on his other arm he had some small tattoos but the most important was the rose one.

Kaiser doesn’t move “Go pout somewhere else, Grinch... While we celebrate Christmas”

Rin’s eyes flicked to Isagi and said in a cold way “Don’t let him climb ladders” he pointed at Kaiser as he said so “He’ll fall and pretend it’s romantic.”

Kaiser looked at him, faking to be offended and Isagi blushed harder. Rin walked away, but not before he gave a final look at Isagi, ignoring Kaiser.

Kaiser notices and hates it. Isagi also noticed this and rubbed the bridge of his nose, knowing he was clearly in trouble.

The next day, Kaiser recruited Isagi to help plan the Winter Charity Gala of their university. Isagi thought it was because he was responsible and the star of the psychology department, but everyone else knows it’s because Kaiser was obsessed with him.

Isagi arrived a little early and saw something he never thought he would ever witness: Michael Kaiser was wearing reading glasses “Not gonna lie, he looks quite handsome with them” thought Isagi and blushed at that, shaking his head.

He decided to read on his phone an essay their teacher shared with them while waiting, cursing himself every time his eyes looked at Michael.

Michael only wore them for long documents and only when he thinks no one is looking. But when Kaiser noticed Isagi was there and saw him wearing them he froze “Yo...Yoichi... You weren’t supposed to see that.”

Isagi shrugged a little and said “They look good on you.” he blushed a little but decided to be honest

Kaiser had an internal short-circuiting, not only his crush praised him wearing those ugly ass glasses but also blushed while saying that “W...well... y...yes... o...obviously... b...but still...” he was fighting the embarrassment but failed entirely.

Isagi just smirked and kept reading. Then the rest of students arrived, including a really annoyed Rin who casually sat next to Isagi and they talked quietly about their next assignment until Kaiser sat on the other chair next to Isagi, so now he was surrounded, on his left he had the ice king, Rin Itoshi, and on his right side was the flamboyant and drama king, Michael Kaiser. 

Kaiser brought Isagi hot chocolate “Before we start, I brought you some hot chocolate”

“How kind... Kaiser...” said Rin, annoyed.

“Don’t be jealous RinRin that I didn’t bring you too” said Kaiser in a fake tone of being sorry “I just saw him first” that had double intention and Rin and Isagi noticed that.

Kaiser started to sit next to him every meeting so Rin started to do the same, both bringing an extra hot chocolate or extra cookies for him.

Kaiser acted proud whenever Isagi solved a problem, like one day when Isagi had come early, and to anyone’s surprise since he was known by now as the second-year volunteer who was an habitual over-achiever and the unofficial “problem-solver” according to the event coordinators, Kaiser and a teacher. He was standing on a chair, checking a misbehaving string of lights, when someone below let out a wobbling groan.

A volunteer, maybe a first-year, swayed on her feet and collapsed back against a stack of folded chairs.

“Hey... hey, I’ve got you,” Isagi said immediately, hopping down and steadying her before she hit the floor.

The room froze for a second. Then Isagi’s voice cut cleanly through the silence “Can someone grab water? And maybe some air in here?” He guided the volunteer toward a quieter corner, checking their pulse against their wrist, speaking softly and steadily “You’re okay. Breathe with me. In… out… good.”

Rin had been helping with the stage layout when he saw the commotion. His chest tightened the moment he spotted Isagi kneeling beside the fainted volunteer. He was at Isagi’s side in less than a breath “Here.” Rin held out a mug of warm tea... how he got it so fast, nobody knew. “It’ll help once she wakes up.”

But Rin didn’t hand it to the volunteer, he handed it to Isagi “Drink. You’re doing more work than she is”

Isagi blinked and he looked at him “Rin… I’m okay. She’s the one who fainted.”

“You get cold hands when you’re stressed,” Rin muttered, not quite meeting his eyes. “Tea helps.”

Isagi’s ears warmed. “Thanks.”

And, of course Kaiser arrived with that obnoxiously perfect timing he somehow mastered. He’d been supervising decorations for the third-years, and the moment he heard “someone’s fainted,” he strode over with all the confidence of a man who refuses to be left out.

He took one look, Isagi crouched, calm and focused. and something tightened behind his eyes and without a word, Kaiser shrugged off his coat and draped it over… Isagi’s shoulders.

“Hm... Why me?” Isagi sputtered.

“You’re kneeling on a cold tile,” Kaiser replied smoothly. “We can’t have one of our best volunteers freezing before the big night.”

“You’re so dramatic,” Rin muttered rolling his eyes, but internally he was thankful.

Kaiser smirked. “You’re welcome.”

The volunteer finally blinked awake, confused but breathing normally.

Isagi gave her a reassuring smile “You fainted, but you’re okay. Sit with your head down for a minute. I’ll grab more water.”

The volunteer exhaled shakily “You’re… really good at this. Like, weirdly good.”

“Part of the job,” Isagi said lightly “I took a first-aid course on my first-year here”

“Shit... I took the science computer course instead...” she said, blushing.

But Rin watched him with a softness he rarely let slip and Kaiser stared like he was discovering something dangerous in himself, something he didn’t plan for.

Isagi stood up, brushing dust off his knees.

Rin immediately reached forward. “Careful.”

Kaiser moved too. “Are you dizzy?”

“I’m fine,” Isagi said, baffled. “Guys, it wasn’t me who fainted.”

“You carried the whole situation,” Rin murmured.

“You centered the room,” Kaiser added.

Isagi blinked at both of them, cheeks warming. “I…I just helped someone.”

“Exactly,” Rin said under his breath.

Kaiser folded his arms, expression annoyingly unreadable “Keep doing that and I’ll start falling for you.”

Rin’s head snapped toward him. “You already are...”

“Maybe,” Kaiser shot back.

“Can you two not flirt over someone fainting?” said Isagi, rolling his eyes

“Not flirting. Stating facts.” answered Kaiser with confidence.

“We can’t deny the facts,” said Rin, which shocked Isagi.

Isagi covered his face. “Please... There are people around.”

Rin and Kaiser both looked at him with the same reluctant fondness. Rin walked on Isagi’s right. Kaiser on his left, neither backed down, neither gave an inch.

And Isagi, warm tea in hand, a coat still on his shoulders, heart beating too fast, wondered when helping a fainting volunteer became… this.

The next day at the law building, Isagi and Rin met there because it was always a nice, quiet place after evening classes to study, it was also too polished and too severe, like a museum dressed as a university. Isagi wasn’t sure why Rin asked him to meet there, but he showed up anyway, clutching a binder of Rin’s case summaries that he offered to help organize.

The lounge was empty except for the two of them, dim desk lamps, leather chairs and a faint scent of coffee and winter air from the cracked window. Rin sat across from him, elbows on his knees, staring at his textbook but clearly not reading, his mind was too busy thinking of the boy next to him.

“Your handwriting is neat,” Rin said suddenly.

Isagi blinked. “Uh… thanks?”

“It makes briefing easier.” Isagi waited, looking at Rin as he noticed that his voice sounded… different. Less sharp. More introspective “You didn’t have to help me, you know?” Rin continued, closing the textbook. “You’re busy enough.”

“I wanted to,” Isagi said. “You seemed stressed.” Rin let out a breath through his nose, half scoff, half something softer.

“That obvious?” Rin asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Isagi smiled and nodded “To me?... Hell yeah.”

Rin’s eyes lifted, steady and unexpectedly vulnerable “Isagi.”

“Yeah?” He said a little distracted putting the cases in groups.

There was a pause, Rin took a deep breath and a little shift. “I...” and suddenly the door to the lounge burst open as two law students stumbled in, laughing loudly about moot court rankings. Rin snapped upright, the mask sliding back into place so fast it hurt to watch. “We’re done,” he said abruptly, grabbing his things.

“Rin...”

“It’s late. You should go.” he said, cold again and he left before Isagi could stand.

Isagi sat alone at the table, heart pounding for reasons he didn’t fully understand. He stared at the door where Rin disappeared through and thought “What were you about to say?”

And why did Isagi… want to know so badly?

Two days later, Rin and Isagi were studying together at the campus café, an unplanned coincidence.

Rin saw him through the window, Isagi smiled and waved, Rin hesitated, then sat down across from him. They worked quietly for over an hour. Rin leaned across the table to show him an annotated case law chart, his hair falling slightly over his face, voice low and calm in explanation. Isagi laughed at something Rin said, actually laughed, and Rin blinked, startled but pleased. That was the moment Michael Kaiser walked in.

His gaze found Isagi instantly, then Rin and lastly how close they sat, at that moment a spark of jealousy was immediate, electric, and impossible to hide. Kaiser approached, smiling tight around the edges “Well, isn’t this cozy.”

Rin’s posture straightened, expression turning cool. Isagi felt the atmosphere thicken “We’re just studying,” Isagi said quickly.

“Mm...” Kaiser hummed, pulling up a chair without asking. “Looks like a date.”

Rin’s eyes sharpened. “Don’t be childish.”

Kaiser smirked. “Then don’t sit so close to him.” Isagi flinched and Rin’s jaw clenched. Kaiser immediately realized he’d shown too much, THE REAL Michael Kaiser was leaking in his carefree persona, so he cleared his throat, a veneer of charm flickering back on “…I was just joking.”

But it was too late, Isagi saw it... The crack... The insecurity under the sparkle. Yoichi was way too perspective and noticed this, his psychologist side wanted to help him and also as a person who is developing feelings for this man.

Rin closed his book and stood. “I need to buy something before class. Isagi, I’ll bring you back some water.”

“Hmmm... thanks, Rin”

When Rin walked away, the silence left behind felt full, charged, dangerous. Isagi set down his pen and looked Kaiser square in the eyes. “Kaiser,” Isagi said softly. “Are you jealous?”

The question hit like a slap causing Kaiser to freeze, almost visibly thrown. He looked at Isagi, faking calm “Is that what you think?”

“I don’t think,” Isagi said. “I saw.” 

Kaiser swallowed, his dark blue eyes were creating a crack in his armor, he decided to give up and let him see his true colors for once “…I don’t like it,” Kaiser admitted, his voice quiet, unsteady in a way he never allowed others to hear “Seeing you smile at him like that.”

“Kaiser...”

“I know Rin likes you.” Kaiser’s gaze dropped “And I know he’d be good for you... maybe even better than me” Isagi’s chest tightened, hearing the confident Michael Kaiser this broken, this honest... broke him “But I…” Kaiser exhaled, low and raw. “I still want you to look at me.”

Isagi felt something in him melt. He reached across the table, gently touching Kaiser’s hand. “I do look at you... Michael” he whispered and for the first time he called him by his name, this made Kaiser catch his breath “And I notice you,” Isagi continued.

Slowly, Kaiser’s fingers curled around his “…Say that again,” Kaiser murmured.

Isagi smiled, “I notice you, Michael.”

Kaiser’s eyes fluttered shut, relief washing over him in a soft, trembling wave. Rin returned at that exact moment, water bottle in hand, catching the tail end of the intimate closeness.

He didn’t comment, but his eyes flickered, hurt, understanding then he set the water down “We have class,” Rin said quietly.

Isagi let go of Kaiser’s hand, Kaiser didn’t chase, Rin didn’t ask. Something had shifted between all of them.

The next day later, during the gala rehearsal, they decorated the arches in the main hall with garlands and lights. Kaiser soothed his jealousy with charm and Rin buried his feelings under composure, while Isagi tried not to get overwhelmed by those two.

When Isagi stepped onto the ladder to adjust a string of lights, Kaiser steadied it below him, hands firmly on the rungs “Careful,” Kaiser said, looking up. “I’d like to keep you in one piece.”

“Again... you’re too dramatic,” Isagi said, smiling down.

“And you’re cute when you’re busy.” said Kaiser who got bolder with his flirting after seeing Yoichi wasn’t reluctant to them.

“Kaiser...” he said, playfully rolling his eyes.

“You heard me.”

Isagi flushed then Rin’s voice cut through “Isagi, come down. You’re going to fall.” he said, almost like an order.

Kaiser glared up at Rin and he glared down at Kaiser, causing Isagi to sigh and stepped off the ladder, right under a small sprig of mistletoe Kaiser had apparently hung earlier “I didn’t hang that,” Isagi said, remembered it wasn’t there a minute ago.

“Oh yes you did,” Kaiser grinned and Isagi took a deep breath at the childish attitude of his upperclassman but before Kaiser could lean in... 

Rin stepped between them “Enough,” Rin said. “We have work to do.”

Kaiser’s eye twitched and Rin’s shoulders stiffened. All this bullshit made Isagi want to sink into the floor.

After rehearsal, Isagi packed his stuff and walked through campus. Snow fell softly through the lamplight. He thought about Rin’s almost-confession, he didn’t have full confirmation but he was 90% sure that was what was happening with him, then Kaiser’s jealousy and his own racing heartbeat. He didn’t notice Kaiser following until the older student spoke “You didn’t run away from me today,” Kaiser said.

Isagi shrugged “You didn’t give me a reason to...” 

Kaiser laughed as they walked side by side “When you confronted me at the café...” Kaiser said softly, “I expected you to pull away.”

“Why?”

“Because people usually do that,” Kaiser said. “Especially when they see I’m not just… sparkle.” Isagi looked at him, like really looked at him as Kaiser’s breath misted in the cold and his voice carried a vulnerability that almost hurt “I don’t want you to pull away from me,” Kaiser admitted.

“I’m not going to...” Isagi whispered and for the first time, Kaiser didn’t hide behind anything, he just let the moment settle, warm and unguarded between them.

After that, there were still a few nights before the gala, and the three of them walked out of the student union building together. A rare, strangely comfortable moment. Snow crunched under their boots. Lights glittered through the branches overhead.

Rin walked slightly ahead, Kaiser walked slightly beside and Isagi walked in between of them, feeling the gravity of both.

Rin spoke first “Isagi,” he said quietly, “about the other night.” Isagi’s heart skipped, Kaiser stiffened and Rin continued. “Forget it. The timing was wrong.” Isagi opened his mouth to say something but Rin added, voice barely above a whisper “Just… don’t let him hurt you.” Was Rin Itoshi actually giving up? That stubborn man? Isagi couldn't believe it 

Kaiser inhaled sharply as Rin walked ahead, leaving the two of them standing in the falling snow.

Isagi looked up at Kaiser “You’re not going to hurt me,” he said softly.

“Not intentionally,” Kaiser murmured. “But I can’t promise I won’t screw up.”

“Then we’ll deal with it together.”

Kaiser exhaled shakily, eyes warm and aching.

“I want that,” he said.

And though the gala hadn’t come yet… Isagi knew... Something real was forming.

The week leading up to the Winter Gala moved strangely too fast and too slow all at the same time.

Ever since that peaceful night, Isagi woke up each morning to the same notifications:

1 new message - Rin

1 new message - Kaiser

Both checking in. Both pretending they weren’t. Both caring more than they admitted. 

And now he was sure that Rin didn't actually give up on him. He just controlled his energies.

The psychology building felt colder these days, despite the central heating, and Isagi would sit on the floor outside the lab, writing an essay or reading an article for a test, when Kaiser would slide down beside him like it was the most natural thing.

“You need gloves,” Kaiser murmured once, tapping the tips of Isagi’s freezing fingers.

“You need to stop sneaking up on me.”

“It’s not sneaking. You’re just oblivious.” Isagi rolled his eyes, faking to be annoyed by him.

Flirting and teasing was easy with Kaiser, like a second nature. Isagi scowled. Kaiser laughed and it was warm, genuine. 

Moments later, Rin arrived with two hot coffees “Here,” Rin said, placing one in front of Isagi without making eye contact. “You drink too little in the mornings.”

Kaiser glared that Isagi melted and Rin pretended not to notice.

Every day felt like that... Warmth, tension, jealousy, affection. A triangle that shouldn’t work, but did. For a while...

The gala committee met daily by now. Kaiser dominated the marketing meetings, dazzling with effortless leadership. Rin handled contracts and legal regulations with merciless efficiency. Isagi floated between teams, observing, analyzing, helping with his analytical skills to find solutions or just keeping everyone in a good mood.

One afternoon in the main hall, Kaiser caught him alone.

“Isagi.” Kaiser stood under the balcony lights, holding a stack of cue cards. His glasses were perched on his nose, reading the emcee schedule “You look tired,” Kaiser said quietly.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re lying.” Isagi blinked. Kaiser stepped closer “I know you overwork yourself. You think you have to do everything perfectly.”

Isagi’s throat tightened. “I just… want to help.”

Kaiser lowered his voice “You’re helping just by being here.” A warm silence settled.

Then Isagi said softly “Kaiser...” then added, “can I ask something?”

“Hm?”

“Why do you try so hard? With the gala. With people. With… me.” Kaiser’s smile faltered and Yoichi noticed it... a crack, a flicker of pain.

“Because if I don’t try,” Kaiser whispered, “people leave.”

Isagi’s chest tightened painfully “Kaiser...”

But Rin appeared on the stage above them “We need you for the lighting test,” Rin called down.

Kaiser straightened immediately, mask sliding back on. Isagi watched the transformation with a hollow ache “How much of Kaiser did people never see?” he thought as he saw Michael, leaving with Rin as he explained what he needed to do.

Then Rin’s Breaking Point happened during a rehearsal break a couple of days later. The hall was dim, lit only by the tree in the corner and scattered stage lights.

Isagi was adjusting camera settings when Rin approached “Isagi.”

Rin almost never initiated conversations like that. Isagi turned immediately “Yeah?”

Rin hesitated, he was silent, and he seemed like he was steadying himself. “You and Kaiser,” Rin said slowly. “You’re… close.”

Isagi blinked. “We’re… figuring things out.”

“I see.” Rin’s hands tightened around the folder he held, not in anger but in loss.

“You don’t have to tell me anything,” Rin said, voice low. “I just wanted to know if I should let go.”

The words struck Isagi like cold water “Rin…”

Rin forced a faint, humorless smile “It doesn’t matter. People don’t choose me. I’ve made peace with that.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is,” Rin said simply. “But I’m glad you’re happy.”

Isagi didn’t know what to say. Rin bowed his head once, a quiet, formal farewell of feelings he never got to confess, then he walked away.

Isagi wanted to follow, to comfort him, to undo the hurt... But when he turned... and there was Kaiser, watching from a distance, Isagi noticed that his own expression was breaking.

After that, Kaiser found him later backstage, eyes shadowed under the stage lights. “I saw,” Kaiser said softly

Isagi’s heart twisted. “Kaiser...”

“He likes you,” Kaiser murmured, he wasn’t jealous now, nor angry. Just… grieving for someone else. “He really likes you.”

“I know.”

“And you…” Kaiser swallowed. “You care about him too.”

“As a friend,” Isagi said gently. “I want him to be okay.”

Kaiser let out a trembling exhale and whispered his name like a prayer “Isagi,” he added, “don’t let me take something from him. Not if it hurts you.”

Isagi stepped close and placed a hand over Kaiser’s. “You’re not taking anything,” Isagi said. “He cares about me but... You… you’re who my heart chooses.”

Kaiser’s breath caught. His hand curled around Isagi’s like he needed the connection to stay upright. “Please…Don’t say things like that unless you mean them.” the normal Michael Kaiser would never plead, would never sound so pathetic but right now he was with Yoichi Isagi, the only person who had ever seen him being pathetic.

“I mean them.” Kaiser looked like he didn’t know whether to kiss him or cry.

That night, Isagi found him again outside the hall. Kaiser stood alone under the falling snow, no glasses, no audience, no sparkling mask. Just Michael. Just himself.

Isagi approached quietly, “Kaiser?”

Kaiser didn’t turn at first, then “Do you like Christmas?” Kaiser asked softly, staring up at the lights.

Isagi blinked. “…What?”

“I asked if you like Christmas.”

Isagi stepped beside him. “I think I do,” he said. “Even when it’s lonely.”

Kaiser let out a soft laugh, almost bitter. “Well... Christmas is always lonely for me.”

Isagi’s heart squeezed. “Why?”

Kaiser shrugged, but it wasn’t casual “My family’s never together. My father travels. My mother throws parties I’m not allowed to attend. I get expensive gifts instead of conversations.” He exhaled, watching his breath cloud “I learned to fill the silence with being… this.” He gestured to himself “I use the charm, the glitter and the confidence...” he said, looking down “So people don’t see the cracks.”

Isagi swallowed hard. “But…You don’t have to pretend with me.”

Kaiser looked at him then, fully, eyes bright, raw “Do you know what I want for Christmas?” Kaiser whispered.

“What?”

“You.” He smiled softly, almost painfully “Just you.”

Isagi’s breath hitched “Kaiser…”

“No pressure,” he said quickly, looking away. “I just... you know... felt like saying it.”

Isagi stepped closer, boots crunching in the snow, he reached up and brushed Kaiser’s cheek with his glove. “Michael,” Isagi whispered, this was the first time he used his name to address him “you don’t have to fill the silence. I… I want to hear the real you.”

Kaiser leaned into the touch without meaning to, snow melted on his eyelashes and for the first time, he looked truly at peace. Rin watched from a window inside, his expression was unreadable, but no longer tense. Acceptance, sadness and hope for him to find another Yoichi Isagi someday.

The triangle hadn’t broken. It just shifted. Settling into the shape it was meant to be.

That night Isagi couldn’t sleep, Kaiser couldn’t stop thinking and Rin stayed late in the library, burying feelings under coursework.

Snow fell quietly around Saint Cloelia University, blanketing everything in soft white stillness.

Tomorrow would change everything.

Isagi sat on the edge of his bed, replaying Kaiser’s voice “I want you for Christmas.”

He wasn’t sure if he’d ever felt so wanted or so terrified or so certain.

Tomorrow…he would tell Kaiser how he truly felt.

The next day, at night the snow had started again, light, almost hesitant flakes drifting through the night sky as Rin returned from the food stall, where he and Isagi were studying and having dinner, hands wrapped around a steaming paper cup. Isagi had waited where Rin left him, leaning against the railing near the frozen pond after a long day of mid-term exams.

Something he didn’t expect was Kaiser pacing there like a caged animal.

Rin blinked, immediately sensing the atmosphere “Did I interrupt something?”

“No/Yes,” Isagi and Kaiser said at the same time. They both glared at each other.

Isagi sighed. “I’ll be right back, Rin. Just… give me a minute?”

Rin nodded, gaze flicking between the two with mild suspicion but choosing, gracefully, to stay out of it for now. He walked a few steps away, pretending to admire the pond while eavesdropping with the enthusiasm of someone who definitely knew something dramatic was happening.

Isagi turned to Kaiser with his arms crossed “You are jealous,” he said bluntly.

Kaiser was visibly offended. “Excuse me? I don’t get jealous.”

“You definitely do,” Isagi countered. “You looked like you were ready to drag Rin into a snowbank because he offered me a bite of his taiyaki.”

Kaiser sputtered. “That’s not... It’s not about taiyaki!”

“Oh, so it is about Rin.”

“It's...” Kaiser stopped, hands flexing. “He was this close to telling you something, Yoichi.” Isagi stilled and both remembered what happened a few minutes ago

Rin didn’t hand Isagi right away. He just stared at him, longer than usual.

“What?” Isagi asked, tilting his head.

Rin exhaled, frustrated. “Remember that day we were studying and I almost said something back then...?”

Isagi’s breath caught. “Yeah and I wondered... What kind of something?”

“The kind you say once,” Rin replied. “And only to one person.” Isagi froze. Kaiser walked in and noticed them together and couldn’t help but listen, and what he heard made him stiffened behind them.

Rin looked straight at Isagi, steady, unblinking, searching “But I decided it wasn’t the right moment,” he added. “Or maybe I realized someone else is saying things I’m not willing to fight dirty about...”

Isagi opened his mouth, but Rin shook his head. “I don’t need an answer,” he said. “Not yet. Just don’t… pretend you didn’t hear it.”

Kaiser looked like he had been stabbed with a candy cane. Isagi whispered, “…I won’t.”

And Rin finally handed him the taiyaki...

Kaiser swallowed once, hard. “And I… didn’t like it.”

Isagi’s voice softened, but he didn’t let up. “Why?”

Kaiser’s eyes flickered, fear, vulnerability, something unguarded. “You know why,” he said, almost quiet.

Isagi shook his head. “I want you to tell me.”

A beat of silence. A snowflake landed on Kaiser’s cheek and melted. Kaiser looked away, jaw tight. “Because you looked at him the way I wanted you to look at me.”

The words hit like a sudden warmth in cold air. “…Michael,” Isagi breathed.

“Don’t say my name like that.” Kaiser pressed a hand over his face, annoyed with himself. “I’m trying not to lose my mind.”

Isagi stepped closer. “You don’t have to be jealous. You could’ve just told me.”

Kaiser lowered his hand, eyes sharp but vulnerable. “So you’re saying I had a chance?”

“Maybe you still do...” Isagi said, half teasing, half serious and his lips were twitching. “If you stop acting like a snowstorm with eyeliner.”

Kaiser blinked and acted offended. “…What?”

But Isagi only turned away with a small smile “Let’s go. Rin’s going to freeze to death pretending he’s not eavesdropping.”

Behind them, Rin straightened abruptly and tried to look like he had been contemplating poetry instead of their interpersonal chaos.

They walked together toward campus, the snow falling thicker now. The lights of Saint Cloelia University glowed warm in the distance.

Rin walked slightly ahead, hands in his pockets. Kaiser walked beside Isagi, stealing glances at him like he was checking to make sure he was still there. After a few minutes, Isagi nudged him “You okay?” he asked.

Kaiser huffed. “You just had two people almost confess on the same night. I’m doing great...”

Isagi suppressed a smile. “I didn’t ask how I was doing. I asked about you.”

Kaiser shoved his hands into his coat pockets. “I’m fine. Just... processing.”

“Processing jealousy?”

Kaiser groaned. “Yoichi... please.” Isagi was enjoying way too much how his name sounded coming from his lips.

Isagi laughed softly. “Okay, okay.” Then he looked up at Kaiser with a gentler expression than before “But… Thank you, for being honest.”

Kaiser’s steps faltered for half a second “…You’re welcome,” he said quietly.

Rin glanced over his shoulder at them, unreadable, before facing forward again. There was something unspoken there, something complicated, something that meant this wasn’t over... at least not yet.

They went to their dorms for the night, Isagi turned on his heater and went to take a hot shower then he put on some sweatpants and sweater and started to read a book.

The Saint Cloelia campus was mostly quiet at night, especially during winter break. Only a handful of students stayed behind, scattered across dorm buildings lit with warm orange windows. Isagi, however, was not expecting a knock on his door this late at night.

When he opened it, Kaiser stood there, snow in his hair, breath visible in the cold hallway “…Yoichi,” he said simply, there was no smirk, no swagger, just his name.

Isagi blinked. “Did something happen?”

Kaiser shook his head. “I just... I couldn’t sleep...”

Isagi grabbed his coat without questioning it. “Alright. Let’s go.”

Kaiser blinked, surprised. “You didn’t even ask where.”

“You never do anything without dramatic intentions, Michael," Isagi said. “It’s either the roof or the student garden. And you’re not a garden guy.”

Kaiser made a choked noise. “Okay, I didn’t come here to be personally attacked.” he joked, softening his face, but he followed.

Yoichi rolled his eyes “Jeez... you should have studied in Juilliard instead...”

“Then how could I have met you, Yoichi?” he blushed a little.

They climbed the last metal ladder to the dorm rooftop, where the cold wind wrapped around them instantly. The snow had stopped for now, leaving the sky clear, black, and scattered with stars. The campus stretched below like a miniature city. Christmas lights lined the edges of the rooftop garden deck the RA always forgot to take down.

Isagi exhaled slowly. “Wow.”

Kaiser shoved his hands in his pockets. “I come up here when I need quiet.”

“You? Quiet?” Isagi teased.

Kaiser glared weakly. “Try not to ruin the moment, Yoichi.” he said with fake annoyment and Isagi only smiled and stepped closer to the railing and after a long silence while watching the campus, Kaiser spoke “Earlier…” Kaiser’s voice was low. “When Rin almost said something...”

Isagi cut him off gently. “You don’t have to talk about it if it hurts.”

Kaiser laughed once, sharp, humorless. “Everything involving you hurts. I’m kinda getting used to it.”

“That’s not good!” Isagi protested.

Kaiser hummed, then sat down on one of the wooden benches dusted with snow. Isagi joined him.

Kaiser took a deep breath. “I hate it.”

“Hate what?”

“That he gets to stand next to you like it’s natural.” Kaiser’s voice dropped lower. “That he gets to notice things about you before I do. That he’s calm and quiet and closer to your world than I am.”

Isagi frowned. “Kaiser...”

“I don’t fit,” he finished. “You study the human mind. Rin studies justice. And I study… branding strategies. Marketing buzzwords. Making things shiny enough for people to want them.”

Isagi looked at him gently. “Why do you think that makes you lesser?”

Kaiser hesitated. “Because I’m… all spectacle, I sparkle and I distract people. I win people over before they can look too closely.” He paused, “And you... you look closely.”

The vulnerability in his voice was something Isagi had never heard before. Nothing performative. Nothing loud. Just a boy who had spent years trying to shine bright enough to be seen... and was terrified someone might see the dimmer parts too.

Isagi reached out, placing a hand over Kaiser’s. He was warm, real. “Kaiser,” Isagi said softly, “I don’t care about any of that. You don’t need to glitter for me.”

Kaiser’s breath hitched, “Yoichi…” His voice broke on the syllables, “Don’t... I can’t...”

“It’s okay,” Isagi whispered. “You don’t have to perform here. Not with me.” Kaiser swallowed hard and looked away, blinking fast. Isagi pretended not to notice.

They sat there in silence, snow glowing softly around them under the string lights.

After a few minutes, Kaiser stood abruptly. “There’s something I want to show you.”

Isagi raised an eyebrow. “Okay?”

Kaiser walked toward the door that led into the rooftop lounge, a tiny indoor greenhouse-like space with old couches and student-leftover textbooks. He flicked on the heater and rummaged around before pulling out… a business textbook and a pair of thin-framed reading glasses.

Isagi blinked. “…You have a pair of glasses distributed around the campus?”

Kaiser raised an eyebrow “In case I forget the official pair and I need them for reading,” Kaiser muttered. “Don’t make it a thing...”

Isagi grinned. “It’s absolutely a thing.”

“Yoichi,” Kaiser warned.

“Nope. You can’t stop me,” Isagi declared.

Kaiser groaned and put the glasses on anyway.

The transformation was immediate, less flamboyant, more grounded, almost boyish. Isagi felt his breath catch, surprised by the sudden intimacy of the moment “You look…” He flushed, “…really good.”

Kaiser froze. “Don’t say things like that so casually.”

“Why not?” Isagi teased softly. “You get to flirt with me nonstop.”

Kaiser’s ears went red. “That’s... I don’t... It’s not...”

Isagi laughed. “You’re cute when your brain malfunctions.”

Kaiser buried his face in the book. “Shut up.”

But he was smiling. A real one, small, a little shy, unguarded.

On their way back to the dorms, they ran into Rin exiting the library with a thick stack of law books.

Kaiser tensed instantly.

Rin paused, eyes flicking between them… and lingering just a bit too long on Isagi’s pink cheeks.

“Studying?” Rin asked.

“Something like that,” Isagi said quickly.

Rin nodded, then his eyes narrowed slightly at Kaiser. “Be careful walking back. The paths are icy.”

Kaiser bristled. “I know how to walk, Itoshi.”

“Debatable,” Rin muttered before turning to Isagi. “Goodnight.”

“Night, Rin.” Rin walked away, boots crunching softly in the snow.

Kaiser watched Rin disappear into the darkness with a tight jaw. Isagi nudged him. “There it is again.”

“What?”

“Your jealousy flare-up.”

Kaiser groaned. “Yoichi... please.”

“You’re cute when you’re trying to pretend you’re not jealous,” Isagi said. “Just saying.”

Kaiser stopped walking, “…Cute?” he echoed.

Isagi froze. “…Ignore that.”

“No,” Kaiser said slowly, stepping closer. “Say it again.”

“Michael...”

“Yoichi...”

Isagi swallowed. “You’re cute.”

Kaiser exhaled like the words hit him physically, then he whispered “I think I’m falling hopelessly in love with you.”

The world felt too quiet. The snow fell softer. And Isagi’s heart beat too fast in his chest. He didn’t answer. 

Saint Cloelia University transformed once a year, for the Winter Charity Gala, the student ballroom, usually home to boring assemblies and questionable open-mic nights, became a glittering palace of gold lights, glass ornaments, soft jazz, and falling artificial snow.

Everyone dressed up, everyone behaved,or pretended to, everyone searched for someone to spend the last hours before Christmas with. Isagi arrived with a calm heart and a nervous stomach.

The second-year psychology major wasn’t used to galas nor used to being… wanted by two incredibly intense, charismatic people. He smoothed down the front of his navy-blue suit and stepped inside.

The room glowed. Garlands hung from the chandeliers. Ice sculptures lined the windows. Student volunteers in red-and-green ribbons offered mocktails shaped like candy canes. Isagi scanned the crowd and found him... Michael Kaiser was impossible to miss.

The third-year business and marketing royalty, he stood at the center of a circle of admirers, wearing a white suit with icy-blue accents that made him look like he’d stepped out of a holiday advertisement, like the female version of Elsa from Frozen. He glowed under the lights, hair perfectly messy, presence magnetic.

But tonight... His light blue eyes were searching for one person and when he spotted Isagi, the smile he gave was different than anything he’d given the crowd. Softer. Bright but not performative, Isagi’s pulse skipped.

Before he could move, someone stepped into his path. Rin was there, looking devastating in a black, tailored suit, dark green tie, silver cufflinks, minimal, precise, elegant. He looked like winter distilled into a person, all sharp lines and self-control “Yoichi.”

Isagi blinked. “Rin. You look... really good.”

Rin was wearing his typical serious face but if you looked closer, his ears tinted pink. “Thank you. You do too.” There was a beat of silence. Then Rin’s eyes flicked toward Kaiser, watching them from across the room. Rin exhaled quietly. “Walk with me?” Isagi nodded, and let Rin guide him toward one of the quieter corners of the ballroom, away from the music, the crowds, the glittering noise. They stood near a tall window overlooking the snowy quad. Rin finally spoke. “A few days away… I didn’t finish what I wanted to say.” Isagi swallowed hard while Rin continued, voice low but steady. “I didn’t say it because I knew it wouldn’t be fair... To you... Or to him.”

Isagi felt the air shift. This was it, the moment he’d been afraid of. The one Kaiser had dreaded “Rin…” Isagi began, but Rin raised one hand gently.

“Let me finish.” Isagi nodded. Rin’s eyes softened, only for him “I like you. Maybe more than I should. Maybe more than I meant to.” His voice tightened. “But I’m not someone who steals... Even when I don’t like the dude... and most importantly... I don’t fight for something that already belongs to someone else.”

Isagi’s breath hitched. “Belongs...?”

“To him,” Rin said simply. Isagi froze. “He looks at you like you hung the stars over this university,” Rin murmured. “And you look at him like you’re afraid to admit you feel the same.” Warmth filled Isagi’s chest, terrifying, comforting, overwhelming. Rin took one small step closer, “I won’t confess, Yoichi,” he said quietly. “Not because I don’t want to. But because you already answered me without speaking.” Isagi felt something tighten in his throat. Rin gave the faintest, saddest smile. “Just do one thing for me.”

“What?” Isagi whispered.

“Don’t make him wait too long.”

Isagi opened his mouth, but Kaiser appeared behind them, standing perfectly still, blue eyes focused entirely on Isagi. And Rin stepped back, giving the stage away without words.

Kaiser didn’t approach. He didn’t smirk. He didn’t interrupt. He just looked at Isagi like someone preparing to lose something precious. Isagi turned fully toward him. “Kaiser...”

“You don’t have to explain,” Kaiser said softly. “I saw him walk away. I figured he said something... something important.”

Isagi shook his head. “Kaiser, it wasn’t...”

“You don’t owe me anything,” Kaiser cut in. “If you choose him...”

“I didn’t choose him,” Isagi said quickly and Kaiser froze. Isagi stepped closer. “He didn’t confess. Because he knew.”

“Knew what?” Kaiser whispered.

“That I was already falling for someone else.”

Kaiser stared, he was breathless and his eyes wide, hope trembling at the edges.

Isagi swallowed, feeling every heartbeat echo in his ribs “That night on the roof,” Isagi said, “when you told me everything… I think I started choosing you then.”

Kaiser exhaled sharply, like a man punched and his voice cracked “Yoichi… don’t... don’t say that unless you mean it.”

“I mean it.” 

Kaiser closed his eyes, jaw tense, hands curling at his sides as if holding back something overwhelming “You’re going to ruin me,” he said in a shaking whisper.

Isagi stepped closer still. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Kaiser’s eyes opened, bright, vulnerable, desperate “Yoichi,” he breathed. “Please don’t walk away from me.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Kaiser’s composure shattered.

He grabbed Isagi’s wrist, not forcefully, just to anchor himself, his fingers were trembling. “Tell me,” Kaiser whispered. “Tell me I didn’t imagine this. Tell me I didn’t fight Rin for a dream.”

“You didn’t,” Isagi said softly. “I’m right here.”

The ballroom music shifted to a slow, soft instrumental version of All I Want for Christmas Is You, fitting, maybe too fitting. Kaiser stared at Isagi like the world had narrowed to a single point. “Yoichi,” he said, voice breaking. “If I kiss you right now, I’m not going to be able to pretend it was a mistake later...”

Isagi stepped in, until their foreheads nearly touched “Good,” he whispered “Because I wouldn’t deny it never happened”

Kaiser’s breath stuttered. His hand rose to cup Isagi’s jaw, hesitant, asking permission so Isagi leaned into the touch and that was all Kaiser needed. He kissed him.

Soft at first, reverent, disbelieving, then deeper, pulling Isagi closer by the waist, swallowing a small gasp against his lips. Isagi kissed back with equal intensity, his hands gripping Kaiser’s suit jacket, desperate and sure.

Lights blurred, the music faded and the entire gala disappeared, because there was space for only the warmth, the winter lights and them. When they finally broke apart, breathing hard, Kaiser whispered: “Merry Christmas, Yoichi.”

Isagi smiled, cheeks flushed, eyes glowing “Merry Christmas, Kaiser...” he checked the clock, it marked the midnight so Yoichi said softly “...and Happy Birthday...” Kaiser’s eyes were wide open, he knew his birthday was on December 25... but how?... and as Yoichi could read his mind he said “I read it on a file”

Behind them, quiet, at a distance, Rin watched for a heartbeat, expression unreadable but gentle. Then he turned away, hands in his pockets, stepping into the snowfall outside the ballroom. Tonight was not his ending. But it wasn’t a tragedy either. Because he had let the right person win. And Isagi had chosen the person who had been choosing him all along.

Notes:

Y’all might think I hate Rin haha, and even though he’s not one of my favorites, I gotta admit that I had been pondering the possibility of them sharing Isagi but... This is a Kaisagi Fic after all...

Now... Next chapter will be Blue Christmas and no... we won’t have another love triangle... I swear...

Chapter 3

Summary:

Isagi is the golden boy of Blue Lock FM, a German radio station and they recently hired the chaotic and talented Michael Kaiser.

Fate brought them together to work as substitute for a late night show, The Night Shift, and became partners.

As the months passed, they became closer and started to fall for each other. But on Christmas they realized their feelings.

Yoichi Isagi arrived in Germany at the age of 4 after his parents decided to move there because of his father's job.

Yoichi practiced football there and in middle school he broke his leg after a fault against him.

“Yocchan... Look for a new hobby while you recover, you seem sad all by yourself here at home” said his mother and Isagi decided to listen to her.

He checked the clubs at school but neither seemed interesting enough until he found one... The School Radio. So he joined it.

He began giving the morning news, a little nervous and shy but when the football tournament began, Yoichi got very passionate about it when giving the news so they created a show just for him “The Samurai of Football” and he began commenting on the matches of their team.

And he even got invited to an actual radio station for an interview. When he got better after his injury, the members of the radio took him to their office.

“Ichi... We know this was temporary and we understood that and welcomed you as a temporary member but... Thanks to you, the people at school know about us and listen to us and we don't want to lose you, please don't leave” said Thomas with watering eyes “please...”

Isagi smiled softly and patted his shoulder “don't worry Tommy... I won't leave... I discovered I enjoyed this way too much to give it up so... The Samurai will continue” he smiled big and the other kids hugged him in tears.

Yoichi continued to be part of the radio, even in high school and he was the cool kid from the radio, Isagi worked as a sports radio commentator and analyst in BavariaHe regularly covered Bastard München matches and smaller regional Bavarian teams, and he was known for his clear tactical analysis with a calm, steady voice that was capable of explaining complex plays so anyone could understand, even your regular housewife who was just having the match in the background to have some noise while cleaning the house. Listeners trusted him, clubs respected him and he became “that guy” you wanted on commentary when a match mattered.

And because of his reliability and insight, Isagi was given his own sports-focused radio segments, then short-form shows and lastly full programs. But here’s the important part, Isagi also worked behind the scenes. He became a producer for other shows, he wrote scripts, structuring segments, he even became a coach for new hosts on pacing and tone and helped other more experienced host getting into pace when they were hired to another type of show, different from the ones they were used to and he even fixed chaotic broadcasts without needing credit.

Inside the station, people said “If Yoichi’s producing, the show won’t fail.” He was respected, but quiet, talented, but not flashy.

Eventually, Isagi started craving something different since sports radio was loud, too competitive, high-pressure instead the night radio was intimate, emotional, slower So when Blue Lock FM offered him a midnight slot, first as a temporary fill-in, he took it. That slot would later become Night Shift.

On the other hand Michael Kaiser worked in entertainment radio / audio media and he was known for his charisma, sharp tongue and huge confidence on the mic.

He hosted late-night talk segments. music-driven shows and occasional live interviews. But he wasn’t stable because he usually bounced between stations, not because he lacked talent, but because he challenged producers to prioritize improvisation and ignored scripts and refused to tone himself down. He was brilliant... and difficult.

Eventually, Kaiser had a huge disagreement with management, a live show that went off-script and caused a chaos that no one could have saved and his reputation for being “too much.” That’s how Blue Lock FM was one of the few stations willing to take the risk. They hired him as a rotating host, a guest replacement or a wildcard voice for late-night programming.

Then one night, the original Night Shift co-host called in sick and their manager, Alfred Müller, panicked so he called his golden boy, Yoichi and decided to also call Kaiser for an hour segment. Isagi was steady, structured and calm while Kaiser was chaotic, bold and unscripted; everyone on the station worked well with Yoichi and if you weren’t able to work with him, then you were a lost cause. The manager trusted Isagi could be able to manage Michael well but considering his partner, they expected a disaster

It had to be interactive with the listener, with open phones and a live chat, it had to include good music and petitions from the listeners, a question for the interactions and keep them awake, in case they were late at work or doing extra hours.

Isagi wrote the script and prepared his soundboard, he also created some playlists for him to put in between segments, he was experienced enough to know how to engage listeners, so he just needed to create the best setting.

At 11:57 PM, right before going on air. Isagi was sitting alone in Studio C, testing sliders, he was quiet and focused, he was a little nervous because he had never done a late night show and he will be alone, without his usual assistance, Alice, since she had a kid and can’t do the night shift.

Michael Kaiser was the new addition. He will be doing another show at 1 AM in Studio B. Kaiser was originally a guest replacement, he accepted to be their guest because he wanted to meet Yoichi, the brighter star of this station and annoyed him a little off-mics to see how he was unscripted, but the original plan was to co-host with Isagi, for their 1 AM slot… but, Kaiser being Kaiser, he showed up two hours early, he was bored and decided to poke around the building and sticking his head through the door like he owns the place “So...You’re the kid I’m stuck with tonight?”

Isagi looks up, startled “I... stuck with? Wait, you weren’t even... Why are you here early?” Isagi checked his script.

“The studio downstairs is cold so I migrated.” Said Kaiser, matter-of-factly and winking at him.

“This isn’t a waiting room!” Isagi rolled his eyes, already losing his cool thanks to him.

Kaiser strolled in anyway, sat in the co-host chair, spun it once “Hmm. Nice chair. Comfortable. I think I’ll stay.”

Isagi grips the soundboard fader. “Kaiser. I have to go live in two minutes, which means that you have to leave...”

“Well, good luck then.” He reached for a random knob and Isagi SLAPED his hand away.

“DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING.” he was trying to control himself from killing the German man and Kaiser grins, delighted.

“I have to admit... You’re adorable when you're panicking.”

The manager bursts in, out of breath. “Yoichi... hmm... Kaiser is filling in! You two are co-hosting tonight!” as the man said it his jaw dropped while Kaiser was positively glowing.

“See? Fate loves me.” Said Kaiser with one of his trademark smirks

While Isagi mutters something that sounds like “Tonight’s going to be a disaster.”

At 12 AM they went live. Isagi played their opening jingle and when it faded. Isagi took a deep breath and using his soft, warm voice he said “Good midnight to all our listeners. This is Yoichi Isagi, filling in for your usual host on Night Shift. We’ll be keeping you company through the early hours...”

Kaiser leaned forward, his voice was smooth and smug “And I’m Michael Kaiser, surprise cohost of the night. Don’t worry people... I’ll keep this show from being boring.”

Isagi’s head snapped toward him “...That wasn’t in the script.”

“It sounded better in my script,” said Kaiser back.

Isagi mutters into the mic before he can stop himself “We don’t have separate scripts.”

Kaiser smirks at the mic like it’s a camera “And yet here I am, improving everything.”

Isagi covers the mic with his hand and whispers “You can’t just say whatever you want on air!”

Kaiser whispered back “I can. And I will.”

Listeners IMMEDIATELY start texting:

Mrs Applejack: “Who is the chaotic dude???”

Jon; “Yocchan trying to keep the show alive is so cute”

Sir Arthur: “THIS DUO IS GOLD”

The manager, watching through the glass, mouths silently “KEEP GOING.”

After one night, management decided “We won’t separate them.” Night Shift became a permanent show, built around emotional honesty, listener intimacy and two voices that clearly reacted to each other. Neither of them planned this. Neither expected it.

As the months went by they started to only script some segments like their interviews or trivias, sometimes they planned themes for the week and did their segments according to those themes, the rest was pure improvisation and banters between them.

Their interest started from the very beginning, and it didn’t begin with romance, it began with attention.

Kaiser noticed first that he was listening to Isagi in a way he didn’t do with anyone else, which meant, not just to reply, not to tease, but to actually understand him. Isagi’s pauses, the way he chose words carefully, the way his voice softened when he was focused. Kaiser told himself it was curiosity, it turned into a habit then something he couldn’t switch off.

Meanwhile Isagi realized later, and much more quietly. He found himself tracking Kaiser’s moods without meaning to, knowing when a joke was armor, when a smile meant boredom, when silence meant something was wrong. He started feeling calmer when Kaiser was nearby, more grounded when he heard his voice, even when it annoyed him.

Neither of them called it anything yet.

The moments that made it impossible to ignore for Kaiser was the first time Isagi defended him.

Not loudly. Not dramatically. Just a simple, steady “He’s not like that” when someone dismissed Kaiser as all ego and no substance. Kaiser had built his whole persona on being untouchable, and suddenly someone saw through it and stayed anyway. That shook him more than any insult ever could.

And for Isagi, it was the first time Kaiser stopped joking.

There was a night when Kaiser went quiet, tired, frustrated, stripped of bravado, and instead of pushing or mocking, Isagi just stayed, he didn’t try to fix him, nor leave him. Just existed beside him. And Kaiser let him. That trust settled somewhere deep in Isagi’s chest and refused to move.

By October, their teasing changed texture.

It stopped being about winning and started being about connection. Kaiser teased to get reactions such as smiles, eye-rolls, warmth. Isagi pushed back not to defend himself, but because he liked the back-and-forth, and liked knowing Kaiser was paying attention.

They started choosing each other without realizing it, like sitting closer, waiting before leaving, with excuses like “It's lonely outside, I go with you to get your car” or staying late even when they didn’t have to.

Their silences became comfortable and dangerous.

They both realized their feelings around the same time, early November, but they did it in different ways.

Kaiser realized he was in trouble the first time he felt jealous, it was sharp, irrational, protective. It scared him because it meant Isagi mattered in a way he couldn’t control. He’d never wanted someone to stay before. He just wanted to be wanted. This was different.

Isagi realized it the first time he felt safe, not excited, not nervous, not dazzled, just safe. Like whatever happened next wouldn’t break him as long as Kaiser was there. That was when he understood it wasn’t admiration or friendship anymore.

Why did it take so long to say anything?

Well... because both of them were afraid, and a little stubborn in different ways.

Kaiser was afraid of wanting something real and being seen without his performance.

Isagi was afraid of misreading something fragile and losing what they already had.

So they hovered “in the almost,” “in the shared looks,” “in the unspoken concern,” “in the way neither of them ever really left first.”

Until eventually, not saying it felt heavier than saying it.

And once they crossed that line, there was no pretending it hadn’t always been building toward this.

A week before Christmas their manager called them “Michael and Ichi, I wanted to congratulate you both... the Night Shift has the biggest rating from 12 to 5 and it’s all thanks to you and your chaotic dynamic... that’s why I want you to host the Christmas special” they looked at each other then at the manager “Normally at Christmas we only have a DJ playing songs but this year we wanted to try our biggest late night show for those hours”

Isagi’s parents were in Japan for the holidays and Kaiser’s parents were absent, not dead but gone from his life since he was little and his only family member died last Christmas so... they were free that night “Sure sir, we can cover that date” said Isagi like he just read Kaiser’s mind.

“Perfect!! Prepare something cool for that night!!” he said with a big smile “And... don’t worry, I will pay double those days” they nodded and left the office.

Isagi prepared the script for that night and decided to wear a Bastard München shirt and jeans and over it jacket, Kaiser was wearing a blue shirt with black pants and a jacket. Throughout the months, Kaiser and Yoichi built a better relationship, they became friends and the banters were more for show than actual insults and people noticed it as the time went by.

“Ready, Michael?” Yoichi asked as he gave him a cup of coffee and a bottle of water.

“Yes, Yoichi” he said with his trademark smile and Isagi couldn’t deny he looked handsome that night, they decorated their board with Christmas lights and they put a little Christmas tree on the table. Isagi had some soft instrumental music on and he faded it in.

Then Isagi, calm and warm, said “Good midnight, Germany, whether you’re driving home, working through the night, or awake when you wish you weren’t... Merry Christmas and welcome to the Night Shift.” he made a small pause and added “I’m Isagi Yoichi. Tonight’s a little different.”

Kaiser leaned closer to the mic and said with a smooth voice “And I’m Michael Kaiser and I have to inform you that our scheduled DJ won’t be around tonight, tragic, really, so management panicked and dragged me in.”

Isagi said in a teasing voice “Actually... He volunteered.” he smirked a little.

Kaiser gasped, faking surprise “I was summoned, Yoichi”

Isagi exhaled a quiet laugh and said “This is our Blue Christmas Special. Six hours together. No rush.”

Kaiser added “And let’s not pretend the holidays don’t hurt.”

The music fades out.

Isagi said in his soft voice “Let’s start with our first caller of the night... You’re live, what’s your name and where are you calling from?”

The caller said a little shy at first “Lucas from Hamburg. Night shift at the harbor.”

Kaiser said with solemn voice “Respect. Cold and unforgiving.”

The caller laughed a little and said “Yeah… Christmas doesn’t feel real out here.”

Isagi’s tone softened, like every time a caller told them something vulnerable. “Well... thanks for staying awake with us.”

“You two sound… comfortable tonight.” the caller, Lucas, said and by his tone you can guess he was smiling. Their hearts skipped a beat.

Kaiser said, hiding his suddenly racing heart “Occupational hazard.”

The caller said after a little pause “Can you play something sad.”

Kaiser smiled faintly and said “Already planned.”

And Yoichi played Blue Christmas by Elvis.

The second caller of the night was from Berlin “Just broke up yesterday... What a terrible timing.”

Isagi said with empathy “There’s no good time for that.”

And Kaiser said a little bit salty “But Christmas makes it sting louder.”

“I know, right?” added the caller “Can you play I’ll be home for Christmas?”

“Sure, Marty” said Isagi, taking notes and preparing the playlist for their little break before the interview

The next caller was from Cologne and was laughing and clearly drunk as he said “I’m drunk with my cousins and avoiding them in the bathroom.”

Kaiser smirked and said, joking “Valid survival tactic.” This time Isagi laughed openly and began the music segment with the songs the people on call and on messages asked them

Then at 1:15 AM they will have a cellphone interview

Isagi said as the last song was finishing “We have something special tonight. A short phone interview.” There were faint static crackles faintly. “This is Leon, calling from Frankfurt airport.”

Leon's voice sounded from a phone audio, slightly delayed “Hi... sorry, the connection’s awful.”

Kaiser said annoyed “Airport’s WIFI and at Christmas?... My condolences.”

Leon said gently “Agree and I’m a flight attendant. Christmas layovers are… lonely.”

Isagi’s fingers are still on the desk and asked “What keeps you grounded?” this question wasn’t on the script, he asked out of empathy and curiosity.

A pause and Leon said “Hearing voices... like yours... Not feeling invisible.”

Kaiser glanced sideways at Isagi and he said quietly and sincerely “Then stay with us a little longer.”

The line crackles but Leon had the chance to say “…Thank you and Merry Christmas”

Then they had a small break with songs and ads, they drank coffee and had some snacks then at 2:05 AM they had another call

The caller said, cheerfully “Alexander here from Munich. Be honest... are you two dating?”

Dead silence and Isagi answered “We... hmm... this is a radio show.”

Kaiser said annoyedly, “And you’re nosy.”

Alexander teased Kaiser “You sound jealous whenever someone flirts.”

Kaiser exhaled sharply and said “Next call.”

Isagi doesn’t look at him. But he felt it, more than one time...

They played more music and at 2:40 they had another call

The caller, a girl, said, a little shy and nervous, “Good evening, I’m Audry from München... Isagi, your voice is… very comforting.”

“Thank you, Audry, you are very kind” said Isagi, acting as friendly as usual with their callers, meanwhile, Kaiser’s jaw tightened.

Audry continued “Are you ever going to host alone again in the future?”

 “No.” Kaiser said dead serious, flat and immediate.

Isagi looked at him and said in a strangled voice “Kaiser...”

Audry noticed Kaiser’s mood and said, laughing “Wow... Protective.” The call ends and the studio is too quiet.

Another call arrived

The caller said “Hello there, Alexis from Frankfurt... Michael, are you jealous or just dramatic?”

Kaiser rolled his eyes and said “Next question.”

The caller said in a teasing way “Merry Christmas guys... Lorena from Leipzig... I don’t if anyone else noticed this but... You guys sound like you’re sharing one microphone.”

Isagi got flustered and said an octane higher than usual “We’re not!”

Kaiser said in a whisper but the listener at home started to freak out in mute, because their family and/or neighbors were sleeping “Unfortunately.” Isagi blushed and checked the clock, just in time for a break.

At 3:00 AM they had a commercial break

Isagi looked at him and asked “You okay?”

Kaiser looked away and said “I didn’t like it.”

Isagi raised an eyebrow and asked him “Didn’t like…?”

Kaiser said honestly “How easily someone wanted you” Isagi went still

20 minutes later they played Blue Christmas again, this time they played a different version of it.

Kaiser doesn’t joke and said in a low voice “This song hurts because it’s honest.”

Isagi, connecting dots after what he said at the commercial break, said “Because it admits wanting someone.” Kaiser didn’t deny anything and nodded. This was a hint for their next activity since Kaiser stopped to be annoyed and became the depressive Kaiser so he said “Alright. Let’s wake everyone up a little. Christmas trivia... callers vs hosts!” Playful jingle started

Kaiser suddenly returned to his usual self and Isagi smirked “I will destroy you all.”

“All right, question number one for the next caller in the queue... What’s Germany’s most popular Christmas market city?”

The caller said quickly “Nuremberg!”

Isagi smiled and said “Correct!”

“There’s a question to Kaiser, What color were Santa’s original robes?”

Kaiser paused to think, the chat got wild then he said, not as confident as always “…Green?”

Isagi made a dramatic pause and said “Correct!”

Kaiser smirked and said, as arrogant and full of ego as always, “I’m unbeatable.”

“Next question, Which country started the Christmas tree tradition?” asked Kaiser

The caller said in a heartbeat “Germany!”

Kaiser said with a smirk “Pff... Obviously.”

Isagi laughed and said “Kaiser, this one’s for us.”

“You mean for you...” Isagi raised an eyebrow as Kaiser continued “What popular Christmas song was banned by the BBC in 1953 for being ‘too morbid’?”

Isagi thought for a few seconds and said “…Blue Christmas.” 

Silence for dramatic effect but also because this song was present all night and not for good things “…Correct.” said Kaiser smirking.

The weight lands differently this time. And the listeners text in constantly, the energy rises and the comfort returns.

After small break for “All I want for Christmas is you” as it was voted by the listener as their favorite song, a new call entered

The caller said “I don’t know who needs to hear this but... you don’t sound alone anymore.”

Isagi’s breath catches.

And Kaiser said “…Noted.”

Isagi watched the clock, it was already 5:00 AM so he began their closing “If tonight was heavy... Thank you for trusting us with it.”

Kaiser only said “You weren’t a burden.” They exchange a look no one can see.

The ON-AIR light went dark and their headsets came off. The studio is suddenly too quiet.

Isagi set his headphones down carefully, like he needed the movement to steady himself.

Kaiser didn’t joke, he didn’t smirk. That alone changes everything.

“Hey.” Kaiser said, looking at him.

Isagi looked up only to find Kaiser was closer than before... he was just present and he said “Tonight… wasn’t just radio for me.”

Isagi’s voice is small but sure “It wasn’t for me either.”

Kaiser hesitated, like actually hesitated, then lifted his hand, knuckles brushing Isagi’s wrist.

A non-verbal question. Isagi answers by stepping closer. Their foreheads touched first and they felt warm, careful. The normally very vocal Michael Kaiser spoke but his voice was barely audible “I didn’t want to rush this.”

Isagi exhaled “Then don’t.”

So Kaiser didn’t. The kiss was gentle, more a promise than a claim, their lips were pressing softly, unhurried, like they’d got time now. Isagi’s fingers curled into Kaiser’s sleeve.

Kaiser smiles into the kiss before pulling back just enough to rest their noses together “Knowing our listeners... We’re going to be very bad at pretending nothing has changed.”

Isagi laughs quietly “Good. Because I got tired of that...”

They kissed once more, warmer this time, before the janitor’s footsteps echoed down the hall and reality creeped back in. But something had settled. Something permanent.

Notes:

That’s all for this one. It was fun to write this one. I liked them as unexpected partners on radio and having fun together.

The next song will be I’ll Be Home for Christmas. And I’m pondering the plots of a little more historical fic or a modern one but maybe with football involved, thought?

Also let me know what you thought of this one.

Notes:

Hope you liked it, this chapter will be the first one of this little series of Christmas fics. The stories will be AU’s and I might use the Rin x Isagi turned into Isagi x Kaiser.