University was the scene for the biggest seasonal paradox. With the semester drawing to a close, everyone, including his course mates were frantically working on their assignments and essays due in January. Still, the gravity seemed to have lifted somewhat. People seemed more relaxed, happier.

It was odd to him that such a change should come about because of one day of the month.

Throughout the common areas, hummed or whistled carols filled the halls – it was jingle bells all days lately, driving him absolutely nuts. The only thing roasting on an open fire was his brain, it seemed.

On a brighter note; the cafeteria brimmed with goodies; gingerbread men, eight million types of pudding, sugar cookies and hot chocolate, all available for the students to stuff their faces with. He could certainly get used to it, even if it meant enduring the endless buzz of holiday plans around him; what everyone planned to get for their friends, boyfriends, parents and the entire family tree.

The international student union was planning on throwing a party on Christmas Eve, to celebrate together, open for everyone, regardless of whether their culture celebrated Christmas or not.

Mizuki had been invited of course, but declined. He didn’t mind the people or anything – it was just a case of principle.

“’Sup, Grinch?” Noel, one of his course mates made his way over to Mizuki’s table, balancing a plate stacked with sweets and a side of his usual helping of fries. About the only thing this guy ate.

“Grinch?”

“You’re honestly that clueless, aren’t you?” the other student laughed, slipping down in the seat opposite him. “You’re sure you’re not faking this whole ignorance towards Christmas thing?”

“Nope.” Mizuki replied without looking up from his compendium.

“And you don’t feel the slightest bit jolly?”

Mizuki offered him half a glance, beneath a brow furrowed in intense disapproval. “What is that word anyway, jolly?”

Noel shrugged. “You should lighten up. Did you have some sort of traumatic experience as a kid or something?”

“Are you joking right now?” Mizuki finally looked up, facing his classmate.

“No, I mean, maybe… I don’t know.” Noel shrugged helplessly. “Lots of people struggle during Christmas, you know..?”

“I don’t struggle,” Mizuki replied calmly. “We simply don’t celebrate Christmas where I’m from.”

“You’re from Japan. Not the Moon.”

“Are you trying to be ignorant?” Mizuki could feel his eyebrow twitching in annoyance.

“I’m just yanking your chain, chill. I’m just saying that even if you don’t celebrate, it doesn’t mean you have to hate it.”

“I’m sure I don’t hate Christmas.” Mizuki replied with another annoyed shrug, closing his book. So much for getting any reading done. “I just hate the hysteria. And the consumerism. It’s pointless.”

“It’s never occurred to you that maybe people just enjoy giving each other presents?”

“Yeah,” Mizuki stood up. “Like giving flowers to random strangers on the street.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing,” he snatched a saffron bun from his friend’s plate. “I’m going to the library.”

Noel waved him off, staring after him with the same puzzled look on his face.

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He wasn’t sure why he’d brought up the plant, or rather, insinuated to Noel that it even existed. It was just that he hadn’t seen the old man in the costume before or after their encounter. Which was…strange, considering the other Christmas tree vendors, toy makers and the Salvation Army Santas or whoever all these opportunist sales stands belonged to, were found in the same spots day after day.

And this guy and his table were nowhere to be seen.

It had already been a couple of days since then, and the plant seemed to be thriving in his small room. He had to admit he’d taken a liking to it. He allowed it to remain on the table, where it livened up the place with its warm, vivid color.

Mizuki made sure to water it daily, talking softly to it in Japanese and English alike, as if it was some sort of pet.

Meanwhile, he was mildly concerned his mind was slipping. If he was talking to a plant, maybe he should hang out more with his friends off-campus. It probably wasn’t good for him to have the social life of some isolated old plant-lady.

But at present, he couldn’t stand the thought of hanging out with them and be dragged along to Christmas parties, shopping and Secret Santa activities. The thought was revolting.

He sighed, pushing open the heavy door to the library, glad to immerse himself once more in European history. Nothing jolly there.