Kazuomi went into Ringo's room and asked her about the Christmas decorations. Ringo sat sadly on her bed while holding the apple pendant that Mahito gave her. She remembered what happened that day. The doctor had told her that Mahito was just exhausted from work and school so he will need to rest. Mahito's manager was asking if Mahito can get well since he had a lot of commitments. Ringo angrily shouted at the manager about not being concerned with Mahito's health. Watanabe explained to her that Mahito really need to work because the money will be sent to his parents. Ringo found out that Mahito's parents who now live in the US have financial problems so Mahito went to Japan alone to earn some money to pay off the debts. Ringo then was called by Mahito. Ringo told him that she will take care of the show. Ringo also told him to not to worry and that he should rest. Mahito told her that he has no time to rest. Ringo was upset with what Mahito said.
In real time, Kazuomi called out to Ringo and Ringo wonders as to when he came. Kazuomi got a bit angry. Kazuomi asked as to what kind of Christmas cake she wants. Ringo says that she doesn't care and wonders out loud if Mahito will eat his cake alone. Kazuomi got really angry for being ignored and told her if Mahito won't be with her, then so what, if he was alone. Ringo threw the big teddy bear on Kazuomi. Ringo told him that he is very insensitive. Ringo beats Kazuomi and shouts to him that she doesn't know what to do. Kazuomi stopped Ringo and says that if Mahito needs her, then Ringo should lend him some strength. Suddenly, Kaede came and asking Kazuomi what she'll do since Watanabe had made her a guest in Ringo's show. Ringo was excited that Kaede will be a guest. Kaede explained that she can't cook. Ringo told her not to worry for they have Kazuomi. Kazuomi disagrees for he had already problems with Ringo and he doesn't want to have to teach his mother, too. Kaede then says that it would be better to tell the girl that she can't really cook. Kazuomi then thought that it was Ayanna. [Note: Kazuomi in issue 7 had told Ayanna that it was his mother who does the cooking] Ringo also reminded Kazuomi what he said about helping Mahito. Kazuomi then agreed to help them to make a Christmas cake.
At the show, Ringo was very nervous because she will host the show alone. Then, she saw Mahito. Ringo asked him as to why he wasn't in the hospital. Mahito told her that he already told her that he can't rest. Ringo told him that his health is very important. Mahito smiles and told her that what she had said is very much like what his mother would say. Ringo made a mistake for she had just reminded Mahito of his family. Mahito asked if she learned about his family. Ringo says yes. Mahito says that he is doing all these is not just because of money for he also likes what he is doing. [singing and acting] Mahito told her that they should go and whispers to Ringo that in this show, he can always see Ringo so he was very happy. Ringo was surprised with what he said and her heart beats very fast.
At some other place in the set, Kazuomi was trying to make his mother remember the procedures of the recipe but Kaede can't. Watanabe then came and asked if she is ready. Kaede immediately rose up and said sorry to keep them waiting. Kaede was so tense that she tripped on a wire. Kaede fell on Watanabe without her glasses. Kaede apologized and immediately went away. Watanabe thinks that Kaede is very pretty.
At the show, Ringo and Mahito greeted the audience and introduced Kaede as their guest. Kaede nervously greeted the audience. Ringo asked Kaede as to what she will do. Kaede was so tense that she can't say it. Kazuomi immediately got a big notebook and wrote 'Bush-Do-Le-Noal' Mahito saw it and asked if it is 'Bush-Do-Le-Noal' Kaede then says that it is. Kazuomi was surprised with what Mahito did. Mahito says that since Kaede was the writer of his drama show, he will help her for today with the cake. Kaede was very, very happy.
As Ringo and Mahito prepares the cake, Kazuomi begins to change his view about Mahito. After the cake was finish, Mahito told the audience that in Europe, everyone usually sit by the fireplace with their family during Christmas so this cake is shaped like a log. Watanabe then says that even though Mahito is just a high school student, he already lives alone in Japan. Kazuomi then remembers what Ringo told him about Mahito eating his cake alone.
On Dec 24, Ringo brought out a 'Bush-Do-Le-Noal' cake and told her mother that she and Kaede made it. Ringo gave Kazuomi his gift. Ringo imagines Kazuomi wearing the laced apron which was her gift to him. Kazuomi told Ringo that his gift will making Ringo very happy. Then the doorbell rings, Ringo went to answer it. She saw a Santa Claus. The Santa Claus removed his beard and it was Mahito. He greeted her a Merry Christmas. Ringo asked him if he has no work. Mahito told her that it is finish. Ringo asked him how did he know of her place. Mahito showed her an invitation and told her that Kazuomi had invited him. Ringo was surprised. Ringo's mother was very happy when she was Mahito in the house.
Ringo asked Kazuomi that doesn't he hate Mahito. Kazomi told her that it was because Mahito was all alone so why not let him join them for Christmas. Ringo embraced Kazuomi and says that he was a very good person. As Ringo went to her mother, Kazuomi was blushing. Mahito came and thanked Kazuomi for inviting him. Kazuomi says that he just want Ringo and her mother to be happy. Mahito told him that he was very happy and they shook hands. Ringo saw all of this and was happy. She then hang up the star on the Christmas tree.
Ringo reflects that when she was a child, she wasn't able to hang up the star for she cannot reach it and the star is like Mahito but now, she can. Ringo's mother told them that it is snowing. In the balcony, Ringo hold on to Mahito and Kazuomi as they watch the snow fall down. Ringo says to herself that she really like these two persons very much and on this night, it was a really beautiful Christmas.
TO BE CONTINUED...