Christmas.

Christmas is nearing in the city, as lights blink even at day to attract customers looking for the perfect gift. People fill the shopping mall, from the jewelry stores to the parking lots to the toy stores. "I want that one!" A child walks sideways through an alley at KB Toys with his eyes glowing. "And that one, and that one too! This is so cool!" His father trails behind him with hands full of …

…upcoming Christmas events with their bags piled up beside them. Surrounding them are people who have also finished their shopping, and are eating lunch before leaving or taking another look at some more gifts. Zillions of snowflakes are falling outside, from a soft white sky which envelops the earth. Under the same sky, on the other side of the world, in an apartment in Japan, I wish Xander, Mary, Andy, and Sandra a Merry Christmas.