Mistletoe with Berries

[Oh my gosh, why has your playing improved so much? I thought a buff from the trial card was still active, but I checked and there aren't any bonuses.] Candy was astonished by Sitangna's remarkable ability to learn.

Sitangna had said before that she had learned to play but had nowhere to practice, so her skills had never become particularly polished over the years. Her piano teacher had still been willing to keep teaching her, ultimately because she was exceptionally gifted at performing.

Her technique might not have been all that impressive, but the depth of emotion in her playing reached heights many music performance scholars could not attain.

Sherlock's playing, meanwhile, happened to be a prime example of using technique to compensate for a lack of emotion. The two together created a stunning sound that made quite an impact on everyone.

"This is my first time hearing Sherlock and Nana perform. I don't know what to say. That was incredible." Molly felt her warming forehead with the back of her hand and confirmed that she didn't have a fever; her racing heart had simply made her very hot.

"I'm so glad I came here tonight. I don't think I'll ever forget that performance." Janet was nestled in Watson's arms. Having experienced Sherlock's sharp tongue earlier, she had taken a slight dislike to him, but people were just that quick to forgive someone so talented.

"Bravo." Mycroft raised his glass again in a toast to the two excellent performers. Sherlock was gradually becoming more human, though whether that was a blessing or a curse for him remained to be seen.

"I can't wait to get back to my wife. I'll leave as soon as I finish this drink." Lestrade was in high spirits. After clinking glasses with Molly, he turned to do the same with Mycroft. Just thinking of his wife and daughter filled him with motivation.

"Come sit down and rest. You children must be exhausted." Mrs. Hudson gently wiped the tears from her face, wanting Sitangna to sit beside her. She was growing increasingly fond of the young niece who had dropped out of the sky.

"What's that?" As Sitangna passed the fireplace, a sprig suddenly fell from the Christmas tree beside it. Startled, she raised a hand to block it, but Sherlock, who was behind her, caught it with lightning reflexes.

"Next time, we should buy a fake... tree." Watson trailed off.

"Oh my goodness, it's mistletoe!" Mrs. Hudson covered her mouth with both hands in childlike surprise. Along with excitement, her eyes held concern for Sitangna.

It was an old Christmas tradition. The British believed that couples who kissed beneath mistletoe bearing berries could spend their lives together and grow old side by side.

Even people of the opposite sex who were not a couple had to ask each other for a kiss; refusing would bring the other person bad luck.

Oh no, Sherlock will definitely refuse... poor Sitangna...

Once everyone saw what Sherlock was holding, there wasn't a trace of anticipation for the romantic tradition in their eyes. They only hoped the great detective wouldn't be so blunt that he hurt the young woman's feelings.

Never had Mrs. Hudson so fervently hoped that Nana, being Chinese, didn't know about this tradition.

Unfortunately, Sitangna, a die-hard fan of British and American crossover fiction, not only knew about it but had also seen many classic scenes, such as the kiss that brought Harry Potter and Cho Chang together.

She stared at the translucent, round white berries on the mistletoe, and her brain shut down. She had the desire to make a move on Sherlock, but not the courage.

For the sake of everyone's toes, should she just bolt out the door and run back to her room?

"Close your eyes."

"What?"

For some reason, although Sherlock's voice was right beside her ear, it sounded distant and indistinct. Before she could process what he had said, a face slowly drawing closer blurred her vision, and a warm hand lifted her chin.

Then she felt something soft against her lips.

"!" "What?!" "Jesus..."

A chorus of gasps and exclamations rang through the living room. For that moment, even the air seemed to freeze. After the initial shock, the whole room fell silent, save for the crackling fire in the fireplace.

Everyone: Well, I'll be damned...

"I don't know how long a kiss is supposed to last. That should be enough, right?" Sherlock murmured to himself as he let go of Sitangna, who had gone rigid.

Her lips still seemed to bear the damp imprint of his. She dazedly took Aunt Hudson's hand and sat back down on the sofa, blinking as though nothing had registered, though enormous waves were already raging in her heart.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump-

I'm going to die. My heart's pounding as if it's been shot full of adrenaline.

[Ahhhhh! A hundredfold energy bonus! I'm rich! I'm rich!!] Candy had deliberately lowered the volume of her screams. The entire system darted wildly around Sitangna's mindscape, as excited as a bouncing ball, making Sitangna dizzy just watching her.

[Quiet, I'm thinking.] Aunt Hudson held Sitangna's hand firmly, looking at her with a loving expression and occasionally exchanging glances with Watson.

See? I knew there was something between those two!

Watson walked over to Sherlock and bent down to study his expression, but he couldn't read anything from it. The great detective was browsing information online as though nothing had happened.

"Are you possessed?" "Sod off." "Oh." Watson bravely spoke up, and Watson promptly shut up.

"I... I still have something to do, so I should get going." Molly Amber had spent the best and worst Christmas Eve of her life.

Tonight, she had finally seen a different side of the man she loved, but she had also witnessed his love for someone else.

She should have noticed long ago how differently Sherlock treated Nana. How could someone suddenly become a gentleman? The signs had all been there, hadn't they?

Molly found herself looking at Sitangna. She had taken a liking to her from the moment they first met at the hospital. Nana was gentle and considerate.

She cared about how Molly was doing at work and reminded her to rest. While waiting for results, she also took care of every little thing for her. Passing her things and filling out paperwork went without saying; she even gave Molly food and water when she was busy.

Even now, Molly still couldn't bring herself to dislike Sitangna, because she knew in her heart that Nana was a very good girl.

No one was at fault in this relationship; only her feelings were one-sided.

Sitangna felt Molly's gaze but didn't dare look up. She was happy about Sherlock's positive response. Though her thoughts were in a muddle, she wasn't entirely oblivious.

She couldn't use her own happiness to hurt someone else.

"Everyone should head home early. I'm leaving first... good night!" Molly understood what the problem was, but she couldn't control her emotions. In her fluster, she forced herself to set down her glass, threw on her coat, and left.

Seeing that she wasn't doing very well, Lestrade immediately went after her. There weren't many taxis running tonight, so he needed to make sure she got home safely.

Before the inspector left, Watson pressed the return gifts from everyone for the two of them into his hands. Carrying two large bags, Greg hurried after her.

Next, everyone had originally planned to pull Christmas crackers, play the King Game, and open presents together. Now that two people had left, and the incident had put everyone out of the mood for games, they simply gathered under the Christmas tree to open their presents.