41. Gifts

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Was there a correct way to hold a laundry basket? Kuri's thighs bumped against her plastic hamper, producing a quiet thwack with each step. Holding it directly in front of your legs was probably an unorthodox method if you planned to get anywhere quickly, but it was how she'd always done it. Maybe she should invest in a cloth hamper, like Mina and Ochako. They carried their laundry in stuffed bags at their sides, allowing them greater mobility. Kuri was certainly overthinking the subject of laundry—probably because she was losing it while contemplating another dilemma.

"Kuri, are you alright?" Ochako peered at her, holding the elevator door open. For the last few seconds, Kuri stood zoned-out in front of the elevator with her basket and—caught up in her daze—hadn't caught the cue to get in. Mina tilted her head and chuckled worriedly.

"Is something bothering you?" Mina asked. Kuri hesitantly nodded her head and stepped into the elevator with them. She sighed and placed her laundry basket on the floor as they ascended.

"I don't know what to do about Christmas," she answered.

"Are your parents asking you to come home for the holidays?" Ochako apprehensively asked. Kuri shook her head.

"Oh, no, it's nothing like that. They're content with just a call and a promise that I'll visit this upcoming summer... in seven months," Kuri said. She wouldn't have minded a visit home, but her parents thought it wasn't worth the price of a plane ticket if she could only stay for a week or two. Kuri wasn't sure why the better alternative was a single, hour-long phone call instead. "Anyway, Katsuki is who I'm worried about."

"Trouble in paradise?" Mina gasped, pressing her fingertips to her cheeks melodramatically. Kuri rolled her eyes but smiled. "Just kidding."

The elevator doors opened, and Kuri picked up her hamper again. The three walked toward the left, where their rooms were located.

"I haven't thought of what to give him for Christmas, that's all," Kuri shrugged. Ochako stopped in her tracks.

"But Christmas is in less than a week!"

"Girl, you better start brainstorming!" Mina exclaimed.

"I know, I know," Kuri said, wilting a bit as she wobbled over to her room. "I'll keep thinking about it while I fold my clothes."

Mina patted a hand against her shoulder reassuringly as she passed Kuri to go to her dorm's door.

"Don't sweat it too much," Mina said. "You're mega-smart, so just do what feels right!"

"I think gift-giving might be my weak point, though..." Kuri sighed.

"It's probably not your love language," Ochako said, leaving her laundry at her doorway to join Kuri at her side. "Just try your best. I'm sure Katsuki will appreciate whatever you give him."

Kuri smiled wearily and thanked them both before closing herself into her bedroom. They always did their best to comfort her and give good advice, even if they were a bit mischievous at other times. The entire lead-up to Katsuki's confession during the play certainly came to mind... Still, she appreciated their input because even if they had dubious methods, her friends' support helped everything ultimately work out. So, Kuri would follow their advice and decide on Katsuki's gift through intuition alone.

Kuri dumped her freshly cleaned clothes onto her bed to begin folding them as another thought crept into her mind. But would just anything be good enough? Even if Katsuki had no preference, that didn't mean Kuri should hand him some trash with a bow on top. Mina and Ochako were right in that Kuri only needed to put her heart into whatever she gave him, but that meant the gift couldn't be merely satisfactory. It had to be perfect! So, back to the drawing board.

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