…A skateboard--with a helmet and pads too of course.
“Woah!” the boy’s face lit up with wonder, “These are the objects that humans use to propel themselves across land! I’ve always liked how these things appeared but could never figure it out for myself. Thanks a lot, Aria.”
Aria crossed her arms with a smug smirk, “That’s right. I knew you’d like it. Aren’t I the best at giving gifts?”
Adagio merely giggled and shook her head, unable to really give a proper response.
So instead, Sonata spoke up next. “Well if you think that’s cool, wait ‘til you see what I got you. It’s something that doesn’t even exist in Equestria. It’s totes the best gift.”
Keiji set the skateboard aside and looked around. “...Where is it?”
“Oh, it’s…downstairs in your garage,” Sonata said with a sly smirk, “Follow me, buddy!”
His attention was completely stolen as he got up to follow her. “...I can’t believe it. Do they actually care about me?” But he still had some reservations as far as trust went. “Hm…better see if this thing is real or not. Could easily be a bribe.”
Aria and Adagio followed from a distance and began to speak to each other. Interestingly, they were already wondering something similar.
“...Hopefully he sees that we want him to be happy,” Adagio whispered to Aria as they walked through the building’s hallway, “Is this coming off too much like bribery, Aria?”
The middle siren sister gave a rather…straightforward answer. “Pfft. Isn’t that what Christmas is basically about? Bribery for your loved-ones so they’ll continue to treat you well throughout the year?”
“B--hm...” Adagio looked down at the floor as she gave it some thought. The thing is, Aria was technically correct on some level. Christmas was a heavily commercialized holiday aimed at people’s materialistic interests. In a way, she had a point. “While that may somewhat be true, our goal here is to help him feel welcome. He’s just like us after all.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Aria agreed, “If anyone tries to pick on him, I’m gonna beat their asses.”
Adagio giggled. “Settle down. This is a time for happiness and positivity. Not hatred. Now…let’s see what Sonata’s got for him.”
Aria did a double-take, staring at her sister out of confusion, “Wait a sec. You mean you don’t know what she has for him?”
Adagio simply replied with a shrug. “Eh. She said she wanted to keep it a secret. I didn’t want to pry so here we are.”
“This just went from exciting to concerning,” Aria commented as they walked downstairs…
And as soon as they arrived to the complex’s garage, Sonata had her hands placed over Keiji’s eyes so that he couldn’t see until she allowed him to. “Alrrrrighty! Ready, KK?” she asked gleefully while leaning over his shoulder.
“As I’ll ever be…” the boy replied with bated breath.
“Here it is!” Sonata lifted her hands…
And in the garage, right in front of him, there was an ATV. It was all red with some streaks of yellow lightning bolts. It was perfectly custom made too--just small enough for use on the road but with tires big enough to sustain off-road affairs.
“I…wh…how did you…” His jaw dropped the moment he looked at it. Keiji was left speechless. The sheer magnitude of such a present was difficult to process. “It’s one of those vehicles used for dirt racing! These don’t exist in Equestria at all!”
“Yup-yup!” Sonata chirped, “That was totes the point of it. I knew you’d be into that kinda stuff based on my research.”
“Well that’s a first,” Aria commented, earning an elbow nudge from Adagio, “Hey--it’s a compliment! I’m actually impressed that she went ahead and did some digging to find the perfect gift.”
Adagio giggled and added her perspective. “I’m impressed too. I’ve always enjoyed watching those gladiator-esque performances on television. Instead of chimeras, they fight on the back of mechanical beasts with massive tires not unlike those. It’s quite fun to watch. But…” she gave Sonata a concerned glare, “Are you sure that’s…safe, Sonata?”
“Pfft! ‘Is it safe’?” Sonata scoffed as she turned around while twirling the keys to the vehicle on her finger. “Of course it is. I’m gonna teach him how to ride it, obvs. With the help of some of my friends.”
“Wait a sec,” Aria butted in, “Since when do you know how to ride an ATV?”
“Practice,” Sonata said with a smug expression, “Lots and lots of practice. But that’s besides the point,” she looked over at the green boy and asked, “Sooo…whatcha think?”
Keiji walked up to Sonata and hugged her. “...I appreciate it. It’s something I never would’ve expected in a million years and I’m hella grateful.” He pulled back and looked up at her. “I’m more than willing to learn how to ride it by the way….” But he turned and looked down at the floor with a saddened frown. “But…it’s weird. After all of this, I kinda feel bad that I don’t have anything for you all.”
“Oh don’t worry yourself about that,” Adagio walked up and gave him a gentle pat on the head, “We just wanted to see you happy. As fellow Equestrians, we need to stick together. Right, girls?”
“Mm-hm! Totes!” Sonata quipped.
“Damn right,” Aria replied while flexing her arm, “If anyone gives you a hard time, just call on one of your big sisters. We’ll smoke the shit out of ‘em.”
“Sisters…” Keiji looked up at them as he mumbled the word. Could they really be worthwhile examples of the sisters he never had growing up? Only time could truly tell, but for the moment it felt as if he was actually cared for…loved, even. “I’ll think about it. For now, I wanna thank you all for what you’ve done.” That’s when he suddenly had an idea. “Oh. I got it. Why don’t you three come back upstairs? I’m making some special food to bring back to school once winter break is over.”
Adagio replied, “Well, if you’re offering--”
And was immediately cut off by Aria. “Aw, hell yeah. I’m starving. Whatcha got, big man?”
“Well it’s…fried chicken--homemade.”
As soon as he said that, there was a Sonata-shaped cloud of dust left behind where she once stood.
“...Well someone’s excited,” Adagio commented with a giggle.