From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 157: (Filler No Plot Progression)Christmas Special - Family Matters (1) (Filler No Plot Progression)

Christmas Special

December 25th 2026

Ty was jolted awake by the blaring alarm of his phone in his one-bedroom apartment. He groaned, his mind foggy with sleep, and mumbled, "Ugh, it's too early. Maybe just a few more minutes of sleep?"

The persistent alarm on his nightstand continued, unrelenting, but it was the vibration and ringing of his phone that truly roused him. With a sudden movement, he sat up, grabbed the phone, and squinted at the screen. It was a call from Jade.

As he recognized her name, a faint blush colored his cheeks. Thoughts of her stirred a mix of emotions, and he quickly swiped right to answer the call. Rolling out of bed, he brought the phone to his ear and greeted her with a sleepy yet affectionate voice, "Good morning, beautiful," followed by a yawning stretch.

"Hey sweetie," Jade's voice came through, bright and cheerful. "I should be over in a bit. I'm just helping my grandparents clean up the shop before they start cooking a turkey. Did your parents manage to come in?"

Ty responded, trying to sound casual despite the slight disappointment about his father's absence. "Sounds good. I still need to shower and get dressed, but I don't think they're coming. Father is out of the country again on business work. So, just myself, as usual," he added with a light chuckle.

Jade, ever thoughtful, quickly offered an alternative. "Oh, in that case, I'll bring you over to have dinner with my parents. They have a nice place about two hours out of the city, so we can make a little drive out there."

The idea of meeting Jade's parents again made Ty a bit apprehensive. "But I haven't seen your parents since middle school, and ever since that school fight I got into, they haven't seemed to like me much, I think," he admitted, recalling the incident with a hint of unease.

Jade laughed off his concern. "Oh, that's nonsense. They were just shocked to see the damage you did to some of the boys, but I know they appreciated what you did for me all those years ago."

Jade's words resonated with Ty, emphasizing the significance of their relationship and the importance of spending holidays together. "Besides, we've started dating, so it only makes sense we should spend some holidays together, you know," she said, her voice carrying a note of affection and understanding.

Ty took a moment to reflect on her words. "Well, I guess that is true. It will be nice to meet Mr. and Mrs. XingLu again," he replied, his initial apprehension giving way to a sense of anticipation. The thought of reconnecting with Jade's family, especially under such different circumstances, brought a new perspective to their relationship.

He then shared his aspirations for the future, both for himself and for them as a couple. "And after this year, I will be finished up at university and getting a nice job, so I can prove I'm worthy of providing for you one day," he said, his tone earnest and hopeful.

Jade's response came through with a blush that was almost audible. "Okay, slow down a bit, bucko," she said playfully, her affection clear in her voice. "I'll be there in a bit. Love you."

Ty's reply was tender and filled with warmth. "Love you too, my Green Emerald," he said, using his affectionate nickname for her.

The chuckle on the other end of the phone line, followed by the click of the call ending, left Ty with a sense of buoyant anticipation. He stretched out, a burst of energy coursing through him as he swung out of bed. "Let's get the day on with!" he exclaimed aloud, his voice filled with excitement for the upcoming reunion with Jade.

In the next half hour, Ty busied himself with his morning routine. He took a refreshing shower and carefully ironed his clothes, wanting to look his best for the day ahead. While ironing, he popped a toaster pastry into the toaster, thinking pragmatically, "I'm sure the snow will have everything snowed in, so might as well eat a bit until she arrives."

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Finishing his quick breakfast and washing it down with a bottle of water, Ty was just about ready when he heard a knock at the door. Rushing over, he expected to see Jade, but instead, he was greeted by a large man with an honest smile, dressed in a blue suit and a black tie. "Hello, have you seen a girl with pink hair by chance?" the man inquired politely.

Desmond Bane, now identified, clarified his purpose. "The name's Desmond Bane. I heard reports she was visiting around here and was assigned to look after her for a bit."

Ty, still puzzled, replied with a light-hearted comment, "I see. Well, sorry to say, I only see pink-haired girls at anime conventions."

Desmond let out a slight chuckle. "That's a little ironic," he said, his smile still in place.

Ty's confusion only grew. "And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, trying to piece together the situation.

"Don't worry about it, sir. You have a good evening and have a Merry Christmas," Desmond said, tipping his hat slightly as he turned to walk down the hallway of Ty's apartment building.

As Desmond left, Ty noticed Jade strutting up the staircase, passing Desmond with just a simple smile before descending the stairs herself. Jade, bundled up in a large purple coat and puffy black bottoms, approached Ty with curiosity in her eyes.

"Who was that?" she asked, her gaze following Desmond's retreating figure.

Ty, still processing the brief and unusual encounter, turned to Jade. "Some guy looking for a pink-haired girl. He said his name was Desmond Bane," he explained, his tone still reflecting his bemusement.

Ty's response, still tinged with confusion, was straightforward. "Your guess is as good as mine. He said he was looking for some pink-haired girl. Seemed like a decent guy, but he had this police-like demeanor about him," he explained to Jade.

Jade, taking in Ty's appearance, placed her hands on his chest and pulled him in for a kiss. "Well, you sure did get dressed up in your nice black suit and red tie," she noted, her voice warm with appreciation. "And that cologne is my favorite. You really are trying to impress the family, aren't you?"

Ty, responding to her affectionate gesture, pulled her back in for another kiss, wrapping his hand around her waist. "Well, if I want to leave a good impression, the least I can do is dress my best, you know?" he replied, his voice soft but confident.

Ty, half-jokingly, remarked, "If we didn't have to drive two hours to see them, I would say we just stay back at my place for a while and have a fireplace type of day," giving Jade a kiss on the cheek.

Jade responded with playful humor and a hint of flirtation. "Haha, we could always make time along the way," she said, giving him a wink before walking past him. Then, with a teasing tone, she added, "Keeping your apartment clean isn't your strong suit, as usual. Two-day-old dishes?"

Caught a bit off guard, Ty attempted to explain with a laugh. "Haha, what can I say, I get preoccupied with studying for finals and—"

Before he could finish, Jade cut him off, leaning in for another kiss. Ty's excuses faded into the background as he got lost in the moment, pulling her into a full embrace. The warmth and affection between them were undeniable, overshadowing the mundane concerns of daily life. The kiss symbolized their deep connection, setting aside the day's earlier oddities and focusing on the here and now.

The intimate moment between Ty and Jade was abruptly interrupted by the buzzing of Jade's phone. As she pulled her phone from her pocket, she noticed it was her mom calling. Placing a finger on Ty's lips, she gently reminded him, "Oh, yeah, we have places to be. Easy mistake," bringing a playful end to their romantic interlude.

Jade answered the call, her voice bright. "Hello, Mom, how are you doing?" she asked, stepping slightly away from Ty.

Her mom's voice came through sharply, tinged with concern. "Were you able to speak to your boyfriend about coming over? Your father hasn't had much company in a while and would appreciate a new face around. Plus, he's your boyfriend, so you should really bring him around more often."

Jade, with a chuckle, reassured her mom. "Yes, I'll be bringing him over. I just got to his place, and we should be leaving in a few minutes," she explained. "Just had to finish washing a few dishes, and then we'll be hitting the road."

Aware of the weather conditions outside, Jade added, "The snow is pretty bad right now, so traffic shouldn't be too bad once we get out of the middle of the city."

Her mom's voice softened. "Okay, sweetheart, just make sure you drive safe on your way down."

Ending the call, Jade looked at Ty with a mix of amusement and urgency. "We really should get going," she said, her tone lighthearted yet purposeful. Their brief moment of passion had set a warm tone for the day, and despite the interruption, both Ty and Jade were looking forward to the journey ahead and the opportunity to spend the holiday with her family.

With a final check to ensure they had everything they needed, they prepared to leave, ready to brave the snowy roads and enjoy the time together.