Christmas—unless there are special circumstances, gifts are usually given either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day itself.
That being said, Shimizu Akira wasn't actually sure when "Christmas Eve" technically began on the 24th. He did a quick search online and found that there didn't seem to be a clearly defined starting point.
According to common custom, the entire day of the 24th seed to count as Christmas Eve.
Whether it was morning or afternoon, one could still et with friends and relatives to exchange gifts. Consequently, over in the class, Hirata Yousuke organized a class party held at a karaoke box. The students of Class D sang songs while casually exchanging gifts.
Akira himself received quite a lot; almost everyone in class, regardless of gender, had prepared a gift for him.
'Wait... do people give Christmas gifts to male friends too?'
In any case, Akira eventually returned to his dorm with his hands full of a massive pile of presents. He then began opening them one by one.
Most of the gifts from the girls were candies and sweets. It was obvious they were mostly Christmas limited-edition items bought from supermarkets or shops; several were even from the sa brand.
The boys mostly gave snacks they personally enjoyed or so gag items—like a bag of Jelly Belly BeanBoozled beans soone had stuffed in there, and spicy snacks from more than one person, such as Latiao and Buldak bokkeum myeon (Fire Noodles).
'...These guys, could they be trying to make sure I can't leave the toilet on Christmas Eve night?'
It took Akira nearly ten minutes to finish unwrapping everything. The boxes and wrapping paper filled several trash bags, and he had to make several trips back and forth to dispose of them. Afterward, he opened his computer and carefully organized a list of the students who had given him gifts.
"I'll have to prepare return gifts..."
Since he didn't need to give everyone sothing unique, buying so snacks he usually enjoyed from the supermarket to share and recomnd to everyone seed appropriate. Just then, the dormitory landline suddenly rang.
'Could sothing be wrong with the dorm?'
This phone was almost exclusively used by the dorm manager. The last ti there was a leak during sumr vacation, the manager had notified every student staying in the dorm via the landline. Akira didn't hesitate and went straight to answer the call.
"Hello, this is the dorm managent office," the manager's calm voice ca from the other end.
"Apologies for the intrusion. I mainly wanted to confirm if the heating and water usage in your room are normal? It's been cold lately, and we are conducting routine checks."
Akira breathed a sigh of relief.
"Everything is normal, thank you for checking."
"That's good. Additionally, the Class D dorms upstairs will have air conditioning reinstalled tonight. The construction might generate so noise and is expected to last about an hour. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your understanding."
"I understand, no problem. Thank you for your hard work."
"It's our duty. Have a pleasant Christmas Eve."
Akira hung up the landline. It seed Class D had already begun their move.
He took the opportunity to click on the school forum, and as expected, the News Club had posted the latest announcent.
[After negotiations between the school and the Student Council, in light of several students catching colds recently and to ensure student health and safety, the Class D dormitory equipnt standards will be restored to the sa level as other classes effective imdiately.
President Nagumo Miyabi expresses deep apologies to the students of Class D and will offer a public apology to all students in the gymnasium on the morning of the third sester's opening day, along with reasonable compensation.]
Their treatnt was indeed restored! This was likely pushed forward by Shiina Hiyori, since Ryuen Kakeru had already fallen.
But then again, Nagumo Miyabi actually had to apologize publicly plus pay compensation...
'Tch.' At the start of the second sester, he had been elected Student Council President with such high spirits. Not even a sester had passed, and he already had to publicly admit to a policy failure.
This guy was really regressing the longer he lived.
Akira had a strange premonition that dealing with Nagumo Miyabi might not require much effort at all.
The guy was making enemies everywhere; if things continued like this, would he be forced out of office by a coalition of others in a few months?
'Surrounded on all sides... that's probably what it feels like.'
.
.
.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at Akira's dorm door. Since it was still well before 10:00 PM, he didn't think it would be Kikyo arriving early, so he just pulled the door open.
The person outside was sowhat unexpected. Blond hair—but it wasn't Koenji Rokusuke, and certainly not Nagumo Miyabi.
Hashimoto Masayoshi stood at the door, smiling politely.
"Shimizu-kun, sorry to disturb you. rry Christmas!"
"...Hashimoto? rry Christmas." Although surprised, Akira stepped aside.
"Did you need sothing? Want to co in and sit for a bit?"
"No need for the trouble! I just ca to drop off a gift." Hashimoto took a beautifully wrapped small gift box from his pocket and handed it over.
"I won't disturb you further. I know you'll likely be... 'very busy' tonight."
He gave a aningful smile, turned, and walked away.
'This person actually gave a gift?'
They had barely spoken more than a few words. Aside from the last special exam on the deserted island where Akira had handed him a bag of snacks to ask him to call Kamuro Masumi out, there was nothing.
Akira closed the door, thought about it, and unwrapped the gift. Inside was a portable flashlight. Given that it was midwinter with short days and long nights, it would indeed be useful for walking those unlit small paths at night.
It was quite practical. And it was probably among the more expensive gifts Akira had received so far, likely costing ten to twenty thousand private points.
Why give such a gift all of a sudden? Given their level of acquaintance, there was absolutely no need for a gift of this price. This person... most likely had an ulterior motive.
There was also a card inside the box with a line written on it:
"I hope this can illuminate the path ahead for Shimizu-kun."
'I feel like there's a double aning in his words!'
After all, the "Daily Intel" had long warned that this guy was a "traitor" skilled at following the wind.
Wait, does he think... Sakayanagi Arisu is finished?
But that little princess had only suffered one setback. Or was he just overthinking it?
.
.
.
Half an hour later, after Akira had completely categorized the gifts, he checked the ti: 8:00 PM sharp.
During this ti slot on Christmas Eve, almost no one would visit specifically unless they were a couple. If a girl knocked on the door and gave a gift at this ti, she was either your girlfriend or interested in you.
...But if it was a man who ca, it would be sowhat terrifying.
In any case, Akira pulled back his wandering thoughts and scanned his room. He needed to clean up a bit more and take a shower. After all, Kikyo was coming to stay over later.
A girl's first ti staying the night... these preparations had to be done right.
.
.
.
"I have to prepare well for tonight's first ti..."
Kushida Kikyo had just finished a fragrant bath, grooming herself perfectly from head to toe. Since it was such a morable "first," Kikyo naturally wanted to present her most beautiful self completely to him. She didn't want Akira to see any part of her that wasn't fresh during their intimacy!
That would be too embarrassing! Although her dearest Akira definitely wouldn't mind!
She opened her bag to check once more:
Gift for Akira... checkmark Room key... checkmark Personal status... checkmark Three packs of "little umbrellas"... (light cough) checkmark
Finally, she did a twirl in front of the mirror—Mmm, beautiful, perfect!
She checked the ti; it was 9:00 PM.
'Should I go find Akira-kun now?'
No, it was still too early. And thinking carefully, she hadn't actually finished everything she needed to do!
She quickly picked up her phone and called Hasabe Haruka.
"Mmm, it's ~ Kikyo."
"Eh? You're with Sakura-san? What are you chatting about... Ah, nothing, I was just asking casually."
"Huh?! Chatting about Shimizu-kun again?"
"Wait—you guys aren't thinking of going to Shimizu Akira's dorm with Sakura to give gifts, are you?"
"Asking for my opinion?"
"Mmm... my personal suggestion? This is just my personal view, so take it however you want~ It's already past 9:00 PM; it's a bit too late, and the intention would seem too obvious. I know you're straightforward, Haruka, but you have to consider Sakura's personality too."
"Mmm-hmm, if you ask , wouldn't it be better to give them tomorrow during the day... no, at noon tomorrow? After all, that's Christmas Day itself."
"Hehe, no need to thank ~"
"No need to treat to dinner! Hehe."
"Giving advice to classmates is only right."
"I'll hang up then, bye-bye~"
As soon as the call ended, Kushida Kikyo instantly switched from Angel Mode to Demon Form, unable to hold back a low chuckle.
"Stupid woman... Hasabe Haruka, you really are a stupid woman.
I wasn't considering your feelings at all... it was entirely for myself!
Just based on you and Sakura Airi, you think you can disturb mine and Akira-kun's sweet night? Get out of the way!"
Kikyo naturally had to take precautions in advance.
She didn't want soone suddenly knocking on the door to give a gift just as the atmosphere between her and Akira was perfect and they were about to take the final step!
One could tell just by thinking that Hasabe Haruka and Sakura Airi, who had coveted her boyfriend for so long, would definitely want to do sothing using Christmas Eve as an excuse.
She had to nip those two people's delusions in the bud!
Kikyo had originally wanted to suggest they co tomorrow morning! But on second thought, she might still be in Akira's dorm tomorrow morning! That's why she quickly changed it to noon.
'What? You're asking if Hasabe Haruka would fall out with her if this were exposed?'
Hehe, such a thing was impossible from the start. When the ti ca, Kushida Kikyo would only need to switch back to her usual Angel form, sigh softly, and wouldn't even need to say much.
That one-track-minded Hasabe Haruka, who was devoted to her, would fall into self-reproach and start filling in the blanks herself.
"Oh my god! Kikyo was already dating Shimizu Akira, yet she was still giving advice... I have no right to be angry with her!
She must be struggling and torn between guilt every day!"
She might even wake up in the middle of the night and give herself two slaps—I really deserve to die! What reason would she have to be angry? Instead, she would beco even more devoted, becoming her most "loyal" best friend~
Even just now, she had clearly "invited" them away from Akira's side, yet that person turned around and wanted to treat her to dinner. She even had to thank her!
Hee hee hee!
"Don't worry Haruka, and Sakura too~ Stay obediently in your dorms today. Later, I'll have Akira-kun 'take' you—it's just not right now."
After all, both Hasabe Haruka and Sakura Airi had been sared with sunscreen by Akira. Given how the trend was developing, Akira would eventually bring these two into his harem.
Rather than waiting passively, it was better for her, Kushida Kikyo, to take the initiative.
She had already planned it out.
Hasabe Haruka was one-track-minded toward her and didn't even care for Ichinose Honami from the next class.
Sakura Airi... her personality was as timid as a rabbit. Once Akira really took these two, these simple-minded girls would surely be devoted to her.
If she got tired during intimacy with Akira later... soone would have to help share the load, right?
"Right, right! And that woman Karuizawa Kei!"
She had specifically checked the news at noon: Ichinose Honami was busy, and Kamuro Masumi and Horikita Suzune were both scheduled for tomorrow.
Thinking carefully, the only remaining opponent who might stage a surprise attack was that manager.
Just as she opened the chat interface with Karuizawa Kei, before she could send a ssage, Sato Maya suddenly sent a recent update.
Sato Maya, Karuizawa Kei, and Matsushita Chiaki were huddled together, making peace signs, with the title
"Three gyarus without boyfriends spending Christmas together!"
"You three are really gyarus? What a joke!"
According to the intelligence Kikyo had collected privately, these three hadn't truly dated a boy. Yet in class, each one spoke as if they were more experienced in love than the last... Lying through their teeth!
In the photo, although Karuizawa Kei was making the gesture, her expression was a bit gloomy.
'Hmm? What's going on? I was treating you as an opponent, and you've wilted on your own first?'
It seed these few planned to kill the whole of Christmas Eve at karaoke. In short, the threat from Karuizawa Kei could be temporarily eliminated.
Shiina Hiyori from Class D had a soft personality and carried a bit of unconscious emotional avoidance; she was a rational person who would absolutely not do sothing like proactively giving a boy a gift after 9:00 PM.
The favorability of other girls hadn't yet reached the point where they dared to visit alone at this ti.
The necessary precautions in this regard... were finally all complete.
'I'm coming, darling.'
.
.
.
The ti ticked toward 9:30 PM.
Kushida Kikyo checked her makeup one last ti, quietly tucked the "little umbrellas" into her inner coat pocket, took a deep breath, and pushed open her dorm door.
Christmas lights flickered outside the window. She stepped lightly and stopped in front of Akira's door, gently rubbing her cheeks to let her smile return to its softest curve.
Still her cutest self.
Knock.
Three tis, evenly spaced.
The door opened.
Shimizu Akira was wearing gray loungewear, his hair still slightly damp as if he had just showered. The mont he saw her, his eyes lit up slightly.
"Akira-kun~ rry Christmas!" Kikyo said with a beaming smile.
"Can I co in?"
"Of course." Akira stepped aside to let her in. As he closed the door, his gaze lingered on her for a mont.
"You're... very beautiful today."
"You too, Akira-kun. You look very fresh after your shower." Kikyo naturally looked around the room.
It was tidy, with a faint scent of citrus cleaner. A glass of water sat on the nightstand. Even the blanket had been specifically changed to a double-sized one, and an extra pillow had been prepared.
Good, he had indeed prepared everything. Only then did the corners of her mouth turn up in satisfaction.
However, when she turned and spotted the mountain of gifts on Akira's desk, she couldn't help but let out a "Tch."
"Those guys sent this much today? You must have spent a lot of ti just unwrapping them! Doesn't that Hirata guy know today is Christmas Eve? Couldn't they give them tomorrow? Tch, so annoying!"
One didn't need to think to know Akira must have unwrapped gifts until his hands were sore. She hadn't even co over yet; what if her boyfriend got tired and it affected tonight's "main business"?
Who would compensate her!
'I hate them, these people with no situational awareness!'
Miss Kushida couldn't help but grumble. Akira watched her pouting profile and laughed involuntarily.
If this were the old Kikyo, she might have felt lost because he had stolen the whole class's attention, feeling her social dominance was being shaken. But now, her first reaction was concern that he might be tired. This was probably the most obvious change since they started dating.
He gently took her hand and pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed.
"I'm not actually that tired. What about you, Kikyo? You must have received a lot of gifts too, right? You're not tired?"
Kikyo thought for a mont, leaned in, and gave him a kiss on the lips to calm down. Lately, she had replaced her ways of venting stress—like kicking railings or roof doors—with intimate interactions with her boyfriend.
"Hehe, don't worry about ! I've already arranged a party tomorrow to invite those guys to exchange gifts. But well, there are always a few without awareness who were eager to shove gifts at this afternoon... like that woman Onodera Kayano."
"Onodera, huh? She has a straightforward personality; she probably didn't see your deeper arrangents."
"Exactly. But Onodera might be of great use in the future," Kikyo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"She's the girl with the best physical fitness in the first year, taking first place in most of the female events at the sports festival. Otherwise, I wouldn't regularly ask her out for shopping."
'Wow... my girlfriend is so manipulative!'
Listening to her slightly proud tone, Akira's fingers curled around a strand of her hair. "You even calculated that?"
"Of course~" Kikyo leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Akira-kun needs different types of people around him, doesn't he? Onodera is good at sports and has a simple personality; she can be a shield at a critical mont. Haruka is straightforward and impulsive, suitable for leading a charge. Airi is timid but has keen observation and can be the 'eyes'... as for —"
She looked up, her eyes sparkling under the light:
"I'm responsible for managing all of them, making them obediently useful to Akira-kun."
Akira was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out and pinched her cheek.
"Aren't you afraid they'll be scared away by you instead?"
"They won't," Kikyo let him pinch her, her voice slightly muffled.
"What I give them is what they want most. Haruka wants recognition, Sakura wants a sense of security, Onodera wants friends... and what they can give Akira-kun is loyalty."
She grabbed his hand, her fingertips lightly scratching his palm:
"I'm not causing trouble for Akira-kun; I'm helping you build a... more stable 'harem system'."
Akira looked at her. This girl before him was simultaneously so jealous she complained about classmates giving gifts, yet was rationally weaving a social network for him. The contradiction made it hard to know how to respond.
"Kikyo." He called her na.
"Mmm?"
"You don't need to do these things."
"...Why?" The smile on the corners of Kikyo's mouth faded slightly. "Does Akira-kun think I'm ddling?"
"No." Akira shook his head.
"I just feel you don't need to use this thod to prove your value. To , you were already irreplaceable long ago. Didn't I say it before? Shimizu Akira can no longer live without Kushida Kikyo."
Kikyo was stunned. A few seconds later, she buried her face in the crook of his neck and said softly, "You really like so much..."
Still being stubborn!
"Right," Kikyo suddenly rembered sothing and pulled a gift box from her bag.
"Almost forgot, this is the most important gift tonight."
Akira opened the box. Inside lay a palm-sized black leather notebook.
"This is my 'Secret Notebook'~" Kikyo smiled and hugged his arm.
"Since the start of the term, I've recorded everyone's likes, dislikes, relationships... and of course, so small 'dark histories.' Now, I'm sharing it with you."
Kikyo was actually giving this to him as a gift. It ant she was handing over the intelligence network she had managed for so long to him without reservation.
For soone who usually feared her dark history being known by anyone, she was now personally handing the most lethal and real record over to him.
Kikyo was truly... laying everything about herself bare before him.
"Kikyo," he said, holding the notebook and looking up at her, "do you know what this ans?"
"Of course I know." Kikyo leaned in, her forehead gently resting against his shoulder.
"It ans that from now on, my weapons are your weapons, and my eyes are your eyes."
Akira originally wanted to kiss her directly, but Kikyo's gaze remained on the notebook. It seed she wanted him to look at the contents first. He had no choice but to gently flip open the diary.
[Class D - Hirata Yousuke]
Helpful, hates conflict. Has a strong protective desire for class mbers, seeing everyone as his responsibility.
Exploitable point: As long as "for the sake of the class" is used as a reason, it's easy to persuade him to act.
[Class D - Horikita Suzune]
Aloof on the outside, craves recognition on the inside—especially from her brother, Horikita Manabu. Has a deep obsession with reaching Class A. Social skills are severely lacking.
Exploitable point: Cooperation can be sought using "improving the class and President Horikita Manabu together" as an entry point.
[Class C - Ryuen Kakeru]
Maintains rule through fear and violence, but is exceptionally patient with Ishizaki Daichi and a few others; perhaps subconsciously values unconditional loyalty.
Exploitable point: The foundation of his rule relies on violence. Ishizaki Daichi has unconditional worship for him; this can be used in reverse.
"How is it, Akira-kun?" Seeing him look for so long, Kushida Kikyo felt a bit uneasy.
"While it's not a 'Death Note,' the lethality is about the sa." Akira closed the notebook and looked at her seriously.
"Kikyo, this notebook must absolutely never leak out. Otherwise, everyone will fight over it. You really are a woman of grave sin."
This notebook could almost be called a targeted walkthrough guide for most of their classmates. Words were sotis sharper than fists.
"Pfft!" Kikyo was amused by his serious tone and burst out laughing.
This man... he always unexpectedly made her incredibly happy.
'Oh no... I feel like I really can't live without Shimizu Akira more and more. Whatever, if I can't leave him, then I won't!'
Akira flipped back a few more pages, but this page's content was sowhat special:
The first line said "Horikita Suzune," followed by a row of 'X' symbols—roughly twenty of them.
The second line was "Karuizawa Kei," followed by about seven or eight 'X's.
Flipping further down, "Hashimoto Masayoshi" actually had five 'X's.
"Hehe, that's my 'Revenge Booklet'~" Kikyo leaned over, pointing at the nas.
"That woman Suzune has offended so many tis; the 'X's behind her represent the degree of my resentnt toward her. I really hate her to death!
As for Karuizawa Kei... she borrowed so private points from at the start of the term and didn't pay them back, so I gave her five 'X's in one go. And Hashimoto Masayoshi—he actually refused to leak answers to recently..."
'My girlfriend... is getting a bit scary again.' Akira blinked, then seed to discover a surprise: "Why is my na here too?"
His na was on it as well, though it had been crossed out. Originally, there were quite a few "X"s behind it—roughly forty-sothing, even more than Horikita Suzune!
Below it was a detailed "grudge explanation":
(Aaaah! That guy Shimizu Akira is so annoying! He actually rejected my invitation and turned around to tell to add Koenji as a friend! He made so mad, adding 5 'X's to him in one go!)
(He praised my hard work in PE and said exercising takes talent... He actually noticed I went to the pool to practice swimming. I'll let him pass this ti, take away 3... forget it, take away 5 'X's.)
(Aaaah! I let him touch my chest and he still asked for 80,000 points?! I didn't even ask him to truly pull votes for , he couldn't even put on a show? Huh? When I asked where his points went, he actually said he spent them all?! Spending points so lavishly, whoever becos your girlfriend is dood for eight lifetis! Must add another 5 'X's!)
(That guy actually brought three fake gyarus over... In the end, he let win over Hirata by one vote! Tch tch, saying he wouldn't pull people, yet he did it anyway~ Could this guy like ? Laughable. Just watch how I toy with you in the future. This ti... take away 5 'X's too.)
Akira looked at the lines of handwriting, from gritted teeth to beaming smiles, from huffy complaints to secretly rising corners of her mouth. Every stroke was an embodint of Kikyo's emotions, laying bare those monts he had never noticed.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
Kikyo was too cute.
Kikyo's ears turned red, and she lunged to grab the notebook.
"D-Don't look! Those were written a long ti ago! They don't count! Give the diary back to ! The content is already outdated!"
Akira held the notebook high, his other hand easily circling her waist to hold her in his arms.
"A long ti ago? The last entry was from last month."
"That's also a long ti ago!" Seeing her struggle was futile, Kikyo simply buried her face in his chest.
"Akira-kun is so annoying... what's so good about looking at that dark history."
"It's very good." Akira lowered his head. "So you were secretly calculating your favorability toward back then."
"That... that wasn't favorability! That was hatred points!"
"Oh? Hatred points can have negative growth?"
"..." Kikyo stopped talking, only giving his shoulder a hard bite.
Akira put down the notebook and held her face in both hands. Under the light, her eyes were moist, with tears from laughing still hanging on her lashes.
Her lips were slightly pouted, wearing an expression of "I'm angry but you can coax ."
"Kikyo." He called her.
"..."
"You can continue writing these in the future." His thumb gently brushed under her eyes.
"I really like these little emotions of yours... the kind I like especially much."
Kikyo gazed at him blankly, and only after a long while did she speak softly: "...I thought you would hate it. Generally speaking, won who write things like this would be considered a 'trouble,' right?"
"Actually, I'm a troubleso person too." Akira patted the back of her hand.
"I just love reading the diary you write. Just update it more in the future."
Kikyo suddenly smiled. It wasn't the carefully calculated smile from before, but a natural one where the corners of her mouth rose and her eyes turned into crescents.
"Then it's a promise." She held out her pinky, but her eyes narrowed.
"I'll continue writing in the future, and we have to read it together regularly. If you dare say 'it's a trouble'... I'll bite you to death."
Akira hooked her finger. "Uh, although that sounds like a reward... I promise you."
"Akira-kun."
"Mmm?"
"rry Christmas... and, thank you."
"For what?"
"Thank you..." her voice got even softer, "for being willing to accept soone as troubleso as ."
Akira tightened his arms, his chin resting gently on the top of her head.
"I'm the one who should say thank you. Being able to be your boyfriend is my honor."
Kikyo was quiet in his arms for a mont, then suddenly leaned close to his ear while taking three small square packages from her coat pocket and gently placing them in his palm.
"So, Akira-kun..." her gaze looked straight at him, "as promised—I'm giving my first ti to you on Christmas Eve."
She stood up, her finger landing on the first button.
Her coat slid down her shoulders, landing lightly on the back of the chair beside her. Next was the button of her trousers—one, then another. When the drawstring loosened, she intentionally left the last layer unfastened.
She stood there and smiled gently at him.
"Now... it's ti to unwrap the final gift of the night."
The morning light was creeping inch by inch over the snow, over the windowsill, and into the small room.
In this tiny room, two troubleso people had finally found the most complete sanctuary for one another.
In truth, in entirety, and in the future.
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