After the decision regarding Ayanokouji beating up Ryuen spread, a lot of first-year students felt uneasy about it.
Sure, the one who got beaten up was Ryuen, who was widely disliked, but considering how badly he was injured, the fact that the punishment was so light made people worried.
Some students couldn't help but wonder—if I got beaten up one day, would the person who did it just walk away free too?
It was a reasonable concern. Not everyone likes to fight. Some people just want a peaceful life.
As the news spread over the next three days, the student council started receiving more and more letters about the school's attitude toward fighting.
In the student council office, Nagumo frowned as he looked at the pile of complaints.
It was obvious he thought this was another mess caused by Kanda Shuichi.
But this time, Kanda had nothing to do with it.
Nagumo had previously stated that allowing fights to some extent was fine, but if students could get into fights without facing any consequences, the school would fall into chaos.
It was only natural that students who disliked fighting or were bad at it started to feel anxious.
Nagumo shook his head—his rushed decision clearly wasn't working.
As the issue gained more attention, the student council released another statement.
The message was basically this: using a certain level of force to resolve conflicts would be allowed, but students who started trouble for no reason would face severe punishment.
What counted as an acceptable level of force and what would lead to punishment? The student council would decide.
Even though they didn't specify the exact limits, the announcement still reassured a lot of students.
Seeing the statement, Kanda Shuichi chuckled. How did Nagumo even manage to control the second-years?
Was this really the best he could do?
"The class meeting is over. I hope all of you will continue to act appropriately as students of this school during the winter break. That's all."
Chabashira-sensei wrapped up the second semester's closing ceremony. Finally, ANHS High School had entered winter break.
Kanda Shuichi glanced at the time—December 23rd, 11:59 AM.
As soon as Chabashira-sensei left, the classroom became lively.
Kanda Shuichi packed up his books to take back to his dorm when Miyake walked over.
"Shuichi, want to go out for a meal? A Chinese restaurant just opened at Keyaki Mall. Wanna check it out?"
"A meal, huh?" Kanda Shuichi nodded slightly. "I don't mind. What about Airi and Haruka?"
"They've already agreed to it. The two of them will show up at the restaurant later."
As he spoke, Miyake gave a thumbs-up to signal "OK."
"Then I'm good. But for your first meal after the break, you're not eating with Johan-senpai?"
Kanda Shuichi stood up and slung his backpack over his shoulder.
"Actually, I already made plans with Kaoru to go out on Christmas."
…
So what if you have Christmas plans? Look at you, acting all smug! It's not like I don't have anyone to go out with!
About ten minutes later, Kanda Shuichi and Miyake Akito arrived at a newly opened Chinese restaurant.
Looking at the interior decor, Kanda Shuichi couldn't help but feel a little skeptical.
Can a place like this really make money?
But the moment he saw the menu, all those thoughts vanished.
Stir-fried bean sprouts for 3,000 points?
And steamed dumplings for 3,500?
"...You guys aren't seriously trying to rip me off, right?"
Looking at Sakura and Hasebe, who had just arrived, Kanda Shuichi was at a bit of a loss for words.
"Yeah, the prices are steep, but I heard the food has really great reviews." Hasebe Haruka sounded a little annoyed. "I told you guys about this place as soon as I found it, you know."
Yeah, yeah, sure.
But since you put it that way, I guess I have to give it a proper try, don't I?
…
Aside from hanging out with Miyake and the others, Kanda Shuichi had mostly been staying in his dorm lately—working out, reading, gaming, cooking, and resting.
Even now that winter break had started, nothing had changed.
But thinking about it… is the school really going to let us have a peaceful winter break? They wouldn't pull another ridiculous special exam like they did in the summer, would they?
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as he tossed a bone into the pot, there was a knock at his door.
"Shuichi, am I bothering you?"
The visitor was Kushida Kikyo, the social butterfly of Class D.
"Not really. I was just cooking."
Ever since Horikita had kneeled in front of Kushida, she hadn't come to vent to Kanda Shuichi as often.
"Cooking?" Kushida's eyes lit up. "Can I stay and eat?"
"Of course, as long as you don't mind my cooking." Kanda Shuichi shrugged. "Anyway, come inside. It's freezing, and you're out here with bare legs. Aren't you cold?"
"Hehe, I was cold at first, but hearing you worry about me warmed me right up." Kushida flashed a sweet smile.
Kikyo, I actually liked your usual sharp-tongued, rebellious attitude. Can you bring that back? This cutesy act is throwing me off.
"...Something wrong?"
"No, just not used to seeing you like this."
The air suddenly grew quiet, and Kushida's smile faded.
"Tch! Shuichi, you're so annoying." She pouted. "By the way, do you have any plans for Christmas?"
"Why do you ask? Shouldn't you be spending Christmas with your friends?" Kanda Shuichi walked back inside, turned on the stove, and adjusted the heat.
Kanda Shuichi's words made Kushida freeze for a moment. She did already have several invitations from people she was on good terms with.
"Honestly, I don't really get why you all make such a big deal about Christmas."
Christmas is an important holiday in Christianity that commemorates the birth of Jesus. In Western countries, most people choose to spend this holiday with their families.
However, for some reason, when Christmas made its way to Japan, it turned into a holiday for dating and shopping.
Not long ago, Kanda Shuichi watched an anime called *White Album*...
Because of this, some fans started calling Christmas the *White Album Holiday*.
If you want to go on a date or shopping, you can do that on any day, so why does it have to be this one?
"I don't believe in Christianity. What I believe in is the system! Got it?! The system!"
"'We'?" Kushida Kikyo quickly picked up on something in Kanda Shuichi's words. "Besides me, is someone else asking you out on Christmas?"
"Yeah, during lunch, Airi—Sakura, that is—asked me about my Christmas plans. Then I ran into Honami when I got back to the dorm, and just now, Masumi called to ask as well."
Sakura Airi, Ichinose Honami, Kamuro Masumi...
So I'm the last one to ask?
"Shuichi, don't tell me you actually said yes to them?" Kushida Kikyo looked at Kanda Shuichi with an unhappy expression.
"Don't overthink it. I'm not going anywhere on Christmas. I'm staying in my dorm all day. Isn't it too cold? The weather forecast says it's going to snow heavily."
As he spoke, Kanda Shuichi glanced at Kushida, who was sitting on his bed with her bare legs exposed.
"What are you looking at?"
"Your legs. It's freezing, and you're just leaving them out like that. Aren't you cold?"
"Of course I'm cold."
"Then why don't you cover up?"
"I can't help it," Kushida pouted. "It looks cuter this way. Besides, aren't you staring at them pretty intently?"
"Heh, shallow. I was just checking if your legs were getting frostbite." Kanda Shuichi scoffed.
Speaking of which, does the system have something that makes people immune to heat and cold?
[Of course it does!]
Holy crap!
Kanda Shuichi had only been thinking about it, but the system actually responded. Has it developed a mind of its own?
[Would you like to use one of your December item draws?]
Huh?
What do you mean? Can you guarantee I'll get that exact item?
[Not guaranteed.]
Then what's the point? What if I get something useless?
[...]
In the end, Kanda Shuichi resisted the temptation and decided not to waste his hard-earned item draw.
"I'm not going out on Christmas, but I am free tomorrow."
"Then let's go out tomorrow!"
As soon as Kanda Shuichi gave in, Kushida immediately invited him.
If she couldn't get him on Christmas, Christmas Eve would do just fine!
December 24th, Christmas Eve, 8:50 AM.
Kanda Shuichi wrapped a scarf around his neck, put on a down jacket, and slipped on his gloves before stepping out of his room. It wasn't much different from any other day—except for the fact that he wasn't wearing his school uniform.
Taking the elevator down, Kanda Shuichi arrived at the dormitory lobby. Kushida was chatting with two girls from their class, and judging by their expressions, the conversation seemed to be going well.
Today, Kushida was wearing a yellow-and-white down jacket with a white knit sweater underneath. She paired it with her usual pleated skirt, but this time, she had black tights on.
Looks like what I said yesterday had some effect.
"Shuichi! Over here!"
Kanda Shuichi stepped out of the elevator, and Kushida immediately waved at him.
"Did you wait long?"
"It's fine, I just got here too."
Kanda Shuichi walked over and greeted Kushida.
"Huh? Could it be that Kikyo is going on a date with Kanda today?"
As Kanda Shuichi got closer, he realized that the ones talking were his classmates, Wang Meiyu and Inogashira Kokoro.
"That's right."
As she spoke, Kushida wrapped her arms around Kanda Shuichi's.
Her action made Wang Meiyu and Inogashira's eyes widen.
"Wait… does that mean Kikyo is dating Kanda?"
"Not yet, we're just really good friends."
Would "just friends" hold onto each other's arms and smile so happily?
Wang Meiyu and Inogashira found that hard to believe, but since she said so, there must be a reason.
As expected, Kanda isn't that easy to win over.
Among the girls, it was a well-known fact—Kanda Shuichi was hard to get.
Ever since Kanda Shuichi passed the special exam and received fifty million points, not just first-years but even upperclassmen had tried to approach him.
But without exception, they all failed. While Kanda was polite, there was always a certain distance in his tone that he simply couldn't hide.
And now, on Christmas Eve, Kikyo had actually managed to get Kanda Shuichi to go out with her… just the two of them.
That's amazing.
No wonder she's Kikyo-chan.
Both Wang Meiyu and Inogashira Kokoro had the same thought.
"Alright, we'll be going now. Bye-bye!"
"See you two later."
As Kanda Shuichi and Kushida Kikyo stepped out of the dorm, a cold gust of wind hit them head-on, making Kanda Shuichi shiver.
"So cold..."
"Then how about we run? Moving around will warm us up!" Kushida suggested, grabbing Kanda Shuichi's hand.
Run…? And while holding a girl's hand? Isn't that a bit too bold?
And so, on the road to Keyaki Mall, the two of them ran hand in hand, catching the attention of passersby.
Huff, huff—
By the time they reached Keyaki Mall, both were slightly out of breath. Kanda Shuichi was a little more winded, but not too bad—it was proof that his training had been paying off.
Although the cold wind had stung his face and eyes as they ran, his body had warmed up.
Kanda Shuichi reached out and cupped Kushida's flushed cheeks. "Are you cold?"
"Hehe, not at all!"
"Liar, your face feels freezing. Come on, let's go inside."
Kanda Shuichi let go of her face, took her small hand, and led her into Keyaki Mall.
The moment they stepped in, the warm indoor heating enveloped them, making the cold melt away.
So Kushida took off her scarf and stuffed it into the bag she was carrying.
Seeing that the small bag was already full with just one scarf, Kanda Shuichi gave up on the idea of putting his own scarf in.
Anyway, his coat pockets were big enough, so carrying a scarf wasn't a problem.
"Kikyo, is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Somewhere I want to go... How about watching a movie first? If we go now, we can have dinner right after."
Kushida made the suggestion.
A movie, huh? Come to think of it, this world has Doraemon too, and there's even a new movie this year.
"Then let's go to the theater! Do you have a specific movie in mind?"
Kanda Shuichi's question suddenly made Kushida serious.
"Shuichi, there's something you need to know. The important thing isn't what movie you watch—it's who you watch it with."
Kushida's words left Kanda Shuichi stunned for a moment.
Alright, you win.
Since when were you this good at flirting?
But instead of saying that, Kanda Shuichi just rubbed his nose and smiled. "You're right."
"Okay, then let's go."
Kushida flashed a sweet smile, took Kanda Shuichi's hand, and led him toward the theater.
Should he be surprised? It was a holiday, after all. As soon as they stepped inside, they were met with a huge crowd. Kanda Shuichi even spotted a few familiar faces.
Then, in the lobby, he noticed a giant Doraemon movie poster.
"Oh? Shuichi, are you actually interested in this?"
Seeing where his eyes had landed, Kushida covered her mouth and gave him a mischievous smile.
"Shut up!" Kanda Shuichi knocked her lightly on the head, sounding a little annoyed.
"Let's watch this one, then. I used to watch it as a kid too."
Ah, Kikyo, you really are an angel! You're being so considerate!
"Okay, okay!"
Seeing Kanda Shuichi nod, Kushida let out a quiet giggle.
"Let's go with the next available showing. I'll buy the tickets," Kanda Shuichi said, pretending not to notice Kushida's laughter.
"Alright, let's go together."
Kanda Shuichi was lucky—there were only two showings of Doraemon per day, and the next one was starting in just ten minutes.
The movie lasted a little over an hour. As for the story, it all started with Nobita running away from home...
The plot was pretty typical, but Kanda Shuichi was fascinated by the futuristic gadgets that appeared in the movie.
No, fascinated wasn't the right word—he was jealous.
A door that lets you go anywhere, a portable house, and even an air-conditioned outfit that not only changed styles freely but kept you warm in winter and cool in summer!
He wanted all of them. He wanted them so badly. Would the system be able to give him something like that? Forget everything else—couldn't it at least help with the freezing winters and scorching summers?
"That was so fun. If only I had some of those cool gadgets too."
As they walked out of the theater, Kushida looked envious.
"Oh? Then which one do you want the most, Kikyo?"
"Me? Hmm, definitely the Anywhere Door. With that, I could travel all over the world!"
Kushida nodded confidently.
"Really? But that door is huge—how are you planning to carry it around?"
Kushida froze. "Uh... that's a good point. Eh heh heh. What about you, Shuichi? What would you want?"
"Me? Of course, it's Doraemon! Having Doraemon is like having everything!"
"Shuichi, that's cheating! We were talking about gadgets, and you went ahead and picked Doraemon himself!" Kushida pouted, clearly unhappy.
"Alright then, the Four-Dimensional Pocket."
"That one's really useful."
Kushida nodded in agreement.
So, system, when am I getting my Anywhere Door?
"What should we have for lunch?"
After chatting for a while, it was already past eleven, and Kanda Shuichi was starting to feel hungry.
"Shuichi, don't you usually go for Chinese food when you eat out?" Kushida tilted her head.
"But I can't eat the same thing every time, so today, I'll let you decide." Kanda Shuichi shrugged.
"I see." Kushida nodded. "Then how about fried chicken at KFC?"
"Fried chicken? Why do people eat fried chicken on Christmas?"
Kanda Shuichi didn't get it. Were they trying to copy Westerners eating turkey on Christmas?
"I'm not really sure either, but it seems like a trend? Last year, when I was home, my mom also bought KFC fried chicken."
Seriously, where did this weird trend even come from…
"Alright, fried chicken works too."
Since he had left the choice to Kushida, Kanda Shuichi agreed.
Besides, it had been a while since he last had fried chicken. Pairing it with an ice-cold Coke sounded great!
But when they arrived at the shopping mall's only KFC, both of them fell silent.
The place was packed, even more crowded than the movie theater earlier. Kanda Shuichi couldn't help but wonder if half the school had come here to eat.
"Uh… should we go somewhere else?"
Seeing the crowd, Kushida turned to Kanda Shuichi for his opinion. But he could still tell that she really wanted fried chicken.
"But you do want fried chicken, right?"
"That's true… but Shuichi, don't you hate waiting in line?"
"If you want fried chicken, Kikyo, then how could I not make it happen?" Kanda Shuichi gave her a confident smile. "But our date will have to end early today."
"Huh? Then I won't eat it!"
Kushida quickly waved her hands, saying she'd pass on the fried chicken.
"Hahaha, look at you panicking. We'll have fried chicken tonight. For lunch… how about ramen?"
Ra… ramen?
A question mark slowly appeared over Kushida Kikyo's head. "I don't think I've ever seen Shuichi eat ramen before."
"If we're talking about Japanese food, ramen is probably my favorite."
That was true—Kanda Shuichi didn't eat raw food. So things like sashimi and sushi, which many people loved, weren't for him.
What if there were parasites in it?
What if the ingredients came from the waters near Fukushima?
That's why he liked ramen—because it was fully cooked.
That's what a date was—going out, shopping, watching a movie, having a meal, and then the day was over.
And today was December 24th. Winter solstice had just passed a few days ago, so daylight in the Northern Hemisphere was unusually short. Even though it was only five o'clock, the sky was already dark.
"It's about time to head back, Kikyo."
After spending the whole day with Kushida, Kanda Shuichi felt completely drained. They hadn't bought much, but shopping itself… just wasn't something he enjoyed.
Who knew how Kushida managed to stay so excited from morning till night?
"That's true. But Shuichi promised me we'd have fried chicken tonight. So let's go to KFC!"
"Alright."
However, when they arrived at KFC, they were told that the fried chicken was completely sold out.
But Kanda Shuichi wasn't surprised at all. In fact, he didn't really care, because he never planned to eat at the restaurant in the first place.
"Huh, what a disappointment..."
"What's there to be disappointed about? Come on, let's go to the supermarket."
"What for?"
"If KFC doesn't have fried chicken, then we'll just make it ourselves." Kanda Shuichi smiled. "It's just fried chicken. Easy."
"Mm-hmm!"
Kushida nodded enthusiastically. But before they left, they still bought some cola.
In the end, after a full day of hanging out, Kanda Shuichi still had to cook for Kushida.
"Shuichi, are you really not planning to go out tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Today was exhausting. No way I'm going out again tomorrow. At most, I'll just step out to buy some groceries."
After finishing dinner, Kushida asked again, only to receive the same lazy response from Kanda Shuichi.
"Well, I'm heading home now. The fried chicken was delicious!"
"As long as you liked it. Bye."
"Bye-bye."
After Kushida left, Kanda Shuichi collapsed onto his bed.
So tired. One day was already exhausting—two days in a row?
Spare me!