Ryker sat under the softly glowing Christmas tree, arms crossed, a faint sigh escaping his lips.
"I swear, if she takes five more minutes, I'm just going home and jumping into the tournament," he muttered to himself, glancing at the wall clock. "I'm missing prime ranking time…"
Just then, Aisa appeared.
"Merry Christmas, Ryker," she said softly.
"Same to you," Ryker replied, holding out a small wrapped box. "Here, your gift."
Aisa sat down beside him, eyes curious.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Open it," Ryker urged with a smile.
She carefully unwrapped the gift to find a delicate necklace inside.
"Wow, it's beautiful," Aisa said, touched. "Thank you."
Ryker stood up, stretching. "Okay, then. I'm heading home. I want to play the tournament peacefully."
"No, Ryker," Aisa said, grabbing his hand gently. "It's Christmas, and you're playing games?"
"Ahh, I always play," Ryker shrugged.
"No, not this time." She held his hand tighter.
"Hey, stop that!" Ryker protested. "I have to go."
"But bring me with you," Aisa said, tugging him toward the door.
"Where?" Ryker asked, bewildered.
"To the PlayStation store," she smiled mischievously.
They arrived and stepped inside.
"I… I didn't want to come," Ryker muttered.
"Welcome, sir, ma'am," the shopkeeper greeted them warmly. "What can I help you with today?"
"The latest PlayStation," Aisa said confidently.
Ryker's eyes widened. "Hey, that's expensive!"
"I'll pay. Don't worry about the price—I have plenty of money," Aisa replied with a grin.
Ryker looked uncertain. "Ahh, but—"
"Here you go," the shopkeeper said, handing over the console.
Ryker's face lit up.
"It's yours," Aisa said, beaming.
"For me? Is this real?" Ryker asked, amazed.
"Yeah," Aisa smiled.
"Thank you," Ryker said, feeling touched. "But my gift is—"
"Gift is gift," Aisa interrupted playfully.
Hand in hand, they left the store together.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Yumi and Sol sat on a bench, their hands gently intertwined. Yumi rested her head against Sol's arm as soft snowflakes fell around them.
"It's cold," Sol said softly. "But it's our first Christmas date."
"So, what now?" Yumi asked, looking up at him.
Sol hesitated, then smiled. "I want you to meet my mom and dad sometime soon. They'd be really happy to meet you."
Yumi blinked, surprised. "Ahh… what are you saying?"
"You don't want to?" Sol teased with a smirk.
"I do," Yumi admitted, "but maybe next time."
"Okay," Sol nodded.
Yumi gave him a playful look. "But… Sol, this gift is from your mom. Where's your gift for me?"
Sol scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Ahh… I don't have one."
Yumi pouted and turned her head away, scanning the night air.
"Yumi, wait—I do have something," Sol said quickly, reaching for her hand.
She looked back, and before she could say anything, Sol gently kissed her.
Yumi froze, cheeks burning bright red.
"You like your gift?" Sol whispered with a teasing grin.
"I-Idi… idiot," Yumi stammered, burying her face in Sol's cozy coat.
K-1-N-G's Home
The warm scent of hot cocoa and baked sweets filled the air as children's laughter echoed through the grand hall of K-1-N-G's home. Over a hundred orphaned children waited with wide eyes and eager hearts, the sparkle of Christmas lights dancing in their eyes.
"Are they coming?" Rozy asked, her voice full of excitement as she clung to Amelia's arm.
"They'll be here soon," Amelia replied with a warm smile, brushing Rozy's hair gently. "They never miss Christmas."
Not long after, the doors burst open—and in walked King, Shin, Izanagi, Nero, and Gin, each carrying bags overflowing with gifts. The children erupted in cheers, rushing toward them.
"They're here!" Rozy shouted.
"Hey hey! Careful!" King laughed, lifting Rozy into a warm hug.
"Merry Christmas, Rozy," King said, handing her a small, beautifully wrapped box.
"A gift just for me?" Rozy beamed. "Thank you, King!"
While King hugged and greeted the children, Shin, Nero, Izanagi, and Gin knelt down to hand out presents one by one. Smiles bloomed like flowers across the room.
"Nero, gently!" King called out with a chuckle. "You're handing them like you're delivering justice, not joy."
"I am trying my best!" Nero said, smiling awkwardly as he handed a shy boy a stuffed toy.
From the side, Amelia walked up beside King, her eyes soft with nostalgia as she watched the joyful chaos unfold.
"Do you remember?" she whispered. "Our first Christmas—it was just the two of us… and now, look at this. Over a hundred kids, and still growing."
King nodded slowly, his expression calm and reflective. "That was your first Christmas too," he said, his voice low. "Back then… we had nothing. But we had each other."
A brief silence passed between them, a shared warmth in their gaze.
Then Shin appeared, clapping his hands. "Hey, you two! Don't just stand there getting emotional. Come on, the party's starting!"
King laughed, placing an arm around Amelia's shoulder. "Let's go," he said. "This is their night."
Together, they walked toward the giant hall where music played, lights shimmered, and the children celebrated a Christmas they would never forget.
The snow fell gently, softening the world around them. Sol and Yumi walked hand-in-hand beneath a quiet sky, their shadows stretched by the streetlights.
They stopped at the crossing.
"Okay, Sol. I'll go now," Yumi said, slowly letting go of his hand.
Sol looked at her, eyes lingering. "But… I wanted to spend more time."
She smiled, just barely. "We'll meet again tomorrow, won't we?"
He nodded, and with a small wave, she turned and walked away down the quiet, snow-covered road.
Sol kept walking forward, hands in his pockets, a faint smile on his face.
A few moments later…
Yumi stood alone by the river, the snow quietly falling around her. Her cheeks were still warm, not from the cold, but from that moment.
She touched her lips gently, eyes wide with emotion.
"…That was my first kiss," she whispered.
"That idiot…"
Her heartbeat pounded like a drum in her chest. She held the small, neatly wrapped gift Sol had given her. It was simple — but full of meaning.
She hugged it tightly, pressing it against her chest as if it were Sol himself.
"I love you, Sol," she said softly, a shy smile forming on her lips.
"I really do…"
The snow danced around her, as if celebrating her quiet confession.
In Cave
The air was thick, damp, and cold—almost alive with the weight of secrets. Deep within the cavern's belly, where no light dared reach, shadows danced across jagged walls as torches flickered to life one by one.
A circle of cloaked figures had gathered. The stone floor beneath them bore ancient markings, long since lost to history. At the center stood Kurota Kai, tall and composed, with eyes that gleamed like steel beneath the hood. Beside him was Shinurai, arms folded, gaze sharp.
Around them, more members of the Organization stood silently, their faces hidden, their loyalty unquestioned.
"We move now," Kurota Kai said, his voice calm but resolute, echoing through the chamber like a decree.
"Are we certain?" Shinurai asked, stepping forward, his voice edged with concern. "Has he truly become strong enough?"
Kurota Kai's eyes narrowed beneath his hood. "I believe so. The signs… are aligning."
The group remained silent for a moment—until a low, gravelly voice from the back broke the stillness.
"Then let's do it."
Another figure nodded. "No more waiting. It's time."
Kurota Kai raised his hand. The torches flared higher for a brief moment, casting long, warped shadows behind them.
"Prepare yourselves," he said. "This is just the beginning."
As the flames dimmed, so did the voices—until the cave was silent once more, holding its breath for the storm that was to come.