Chapter 79: The Curtain Falls
It has been a month since the SEMA Special Investigation Unit concluded its investigation into the “False God Hakurei” incident.
During this month,
the SEMA branch in Kawano City underwent a complete reorganization.
All personnel involved in the incident were subject to investigation,
including Kanade and others.
However, since Kanade had dissolved her contract with DD-chan and had not awakened any supernatural abilities, she was now just an ordinary person.
With Alice’s deliberate cover-up,
Kanade and her group were treated by SEMA as ordinary civilians caught up in the incident.
Currently, Alice did not fully trust SEMA and the Academy.
Therefore, she did not report any information about DD-chan, the “artificially created” fantasy monster.
All the documents in SEMA’s mysterious underground archive were found to have been destroyed afterward.
This surprised Alice greatly, as she did not recall causing such extensive damage during her battle with Minamoto.
However, when SEMA personnel arrived at the scene, they found only ruins.
Not only were all paper documents burned,
but the damaged computer hard drives also yielded no recoverable data.
Everything seemed like a dream.
The mysterious “Artificial God” project existed only in the memories of Alice and others.
The only known product of this project was DD-chan.
Alice privately inquired with DD-chan and received an unexpected yet reasonable name from it.
“Light.”
The hero who once saved the world.
One of the founders of SEMA and the Academy.
If this matter was related to him—
that would be perfectly normal.
After all, his name could be written into the history textbooks of modern supernatural users.
During written exams at the “Academy,”
if students encountered a fill-in-the-blank question they didn’t know, they could just write his name and often get it right.
Several “anti-supernatural” organizations still active around the world were also connected to his past.
So Alice was not surprised by this.
…..
…..
“I didn’t tell Alice your identity, but since she asked me about it,”
DD-chan floated in mid-air, speaking to Nagi, who had her head buried in a blanket: “I had to give her something, right? After all, she’s my savior.”
DD-chan secretly entered Nagi’s room to report on her conversation with Alice that day.
“By the way, I didn’t expect you to be such an amazing person?” DD-chan was thoroughly enjoying this role reversal.
In the past, she had been threatened in this room by a “suspected carbon-based lifeform.”
Now, what goes around comes around.
“Elemental Master? You had such a cool title—”
“Ahhhh! Stop talking about it!!!” Nagi, curled up on the bed, blushed furiously, wishing she could wrap herself completely in the blanket.
Although DD-chan harbored Yui’s soul, it seemed she did not have Yui’s memories.
She only knew Nagi’s original name.
Then, combining that with the information she obtained from Alice,
she gained some understanding of this girl—no, this suspected carbon-based lifeform.
“Alright, I understand, Elemental Master-sama.”
“No, don’t call me that~!!!”
“Ah, my mistake.” DD-chan smirked.
“Now I should call you Elemental Queen~”
“Ugh! Just kill me!!!”
“Elemental Queen-sama~ You wouldn’t want Kanade to know your true identity, would you~?” DD-chan said with amusement, sounding like the “blonde guy” in a manga.
“You… what do you want!?”
“You’re not denying the title ‘Elemental Queen’?”
“—! Aaaah! Garuda, kill it, now, immediately, kill it!” Nagi wished she could dig a hole and disappear.
“She… was she always like this?” DD-chan turned to Garuda with a delighted expression.
“Yes,” Garuda nodded.
Starlight shimmered.
“Alright~ Now let’s get back to the main topic~ Why has DD-chan come to visit me~?”
Nagi gently opened the blanket and sat on the bed in a duck pose, her eyes sparkling with a dazzling starlight never seen before.
“Master, your acting is a bit too feminine; you even changed the first-person pronoun.”
“Hm~? What are you talking about, Garuda-chan~ I don’t understand~ really~”
“She’s already escaping reality.”
Realizing that she could no longer derive amusement from Nagi’s self-abandonment, DD-chan finally straightened up and revealed the purpose of her visit.
“…..Leaving Kawano City?”
“Yes, Alice seems to plan to leave Kawano City after the SEMA branch resumes operations, likely early next year.”
DD-chan intends to follow her because her goal is to uncover the truth behind the “Artificial God” project.
This is closely tied to DD-chan’s own origins.
As for Alice, she is quite pleased to have DD-chan join her.
After all, given DD-chan’s special status, Alice was uneasy leaving her in Kawano City.
“O-oh… DD-chan is going to… sob sob…”
“Why are you crying!? Isn’t your acting a bit too much? Hurry and snap out of it!”
DD-chan looked at this overly delicate suspected carbon-based lifeform, feeling as if her non-existent “goosebumps” were rising all over her body.
“But sob sob… DD-chan keeps teasing me sob sob—”
“Sorry, I was wrong. If you don’t snap out of it, I might feel physically uncomfortable….” DD-chan shivered uncontrollably.
She never expected to be defeated by a suspected carbon-based lifeform using a “lose-lose” tactic.
“So, let’s not hurt each other anymore, okay?”
The starlight in Nagi’s eyes dimmed slightly as she returned to her usual self.
“Well, regarding this matter, let’s do as you wish.” Nagi sighed softly, wearing a fatherly expression.
“The False God Hakurei’s barrier has been broken, and nowhere in this world is truly safe anymore.”
“If you can stay with Alice, I can feel a bit more at ease.”
“Are… are you still acting? Is this your character?” DD-chan tilted her head.
“……Here, take this. Don’t tell Alice.” Nagi gently threw something to DD-chan.
“This is—!?”
“The Scepter of Mist.”
Nagi said with a serious expression, “Use it if you find yourself in a desperate situation.”
“Kanade worked so hard to save you; if you dare to die so carelessly, I won’t let you off the hook—”
…..
…..
Autumn turned to winter.
The Supernatural Research Club welcomed a new member.
Mana, who had decided to retire from the entertainment industry.
At the same time, considering that Chihana, as a third-year student, would graduate from Hoshiage Middle School next March,
Nagi was given the position of club president.
To this, Nagi responded, “Are you sure about giving it to me?”
After all, the current members of the club,
besides Ryo,
and Alice, who was about to transfer,
Kanade, Chihana, and Mana—
all had witnessed the divine-level being, “False God Hakurei,” escaped from its grasp, and even used the “Scepter of Mist.”
In the supernatural world, with such experiences, they could boast for a lifetime.
And yet, Nagi was just an “ordinary girl who didn’t participate in that great battle and didn’t even know about the existence of the supernatural.”
Wait a minute.
Why does it now seem like “everyone around me is keeping secrets from me”?
And it’s the Supernatural Research Club.
Am I going to become the protagonist again?
As Nagi self-deprecatingly mused,
the curtain fell on their first year of junior high school.
Interlude 1: Discussion Thread That Shouldn’t Exist
※The discussion thread is similar to a forum post.
“>>” means replying to a specific floor.
Title: 【#Spoiler Alert? Does anyone know about the hidden route in that crappy game recently?】
1. User
Has anyone tried this? Is there really a hidden route?
2. User
>>1
Confirmed. It works, but no need to exploit glitches.
Requires a 100% completion save file from “Stellar Guidance,” and then, in “Stellar Guidance 2,” complete all heroine routes with both male and female protagonists.
Then, without inheriting character attributes, start a new game and choose the female protagonist “Nagi Hoshimiya.”
But customize her name to match the protagonist’s name in the “Stellar Guidance” save file.
3. User
>>2
It worked.
But isn’t the unlock condition for this route ridiculously harsh?
Requiring 100% completion of “Stellar Guidance” and “Stellar Guidance 2” is torture.
If I committed any crimes, punish me by law, not by making me 100% complete these two games.
My brain will be destroyed.
4. User
Ahahaha! Finally, there’s a thread discussing my favorite “Stellar Guidance” again.
I can’t go a day without playing “Stellar Guidance,” or I’ll get withdrawal symptoms!
5. User
>>4
Thank you, fellow sufferer, for sharing your experience.
The world has one more normal person poisoned by “Stellar Guidance.”
RIP.
6. User
So, what’s the nature of this hidden route?
Is it a happy harem ending like the one in “Stellar Guidance”?
7. User
>>6
I just finished Chapter 2, and it doesn’t seem like a harem route.
After going through the story, it’s better to call this hidden route the “Stellar Path.”
Even though I changed the protagonist’s initial name, the protagonist is still called “Nagi Hoshimiya.”
In this route, both Nagi and Yuzuki exist as protagonists, and they’re even childhood friends. It’s hilarious.
Our true protagonist’s attributes and flags were all stolen lol.
8. User
>>7
Agreed, poor Mana-chan lol.
Also, the story here is quite different from the other routes.
It actually starts with Nagi-chan’s birth.
The most important thing is, Nagi-chan’s personality is completely different……
9. User
>>8
I feel the same way; it’s different from all the routes in the main story.
Maybe it’s because she’s still young, and her family is still alive?
I haven’t gotten that far yet, so I’m not sure.
10. User
>>9
That’s not it. This might involve spoilers.
It’s clear that the personality of the female protagonist in this route is very similar to the “protagonist of the prequel.”
11. User
This hidden route in “Stellar Guidance 2” is quite interesting.
The name I used when I played “Stellar Guidance” was “Shit-tier Crappy Game.”
So when the characters in the story mentioned, “This is all because of Shit-tier Crappy Game……” I laughed so hard.
12. User
>>11
Please behave like a human during cutscenes and storylines.jpg
Image.jpg
13. User
>>12
Before that, maybe this game should act like a human first.
14. User
>>13
An argument that’s impossible to refute.
15. User
#Spoiler Alert
Hidden content:
So in this route, is Nagi the reincarnation of the previous protagonist?
I just finished Chapter 1.
Isn’t the story too cruel?
Why did the previous protagonist have to kill Yui with her own hands?!
What kind of sick joke is this?
After that, Yuzuki completely shut down and even cut ties with Nagi.
Nagi also became self-destructive.
Isn’t this too dark?
Can someone who’s played further tell me that everything gets better, right!?
16. User
>>15
Bro, you got the bad ending.
Reload your save, or you’re heading straight to hell.
There are surprisingly many bad endings in this route.
I saw a streamer collecting all the bad endings in the hidden route; he’s up to 12 so far.
17. User
>>16
What a brave soul.
Is he just skipping through with CTRL, or is he reading the story?
18. User
>>17
He’s reading it.
So he’s currently AFK from the stream.
He’s going to fly to the game developer’s house and punch them.
19. User
>>18
Good job.
When he goes to court,
I’ll chip in for his lawyer fees.
20. User
A newcomer who joined out of curiosity.
I’ve heard a lot about this crappy game.
Can I understand the story if I just watch a playthrough of this route?
It’s just too funny watching all the streamers play and curse aloud.
21. User
>>20
I totally get it. I wish I had a brain that hadn’t played “Stellar Guidance” before.
Then I could just be a spectator now.
If you want to understand this route, at least play the “Hinata Mana” route in “Stellar Guidance 2” first.
Make sure it’s the Yuzuki Kanade protagonist’s Mana route.
I know many newcomers are instantly attracted to Nagi Hoshimiya’s sexy big breasts, thick thighs, and long black hair, but trust me, Yuzuki Kanade is the real bro.
22. User
A complete newcomer.
There’s something I didn’t understand while watching the stream. Why does DD-chan merge with Hakurei at the end?
And if the bell is so powerful, why not just wish for Hakurei’s death?
Can someone explain?
23. User
>>22
It’s normal for newcomers who just watch streams to not get it. I suggest you play the “Hinata Mana” route too.
Slight spoiler.
It’s not a merger.
The so-called “Artificial God Project” is about creating a “vessel.”
Just like how that lolicon pervert got stuffed into a doppelganger,
Yui-chan was placed inside DD-chan’s body and will come out later.
If I say any more, it’ll be major spoilers.
So, play the “Hinata Mana” route.
And make sure to choose “Yuzuki Kanade” as the protagonist.
24. User
Let’s all calm down.
Has everyone gone to play this route?
So, is it a bad ending or a happy ending?
25. User
>>24
I initially thought it was a happy ending.
But then I got a bad ending.
Now I’m starting to doubt myself.
Why does the Hoshimiya family keep dying?! Nagi, should you just change your name to “Bruce Wayne”?
Did I get a bad ending again? This is only Chapter 2!
Are there that many bad endings?
26. User
>>25
I’m also starting to question life.
Can someone who’s played further spoil it?
Is Nagi becoming an orphan inevitable?
I was so excited to finally see the “Hoshimiya family” that I’ve imagined countless times in the main story!
27. User
I’m surprised there are still threads about “Stellar Guidance 2.”
I thought only those of us being punished would still play this game.
Can someone help me out?
I screwed up Yuzuki Kanade’s build; I didn’t invest in physical stats, and now I’m out of uses.
How do I beat the Black Dragon King later?
Should I reload my save?
28. User
>>27
Reload your save.
When playing as Yuzuki Kanade, don’t waste your charges early on.
Even though she’s overpowered, you can’t afford to be careless.
Unless you’re a pro.
29. User
>>28
Pro here.
If new players feel like they can’t resist using Yuzuki Kanade’s overpowered abilities early on,
I’ll give you some motivation to hold back.
If you save your charges,
later on, when you’re in bed with the heroines, you can use this ability!
It will unlock super hot CG and storylines.
You’ll instantly feel that the patience was worth it!
30. User
>>29
Thank you, hero.
I’m now filled with determination.
31. User
The difficulty of this hidden route is way too high.
As a veteran “Stellar Guidance” series player with over 1200 hours of gameplay,
I can’t even beat the Chapter 2 boss in this hidden route.
Isn’t the game’s difficulty setting completely unreasonable?
32. User
>>31
Are you a stream watcher?
In the hidden route, you’re using the previous protagonist’s stats, right?
With 1200 hours, you should be able to one-shot it.
Unless you inherited a terrible first-playthrough save.
33. User
>>32
I accidentally lost my “Stellar Guidance” save file before.
So I just copied a 100% completion local save from someone else.
34. User
>>33
You really are a stream watcher…..
The “Stellar Guidance” series is 100% cloud-based.
There are no local data files, so you can’t even unpack the game.
Player data is entirely account-bound; save files can’t be exported or imported.
Where did you get that 100% completion save?
35. User
>>34
What kind of crappy game is this?
36. User
>>35
Is there still anyone questioning “Stellar Guidance’s” status as a crappy game?
Side Story 1: #Christmas Special
【※To avoid spoilers, please read Volume 1 first】
This takes place after Nagi and Kanade’s encounter with the False God Hakurei.
The first Christmas Kanade experiences as a junior high school student.
……
……
SEMA Special Investigation Unit, Kawano City Branch.
“Director, thank you for your hard work.”
As he was about to leave work, Maki, dressed in a sharp suit, noticed a figure in Alice’s office.
Alice’s petite frame was almost buried behind a mountain of documents.
“Ah, thank you, Maki-san.”
Hearing this, Alice popped her small head out from the pile of files.
Alice’s doll-like, delicate, and adorable face looked utterly exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes that shouldn’t have been there.
After the False God Hakurei incident,
Alice temporarily became the director of the SEMA Kawano City Branch, having to deal with a mountain of documents left by her predecessor.
“D-Director!? Are you alright? Don’t push yourself too hard……” Maki couldn’t help but advise: “It’s Christmas Eve today. Why don’t you take a break?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Alice smiled and waved her hand: “Isn’t Maki-san going to spend Christmas with your child tonight? You should head home early.”
“But, Director, you’re not planning to stay here alone……”
“It’s alright, I’m not alone—” Before Alice could finish,
another voice came from the other side of the document mountain:
“Ah~ It’s Christmas Eve tonight. I’ll go meet up with Kanade and the others first. Alice, you can—” DD-chan materialized in the air, dressed in a red Christmas outfit with a small Santa hat on her head.
“Hold it right there.” But before DD-chan could float away, Alice quickly grabbed her.
“DD-chan, aren’t you my contracted familiar now? Shouldn’t you stick with your master through thick and thin? Besides, without your help, I can’t handle all these documents alone—”
“Ahhhh! This is the life of a corporate slave! Even though I’m just a kid, Kanade, save me—”
As DD-chan wailed in despair, Maki left the office with a polite yet awkward smile.
Turning to look out the window, he saw the Christmas-decorated streets through the large glass panels.
—————–
Hoshiage Middle School, Supernatural Research Club.
Since Nagi and Chihana had to attend a school club meeting, only Kanade, Ryo, Mana, and Kitsunezuka remained in the clubroom.
And except for Mana, they all had serious expressions on their faces.
The reason was—
“Kanade, are you worried about your date with Nagi tonight?” Ryo propped his chin with his hand, pondering.
“It’s not a date! It’s just that Nagi is staying over at my house, and we’re going out to play together at night!”
Kanade retorted, blushing furiously.
“Kanade, you…… really are a blockhead, aren’t you?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
After a moment of silent exchange between Ryo and Mana, Mana brought the conversation back on track: “So, Kanade-kun, what are you worried about?”
“Uh…… It’s not exactly a worry…… I’m just not sure what to say to Nagi on such a holiday……”
“I got it. Leave this to me.” Hearing this, Ryo stood up confidently.
“When it comes to dating girls, I’m an expert.”
“I told you it’s not a date……”
Ignoring Kanade’s feeble protest, Ryo continued:
“First impressions are crucial when talking to girls during a date!”
“Wow! Wh-what’s this reliable aura coming from you, Ryo——”
“Kanade, imagine this: tonight, when you and Nagi are strolling alone, what would be the first thing you say to her?”
“M-me and Nagi alone?!” Just the thought made Kanade’s face turn red with shyness.
“No, why are you blushing? Only a beautiful girl’s shy expression is charming at a time like this.” Ryo gave Kanade a look of disdain.
Kanade coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment.
“Well, the first thing I’d say to Nagi…… ‘The Christmas streets are so beautiful……’ Hey! Why are you two looking at me like that!?”
“Kanade, I didn’t expect you to be such a……”
“Such a regrettable guy.” Ling’s remark earned a silent nod from Mana beside her.
“W-Was my reaction really that bad just now!?”
“Listen, Kanade. When it comes to a date with a girl, your topics need to have a clear purpose! Vague, ambiguous subjects that leave the other person unsure how to respond are the worst possible conversation killers!”
“O-Oh! I-I see! As expected of Ling!” Kanade felt that Ling had never seemed more reliable than at this moment.
“So, in situations like this, you should steer the conversation with a clearer direction.”
“Mhm, mhm. Like what kind of topic, for example?”
“Let me think…” Ling crossed her arms and closed her eyes, pondering for a moment before suddenly looking up as if struck by inspiration. “For example—”
“Mhm, mhm.”
“—Are you interested in exchange murders?”
“*Too* purposeful!? Sure, the topic is clear, but it’s *definitely* not something you bring up on Christmas!”
“*Christmas Locked-Room Murder Case*.”
“Please don’t suddenly drag my Christmas into some troublesome incident like that!”
“The victim, just 13 years old, was found dead in their own room. Rumor has it they had been excited the night before because their childhood friend—a beautiful girl—was coming over for a sleepover.”
“Wait, the victim is *me*!?”
“Investigating officers were shocked to discover that the victim’s room had neither its door nor windows locked.”
“That doesn’t even count as a locked room! It’s just a regular murder case!”
“See? If you use this topic, Nagiko would definitely be thrilled.”
“A Nagiko who’d be interested in exchange murders is *not* a Nagiko I want to see!”
“With this, you and Nagiko could keep the conversation flowing endlessly, right?”
“What I want is *not* a conversation full of criminal schemes!!!”
After finishing his rant at Ling, Kanade turned his gaze toward Kitsutsuka.
“Wise choice! At times like these, it’s only natural for a senior to help out their adorable junior!” Kitsutsuka shrugged while shaking her head, clearly exasperated by Ling’s earlier suggestion.
“Kitsutsuka-senpai…” Kanade looked at her with deep gratitude.
“Leave it to me. As a girl, I naturally know what girls look forward to most in these situations!”
“Mhm, mhm! As expected of senpai!”
“Listen, when it comes to dates, more than the topic, the *first impression* from your outfit is what matters most to a girl!” Kitsutsuka raised a finger, brimming with confidence.
“R-Really!?” Kanade’s eyes widened in realization.
“Exactly! So tonight, you should carefully pick an outfit that fits the Christmas atmosphere—”
“I see—!” Kanade nodded vigorously, thinking to himself that as expected of his senpai, her advice was truly dependable.
“Speaking of Christmas-themed outfits, what comes to mind?”
“Hmm, let me think…” Kanade mimicked Ling’s earlier pose, crossing his arms in thought.
But as someone socially awkward, he couldn’t for the life of him figure out what kind of outfit would be appropriate for a Christmas date with a girl.
Seeing this, Kitsutsuka didn’t give him a scornful look—instead, she patiently offered her suggestion—
“Looks like it’s time for this senior to step in with a concrete plan!”
“Yes, please, Kitsutsuka-senpai!”
“When it comes to Christmas, the go-to outfit is obviously—”
“Mhm, mhm.”
“—A Santa Claus costume!”
“Mhm, mhm… Huh? S-Santa Claus?” Kanade froze at her words.
“…Senpai, you mean the one dressed all in red, with white fur trim, wearing a red hat… *that* Santa Claus?” Kanade hesitated before asking timidly.
“Are there any other Santa Clauses in this world?”
“An *obvious* retort!? B-But who in their right mind dresses up as Santa Claus for a date with a girl!?”
“Tsk tsk tsk, how naive, *so* naive!” Kitsutsuka wagged her finger, grinning. “For girls, what they enjoy most is that heart-pounding excitement during a date!”
“I-Is that so?”
“And for a girl, seeing Santa Claus appear before her would *definitely* make her heart race!”
“W-Well… if it’s an innocent girl like Nagiko, she might still believe in Santa… So if *I* dressed as Santa… Wait, no, no, no! If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to just take her to see *another* Santa? Why do *I* have to dress up as Santa!?” Kanade, nearly swept up in her logic, snapped back to reality at the last second and hurriedly retorted.
“Did I *ever* say I wanted my junior to dress as a *normal* Santa?”
“Wha—!? Then what kind of Santa were you talking about, senpai—!?”
“Obviously, the kind who dyes his clothes red with the blood of children, wields a sharp blade, and prowls the streets in search of his next victim—the *Santa Claus*.”
“That’s just a deranged serial killer!!”
“But his codename among the police is undeniably *Santa Claus*, no?”
“Who cares about a serial killer’s codename!?”
“Meeting a Santa like that would make *any* girl’s heart race instantly, don’t you think?”
“It *would* make their hearts race—just in a *completely* different sense!!”
“Plus, the girl would have her eyes glued to you all night!”
“That’s just because she’d be terrified of getting murdered if she looked away for even a second!!”
“So, if my junior here goes on his date dressed like this, it’ll surely be a Christmas neither of you will ever forget!”
“Being chased by a psychotic killer *would* make for an unforgettable Christmas!!!”
Kanade finally realized that Kitsutsuka was just as hopeless as Ling.
In the end, he could only turn his gaze to the last person in the clubroom—Mana.
Mana, after letting out a sigh, gave Kanade a single short reply:
“If Tsukimi-kun just acts like his usual self, that girl will be plenty happy.”
—
Time passed unnoticed, and before long, evening arrived.
The streets on Christmas Eve were adorned with colorful lights, the air carrying the crisp chill and warmth unique to winter.
“Sorry to keep you waiting~ Kanade-kun~”
Kanade, who had been waiting at their meeting spot early, heard a sweet voice call out from behind him.
When he turned around, what greeted him was Nagine in a white wool coat—its snow-white collar soft like freshly fallen snow, slightly raised, while the hem of the coat lifted just enough to reveal a pair of brown high boots, intricately detailed with patterns resembling snowflakes.
Around her neck was a red scarf, its vibrant hue standing in stark contrast against her pure white outfit. The ends of the scarf swayed gently with her movements as she walked.
This breathtaking sight left Kanade momentarily stunned. It took him a second to remember that this stunning black-haired beauty was, in fact, just a middle schooler like himself.
“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?” Nagine tilted her head cutely, her delicate nose slightly red from the cold, making her already adorable face even more charming.
“N-No, it’s just… I was just…” Kanade stammered, his face burning red.
Just then, another voice came from behind Nagine, rescuing him:
“Hehe, so? The outfit I helped pick for little Nagine—is it so cute that it’s left little Kanade speechless?”
Only then did Kanade notice Nagine’s older sister, Sayaka, and her brother, Renji, standing behind her.
Unlike Nagine’s outfit, Sayaka’s tall, striking figure was draped in a red coat, its loose collar revealing a black turtleneck underneath, exuding an air of mature, intellectual beauty.
Beside her, Renji wore a simple white sweater paired with a blue jacket, looking calm and handsome.
The two of them looked like they’d stepped straight out of a fashion magazine cover, their outstanding appearances drawing frequent glances from passersby.
In comparison, Kanade’s outfit today seemed a bit plain.
His modest sweater and commonplace jacket made him stand out awkwardly next to Nagine, who looked like a nationally beloved idol.
But Nagine didn’t seem to mind at all. Instead, she reacted to Sayaka’s earlier comment:
“Really? Does Kanade-kun *really* think I’m cute?” Nagine asked while spinning in place, her long, night-sky-black hair fluttering with the motion, glimpses of her starry, sparkling eyes peeking through the strands.
Her adorable gesture made Kanade feel like she was a snow spirit that had emerged from a winter wonderland.
Just seeing the smile on her face was enough to ward off the cold.
“Y-Yeah, it suits you… Nagi…” Encouraged by her smile, Kanade mustered the courage to answer honestly.
“!? Really? Hehe~ Kanade-kun looks really cool too~” Hearing his words, Nagine’s face instantly bloomed with an even brighter, happier smile.
Sayaka, watching from the side, wore a knowing grin.
Kanade, embarrassed, lowered his head slightly.
“Then, Kanade-kun, let’s go see the Christmas tree~” Nagine reached out and took Kanade’s hand, which had grown slightly cold from the winter air, firmly gripping it.
“Huh!? B-But Renji-nii and Sayaka-nee—”
“They just came along to walk with us for a bit. We’ll meet up with them again later when we’re done~”
As if to prove her point, when Kanade glanced back after being led away by Nagine, Renji and Sayaka were still standing there, waving at them.
“I-Is this really okay…? On a special night like Christmas, leaving Renji-nii and Sayaka-nee behind…” Kanade murmured guiltily.
But the next moment, his hesitant words were cut off by Nagine.
“—Because… I’d rather spend Christmas with just Kanade-kun… Is that not okay?”
“…N-No, I… I-I want to spend it with just Nagi too…”
“Hehe, thank you, Kanade-kun~ I’m so happy you feel the same way~”
Faced with Nagine’s straightforward and adorable demeanor, Kanade felt his heart pounding wildly, his cheeks burning so hot they were surely bright red by now.
“Hm? Kanade-kun, your face is so red… Could it be…?” Nagine suddenly brought her face closer to Kanade’s, tilting her head curiously.
“Ah, n-no, it’s just…!” Just as Kanade floundered for an explanation—
“Wait a sec, Kanade-kun—” Nagine, as if realizing something, let go of his hand.
“Huh?” Before Kanade could process what she was doing—
Nagine deftly unwound the red scarf from around her neck and looped the other end around Kanade’s.
“There~ Now Kanade-kun won’t feel cold either, right?” Nagine smiled brightly after adjusting the scarf for him.
The vibrant scarf now wrapped around both Nagine and Kanade’s necks, bringing them even closer together.
The scarf’s faintly shimmering threads resembled the twinkling lights of a Christmas night sky, reflected in Kanade’s eyes.
The lingering warmth and faint, sweet fragrance from Nagine enveloped him, and in that moment, Kanade didn’t feel cold at all—if anything, he felt *hot*.
Especially with Nagine’s radiant smile so close to him.
All Kanade could feel was wave after wave of blissful warmth washing over him.
“Kanade-kun, your hand.” Nagine held out her palm, offering her small, pale hand to him.
“Y-Yeah.” Kanade nervously reached out, but before he could take hers, Nagine grabbed his hand firmly and tucked it into the sleeve of her coat, as if refusing to let go.
“Hehe~ Kanade-kun’s hand is so warm…”
“R-Really?” Kanade shyly averted his gaze.
“And… the way you were just now, Kanade-kun, you kinda looked like a puppy~”
“M-Me? A puppy?”
“Mhm, mhm! Super, *super* cute~”
“…Huh?”
*Thump-thump.*
Kanade felt like his heart was about to leap out of his throat.
—*Tsukimi Kanade, calm down!!! Isn’t the point of a date to make the* girl’s *heart race!?*
—*Why are* you *the one getting all flustered!?*
—R-Right, at a time like this, I should…
Realizing that if he didn’t say something to distract himself, his legs would give out and he’d collapse into Nagine’s arms—
(Not that Nagine would push him away. She’d probably hug him gently instead.)
—But his pride as a boy forced him to act now—
“U-Um, Nagi…”
“Hm? What is it?” Because of the shared scarf, Nagine was even closer to Kanade than usual.
Even though she was just speaking normally, Kanade could feel her sweet, warm breath against his face, making him even more exhilarated.
“Nagi, do you… um… have any interest in exchange murders?”
“*Sudden criminal confession!?*”
“We can discuss the details… at the police station.”
“*Instant surrender!?*”
……
“They look like they’re having so much fun~” Sayaka, watching from behind as Nagine and Kanade shared the scarf, couldn’t help but sigh fondly.
“Let them enjoy their time alone. It’s Christmas, after all,” Renji said.
“Oho~ Nagine’s reacting so strongly—could it be—!?” Sayaka’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“What’s gotten into you?” Renji took a subtle step away, his expression screaming, *”I’d rather not be associated with this embarrassing woman.”*
“Hah? Don’t tell me you *still* don’t get it, Renji?” Sayaka turned to him.
“Based on their reactions, their conversation *has* to be—”
*“‘Nagi, you look so beautiful today… Will you be my girlfriend?’”*
*“‘Eh? M-Me?’”*
*“‘Yeah. The truth is… I’ve always liked you, Nagi.’”*
*“‘R-Really? Kanade-kun, you’ve always…’”*
“It’s *definitely* something like that!!!” Sayaka mimicked their voices, clenching her fists in front of her chest in excitement.
“…Nee-san, have you been watching too many dramas lately?” Renji looked utterly done.
“Alright! Time to start our stealth mission—let’s follow them and eavesdrop on their conversation!” Sayaka declared enthusiastically.
Only to immediately get a chop to the head from Renji.
“Come on, you stalker. Let’s go find a café and wait for Nagine like normal people.”
“Hah? Why a café all of a sudden?”
“Why else? To *study*.” Renji held up a vocabulary notebook.
“Why do *I* have to spend Christmas Eve memorizing words with my utterly un-cute little brother!?”
“If you don’t like coffee, we can go to KFC instead. I’ll even treat you to a large burger meal.”
“That’s *not* the problem!!! What, Renji, are you jealous of Nagine? Is this your way of getting your big sister to pamper you?”
“Not even close.”
“Too bad~ As much as it pains me to disappoint my little brother’s siscon heart, there’s *no way* I’m turning into the kind of brocon you want me to be.”
“I *don’t* want that! And I’m *not* a siscon!”
“W-Wait, stop pulling me, my scarf’s getting messed up—”
“Let’s just talk at KFC.”
“…Can I get large fries with the burger meal?”
“No.”
“Renji, you cheapskate! What about a large soda?”
“Also no.”
“I *want* large fries and a large soda~~~”
“Fine, fine, you can have the large. Just stop making a scene—people are staring.”
—
*”How did things turn out like this…?”*
That single thought dominated Kanade’s mind.
Time had flown by since their Christmas Eve stroll through the festive streets, culminating in a photo together in front of the largest Christmas tree.
As planned, Nagine would be staying over at Kanade’s house tonight.
Even Kanade’s usually critical aunt, charmed by Nagine’s sweetness, had agreed to the sleepover.
After Kanade managed to stop Nagine from barging into the bath with him like old times—
He changed into his pajamas and lay drowsily on his bed. The past few days of restless anticipation for tonight’s “date” had left him sleep-deprived, and the exhaustion from the day’s happiness finally caught up to him, pulling him into slumber.
When he next opened his eyes—
The lights in his room were already off.
In the dimness—
Kanade, lying in bed, felt something soft and warm pressing down on him.
“…Nn? Kanade-kun?” A sweet, whispery voice tickled his ear, making his back stiffen reflexively.
Just then, the clouds obscuring the moon parted, allowing silvery moonlight to spill into the darkened room.
What entered Kanade’s vision was skin as pale as snow.
“N-N-N-N-Nagi—!?” Kanade stuttered uncontrollably upon seeing the sight before him.
But Nagine pressed a slender finger to his lips, shushing him.
“No~ If you’re too loud, you’ll wake up your aunt, uncle, and Yukino-chan~” Bathed in moonlight, every little movement of Nagine’s seemed inexplicably alluring to Kanade.
Yet what truly captured his attention wasn’t her actions—but her *outfit*.
The two of them were lying on the same bed, under the same blanket—Kanade on his back, Nagine above him in a *bed-pinning* pose.
Their body heat and scents mingled under the warm covers, creating a sensation that left Kanade unbearably excited.
But none of that mattered compared to Nagine’s current attire.
It was a very *”Santa Claus”*-esque outfit.
Red fabric with pure white fur trim.
But this strapless design looked more like something out of an *R18* Christmas-themed doujin or film.
“T-T-T-This is…!?”
“Hehe~ It’s Santa~ I heard boys love Santa, so I dressed up as one to deliver a present to Kanade-kun~~~” Nagine’s breathy, saccharine voice sent tremors through Kanade’s brain.
From his angle, Kanade had a clear view of Nagine’s *far more developed than the average middle schooler* figure, the plunging neckline of her Santa dress revealing a deep, alluring valley.
“H-How is it? D-Do you l-like it, Kanade-kun?” Nagine’s face was so close that her sweet, warm breath fanned over Kanade’s lips with every word.
Kanade’s mind short-circuited.
A certain part of his body had already reached its limit, standing at full attention without his consent.
“I-I-I…” Kanade stammered for what felt like an eternity, unable to form a coherent sentence.
The only thing replaying in his mind were the words Ling and Kitsutsuka had said earlier—
*Locked-room murder case.*
*He was the victim.*
*And a Santa-themed serial killer.*
Between oxygen deprivation and overstimulation, Kanade—a pure-hearted teenage boy who had never experienced such an unrealistically *lewd* scenario—passed out on the spot, twitching, even as he reveled in the heavenly softness and warmth of Nagine’s body pressed against him.
……
“Kanade-kun?” Feeling something twitch against her lower abdomen, Nagine called out softly.
Confirming that Kanade had lost consciousness, Nagine’s lips curled into a crescent-moon smile.
“My, what an adorable boy~ Now, every Christmas from here on out, he’ll remember this *steamy* little present~~~” Maintaining her position, Nagine couldn’t resist gently stroking Kanade’s sleeping face.
“Master, how exactly do you plan to explain this *perverted*… ahem, *Christmas outfit*, as well as your presence in Kanade’s bed tomorrow…?” Garuda poked his head out from the windowsill.
“What outfit? This is all just Kanade-kun’s *dream*~ I’m a pure, cheerful girl—there’s *no way* I’d shamelessly dress like this and sneak into a boy’s bed in the middle of the night~” Nagine sat up, still straddling Kanade’s waist, her back straight.
Her curvaceous silhouette was outlined enticingly in the moonlight, the sexy Santa dress only amplifying her allure.
“So you *do* realize how shameless your current outfit is?”
“Shut up shut up shut up! Anyway, Garuda, do me a favor and clean up this—”
“—You *really* want *me* to handle this?” Garuda cut her off.
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s just… a little odd. If you wanted *me* to deal with it, then why is your hand on Kanade’s *you-know-where*…”
“Huh? Wha—!? N-No way—!” Only after Garuda’s remark did Nagine notice that her left hand had, at some point, found its way to Kanade’s *heated* region, her pose now unmistakably that of a *riding position*.
“Could it be that Master actually *wants* to proceed with—”
“*I do not!!!* T-This is—!” Nagine’s face burned crimson, her starry eyes flickering wildly.
“So Master prefers being on *top* rather than—”
“*Guh—! Just kill me already!*”
