"Huh? Surplus Egg Festival? And I have to cosplay as Surplus Egg Old Man?!"
In Shuchiin Academy's Far East Magic Club—founded by Takanashi Rikka—Diego stared incredulously at the crowd surrounding him. He dug in his ear, asking again in his unmistakable otherworld accent, unable to believe it.
Hori, leading the group, nodded with sparkling eyes and gave Diego a big thumbs-up. "Yep! Dio's hometown doesn't have this holiday, right? Come join us and experience it!"
"You're not joking? You're serious?"
"Why would we joke about something like this? Young people these days all celebrate Christmas. I'm actually pretty curious what Dio-kun would look like in a Santa outfit." Kitagawa Marin asked, puzzled.
"Because it's terrifying! You girls don't understand a man's Surplus Egg pain! Why does a holiday like this even exist?! Is this world insane? What kind of custom is this?!!"
"Dio-sama is so lame…" Dekomori Sanae rolled her eyes and delivered her signature roast combo.
Takanashi Rikka took out a blood-red-bound grimoire and nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Today we outnumber you. Even the invincible Scary Monsters can't escape this binding. No matter what, you have to sign your grand name on this shining Holy Explosion Birthday Festival participation book."
"Go, everyone of the Music Empire! With the combined power of all of us—one strike!"
The three members of Kessoku Band immediately pinned down the fleeing Diego. Yamada Ryo's expression was cold, her voice dripping with scumminess: "The place is fully booked. You're not escaping, Dio."
Nijika patted Diego's head soothingly. "Sorry, Dio. You haven't joined band activities in forever. This was a last-resort move—we didn't want to either."
"Sensei, gomene—really sorry!" Though apologizing, Kita Ikuyo's grip on Diego's shoulder showed no sign of loosening. "But this is really fun!"
"Traitors! Bastards! Stop messing around! Who do you think got this band on the right track?! No one in the music world has any loyalty!" Diego was pinned flat to the table, twisting and struggling wildly. His voice rose in agitation. "Let me ask you—Miracle Crispy Corners!! Who saved the band's performance in its hour of need?!"
"Ryo Begs Money!! When you bought your bass and had no cash left—who sent you meals every day under the pretense of 'I cooked too much'?!"
"Little Sun!! Who brought you into the band? Who bought that bass? Who taught you guitar?"
"It was me! Me! All me! Do you people have no hearts?! Look me in the eyes and answer!"
Nijika: "But Dio never takes responsibility. After promising, he just slacks off every day…"
Ryo: "I was planning to borrow money anyway…"
Kita: "Then he just dumped me on Goto-san…"
When even the manager turns into this, the band is beyond saving. Better end it early… (not)
"..." Usually the villainous Diego silently swallowed. Sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead. Like a child throwing a tantrum, he whined: "wryyyyy—!! I don't wanna! I don't wanna join Surplus Egg Festival!!"
Seeing Diego's frantic struggle, the group seemed to realize something was off. They turned away and whispered among themselves.
"Weird… it's just Christmas. Why is Dio reacting so intensely?"
"Something's wrong. He usually has fun during holidays."
"Should we cancel the plan?"
"No! If the Cursed Night Boss doesn't join, it's meaningless! Let this Thunder Warhammer Wielder handle it—I can still steam death!"
Dekomori Sanae grinned wickedly, rubbing her hands like a fly. "Give up struggling—this mental attack is muda da muda! We promised we'd all go watch Kessoku Band's next performance. Successfully bribed them death!"
"What?! A little favor and you're all bought off? You really only think about yourselves!" Diego's voice shot up instantly. His hopeful gaze turned to the last band member. "Bocchi—save me! You can't just watch me die, right? You're all I have left!"
Bocchi—who had been secretly thrilled that even a side character like her could go to a friend's house for a Christmas party—slowly raised her head.
"Eh?"
Dio… needs me… I have to help…
Eek eek eek eek!
Too… too many people… I'm melting…
Her social anxiety maxed out, escape skill fully activated. Bocchi—who hadn't helped pin Diego down—froze for a second. Then she slowly covered her eyes, shrank into the cardboard box, and trembled.
Simple—I just won't be seen!
Hope shattered, Dekomori Sanae seized the chance to kick him while down. She leaned close to Diego's ear, blew gently, and spoke in her bratty, annoying tone: "Sign it already~ Sign it already~"
"But I refuse!"
"Nani?!"
"I refuse to sign this 'Voluntary Christmas Party Participation Agreement.' A man can't lose his eggs—just like a monk can't lose faith in his goddess." Diego took a deep breath, tone unusually serious. "Let me go. I admit this Dio's voice was a bit loud at first. The real heroes are the men who celebrate this holiday."
"I'm saying… Diego-kun—it's Christmas, not Surplus Egg Festival!" Maid Mode Hayasaka Ai loved roasting. After watching the farce, she was the first to understand Diego's meaning.
"…Is there a difference?"
Here it comes—the dick-style confusion!
Otherworlders are so troublesome…
Hayasaka Ai broke out in a cold sweat and explained: "Christmas is the birthday of the Lord. You can also think of it as the birthday of a saint or goddess.
"On that day the streets are decorated with Christmas trees. People give Christmas gifts to those important to them. It's not some egg-cutting suffering day.
"As for Santa—he delivers gifts to good children. While they sleep, he places presents by their pillows.
"Appearance-wise: white beard, huge white sack full of gifts. From hat to boots—all red. He climbs down chimneys…"
"Yeah, something like that. Here—look."
Hayasaka Ai tapped her phone a few times, pulled up the most classic Santa image online, and handed it to Diego.
"I see… as long as it's not an egg-cutting holiday…" Diego took the phone, relieved. Interest sparked instantly. He gave a thumbs-up. "This Christmas—count me in!"
Seeing Diego agree, the group exchanged glances, cheered, and began discussing the day's activities.
"…So it's settled. The Christmas party will be at my house. Everyone remember to come on the 25th." Hori counted activities on her fingers and smiled. "There'll be gift exchanges, baking sweets, and King's Game."
"Um… so my job is making Christmas costumes?" Diego raised his hand to ask.
"No—procuring Christmas costumes is my job." Kitagawa Marin pursed her lips slightly and smiled sweetly. "Let me handle Dio-kun's outfit for once!"
"Then I'm in charge of sweets? You're all in for a treat—this Dio's cooking is the—"
"No, I'm making the sweets." Hori cut Diego off. She gazed at him with a teasing smile. "Don't tell me—Dio is the type who gets restless if he has nothing to do?"
"Hmph—how could that be!" Diego turned away from Hori, displeased, and muttered: "Well… it's actually pretty nice. Not having to do anything feels so relaxing!"
But… if Hori makes sweets, won't she send everyone to the hospital…
Diego couldn't help recalling last time's charcoal cake.
"Hehe—angry?" Hori covered her mouth and giggled.
Then she composed herself. Her gaze toward Diego deepened—gentle yet serious, with a touch of affection:
"Dio has already helped us so much. Everyone wants to thank you through this chance. This Christmas—your only job is to enjoy yourself and have fun!"
Kitagawa Marin nodded in agreement. She bowed slightly toward Diego—her emotional side showing a hint of tears: "Dio-kun—thank you so much for all the hard work making cosplay outfits! Being able to rediscover my dreams… I'm truly grateful!"
"We have something to say too—thank you for showing us a whole new world!" Takanashi Rikka and Dekomori Sanae grabbed Diego's hands.
"The band wouldn't be where it is today without Dio…" The mood had reached this point—Nijika's courage surged. Her cheeks flushed like after drinking. "I'm really glad Kita-chan ran away that day. Otherwise we wouldn't have met Bocchi and Dio in the park. Such good luck!"
Ryo covered her mouth with her sleeve and teased: "Oho—Nijika's so bold~"
"Ryo—!"
Teased by Yamada Ryo, Nijika turned shy. Her voice suddenly rose as she chased Ryo around the room.
Ding—
At that moment, a text notification sounded.
?
Diego was slightly surprised. Everyone he knew was already here—who could be whispering now?
At a time like this… who?
His phone vibrated twice. He pulled it out and opened the message.
Sender: Maid-san.
"What a touching scene. I won't say our secret out loud in public to thank you—since it concerns another world, and we're so alike. Look forward to my Christmas gift!"
After reading, Diego looked up slightly—meeting Hayasaka Ai's gaze. She gave a playful wink, the corners of her mouth curving into a faint smile.
Diego froze. A complex emotion flashed through him. He leaned back slightly and murmured: "You all…"
Heh…
"Fine then… do whatever you want with me…"
Diego showed a helpless smile. He turned away, walked to the window, and let the breeze wash over him—also hiding the slight redness at his ears.
Work harder for my sake.
Important things must be said twice: Diego loves lively atmospheres. He loves feeling valued.
Bang!
The clubroom's wooden door was yanked open. The heavy door slammed against the frame.
"Party! Games! Sweets! Hori-san—let me join too!"
The voice arrived before the person.
Earth's cancer, future Prime Minister—Fujiwara Chika made her dazzling entrance!
Wash your horse—it's that crazy woman Fujiwara Chika!
She's here to torment this Dio again!
Can't kill her—scolding her just makes her happy. Hide—I need to hide. Is there anywhere in the clubroom to hide?
Diego frantically scanned the room. The only hiding spot was a cardboard box—so he gave up thinking.
Inside the cardboard box, Goto Hitori was enjoying rare alone time.
Phew—
Ever since joining the band, it's been ages since I was alone. I missed this…
Rustle rustle...
Eh?
A big golden rat crawled in.
"Bocchi—scoot over. There's a demon outside." Diego curled up hugging his knees, eyes vacant, utterly defeated. "Eh? Why's your face so red—are you sick?"
Too…
Too close…
I can't breathe… so gross… I wanna puke…
I'm dying…
Under Diego's puzzled gaze, Goto Hitori melted into a puddle of pink liquid, slowly spreading across the wooden floor.
"Rare beast…" Finally Diego's pupils trembled. He squeezed out those four words, reached out, and chanted: "Appearance Spirit—restore this person to human form."
"Uwaa!" Goto Hitori was forcibly rebooted by the spirit. Not used to being turned back, she scratched her head blankly. "What happened to me?"
"Too… too much. You actually got hit by Muda Da Transformation!"
"What's that?" Goto Hitori blinked curiously. Then her tone shifted—she spoke at lightning speed in a flurry: "But thanks to your help I realized how foolish it is to keep running away. Thanks to your words I could see everything clearly and become a proper, hardworking person. I'm truly so grateful…"
"What are you even saying?"
Outside the cardboard box...
After entering and seeing a second-year senpai, Fujiwara Chika actually behaved for once: "Ahem—sorry to interrupt your gathering. I'm Fujiwara Chika from the tabletop games club—right next door to the Far East Magic Club. Everyone's welcome to come play!"
"Ehehe—not that though~~ Let me join too! I'm really good at games!" Seriousness lasted two seconds. Fujiwara Chika clasped her hands pleadingly. Her cute face and innocent expression made refusal difficult.
"I can help with props procurement."
Pfft...
An elbow struck the cardboard box, tearing a crack. A giant hand reached out: "Wait—don't agree to her…"
"Sure—welcome, Fujiwara-san." Hori answered before Diego could. Then she blinked, tilted her head slightly, and asked blankly: "What's wrong?"
Seeing Hori agree, Diego wanted to die. The light vanished from his eyes.
"Ah—it's Diego-kun!" Fujiwara Chika heard the familiar voice, ran over, and lifted the cardboard box. "Are you playing hide-and-seek?"
"Roar————"
His hiding spot exposed, Diego let out a primal dinosaur roar from deep in his throat. His sharp teeth ground together with a clack. He glared at Fujiwara Chika with pure hostility.
And how did this highly threatening scene look in Fujiwara Chika's eyes?
Diego was like a little golden retriever fiercely guarding his territory—completely unaware how adorable he looked while baring his teeth. Zero intimidation factor. He just seemed super bully-able.
So… so cute!
Diego-kun really is the best! I love him so much! I want to be bullied hard by a Diego-kun like this…
"Dio—don't be so mean to your classmate. Play nice!" Hori put her hands on her hips. Her tone was indulgent—like coaxing a child. "That's how good boys behave."
"Yes… sorry for being mean." Diego apologized reluctantly. No title mattered more than being called a "good boy."
But if Hori weren't here? What Diego really wanted to say: Did I do something wrong? If so—I'm not apologizing.
"It's fine, Hori-san. If anything—I actually quite like it when Diego-kun acts like that. Hehe…" Fujiwara Chika wiped her mouth, let out two wicked giggles, walked to the clubroom door, waved contentedly, and left. "Then it's settled—see you on the 25th!"
After she left, Diego lifted his head. Emerging from his lightless-eyed state, he scratched his hair.
"By the way—what's with that Santa thing? Some creepy old man sneaking into houses at night? That's so gross." Diego's otherworld mindset couldn't comprehend it. He scratched his head full of question marks, asking in thick old-world accent: "This really isn't a horror story?"
Otherworlders are so troublesome…
Hayasaka Ai broke into another cold sweat.