Number 1
The Christmas Eve preparations for Ijichi Nijika, Yamada Ryo, Gotoh Hitori, Kita Ikuyo, and Kitagawa Marin.
In front of Shibuya Central Department Store, the five had agreed to meet before 9 a.m.
Because it involved Diego, Kitagawa Marin took this shopping trip very seriously and arrived at the mall entrance early by train to wait.
"Oh! Marin-chan! You got here super early!"
Shortly after, Ijichi Nijika arrived with Yamada Ryo and Kita Ikuyo, waving energetically in greeting.
"Morning, Marin-chan!" Kita Ikuyo greeted with a beaming smile, her body inching suspiciously closer to Yamada Ryo bit by bit, her hand "accidentally" brushing against Ryo's.
Being able to shop with Ryo-senpai is so exciting!
Then she turned to look around and asked, "Has Gotoh-san not arrived yet?"
"That's weird, Bocchi-chan's phone has been busy every time I call…" Nijika put down the phone she'd been dialing nonstop.
"Not yet. Bocchi-chan might be stuck in traffic. Let's wait a bit longer," Kitagawa Marin replied with a smile.
Soon, the smile vanished from Marin's face. Her pupils shrank, dark lines appeared over her head, and upon closer inspection, a few beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
No way… it's already 9:15. Where is Bocchi-chan?
"It's fine, Marin. Being late is pretty rock 'n' roll," Yamada Ryo said, patting Kitagawa Marin's shoulder with one eyebrow raised. "We rockers are just like that, after all."
"Ahahaha… yeah, super rock 'n' roll…" Kitagawa Marin laughed awkwardly.
People who play rock probably aren't very tall. After all, carrying such a huge burden at a young age makes it hard to stand straight.
Just then, Gotoh Hitori finally arrived in her pink tracksuit, drawing all eyes.
"Huff… huff… I can't…!"
Gotoh Hitori limped over to the four, bent at the waist, gasping for breath. Her voice was full of exhaustion, barely able to string words together. She was drenched in sweat, her entire tracksuit soaked and looking filthy.
After catching her breath a little, she looked up, face tense, dark circles under her eyes, voice trembling slightly: "Sumimasen… I'm late, but but but but I really didn't mean to…"
Gah—oh no, my voice won't come out—
Are Nijika and the others going to kick me out of the band because of this?
Please no!
"Gotoh-san, take it slow, take it slow. No rush," Kita Ikuyo patted Gotoh Hitori's back to help her breathe, handed her a bottle of mineral water, and gave a comforting smile. "We all believe Gotoh-san wouldn't be late on purpose. What happened?"
"Ah… yesterday I was so happy to get everyone's invitation that I was too excited and couldn't sleep all night…"
"Oh, so that's why you were late…"
"No no no no no no, that's not it! Even though I didn't sleep, I set out at 6 a.m. today after staying up all night!"
"Then why?"
"And… I really didn't want to be late, so I decided to splurge and downloaded a ride-hailing app." Gotoh Hitori explained shakily. "…I didn't understand how it worked, so I pressed every button, and somehow ended up calling five or six cars… they blocked my entire front door…"
"Then my phone started getting nonstop calls for some reason, I was so confused… To not be late, I just ran all the way here…"
"I think Bocchi-chan's house is over 20 kilometers from here, right?" Nijika blinked, turning to Yamada Ryo.
Ryo said calmly, "She's basically a superhero."
Gotoh Hitori suddenly remembered something and scratched her head sheepishly. "Ahh, but something really weird happened. After I deleted the app, the calls stopped, like nothing ever happened. Probably the rides got canceled."
"Eh?" Nijika's eyes turned into dots. When it hit her, she screamed, "EHHHHHH?!!"
"Bocchi, give me your phone." Ryo looked at Gotoh Hitori with pity and held out her hand.
"O-okay… um, please don't use my phone to take out loans… I can't pay them back…" Gotoh Hitori said weakly.
Nijika frantically snatched the phone and started calling back the missed numbers. "Bocchi-chan, apologize to the drivers right now!"
"Yes…"
Congratulations, congratulations. The shopping hadn't even started, and the five were already off to a disastrous beginning.
...
Number 2
Fujiwara Chika, Hayasaka Ai, and Shinomiya Kaguya's Christmas Eve preparations.
(Shinomiya Kaguya: Wait, don't include me!)
In the female staff bath at the Shinomiya residence, Hayasaka Ai hummed as she stuck a "Reserved" sign on the door, adjusted the water to 39°C, and began undressing.
Off off off off…
After slipping off the last pair of black stockings, Hayasaka Ai wrapped herself in a bath towel, dragged a beach chair into the tub, poured in two packets of bath salts, and tested the temperature with her foot.
"Mmm~"
Hayasaka Ai entered the bath in a good mood, reclined on the beach chair, and savored the sensation of hot water enveloping her body.
"What kind of Christmas present would really hit the mark?" Hayasaka Ai murmured softly, troubled.
She'd built up Dio's expectations, but she still had no good ideas. It was really frustrating…
But this was the kind of happy worry she never could have imagined in the past!
A faint smile curved Hayasaka Ai's lips.
Bang!
"Hayasaka!! Come with me right now!!"
Hayasaka Ai jumped.
Capitalism wins. Whose cake did I steal to get the young miss sent to harass me? My rare two-day break is ruined.
The peaceful, leisurely day was shattered from the start by the capitalist dog arranging work.
"…Young miss, did you forget I requested these two days off?" Hayasaka Ai turned, glancing at Shinomiya Kaguya. "I have the right to refuse overtime."
"Huh?" Shinomiya Kaguya's expression froze. She lowered her eyes and muttered, "Right… Hayasaka is off…"
In the past, whether it was wind, rain, or illness, Hayasaka Ai had never taken a day off, so Shinomiya Kaguya subconsciously still turned to her whenever trouble arose.
Hayasaka has worked hard all these years. She really deserves a proper rest. I'll handle this matter myself.
But lately she seems really happy. Is there something good going on?
Wait, tomorrow's Christmas, right? She has someone she likes now. I heard she's been making time after school to see Diego Brando…
She didn't take time off for a date, did she?
How vulgar…
What a shameless woman, an embodiment of lust who'd throw herself at a man without hesitation…
Hayasaka, even if you died tomorrow, I wouldn't pity you.
The light gradually faded from Shinomiya Kaguya's eyes, yet her lovely face took on a chilling, eerie edge.
"But Young Miss Kaguya, perfect timing. I was just lacking someone to discuss this with."
"If it's a gift for my benefactor, what would be appropriate?"
After all, Hayasaka Ai had served Shinomiya Kaguya since childhood. She knew her like the back of her hand. Seeing Kaguya's expression shift, she immediately understood and deftly changed the subject to deflect the dangerous thought.
"By the way, what would you want as a Christmas gift, Young Miss?"
"Hmm… since he's your benefactor and willingly helped you, he wouldn't make returning the favor embarrassing." Shinomiya Kaguya pondered a moment before answering. "As long as it's heartfelt and in the right direction, anything should be fine, right?"
"Sigh… Young Miss, come on, we're not talking about something that basic right now." Hayasaka Ai sighed, sinking fully into the bath until only her head remained above water. "I want a gift that, once received, makes his emotions surge without him realizing, and then unconsciously makes him want to kiss me.
But I can't blame you, Young Miss—you've never kissed anyone, so it's too early for this topic. Someday you'll understand.
The best is still to wrap myself in gift ribbon, wait for him in bed, and when he opens the door, shyly say…
'The gift—is me…!'"
A woman in love has zero IQ—even someone as sharp as Hayasaka Ai couldn't escape the rule. The more she talked, the more excited she became, gradually forgetting Shinomiya Kaguya was there.
"Basic… a gift that makes him want to kiss…" Provoked, Shinomiya Kaguya's face grew darker. Her voice rose sharply as she ground her teeth. "Hayasaka—you really are planning to date that man on Christmas! You've changed! You used to be such a good girl!"
"Eh… wait, let me explain—!"
"Too late. Didn't Hayasaka just ask what I want for Christmas?" Shinomiya Kaguya exploded, transforming into a special-grade vengeful spirit. "I want your time off tomorrow canceled. You're going to stay obediently by my side!"
The angrier she got, the more powerless her rage became. "Bubble bubble bubble, die you blue-eyed Hayasaka!"
"Gone! Everything's gone! From now on, all breaks are postponed until after Christmas!"
"How can you do this?! Young Miss, you can't just hate on me because you're single! Heaven will punish you for this!" Hayasaka Ai shot back without yielding.
Congratulations, congratulations. Hayasaka Ai's Christmas preparations were thwarted by capitalism, her two-day holiday vanishing into thin air…
(She ended up getting the break anyway.)
...
Meanwhile, on Fujiwara Chika's side…
"If I secretly mark the King's Game sticks, I can make sure Diego-kun gets exactly my task…"
That's right—the King of Cheaters was in charge of props procurement solely to cheat!
Fujiwara Chika's Christmas preparations went suspiciously smoothly…
Number 3
Hori Kyoko, Takanashi Rikka, and Dekomori Sanae's Christmas Eve preparations…
"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way~"
At the Hori house, Takanashi Rikka hummed as she carried in a small Christmas tree, inspected it, and placed it in the corner of the living room.
"Phew—excellent! The heathens' tree of celebration has been installed!" Takanashi Rikka looked it up and down, nodding in satisfaction. "Dekomori, the sacred strips must be delivered successfully! They are the key to turning this stronghold into an impregnable fortress against all attacks!"
"Leave it to me, Master! Even if it costs my life, even if I must climb the solitary peak, I will ensure safe transport, death!" Dekomori Sanae wobbled up the ladder, holding Christmas ribbon and beginning to decorate. "Whoa! I hear Santa's screams, death!"
In the kitchen, Hori was baking treats.
Ding—
The oven timer finished. Hori took a deep breath, put on mitts, closed her eyes tightly, and took out the treats, whispering, "If I followed the recipe, it shouldn't turn into charcoal again… right?"
"Last time was probably because I overcooked it…"
Hori slowly opened her eyes. The treats on the tray were golden, glossy, steaming, and gave off a tempting aroma.
"Mmm~ delicious. Looks like I really am suited to making sweets!"
(Diego taught her for weeks before she finally escaped the charcoal stage.)
Her pant leg was tugged…
"Hm? Sota, what's up?" Hori crouched down and patted Sota's head.
"Onee-chan, what's that 'blood Christmas festival' the two big sisters were talking about?" Sota clutched her apron, asking blankly. "Is there going to be a Christmas murder case at our house?"
"No, silly. Tomorrow we're having a Christmas party at home. You can look forward to it!"
"Can we invite Jolyne?" Sota asked, eyes full of hope.
"Little Jolyne won't miss it. Don't worry!"
The three's preparations were going quite smoothly.
...
Number 4
Diego, Jotaro Kujo, and Josuke Higashikata's Christmas Eve preparations…
—At a farmhouse on the outskirts of Morioh—
"The World! Time belongs only to me!"
Time stopped flowing…
Grab.
The rat's eyes glowed with an eerie red light as The World seized it in its palm. Diego glanced at it, drew a revolver from his waist with his left hand, and flicked the cylinder downward with his right to ensure it was ready to fire.
Bang bang bang!
Three shots rang out, the bullets traveling some distance before halting right in front of the rat's head.
"Then, time resumes!"
Pop!
The time stop ended. The rat's head exploded instantly, signaling the end of the hunt for the three. In this battle, they emerged completely unscathed.
"Hey, Jotaro, that was the last Stand rat, right?" Diego shouted toward Jotaro on the other side.
Jotaro crossed his arms and nodded. Honestly, he never imagined he'd one day fight side by side with Dio.
"So strong! As expected of Dio-san and Jotaro-san!" Josuke Higashikata ran out from behind a rock. He'd barely done anything this time and was thrilled as he hurried to Diego's side and summoned his Stand. "Dio-san, are you hurt anywhere? I'll fix you up with Crazy Diamond."
"Oh right, your Stand can heal…" Diego cracked his neck with a pop, shook out his arms, and stretched. "Hm… no injuries at all. The poison arrows those two rats shot didn't graze me."
"Good thing. Even a scratch would disfigure you—those things can dissolve flesh and bone completely! Super scary!" Josuke made an exaggerated face.
Diego frowned. A thought flashed through his mind, and he spoke eagerly, "Josuke, lend me your Stand for a sec."
"Oh, sure."
Rip…
Diego peeled off the bandage at the corner of his mouth, revealing a tiny scar. He pointed at it. "Try using Crazy Diamond to see if it can fix this scar."
Josuke summoned Crazy Diamond, placed his palm over the scar, and a pink-yellow light flashed as Crazy Diamond's restoration effect activated on Diego.
"No good, Dio-san." Crazy Diamond vanished. Josuke looked uneasy. "May I ask… how long has that scar been there?"
"If too much time has passed and it's already healed over, Crazy Diamond can't fix it."
"…Never mind then. See ya." Diego put the bandage back on, covering the scar again, mounted his beloved horse Silver Bullet, and rode off.
Jotaro looked up, stopping Diego, and asked, "How much are you charging for this job? I'll have the SPW Foundation wire it to you later."
"No charge this time."
?
Jotaro was puzzled. Since when was Dio this generous?
For giants like the Joestar family and the SPW Foundation, money solved most problems—so Jotaro didn't want to owe Dio any favors.
Diego rode off again, then turned back and shouted at Jotaro, "Oh right, Jotaro. Tomorrow I'm taking little Jolyne to an ultra-cool Christmas party. If you're not invited, don't crash it and drag her home. We'll send her back at night."
"…Yare yare daze!"
That bastard… no wonder he didn't charge…
Diego stretched his muscles for the first time in a while, but felt a little down. "Everyone's busy. Being busy is good… now it's just me all alone again…"
The World: "Muda?"
Diego: "You're me, so you don't count!"
Diego didn't really have anything to prepare for. Everyone had strongly insisted he just enjoy himself.