December 24, Christmas Eve.

In this world, Christmas is not just a religious event, it is also “the most intense appeal competition day of the year.”

A holy night where the city’s illuminations shine upon the determination of women, all dressed up in their finest, aiming to capture the hearts of the rare men they desire.

After somehow calming down the huge fight between Aoi and Anju earlier in the day, I was now invited to Hoshikawa’s luxurious high-rise apartment.

"Merry Christmas! Now then, you two, eat as much as you like."

On the large table in the living room were roast chicken, vibrant terrine, and a large jewel-like decorated cake, all enthusiastically prepared by Hoshikawa’s mom, who works as a dentist while raising Aoi alone.

In this world, housework ability is an absolute status “for being chosen.” The quality of a home party easily rivals that of a high-end restaurant from my previous life.

"Wow, ma’am, this is amazing! Time to dig in."

"Hehe, it makes it worth the effort when Shizuku-chan eats so much. Really, you’re so dependable for a six-year-old, Shizuku-chan."

Hoshikawa’s mom smiled warmly at me while swirling her amber-colored wine, then shifted her gaze to her daughter happily devouring chicken beside me.

"Aoi is always talking about you at home too, you know? Like ‘Today, Shizuku-chan did this for me’ or ‘Shizuku-chan is the coolest.’ Honestly, my ears are about to grow calluses."

"M-Mom! Stop it, it’s embarrassing…"

Aoi’s face turned bright red as she frantically waved her hands to stop her mother. The way she looked like a small animal was so amusing that I couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Haha, no no, I’m the one who should be grateful. Aoi helps me out all the time, ma’am."

I placed the chicken bone on my plate and wiped my mouth with a napkin before putting on my “face used when entertaining a business executive’s wife” from my previous life.

"I can be pretty rough and careless sometimes, but Aoi always pays attention to everything around me and supports me perfectly. Like during our last excursion, she immediately pulled out a bandage when I forgot one. She’s really attentive and kind. In the future, Aoi will definitely become the best bride. She’s my pride as my childhood friend."

"――――!!"

"My, my… oh my…"

From the mouth of a six-year-old came a flawless “recognition as a partner and guarantee of the future.”

Hoshikawa’s mom held her cheek and widened her eyes as if thinking ‘What a terrifying child…’ while Aoi herself froze completely, steam practically rising from her face.

'Shizuku-chan said I’d be the best bride… in front of Mom! Ahh, this is basically a proposal… the outer moat and inner moat are both filled, this is a formal engagement greeting…'

Unaware that Aoi’s mind had already filed a marriage registration on its own, I casually resumed eating, thinking, ‘This chicken is seriously delicious.’

* * *

After the meal.

Since Hoshikawa’s mom thoughtfully excused herself, saying “You two go play together,” we moved to Aoi’s cute bedroom.

"Um, Shizuku-chan. This… is my Christmas present for you."

Fidgeting, Aoi took out a small box wrapped in cute paper from behind her back.

"Oh, thanks. Mind if I open it?"

Inside was a hand-knitted scarf with a mature design, based on black and navy tones.

"Wow… this is amazing. Did you make this, Aoi?"

"Y-Yeah… Mom helped a little… I thought maybe you’d like calm colors like this…"

"This is really great! Thanks, Aoi. I’ll start using it tomorrow."

When I wrapped the scarf around my neck right there and grinned, Aoi clasped her hands in front of her chest with a blissful smile.

"Hehe…"

"Alright, next is from me. Here, Merry Christmas."

What I handed her from my pocket was a small accessory box.

When Aoi gently opened the lid, inside was a beautifully crafted barrette 'hair clip' that sparkled like stars in the night sky.

"Wow… it’s so beautiful…"

"With my allowance, this was the best I could do. But since you’re ‘Hoshikawa’ and your hair is always so pretty, I thought something like this would suit you."

I took the barrette out of the box, moved behind Aoi, gathered her golden-thread-like hair, and neatly clipped it in place with a snap.

"Alright, perfect. As expected, something shiny suits a princess."

The sensation of my fingers touching her hair, along with the killer phrase “princess.”

Aoi covered her face with both hands and collapsed onto the bed.

* * *

Late at night.

In Aoi’s room with the lights off, Shizuku had already fallen into a deep sleep in the futon she brought along.

"…Shizuku-chan"

In the faint glow of the night light.

Aoi quietly slipped out of her bed and sat down right beside Shizuku’s futon.

In her hair, the star barrette Shizuku gave her faintly reflected light even in the darkness.

'…my Shizuku-chan'

Aoi glanced at the hand-knitted scarf she had given Shizuku, then gently touched the barrette in her hair.

'This star is a mark Shizuku-chan put on me. Proof that I’m special to Shizuku-chan… I won’t give her up to Anju-chan or anyone else. Shizuku-chan’s side will always, always belong only to me.'

Aoi’s small hand slipped into Shizuku’s futon, and through the gap in her pajama buttons, touched her warm bare skin.

In the freezing winter night, that hand carried an abnormal heat.

'Next year, and the year after… even when we become adults, forever. Christmas will always be spent with me. I won’t let you go, Shizuku-chan… fufu.'

In the dark room, the golden-haired angel wore a terribly sweet and frightening smile.

"…nn… Aoi, that… my neck… tight…"

As Shizuku mumbled in her sleep, Aoi whispered sweetly, “Sorry,” and buried her face into Shizuku’s neck, hugging her even tighter.

On this holy night, the star hair ornament Shizuku gave without much thought had become a “chain of love too heavy” for her yandere childhood friend, engraving a curse deep into her soul.