Lucifer: The Bloody Christmas Arc

21st December—The cold morning greeted Mion as she lay still in her chilly bed, not wanting to get up. Similarly, Naomi was restless, her father calling out repeatedly, 'It's 12 in the morning, and you're still sleeping?!You've been glued to your phone all night, playing games! Where are you, Naomi? Mion!?' Even though Naomi couldn't sleep, she replied from under the white cotton blanket, 'Dad, let me sleep a little longer. I couldn't sleep at all last night.' 

Futuba shouted from the other room, 'You've been awake all night and now you're going to sleep until 2 p.m.? No?! Seriously! I'm annoyed by you guys, Mion!, get out of bed!' Mion lazily responded, "Dad, I stayed up late last night doing my homework." Naomi, clearly skeptical, snapped, 'What homework?! You did no homework!' Mion groaned, 'Uhhhh! You are a noisy bitch! Can't you just stay quiet!''Huh!? What did you say?! Dad! She called me the B word!' Naomi replied, yelling. Just then, the phone rang. Futuba's hands were wet, having just finished cleaning, gesturing for Mion to get up and pick up the phone. Mion groggily sat up, still dazed from sleep, and picked up the phone. Slowly walked toward the telephone. Her eyes barely opened. 'Who is it? she mumbled while yawning. On the other end, Manabu greeted, 'Morning, is it Mion?' Mion's ears started ringing, trying to adjust to the sound. Manabu asked if they were going to hang out at Taiju's place today. Mion replied, 'I think so, but…' Before she could finish, Futuba intervened, "No! We're going out today, remember?! How could you forget?!" Mion's eyes snapped open as she glanced at the calendar, realizing it was December 21st—the day they had planned to go out for a while.

Naomi and Mion had been talking about it for days. Futuba, having finally managed to get some time, had made the decision.Futuba took the phone from Mion's hand and said, 'Sorry Manabu, we're going out today. They've been saying for days that they want to go to watch movies, and since Christmas is near, we have to finish our winter shopping. Sorry, kid! They won't be able to make it today.'Manabu responded, 'That's fine, sir. You can spend your time with your daughters.' Futuba, in a calm tone, said, 'Manabu, didn't I tell you to just call me Uncle when we're not on the school campus? Manabu chuckled. 'Alright, 'uncle,' have a nice day.' Manabu ended the call, "What a good boy." Futuba, though. Turned around, he noticed Mion and Naomi all ready to go shopping."Dad, it's time!" "Get ready, hurry up!"

Poor Futuba was confused, wondering what just happened. They cleaned up everything together and Futuba locked the door before leaving. They reached the place. Their initial plan was to catch the "Before Winter" movie, but since there was still an hour left before it started, they decided to go shopping to kill time. While walking through the bustling streets, a sudden scream rang out. A woman was yelling, her bag snatched by a thief who was now sprinting through the crowd. Just as panic began to spread, a tall man, nearly 6 feet tall, stepped in. His sharp, hunter-like face betrayed his age—around 40—but his movements were swift. He grabbed the thief by the throat, twisting his arm painfully, and slammed him to the ground with practiced ease. The bag was retrieved in seconds. Moments later, the police arrived and apprehended the thief, dragging him away.

The grateful woman turned to the tall man and thanked him profusely. Curious about him, she asked for his name. The man introduced himself, his deep voice carrying authority, "Daima." He said. Mion, clearly impressed by the display, stepped forward and asked, 'Uncle, how tall are you?' Daima replied, 'I'm about 6 feet, maybe a bit more. Why?' 'I've never seen anyone taller than you in person before!' What's your name, young lady?" Daima asked politely. His voice is so mature. Mion greeted him politely, introducing herself, and just then Naomi interrupted, 'It's time, Mion. Let's go!'Daima nodded. "Alright! young lady, see you around." After the movie ended, the trio left the theater in high spirits, chatting and laughing as they wandered the snowy streets, buying clothes and enjoying the chill of the winter night. Futuba, however, was weighed down with shopping bags, trudging behind them like a pack mule. As Mion and Naomi walked ahead, they discussed plans for the winter and upcoming exams. Naomi turned to Mion, her curiosity piqued. 'So, do you have any special plans for this winter? Or is it just the usual?' Mion thought for a moment. "No, not really. I just want to spend Christmas with Manabu and the others, maybe go out and have fun." Naomi raised an eyebrow, her voice carrying a teasing edge. 'Nothing else? No surprises? No… hidden intentions?'Mion frowned, unsure of where this was going. Naomi sighed inwardly. She knew Mion liked Manabu, had liked him since childhood, but the girl was just too shy to confess. Naomi couldn't understand why three simple words, 'I love you,' were so hard for her to say. Suddenly a mischievous idea sparked in Naomi's mind. She decided to push the matter further. 'Actually,' Naomi began, feigning shyness, "I have a plan for Christmas."

Mion's interest piqued. "What plan?" Naomi pretended to hesitate, then blurted, 'I plan to confess to Manabu. I like him.' Mion froze mid-step, her face paling. "Eh?" was all she could manage.Naomi smirked inwardly at her reaction but kept her expression innocent. 'Oh! What's wrong?~' deep inside her head, she was laughing, role-playing the devil. "Huh! Didn't see that coming, did you?!" 'Wait,' Mion stammered, her voice a mix of shock and confusion. "You like Manabu?! Why didn't you tell me?!" Naomi shrugged, playing coy. "Because I was embarrassed. But now I've made up my mind. This Christmas, I'm telling him." Mion's heart raced, her stomach twisting into knots. She didn't know what to do. Summoning all her courage, she finally admitted, "Listen, Naomi… I like him too." Naomi's smirk widened in her mind. "He-he! check!". 'Like? Who?' Naomi asked, her tone feigning ignorance. Mion hesitated but finally whispered, "Manabu…" Naomi asked again with a sarcastic voice "Huh?! Didn't hear you, Can you please talk louder." Mion embarrassed, said it again "Manabu!" 'Another check!" Naomi smirked. Naomi tilted her head, acting innocent. "Huh!? Why didn't you tell me earlier?!" Mion turned red, 'I didn't know you liked him…"stammering excuses, Mion had a crying face. but Naomi brushed it off. Hitting for the next move 'I get it, But… You should have told me earlier but it's too late, Now what?!' Mion started crying out of embarrassment. 'I don't know~ Sis! What should I~ do?!' She hiccupped as she spoke. Naomi brushed it off with an annoyed face, 'stop it! It's no use' She thought for a moment and said, 'here's an idea. Let's settle this like adults. How about both of us confess to Manabu. On Christmas Day. Let's see who he likes. Deal?" Mion, hesitant and nervous, found herself agreeing despite her fear. "Deal," she muttered. Naomi walked ahead, triumphant, her thoughts smug and victorious. "Checkmate! Game over." It was decided they would confess together. Naomi wishes for no sudden plot twist in the middle of confession. Or her master plan was done for it. 'Twenty-fifth will be the best day!' Naomi screamed in her mind.

While Naomi and Mion strolled along the snowy path, engrossed in their banter and plans for Christmas, Futuba was far behind, sprawled out on the road under the weight of countless shopping bags. Passersby stopped to gawk, some whispering in confusion. One concerned man approached him. 'Are you okay, mister?' the man asked, bending down. Before deciding whether to take him seriously or not. Futuba lifted his head and groaned dramatically. 'Call an ambulance…" The man walked away. 'Nope! We're out!' Meanwhile, the sisters continued enjoying their sweet little moment.While at Taiju's house, Manabu and Mai were wrapping up their plans for Christmas. The group had decided to gather on the 25th, including their families, for an evening filled with festivities and a visit to the 'Christmas Event Twenty-fifth, Christina Town.' Which is pretty close to Manabu's place.

As Taiju prepared the plans, he texted Mion: "Sup, home yet? We're planning to hang out on the 25th. Bring Naomi too. Oh, and ask Futuba-sensei if he's interested." 

Futuba, taking a rare moment of rest, spotted the message on Mion's phone and responded himself."You can call me 'Uncle' when not in school. And Yup! I'll get them both."

"Oh, by the way, sir! Is Mion or Naomi around?" "Uncle? 'Sigh emoji' No, they're having ice cream."

"Ice cream? In this freezing weather? Won't they catch a cold?"

"Girls are a mystery."

"No doubt, totally agree." Taiju laughed.

"Anyway, I'll bring them. They'll be there. Where exactly are we going?" Futuba asked

"We'll probably stick around, Christina. There's a Christmas event going to be held close to Manabu's home."

"Alright!" Futuba was quite excited.

"Alright! See ya around, 'Uncle' bye!"

"Hey! Wait—what time?"

'Oh, I forgot!' Taiju hit his face with his palm. "At 5 PM. Sounds good?"

"I might be a little late, but I'll send the kids on time."

"Alright. Good night!" Futuba texts 'Good night!' as well. Manabu also left Taiju's place and went back home. He went straight to the bed after he kicked off his shoes, collapsing onto the mattress with a sigh. The room felt lonely, save for the picture of his grandmother on the desk beside him. He looked at her picture, the memories of better days surfacing like echoes from a distant past.

"Manabu, dinner's ready!"

"Manabu! Can you help me for a second?"

His grandmother's loud calls turned into just whispering memories. Manabu thought for a moment, his lips moving to a quiet whisper, "No, Grandma… I am not hungry." His head sank into the pillow, his hands pressing against his face as tears welled up. He remained still, unable to let go of the memories, before he finally slept. Meanwhile, Investigator Kenzo sat in his office, surrounded by paperwork, each file adding more weight to his already burdened shoulders. His phone rang, pulling him from his thoughts. He picked up, his tone sharp, "Hello?" A voice on the other side whispered something, and Kenzo's anxiety bubbled up. "I'm working on that right now; just need a bit more time…Yes sir! I've found him but I need time for that, Yes sir! I'll confirm soon." The staff, noticing his shift in demeanor, exchanged looks. Kenzo was always composed, but now there was a palpable tension around him. "Yes, We got the DNA; we just need to confirm the blood test." Kenzo continued, trying to mask his stress. A voice on the other end responded in a heavy tone, 'Don't worry, Take your time but I want him safe and sound.' Kenzo nodded, 'Don't worry! Sir, I'll make sure everything is done perfectly.' Then the call abruptly ended. Kenzo exhaled deeply, his gaze drifting to the window, where the night outside had turned a pale, icy blue. He dialed a number, and after several rings, someone answered. 'Hello? Kami called just now! What's our next step?!' Kenzo asked, his voice filled with urgency. The voice on the other end answered calmly, 'Erm… Did he? We have to wait a little longer. We got a problem, I'll have to handle it first. And about the Plan—I'll let you know when you are ready for it. Right now, I have to go, Bye'. Kenzo responded with a sigh, 'I understand' The call ended. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. Through the window, snowflakes drifted lazily to the ground. Mion was asleep while listening to music, Naomi was playing videogames. Futuba, exhausted, had already fallen asleep. Taiju, engaged in a conversation with his mother about his plans with friends on Christmas. Mai just had a bath, combing and drying her new hair shinny, The day had been full, and everyone was waiting for twenty-fifth. the world outside seems wonderful unlike white clothes, snow doesn't get dirty.

"Unless there is blood…"