Lucifer: The Bloody Christmas Arc

25th of December— The day has arrived. It was around 5 pm when Manabu stood before his mirror, trying on different outfits. After much deliberation, he finally settled on a white sweater and a black leather jacket. As he slipped on his shoes, suddenly a notification popped up on his mobile. So many messages from Taiju. He quickly picked up the phone. "Be there by six for the Christmas event," Taiju reminded. "I'll be coming with my parents. You bring Mion and Naomi."

'Got it!' Manabu replied. He quickly grabbed the keys, combed his hair, and took the wallet. He locked all the rooms, twirling the key around his finger, and stepped out. While walking down the street, he texted Mion: "Meet me in front of the station."

Manabu was pretty excited to meet Mr. and Mrs. Hiroshi (Taiju's parents) too. It had been a long time since Manabu had last talked to them. Both were busy with their businesses, so their encounters were rare. He arrived at the station around 5:45 PM and saw Mion waiting. She wore a yellow jacket and a white snow-matching muffler, her long, light, light pink cascading down her shoulders in silky strands. In the winter's embrace—she was like Snow White.

Manabu had arrived early, and when Mion noticed him, she nervously spoke in a soft voice, 'Huh?! Manabu, you came so early,' while adjusting her hair. 'You too,' he replied, and looked around and realized Naomi and Uncle Futuba weren't present. Manabu asked when they were going to arrive. 'Oh, Dad will come straight from his training programs in our school; he also took Naomi with him. Maybe they'll be arriving a bit late.' Manabu stood beside her, observing the festive surroundings. The streets were lively, people laughing and enjoying the winter air, and there were hardly any cars on the road. Suddenly something popped up in his mind. He asked, 'Hey, I had a doubt, Futuba uncle—I mean, is he your real father? Like, for real? For real?'

Mion replies, "No! No! My biological parents died when I was little—they were murdered. Some robbers killed them and took their wallets and belongings. I had a brother too, an older brother, but… he died in an accident. His head was crushed." Manabu felt a pang of sorrow. 'I'm sorry to hear that. I know how it feels to lose someone close to you.' Mion glanced at him and asked, 'About that! I've only seen your grandma. What about your parents—didn't your grandma say anything about them?' Manabu sighed. 'I don't know much about my parents either. My grandma once told me that my father was a really powerful person. He was a kind of politician or something. She said my father was kind and caring, and he loved me the most. My mom and dad married out of love. And the part I like the most is, my grandma once told me—my dad didn't want to marry her at first. Even though they loved each other, he had trust issues. But my mom said she'll only marry him and only him. And she doesn't care; she'll do whatever it takes. 'Why do you love me if you don't trust me? And now when I am telling you that I love you, you are resisting?! It's no use; you have to live your entire life with me. And I'll do whatever it takes to marry you, even if I have to kill you for that!' Left my old man no choice." Mion laughed and said, 'That was cute.'

"Ya! I thought the same! But I don't know what happened to my mom and dad. She never told me, Oh! and my grandma once mentioned I have a sister too, but when I asked later about it, she didn't tell me anything.' While Mion was paying close attention, suddenly she remembered she was planning to confess. She lowered her gaze, blushing, contemplating whether to confess or not. But it was now or never. She looked around, spotted a coffee shop nearby, and said, 'Let's have a coffee while we wait for the others! " Manabu nodded, and they entered the cafe. The place was cozy and new, with a warm ambiance. A waitress came to them and showed them to their seats. Manabu wondered if this place was new and asked the waitress. "Yes, it's been around for just eight months," the waitress replied with a smile. "Our customer service is excellent." This place smells quite nice too; Mion likes this place already. Manabu asked her if she would like something. 'Anything you like,' she replied with a smile while enjoying the sweet smell of the shop. Manabu ordered two coffees.

The waitress smiled, "So your order is a 'couple coffee!' I'll be right back!" After a moment of silence, Mion cleared her throat and asked cautiously, "What do you think about Naomi?" Mion just wanted to make sure of Manabu's feelings about Naomi before making a move. Manabu crossed his arms and leaned back. 'Why ask?' he wondered. Mion replies with laughter. "No reason… just curious. Ha-ha," Manabu thought for a moment. "Naomi is honest and kind. She's probably the exact reflection of my grandmother… Ha-ha." He chuckled. Mion smiled. 'Why are you smiling?'"When I first saw you two as kids, I thought you were real sisters. You two are always together. Later, when I found out you're not, I was dumbfounded." Mion nodded. "We are like sisters. I just want Naomi to stay with me forever. I've never had anything of my own… I'm an orphan. Naomi is my sister, and Futuba loves me more than my real parents ever could." Manabu smiled and asked her to stay by Naomi's side forever, no matter what. Mion smiled and said, "Of course. No need to say it." Their coffee arrived, each cup decorated with a heart-shaped foam design. Mion stared at it, her face heating up."Does Manabu even realize this means love? Will people think we're a couple?" she thought anxiously, fidgeting with her spoon. Just as she was about to stir and ruin the shape, she hesitated. "No… I don't want to. This looks cute though~ What should I do~?"Across the room, two girls were pointing at them, giggling. Mion felt embarrassed and blushed even more. "They think we're a couple, don't they?" Manabu's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Weren't you going to ask me something?"

"Eh? W-what?" Mion fumbled, trying to recall. "Um… what do you think of— me?"

"As a person? Or a friend?" Manabu asked.

"Uh… just in general, maybe…"

Manabu smiled and said "I like you." Mion's heart skipped a beat. But before she could respond, he continued, "You're a great friend, and you've helped me a lot." Mion took a deep breath and said, "Wait, listen, don't laugh at what I'm about to say, okay?""Uh~ Ok, go ahead, I promise I won't laugh." "If you don't like it, just ignore it." "O-ok-?"Mion took a long breath before she could confess. Manabu was sitting straight, excited to hear."I… I lo—." She failed, "Wait! Once again, wait". She calmed herself and self-talked, It's now or never. This time she must. She looked at him and sat straight, her hands on her thighs. "I love—" Before she could finish, Taiju's call was interrupted. "Uhh! I was so close! Why am I so unlucky!" Mion screamed in her thoughts. Manabu answered the call, "What's up?" Taiju's voice panicked. He was breathing heavily. "Manabu, where are you?!" He asked. Manabu replied that he was with Mion inside 'Hot Cup Café.' Taiju tells him to quickly turn on the news channel 'The News-24' or 'M-B News' if there's a TV nearby. Mion's expression tensed. "What happened, Manabu?" Manabu got up and asked the café manager to switch to the news channel. The screen displayed a shocking headline: "A teacher and student were murdered outside DSH (Detens Scholars High School). Is Mr. Santa's doing?"The reporter's voice echoed through the café: "At approximately 6:07 PM this evening, a brutal stabbing took place in the park near DSH School. The victims have been identified as 17-year-old Naomi, a student of DSH, and her father, Futuba, a respected teacher at the same school. Both were stabbed by an unknown person. And police found the exact Santa toy gift near the lifeless bodies of the victims."Mion's entire body trembled. Her eyes widened in disbelief as tears streamed down her face. By the time Taiju and Mai arrived at the café along with Taiju's parents, Mion was barely holding herself together. Taiju's dad said, "Manabu! We need to get to school." Manabu nodded. He grabbed Mion's hand, but she couldn't move; her whole body was shaking—paralyzed by shock. Manabu requests Mai and Taiju's mother to take her to Taiju's place. They quickly left for the school. They quickly went to school.

At the scene, Kenzo arrived and asked for the details. One of the forensic workers, Sato Machimo, told him that the guy (Futuba) was stabbed in his chest and had died on the spot, while Naomi right now is in critical condition. She has been taken to the hospital. They were identified by some other students and the teachers. Kenzo stood nearby chatting with other police officers; one of the police officers said, "It might be a personal case. But some claim it could be Mister Santa. And I think it might be possible." Kenzo turned at him and asked with a curious face, "Did anyone witness?" but the answer was unfortunately—no one. Kenzo gets angry and asks for Sato's reason to get suspicious of Santa. "Why would Santa kill them?" But Sato argues with him, "Then why would someone kill a teacher? and for absolutely no reason? Can you explain? What could possibly be the answer? And if it's just a regular murder, why would the professional investigator Mr. Kenzo Kashizu arrive? Aren't you suspicious of Mr. Santa too?" Kenzo admits he had suspicion of Mr. Santa, but it's just his intuition. Then suddenly officers came to them with a gift on them. Kenzo quickly grabbed the gift with bare hands and said with a loud voice, "What the hell is this doing here?" The officer quickly took back the gift and said, "Sir! You cannot touch it barehanded!" Kenzo apologizes and takes his gloves out. He asked them to hand him the box. Kenzo opened it and found the same exact Santa toy cart. The police officers said they found it in Kenzo's handbag. He was carrying money and some other things, but none of them were stolen. Clearly it wasn't for money but something more than that. Kenzo was disturbed, and he put his hands on his face as if he was having a headache. "Look at the victims backgrounds." The officer nodded and started following his instructions. Kenzo said with a lower voice close to whispering, "If it's actually Santa's doing, the victims must be criminals." Mr. Sato agreed with him. He said if the girl makes it on time. She can be helped in our further investigation. Kenzo frowned. "I know, but if she didn't, we would have no choice but to follow our intuition since we found no other clue other than the gift."

By the time Taiju's father, Taiju, and Manabu had arrived, they tried to talk to the police and informed them that they knew Naomi and Futuba. "They are our family members! Let us in! We have to talk to the investigator." He requested the police to allow them inside but insisted that no one else should be permitted entry. However, Kenzo saw them and asked an officer to let them in. The officers accompanied them, and they began asking several questions—what their relationship was with Naomi, who Naomi's father was, and if they had any enemies. Kenzo walked at them and asked them to calmly explain. He questioned everyone thoroughly and then stated, "A police officer will visit your address to speak with your wife and the other girl, the victim's adopted child, Mion. Further details will be provided later." Manabu asked me. Kenzo, "What about Naomi?! And Mr. Futuba?!" Kenzo replied, "Look, kid, your friend is being taken to the hospital. We can't say anything right now." Manabu clenched his fists and started biting his nails for pressure and anxiety. Kenzo sent an officer with them. Taiju's father told Manabu to calm down.

They went to Taiju's home with the officer in the police car. Taiju rings the bell of the home. His mom opens the door, and Mai and Mion were sitting on the bed. A police officer walked inside with them and started asking questions. After the investigation. He said one of them might have to come with him. Taiju's dad decided to go with him and asked them to stay at home. Suddenly the officer gets a call from other officers. He finished talking and turned to them, with a sad and sorrowful face; the police confirmed Naomi's death and explained, "Naomi was taken to the ambulance, but unfortunately, she didn't survive. Time of death: 8:12:30. We are sorry for your loss." Mion, who was just sobbing until now, starts crying like a baby. Taiju's mother started to cry too. What a miserable moment. The police officer once again said, "Once again, I'm sorry for your loss. You guys have to hold on yourselves. Mr. Hiroshi, Was it? Their bodies have been sent for autopsy. Due to the case investigation, both of their bodies will be thoroughly examined, and you will be informed within the next 24 to 48 hours. After the post-mortem, the police department will not place any legal hold on the bodies. Therefore, you will be allowed to see them, and you can proceed with the burial. I know it's painfully hard, but until then, stay strong... I hope you understand." And with those kind words, policemen leave. Mion sobbed uncontrollably in Taiju's mother's lap. Mai tried to hold back tears but eventually broke down too. Manabu tried to console them, but he was also broken by the tragic moment. Taiju was looking up to prevent his tears from coming out.

All of them stayed the night at Taiju's place.At 4:32 am, midnight—Manabu and Taiju couldn't sleep at all. Mai and Mion, exhausted from crying, eventually fell asleep in Taiju's mother's lap. Meanwhile, Taiju's father wasn't in the home; he had stepped outside with the officer." Taiju, lying on the sofa, whispered, "Manabu, you awake?" "Yeah," Manabu muttered.Taiju's voice trembled with pain and emptiness. "Can we talk for a while… I can't sleep." "Me neither," Manabu replied. Taiju expresses his grief and rage while talking about Naomi. "The one who did this—I swear, if I find him, I swear I'll kill that bastard!" Taiju was visibly broken. And watching him cry, tears silently rolled down Manabu's face. "Damn, these tears won't stop.""I called Naomi today, at Five… She was so excited… She always talks a lot, but she won't talk anymore. I thought she was annoying, but I can't get annoyed anymore…" Taiju's voice broke. And then, Manabu asked him to stop. Since he can't hold his tears anymore. Suddenly Taiju said, 'This isn't Mr. Santa's doing.' Manabu looked at him. 'What do you mean?'"Santa only kills criminals… Naomi and Futuba weren't criminals. It has to be someone else trying to cover himself by the name of Santa. It's a copycat." Taiju was convinced that there is someone else in this case. And it's more than just a murder. Manabu realized what it meant. "there is a third person… Someone else did this? Someone killed them? Why?"

"Who could it be?"