(Author's Note: This is another side story continuing from the events of last year's side story. And as you can see, this might become an annual tradition. Or not? Either way, it's still Christmas-themed or at least, still in that atmosphere. This will possibly be a shorter one than before. Forgive me for this short interlude. Merry Christmas!)

28th of December. Three days after the absurd Christmas Day that I experienced. The intrusive girl next door hadn't shown herself in front of me again. Though Ive caught a glimpse of her a few times whenever I would leave the house, she must've been embarrassed for being carried by me last time.

Whats the deal, anyway? Even if she faked it halfway, she was initially asleep and her mother hounded me through their window. If I hadnt taken her home by then, I wouldnt have had a peaceful night.

Ugh. I remember. It wasnt really that peaceful when I had to slog off all the food she brought over. And it took me a while in the bathroom to expel the next day.

In any case, shes lucky. Had she been someone who could make my desire react, I had no idea how much I could corrupt her by being so defenseless in someone else's house. Shes too careless for her own good.

She said we were close years ago. But people constantly change. She should stop being stuck in time. I am far from the one she fell in love with, whatever that emotion that is.

Ah. Enough about her.

It's still winter break. No school. No problem. However, it's incredibly boring.

For the past two days, I went and met up with those girls I ordered to take a day off from being the faucet of my desireexcept those girls who didnt even try and bugged me that day.

At first, it was great. I got to fill up my bottomless desire again and they obediently took it. However, upon listening to the story I asked them to share with me, my mood was instantly ruined.

What kind of story, you wonder? Its about how they spent their holiday, of course. It was nothing but an utter disappointment.

They might not have followed the footsteps of those girls who crossed my paths that day but they all spent their days at home or some of them ended the dates that they say I forced them to go early on. They even confessed that they were waiting for my call instead of savoring the freedom I've given them.

Thats why I don't feel like meeting anyone today.

What the hell is their problem? Arent they begging me to stop? Theyre unhappy with every command I give to them. They said it themselves and yet

Ugh.

This is making me want to get a new one. Someone who wont be as complicated as them. But then again, where will I get my fill of my desire if not with them?

This is the worst.

Looking outside my window, the snow that continued to fall for the past few days has once again piled up. Our street was buried with the mess and navigating through it would definitely be a hassle.

Good thing I dont have any plans to go outside today.

I can just while away these last few days of winter break here. Alone in the confines of this house.

RING!

Two hours came and went. That damn alarm has been snoozing for so long. I failed to notice that I fell asleep again thinking about those useless things. Still, its only seven in the morning.

Standing up from my bed, I grabbed my phone before fixing my bed sheet. I then walked to my cabinet to change into warmer clothes.

The houses insulation has been getting worse this winter. But I lack the necessary skill to even attempt to remedy that.

Should I spend my day reading about it? No. I should just rely on an expert. Even if a girl comes over later, our bodies alone could warm us up. Especially if were naked.

After doing my morning routine, I made a coffee for myself before going to the storage room.

I should at least do something to stave off my boredom, right?

Or so, I thought.

Upon stepping inside that dusty room filled with boxes and things I had no use for, the first thing that came into my view was the small box that I stored a few days ago.

The box that contained that girls present.

It mustve been for her boyfriend. But she mustve felt compelled to give it to me because she encountered and ignored me.

That girl is not right in the head. I already cut her off and shes trying to crawl back again. Like those girls I am disappointed with these past few days, shouldnt she savor the freedom that she got from me?

Haa. Women are complicated creatures.

I only treat them as objects and outlets for my desire but why do they even fall for someone as terrible as me? I did nothing but make them suffer.

Wait. Didnt I say Im going to store this somewhere I wont be able to see it again?

But here it was.

Right in front of the door.

What the hell is wrong with me?

And what am I doing here in the store room in the first place?

I should open this and be done with it. I guess?

Unconsciously, my feet brought me before that box.

Ill blame my curiosity here.

I did say I shouldnt even check on this but nothing could beat a curious strike. Now that it got triggered, it would keep me awake at night if I didnt satisfy it.

Upon grabbing the box, I turned around and returned to the living room.

As Im not liking the serene silence, I turned the TV on and put it on a news channel. Might as well listen to the news to distract myself from being absorbed with this curiosity.

[A sunny day is expected until tomorrow. If you have somewhere to go, you have until then before the streets disappear in sheets of white again.]

The weather broadcasters voice spilled out from the TV's speaker.

Behind him, the screen changes from the map of the country to a clip showing the streets filled with piled-up snow being shoveled by people and those snow-sweeping vehicles.

If only I had somewhere to go I muttered before taking my attention away from the screen.

I lifted my hand and observed the box in my hand.

Its still wrapped neatly. The card she used to write that message was stuck in the ribbon.

I pulled it out and read her message again, expecting nothing.

Ruki, Merry Christmas. I will be visiting you so, I won't say anything else. But just in case you refuse to talk to me (which I know you will probably do), I'll write this here;

I apologize for denying to know you yesterday. I never expected to see you there and with how you heartlessly cut me off, I couldn't process it quickly. When I recovered, you were already gone.

Lastly, I do not hate you. I want you to know this. If ever I encounter you again outside, I swear I won't deny knowing you again.

That's all. I won't tell you to correct your ways, I lack the right to do that. But if ever someone comes along that will change your entire perspective, I hope you treat her better than you treated me. Take care not to get into trouble. Bye.

--Nagisa

Yep. I stand by my judgement. She should hate me. And she should continue pretending not to know me.

I muttered quietly, dropping the letter again.

With only the box in my hand left, I undid the ribbon and opened the wrappings.

A few seconds later, the box presented its true appearance before me.

Its neither a fancy one nor has a known brand printed on top of it.

Its a simple white box.

As I was about to open it and check its contents, I heard the front door burst open and the intruder announced her presence by shouting at the top of her lungs.

Ruki! Are you still asleep?! I brought you leftover soup! This can warm you up! Stop hibernating like a bear!