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Chapter Text

On the twelfth of December, the students of the Ultimate Academy were awoken by a crashing sound that rattled the doors and windows of their dorms. Opening their doors in alarm, finding the others unharmed, the students wearily made their way into the courtyard. A thin layer of frost covered the grass and intricate fern patterns frosted the glass. In the center was a huge Christmas tree, decorated in lights, tinsel, and sparkly ornaments. The source of the crash appeared to be a gaping hole in the End Wall, not dissimilar to the one that brought them to the amusement park during Halloween. 

Kaito yawned, scratched his deflated hair. “What’s Monokuma up to this time?”

“Kehehe…Should it not be obvious?” Korekiyo gestured to the Christmas tree. “This Christmas marks our one-year anniversary as prisoners, does it not?”

Rantaro seemed to deflate slightly at that, staring wistfully at the hole in the End Wall.

““Rise and Shine, Ursine!”” 

“That’s right, youse bastards! ‘Tis the holiday season and all that crap.” Monosuke muttered. 

Monophani nodded eagerly. “Daddy went through the trouble of preparing a very special event for all of you!”

“He did? What surprise?” Monotaro tilted his head. 

“I’m so rock hard raging for this!” Monokid panted. 

Monophanie smiled at the students. “We’re sorry for the noise, but there was no other way to open up the tree farm for you all!”

Kaede perked. “Tree farm?”

“Oh yeah…” Monotaro realized, “Father did have us planting lots of trees lately…I wonder why?”

Monosuke smacked his red and white brother upside the head. “It’s for Christmas, you dummy bear!”

““So long, bear well!””

Kaede turned to the other students, eyes lit up like the Christmas tree behind her. “You heard them, guys! We get to go pick out our own trees!”

Kirumi inclined her head. “That is quite strange, considering we were given our trees beforehand last year.”

“So I gotta get down and dirty with a fuckin’ tree!?” Miu sneered, crossing her arms. 

“It’s the most action you’ve gotten all year. Congratulations!” Kokichi snickered. 

“You little cunt!”

“Now, now, we don’t really know if we need to pick our own trees, right?” Angie supposed, ignoring the headlock Miu had Kokichi in, nearly smothering him with her boobs. 

“Nyeh…what a pain.” Himiko rubbed the sleep from her eyes, a sleeping hat on her head. “It’s too cold for this…”

Tenko bounced with excitement. “Perhaps we should check the Academy to see which rooms will need a tree?”

“Hmph, I didn’t see a tree in the dormitory when I got up.” Ryoma exhaled, candy dust mixing with the warm exhale of breath. 

“And we’ll need to check the warehouse for warmer gear!” Tsumugi pointed out. 

“...Can’t I wake up first?” Himiko complained. 

Kirumi inclined her head. “Very well. Let us all prepare for the day. I shall have breakfast waiting for you in the dining wall.”

With that, the students scattered. Within the hour, everyone was looting the warehouse for warm jackets, mittens, scarves, hats, leggings, and boots from last year. Once bundled up like yetis, warm from Kirumi’s breakfast, the students began searching their Academy for the best place to set trees. Oddly enough, aside from the giant Christmas tree in the courtyard, there were no trees anywhere on campus. Although, during the search, several new fireplaces were discovered in Ultimate Labs, the gym, the dining hall, and in empty classrooms. With that in mind, the students met at the hole in the End Wall, stepping through into a winter wonderland with rows and rows of trees of various sizes, snow dusting their branches. 

“This is going to be such fun!” Angie clapped her hands together. 

Rantaro smiled awkwardly, “How are we supposed to move them?”

As if on cue, several of the Exisals clomped through the snow with a metal sled dragging on the ground behind them. Additionally, there seemed to be a small hut off to one side of the farm, containing sixteen handaxes and two-man saws. 

Weapons in hand, the students began to start searching for their trees. Sixteen were needed for the dorms, plus an additional one for the dining hall. 

“Gonta help carry tree to Exisal!” Gonta promised the others. 

Kokichi pranced along beside him, “You should help me cut down mine first, Gonta! I want the biiiiigest one here!”

“Okay!”

And they did, they found the biggest fifteen-foot Christmas tree. Which took them nearly three hours to cut down and absolutely wouldn’t fit in Kokichi’s dorm. Meanwhile, Kirumi and Korekiyo had picked smaller trees, only about five feet high and easily managed to cut them down. Rantaro and Kaede found a pair that would just brush the ceiling of their rooms. Ryoma and Shuichi both picked the smallest trees they could find, although Kaito, upon seeing Shuichi’s tiny tree, put an arm around his shoulder and herded him towards the bigger ones with Maki. Himiko took the small one, despite Tenko offering her a larger tree. Tsumi and Kiibo picked moderately sized ones. 

After spending nearly the entire day out at the tree farm, everyone was cold with red noses and fingers. The Exisals, loaded up with seventeen Christmas trees, half buried in snow and ice, started lumbering back towards the Academy. The sleds were detached by the dormitory, allowing the students to begin the cumbersome process of dragging trees up the stairs. By the end of it, everyone was so exhausted they couldn’t even begin to clean up the stray pine needles, melting snow, and sticky sap left littering the main lobby.

Chapter Text

Kokichi, Kiibo and Miu were crouching in the bushes near the gaping hole of the End Wall as the nighttime announcement sounded. Monophanie and Monosuke’s Exisals were standing guard at the entrance to the tree farm while the other three clambered inside, hauling metal and sparkling lights. 

“We shouldn’t be here.” Kiibo warned the other two. “The Exisals are dangerous if we’re caught…”

“Then we just won’t get caught!” Kokichi dismissed flippantly. “Besides, isn’t it more dangerous to not know what they’re up to?”

“Shut up or we’ll get caught!” Miu snapped.

“I thought that turned you on, Miu?” Kokichi tilted his head innocently. 

Kiibo tried to intervene, “Guys--”

“That’s rich coming from you! Do you know how many times I’ve walked in on you and--”

“Puhuhuhu…what’re youse bastards doin’ here?” Monosuke’s Exisal had appeared in front of the frost covered bush the trio were hiding behind. Despite its lumbering frame, it could be sneaky when it needed to be. The red headlight flared menacingly. 

“Ummm…we forgot a tree?” Kiibo tried.

The Exsial picked up all three of them with its clawed hands, ignoring the screaming (Miu and Kiibo) and delighted laughter (Kokichi) as it left Monophanie to guard the entrance alone. The Exisal deposited the three students in front of the doors to the dormitory and glared at them. “If I catch youse sneaking ‘round before the Christmas surprise is revealed…you’ll be a big bloody mess!”

Miu gave a scared whimper, quickly fleeing into the building. Kokichi and Kiibo hurried after her. 

*****

The next morning, after the morning announcement had played, the students were puzzled to find the hole in the End Wall still there, pouring blinding white light into the frosted courtyard.  Monokuma was waiting for them at the entrance of the dorms, a shopping cart full of green disposable cameras behind him. 

“Puhuhuhu, what a wonderful morning for some fear , doncha all agree?” Monokuma sighed, “Unfortunately, we’re still waiting on the go ahead for the main event. In the meantime, keep everyone entertained with your frivolous hope .”

Kaito sighed. “What is it this time?”

“ Ein Christkindlmarkt , of course! You didn’t think I was revamping all those smelly Christmas trees, did you? There’s a whole market full of interesting things beyond the End Wall, including foods and drinks.” Monokuma waggled one white paw at the students, glowering. “And forget to bundle up! Can’t have my merchandise getting damaged before we can start all the fun!”

And with that, their headmaster vanished out of sight.

“Well… I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to check it out?” Tsumugi began nervously, picking up one of the cameras and turning it on the others. There was a bright flash. “Oops! I guess someone left the flash on by mistake…”

Kaede bounded over to the cosplayer, taking the camera from her smiling and snapping a picture of Tsumugi. “Yeah! It isn’t Christmas without some fun memories!”

Maki sighed, knowing better than to offer to stay behind, especially with the big hopeful grin Kaito was currently giving her. 

Equipped with cameras and warm jackets, the students returned to the End Wall, finding the tree farm completely replaced with a Christmas market. Oddly enough, the sky was dark despite the Academy having early morning. There were wooden stalls lining the entire plaza, garland and lights and baubles lining their snow covered roofs. Soft Christmas music played from unseen locations, mixing between Japanese to English to German. The most eye-catching props of the market were the massive forty-foot Christmas tree in the center, decorated to the nines with tinsel, ornaments, and lights that flashes red, white, and green. By dwarfing even the tree, was the massive silver Ferris Wheel that slowly rotated. The entire area was void of crowds, despite the hidden speakers indicating otherwise. 

Kaito lit up, grabbing Maki’s hand. “A Ferris Wheel!”

“Absolutely not.” 

“A carousel!” Kokichi chirped delightly, pointing out the contraption bathed in golden light. 

“We’re not fuckin’ three!” Miu snapped. 

“Eww, I knew you were weird, but a pedofile!?”

“Asshole!”

Gonta tilted his head. “Carousel?”

“Don’t fight, everyone!” Kaede broke up the excited murmuring. “We should stick together for a while, so we don’t get lost!”

“Nyahahaha! Yes, yes, Atua says we should stick together too!” Angie clasped her hands together. 

“Alright then,” Kaito said, “Let’s start with the Ferris--”

“No, the carousel!” Kokichi complained. 

“This is going to take forever…” Tsumugi supposed, snapping another picture. 

Rantaro smiled awkwardly, making placating gestures with his hands. “Why don’t we all go see the carousel and then we can break up to do our own thing? We can meet back here in a few hours.”

Kiibo nodded. “That sounds logical. Be sure not to accidentally stay too late.”

“Nyeh, why’s that?” Himikourmured. 

Shuichi answered her. “I believe Kiibo is referring to the rule we were given during Halloween. We weren’t supposed to stay in the park after nighttime.”

““Rise and Shine, Ursine!””

“Shuichi’s correct!” Monosphanie said in lieu of greeting them. “If any of you stay past nighttime…I think I might puke!”

Monotaro tilted his head. “Huh? Why? Does the Christmas market smell funny after nighttime?”

Monosuke smacked his brother. “She means the Exisals will kill these idiots if they stay too late!”

The students didn’t react as startled. Afterall they’d heard the same threat for a year now. Of course, none of them had ever tested that particular rule…

“How do we know when nighttime starts?” Kokichi asked, arms folded behind his head. “We can’t really tell with it already dark in here.”

“THERE-WILL-BE-AN-ANNOUNCEMENT-ONE-HOUR-BEFORE-10 P.M..” Monotaro said. 

Monokid strummed on his guitar. “Damn straight it will! You guys will have an hour’s warning! Don’t come crying to us with any excuses!”

““So long, bear well!””

With that stark warning, the students followed the ringleaders towards the carousel, Kaito half pouting, and half arguing with Kokichi about the childishness of it all. Tsumugi and Rantaro were attempting to explain what a carousel was to Angie and Gonta, while Tenko was fruitlessly trying to cajole Himiko into riding it with her. In the end, Angie, Gonta, Kokichi, Tenko, and Kaede all got on the carousel, cheering and posing for pictures when prompted by Tsumugi or Rantaro. 

After the kids had gone around on plastic horses, cats, and rabbits, everyone split into their own groups to explore the festive market. Unfortunately, Maki was stuck following Kaito towards the Ferris Wheel, occupied by Rantaro, Kirumi, and Korekiyo. The line was empty and no payment clerk was waiting to collect their money. The Ferris Wheel paused at the bottom, the metal gates swinging open. Maki froze at the top of the stairs, meanwhile Rantaro and Kirumi stepped into one of the empty buckets. Their silhouette minorally obscured by the glass walls. 

“Kaito, I can’t.” Maki said quietly, staring up at the top of the Ferris Wheel. 

Kaito hesitated, clearly wanting to get on but making no move to do so. In fact, he stepped back onto the entrance ramp. “No problem! Not all of us are built for the stars!”

Korekiyo hummed softly, making the couple jump in surprise, forgetting he was there. “If it’s all the same, Maki could wait down here while you enjoy the ride. I myself was planning on doing the same.”

Kaito hesitated. 

Korekiyo produced a green camera, offering it to Maki. “We could take pictures.”

Maki narrowed her eyes at Korekiyo, half wary. It rubbed her the wrong way that out of all the students in the Academy, Kiyo was the only one she never heard coming. It was like he could kill her, and she’d never even know to be on guard. 

“That alright, Maki Roll?” Kaito asked, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. 

“What are you guys waiting for?” Rantaro called. “The Ferris Wheel’s gonna start soon.”

Maki sighed, taking the offered camera. “It’s fine. Go have fun.”

“You’re the best, Maki Roll!” Kaito grinned, rushing off to join Rantaro and Kirumi in their glass bucket that will soon be over a hundred feet in the air. 

Maki stood stiffly by the railing, watching as the death machine flashed green and the metal gates fell closed before the wheel began turning, lifting them slowly higher. 

“Curious that an assassin doesn’t do well with heights.” Korekiyo supposed casually, lifting the camera to snap a picture of Rantaro waving through the glass. 

Maki huffed. “How is that any of your business?”

The anthropologist shrugged. “Merely an observation.”

And so, the two waited in awkward silence for the others to return from their ride.

Meanwhile, Kaito and Rantaro were having a great time as the Ferris Wheel paused at the top of the wheel, overlooking the entire park. There was a dot of bright yellow and some pink hovering near the shopping places. The lights were bright and cheerful from up high. The trio could even see an ice slide and skating rink from this height, along with puffs of chimney smoke coming from the more food centric stalls.

“The two of you seem to be enjoying yourself.” Kirumi noted, a touch amused as she herself sat properly in her seat, unconcerned with the swaying of the bucket as Rantaro and Kaito strained to look up over the glass barrier. 

Kaito grinned. “Of course! There hasn’t been any way to get an aerial view like this since Halloween!”

Rantaro nodded in agreement. “The view reminds me of my adventuring days.”

“You seem composed, Kirumi. Are you a height lover, too?” Kaito pointed out.

Kirumi shrugged delicately. “I wouldn’t say I’m a lover of high places. But they do not bother me. I have had many jobs where traveling in helicopters and cargo planes was necessary.”

“That’s awesome! Did you ever jump outta one?” Kaito asked. 

“Naturally.”

Rantaro chuckled. “Kirumi once had to airdrop into an active war zone to rescue a duke’s child during a minor revolt. Isn’t that right?”

“No way!”

Kirumi tilted her chin up minutely, proud. “I did what was bid of me at the time. As that is what it means to serve with selfless devotion.”

Rantaro sighed, fond. “I need to take you to do something fun. Honestly, you should do something for yourself some time.”

Kirumi waved him off politely. “There is no need for concern. I enjoy performing my duty to all of you.”

Kaito clapped Rantaro on the back. “Nah, the dude’s right! You need a break. You’re always doing so much for us.”

Kirumi smiled, a touch sly. “Oh? I suppose the kitchen would clean itself after meals then?”

Kaito floundered for a moment. 

Kirumi laughed faintly. “It was just a joke. Rantaro taught me how to do them.”

Rantaro rubbed a hand through his hair as the Ferris. “Don’t say it like that…”

Eventually, the Ferris Wheel pulled to a stop at the bottom of the rotation, the metal gates swinging open. Maki and Korekiyo were still waiting for them, although Maki had been another five feet of distance between them and Kiyo was pretending not to notice. 

“Did you take pictures?” Rantaro asked, meeting Korekiyo at the gate. 

“Kehehe…do not think so little of me.” Korekiyo offered the second camera to Rantaro. “Maki took some as well.”

Maki sent him an alarmed glare moments before she was confronted by Kaito, overflowing with gratitude and demanding to see the photographs even though there was no way to show them with that specific model. 

***

Elsewhere in the plaza, Himiko and Kaede had found the Warmhaus near the back of the event. There was a live band playing Christmas music, although the musicians were colored solid blue or pink. Kaede had attempted to speak with them enthusiastically only to deflate slightly when they didn’t react to her at all. However, she was soon reinvigorated when the pianist stopped a snow white piano rested at the back of the venue, the dark keys painted red while holy and garland decorated the fallboard. 

Eventually, Ryoma, Angie, and Tenko joined the duo in the deserted Warmhaus, the snow on their shoulders begin to defrost as they balanced steaming cups of hot chocolate, pretzels, Bratwurst, and other delicacies obtained from the NPC managed food stalls. Ryoma had a autumn-colored scarf thrown around his shoulders carelessly, hand too full of items to adjust it. Meanwhile Angie walked beside him, adjusting her own golden scarf, hats, and mittens. 

She showed them off to Himiko when they sat at a table near Kaede. “Look, Himiko! Aren’t these so devine! I’ve never experienced such cold weather before coming here! Atua keeps my island warm all year!”

“Nyeh..? Just how foreign are you?” Himiko frowned at the bubbly girl. 

“Nyahaha! My island is quite far from Japan!”

Ryoma humphed. “This kinda weather ain’t nothing compared to the prison yards.”

Himiko and Tenko glanced at each other nervously. What a buzz kill!

Angie bumped their shoulders, reaching over to finally adjust the autumn scarf. “Well, now you’re here in Atua’s paradise! We’re free to worship Atua in this perfect place forever!”

“Angie! I thought we all still wanted to leave the End Wall!” Tenko complained.

The artist shrugged, pulling out a camera and leaning back to snap a picture of Himiko and Tenko, somehow framing Ryoma on the side, with Kaede on her piano behind them all. “That’s just your greed talking, Tenko. What else could you possibly want? We have friends, warm food, houses…we even get to enjoy these wonderful holidays together! Atua has truly blessed us all!”

Ryoma adjusted his hat. “Whatever makes you happy, I suppose.”

Angie beamed at him before turning towards the pianist, “Kaede! Come join us. Atua has created this wonderful thing called Bratwurst and Baumstriezel !”

“Kaede!” Tenko repeated, poking the pianist’s arm when they went ignored. 

“Oh, sorry! I tend to get caught up in playing…” Kaede laughed awkwardly. 

Angie nodded, pushing a chimney cake towards her. “I understand! It’s hard to ignore Atua’s divine inspiration!”

***

It seemed no surprise that it was Kokichi and Kaito who found the Winterbahn in the back corner of the plaza. After climbing several stairs to the top of the embankment, a track cut into six feet of snow was visible winding down the other side before snaking back around to spit out the riders back by the plaza. Several felt and rubber inner tubes in various colors lined the edge of the track. 

Shuichi gave the entire attraction an apprehensive look. Maki didn’t seem entirely thrilled with the idea either. 

Kiibo prodded at one of the inner tubes with his foot. “Are you sure this is safe?”

Miu scoffed. “”Course it is! Do you doubt my genius!”

“All the time!” Kokichi chirped, though he was currently yanking a blue inner tube towards the ramp. “Come on, Shumai, you don’t get to sit this one out!”

“Ah, umm,” Shuichi looked helplessly to Maki, who ignored him, and Kaito, who flashed him a grin and a thumbs up. “Okay.”

“You too, Maki Roll!” Kaito shouted, hooking an arm around her shoulders. 

Maki sent an alarmed look towards Shuichi, but the detective didn’t notice because Kokichi was already kicking his inner tube down the ramp, quick to follow after. “Do you want to die?”

“That’s the spirit!” Kaito steered her towards the next pair of purple inner tubes and collapsed into one, grinning. 

Maki was slower to comply but once she was seated, Kaito dragged her inner tube over the edge, the weight yanking his own tube over the edge as well. For the few seconds it took for Kaito’s weight to tip off the ramp, Maki felt apprehensively tight like a spring. Then they went over and gravity took over, the pair of them shooting down the snow ramp, walls of snow to either side keeping them on track. As they raced by, snow and ice swirled up around them, leaving a trail of glittering frost behind them as she twisted and turned, inner tubes slamming against each other on occasion. All too soon, the inner tubes rounded the final corner and were spit them out onto a large black tarp free of snow. Kokichi and Shuichi were already off the tarp, dragging their inner tubes behind them, snow and ice sticking to their hair and clothes. 

Kaito was laughing delightedly, which only seemed to increase in volume when he saw Maki. Her hair was windswept, snow sticking to the dark strands and eyelashes. Maki scowled at him. 

“But you’re so cute, Maki Roll.” Kaito waved his hands placatingly, still chuckling. 

“Do you wanna die?”

“We should get these tubes off the track.” Kaito said, ignoring her threat entirely. “Come on!”

The assassin rolled her eyes, dragging her inner tube off the tarp just as Miu and Kiibo came careening off the snow ramp. 

“Hah-hahaha!” Miu laughed, “That was better than sex! We gotta do that again!”

Kiibo seemed disorientated as she wobbled to stand. “I think I’ll just watch this time.”

***

Later, Korekiyo, Rantaro, and Kirumi were wandering around the food markets. Rantaro was nibbling a giant pretzel, while Kirumi was attempting to eat a caramel apple as neatly as she could without getting her gloves sticky. Korekiyo was sipping some Oma Müller, a German spiced wine, through a straw and the opening of his mask, talking amicably about the fermentation of such wine. 

During their wandering, Korekiyo and Rantaro discovered that both of them knew German, at least enough to translate the German version of menus on all the booths. Eventually, the trio met up with Tsumugi, who was pondering the Monocoin prices of spools of alpaca wool. 

Additionally, they spotted some of their classmates testing out the Ferris Wheel or the Witnerbahn. 

“This has been a truly delightful day, has it not?” Korekiyo supposed as he finished the last of his Glühwein . “I wonder what beauty I can experience in the coming year.”

Rantaro halted, pretzel forgotten. “You say that as if we’ve given up on escape.”

Kirumi hummed. “We have been unable to leave for an entire year, Rantaro. While I dislike being the bearer of bad news, it does seem likely that…”

“I don’t have time to think like that.” Rantaro said curtly. “I have people outside who are depending on me.”

Korekiyo inclined his head. “While that might be true, it still does not change the fact that we cannot leave.”

Rantaro tore a piece off his pretzel, examining it solemnly. He hadn’t given up in nearly a decade searching the world for his sisters, even when everyone said he should consider them dead. He hadn’t given up in ten years . What was one more being told the same thing? Rantaor couldn’t shake the feeling of despair welling in his throat though. He had spent an entire year trapped within the End Wall, making no progress on searching for them. He truly was an Ultime Terrible Big Brother. 

Korekiyo placed a hand on his shoulder. “Do not despair. Monokuma will grow tired of us eventually and we may leave.”

Kirumi nodded in agreement. “Or perhaps the others will find an alternative route of escape.”

“I hope so.” Rantaro murmured, looking up at the End Wall high above their heads. 

***

The final few hours were upon the students, most of whom were full from the different offerings or spending their Monocoins on the vendors selling clothes, scarves, socks, ornaments, and other nicknacks. However, there was still one attraction that Kokichi hadn’t done yet. One that he was determined to do with Shuichi before the end of the night: ice skating. 

The ice skating rink was near the Warmehaus, which Kokichi had only popped into briefly before deciding warming up wasn’t worth the extra cold it would be when he left. So now, he and Shuichi are tying razorblades to their feet in the hopes of being romantic, and not accidentally killing each other with them. The rink was covered, with bright lines and garlent snaking through the rafters. 

There was only one little issue…neither of them knew how to ice skate. Now usually, in those cringey romance movies that Kokichi gagged about every time Miu forced them to sit down and watch one, at least one of the couple knew how to skate, and then they helped the other, and blah blah blah. But nope, neither of them knew what they hell they were doing. 

And it was evident the moment they stepped out onto the ice and went sprawling. 

“Wow, Shumai. I thought you’d be better at this.” Kokichi deadpanned, legs and hands cold from laying on the ice. 

“Ah, sorry.” Shuichi murmured, lifting himself back up and reaching down to help Kokichi. 

Even though Kokichi isn’t exactly heavy , the difference in weight when Kokichi yanked to pull himself up, sent the pair of them sprawling back out on the ice. The supreme leader huffed in annoyance. 

“I’m going to find whoever made this rink and have them sent to Antartica! Maybe then they’ll learn to make a skating rink properly !” 

“I think we’re just bad at this.” Shuichi supposed, regaining his footing and leaving Kokichi to fend for himself. Some boyfriend!

But Kokichi managed to hoist himself up, refusing to use the wall for help even though it took him a few extra tries. He spun his arms to stay balanced for a moment, grinning when he stayed upright. Shuichi had only made it about another two feet before cartwheeling his arms, clutching onto the railing. 

“Maaan,” Kokichi whined, carefully making his way over to the detective. “You didn’t need to suggest this to impress me if you suck at it, Shumai!”

Kokichi stumbled on the last step, bumping into Shuichi. Miraculously--thanks to the railing--neither of them fell back onto the cold ice. “Umm, weren’t you the one to suggest this?”

“Nuh-uh! Are you calling me a liar!?”

Shuichi huffed a small laugh. “Yes.”

Kokichi gasped in mock horror. “Shuichi, beloved, are you doubting my love for you too!? How mean!!”

Clumsily, and slower than he usually reacts to the fake tears, Shuichi tried to pull Kokichi closer against him, still clutching the railing with one hand. “N-not about that! You suggested this because you like me.”

Kokichi blinked at the other blankly. “No faaaair. It’s no fun when you guess it right away.”

“Ah, sorry?” The other offered. 

Kokichi snickered, smirking at his beloved detective as a devious idea came to mind. “I don’t believe you! If you truly love me…let go of the railing.”

“We’re gonna fall.” Shuichi pointed out, but did release the railing. 

“Problem for future us.” Kokichi dismissed, waving a hand.

“I don’t think that’s--”

And down they went again. Kokichi popped his head up first. “Nishishi. We really suck at this!”

“I suppose we do.”

“I’m bored of this lovely dovey stuff.” Kokichi hummed. “Let’s go find the mistletoe instead!”

“Alright.”

And that was when they realized that they were still a whole five feet away from the exit.

Chapter Text

With all the students having been within the tree farm or Christmas market, the Ultimate Academy had been left abandoned for the better part of two days. Because of this, Monokuma and his Kubs were given complete freedom. And on the third day of Christmas, the entire Academy had been completely redecorated for the holidays. Strangely, the student dormitory had been untouched, leaving the decorations to the students, but everything else was covered in tinsel, snow, ornaments, lights, and garland. Every door had a wreath with bells attached, all the lights had baubles dangling from them, the hallways were lined with garland, and sparkling Christmas framed each doorway and window frame. Even the labs weren’t spared the Christmas-y treatment. 

Which leads to Kaede’s newest idea: caroling. 

Of course, everyone would be in the piano lab with her on keys. A few mismatched percussion instruments were dug up from the warehouse but most of it was makeshift for drums like upturned buckets. 

And then she had to herded everyone into her lab, which took more effort than she thought it would. But the real headache came with trying to get everyone to harmonize. Shuichi, Kirumi, and Maki were compliant enough. But it felt like Kokichi was purposefully going off note, which resulted in bickering between Kaito, Miu, and Kokichi. Kiibo had been given the triangle (even with Miu’s voice changer, his singing needed some work) and sat dejectedly in the corner. Kaito had demanded to be on drums, seemingly on a whim and ignoring the others to make his own beat. 

Angie seemed more interested in humming her own little tune and shaking her tambourine. Ryoma gave Kaede a pitying look and a shrug. Rantaro had convinced Korekiyo to pull out the guqin and erhu from the back of his anthropologist lab. So having strings following Kaede’s meter made it less ear-bleeding. Himiko seemed content to doze throughout the entire thing, meanwhile giving Tenko the cymbals wasn’t the best idea Kaed’es ever had. Tsumugi was attempting to help Gonta not shake the maracas so hard. 

Eventually the cacophony of noise became too much and, to her own regret, Kaede banged on her piano keys in frustration. “C’mon guys! We’ve gotta work together on this!”

Kokichi played a sharp note on his makeshift note, snickering at the wince it got out of Kaito. 

“Knock off that crap!” Kaito shouted, pointing a wooden drumstick at the liar. 

Rantaro scratched his head, chuckling. “I don’t think you’re gonna get so many…personalities to make something traditionally harmonious.”

Kirumi inclined her head to that, delicately holding Kiyo’s ceramic Ocarina. 

Kaede pouted. “But that’s not the point !”

Even though Kaede was complaining, the others hadn’t really stopped playing their instruments. Rantaro also started playing again while Kaede stared at all her friends. While it wasn’t the most…stable harmony. It was distinctly them . And after a few moments listening to the temp of the others, did Kaede finally turn back around and begin to play. Her piano floated between the others, and eventually, a chaotic but harmonious melody began to fill the Ultimate Academy.

Chapter Text

Maki didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary on the eleventh day of Christmas. In fact, she could be forgiven for ignoring the abundance of Christmas lights lining everything as the Monokubs scrambling to put the last final touches on the light show before Monokuma found out they forgot. She could even be forgiven for ignoring the rambunctious laughter of Miu followed by the stumbling, pathetic excuses that followed when Kiibo asked her about her latest inventions. It was usual behavior, even if Tsumugi seemed to be plotting with them lately. 

The assassin sighed as she stepped out of the dormitory, Kaito practically vibrating with excitement beside her as he held open the glass door. As if that would let her get a better view of the Christmas lights that covered every available surface. Suspension cords circled the Christmas tree in silver bulbs. There were red light reindeer standing in the courtyard. The tree and bushes were loaded up with so many blue and green lights, it was a wonder they were still upright. 

And the school . 

Maki sighed. It wasn’t even six pm yet . It was going to be a long night. 

“C’mon, Maki Roll!” Kaito was already grabbing her hand and pulling her along towards the school. 

The main foyer had dozens of strings of purple lights dangling from the ceiling, twinkling as the pair moved through them. The hallways were ringed floor to ceiling in looping patterns of red, green, and white. The wall wasn’t visible through all the electricity. Kaito’s shirt was glowing in the black light.

Maki ignored the fact that most of her clothing was glowing.

While exploring the glowing Ultimate Academy, Maki and Kaito came across some of the other students also enjoying the light show. Kaede and Tenko were the most hyper ones, running down the halls trying not to trip on all the wires. Gonta and Angie were the slowest going through all the rooms, wonderstruck. Meanwhile, Rantaro and Korekiyo seemed content to argue about what monster the sea snake Christmas light display on the third floor was supposed to portray. 

LED candy canes, frozen elves, and a 2D sleigh lined the walls of the second floor. The fourth floor, which Maki had been dreading--not because she was afraid of the haunted atmosphere, but because Kaito was with her--was surprisingly nice. Gone were the broken floorboards and drafty space, blood stains wiped clean. In their place was what Maki could only describe as a forest. Thousands of pink and purple light strings fell from the ceiling, which was already covered in projector lights of blue, green, red, and thick cables to mimic tree branches. Blue butterflies and snowmen littered the floor, which waved or spun in place when they passed. 

But if that was impressive, even Maki had to begrudgingly acknowledge the fifth floor’s cathedral looked stunning . Silver lights clung to the pillars and railings, flower patterns in pale blue or green between them. All accompanied by the cobalt blue moonlight that streamed through the pink and white stained windows overlooking the stairs. 

By the time Maki and Kaito finished, Maki’s eyes were bleeding from all the lights. 

Kaito thought it was amazing. 

And, well, so long as he had fun. Perhaps it wasn’t all that terrible.