Chapter 22: Ex-villains day out: Christmas edition

Seasons: FWPCSS, FPC, SPC, GPPC

Characters: Michiru K. Kaoru K. Setsuna H. Ellen K. Towa A.

Summary: A special Christmas blessing they want to give

"Welcome to Hope Kingdom," Towa beamed as she led her friends into her palace.

"Merry Christmas-pafu!" Pafu came to greet the girls.

Since Towa suspected all of them (except Ellen) weren't used to large scale royal greetings, so she told all the maids and heralds to tend to other businesses beforehand.

But of course, Pafu's adorableness is the best greeting there is.

"Pafu! Wait-roma!" Aroma was following her at top speed, "Your hat..."

Before he could arrive, Michiru already solved the problem, "Thank you, Pafu. Here, your Christmas hat is going to fall."

"Ah..." Aroma arrived, panting, "Thank you-roma... Michiru-san..."

"You're welcome."

Setsuna looked around, "At any rate, I still cannot believe you could let us stay for a sleepover in your palace! And on Christmas Eve, no less! Originally, I only wanted to see your beautiful kingdom. Thank you so much, Towa!"

"It's no problem at all," Towa replied, "I'm happy to spend Christmas with my friends as well. And I'm honoured that you think highly of our kingdom."

"Don't forget our other purpose now," Kaoru reminded the girls.

"Don't worry, how could we forget?" Ellen assured her, "But we won't act until late night, right? So now..."

"Please enjoy yourselves-pafu (/-roma)!" Pafu and Aroma finished for her.

"Today was really fun!" Michiru exclaimed as they all entered their shared bedroom.

"Let's rest now," Ellen suggested, "We still have things to do."

"That's right. We're lucky that we don't have sleepyheads like Saki among us," Kaoru giggled shortly.

"So when exactly should we head out?" Setsuna asked.

"I set an alarm for 2 o'clock in the morning," Towa said, "For now, goodnight."

2:00

Almost all five girls woke up instantly when the alarm sounded.

"Michiru, are you awake?" Kaoru asked her twin sister.

"Of course, I'm actually feeling quite ecstatic right now," Michiru giggled.

"Okay, let's start planning," Ellen pointed out, "Where should we go first?"

"We can go to my teammates' homes first," Towa said, retrieving her bag as the others retrieved their own, "I wonder how would they feel."

"Alright, gather around, everyone," Setsuna took out her Linkrun, "Let's set out."

A red light teleported the girls away.

Haruka's home

"Okay, everyone, lower your voice," Ellen whispered.

Kaoru switched on the electric lantern she brought along, "Can everyone see clearly?"

"Yes."

"Towa, it's your cue," Michiru pointed at the sleeping Haruka.

"Right," Towa replied, she walked to her friend's bed and put down something in the Christmas stocking silently.

"Wow, you put a lot of effort into the wrapping paper, didn't you?" Setsuna noted.

"What did you give Haruka?" Ellen enquired.

"Let's talk later," Towa shushed them, "Now, onward to Minami's place."

Love's home

"Is it strange to do this when your room is just next door?" Kaoru asked quietly as they arrived.

"A little bit, yes," Setsuna replied, "I live in Labyrinth now but this will always be my home, that's what Love said to me."

"Well, that's exactly why we're on this mission," Michiru pointed out, "to give thanks."

"No one here would ever forget, Michiru," Kaoru said.

Setsuna placed a little item in Love's Christmas stocking, "Okay, let's go."

Hibiki's home

Ellen shushed everyone as they arrived, "Shh... Hibiki has good ears, we need to be extra careful with this one."

The other four gave her 'ok' signs and thumb-ups.

Ellen tiptoed towards Hibiki's bed and put down her presents very slowly, so that not even the slightest sound would be made.

She turned back to the others, the next second, they already teleported away.

Saki's home

All the girls couldn't help but let out soft giggles when they saw Saki's sleeping posture.

"She'll catch a cold like this," Michiru shook her head and retrieved Saki's blanket, which was almost on the floor.

Only after that did she took out her gift and put in inside Saki's Christmas stocking.

Meanwhile, Kaoru was doing something a little different. While everyone was only giving presents to their teammates, Kaoru had one more gift to prepare.

As well as one more thank to give.

She was on the other half of Saki's room, or more accurately, Minori's room.

"Merry Christmas, Minori-chan," Kaoru said softly, "Hope you like your Christmas present."

On Boxing Day, in Yumegahama

Haruka and Yui were shopping, and they just so happen to see Kirara.

"Kirara-chan!" Haruka called out to her, "Don't tell me you have work even in Christmas holiday!"

"Hi, Haruharu," Kirara waved back, "No, I don't have work today... but tomorrow..."

"Cheer up," Yui said, "Here, we have Marble Donuts!"

"Yeah! Thank you! Don't mind if I do!"

"Say, Kirara-chan," Haruka asked, "Did you happen to find an unexpected present today when you unwrap them? Me and Yui-chan both did, Minami-san as well."

"Eh? You did too?" Kirara said sceptically, "I received a star necklace, it goes so well with the new dress I bought."

"So you did too," Haruka replied, "I got a flower bracelet, just as I wanted. And this morning when Minami-san called, she said she received a book on marine life that she has never seen before."

"I got a canvas frame," Yui added, "and I was just distressing over the fact that it was a bit expensive for me to buy."

"Hmm... who in the world did all this?"

In Clover Town

Another town where the Cures were eating donuts.

"Miki, Buki," Love asked, "What did you receive for Christmas? I got something really special, happiness get!"

"I got something special too," Inori answered, "My old notebook I used to jot down animal facts was full, I received a brand new one! I don't think my parents know about this."

"Me too," Miki said, "There was this new perfume essence I wanted to try, and I got a little flask of it."

"Not as curious as mine," Love interrupted, "I got a bracelet with a pink clover pendant, and it doesn't look like plastic. I'm sure my parents wouldn't waste money on some expensive bracelet, right?"

"This sure is strange..."

Kanon Town

"Hey, Kanade!" Hibiki called out from afar, and started running towards her.

"Hi," Kanade was at the front door of Lucky Spoon, "Did you drop by on purpose?"

"I did," Hibiki replied, "Well, and my reason is not just cupcake. Kanade, did you receive anything special for Christmas?"

"Eh? Ako asked me the same thing when she came to buy cupcakes this morning. Don't tell me you did too?"

"Remember the sheet music collection I said I wanted? Well, I got one. I was starting to suspect that you somehow gave it to me."

"Well, it's not me, I received something too. I ran out of my favourite chocolate pen last week, remember? I didn't have the time to look for it and buy it, but apparently someone gave a pack to me."

"What does this mean?" Hibiki pondered.

"It means that this secret Santa knows us well," Kanade deduced, "Ako said she received a handmade music box, it was a song that she loved but she could never find a music box of it."

"This is creeping you out?" Hibiki asked.

"Not quite, I'm just curious, and I even have a hunch..."

In Pan-Paka-Pan

"Eh?" Saki exclaimed, "Mai, you got something out of the ordinary too?"

"Yes," Mai answered, "You know I recently wanted to try watercolour painting? I received a watercolour set and even the right type of paper."

"I received a new pair of baking gloves to replace my old one that I accidentally burnt a hole in last week. And that's not even the strangest thing, Minori—"

"Mai-oneechan!" Saki was interrupted by none other than Minori herself, "Hello!"

"Hello, Minori-chan," Mai smiled, "You seem to be very happy today."

"Yes, I am!" Minori was grinning from ear to ear, "Because I received two presents from Santa!"

"Oh really? What are they?"

"I got this sketchbook, now I can draw like you, Mai-oneechan!"

"Our parents bought that one," Saki whispered to Mai.

"And then," Minori continued, "Look! Santa gave me a pair of new hair clips!"

"Wow, they are so pretty!" Mai said.

"Minori," Saki cut in, "go show Korone your new hair clips, he would like them."

"Really? Okay!" the little girl ran off.

"Minori wanted new hair clips, remember? But mom said that she should use her old ones. There's no way our parents got her those hair clips," Saki told Mai.

"Saki, those hair clips seem to be handmade," Mai pointed out, "Our secret Santa doesn't seem to have much budget either."

"You have a clue?"

"I have a guess..."

End of Chapter 22

A/N: Merry Christmas, readers! Wish you a joyfukl year to come!