Hi hi! Thank you so much for reading this fic, which is now the... third? fourth? iteration of NA12! For context, this is something I first wrote a few years ago, and I repost it with new edits and some additional content every year, starting on December 14th (today!).

The main plot was written back when the second round of the Regiment de Cuisine was still being published, so sorry if some of the characters (especially the Elite Ten) don't seem entirely accurate.

This fic is kind of random at times, but I still find it a lot of fun to write and edit every year, so I sincerely hope you enjoy reading it, too!
Have fun!

Knock knock knock.

Ding-dong.

"Who on Earth could that be?"

That was how it all began. On that particular December 14th, Headmaster Nakiri Azami was incredibly annoyed, even more so than his usual irritation with life. After all, he was holding a meeting with the new Elite Ten about a most unpleasant topic: how to best dispose of the rebel scum who opposed Central's plans. The upcoming promotion exams should take care of them all, he thought. The question was whether or not the Elite Ten would need to get involved.

Just as the discussion had begun, however, they were interrupted by a resounding knock on the door. As he wasn't expecting anyone himself, the significantly urked headmaster turned to the others in the room and demanded, "Did someone order food again?"

The Elite Ten's attention turned to Kobayashi Rindou, who just shook her head with a grin and denied, "It wasn't me, this time."

Azami scowled. "Well, someone should get the door." The pale man's ebony eyes expectantly glared at each one of the Elite Ten members in turn. In the absence of any action, he sighed, got up from the head of the table, and unnecessarily said, "Fine, I'll get it."

In a few short boot-lengths, he reached the door and opened it. Much to his disappointment, it was his niece, with her personal aide in tow.

"Hello, Uncle Azami!" sang Nakiri Alice, who seemed unusually exuberant for someone standing outside in the cold.

"What do you want, Alice?" Azami replied flatly.

"We're Christmas caroling!" she cheered, completely unfazed by his unenthusiastic response.

The headmaster blinked. "…But it's not Christmas."

"We know, but just, listen!"

With that exclaimed, she turned to face her aide beside her. In his gloved hands sat a single small shrub. "Ryou-kun!" chirped Alice, and the muscular young man cleared his throat and began to sing:

"On the first day of Christmas, Milady gave to me," his deep voice rang out, "a partridge in a pear tree!" Now grinning slightly, Kurokiba held up his small bonsai, gesturing to the small bird inside. After a beat of silence, Alice burst into mad applause.

The headmaster just stared at them blankly. " . . . That's it?" he questioned, annoyed that he had even answered the door.

"Yep!" Alice enthused. "Thank you for your time!" With that, the two teenagers sprinted back towards their ward of the house.

Nakiri Azami just stood there for a few more seconds in utter disbelief and disappointment. He blinked twice, shut the door, locked it, turned around, and slowly trudged back to the meeting room.

"Who was it?" pondered Rindou, bouncing in her chair.

"No one important," replied Azami dismissively.

"But wasn't that Nakiri-chan and Kurokiba-kun?" the second seat countered.

"Yes, unfortunately," he muttered unenthusiastically. Hayama Akira sat up in his seat, suddenly curious.

Kinokuni Nene looked at her headmaster, concerned. "Isn't she your niece?"

"Yes, unfortunately," replied Azami yet again, then continued, "She was... Christmas caroling."

There was a sudden buzz in the room, as the council members shot strange looks at each other. Finally, Saito Soumei mustered up the courage to protest: "But Headmaster... It's not Christma-"

"I KNOW THAT!" Azami screeched, slamming a fist on the table. The room fell deathly silent once more.

Rindou grinned. "Christmas caroling, huh," she chuckled. "Sounds like fun!"

Azami shot her a death glare, then transitioned, "Now, back to the topic at hand..."

And so it begins... Again, thank you for reading! Once again, I will be updating every day from now until Christmas, so you can look forward to that! I know I will :)

Can anyone else imagine Rindou ordering food in the middle of a meeting? I just feel like that's something she would do, even though they go to the best culinary academy in the world. She's kinda one crazy cat, so I tried my best to portray her as such!