Knock knock knock.

Ding dong.

"Coming," called Azami, as Tsukasa and Rindou followed him to the door. As it opened, the Headmaster couldn't help but smile at the ridiculosity of this entire affair. After all, the front yard was now lined with birds and cows, and smack in the middle of it all stood a smirking boy with a confident stance.

The Headmaster simply nodded in approval. "Ah, Yukihira Soma. I suppose I should've guessed you'd join in on this at some point."

Soma simply nodded back at him. "When Nakiri gave me the invite, I couldn't help but accept, Nakamura-senpai! After all, caroling is an important part of every Yukihira-style Christmas!"

With that, he whipped out his headband and apron, as if preparing for a shokugeki, and began to enthusiastically sing,

"On the ninth day of Christmas, Isshiki gave to me: nine ladies dancing!"

Perfectly on cue, a kick-line of similarly dressed women appeared behind him, which included Sakaki Ryoko, Yoshino Yuki, Hojo Miyoko, Sadatsuka Nao, and Fumio-san.

"Eight maids a-milking", Tsukasa added, suddenly being handed a glass of fresh milk, which he proceeded to drink.

"Seven swans a-swimming,"

"Six geese a-laying,"

"FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!" Rindou chanted, waving her glimmering right hand in Tsukasa's face as if to remind him of their faux engagement.

With a smile, Megumi added, "Four calling birds,"

"Three French hens"

"Two turtle doves"

"And a partridge in a pear tree!"

Then, Tadokoro Megumi ran up to her cooking partner and best friend, calling out, "Soma-kun, you were amazing!"

He grinned. "You too, Tadokoro."

The pair high-fived, as he cried out his normal catchphrase of "Glad you liked it!"

Nakiri Azami just shook his head, grinning, as Alice, unsurprisingly, thanked him for his time once more.

"Well? Did you enjoy it?" Rindou pestered on the way back to the meeting room.

"It wasn't terrible," the headmaster conceded.

"I'll take it! You're officially out of the Grinch zone, Headmaster!"

Tsukasa sighed deeply as they entered the meeting hall. "You're always so excited, Rindou. How do you have so much energy?"

"How could you NOT be excited!? Christmas is just around the corner!"

"I know, but it's just gonna be another meeting day, right?"

Hayama Akira stood up, butting in with a sudden realization.

"Yeah… come to think of it, we still have a meeting on Christmas Day, and all throughout the holidays, too, right?"

The Headmaster frowned. "Why yes, I suppose we do. Why do you ask?"

The ninth seat simply shook his head. "I don't know. I mean, traditionally, the 12 days of Christmas start on Christmas and continue after into January. I'm sure Nakiri know that, and yet, she chose to start her caroling sessions so they would end ON Christmas. Why?"

Azami pondered, "To spread the Christmas spirit in advance, perhaps?"

Hayama considered this, still unsure. "But why would she want to spread the Christmas spirit to us?"

There were simply shrugs and mumbles among the Council; no one could come up with a decent reason why a group of rebels would want to cheer up their biggest enemies.

That question seemed to linger in the meeting room air, as the Central students hesitantly began to discuss the fates of those same carolers that had performed for them minutes before.

To be continued...