December 23rd — Two Days Before Christmas
Tokyo glowed with the warmth of festive lights, trees twinkling on every street corner, and the scent of roasted chestnuts lingering in the frosty air. The Christmas Parade marched down the boulevard — massive floats shaped like Essence Beasts (tamed ones), kids in reindeer costumes, and artificial snow machines blasting white flurries into the air.
Music played. Laughter echoed. Families gathered. It was almost perfect.
Until it wasn't.
With a deafening crack, one of the snow floats exploded, shards of metal and plastic flying through the air. Screams followed. A B-Rank Essence Beast—a jagged, frost-covered serpent with glowing purple eyes—slithered into view, having emerged from a spontaneous Rift opening.
Panic.
People ran.
The beast opened its jaws wide.
But in a blur of light, it was struck by a burst of silver and blue.
Riku Hayashi stood between it and the crowd, his hood falling off as his glowing eyes narrowed. The Essence shimmered around him like a divine storm held in check.
[AI ACTIVE: Rift Origin Identified. Beast Level: Mid B-Rank. Recommend non-lethal suppression.]
"I wasn't planning to kill it," Riku muttered.
In one sweeping motion, he knocked the beast back with a compressed wave of Essence, freezing its limbs in place with a focused strike of Essence Bind: Tempest Grasp. The ground shattered beneath it, and within seconds the authorities arrived.
The crowd roared with cheers.
"Riku! He saved Christmas!"
"Hayashi-senpai, we love you!"
Kids waved at him. Snow continued to fall.
Riku exhaled and turned, eyes softening. "Time to do what I actually came here for…"
Later That Day — Downtown Tokyo
Riku walked into the shopping district, his hands in his coat pockets as he passed decorated stores. Snowflakes clung to his hair. Lights reflected in his calm blue eyes.
"You have seven people to shop for," the AI reminded him."Would you like a compiled wish list? I've scanned their behavior, conversations, and online activity."
He smirked. "Why not."
"Confirmed. Here's what they want."
1. Takumi Kuroda
"A customized dual-blade set, inscribed with his family's crest. He's been saving up for one."→ Riku visits a private forge, has two blacksteel blades crafted and engraved with the Kuroda sigil.
2. Renji Tatsuya
"Limited-edition 'Battle Wraith X' manga box set and a holographic Rift Beast collector card."→ Riku buys the full collector's box set and finds the rarest holographic card in Akihabara.
3. Yuki Hayashi (his little sister)
"Stuffed animal dragon that glows in the dark, and snow bunny boots."→ Riku gets her a dragon plush that lights up and a pink pair of snow boots with bunny ears.
4. Sayuri Hayashi (his mother)
"A framed photo of the family with Riku and Yuki, and new herbal tea imported from Essence Isle."→ He prints a crystal-clear photo of them and buys her a luxury Essence-imbued tea blend.
5. Reina Aozora
"A music Essence orb that plays ambient calming sounds. She's been stressed lately."→ Riku buys her a custom orb that plays calming ocean waves and soft flute melodies.
6. Yumi Aoyama
"She hasn't said it out loud, but she keeps eyeing the moonstone combat earrings from the fashion stall. Also wants more time training with Riku."→ He buys her the moonstone earrings and wraps them in silver cloth, adding a small note: "For the one who always had my back."
7. AI (in his head)
"Wants to be acknowledged and upgraded to full integration. Also wants a name."→ Riku uploads a custom upgrade code into his AI's core and says aloud:"From now on… I'm calling you Kairo.""…Acknowledgment received," the AI said quietly."Thank you, Riku."
By nightfall, he walked home, bags slung over his back, snow still falling softly.
The day had started with chaos, but ended in peace.
Riku paused under a streetlight, looked up at the sky, and thought:"Yeah… I think this is gonna be a good Christmas."