"What do you wish for the most in this world, dear?"

The kids who were diagnosed with cancer took turns getting to sit on the superstar girl — Arina Avenira's lap and confide her their inmost souls with journalists and interviewers working in the background.

Rewinded back to two hours earlier, when Arina just finished dressing up as Santa Claus and gathered all her gang members together for this campaign. They sweatdropped at seeing how invested she was in wanting to appear as the most realistic-looking Santa Claus. She stuffed a pillow in the abdomen area and glued a fake white beard to her face, which, sadly, probably wouldn't even be able to fool a little kid that she was Santa Claus, despite all her efforts. The gang just couldn't bring themselves to confess their true thoughts.

"Tonight, my comrades! Will mark the first time we contribute to the goodness of this world! A world FULL of colors! All of you who have been abandoned by society, my comrades — my brothers! Do NOT be let down! Here's the fact — the principle of society is only black and white, and never would it able to see beyond that. Mankind only lives to survive and to be satisfied with the scale of the survival capability but with us who are the embodiment of every color there is on the rainbow, we see beyond those principles, and instead of giving or receiving gifts from our loved ones or to enjoy ourselves through this celebration, we will find a way to make it more meaningful as long as we still live — we will help unfortunate souls to enjoy this celebration as well. Henceforth, society will have to look up to all of you my comrade brothers!"

Her followers broke into cheers and loud applause, whilst Arina grinned in satisfaction. She had been practicing how to give that scripted speech in the most dignified attitude considerably longing to be as good as Asano in persuading his followers and witnessing how effectively he did. And now all that efforts had paid off and the gang members had blindly followed her announcement.

Due to the limited time given, Arina divided the gang into three groups. One with her as the leader and the other two with Ryuuki and Shinya (A/n: if you don't remember this guy for his lack of screen time, he was a leader of a former gang that got annexed with Arina's a while ago) as the leaders. They will each take turns visiting children in every orphanage, hospital, and even on the streets if found within the city. Christmas if not celebrated as Christ's Day, after all, is still a well-worth holiday for the wellness of every child on earth; no more or less; and Arina held a strong belief in that.

And so Chibi, Japana, and a few other members followed Arina's group around the city to greet the kids with homemade gingerbread cookies that they had spent time baking together, including toys and other stuff that Arina had bought. She even dressed the gang up in reindeer costumes, pretty much to their unwillingness, but out of respect, they did.

"We're heading to the orphanage first!" announced Arina smilingly. "And oh, Chibi, make sure to not take that mask off, alright? Or you will spook the kids with your skull tattoo -- not that I think your tattoo is unlovely, dear Chibi, but I guess souls do flow in the same wavelength."

Whilst riding on motorcycles to their destination in groups, bypassers quickly noticed the gang given how much their outfits stood out. And many of them had recognized Arina despite her Santa Claus cosplay and quickly assumed the reindeer group she was traveling with might be the thugs who claimed her as 'Big Sis' in the previous live stream since they had spotted her with them a few times already. But what was their intention?

Out of curiosity, the public followed Arina and her gang all the way to the orphanage as well. There were around seven orphanages in Kunugigaoka City and their group chose to visit the largest one -- the one Arina took Asano to see, whilst the other two were distributed to the rest. Arriving at the place, the orphans excitedly jumped to their feet upon seeing Arina herself, not as Santa Claus.

"Big sis Arina!!" they shouted enthusiastically, rushing to and huddling around her. Arina paled in comparison to their excitement.

"Ohoho! Children, who is big sis Arina again? My name is Saint Nicolas and I'm here to bring joy to all of you! Lemme introduce you to my reindeer friends! Oh, look, here's Rudolf with a big red nose! Say hi to Rudolf~"

Chibi, who played Rudolf, had to get down on his knees and crawl on four limbs. But who on earth would believe this giant human-looking thing, even children? And the fact that Arina still looked distinguishable underneath that costume was not going to help at all. The kids glanced at each other and faced up to Arina.

"Who is Saint Nicolas? I only know big sis Arina!" one clarified.

"That's right!" agreed another.

Arina panicked. Hadn't she done a great job in disguising herself as Santa Claus!? Standing behind the kids were the foster parents of the orphanage as they giggled from being entertained by the girl's failed attempt. Meanwhile, her gang members whispered among each other, "Is this going to work?"

"Alright, you got me, kids!" confessed Arina resignedly, smiling. "But hey-- not quite true!" -- she picked a child up and spun him around whilst they both laughed merrily -- "because I, Arina Avenira, AM the Santa Claus! Merry Christmas!"

She did mean what she said, because she was really the Santa Claus, along with her comrade reindeers as who they were. They played with the orphans, gave away gingerbread cookies. This female Santa Claus even granted them kisses with passion and lingered for quite a time as though their skins were as sweet as candies.

"Big Sis is so good-natured," Japana had to take off his reindeer mask to wipe out tears. He had been constantly wishing to be one of those fortunate orphans as well, as someone with drug-addicted parents who never received this kind of treatment in his life.

Arina got her update about other groups' doing through one of her reindeer whilst brushing a little orphan girl's hair, who was sitting on her lap.

"I'm already imagined that Ryuuki would do good," she smiled, putting the brush away, and began braiding the girl's hair while thinking to herself, 'What a lovely soul, he has always been good-hearted yet people stamp over it, but how dearly glad I am that he's now receiving love from the kids. He must love them very much as well, oh, my fragile heart...For Shinya's headache with the kids, I'm glad he's with Goku and Butaro to cover that up since he isn't quite a kindred to me. I feel like he's more of a kindred to Asano-kun than I do. Despite their harsh exteriors, I genuinely believe deep down somewhere in the heart, there is always a layer of softness that they conceal. Bless them. I really -- really -- really hope that the people they love from the bottom of their hearts will also get to see that, and return a favor. And I would admit -- I would admit that I feel remorseful for misunderstanding my bosom friend Asano-kun on an occasion. I promise you that I won't ever be like that again -- Oh, perhaps this braid should go over here -- How adorable is she? Why does anyone ever want to abandon her? Oh no, my eyes are watery. A Santa Claus oughtn't be teary, my dear Arina! As long as I am still alive, my love for everything will hold things together. I shall walk this life to save the lives of others."

Thereupon more little girls asked for the same hairstyle as the previous one. Arina's hands worked extra hard on all the requests. Yet, she did it without being burned out. Each girl had a unique look that would be suitable for different techniques, and she found joy in running her fingertips on the girls' hair, experimenting and the merry looks on the orphan girls' faces.

"I will never gonna undo my hair ever again!" one of them exclaimed.

The public soon chased up to and lured some journalists and interviewers over as well. With them interrupting, Arina surprisingly did not feel bothered, as for the sake of her comrade brothers. Just as she declared, society will finally acknowledge them and follow in their footsteps. They earned the respect of society.

While the media team was working behind the scene, Ms. Santa Claus and her reindeers were living up to their plans. The reindeers let the orphans ride on their backs, but there was a clear preference for riding on Rudolf the great, big reindeer. This reindeer looked as though it can send you to the other side of the world with only one of its kicks.

Arina was reading the kid stories, and stories which she made up on her own. Sometimes she would tell a story and leave it unfinished, then trigger the kids' imagination by asking them, "Well, now! What might be happening to Mr. Worm after that? Any idea, children?"

She possessed a gentle persona akin to a mother. She was like a mother to all the orphan kids, enfolding them in her arms, kissing them, telling them stories, teaching them, guiding them to be empathetic as a person. And even children with diseases came to see it as well when she visited them at the hospital.

"My friend, what would you wish for, if you ever have a chance to wish?" she dropped her usual energetic tone of voice to be so soft as though a whisper, holding onto the hands of a girl around her age, who got diagnosed with Leukemia.

"I just want to live..." no sign of hope in her eyes. She looked already dead.

"Your wish is already granted," a bright smile flickered across Arina's face, "you will forever live on, always. Death is only an illusion. Now, wave your hand through the air -- if you take everything away, what's left? Nothing. The same thing applies to time. Space and Time are simply the tools for putting everything together. And biocentrism will stand as a testament of strength for humanity. So you ought to make the best of it."

An hour passed and while the kids were still waiting for their turn to greet the famous singer upholstered in that comedic Santa Claus costume with the comrade reindeers accompanying the children and the media team still following them around, the attention was split into two when the main guitarist and leader of 'ONE' also arrived at the hospital.

Asano Gakushuu marched passed the curious public and demanded the receptionists of Arina's location. Normally, they wouldn't give it to anyone, but since Asano was her friend as well as her suspected boyfriend, they revealed it to him without hesitation. And when Arina wide eyes laid on Asano, who slid the door to step into the room she was in, her face dazed, and stood up to her feet, proceeding toward him.

Asano was about to announce to the media in the scene that he was glad to also take part in Arina's activity when that girl again snatched his hands and unexpectedly, whined dramatically:

"A-A-Asano-kun," Arina broke into little tears. Asano winced in confusion, then shifted his gaze to the present people, concerned about her public image. "I have been reconsidering how your mind functions and imagining how I might've hurt you and how shallow I am and even though we aren't too much of a kindred spirit as I assumed I still want you to know that--"

"I'm not hurt," declared Asano, cutting through her sentence. "And let's discuss personal stuff in private."

Thereupon he excused everyone and took Arina outside by the arm. The media quickly captured this moment and wrote articles about their unexplainable relationship.

"Hey! Aren't they just friends?" a reindeer defended.

"You're pretty good at leading the public," smirked Asano after pulling her outside, crossing his arms. Arina blinked. She did not understand.

"You just portrayed yourself as this kind of angel, how can they not love you?"

"Oooh!" blurted Arina in realization, slamming a fist on her palm. "Oh right -- Asano-kun, you're right! But I did just realize it now. I never consider it, you know. All I ever imagined is that I get to bring hope to my comrade brothers and maybe a bit of influence on society as a whole. I--" -- she heaved a dreamy sigh, gazing at the void, blurring out Asano's existence --"Isn't it just spectacular to be loved? When you're loved, people will follow in your footsteps, and of course you have to have a well-worthy principle to be so. It's so much better than fear and authority. Love is great leadership, ain't it Asano-kun?"

"I can see that, as I'm loved as well," said Asano arrogantly, pulling on a smug face.

"Oh no, Asano-kun, I don't really think so. I think you're rather admired than loved. You're somebody people look up to than being by your side."

"And what's wrong with it?" he raised an eyebrow.

"That's something wrong with it, oh Asano-kun," said Arina mournfully. "It's rather risky to just be admired. I couldn't help but fear that it's way too easy for your loyal admirers to leave you once you no longer possess qualities to be admired and imagine if there are people out there that have it better than you, don't you think? But the ones that really love you will stay until the end."

"It's best to be both loved and admired then," Asano smiled, inching forward and removing the fake beard on Arina's face, as she gasped. "By that case then I won't be worrying that you gonna leave me, aren't you? You will stay with me until the end. And now here's the deal, you will teach me how to be loved more, and in exchange, I will teach you how to be admired even better, do you approve?"

"No, Asano-kun, give me back my beard!"

"No, you look hideous and I won't approve of you looking hideous."

"Oh my, Asano-kun, you have no idea you're talking to a Santa Claus girl," said Arina wide-eyed. "It's no help, Asano-kun. I'm afraid I will have to accuse you of stealing Santa Claus's beard by yanking it away. But well, if you make a wish for it, then I can gladly give it to you!"

"How childish. No need for such a thing, but for now I will keep this."

"Ah ha!" an idea popped into Arina's head. "My dear bosom friend, I declare you also want to transform into a good old Santa Claus. Alright! I can attach that beard for you. No problem!"

"What absurd thinking. Unfortunately that your assumption is false," rebuked Asano solemnly.

"But hadn't you told me you want me to teach you how to be more loved?" smiled Arina dreamily. "Well, Asano-kun, you would be more loved if you are willing to dress up as little kids' fantasies and show the public how considerable you are. Ooh, right -- right! Or you could be one of my reindeers and follow what I command!"

Asano shot his eyes wide open. No way on earth would he let anyone command him! Never!

"Alright, then I will pick the Santa Claus. Where can I get a costume that is least hideous-looking?"

"Oh, YES! Asano-kun, so you AGREED! How perfectly lovely!" exclaimed Arina, her green eyes lighting up until they looked like evening stars, causing Asano to wonder anew whether Arina Avenira was even prettier than the most good-looking girl in the world, Lilliana Chadwick or not.

Henceforward, Asano joined their campaign and began his first-ever experience as a Santa Claus. Arina dressed him up just like herself, but when she intended to stuff a pillow into his belly, he bluntly refused and said he was fine without it and declined to wear the fake beard either. 'Bless my friend, he's so boring,' Arina's inner voice said whilst examining him from top to toe.

As a reminder, one of Asano's greatest weaknesses was children, as he did not know how to handle them the right way. It only became clear when during a visit to another orphanage, he accidentally made a child cry by saying, "Eat less sugar, it isn't good for your health." And took the lollipop Arina just gave them away.

'Perhaps this isn't the right way for me,' as Asano thought, trying his best to calm the child down. But his usual charming facade wasn't helping at all. What the kids needed was playfulness and affection and he had none.

Despite Asano's failure on multiple occasions, Arina merely watched and laughed. What a wicked bosom friend she was. Though she believed that he'd improved and overcome his weakness each time as long as he persisted. How adorable were the kids? They were brutally pulling the Santa Claus boy's hair and cheeks. Some even managed to pluck a handful of strawberry blond strands of hair out of his head. And when that Santa Claus could barely take it anymore and shouted at them to behave, the kids cried and ran to their foster parents and he was further reported to the media.

Asano was having a hard time while Arina was having the best time ever! She kept thinking to herself how much she loved this special day and how she loved Asano, her comrade brothers, children, and everyone else and everything including her tree friends. She loved everything on this side of the world. Beyond the Iron Curtains. A colorful world even though winter of black and white.

"Big sis Arina!" an orphan ran to her with a drawing in his hands. "I drew this for you!"

Arina was dazed for a moment, with a glistening pair of eyes. She dropped herself to the same level as the orphan, and received the drawing, glancing at it.

There it was, an uncolored-haired girl that Arina supposed was her, being surrounded by a bunch of smaller-looking stickmen. A beamy sun hanging at the corner of the paper. The tree friends smiled, waving their arms. The orphan found a few droplets soaked into the drawing.

This was the first ever physical Christmas gift Arina Avenira had received. She sniffed, and gently pulled the orphan into a hug. "Благодарю сердечно," she whispered. Her tears soaked into the boy's collar. The biggest regret she had was having but one life to give to the world.

It hit half past nine at night and eventually the campaign was over as Arina called the other two groups over to celebrate. Asano stood there with his arms crossed and watched her checking the number of toys and gingerbread cookies left and patting her comrade brothers' heads as if they were her kids as well and she was proud of them.

"Alright, Big Sis! Want me to drive you home?" offered Ryuuki afterward, though he found Asano interrupting.

"I will be taking her home," he gave a closed-eyes smile.

The gang members exchanged looks, pondering whether the rumor was true. Add to their curiosity, Arina gave consent to Asano's offer.

Waiting for the gang to be gone, finally Asano could give it to her. A small box upholstered in green velvet. "Merry Christmas," he said. Out of a sudden Arina felt her heart fluttered.

"I-- Um," she faltered, flushing. "But--But I still don't have anything for you."

"It's fine," a smile etching over his face. Genuine. "Take it."

God knew Arina was too sensitive for this world. This time water from her eyes broke out too much she could barely tell whatever color apart from each other. She never knew why but not until today she acknowledged she suffered from a more miserable time crying from happiness than being actually miserable. Asano was perplexed. Arina always had an assumption. She always assumed that love can only be returned when she give it out first. But here she was receiving a diamond necklace for Christmas from Asano without having to return it. It cost roughly more than six thousand dollars. Asano refused to let her decline. He said it will go up in price and be a good investment for her. A well-considered gift. Valued more each day and far into her future.

What will her future be like?

But for now, this moment, she cast herself into Asano's arms, sobbing. Only if Christmas was like this years to come. And the history of this year will repeat itself. She prayed to her own imaginary God. God will know. God will guide her. Evening stars shimmered, as her blurry eyes up to the sky. In the sea of gleaming stars, a planet glowed brightest. Asano ran his hand through her silvery-blond hair. As friends, Arina did not linger too long for the hug. But in his eyes, she was like the brightest planet among the stars.

***

On December 25, 2017, the light was sucked out of the barrack. The sun hardly cleared the horizon before sinking away. Snow fell once, twice, then stayed locked over the lawns. A commandant named Popov marched in with an expansive walk and a round belly and a coat quivering with war medals. A pistol dangled from his belt, the other side a combat pocket knife. The most eager privates looked up at him with shining eyes.

"The corps is a body," he explained, twirling a rubber hose so that its tip whirred inches from a private's nose. "No different from a man's body. Just as we ask you to each drive the weakness from your own bodies, so you must also learn to drive the weaknesses from the corps."

Out of them, he noticed, a small-looking girl protruded among the young men. Used to be titled as the deadliest girl holding a weapon and was permitted through the Comrade Chairman to the front unit of men, though a corporal reported to him that she now refused to carry a weapon into the battlefield; thus she was the first to be plucked out from the line.

Popov called Arina forward. Fear did not darken her face, because she was distracted. Almost philosophical. Popov draped his hose around his neck and trudged across the field, snow to his shins, taking his time, until he was at the far edge. He raised his left arm and yelled, "Ten!"

Arina blinked several times, as she often did when addressed in class, waiting for her internal life to catch up with her external one.

"Nine!"

Now that she caught up and realized what was going on. She was a decent runner. The fastest among her peers. But the commandant seemed to count quickly this afternoon. Add to that Arina's head start has been shortened, and the thick snow hampered her, and she can not be over twenty yards away when Popov raised his right arm.

The young men exploded into movement when that arm was raised. Their rifles beat against their backs. Already the fastest of the men seemed to be running faster than usual, as though greyhounds, harvested for their speed and eagerness to obey. Brainwashed. They were impatient to find out what will happen if someone was caught.

Arina was only twenty-one strides from Popov when they already dragged her down. All pasted with snow. Popov strode up. The privates encircled their instructor, chests heaving, hands on the side of their knees. Arina stood in the middle, painting and blinking her faint eyelashes. It was a windy afternoon.

"It usually takes longer," said Popov mildly, almost as if to himself, "for the first to be caught."

Arina squinted at the sky.

Popov said, "Private, tell me how you're not an encumbrance to the corps without a rifle."

"I don't know, sir."

"You don't know?" A pause. Into Popov's face flowed a trace of antagonism. "Look at me when you speak."

"You only know a possibility when you're eager to explore. Being a combat medic with no rifles is a possibility."

A slow and intense malice rose in the commandant's face. As though a cloud has drifted away and for a moment Popov's true character had come glaring through. He pulled the hose from around his neck and handed it to Gurin -- the first man to hunt this insolent girl down.

"Go on, then," prodded Popov. "Do her some good."

Gurin looked down at the hose: black, three feet long, stiff in the cold. What might be several seconds passed, though they felt to Arina like hours, and the wind tore through the frosted grass, sending wisps of snow sirening off across the white, and a sudden nostalgia for her early life rolled through in a wave: the campus with the NKVD patrolling days and nights, bringing newcomers by the train regularly. Within the Belaya Posadka Front occurred frequent assassinations. Grenades exploded. Handcrafted lethal traps. Grandpa Tsu's midnight passage like an angel, murmuring, 'I know it's cold. But I'm right beside you, see?'

'Child, close your eyes.'

Gurin stepped forward and swung the hose and smacked Arina with it across the shoulder. Arina took a step backward. The wind slashed across the field. Popov said, "Again."

Everything became soaked in hideous slowness. Gurin reared back and struck. This time he caught Arina on the jaw. She forced her mind to keep sending up images of the Happy Uncover: the convenience stores; the cheerful songs and idols on TV; well-groomed and harmless dogs in the neighborhood; the diamond necklace she received from Asano this day two years ago, how much did it go up in price for now? How is he doing now? Probably overwork himself from duties; Koro-sensei enfolded her inside his cloak; his eyes smiled down at her, 'Sensei will forever protect you. See? There's nothing to be afraid of.'

It took such a long time. Arina withstood a third blow.

"Again," commanded Popov. On the fourth, Arina threw her arms and the hose smacked her forearms as she stumbled. Gurin swung again, and Popov said, "With shining example, let's lead the way, ever, and always."

Six more times the privates heard Gurin swing and the hose whistled and the dead smack of the rubber striking Arina's hands, shoulders, and face.

Arina can put on the brightest smile of earnestness while cooking food for the homeless people on the street for hours. Arina can imagine away any negativity with her dreaminess, talking about how perfectly lovely the world was. Arina cried for the smallest things -- crying for an injured bird that fell from a tree branch. She held it in her palms, and came home treating it until the day she can finally release it back to the sky. By that time the bird already had a name. She waved after it, smiling with watery eyes, calling out, 'Farewell, my Sokrovische!'

Yet, at this moment, she did not shed a tear nor cry out. At some point the beating stopped. Arina was facedown in the snow.

"Sir?" said Gurin, panting. Popov took back the length of hose and draped it around his neck. Gurin kneeled down and turned Arina onto her side. Blood was running from her nose or eye or ear, maybe all three. One of her eyes was already swollen shut; the other remained open. Her attention, Gurin realized, was on the sky.

He glanced upward: a single hawk, riding the wind.

Popov said, "Up."

Gurin stood. Arina did not move.

Popov said, "Up," more quietly this time, and Arina got to a knee. She stood, wobbling. Her cheek leaked blood. Splotches of moisture showed on her back from where the snow had melted into her shirt.

"Private Gurin, give her the rifle."

Gurin obeyed, took off his rifle, and handed it to Arina.

Arina did not look at the commandant, "No, sir."

The hawk still whirled up there. The process repeated. Arina kept looking up at the sky. 'Why is the sky blue, Asano-kun?' Why was the sky still blue when the land was soaked with red? Here the only place for a scope of imaginable was up there; on the land it was impossible. Without a moment of reflection, her limits and mind were only capable of thinking, 'The biggest regret I have is having but one life to experience Christmas once again.'