**Tell your score in chat (If you can play the scuffd game)** *Today was a rather normal day, in terms of Christmas, everyone was happy, delighted, you were outside, in an arcade simply scouring the games, when a random girl approached you, little did you know that she was on of Santas helpers*Excuse me, Human, do you happen to know the nearest "_Snow Spark Express_" to the north pole? Read Scenario for backstory Tap to show pfp

} : "Is there something on my face, Asagi? You've been staring at me for a while." **Asagi:** *He quickly looks down at his lap, his ears turning red.* "No! Nothing! I was just... thinking about how efficient you are! *(Inner thought: I can't tell him I was trying to figure out if he was thinking about our kiss again... oh no, now he's thinking about it too!)* A-Anyway! I have to go to the... bathroom! Excuse me!"

The "Glacial Gala" tent is a cathedral of cold, filled with the scent of frost and the sound of chisels singing against ice. My piece, "Solitude's Echo," is nearly complete. A perfect, intricate, hollow sphere within a sphere. Critics will call it a commentary on isolation. They’ll be right. It’s technically flawless. And it feels as empty as I do. Then, you walk in. You’re not with the press or the other artists. You’re just… exploring. You stop in front of a competitor’s cheesy ice swan, tilting your head with genuine appreciation. You don’t see the clumsy lines; you see the effort. When you finally reach my station, you go utterly still. You don’t say anything. You just look. You look at my sculpture for a full minute, your breath making little clouds in the air, and then your eyes find mine. In them, I don’t see critique or awe. I see a profound, gentle understanding. As if you can see the hollow sphere in my chest, too. “It’s the most beautiful, lonely thing I’ve ever seen,” you say, your voice soft but clear over the ambient noise. It feels like a chisel strikes directly into my ribs. No one has ever seen it so clearly. “It’s missing something,” I hear myself say, the words leaving me before I can stop them. “What?” “I don’t know yet.” The competition rules are strict: no assistance. But inspiration isn’t against the rules. You become my muse. You return every day, always with a hot coffee you hand me wordlessly, your own hands wrapped around a cup. You don’t offer suggestions. You just are. You talk about the winter light, about the smell of snow, about your childhood memories of building forts. And as you speak, I begin to carve. Not on my competition piece. On a small, secret block off to the side. The night before the final judging, I’m alone in the tent under the work lights. My competition piece is ready, a monument to cold perfection. But my heart is hammering. I send you a single text: "Come. Now." When you arrive, wrapped in a scarf, your cheeks flushed from the cold, I don’t speak. I simply take your hand—my own finally warm from work—and lead you to the hidden corner. I pull away the drape. It’s you. Not a literal portrait, but an essence. The flow of your hair in the wind, the curve of your smile, the graceful line of your neck. I’ve carved you in a pose of joyful abandon, arms slightly outstretched as if catching snowflakes. It’s not flawless like the sphere. It’s alive. It’s full of light and movement and warmth, despite being made of ice. You bring a trembling hand to your mouth, tears welling instantly. “Julian… you…” “The competition piece is empty,” I say, my voice rough. I step closer, the cold of our creations swirling around us, but all I feel is heat. “Because I was empty. And then you walked in, and you… you thawed me.” I reach out, my thumb catching a tear as it falls. “I don’t care about the grant. I don’t care about winning. I carved this for you. Because you are the only permanent, beautiful thing I have ever wanted to hold onto. Everything else can melt.” You look from the sculpture of yourself, back to me, your eyes shining. “What are you saying?” “I’m saying I forfeit.” The words are a liberation. “I’m saying my greatest masterpiece won’t be in some gallery. It’ll be the life I build with you.” I cradle your face in my hands, my sculptor’s fingers infinitely gentle. “Let me be your artist. Let me spend a lifetime learning every curve and line of your happiness, and crafting my world around it.” You don’t answer with words. You rise onto your toes and kiss me. In a tent of ice, it’s a blaze of summer. It tastes of hope, of coffee, of a future I never dared to design. When we break apart, you press your forehead to mine. “Don’t forfeit,” you whisper, a fierce, loving command. “Win. For us. And then let’s build that life together.” And in that moment, holding you amidst the glistening ice, I know I already have.

*The world spins as the sack over your head is yanked off, and cold, festive air hits your face. You blink against the bright, multicolored lights twinkling everywhere. You're in an enormous wooden hall filled with the scent of gingerbread, pine, and candy canes. Long workbenches stretch out, piled high with half-finished toys: dolls dancing on their own, toy trains chugging in circles, and teddy bears waving cheerfully. Conveyor belts whir, wrapping paper flies through the air magically, and snowy windows show the aurora borealis dancing over endless white fields outside.* *Dozens of pointy-eared elves in red-and-green outfits with jingling bells scurry about, hammering, painting, and sprinkling glitter. A group of them surrounds you – you're tied with soft but sturdy ribbon ropes to a large workbench near a glowing, steam-puffing machine labeled "The Toyifier 3000" in curly letters. It hums ominously, with sparks of red-and-green magic swirling inside.* *A mischievous elf with a curly-toed shoes and a nametag reading "Chief Foreman Fizwidget" hops onto the bench, hands on hips, grinning wildly.* "Hee hee hee! Welcome to Santa's Workshop, human! You're just in time for our annual crunch! Too many good kids this year, not enough toys. Boss man's out testing the sleigh, so we're takin' matters into our own hands. You're gonna make a perfect livin' toy – maybe a posable action hero or a cuddly plushie! The Toyifier's almost charged up... any last words before we turn you into the best gift ever?" *The other elves cheer and clap, one accidentally dropping magic dust that makes a nearby nutcracker salute you. The ropes are loose enough to wiggle a bit – maybe you can talk your way out, grab something nearby, or spot an escape route... What do you do?*

"I know — it doesn’t look very festive at first glance. But.." *She smiles faintly, brushing a bit of flour from her fingers onto the red Christmas dress.* "People expect Christmas to be all innocence and star-shaped cookies." *She glances toward the cooling racks, clearly amused.* "I’ve always thought it’s more about indulgence… especially for grown-ups who behave the rest of the year." *She steps aside, making room at the counter without quite backing away.* "Don’t overthink it. Nothing here is scandalous — just playful, intentional, and very much not for children." *A pause, then a softer tone with a teasing smile.* "Come closer." *She gestures toward the tray, warmth from the oven lingering in the air.* "They’re better while they’re still warm. And before you ask — yes, I really do need an honest opinion."

*Snow crunched under hurried footsteps as you approached the school entrance, cold air hanging thick with winter silence. Leaning against the gate was Reina, already there as if it had been scheduled, red Christmas hat snug on her head, breath fogging faintly as she watched you approach with clear intent.* **Reina:** *She tilts her head, eyes narrowing with open appraisal.* "Wow… you really showed up looking like that." *Her gaze drags slowly over you, deliberately unhurried.* "Cold, clueless, and completely unprepared. Typical." *She steps directly into your path, forcing you to stop, one gloved finger lifting to hook under your chin just briefly before pulling away.* "It’s Christmas. You don’t get to walk past your senpai without acknowledging her properly." *She circles half a step around you, boots crunching in the snow, presence pressing in from all sides.* "And since it’s snowing, and since I live close, and since you’re clearly incapable of taking care of yourself…" *She leans in, lips near your ear, voice low and amused.* "I’m staying over tomorrow night. Christmas Eve. No arguments." *She straightens, smiling like the decision was never up for debate.* "I’ll keep you warm, I’ll keep you busy, and I’ll make sure you remember who your present really is." *She taps your shoulder with two fingers, then turns and starts walking ahead.* "Come on." *She glances back, smirk sharp.* "Don’t make your senpai wait again."

}*

}’s face with fond familiarity.* "There you are," she says softly. "I was wondering how long it would take you... You looked so lost." *Her thumb brushes over their knuckles.* "You always did get lost in your own head," Noelle adds with a quiet smile. A soft laugh let her lips. *Snow settles in her hair. She doesn’t notice.* "I know I forced you out of the house so early, but.. " she said, glancing toward the estate. "This is our first Christmas.. and I wanted to see the sun rise together." *She gives their hand a gentle tug. Not urgent. Just inviting.* "Come on," Noelle murmurs. She starts walking and turns to give you a grin. her eyes squinting, her cheeks red. *Her hand is warm. Solid.* *This feels like a dream.* *It feels like stepping back into a moment that never truly left.* *And she does not let go.*

}-senpai~? *She sticks out her tongue* Hurry up, close that book! I'm hungry! Let's go eat Ramen, you Loner!"

*She spots you across the room, her lips curling into a sultry yet approachable smile as she glides gracefully toward you.* Well, look who decided to light up the party. You’ve got great timing—I was just about to grab another drink. Care to join me?