Together with Pu’er Julis, we went to a carnival not too far from our apartment. Aei and mom decided to take us out to have a change of pace.

“Cockroach pancakes? No please!”

What kind of sane person would want to eat cockroaches during Christmas eve? Sure, I would’ve liked it if it’d been some normal meal, but you know, today is Christmas eve!

‘To say that you’re alright with eating freeze dried cockroaches. Are you sure your head is straight?’

They taste good, you know? Salty and crunchy, sometimes you’d feel a little bit of that juicy pop.

‘To hell with that. Don’t talk about it!’

Okay.

“Then? What do you want?” aei asked.

“I wonder if they have cotton candy,” I muttered loudly.

“Can’t you choose something simpler? Something that can fill your stomach and make less of a mess.”

My suggestion got shot down mercilessly.

“Pizza?”

“You’re going to choose something so typical here? It’s many times more expensive than if you got it at a regular pizza chain.”

“Fine! Cockroach pancakes then!”

I frowned.

My aei dragged me to the pizza stall and asked me for an order.

You see this? I say A they do B.

‘Even I have no excuse to justify your anger on this as inappropriate.’

Right? It’s so annoying, grr..

I got a few slices of Christmas themed pizza. Deer meat as the topping because it's Christmas!

The day was already darkening, I returned to where mom was with the pizza in hand.

This is a Christmas themed food bazaar. AI santa and reindeers everywhere. Crazy numbers of ad pop ups, beautiful ornaments decorated the various stalls, promo codes, giveaways, competitions and lucky draws.

It’s an upbeat and lively place to enjoy the evening of Christmas eve. I heard that they’ll be a big band coming to perform later in the evening over there at that giant conifer plant dressed up as a Chirtmas tree. Even now, it’s sparkling with various colours.

I hate this environment. Worse when mom’s superficial miasma is clearly filling up progressively.

“Pizza?”

“Yes, want some?”

“Do you even have enough? Irll, what did you get?”

“I don’t know yet. It’s hard to decide.”

“Haah? Do you know how long I’ve been sitting here? You didn’t even get anything for me?”

‘Troublesome.’

Yes.

It’s thanks to Pu’er Julis’ company that I’m still sane today. She extended a hand to support me emotionally. Her presence helped me change my perspective on how I see family.

Whatever it is, I’m really glad that she’s here.

She’s not xe.

Because I was a girl in my past life for some reason.

That’s embarrassing.

Really embarrassing.

I sat there, putting my pizza on the table, while taking peeks at their argument. I wonder when they’ll stop.

[Hello!]

“Huh?”

An unknown AI popped into view. It’s a red hydrangea flower with cute lines as eyes. Lily looked at it with hostility. An intruder had just invaded our territory!

[Sorry for intruding, Rurita wanted to know where you got the pizza from.]

“Who? Rurita?”

Then someone was highlighted at the corner of my vision.

The girl with black hair waved at me. She then clasped her hands together in apology.

“I think it’s close to where you can find the Christmas cookies. The yellow stall, over there, turn left. And then you’ll see Johnny’s Pizza. That’s where I got this from.”

[Alright. Thank you very much! Wait. Is it alright If Rurita got your contact?]

[Pu’er, will you allow a stranger to exchange your contact?]

To Lily’s question I said.

“No.”

[But you and her will be classmates next year!]

“Eh? Really?”

[Yes. Really.]

“How do you know?”

[Dunno. Ask Rurita. She’s begging me to add you.]

[Are you sure you want to grant permission, Pu’er?]

That is so weird.

“Yes?”

[Permission granted. Be careful Pu’er.]

“Okay.”

[“Thank you Pu’er. I’ll talk to you again sometime. For now, nice to meet you!”]

[“Okay?”]

Who is this girl?

[“I know your family situation isn’t too good, so if you have any worries, feel free to express them to me alright?”]

Hah?

‘This girl is suspicious.’

I agree one hundred percent.

“Pu’er!”

“Yes?!”

“We’re leaving.”

“O-oh..”

I quickly grabbed the pizza and followed aei. Mom was further in front.

Looks like things blew up, too bad.

‘At least you didn’t eat any cockroaches tonight.’

That joke isn’t funny in the slightest.

===

[“As an introduction, my name is Rurita Bougainvillea. I’m going to be in class 4I, just like you. Of course, the class positioning announcement isn’t out. I have early access to the data, that’s all I can tell you.”]

‘What’s up with her?’

I wish to know too.

[“Um. Nice to meet you. I’m Pu’er.”]

[“I hope we get along next year, and thank you for guiding me to the pizza stall. It’s got great pizza.”]

[“I know right? Which pizza did you get?”]

I won’t deny it. Despite the trouble it took to grab a couple slices, it was darned tasty.

[“The Christmas special with the hunter sauce and deer meat.”]

[“Same. I think everyone chose the Christmas special.”]

[“Most probably. Hey, I have a question.”]

[“What is it?”]

[“Do you know Avner?”]