"Hey, guys!" a voice called out. "You can stop standing in the middle of the hall and blocking traffic now!" the voice belonged to Ruggie, who was carrying a bunch of luggage, making his way through the crowd of students.

"Ruggie-senpai!" Yuuna beamed, calling out to him.

"Hello, kitten!" Ruggie greeted, pulling her into a hug. Yuuna and Ruggie became good friends ever since the Spelldrive tournament.

"Ruggie? Wait, what's with all that luggage?!" Deuce asked. "A backpack, three duffel bags, and a giant cooler..."

"Oh, this? Shyeheehee," Ruggie laughed, picking up his luggage. "I took all the food that was about to hit its sell-by date at the cafeteria and the school store. Since we're about to go on break, they gave 'em to me basically for free"

Y/n figured what they were for.

"For real? There's no way you can eat all that" Ace said, looking skeptical.

"You'd be surprised. The neighborhood kids devour this stuff like, well...a pack of hyenas" Ruggie said, with his usual toothy grin. "Besides, gotta make sure my grandma eats well over the holidays. Speakin' of which, this frozen food ain't stayin' frozen for long. Gotta run! Smell ya next year!" Ruggie said his goodbyes as he walked through the dark mirror to his home.

"There he goes..." Deuce sighed. "What was that about 'neighborhood kids,' though?" he asked.

"He means by the place he is from. The slums." Y/n stated. "Mhm. I agree with Y/n. Ruggie comes from a place where food is a bit scarce. So whenever school lets out for a long break, he stocks up on all the food he can get and shares it with the local kids" Jack said, walking up to them.

"I'm quite surprised, to be honest. I heard about the slums, but I never thought they existed" Y/n said.

"huh? Why is that?" asked Yuuna.

"It's because I've never seen a real-life slum before. After all, I don't really travel outside of the Permafrost unless it is for diplomatic affairs or my sweet fiance wants me to visit" Y/n grinned, her sharp canines showing. "Plus, you don't see a lot of rural areas in Permafrost, making the cost of living affordable for citizens"

"oh? So, living in Permafrost is actually affordable?" asked Deuce.

"Mhm. Despite the sheer cold that you guys will feel, the Land of Permafrost is number 1 of the most beautiful and affordable places to live" Y/n said, continuing to brag about how great her empire in. After all, she takes great pride in her empire and her people, and their accomplishments.

"What about you, Jack?" Ace asked, changing the subject, causing Y/n to let out a hmph. "What's with that planter you're hauling? You taking up gardening or something?"

"It's a cactus I've been groin' in my free time," Jack said, holding onto the sharp plant. "It'd wither up if I didn't keep it watered over break. A-anyway, enough about me!"

"Ruggie's sharin' his food with a bunch of kids who ain't even family, huh?" Grim said, a little shocked. "Never knew he had it in him"

"Hyenas believe in sharing spoils equally. I'm sure that's how Ruggie was raised" Jack explained.

"Hmph" a certain lion hugged Y/n from behind, taking a sniff in her scent since uh, he ain't gonna see her until next year. "The mere thought of a feeding frenzy like that gives me the willies. I can barely stand the noise one kid makes as it is" he growled.

"Well, you're gonna have to get used to it if you ever want to become a father, kitty~" Y/n whispered for Leona to hear, causing him to blush a bright red while letting out some cough, making Y/n chuckle a bit.

The group sweatdropped as some wanted to know what Y/n said to make Leona this flustered. "Does that mean you're skipping out on visiting your family, Leona?" Jack asked.

"Man, I wish," Leona groaned. "Nah, they'd give me no end of grief if I did. I'm goin'. Ugh, talk about a holiday chore"

"But you're not bringing anything?" questioned Jack.

"So? I got my wallet and smartphone. What else do I need?" Leona asked. "I've got clothes at home anyway,"

"This's a whole different kind of extreme" Grim mumbled. "Just like how Y/n isn't bringing anything"

Y/n chuckled a bit as Yuuna did the same as well.

"You're not even bringing your homework, are you?" asked Ace.

"Homework can wait until after break. Holidays are for resting. Later, herbivores" Leona said, about to leave, but was stopped by Y/n.

"Wait a moment, kitty" Y/n would take out a backpack from her infinite-storage school back, which also had some storage magic. She give it to Leona. "hm?" he questioned. "There are some gifts inside for you, Cheka, and the king and queen. After all, it's only natural for my to give gifts to my future in-laws" Y/n smiled.

Leona smiled as well. "Thank you. See you next year, my lioness" he kissed Y/n's head in between her horns before stepping into the mirror to his own home.

"I feel like he didn't really want to leave Y/n" Deuce mumbled to Ace and Yuuna.

"Well, I'm sure Y/n will be safe. After all, she has her familiars with her" Yuuna mumbled as well.

"He's good enough to do anything when he applies himself, so why doesn't he?" Jack huffed. "Well, I know I'll be getting mine done. You guys had better do the same. Later" he said before leaving the school to his home through the dark mirror.

"Whatever you say, tryhard." Ace scoffed. "See you next year, huh?"

"Leona's commitment to his principles is actually impressive" Deuce awed.

"Okay, froshes! Don't let those bad boy upperclassmen give you any bad ideas, you hear?" Cater says, walking up next to Yuuna with Trey.

"In our dorm, if you don't turn in your homework, Riddle makes sure it's off with your head" Trey chuckled.

"Understandable" Y/n commented.

"Hey, Trey. Hey, Cater" Ace greeted.

"Ugh. Going home is kind of a drag for me, too" Cater whined. "I just know my sisters are both coming home. They don't care if it's the holidays- they'll run me ragged anyway," he complained, hugging Yuuna. "I wish I could stay over at your house instead, Trey"

"You'd be welcome to, but we'd be running you just as ragged," Trey stated. "Winter is the patisserie's busiest time of year" he chuckled.

"Oh yeah, your family runs one of those, huh? So much for any escape. It's not like I could escape to Permafrost either" Cater sighed in disappointment.

Suddenly, a certain red-hair boy walked up to them, seemingly to be deep in thought.

"Erk! Housewarden Rosehearts!" Deuce flinched. "Sorry for blocking the way!" he apologized.

"Hm?" Riddle looked up. "Oh, it's you boys. If you're going to stand around and congregate, at least stay near a wall like rose and Yuu" he frowned.

"huh, he's soundin' kinda defeated" Grim whispered.

"oh, right. The housewarden's got an extreme care of helicopter parenting waiting for him at home" Ace remembered, whispering back. "No wonder he's no enthused about heading back"

"Riddle, I'm not allowed in your house, so I won't be able to bring by any cakes..." Trey said, placing a hand on Riddle's shoulder. "But you're always welcome to visit me at the store. I'm sure Chenya will drop by to hang out, too"

"Yes, you're right." Riddle nodded. "I think...I'm going to try talking with Mother some. I don't know if she'll listen, but even so"

"...All right. Good luck" Trey smiled.

"I'm sure you'll be alright, strawberry" Y/n patted Riddle's hair. "If you have anything going on, you can also visit that winter shrine. I'll make sure to listen to your troubles"

Riddle smiled. "Thank you, my rose"

"What'sa matter, Goldfishie? Don't wanna go home?" a voice asked, causing Riddle to flinch. "Then here's an idea: don't. We're not. C'mon, you can join us in the stay-at-school club. Heh heh," it was Floyd.

"Where did you come from, Floyd?" Riddle asked, turning towards Floyd, holding onto Y/n for support, trying his best not to get angry. "And would you kindly refrain from sticking your nose in business you know nothing about? It's quite irksome"

"He's right, you know" Jade said while approaching the group. "It's never a good idea to blindly pry into others' family affairs"

"Aw, c'mon, Jade. It's boring spending every new year with the same old suspects" Floyd complained. "Besides, Goldfishie's so teeny as Y/n, I'm sure Azul would love to keep him as a pet while spending time with angelfish~" he smiled.

"I'm sorry? Would you like to say that again?" Riddle asked, tilting his head in anger. "You're awfully brazen to take that tone with the head of Heartslabyul in front of his future wife" he growled. "" he shouted, his face turning red.

Y/n sweatdropped a little as Riddle's outburst. 'should've seen this coming,'

"R-Riddle, no!" Cater yelled. "This is NOT the place, my guy!" he said, trying to calm him down.

"Settle down, Riddle" Trey suggested. "You're letting him goad you again"

"I agree, my strawberry queen" Y/n smiled kindly. "Best to ignore it, after all, it's just a waste of breath"

"Yeeaargh...!" Riddle let out an angry yelp as he gets held back by Y/n.

"Sooo, Floyd and Jade!" Cater said, trying to change the subject. "Your family's in the Coral Sea, right? Why aren't you visiting them?" he asked.

"We and Azul live in the far northern reaches of the Coral Sea, near the Land of Permafrost. At this time of year, the whole surface is covered in ice floes" Jade tells him.

"What he said! It's hard gettin' home will all the freezy-freeze, and it's boring there anyway" Floyd pouted. "So the three of us prefer to go home on spring break instead, when the ice was melted. After all, we aren't Levia-fae sadly, so we can't just phase through the ice"

"Wow. Living under the sea has all kinds of challenges, huh?" Trey said.

"Hmph!" Riddle puffed out his cheeks, calming down a bit. "The last thing I need is to spend the new year with you Octavinelle boys. I'll be going now. I bid you all a pleasant holiday" Riddle looked at Y/n and gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

"Good grief. Well, at least he's got his moxie back," Trey sighed. "As for you guys, don't cut TOO loose over the holidays, okay? See you around"

"I should be getting home, too..." Cater trailed off. "Ah, but first, a commemorative photo!" he said before taking a selfie with the Amaryllis trio and the two boys from Heartslabyul. "Hashtag #FallSemesterLastDay. #WithTheFroshes. #HonorablePictureWithRebirth/Camelius. #HappyNewYear. #JumpingTheGunLOL" he typed. "Okay, bye now! Happy holidays, folks!" Cater waved goodbye before he left.

"So, Angelfish" Floyd turned to Y/n. "Are you also leaving?"

Y/n nodded. "Unfortunately. But, I can't neglect my duty"

"Awww, that's too bad." Floyd then turned to Yuuna and Grim. "What about you Little Shrimpy? Are you and the Seal stayin' on campus? You can always drop by Octavinelle, y'know. We'd be happy to keep you company" he grinned, placing an arm around Yuuna.

"A fine idea, brother," Jade agreed. "Ah, what a delightful holiday this is shaping up to be. You're welcome anytime. Now then, if you'll excuse us..."

"Heh heh heh" Jade and Floyd chuckled before taking their leave back to Octavinelle.

"Erk...Just lookin' at their faces makes me think back to when they were workin' me like a dog in the Mostro Lounge" Grim shivered at the memory.

"Yeah, that was brutal stuff," Deuce said.

"Don't remind me" Ace begged, letting out a sigh.

"Well, the crowd is thinning out. We should probably head out, ourselves" Deuce recommended.

"Good call. Oh yeah, Yuuna..." Ace turned to Yuuna.

"Don't forget to message us alright? Y'know, in case something comes up?" Ace suggested.

"Oh, that's a good idea" Deuce agreed.

"mhm" even Y/n agreed.

"Thanks, I'll do that" Yuuna smiled.

"My mom's probably waiting on me, so I'd better go" Deuce turned to the group. "Yuuna, Grim, Y/n, happy holidays," Deuce said before walking inside of the dark mirror.

"Yeah, I'll do the same. Yuuna, Grim, Y/n, see you next year!" Ace waved goodbye before leaving as well.

"I've always thought of those guys as a couple of loudmouths, but now that they're gone..." Grim started to get sentimental again. "It's clear as crystal how HOW loud they've been! Buncha meddling so-and-sos" Grim's stomach began to grumble.

"ha ha ha" Y/n laughed. "I guess that it's time to return." she then turned to Yuuna.

"Do you really have to leave?" Yuuna asked.

Y/n frowned and then hugged the girl. "Don't worry. If anything happens, just text or call me. I'll be back here when you need me" Y/n smiled before looking towards the Dark Mirror, telling the location of her palace, causing snow the come through the dark mirror. She turned to Yuuna and smiled. "Goodbye. Till we met again next year or sooner" and with then, Y/n opened her eyes to see she was back at the imperial palace of Permafrost.

Two Guards who have been guarding the palace gate, beamed in delight when they saw the Empress.

"Your Majesty! You're back!" a young guard beamed.

Y/n smiled kindly, feeling the familiar snow against her feet. "I'm back. After all, it's winter break at NRC" she sighed as the gate opened when she stepped closer.

She walked back inside of the palace as her NRC uniform morphed into something more traditional. It changed into her Imperial gown.

Servants who walked by along with palace knights all bowed towards the Empress as she made her through the halls.

"Have all my paperwork be delivered to my bedroom. I wish to rest while working" she ordered.

"Yes, Your majesty!"

Y/n looked forward and grinned. "I wish to best of luck to you, Yuuna....after all, you'll need it"