"I know a few more guests are coming, but we can start our first game. I'm glad Mary-san is here; this will make things work out perfectly."

Saya-san smiled a bit deviously. I wasn't sure what she had in store, but I rolled with it.

Saya-san gathered everyone's attention with a clap of her hand. Transfixed on what the psychic had in store, we all watched as she exited the room and appeared with a glowing silver box. There was a fancy lightbulb in it that was pulsating making the box all the more alluring.

“Ahhhhhh!!! This is going to be so fun!”

Takade-san screamed, causing me to jolt. I didn’t even know where she came from, appearing behind the couch like a ghost from a horror movie. She was bouncing around like a pinball in a machine.

Saya-san set the box in the middle of the room, ran to the overexcited kohai, and placed her hand on her shoulders.

“Focus, my familiar!”

“Senpai, you’re making the blood rush to my head. I-I I think my heart is going to explode."

Saya-san wasn’t helping the poor girl's heart as she squeezed her shoulders harder.

“You can’t die just yet! I need you for many more rituals. Now, go on and do what I asked.”

I swear I could see steam flooding from Takade-san’s ears. To be strong, she slapped her cheeks and stood tall.

"Y-Yes, Senpai!"

Like the perfect familiar she was, Takade-san rushed out and returned with a stack of cut whitepaper strips.

"Okay, everyone, write your name on these small pieces of paper, and Saki-chan and I will collect them and place them in the box.”

Takade-san gave us all neatly cut-out pieces of paper and a pen to write our names down on. I was suspicious because it was a game created by Saya-san, but it did as I was told.

“Oh, did we already start the games?”

Okabe-san said while coming from the bathroom, making her way to the living room. Her bruise was settling down, and thanks to a bit of makeup she hastily put on, it wasn't as bad as yesterday but still noticeable nonetheless.

“Oh, Okabe-san! Please take your seat!”

The devil, Saya-san, asked with a snicker.

Annoyed, the ivy-head looked at that overly done chair made with Christmas decorations and flashing lights. Anyone could tell she was hesitant to sit there.

“W-Why does that weird girl want me to sit there, Nakagawa-san?”

I shrugged.

“Saya-san probably has something shady planned.”

I spoke the truth. I didn't trust Saya-san as far as I could throw her. And since I'm not too physically inclined anymore, I doubt it would be far. She always had a trick, and sadly Okabe-san was her next victim.

“I think it’ll be fun. Relax and take a seat.”

Mary-san interjected. 

“Tsk, fine… You don’t have to tell me what to do...”

Annoyed, Okabe-san did just that. She took her seat in this outrageously decorated Christmas chair. Magical bells and chimes rang out, and the chair lit a dazzling red before settling down. This only added to the suspicious girl's anxiety, causing her to defensively cross her legs.

“This is so stupid...”

 

 

Okabe-san complained. She wasn't too happy being in the spotlight for Saya-san’s whims. We all finished putting our names on the paper and back into the box.

“I’m going to get something to drink. Would you like something, Madoka-san, Okabe-san?”

Mary-san asked.

“No, I’m fine for now. Thank you.”

I answered.

“Yeah, I’m okay for now...”

Okabe-san pushed out. Her face started to turn red, being in the literal hot seat of the party.

Mary-san pushed off the couch, stood up, and went over to the table full of refreshments.

"Alright, with that, the current queen will take the name out of the box. This is the Christmas Queen's game!"

Yuko-chan shuttered.

“Ehhhh?! I-Is this a punishment game, Saya-san?!”

 

 

Yuko-chan stood up, ready to run out the nearest door, when Hana-chan, of all people, grabbed her hand.

“Hey, hold on, Mihara-san!”

The flower held the ghost from flying away.

“K-Koda-san? Y-You don't know Saya-san well! S-She is good at making embarrassing games!”

But Hana-chan held her tight, causing her energy to deflate as she sank back into her seat. My little sister patted the frightened ghost on the head.

“There, there, Mihara-san. I’m sure it’ll be fun... right, Onee-chan?”

“I honestly don’t know, Hana-chan…."

Maybe we all should have followed the frightened ghost’s example and ran far, far away. Even Mae-chan smirked with a bit of apprehension.

“What are you planning, Saya-san?”

Mae-chan probed.

All the girls were getting flustered about the chances of being embarrassed. I didn't speak up, but I was definitely feeling the same heat. The only one who wasn't reacting much was Nagumi-chan, likely because she was too young to realize the dangers of putting so much power in the hands of… Saya-san.

"Now calm down, everyone! This game is fun! I promise you. Here are the rules…."

Saya-san walked before Okabe-san, blocking her from the rest of us. If that ivy-head was a real queen, I’m sure she would have had Saya-san’s head lopped right off her body for the slight disrespect.

"One person is the queen, and they draw a name from the box. That person has to make one request or one gift for the queen. They decide which one they want. After the queen is done, the person making the request or giving the gift becomes the queen!~"

Sophia raised her hand.

"Yes, Conway-san?”

"And how far can these requests go? We can't tell someone to run a mile outside or something outrageous, right?"

The shark asked a pointed question. Saya-san’s eyes were unfocused as if she was on another plane of existence. She… did strange things like this. Happily, she closed her eyes and smiled like an angel, to my surprise.

“Until death!”

 

 

She vigorously announced with a slight hop. The devil within her was in full force, someone had to stop her. Thankfully, Risa-san jumped and took charge, likely feeling dread for everyone.

"Within reason, everyone! Let's keep it fun and lighthearted. So, if you will, Okabe-san, would you like to be the first?”

Risa-san gave her sister a bump on her hip, causing her to stumble and fall into the couch. She stole the box filled with our names and handed it to Okabe-san, who reluctantly took it. With a deep sigh, she pulled out the first name.

“Ahh…”

Her face lit up, to everyone's surprise. As she reread the name… and again, we all wondered who the first victim would be.

“What’s up?”

Takade-san was the first to break the awkward silence.

“Is everything alright, Okabe-san?”

Next was Sora-chan, two impulsive girls who apparently didn't read the strange mood.

“Ah… well it’s ahhm…”

She twisted her hair in her fingers and looked my way from us. Then I realized that Okabe-san wasn't looking my way but past me to the beauty standing behind me with a glass of juice. She swirled it tenderly and then looked up at the group. It was the one person not paying attention to the game, yet she was the first victim of it.

“Oh, would you happen to have picked me?”

 

 

Mary-san teased as she slanted her eyes. All Okabe-san did was nod begrudgingly.

“Wow, out of everyone here, to think I was first. What are the chances of that?"

She asked, sipping away at her holiday cranberry juice.

"Yeah, what are the chances…."

I whispered, my eyes darting toward Saya-san. She seemed not to notice my suspicion as she was too fixated on the scenario she had set up.

“Well, my queen, Okabe Kasumi, what do you want me to do?”

Okabe-san grumbled and looked at Saya-san.

“I hate this game.”

She bitterly said, but Saya-san gave her a devilish grin. She stood up, grabbed the box from the queen's hand, and held it close to her.

"Well, queen, it's your turn! Make your subject do your bidding!"

This mood felt like it was planned out, but I clearly watched all of us put our names in the box. Yet something told me Saya-san knew this was going to happen. Could she be psychic and made this elaborate fantasy game play out into reality… or did she somehow grift her way to do this?

I leaned on the latter.

“I don’t know. Well… which do you want to do? Do you want to give me a gift or would you… like a request?”

Okabe-san found it hard to look Mary-san in the eye. My auntie caught on to this mood and set her glass of juice down. With one hand behind her back, she walked over, got to the front of the "throne room," and curtsied like a princess in a ballroom.

“I humbly wish to serve you with a request.”

Takade-san squealed, breaking the tension and causing the rest of us to laugh too. It felt like a bubble popped, releasing the build-up worry in one swoop.

“SHE’S SO COOL!”

The love-struck girl clapped. Sora-chan and Mae-chan added to it with their applause and cheers. Okabe-san looked as though her heart was going a million beats a minute.

“Geez, you westerns are weird!”

Okabe-san blushed like a bride on her wedding day. It was a brand new side to the usually hardened ivy head.

“Nnnggg… I’m not getting out of this unless I tell her to do something, right Saitou Saya-san?”

With one finger in the air, Saya-san nodded.

“Right! Your turn is over once the request is made and fulfilled!”

Gathering her composure, Okabe-san sat up and pushed her chest out.

“Fine, why don’t you just serve me and my little sister food for the rest of the party? Is that too much of a request… I don’t feel like moving much today anyway.”

Strangely, Okabe-san had this out-of-character smile as she struggled to stay firm. Her request surprisingly sounded less reasonable too.

“Oh, how fun! I’ll be your maid for the party. Would you like anything right now, Okabe-san?”

Mary-san asked with both hands behind her back. She then turned to Nagumi-chan and curled next to her new best friends, Hana-chan and Sora-chan.

“What about you, little Okabe-san? Would you like some food too?”

Okabe-san looked around and then back at my auntie. With a hesitant nod, she agreed.

“Aww, it all worked out. Auburn-san, you’re next in the chair!”

Saya-san said. Okabe-san stood up and traded places with Mary-san.

"I'll be there to get your food plates soon, Okabe-san?”

Mary-san promised.

“T-Thanks… I guess?”

Relieved, she slammed her body into the couch. All the stress was gone as Okabe-san sank into the cushions.

“Hmm…”

I knew one thing about Saya-san, and that was… that she was good at reading others. Like when I first met her, she tempted me into thinking about Yuko-chan’s hidden feelings. Or how she weaved Mary-san and my uncle away so my mom and I could chat in the inn and onsen. Just watching this play out… made me wonder.

Saya-san knows more about Okabe-san than I initially thought. And that probably stemmed from Risa-san talking about the delinquent girl that refuses to serve her at the Red Roses.

“Saya-san…”

I called out to the fake psychic.

“Hm? What is it, Madoka-san?”

With a warm smile, I sweetly said.

“Good job.”

The sides of her cheeks raised into a radiant glow. This showed me that Saya-san uses her gift for good, despite the dark arts she practices here and there. I found a new appreciation for Saya-san thanks to this. With that, she stood up and picked up the box. While everyone was marveling at the new queen in charge, I watched as Saya-san openly dumped the contents of the random select box in the garbage.

“What the?”

I murmured.

She then brought out a new set of papers, likely the ones we put our names on beforehand, and stuffed them inside. Our eyes met as she was tampering with her game, all shady-like. Saya-san looked at me like a deer in headlights. So, I looked away, pretending not to notice that she had just rigged the first round of the game.

I knew it! But I was too afraid to say anything else. I'd be in her room as the next sacrificial lamb to whatever god she worshiped.

“Here you go, Auburn-san!”

Saya-san brought out the box and set it on her lap. She dug her hand inside and picked out a random name.

“Oh… Conway Sophia-san?”

The shark jumped and curled her body on the couch.

“Ehhh?! W-What is it?! Leave me alone.”

The new queen showed the shark her fate by holding up her name.

“I guess I have your name. I haven’t had a chance to talk with you since Madoka-san’s birthday. How exciting!”

Okabe-san snickered, earning a glare from her enemy.

“Shut up, Okabe-san!”

Mary-san stood up and put one finger on her lip.

“Hm, what would you like to give me? A request or a gift?”

Mary-san spoke like a queen, too, getting into her part. I recalled that she was a model, but something told me that she'd taken acting lessons because she was spot on how she portrayed herself. It opened me up to a new side of her if I had to be honest.

"I'll go with…."

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, causing the shark to jump up. Risa pushed her way off the couch.

"Oh, it's getting exciting! I wonder who's here? Go on, you two! Go on!"

Risa-san urged them as she rushed to the door.

 

“Ah, Taylor-sensei, it’s nice to see you again! How have you been since the concert?”

Risa-san said as she walked into the living room. Linda-san had a present in hand.

“Thanks for inviting me.”