Christmas 1924
This is amazing.
S-Sorry!
The Reaper touched me!
How scary!
I'm the one who's scared!
Everyone in the academy is dressing up for Christmas.
You didn't know?
Avril!
Wow, that looks great on you!
Hey, Kujou, you should dress up too!
I'm not so sure.
I don't have anything to wear.
It's all right.
You see, Professeur Cécile just...
There we go.
Sophie, did you find it?
Yes, of course.
Here.
This is so cute!
How many years ago was it?
I wore it to the academy's Christmas party.
I was already working here at the time, but...
Cécile insisted that we go together.
That's because I thought it'd look good on you.
I wore...
this!
A stuffed toy?
Hey, look closely!
The heart is made of crystal beads.
Isn't it lovely?
Isn't it pretty?
I don't know about pretty...
but the blood vessels are shining.
Could this be...
the "Monstre Charmant"?!
"Monstre Charmant"?
It's a story told in Saubure.
Is it a ghost story?
It's more of a fairy tale than a ghost story.
It's truly romantic.
In Saubure, there used to be a monster who looked like a girl
and a rabbit who worked for her.
A rabbit?
Yeah, a rabbit.
When anyone tried to get close to get their hands on the monster,
the rabbit would use its incredible power to eliminate them.
The rabbit did?
You see, the monster would give generously to the underprivileged.
And it was the rabbit who acted on her behalf.
The monster was loved by many.
In time, the powerful
tried to demonstrate their influence by controlling the monster.
Thus began the search for her.
The authorities killed the rabbit when it tried to protect the monster.
With that, nothing stood in their way,
or so they thought.
But...
...the monster was already dead.
That's right.
The rabbit was the monster's heart.
The monster and rabbit were one and the same.
That explains the flashy heart.
I'll lend this to you, Kujou.
And this one...
to Victorica!
Thank you very much!
I can't wait to see how you look!
That's right.
Avril likes Kujou.
What's wrong, Cécile?
H-Here.
How about being Monstre Charmant the Second?
I already have my own, so...
The Short-haired Fairy, right?!
That's so cute!
Today's cosplay queen!
Episode 22
A Christmas Carol Decorates the Windowsill's Happiness
I-It hurts...
The macaroons are... coming out...
Victorica, have you put on weight from eating so many snacks?
For a mammalian herbivore, you talk too much.
There. It's done.
The amount of lace is growing and growing...
Looks like it's time.
What's this?
An escort.
Oh, it's Monstre Charmant.
What a lovely dress.
Don't pet me.
Hey, hey!
Why did you choose Monstre Charmant?
Christmas...
Victorica's birthday.
When the Reaper's a rabbit, he's not so scary.
Will you also dance, Reaper?
Everyone's usually afraid of us,
the Black Reaper and...
the Golden Fairy.
But tonight...
Attention!
Everyone's presents are decorating the tree.
Please take one of your choosing.
Let's go, Kujou.
You too, Victorica.
No, I'm fine.
Victorica?
Come on! Hurry!
Which one should I choose?
I like this one...
Are you sure?
Isn't this Cordelia's?
Is there a problem?
A huge problem!
You put something important where anyone could've taken it.
Who knows who could've picked it up?
Kujou, you're the Springtime Reaper.
I'm a rabbit today.
Even so, you held back and picked your present after everyone else.
Most people would choose the biggest and fanciest package.
What's left are the small and simple ones.
And...
the black with white lace would be associated with a certain someone.
A certain someone?
You choosing that box was inevitable.
Yes, everything was fate.
Victorica!
I'll take good care of it!
I'll be sure to keep it as an heirloom!
Naturally.
Victorica, I also have a present for you.
Again, naturally.
Wait right here.
I'll bring it right away.
Wait for me. I'll be right back.
I already knew, but it still makes me sad.
The Golden-haired Fairy...
The Short-haired Fairy, huh?
I have blond hair too, you know...
Why won't they call me that?
Argh! I'll dye it!
I'll make it Christmas colors!
Let's see.
This is it.
A pendant and a ring, huh?
Looks like we were thinking the same thing.
Okay!
Excuse us.
You are Kujou Kazuya, I presume?
Let me go!
Let go of me!
Let me go!
Kujou!
Wh-Who are you people?!
Let go!
It's His Majesty Rupert's orders to take him.
His Majesty's?
Let go!
Avril!
Kujou!
Give this...
...to Victorica!
Please...
Avril!
Kujou...
All right.
Kujou...
The deporting of foreign officials, traders and students back to their home countries has already begun.
It looks like even Europe has
finally been caught in the flames of war.
Your Majesty, Saubure has always championed peace.
No matter how the world moves, we shouldn't be devoured by those waves.
Hmm...
I'll leave everything to you, Roger.
By the way,
it might be the spirit of the times,
but recently, there's been a strange rumor going around town.
What do you mean by that?
I've heard it too.
Monstre Charmant has returned to Saubure.
22...
23...
24...
25...
26...
27...
28...
They're...
This is horrible.
It's tyrannical!
Why do this so suddenly?!
Don't worry. We'll send you back to your home country safely.
Be thankful for His Majesty's kindness.
Once the war starts, you won't be able to return, anyway.
A war...
Years from now, this world will be shaken by a strong gale.
Your bodies are light.
The gale will surely separate you both.
What's wrong?!
Who's that rabbit?!
We must investigate him.
On whose orders?!
We're acting under His Majesty's—
What?!
No way...
...am I being separated like this!
No way!
Capture that boy!
Victorica!
You're—
We'll talk later, Chinese!
Where did he go?
They've come...
They're from the underground organization!
Arrest all of them!
Don't just stand there!
Now's our chance!
You got yourself involved in some trouble again?
You really are something.
W-Why?
Luigi, didn't you leave town with Jacqueline?
Yeah.
Thanks to Jacqueline, I'm living with an affluent family.
But it's stuffy.
So once in a while, I come here to relive the old days,
but even this little luxury is about to come to an end.
There were so many soldiers...
Seems like a war is about to start...
That isn't the reason.
You saw it, right?
The horde of rabbits?
Soldiers are cracking down on the fringe elements of this country.
Fringe elements?
Feeling sorry for the current state of Saubure,
for the salvation of the lost souls...
...Monstre Charmant returns.
Monstre Charmant?
The rabbits are saying that Monstre Charmant wants the blood of sinners.
As in... they want a war?
Yeah.
The organization just keeps growing,
and there are even rumors that they'll bring the iron hammer down on some weak country.
It's scary stuff.
What's wrong?
I have to go to Victorica!
Something doesn't feel right.
Leave it to me.
Oh, no!
Forcibly tearing apart such close friends...
It's unforgivable.
Kazuya, let's ask Glaviel, so you can stay with Victorica.
B-But Inspector Blois is with the Ministry of the Occult...
It's all right.
In these cases, he always helps out.
I'm sure he'll also come through for you two this time.
She's right.
Inspector Blois, despite everything, does care about Victorica...
There's no mistaking it.
See?
Y-Yeah.
Saiidi and Emelda left as well...
It's chilly even in here, I guess.
How about we return to your room, Victorica?
You should change out of that dress.
It's going to stink.
Isn't that pendant lovely?
Kujou did pretty well...
Victorica...
Should I bring you some food?
I'll get Sophie to make us some warm soup.
Use the elevator...
Thank you.
With this pendant, I'll always come and save you...
I will always be by your side.
You liar, Kujou...
I'm longing...
...to see you right now, yet...
Got away, you say?!
If he falls into the hands of the Ministry of the Occult, we'll—
If he falls into our hands, then what?
The Farting Newt again?
I've come to pick you up, Grey Wolf.
No, Monstre Charmant.
I see...
Finally, the time has come for the Ministry of the Occult to make use of me.
What are you—?!
Rather than become a slave of the Ministry of the Occult, I'll end it all here.
Don't be a fool!
This country trembles in the face of an inevitable war that will shake the very world.
With my existence, the balance of this country will change dramatically.
Much blood will be spilled.
Like me,
there will be children born separated from their mothers, left to experience a chilling loneliness.
If that's the case,
I will...
I see.
I wonder if she can see me or not.
Hey, Victorica!
I see.
So the rabbit came wandering to you...
I don't believe the Monstre Charmant will unquestioningly do as she's told.
Use that rabbit.
Kujou...
A foolish baby squirrel.
No, a rabbit.
Without even realizing that he's being held hostage, he continues to long for you.
If you lay your hands on Kujou...
That's up to you.
So this wasn't a farewell, after all,
for Victorica and me.
I wonder if Inspector Blois is ready yet.
Hey, is it all right if I go now?
I want to meet her right now...
I got it.
I'll help the Ministry of the Occult,
but don't lay a finger on Kujou!
As a favor for my younger sister...
I can do that much.
Victorica!
The rabbit is Monstre Charmant's heart.
If the rabbit dies,
the monster will die with it.
Victorica!
This isn't a farewell!
I won't ever leave you!
Kujou!
Kujou,
give me what I desire now.
It's neither sweets nor a spooky case.
What I desire is a warmth-filled boredom.
Kujou, hurry! Come to me...
Next episode
Call Checkmate on an Ash-Colored Chessboard