Kengo starts things off by greeting us and commenting on us being late. You greet him back and tell him he forgot something, which turns out to be his jacket. Kengo says it isn’t quite so cold yet, so you either bug him to put it on or else he’ll catch a cold, or you can try to put it on him yourself.
Going B, Kengo laughs at how fussy you are and says he never gets colds. But seeing as you brought the thing anyways he may as well put it on. After he does so he realizes he feels someone looking at him, and Tomte turns out to be standing behind him. When asked how long he was there for, Tomte is more preoccupied with taking notes about caring for other people. He also comments that it would be worth it to look after Kengo and says he knows how you feel.
Kengo takes offense at being treated like some sort of kid, so Tomte clarifies he means it as worth knowing so he can tend to other nervous animals. Kengo is shocked to be compared to a dumb dog instead and protests further. Tomte is a little saddened he made Kengo mad since he was trying to compliment him.
You step in to change the subject by asking where you guys are going today. Tomte remembers that’s the main thing for the day and says you guys are going to one of the cohosting schools, Bukuro Academy. Kengo is surprised they’re helping and starts asking about who you’re all meeting, so Tomte confirms it’s Claude as he talks about how famous he is among app users.
Kengo questions whether the Berserkers can actually help prepare the program, and you can either shoot him some side eye or not say anything. Going A, Kengo is baffled by your actions and asks you why you’re doing so. But anyways Kengo says he’s no good with delicate stuff but can at least carry stuff.
Tomte brings things back to the matter at hand by explaining that the organizers from Bukuro are meant to carry materials and act as sauna staff on the big day. But for some reason, Claude has suddenly said he wants to withdraw his attendance for the event. Tomte says that he will be going over today to find out the truth.
Kengo wonders whether Claude is just being fickle but notes he isn’t the type to change his mind so quickly after declaring something beforehand. Tomte mentions the change in behavior has everyone at the Santa School concerned too. You suggest something may have happened, suggest heading over now, or think about the sudden change.
Kengo agrees with setting out and needs a moment to remember Tomte’s name before saying he can handle any rough work because that’s all he’s good at. Tomte decides to tell you guys to rely him to take care of things in response, then you guys go.
Camera switches over to the Ikebukuro Underground, which narration says is heating up with excitement. Cheers and heckling are thrown all around as spectators are focused on the ring, and some wolf mob tries to finish the match with what he calls his secret paw pad stamp. He’s fighting Sitri, who says it’s a neat move but won’t land on him after all his training.
The mob is surprised Sitri stopped his attack, and Sitri follows up with his counterattack with his feathers to pin his opponent down by his clothes. Taurus Mask acts as commentator, and the match is declared with Sitri as the winner.
Title card pops up, and this chapter is called Santa Claus’s Image.
Camera then tunes back in with Sitri in a locker room as he relaxes about having made it through the final selection from that match, commenting that it was easier than he expected. He wonders if his training is bearing out and is pleased with himself for getting a step closer to being a badass. If he has any foreseeable problems, it’s that he’s unsure he’ll be done in time for Christmas. More fights equals more winnings, but how many would it take?
Ikutoshi walks in and starts talking to Sitri by asking if he’s a middle schooler. Sitri is surprised by him and asks who he is. Ikutoshi declines to give his name but calls himself an opponent he’ll be going against if Sitri stays and wins. But that aside Ikutoshi says he came to give Sitri advice.
Ikutoshi says that if Sitri is in it for the money, he’d be better off not continuing up the ranks. Sitri thinks Ikutoshi is being smug for someone in the same age group as him, so Ikutoshi sighs that he’ll go down fast if he judges on appearances and points out that Sitri didn’t notice him coming in. Sitri admits the point but says he’s getting pissed with Ikutoshi’s phrasing.
Ikutoshi briefly notes the phrasing bit before saying that Sitri may have talent but is too inexperienced with real fights. Sitri angrily says Ikutoshi isn’t changing the way he’s speaking and that the truth can hurt. Ikutoshi shrugs it off having made his point. He almost comments on Claude’s behavior before deciding not to bother.
Ikutoshi then remembers he has one other thing he needed to say, which is that Snow wants Sitri to talk to him since his next opponent has been selected. He just needs to see him before going home. Sitri asks if Snow is the manager of the arena, though Ikutoshi cuts the conversation there and leaves. Despite his irritation, Sitri thinks Ikutoshi coming and going without giving his name was kinda cool.
Out in the hallway, Bathym welcomes Ikutoshi back and asks how it went. Ikutoshi just seems done with it all and says Bathym should just talk to Sitri directly next time. Bathym says he can’t because Sitri’s avoiding him. Plus, if it really turns into a fight, Bathym can’t win.
Ikutoshi is surprised as he says he doesn’t think Sitri is that strong. Bathym clarifies that it’s not a matter of strength and more that he doesn’t Get to Win. Ikutoshi still doesn’t understand, so Bathym adds that Sitri’s hostile towards him because of his teasing ever since Bathym changed his diapers. Ikutoshi says that’s his fault but shrugs as he did as he asked. He then reminds Bathym that he promised to teach Ikutoshi a new kick move.
Bathym comments on how serious Ikutoshi is despite it nearly being Christmas, but Ikutoshi says it’s because of the season that he is. He has to beat Santa this year. Anyways, since it seems like things are done for him, Ikutoshi excuses himself for the day and goes. Bathym promises to keep his word.
Bathym talks to himself about watching what Sitri, #12 on the hierarchy, will do now with the advice given. He also says he’ll need to set the cameras up quickly so he can have something to dangle in front of Sitri’s dad, who he describes as an adoring parent.
Scene shifts to the outside of the Berserkers guild as Garm is growling at Kengo. Kengo comments on his mild consternation about this happening again and about Garm always treating him specifically this way. Garm says he hates how he smells but likes how you smell.
Tomte slides up to Garm to pet him, saying he’s a smart boy as he comments on him liking you. Garm sniffs him and bounces around before saying Tomte vaguely smells of the underworld. You ask about that to Garm or Tomte.
Going A, Garm says it’s familiar as he asks if Tomte lived in the underworld once. Tomte says he doesn’t remember much of his past, and Garm commiserates since all he can remember of his old master is their scent. Tomte starts patting Garm, who is pleased by this as he tells him to keep doing it. You either prompt Tomte to pet Garm more, join in yourself, or give a lot of pets and rubs.
Going B, Garm is happy as he says he likes you and tells Tomte to keep going. Tomte obliges as he asks if he can call Garm by name. Garm agrees, saying he’ll call Tomte by name too and saying they’re friends. Tomte then asks if Kengo did anything to make Garm hate him. Kengo says he didn’t do anything and that Garm keeps saying he smells like the Aesir.
Tomte seems to find that important and asks Kengo for a big favor. Kengo is surprised by his sudden shift in behavior and asks what it is. Tomte says scents are very important to animals and plants, so if he ever gets the chance he’d like to wash Kengo’s laundry.
Kengo protests he doesn’t smell, so Tomte shrugs and says if he washed them he could remove all the scents in his clothes. You can either ask Tomte to wash yours too or deny Tomte because you’re already washing Kengo’s clothes.
Going A, Tomte is happy about that. Kengo forces the subject to change and demands Tomte tell Garm their business already. Tomte remembers that’s what they’re supposed to be here for and asks if Garm will let you guys in. Garm is unhappy to tell you he can’t because he’s under orders. You find this strange and ask if it’s not just Kengo or if Garm can explain the order.
Going C, Garm says he can’t tell you because Claude will get mad at him. Kengo thinks that’s weird before suggesting to you that you guys just force your way in. Snow comes over to dissuade that notion and says it isn’t Garm’s fault. Garm runs over to ask Snow for praise for doing his job, so Snow says he’s a good boy.
Anyways, Snow says he’ll lead you guys in since it’s a bit conspicuous to be talking outside. Kengo thinks it’s suspicious and suggests it’s a trap as he asks for your opinion. Tomte says it’s fine with him if you guys decide to wait outside, but he’s going in because of his work and for Ded’s sake. You decide to go in and say so to either Tomte or Kengo.
Going B, Kengo shrugs and half remembers an expression about risk taking as he says he’ll go with you. Either way time skips a moment as Snow takes you guys to a room that isn’t under surveillance so you guys can speak freely. He says tea will be ready soon, so he asks you guys to take a seat.
Shortly afterwards he sets out tea and snacks for everyone, and narration mentions the sweet milk tea scent tickles the nose. Tomte says it looks great and asks Snow to teach him how he makes it sometime since he’d like to make it for Ded. Snow thanks him for the compliment but sets the subject aside for more important matters. Tomte asks if that’s related to the Berserkers pulling out of the event.
Snow says he thinks so too as he tells you guys that Claude seems different lately. He’s not supposed to be the type to back out of cohosting something he agreed to before. Claude also has lately taken to meddling with the fight brackets. Kengo points out that has happened before for the sake of making things more exciting. Snow admits it, but also says that the meddling itself is strange.
When asked about that, Snow says that at the end of the day, what Claude wants is to watch a magnificent battle between the strong. Because of that, the fight ring isn’t the type to set up curb stomps for matches. But lately there have been matches where someone just ranked would be set against someone far higher up the ladder, which Snow questions. Even if Claude were brainwashed, Snow can’t find a motive so he worries over Claude.
Tomte wonders if That Demon is possessing Claude. You don’t deny it but point out it’s already been exorcised. Tomte decides to explain what he means to Snow and talks about how the other day at Kamata the bodyguard boy got possessed by a babytalking demon. There are some parts after the possession that are inexplicable, but you guys were able to expel it after getting it into a sauna.
Snow finds it odd but manages to stop himself from asking further about exorcism by sauna bathing. But he does say that if he had that sprung on him at first he wouldn’t have believed. You plead with him to believe in you, so he says he will if you’re vouching for it.
Tomte comments on Snow believing you so quickly and how you and him are connected by trust. Snow says your guilds have clashed against each other before, but now you’re allies as you’ve helped one another. Snow even says that trust would be underselling things. Tomte then says he understands since he has someone like that for him too.
You try to ask Tomte about this person, so he tells you the only one he trusts is Ded. Kengo is surprised and asks about Tomte not trusting you guys since Shirou says you all got on well yesterday. Tomte apologizes and says he didn’t realize it.
Tomte says he wants to get along but has some sort of feeling pulling at him from within. He doesn’t know why though since he doesn’t remember anything. He also says he doesn’t feel anything like fate or bonds, what with it being weak and transparent, easily broken. Tomte wonders if he’d be reassured if he can see a stronger connection like one with Ded. You either call out Tomte’s name or say nothing, and he apologizes before suggesting getting back to the topic at hand.
At this point Sitri knocks and enters the room, commenting on how heavy the mood is before he realizes you and Kengo are here in surprise. Kengo is happy to see him and says it’s cold of Sitri the way he asked why you guys are here. You either agree with Kengo, tease Kengo for acting like a senpai, or suggest calling Kengo senpai yourself.
Anyways, Kengo asks Sitri why he’s at the underground arena. Sitri struggles to answer for a sec before saying it’s a training journey like Kengo used to take. He then asks about you guys before wondering if you’re his next opponent. You’re surprised by that and ask if he came to ask about that. Sitri tells you some shorty told him to go see the manager.
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