Institute of Higher Education "Centennial Star".

1:14 p.m.

All the students were counting the seconds that day, some teachers were tempted to let them go hours early so they could go too, if only it had snowed...

Winter vacation began with the dismissal bell.

Some who were sleeping woke up suddenly; others were already at the exit doors, where their parents were waiting for them.

A pair of twins waited outside the doors.

—Jolyne, witch, I told you to wake me up before the bell!—. A girl with dreadlocks and a lot of energy ran out.

—Shut up, I told you I wouldn't do it! —The girl with a lock of dyed green hair immediately responded—. Where are Weather and FF?

—They were both equally asleep, I couldn't wake them up. And don't change the subject.

-I don't-

—How lucky that your class is closer to the door, Jotaro.

-Hmm.

—No smartass comments?

—It wasn't luck.

—Don't talk to him, Ermes, he's in a good mood.

-And so?

—The cherry kissed him goodbye before leaving.

—Aww, cherry pie? Ha, you two never miss a moment.

—Shut up...

—Hey, Guys/Jolyne!—three voices spoke at the same time.

—It's about time you deaf, and you, what are you doing here? —They weren't even in the same class, how did he end up being close to them?

—Jolyne, as I told you before, my parents will have a Christmas party; your invitation

-Hey -Ermes Costello was ignored again.

—Thank you, Anasui, but my parents confirmed to hold the family meeting that I told you about...during the entire vacation. It takes more than two days to go and return.

—Is there no way to make you stay?

—Not this time.

—...Okay, but keep it.

Jolyne agreed smiling.

—I have to go, Jolyne, my sister arrived.

—My family is also waiting for me at home. —Weather Report spoke calmly.

Jolyne looked at him worried.

—Has your brother already been picked up by him?

—Yes, and my sister doesn't stop worrying, although it happens every year...

—He will be back as always after Christmas. —Ermes tried to reassure him.

Everyone looked at each other in agreement.

—Group goodbye hug?—Jolyne asked.

—Group goodbye hug.—The others responded.

Somehow Jotaro was pulled into the hug. Despite continuing to insist that they aren't in the same class, nor are they friends.

Polnareff and Abdul had already hugged him and wished merry Christmas in advance.

Why are Giorno and Josuke taking so long?

—Student Josuke and Haruno!—The voice of a teacher was heard loudly.

Talking about the devil.

The missing cousins appeared at the exit door; they were running towards them without speaking, just smiling satisfied.

Again?

Jolyne and Jotaro joined them in their run, but when they turned around two streets later they started walking.

—I swear, they're going to end up giving Professor Rohan gray hair.

—That's the idea, isn't it, Giorno?

—He looked for it, this time.

—I thought you had already settled differences with him after he helped you catch that serial killer...

—First, we helped him; secondly, we don't do it out of malice, it's more a retribution for all the winter work he just gave us.

—Winter homework is given by all teachers, it's their job, give me a break.

Jotaro spoke sense, but Josuke was already thinking about how to finish his homework as soon as possible to enjoy free time, he will ask Giorno for help.

—Professor Rohan gave more than twice as much homework as the rest...

Giorno defended the point he and Josuke had, as always.

—Anyway, we're here, and we'll talk all vacation, so...See you tomorrow morning, cousins.

—Take care, Jolyne. —Both boys said goodbye.

—Goodbye, Jotaro.

—See you.

...Thus began those winter vacations, which would be the most bizarre of all the previous ones they had....

It's very cold.

In the middle of a snowstorm I try to move forward, but suddenly the landscape changes to a cabin illuminated and decorated for Christmas. Ah, this is a dream.

I decide to take advantage of this lucid dream and eat the chocolate chip cookies that I see on the table near the window.

It's a luxurious and sizable place.

I see ashes falling from the fireplace. Oh, a dream about Santa Claus.

But from this chimney doesn't fall the man who was waiting but a small and very bright light. It looks like a fairy.

It approaches me, and tiny voices begin to be heard.

—Testing testing.

What the hell?

—It sounds good, stop. — A woman's voice sounds strong, but very delicate at the same time.

—Excuse me, Miss. I'm a little nervous.

—Hello? —I try to communicate with voices.

—Good evening, sir...Josuke Higashikata?

—Yeah…

I hear the male voice clear his throat.

—My name is Speedwagon, sir, and today I came to ask your good will for help. Christmas is in danger, Santa Claus was kidnapped by an evil being and we can't get to him. We need him. I don't have much time; the place where you can pass to the kingdom of the North Pole is in a special hole near your uncle's cabin...Joseph Zeppeli, yes. It was a passage made by an ancestor of yours. Without elaborating, ahem, it will be open until the morning of the 25th.

Good...

Well, I've had dreams like these so many times, Christmas in danger and me saving it. I can't help it, many movies and how I look up to all the Santa Clauses in the world even if they are not the real one, since one saved me when I was a child; this must be just one of those dreams.

So I play along.

—Of course I will.

—Thank heaven, I knew I could count on you, after all you carry his blood.

"Speed, don't talk anymore." The woman's voice silences him.

-Time is over? Excuse me.

The cabin was immediately converted into a school.

Oh no, that recurring nightmare.

...----------------...

Meanwhile, at the North Pole.

—Are you okay, Miss Erina?— asks a tall, thin figure with pointed ears to a lady made of lights and shiny decorations.

—I will live, Speedwagon, but I am exhausted. I may be late to wake up, you must take care of the other elves and Krampus castle while I'm away.

—Plan B until the children arrive?

—Yes, Krampus must not suspect what we are planning or I won't be able to stop him from invading us.

The lady with golden hair and the white tunic entered a sphere of snow above the place's fireplace.

—Well, you heard friends, we must not disappoint Christmas. The children will arrive here in two days, we must buy time and finish the preparations for this Christmas.

The other organized elves went to lead their own squads under the command of the elf leader.

—In the worst case scenario... —He murmured looking towards Santa's closet; where the substitute's tunic was kept.

...----------------...

Close to the depths of the endless abyss.

On a ledge was the castle of this Krampus.

—Krampus! —Jonathan's voice could be heard echoing through the walls.

Nobody answered.

—Krampus! Ah!—The bars of his cage prevented him from escaping, he had already hit it hard, but he had only managed to pass out for several days after the shock, so he tries to convince him. —Christmas is coming! Let me go!

—Calm down, Santa Claus. —One of Krampus's servants mocked, if he remembered correctly, his name is Vanilla Ice, formerly an orphan boy who chose to stay and serve Krampus. Now he was a watch mirror in that main room.—I don't know why my lord doesn't just kill you...

—Because my death is not what he's looking for, Vanilla Ice.

—On top of that, he put you in his private room, where only me and a few can enter, tell me why did he let his enemy enter?

—I'm not his enemy, and you can't communicate with him?

—Of course I can, my lord Krampus trusts me.

—Then call him.

—I told you, he won't be back until later, he needed to bring some children from the other side. No matter how much you scream he can't hear you.

—Krampus!

—Jeez, shut up already!

—Such manners, Vanilla Ice.

The beautiful figure of his master was drawn in the window, he carried a dark basket on his shoulder.

—Dio, let me out!—The whole situation was so wrong.

—I already told you, my name is not Dio, it's Krampus!

After the demon's shout there was a dead silence. Broken by the current Santa Claus.

—…Excuse me, Krampus then, but you must let me go. You know, this is very dangerous. There is no time to lose.

—You're right, there isn't. I'll let you go as soon as I finish what I have to do.

Krampus's voice trembled with extreme emotion.

—What are you going to do?

His red gaze made Santa Claus tremble with worry.

—Something I should have done a long time ago, and this time you won't stop me.

...----------------...

—Josuke, come down at once!

That morning the sky was clear, unlike in his dream. As he supposed, it was just a dream, still...

—Going!

They had to meet Giorno first, and then go for Jolyne and Jotaro. His mother bought an incredible minibus, for such a large family, it is perfect.

—Grandpa, do you need help with that?

—Don't worry, it's just this bag. You already helped with the rest.

He had been looking forward to the trip since early in the morning. His mother told him that since he was awake before the sun, he might as well help carry what was left.

—Everything ready, say goodbye to the house for a while.

"Goodbye, home!" Grandfather and grandson said in unison, smiling.

A few blocks away, they arrived where Giorno was waiting for them with his two suitcases.

Josuke waved at him from the window.

—Giorno, do you only have those two?

—That's all I need.—He waved back.

—Where is your mother Giorno?—Tomoko also looked out her window.

—She won't be able to come, she left me this note for you, Miss Tomoko.

Josuke went down to help him carry the things, while Giorno quickly approached Josuke's mother with the note.

—Ugh, what are you wearing here, Haru? —Josuke could only carry one of the bags with all his strength.

—Only what is necessary. —He looked away embarrassed. Picking up the other easily.

—Next stop, Kujo house! —Tomoko spoke loudly, followed by her son and her nephew far from her.

—To the house of the Kujo!

When they arrived in front of that large house, they took a moment to look at it, and greet the 4 relatives who were waiting for them at the entrance with several suitcases.

Tomoko came down to greet Holy and Sadao. While the boys loaded the suitcases into the vehicle with the help of their grandfather.

—What's wrong Jolyne, worried about the cold? They are a lot.

—Hush, most of them are from my parents, I only need a couple...— She proudly carried her two suitcases. Followed by Jotaro.

—So these other ones with starfish stickers are from…—Josuke looked at Jotaro.

—Only the necessary.—Said defensive Jotaro.

Josuke chuckled lowly.

—I didn't say anything about that. Four suitcases, Mr. Practical?

Jotaro growled something at him that he couldn't hear, but that sounded like "give me a break."

—One of them is pure communication devices,— Jolyne intervened, delighted to annoy her brother. —He talks to her sweetheart every day.

—Don't be a gossip—Jotaro looked at her seriously and slightly blushed. —It was just his luck to have such a sister.

Everyone who heard it laughed and Jotaro gave up for once.

—Good job everyone.— Tomoko agreed happily after getting back into the minibus with the twins' parents and seeing how they arranged things.

—Take a seat, we have a long trip ahead of us.

After everyone was seated. Tomoko took the wheel and accelerated.

Josuke hoped his mother would hold back a little this time, since it was a longer trip than normal and they had other passengers.

He looked sadly at Mr. and Mrs. Kujo, his grandfather was already taking a nap and the twins were listening to music quietly. Giorno took him by the hand, since he got dizzy too easily even though it wasn't the first time Tomoko had taken him somewhere.

Josuke handed him some motion sickness pills.

And, began the journey down the road.