It seemed that Maiko was talking to someone.

"Uh huh..."

"YES! I ALWAYS KNEW YOU HAD IT IN YOU! Come to Kazue's house so we could all draw lots for the Exchanging of Gifts like I reminded everyone else, then come to my house on Christmas Eve so I can formally tell everyone we're gonna be together! Everybody will be there! I'm sure everyone's gonna be happy to hear, especially since next week's the CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!" Maiko said.

"Of course, My Princess."

She was talking to Masaki.

"O...k. Just make sure you show up. I've invited Hikari and Louisa, so you'll have close company." She said and ended the call.

"Okay. Now that that's settled..."

Maiko darted to her room and sat on the chair in front of the mirror.

"Time to start the day like I always do."

She brought out her eyebrow pencil and started doing her eyebrows...

Put on some press powder...

And finally finished by putting on lip balm.

"Now, to the base!" Maiko said to herself.

"Okaa-san! I'm leaving!"

"Okay, Maiko. Be safe!" Maiko's mom called.

"I will!" She called.

Maiko then headed to 'the base', which was actually Kazue's house.

"Heya, Maiko-chan!"

"Iris, Kazue. Sorry, I just finished inviting other peeps to the---"

"Yep, we know. You sent it to the Group Chat." I said.

"It's cool how you're gonna go prepare the Christmas Party for all of us. I'm excited how things'll turn out!" Kazue gave a closed-eyed smile.

"And damn, if 'that' defines everyday makeup, then you're pulling it to a T." I pointed at Maiko and winked. "Isn't that right, Kaz?" I nudged him.

"You're damn right..." Kazue's eyes deepened in fantasy.

"AAH! HE'S ACTUALLY MESMERIZED!"

"KAZ SNAP OUT OF IT! I WAS ONLY KIDDING!" I shook him.

"W-WHAT?! I did not say anything, NOPE!" He blushed crimson.

"*Ehem* Anyway..."

"I'm glad your parents agreed to this idea in the first place." I said. "Will they be joining us?"

"Oh, my mom's the only one around. My dad's... Uh... I'll just say that my parents aren't together on one roof." Maiko said.

"Wow. No wonder when we come and visit, we only see your mom." I said.

"Well, at least you've got your three older brothers." Kazue said.

"Chris, the eldest, is a ship captain. He apparently goes everywhere for his job, but he's coming home for the holidays, so It's cool." She said. "Well, I guess we are gonna be complete."

*Ring!*

"It's Takumi!" Maiko said. "The second brother. What trouble did I get into for him to call me now?"

"Hello?"

Takumi: So you leave home without cleaning the living room, huh? Some host you are.

Maiko: Oh, shoot. I forgot to clean the living room?!

Takumi: Blame Leo for inviting friends yesterday and forgetting to clean scraps of his food stash.

*Leo in the background* I'm so sorry, Maiko!!!

Takumi: I'm off to school to pick up some requirements for the next trimester. Leo's going to his Christmas Gathering Night at school. Good luck with cleaning duty.

Maiko: You're gonna get a piece of me after Christmas, Leo!
Thanks for the heads-up. Bye, love ya guys.

*Conversation End*

"Sorry about that. Just proves that girls are pretty much more responsible than guys are." Maiko heaved a sigh.

"How insulting..." Kazue crossed his arms.

"But isn't that true for you most of the time?" I smirked.

"Why do you somehow always get in my nerves with your comebacks, Iris?" A tick mark appeared on Kazue's head.

"Why are you so affected? And why do you count them as comebacks?" I asked back.

"W-WHATEVER!" Kazue obviously gave in.

"Hah. Iris wins again!"  Maiko cheered.

"Fine! Go side with her, I'm fine with it!" He started 'walking out'.

"Woah, woah. Don't go play the 'best actor' stint here. You know you still can't resist not being around your UltraMIC girls long." I winked.

Kazue turned back, now his hands were on his hips. "Alright. You got me." He sighed.

"Okay... Now the real deal here though is..."

(Zoom to Maiko's living room)

"You're right. This living room is a mess." I said.

"Then what are you waiting for, girls?"

Kazue threw two scrubs each at us.

"Wear those on both your feet. We've definitely got a lot of scrubbing and polishing to do here." He gave a peace sign and winked.

We put on the scrubs, and each held a cleaning item.

Me: Feather Duster
Maiko: Broom
Kazue: Mop

"Now we're on to Operation: Good Tidy-ings We Bring To You and Your Kin!" Maiko said.

"That was pretty cool, considering it's almost Christmas." I said.

"Yeah, not bad." Kazue said.

"So, I know cleaning sounds pretty boring a job, but..."

"I found a way to make it a fun thing!" Maiko brought out a her PriPass.

"Yes, bring in the sound system!" Kazue said.

"What do you say? Let's have another go at 'Change My World!'?" Maiko asked.

"I'm so down!" I said.

"Let's Make Dreams, We Can Do It--!"

"Wait, I got a better idea! Allow me to change the lyrics up a little bit." I said.

*To the tune of Change My World*

No more mess, we can do it!
No more mess, clean the house!

"Iris, you're a genius! This is perfect!" Kazue said.

"My PriPass is connected to the speaker now, so let's get it on!" Maiko said.

The intro music started playing.

"Let's go!"

(Maiko, Iris, Charlotte, All)

No more mess!
We can do it!
No more mess!
CLEAN THE HOUSE!

Kidzuite shimattara, mō tomaranai
Atarashī sekai... Kitto ne, tsukamaeru yo
Wakuwaku shichattara
Kitto We can't stop da ne!
Issho dattara, watashi mo odoru ne

Yume no Door
"Sanmiittai" denara hiraku to shinjiteru
Dakara "Here We Go!"
"Naisho" no Passion
Jōseki datte kiseki ni kawaru hazu yo
Tsuite kite yo ne?
Tsuite ku ne!
Mahō mitai na Party Time!

Dare datte min'na motteru no
Honto no (Oh!) Jibun kagayaku PLACE (Yes!)
Kaetai no nara
Negawanakya (Sagashite)
Kokoro no oku no omoi! (Kanaete)
Kakushi teta hontō no Smile
Osaerarenai yo! (Kitto min'na)
Dakara, jōnetsu no mama
Sing! Sing
Utatte miyou!
Kawatte iku kara MY WORLD!

"Now, how 'bout we try imagining we're doing a Making Drama?" Maiko suggested.

"Okay, bring it!" Kazue and I said.

We closed our eyes.

"Making Drama, Switch On!"

We opened our eyes.

Kazue: I glide with this mop, gotta keep everything shining shimmering splendid!

Maiko: With this broom, I'm rockin' it! I can even dance with this thing!

Iris: *coughs at the dust* Despite all this dust, the results of my work are much more good to see!

We spun around, our scrubs still on our feet.

"Good Tidyings! A Spick-and-Span Holiday!"

"Boku datte" nante omō yori
"Watashi mo" tte issho ni, warao!
Shiranakatta, sekai ga aru
Yume no Door, hiraita mukō ni!

Dare datte min'na motteru no
Honto no (Oh!) Jibun kagayaku PLACE (Yes!)
Mitsuketa no nara oshiete ne (Negatta)
Kokoro no oku no omoi! (Kanaeyou)
Kakusenai saikō no Smile
Afuredashichau yo (Kitto min'na)
Hora ne, jōnetsu no mama
Sing! Sing!
Utatte miyou!
Kawatte iku nda MY WORLD!

No More Mess!
We can do it!
No More Mess!
On'nanoko mo♪
Otokonoko mo♪
Utaou yo♪
LET'S CLEAN THE HOUSE!

"Yes! Mission accomplished!" We said together.

"Now let's get back to my house so we could draw lots for Exchange Gifts!" Kazue punched the air in excitement.

"Aye!" Maiko and I said.

"Can't wait to see who I get to give a present to!" I said.

"So is everyone, basically." Maiko said.

(The next week... Christmas Eve, Maiko's House)

It's now 10:30 P.M.

*Ding Dong!*

"Yes, they're here!" Maiko exclaimed.

And first to arrive was...

Kazue and Agnes.

"Kaz! Merry Christmas!" Maiko hugged him.

He started blushing, but cleared his throat. "Christmas actually isn't until 12 Midnight, you know?" He said.

"Well, I'm just excited on who picked me during the drawing of lots. I can't wait to see what my gift is!" Agnes gave a closed-eyed smile.

"How's the married life, Agnes-san?" Maiko asked.

"It's been great! You know, with someone as pretty as you, you might find the one you'd actually want to marry pretty easy." Agnes said.

"Hope that's me, hope that's me, hope that's me." Little chibi Kazues were running on top of Kazue's head saying that, as his imagination ran about.

Next to arrive was me.

"Iris! Why isn't Lorelei around?" Maiko asked.

"Yeah. Where is that cutie pie?" Kazue asked with a cheerful tone.

"She's at home helping mom cook with Erika. Erika's family is joining mine for Christmas Eats." I said.

"Oh---"

"Hello~!"

Louisa, Hikari, and Masaki were next.

"Hi guys! And..."

Maiko gasped.

"YES YES YES! MASAKI YOU CAME!" Maiko leaped to give Masaki a hug.

"Of course, how would I forget the proposal, My Princess?" He smiled.

"P-P-PROPOSAL?!" Kazue exclaimed.

"Okay, what is your deal with Maiko, Masaki? Don't tell me..."

"Well." Masaki held Maiko's hand. "I guess since it's because we have most things in common that she was likely to choose me. So, no big deal." Masaki scoffed.

"Wh-What the frikin' hell?!" Kazue was furious.

"Cool! Maiko, what's this? I mean, what's with you and Masaki this Christmas Eve, huh?" I asked.

"Well...."

"Oh, Shaira and Jade are here too! Now we're all complete!" Maiko went to greet them.

"Hiya!" Shaira said.

"Sup?" Jade said casually.

"B-But, Maiko---" Kazue was cut short.

"Grr... Masaki's won her now?! Why the heck would Maiko even wanna hang out with a selfish guy like him?!" Kazue thought as he messed his hair.

(Time: 11:40 P.M.)

After the food, it was time for the Exchange Gifts.

"Okay, first up, we have Agnes-san to give the gift." Maiko said.

"Alright, I got Louisa. Open it."

Louisa opened the box. And it was a pair of pumps.

"Cool! Another item to go with my OOTDs!" Louisa said. "I know we haven't seen eye to eye in the past, Agnes-san, but..."

"I know you've changed for the better, Louisa. And that's why I'm also making it up to you with the gift." Agnes smiled.

2nd: Hikari

"Okay, cool! I got Jade! So here." Hikari gave the gift to Jade.

"Aww. Wonder what it is---"

"YAY! A DIARY! You know how much I love to keep track of what I do everyday." She said.

3rd: Iris

"Okay, I got Kazue!" I said.

Kazue opened his gift.

"WOAH! These shoes are cool for anything I wear for the day. Arigatou, Iris." Kazue winked.

4th: Jade

"I got Iris!" She declared.

"Ooh, what has my fellow top student have for me..."

"Wow! I never knew you drew a picture of UltraMIC!" I said.

"I even framed it to make it look presentable." Jade said.

"That's so cute!" Kazue and Maiko said together.

5th: Kazue

"I got Shaira." He handed her a paper bag.

"A denim vest! How cute! Thanks, Kaz!" Shaira said.

"I know your 6th Sense is the Fashion Sense." Kazue laughed.

6th: Louisa

"I got Maiko." She said.

"Ooh! Headphones! Definitely useful for me. Thanks, Louisa!" She said.

7th: Maiko

"I got Masaki." She said.

"Seriously, what luck." Kazue mumbled.

"Hah, you know just what to get me, huh, My Princess." He smiled.

"I knew you liked wearing hoodies. So I gotcha one!" Maiko gave a closed-eyed smile.

8th: Masaki

"I got Hikari." He said.

"Ooh, this is something solid!" Hikari said and ripped off the wrapper.

"A SCIENCE ENCYCLOPEDIA! YAYEEE!!!" Hikari exclaimed.

"As expected of you..." Masaki sweat-dropped.

Last: Shaira

"I got Agnes-san!"

She handed Agnes a box.

"Oh wow..."

The box had little white baby clothes inside.

"Of course I won't know when a baby's coming to your family, but plain white ones never fail. I hope you an Lucas enjoy your married life for now!" She said.

Agnes laughed. "That's actually really cute, Shaira." Agnes smiled.

(Time: 11:57 P.M.)

"Ooh! 3 more minutes till Christmas!" Maiko said excitedly.

"Princess, if you're forgetting..."

"Oh yeah! The announcement! Come on then!" Maiko called to Masaki.

"Well, everyone, I'd like to say some things first..." Maiko began.

"Oh wow, she's finally gonna say it." Kazue said, with all hope lost.

"I know that school's over because of the holidays, but then, I didn't know when I'd see someone with so much similarities as myself."

"Masaki?"

Masaki came beside her.

"Actually, the proposal was..."

"I've officially recruited Masaki as one of my mates at the Dance Club!"

Kazue's expression was shocked.

"WHAT?!"

"Now, for the formal welcome I planned..."

Maiko looked at the clock.

"10 seconds till Midnight, guys!"

"10!"
"9!"
"8!"

"Masaki, into position, now! Just like as practiced!" Maiko whispered.

Masaki nodded.

"7!"
"6!"
"5!"
"4!"
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, MINNA!" Everyone screamed.

Maiko started the music, and soon, she and Masaki were showing off their dancing prowess.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

As they finished the dance, everyone took to their juice glasses.

"Thanks so much for coming over for Christmas, everyone." Maiko said. "And I give my besties major credit." She winked at me and Kazue.

"Aw. You're welcome." I said.

"It's nothing, really." Kazue winked.

"So I propose a toast for this day. To our friendship, and to a new year coming soon!" Maiko raised her glass.

"CHEERS!"

*Next Chapter Preview*

Kazue: Ugh... I had this dream... And it was really hard to understand...

Iris: You wanna talk about it?

Kazue: I'd rather not for now. Because...

Maiko: WE'RE THIRD YEARS NOW!

Kazue: ...School's started again.

(Meanwhile...)

Agnes: Hey, Aria-chan...!
And Iris, and Maiko, and Shaira...
You guys don't look good.

Kazue: Remember us...

Agnes: Kazue, your voice...

Shaira: I don't think that you've forgotten us since going solo...

Iris: But we've come back.

Maiko: You'll have to explain this task to UltraMIC first...

Kazue, Shaira, Maiko & Iris: Or our souls will not be rest.

Agnes: I-I recognize these voices...
But... You've taken them into possession!

*Shaira, Maiko, Iris and Kazue laugh happily like children.*

Agnes: Next Time on PriPara: Breakthrough!
Return of the Phantom Pioneers

All: Till Next Time!

(Disclaimer: The minor change to the lyrics was only for fun and for the relevance of the one of the story's scenes which I think would make it sound good. I still do not own PriPara or anything in it. Also, I do not own rights to any songs from BLACKPINK or the East2West Cover, I only used the song for a dance scene, also for the same reason mentioned; so I hope this is clear, everyone! Happy Holidays, minna-san~!)