Chapter 1: The Wish

Nishikata looked around the mall nervously, relieved to see no sign of the accursed Takagi-San. For once, he'd be able to shop in peace! His black winter coat provided him refuge from the biting cold outside, and his black jeans gave his legs just the right amount of slack whilst shielding them from the chilly winter air. His black boots, though somewhat worn out, provided a solid foundation as he walked through the festive mall.

"I'm just here to get a Christmas gift for my mom and dad! That's all!" he fumed. "Then I'll run out and take the bus home before she can catch me!"

As the young seventh-grader made his way past the mall's food court, he glanced around at the various entrances, scanning for a suitable place to shop. Sure, his parents weren't exactly picky in terms of what they wanted for a gift. Even at that, Nishikata still wanted to put some effort into what he obtained for them.

Spotting a humble antique store that displayed a good amount of traditional memorabilia in its windows, Nishikata smiled with satisfaction. His father was a record collector and his mother a lover of historical relics. This shop would be an ideal place for him to acquire a gift. From here, he'd get home with more than enough time to catch the new episode of 100% Unrequited Love!

Upon entering the antique store, Nishikata was pleasantly surprised to see a large stack of old vinyl records and numerous framed haikus recovered from those who'd lived back in the ancient days of Japan. Today must be his lucky day! The young boy thumbed through the records and selected a pair he knew would be fit for his dad, then obtained two haiku parchments that were framed in dark oak wood.

Nishikata glanced down at the bright yellow price tags; the store was having a sale today! Surely his day could not get much better than this! Then, he spotted something out of the corner of his eye: a large, brown book mounted on a small lectern, with gold lining on the border and a black ballpoint pen sitting to its right.

Intrigued, the young boy walked over to the lectern and gazed at the cover in a curious manner. There was no title, and something about the book seemed odd. And yet, the flashy sheen which glistened over the cover beckoned Nishikata to open it and read every single page.

The investigator that he was, Nishikata opened to the first page, and was bewildered at what he saw. Rather than having a traditional format with a foreword, author's acknowledgments, then a table of contents, this first page was jumbled and littered with what appeared to be various wishes written down by many different people. Nishikata figured that the book, being openly displayed in the public, did not contain overly sensitive information, and read some of the scribbled wishes.

There was quite an assortment! Not only that, but this book must've been in circulation centuries ago! Some of the wishes were dated as far back as the twelfth century, while others were only two years ago! The wishes ranged from the usual things like fame and fortune to victory in municipal elections and military strength. A largely diverse selection, really. Nishikata was in awe as he flipped through the pages; what great luck it was that he had stumbled upon this book!

Suddenly, he reached two pages in the center that were engraved with giant, black letters in bold. The message was simple yet foreboding, and a chill ran up Nishikata's spine as he read it.

Write The Wishes Of Thine Heart In This Enchanted Book, and thou shall receive it in full! But beware, for once the gift you seek is inscribed onto these sacred pages, it cannot be revoked.

"No need to make that much of a fuss about it!" Nishikata shuddered. "Sheesh!"

"Nishikata?"

The boy froze as his ears registered the timbre, tone, and register of that infernal voice. The voice that had haunted him, tormented him, and mocked him without ceasing since the first day of sixth grade.

"Are you serious?! No way she found me here!"

But as Nishikata turned around, his grimaced face and narrowed eyes decorated by a red blush on his cheeks, he saw that he was not mistaken. The girl's brown hair that reached just to her shoulders matched her glimmering, hazel brown eyes, and the red scarf around her neck partially concealed the golden buttons on her blue winter coat. The buckles on her pink boots sparkled for just a moment as they reflected a beam of light.

Takagi-San was here.

And she was not about to let him go without bringing him to his knees.

"What are you doing here?" Takagi-San asked in a casual yet coy tone.

"Oh, n-nothing much," Nishikata stammered, trying to avoid eye contact with her. "Just shopping around, ya know?"

"Oh?" Takagi-San replied with that infuriating inflection in her voice. "What for?"

"Christmas gifts for my parents, what else?!" Nishikata spat back, feeling his face growing redder by the second.

"What about medicine for your fever?" Takagi-San replied.

Nishikata was caught off guard by this, just as Takagi-San knew he would be. "Hu-huh?! What do you mean?! I'm not sick!"

"Then why is your face so red?"

"Because—because—because it's so hot in here!" Nishikata retorted, vainly trying to defend himself.

"In an air-conditioned mall during the wintertime?"

Nishikata growled, trying to find a counterargument for the question this devilish teaser had posed. But he took a split second too long, and his defeat was sealed as Takagi-San burst out laughing.

"Your reactions are always the best, Nishikata!" her bubbly laugh taunted.

Nishikata clenched his fists. He wanted nothing more than to open his mouth and silence the savage, Hell-sent demon with a swift, irrefutable insult once and for all.

But once again, the boy found himself speechless as he gazed into Takagi-San's big brown eyes. Along with that, they were in the midst of a shop with dozens of people bustling about. If he were to say such a thing to her, anyone overhearing the talk would undoubtedly take Takagi-San's side.

Just then, Takagi-San felt her phone vibrate, and answered it when she saw her mom's contact on the caller ID. Promising her mother she'd meet her in the Food Court at once, she pocketed her phone and turned to leave.

"Finally!" Nishikata sighed in relief. Then he saw her turn to look at him and braced himself for another round of teasing.

"I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Nishikata," she said in a friendly manner. "Maybe next year, we can spend it together."

Nishikata was perplexed. "Uh...yeah, sure."

As Takagi-San skipped out of the antique store, Nishikata released another breath he'd been holding, and cursed himself for letting his guard down.

"I swear it's like she obtained the power to always find and humiliate me straight from the pits of Hell!" Nishikata thought with fury. "Why can't she ever just leave me alone?!"

Then, it dawned on him.

He stood right before an enchanted book that had obviously been in use for centuries, and called upon by millions to grant what they desired. For him to find this book, right on this day, right at Christmastime, precisely when his loathsome archenemy had just made a laughingstock of him?

A diabolical grin spread across the boy's face.

Yes, this was perfect! This was just what he needed!

As he picked up the pen, Nishikata flipped to another page that was mostly empty, and was about to inscribe his wish. But for some reason, in that moment, the boy suddenly hesitated.

If Takagi-San was to somehow no longer end up in school, via a school transfer or other means, that would mean he could finally focus in class! No more embarrassment! No more teasing!

But then again...did he really want her gone?

Nishikata recalled a few times where she hadn't been the vicious teasing monster she usually was. A few times, they'd shopped in the bookstore together and helped each other with homework. On one occasion, they'd shared an umbrella on a rainy day as Takagi-San had neglected to bring one.

She may have been a nuisance at times, sure. But surely she wasn't all that bad, was she?

And Nishikata had to admit, he couldn't help but find her kind of cute sometimes...

Nishikata angrily shook that thought from his head.

"No! I HATE Takagi-San! I hate her stupid, gloating laugh! I hate the way she looks at me with those horrid eyes knowing she's going to win no matter what! I hate how she teases me like a helpless puppy instead of just shutting that ugly face of hers and going away! I hate—I hate—!"

Nishikata peered down at the empty spot on the page, with a newfound resolve being fueled by the festering rage inside his heart. For too long had he bowed before the whims of the tyrant Takagi-San. Kneeling like a dog to its master. Being made to, figuratively speaking, grovel at her feet like a slave to a queen. For too long had he been made the weaker one, disgraced again and again by her infernal teasing. Defeat piled upon defeat that he had never asked for, never deserved. Nothing would stop him from getting his wish.

Nothing.

Pressing down the button on the back end of the ball-point pen like a warrior unsheathing a dagger, Nishikata gleefully smiled down at the page with a wicked gleam in his eye. The vile, dragonish thoughts in his heart leapt for joy as he wrote every letter, every syllable, every word of his wish.

"I wish Takagi-San and her teasing were gone! FOREVER!!!"

He slammed the book shut once his inscription was complete, and looked around with a cautious demeanor. No one had witnessed his deed! Perfect!

The boy completed the purchase of his gifts and strode out of the antique shop with a newfound sense of power.

"I've got you now, Takagi-San," he celebrated. "Your reign of tyranny is over."

.......................................

"Nishikata!" his mother called from downstairs. "Breakfast is ready!"

Nishikata rubbed the grit from his eyes, peering at the alarm clock atop his dresser. It was already 10:00am; good heavens, he'd slept in quite late! Nishikata was annoyed with himself at first. How on earth would he be able to complete all his chores before lunch now?!

Then, the boy's face lit up with boundless joy as he recalled what day it was.

It was Christmas! A day where he would be able to gorge himself on luscious meals and delectable desserts without a scolding from his relatives!

And even better, he would potentially see his wish fulfilled today!

"This is going to be the best Christmas ever!" Nishikata thought with elation as he bolted down the stairs without bothering to change out of his pajamas.

All while remaining oblivious to the malevolent presence outside, watching him.

The tall, hulking figure may have looked weak and scrawny, with his bony phalanges just barely covered by a thin, flaky substance that just barely passed for skin. Being covered by a large red cloak, one could potentially mistake him for the benevolent Santa Claus. But should one have the misfortune of having to look this merciless judge of character in the face, they would forever be haunted by a sight terrifying beyond what mankind's lexicon could put into words.

For underneath the scarlet hood, the spirit's grotesque complexion was one that would make even the most hardened of evildoers cower in childlike fear. His eyes were nothing more than small yellow pupils centered in the midst of the empty sockets, and his overgrown beard still failed to conceal his hideous, wrinkled mouth that looked more fitting to be on a serpent than a humanoid spirit. The teeth inside his mouth were no better, as they qualified more as blackened stumps with yellow tips as opposed to healthy denticles. As if that wasn't enough, the mop of wild, unkempt gray hair which crowned the demon's head oddly resembled the horrifying snakes atop a Medusa's head.

A slow, devious smile spread across Krampus's face as he opened his book to the page where Nishikata's wish was inscribed, and he hovered his gangly, untrimmed fingers over the spiteful words. A small cloud of horrid, black dust formed over the boy's naïve wish, then suddenly the cloud split into three deadly arrows that sped off in the direction of Takagi's residence.

"Your wish is my command, boy," Krampus chuckled with a wicked tone. "I do so hope you are satisfied with the outcome."

The demon heard an all-too-familiar jingle of sleigh bells behind him, and turned to see Santa's transport touching down on the roof as the reindeer's hooves clip-clopped to a halt. The widely revered Saint Nicholas gazed at Krampus with a knowing yet still pained expression in his eyes, and Krampus was not about to have any of it.

"You know the law, brother," Krampus's voice hissed. "You and I both swore that oath all those years ago when the Divine Scroll Governing Magic was sealed in King Frost's Royal Court. We both have our duties, and we carry them out. That is that."

Despite the correct yet stonehearted pragmatism of his wicked brother, Santa's eyes began to drip with tears.

"You've robbed honorable folk who were just on a bad day of their livelihoods. Stolen precious final moments of those who would've been able to be by their loved one's side as they took their last breath. Must you also destroy the innocent, blossoming love between children?!"

Krampus's sadistic grin did not waver. "The foolish boy made his wish. And he shall receive it in full. The same way all of those children on your Nice List that you so treasure have received theirs."

Santa sighed. Even after seeing the fruits of his actions for millennia, his brother still refused to relent. And what's more, seemed to take a sick pleasure in witnessing the suffering of his victims! Santa had lost count of how many pleas he had submitted to the Royal Court by now, and didn't even want to try. For every single time he had petitioned King Frost to alleviate mankind of Krampus's cruelty, the king would simply dismiss his claims in his usual, coldhearted fashion.

"The Law is the Law and must not be changed." Was almost always the stoic, icy King's reply.

"Get on," Santa nodded to the back of his now empty sleigh. "My magic conceals our presence and sound. No one in this neighborhood can spot us unless we reveal ourselves."

"Go on back to your workshop, brother," Krampus hissed. "I have some business to attend to here."

Down in the living room, Nishikata was wild with joy as he wolfed down the hearty breakfast his parents had prepared before running straight to the Christmas tree. His eyes were nearly bulging from their sockets as he ripped open each gift to reveal its contents. Each gift seemed to be even better than the last! The latest manga of Fierce Soccer, some Zombie Robots action figures, and even some epic collector cards for the baseball series he'd been following for a while! And just when he thought it couldn't get better, there were even some Dino Soccer DVDs that his father said he'd gotten in a special sale at the Game Store!

"Figured you'd enjoy them, son!" his father said.

Nishikata's parents, in turn, were most grateful for their son's thoughtful gifts.

"Oh son, you didn't!" his mother laughed. "These framed poems will make a most excellent decoration for the kitchen!"

"You've been paying attention, my boy!" his father added. "I hope you don't mind me playing these on repeat!"

Following the wondrous opening of their gifts, Nishikata's parents allowed him to enjoy his gifts in his room, but reminded him that his grandparents and cousins would be coming over later in the evening.

"No problem mom and dad!" he said in an excited manner. "Thanks again!"

Flopping himself onto the bed, Nishikata grabbed hold of the Fierce Soccer manga first and nearly ripped the cover off as he opened to the first page. Just then, Nishikata's ears picked up the wail of sirens down the street, and the boy became somewhat concerned. What unfortunate soul had required the arrival of paramedics to their residence on what was supposed to be a day of happiness? It wasn't Takagi-San by any chance...was it?
Nishikata laughed it off and got back to reading his new manga. Most certainly not! If anything, Takagi was about to begin worrying him with text messages saying she was hurt so she could tease him when he got worried! There was no need to concern himself with this matter! He had a most important task to attend to!

New manga, new DVDs, new action figures, and no infernal teasing from Takagi-San!

Today was going to be a merry Christmas alright.

A very merry Christmas indeed.

....................................................

"But I—I—I don't understand!" Takagi's mother hollered in desperation. "She's been perfectly healthy her whole life! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!"

The EMTs in the back of the ambulance looked at the devastated mother with mixed looks of confusion and pity on their faces.

"We're not sure, ma'am," the lead EMT reported in a somber tone. "We're stabilizing the bleeding for now and we can stop her cough, but until a thorough examination is done on her we won't be able to pinpoint the cause."

On the gurney, Takagi's body lay still, save for the constant shaking and occasional cough that escaped her mouth. Takagi had never felt so helpless in her life. One second, she'd been making her way down the stairs to enjoy a Christmas breakfast.

The next, she'd felt an immense feeling of weakness and pain consume her entire body, and her knees suddenly lost their strength as she fell all the way from the top of the stairs down to the first floor of her house. Her head throbbed with unspeakable aches, her hands trembled, her abdomen felt like it was getting constricted by a serpent, and her pink Christmas sweatshirt was stained with the blood she'd been coughing up until the paramedics arrived. The healthy, tan tones of her flesh had now been replaced by a ghastly white tinge.

Takagi-San...was dying.

Her face may have held only a blank stare, but on the inside, the sorrow that filled Takagi's heart was a thousand times worse than any of the physical afflictions that ailed her. All that time spent with the tenacious yet sweet boy next door. All the contests they'd had. Was it about to come to naught?

Would this be where she breathed her last?

Willing her suddenly broken body to move, Takagi raised her head up ever so slightly and forced her tongue to utter one last request to her mother.

"Mother...please...,"

"What is it, Takagai?!" her mother wailed. "What is it?!"

Takagi's finger trembled as she pointed to her mother's purse.

"My phone...please...need to...send a message to a friend..."

"What?!" her mother cried. "Daughter, PLEASE! Your phone can wait! The doctors need to find out what's wrong with you!"

Still, the dying Takagi's voice insisted that she be able to message the boy she loved one last time.

"Please...please...," Takagi begged. "Want to send a message...to some friends..."

.......................................

Vvvvmmmmm!

Nishikata allowed one eye to open.

Vvvvmmmmm!

Blast! He must've forgotten his phone was in his pocket! Oh well, no matter. He'd have plenty of time to nap later. Reaching into his pocket, he unlocked his phone and glanced over the notifications. A few were just messages from Kimura and Takao showing off their own presents, to which Nishikata congratulated their fortune.

Then he saw the last unread messages, and almost cracked his phone as his hands tensed up.

Takagi-San.

"What do you want, you wretched witch?!" he wanted to blurt out, but refrained lest his mother chastise him and confiscate his gifts.

"Just don't respond if she's teasing!" he resolved. He opened her messages...

And his heart stopped.

Nishikata...I don't have much time left...

"What?! What does she mean?!" Nishikata thought, trying to scramble a rational reason together in his brain.

Please...read these messages and understand.

Now Nishikata's blood was really racing. And not because of all those holiday sweets. And as his eyes read over the following message, his heart sank.

This is NOT teasing.

"What the hell is this?!" Nishikata thought again in fearful denial.

I don't know how, but I'm very sick and the doctors don't know what's wrong. I don't know if I'm going to make it.

Nishikata wanted to throw his phone against the wall. Anything to make it stop. But his eyes could not turn away from the screen as he continued reading the horrifying news.

Nishikata, if I don't make it...know this...

I LOVE YOU!

Nishikata stood upright from the recliner, his heart beating a thousand times a minute and his adrenaline overwhelming his senses. Without thinking, he bolted to the coat closet, threw on his black winter coat, shoved on his black boots, and forced his hands into his mittens.

He had to go check on Takagi-San!

"Son?" he heard his father ask in a concerned tone. "What's this all of a sudden?"

"I'll be back soon!" he cried, sprinting out of the front door as fast as his legs could carry him before his mother could protest.

By now, pure instinct was in control of Nishikata's body as his muscle memory guided his every step down the route he knew to be the way to Takagi-San's residence. The cold wind bit at his neck, but he didn't care. He'd wished for her teasing to be gone sure.

But not like this!

Nishikata's lungs felt like they were going to burst and his legs refused to move, but he willed his body to move forward as he pressed onward. At long last, he reached the small black gate that opened up into Takagi's front yard. He saw no sign of any cars outside her house; was this a sick prank and her family had just left to attend a reunion?

Even with that possibility, Nishikata didn't want to be impolite, and gingerly opened the black gate before walking up to the front door. He rang the doorbell and waited for a response, his body quivering with anxious anticipation.

No answer.

"Okay Takagi-San, you got me!" he shouted as loud as he could above the wind. "I'm here! You win! Now please just let me know you're okay!"

No answer.

Nishikata's ears picked up an ever-so-slight rustle behind him, and he whirled around, fists poised to strike whatever beast or mugger might be waiting to ambush him. He heard it again, this time locating the rustling to be coming from the hedges on the right side of the yard. A few seconds of silence followed, and Nishikata lowered his fists.

That was when the Demon Elf reared its ugly head, bursting from its hiding spot with a wicked high-pitched cackle sounding from its twisted mouth, and his long fingers reaching for Nishikata. The elf's tattered black hat sat just above his pointy ears, and his fangs were bared in a position ready to devour Nishikata's soul.

Nishikata screamed in terror, falling to the ground and curling up in protective instinct.

"STAY YOUR HAND!" a booming voice resounded across the small lawn. Nishikata unwrapped his arms from around his head, looking up to see who his rescuer was so that he may thank them.

Only to see Krampus's devilish, nightmare complexion gazing into his eyes with a horrible, twisted pleasure like that of a predator about to land the killing blow to its prey.

"What the—who are you?!" Nishikata cried, getting to his feet. "What the hell is this?"

"Surely you do not mean to tell me that one who appealed to my power knows nothing of me?" Krampus asked in mock surprise.

"What?! What do you mean?!"

"You don't even have a guess, my boy?"

Nishikata was speechless, due in part to terror and the other part too frantic confusion.

"I'm Krampus, you idiot child, the one whose book you so eagerly wrote in all those days ago during your little trip to what you mortals call a Mall! The one whom you gave a wish to!"

Krampus smiled with a wicked elation, holding his arms out to his sides.

"And your wish I have granted!"

Nishikata's blood ran cold. Suddenly all the former triumph he'd felt when writing that wish had vanished instantly.

"Where is Takagi-San?!" he growled, not thinking as to how exactly he would fight this ancient, malevolent force of judgment. "What did you do to her?!"

Krampus clasped his wrinkly hand over his mouth in a dramatic fashion. "Oh?! But I could've sworn you said you wanted her dead?! Did I misinterpret your wish?! My goodness, how could I be so foolish?!"

"Wha-DEAD?!" Nishikata cried. "That's—that's not what I—!"

"Oh, but it was," Krampus interrupted. "It very much was, my boy."

By now, more of Krampus's hellish minions had revealed their presence, and had surrounded the weakling boy as the realization of the deed he'd just committed dawned on him. Nishikata's heart filled with despair. His balled-up fists withered into shaking palms as he fell to his knees. Tears began to flood his eyes like never before, and lightning flashed across the sky followed by a clap of thunder.

"No...no!" Nishikata cried, burying his face in his hands. "It can't be!"

But there was no denying it now.

Takagi-San was dead...because of him.

"No, no, no!!!" Nishikata howled as Krampus looked upon the scene with his twisted gaze of coldhearted judgment.

"This is what you wanted, boy," Krampus growled as his minions rejoiced in a sadistic chorus of laughter. "You read the warning. You knew your naughty wish could not be undone. And yet here you are, wishing for it to be changed."

Nishikata covered his ears, trying to drown out the terrible sound of the elvish demon's jeers, but to no avail. His eyes refused to prevent the tears from flowing and his entire body was taken over by rage and anguish.

"I DIDN'T MEAN FOR THIS TO HAPPEN!!!"

.............................................

The sun was shining. The grass was green. The birds chirped a merry tune and the waters of the nearby beach danced with glistening reflections of sunlight.

But nothing about this day was happy.

Nothing.

For even now, Nishikata could not accept the sight that lay before him, the sight he'd refused to come see two months earlier.

Takagi-san's grave, picture and all, and strewn with many flowers. Some from their classmates and some from her family.

Everything inside Nishikata screamed at him to add to the pile the next time he came. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.

What right did he...as her killer...have to add to her memorial?

The tears came back to Nishikata's eyes as he knelt at her grave, powerless. He wanted to say a thousand words, perhaps even give her a reason as to why he'd done what he did.

But his tongue, too constrained by guilt and shame, could only form a few words.

"Takagi-San...I am so sorry! I am so, so sorry!"