Part 4/4
The day of the Christmas party.
The time had come when the sky began to darken, and the surroundings were lit mainly by magic lamps, the moonlight, and the warm glow spilling from nearby houses.
One after another, the guests began to arrive.
The first to appear were Darwin, Dama, and Meira.
Darwin wore his usual clothes, but Meira came dressed not in a Santa outfit, but in an elegant gown that made her look far more mature than usual.
Dama was sharply dressed as well, though he kept glancing at me and Hayato as if gauging our reactions. We gave him no comment.
Next to arrive was Yasis and his family.
His wife was stunningly beautiful, and their children were remarkably well-mannered.
They brought a bouquet of flowers as a gift, so we placed it proudly in the center of the table.
Reinrich was said to be coming later, so the last group to arrive was the orphanage children along with their caretaker.
「「「「「「「Thank you for inviting us!」」」」」」」
They must have practiced, because they all spoke in unison.
One child, acting as their representative, handed me a gift made of gathered nuts and forest trinkets.
I decided to use it to make some extra sweets later.
The caretaker bowed repeatedly, while the children’s eyes were already locked on the food. Seeing that, she bowed again in apology.
Even Shiro at my side looked like she was at her limit holding back.
It was time to begin.
「All right, everyone. The signal is “Merry Christmas”, got it?」
I explained the cue from our culture, and after calling “Ready, go”
「「「「「「「Merry Christmas!」」」」」」」
With that loud cheer, our Christmas party began.
It was a buffet-style party, with a large table at the center.
Everyone could take as much as they liked of whatever they liked.
The cake wasn’t out yet, so the main attraction was, of course, the roast bird.
This time, I had bought several of the most suitable birds for roasting from the butcher, Seven-Legs Birds.
Yes, as the name suggested, these creatures had seven legs.
How they managed to walk was a mystery, and their raw appearance had been unsettling, but once roasted, the abundance of delicious thighs made it perfect. The children from the orphanage could share without fighting.
With cheeks and mouths messy, the children happily stuffed themselves.
Mixed in with them were Shiro, Renge, and Mii, eagerly eating as well.
The adults were more restrained, some took the lighter vegetables, while others like Riito-san immediately reached for the pudding.
And of course, Riito-san was dressed in a Santa outfit.
At first, she had seemed embarrassed, but since Aina and the others were also wearing Santa suits, she now appeared at ease.
Yes.
They were all dressed in Santa outfits.
Aina, Sorte, and Renge were all equally adorable.
Just watching them from afar was a feast for the eyes.
Especially Aina, whose crimson hair matched perfectly, creating a beauty on the level of fine art.
Shiro looked good too, though in her case the charm came from the lingering cuteness of childhood.
「Itsuki-san!」
「Hayato!」
By the way, the one who exchanged a high-five with Hayato while shouting “Yeah!”, me, was dressed as a reindeer.
I even wore a red nose, completely embracing the role like some sort of clownish reindeer.
At first, Hayato had said,
『I can’t let only Itsuki-san wear something like that!』
but I refused him with,
『There’s no way I’m letting the hero stand in front of everyone in a costume like this.』
We must not shatter the children’s dreams.
And for some reason, me dressed as a reindeer became a huge hit with them.
An adult in full brown clothing, with antlers on his head and a red nose, immensely popular.
The fact that I was the host of the party must have been a surprise to them.
「Oh? Has it already started?」
「Welcome, Reinrich.」
「…What happened to you?」
Reinrich looked at me with concern.
Was it really that strange?
「Anyway, enjoy yourself. There’s plenty of food and desserts.」
「I’ll do that. Riito! Are you planning to eat all the desserts before I get any!?」
「Fuh-beh!? N-no, of course not!?」
「Oh? You’re in that outfit too?」
「D-does it not suit me?」
「No, I think it’s fine. You look cute.」
「Eh? Ehh!? R-really? I never thought I’d be complimented by Reinrich-sama…」
Yeah, Reinrich was only saying that to make sure she secured her share of the dessert.
Proof of it was how fast her hands were moving…
Hey now, don’t eat the children’s portions!
And besides, there’s still the giant dessert waiting.
「Aah… delicious food, good drinks, and gorgeous women dressed in revealing outfits… this is the best.」
「Oh, you get it, Darwin.」
「Of course I do. Was that your idea?」
「Not at all. It’s knowledge from my old world. The balance between sexy and cute is irresistible, right?」
「Hmm, but isn’t it a little too much for the kids? Look, that boy over there can’t take his eyes off.」
Ah…
I had only been thinking about myself, so I hadn’t considered that far.
This might end up being the trigger for that boy’s awakening.
But sorry, kid, that woman is mine.
「O」
「That’s right. Our children will be here too, so you need to tone down the exposure a little. Wendy-sama especially is pushing it to a dangerous level.」
「Yeah, but… isn’t she cute?」
「Ni」
「She is cute, yes… but isn’t it a bit too flashy?」
「Still, that red outfit is important. I can’t compromise on that.」
「I」
「Well, maybe I’ll at least have them put on jackets. I’m planning to make it snow later, and it’ll be cold at night.」
「Chaaaaaaaaaan!」
Brrrrrrrrrrr!!
「Uwah! What the—!?」
I dodged Origol with a quick step, pulled out my guild card, and saw Iris’s name glowing.
Really… at a time like this…
『How cruel of you!』
「That’s cruel of you!」
In perfect harmony.
Voices from reality and from the guild card scolding me in stereo.
『Why was I not invited to such a fun event!』
「How could you not call me to something this fun!」
「Ah… well, I thought you might be busy…」
『I was shocked to hear the report from my shinobi. With your skill, I thought for sure you would invite me as well…』
「I was shocked too! They said a giant tree had been delivered to your house, and with all the decorations I figured you must be planning something. I was really looking forward to it!」
Ugh, getting chewed out by both of them is such a pain.
「Darwin, I’ll prioritize dealing with the princess. Keep that one restrained.」
「Got it.」
「Mogaaah! Let me go! I won’t forgive you! You’d better let me join or else!」
Well, I don’t actually mind if they participate…
I just completely forgot about them…
『So, I will be allowed to join, yes?』
「Y-yeah… fine. I’ll come get you.」
『Good! There are plenty of desserts, yes? Especially ice cream!』
「There’s plenty. It’s cold, so not much has been eaten. Tons left.」
『Then come pick me up at once! Hm? Ayame will be coming too, so take care of her.』
…Oh?
Ayame-san too.
If I remember right, there should still be an extra Santa outfit.
「Ah… sorry, but there is one condition to joining.」
『Hm? Should we bring a gift?』
「No, there’s an outfit I want Ayame-san to wear.」
『Very well. Do as you like.』
『I-Iris-sama!? That man prepared it! Who knows what indecent thing he’ll make me wear!』
「It’s fine. Everyone else is wearing the same thing.」
『…Is that true?』
「Really, really. I’m not lying.」
『If you’re lying, I’ll cut you down.』
I didn’t lie.
I didn’t! I really didn’t!
「Then wait in an empty room for now. I’ll come over once I’m inside the house.」
『Very well. I’m ready whenever.』
「Oh, and keep it casual, alright? If you get all formal, it’ll ruin the atmosphere.」
『I understand. This isn’t a public affair, and as long as I get ice cream, I don’t care.』
「Alright then, I’ll be right there.」
Just as I was about to step inside, someone tugged at my reindeer costume.
I turned around to find Origol, eyes teary and sniffling.
「Sniff… Onii-chan. What about me…?」
「Sorry… You can enjoy yourself however you like.」
「Y-you weren’t trying to leave me out, or because you hate me, right? Right?」
「Of course not. That could never be it. I only invited Yasis because I happened to run into him. The timing just didn’t work out this time.」
Naturally, if I had run into Origol in town, I would have invited her too.
But there was just too much going on, and I didn’t think that far.
Still… not inviting her was my fault.
「I see… then it’s fine. Next time, take a bath with me, just the two of us. And then share a bed afterward, and I’ll forgive you.」
「If the condition is that nothing happens, then fine.」
「That defeats the whole point!?」
「Anyway, if you don’t hurry, the food’s gonna be gone. Go on.」
「Boo! Then I’ll do something indecent to you in the bath later!」
Really… saying that in front of the kids, Lord-sama?
But it looks like she’s back to his usual self.
She may look like a child, but her mind is an adult’s. Once she understood my real intentions, she forgave me.
It’s only when she’s mixed in with the children that things get confusing.
More importantly, Iris.
I need to go pick her up quickly.
I told Wendy that I’d be bringing Iris, and reminded her again that this was to be casual, not formal.
Of course, we also agreed to keep Iris’s visit a secret.
We’d simply say she happened to be in town.
「Where’s the ice cream!」
「Over there, mountains of it.」
「Then let’s go! Ayame! Ayame? What’s wrong? Come on, let’s go!」
「Ah, p-please don’t pull me! This skirt is too short! People will see! Hey, don’t look over here! I knew it, this is indecent! N-no, stop!」
Phew…
She’s delighted.
And me? Truly blessed.
What a sight.
Now then, most of the food has been cleared away, the adults have settled into drinking, and the children are busy playing in the igloo. Time for the finale.
「Everyone, could you clear the tables?」
「Ah, is it cake?」
「Oh! I made sure to save room for that!」
「I already told the kids something amazing would be coming at the end. They’re excited.」
Aina and the others cleared the empty plates, and from inside the house we brought out the cake. It took Hayato and several others working together to carry it.
「「「「Waaahhh!」」」」
「「「「It’s huge!」」」」
「「「「Incredible!!」」」」
The children, who had been completely absorbed in the igloo, were now captivated by the overwhelming presence of the cake.
「My, my… you really went all out with this.」
「Hahaha… just what I’d expect from the man I put my faith in.」
Even the adults couldn’t take their eyes off it. Perfect for a finale.
「Then, I’ll cut it now.」
Hayato raised a large cake knife and took his stance.
「Haa!」
With speed too fast for the eye to follow, he sliced the cake, and applause broke out.
「Oh, the flavors are different.」
「It looks delicious…」
「I helped with this one too. It was fun.」
「Shiro’s first in line.」
「There’s plenty for everyone, no need to rush…」
Letty and the others were already savoring their slices, their faces full of delight.
「I’m not much for sweets, but this matcha is good.」
「Yes. The slight bitterness brings out the sweetness. It’s very tasty.」
It was fortunate we had prepared matcha flavor for the grown men.
As for the children, even though they had eaten until they were stuffed, they still had room for cake.
But it was worth the effort. Watching the cake disappear slice by slice filled me with a deep sense of satisfaction.
「Alright, time for the finishing touch.」
「Yes. Children, please gather over here!」
「Whoa, snow!」 「Huh!? But it’s not falling here?」 「Just around the tree and the igloo?」
The children’s presents, and with the snow falling, the White Christmas was complete.
I controlled the snowfall so it wouldn’t hit anyone, while still looking beautiful from the outside.
After all, it would ruin everything if someone caught a cold at the end.
When the presents had been handed out to all the children and the explanations for how to play with them were finished, the whole event finally came to a close.
It was already late at night, so the gathering came to an end.
As I was seeing everyone off, the oldest girl among the children stepped forward. Behind her, the others lined up in rows.
「Today was so much fun. The delicious food, the fancy sweets and cake, and finally, even presents. Truly…」
「「「「「「「Thank you very much!!」」」」」」」
…That sort of thing really gets to me.
「No, thank you all… for making this such a fun day.」
I waved them off until they disappeared from sight, but so many of them kept waving back the whole time.
Yeah… I’m glad I did this.
It really was fun.
For the first time since I was a child, Christmas felt enjoyable.
Thanks to everyone, it became such a wonderful day.
「Master.」
「Hm?」
Wendy called out, and I turned around.
If it’s about cleaning up, we can leave that for tomorrow.
Tonight, I just want to fall asleep with this good feeling still in me.
…?
When I turned, each of the five had a different expression.
Aina looked a little embarrassed.
Sorte looked even more embarrassed.
Renge was grinning, and Shiro was smiling.
And at the end, Wendy smiled softly.
「How about tonight… we all take a bath together, and then sleep just like this, in these outfits?」
……
「…I’m all for it! Yahoo! Merry Christmas!」
「「「「「Merry Christmas!」」」」」
Ah, unfortunately, with Shiro here, a yahoo kind of development is on hold.
Still, since the outfits remain, there’s always another chance…
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