Hot Winter - Chapter 3

[haranami]

Location: Courtyard

Izumi: There it is again, that laugh — “hohoho”… 

It sounds like an old man, but their voice is kinda husky. Who is that? The culprit behind this wild goose chase?

…It’s sooo annoying how they added an echo! Hey, quit ho-ho-ho-ing, and show yourself right now!

Tatsumi: This voice… Could it be…?

Izumi: What, is it someone you know, Kazehaya?

Tatsumi: No, but I have confidence in this conjecture of mine. 

O person yet unseen, could you possibly be Santa Claus?

Wataru: Hohoho~ That’s correct! Hereee… you go ☆ 

Madara: Hm?

Tatsumi: Oh, my… 

Izumi: Huh? The heck… Are these Santa hats?

Wataru: Fufufu. I’m Santa, and you’re Santa, and so are you…!

So let us make like Santa and soar through the skies on a sleigh! We shall deliver presents to all the good children out there! Merry Christmas…☆

Izumi: Could you, like, explain what you’re talking about before you start getting all carried away? I literally have no idea what’s going on.

Madara: I’ve gotta agree. Wataru-san, could you help us understand what this is all about?

Wataru: But of course! It all started when Eichi suggested that we hold a Christmas Party for Himegimi.

It then struck me that I’d like for everyone in these Starmony Dorms to enjoy the festivities — not only our dear princess! 

Everyone has been oh so busy lately, so there’s been a rather heavy atmosphere weighing down the dorms. You all must have noticed it as well, yes? That’s exactly what I’d like to dispel.

However, I’m afraid that I’m not capable of organizing such a large-scale party on my own; in order to find some little helpers, I discreetly hung up a poster within the common room.

I was hoping that a few people with too much time on their hands would crack the code I left…☆ 

Izumi: Too much time on their hands, huh…

Wataru: Then, a Christmas miracle! I did, indeed, find people with nothing better to do — people who could save me from this predicament! Three of them, in fact! Allow me to offer the Chosen Ones a big round of applause: clap, clap, clap ☆ 

The Santa hats suit you perfectly, dear wastrels! Now, won’t you join me in making this year’s Christmas an Amazing one…? ☆ 

Izumi: Quit saying that we’ve got no other plans every three seconds! Look, I just happened to be free today — it’s not like I’ve got all the spare time in the world!

Tatsumi: I truly do wish to assist you, but I’m afraid that I might not be able to make time during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I have a few Alkaloid jobs to do, and I must attend the Christmas service at my family church.

I am able to adjust my schedule on days aside from the 24th and the 25th, however…

Wataru: That’s more than alright with me. In fact, I, too, was considering a day other than the 25th.

Even if, by some stroke of luck, we were able to have the party on Christmas day, I doubt very many idols would be able to attend.

We’d best pick a day when our entire Santa Squad is available. 

Tatsumi: In that case, please allow me to join you. I’m sure the youth will be delighted at the prospect of a party.

Madara: I was worried about everybody looking all down in the dumps, too. It’s especially important for people to take breaks during times like these...

By which I mean I’ll be joining you as well! How ‘bout you, Izumi-san?

Izumi: I mean… Organizing a party sounds like a pain, but this heavy atmosphere in the dorms is even more of a pain. Like, it seriously sucks.

That’s why I’ve been trying to have my meals when there are fewer people around. I’m the only one who gets to be in a bad mood around here.

Madara: Does that mean you’re hopping on the band-sleigh too? Hahaha! You sure aren’t upfront about your feelings ♪ 

Izumi: Oh, put a sock in it. I wouldn’t even be me anymore if I started being all open.

I’m pretty sure my plans for this one day before Christmas got cancelled… Hold on a sec, let me check on my phone.

…Yep, there it is. If you don’t mind having the party on this date, I guess I could tag along.

Tatsumi: That suits me perfectly. I’m free on that day as well.

Madara: So am I. What about you, Wataru-san…? Haha! That huuuge smile on your face is answer enough! 

Wataru: Yes, I’m ever so moved that the party date was decided so smoothly…☆ I hope we can make this a very merry Christmas indeed, my fellow Santas ♪ 

Izumi: Um? Sure, I agreed to help you, but I didn’t give you permission to turn me into Santa. Anyways, what do we do now?

Wataru: I’d like to discuss the finer details of the party, but perhaps we should head indoors first.

Tatsumi: A splendid idea. Although the sunlight is quite warm today, we may fall sick if we stay out here for too long. Let’s continue this discussion over warm drinks.

Location: Common Room

Tatsumi: Now, then… What kind of Christmas party should we hold?

Every year, my family church invites a choir over to sing hymns. It creates the perfect ambiance for the celebration; what do you think?

Izumi: That’d probably be too dull. I guess we could pull it off if we had a big ol’ church too, but we’re working with the common room here.

We don’t need a whole choir. As long as we decorate the tree and play some Christmas songs, we’d already have a pretty decent party on our hands.

Madara: A tree, huh? I might be able to ask a friend of mine for help.

One sec, I’ll try calling ‘em.

…Hello? Yep, it’s me! It sure has been a while. How are yooou?

Hahaha! Yeah, I haven’t seen you since we took those pictures at Santa Claus Village. That sure takes me back…☆

Tatsumi: Santa Claus Village? Is he referring to the one in Northern Europe…?

Wataru: I believe so. Our dear Festival-Man-san has been active in Japan as of late, but it appears that he used to be quite the globetrotter. 

Madara: …That’s right. It’s a special occasion, so I want a tree so spectacular it’ll knock everyone’s socks off. Think you can handle it?

Ooh, you’re a lifesaver! I really owe you one — thanks sooo much!

…Yup, yup. I’ll tell you the shipping address later. Bye byeee ☆ 

The preparations for the tree are all done and dusted! They’re gonna pick the finest fir out there just for us.

Izumi: You settled that in, like, a minute flat. Who even are you?

Madara: Hahaha! Haven’t you heard? I’m everybody’s Mama, Mikejima Madara…☆

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