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Hot Winter - Chapter 8
Dec. 15th, 2021 06:21 amLocation: Common Room
Rei: Kukuku. This crimson liquid is picture perfect, surrounded by all the Christmas decorations like this…♪
Kaoru: Settle down, it’s just tomato juice~ Man, it’s been a while since we’ve done this kinda thing.
When was the last time we laughed over pointless chit-chat, or let ourselves get sucked into games like little kids? We’ve been so busy, it feels like we’ve lost sight of those sides of ourselves.
We’ve still got a ways to go till it’s the last work day of the year, so we can’t let our hair down just yet. I think we more than deserve a little break, though.
Rei: I couldn’t agree more. Let’s immerse ourselves in this atmosphere, even if only for a moment. Cheers ♪
Kaoru: You wanna have another toast? You sure are in high spirits today, Rei-kun~
…Cheers. Merry Christmas ♪
Keito: Next is… Thirty-five!
Nagisa: …I have thirty-five.
Hiyori: So do I! Look at that, Nagisa-kun! This is the second time I’m only one number away from bingo!
This game just adores us! It’d be fair weather if we could shout out, “Bingo!” together ♪
Kuro: …Still no dice. Lady Luck sure ain’t smiling down on me. How many times have I missed the number now?
How are things on your end, Itsuki?
Shu: I can’t even bring myself to look!
Kuro: Lemme see… You’re not too close to bingo, but you’ve got a fair number of hits. What’re you in a bad mood for?
Shu: It looks like my card was eaten up by insects… It's absolutely hideous! Yours only has holes around the center; I’d much prefer that we swapped.
Kuro: There’s no denyin’ that you’re better off with more holes, though. You artsy types sure are hard to please, haha.
Rinne: Hm… Bingo’s cool and all, I guess, but it’s not even half as thrilling as I want it to be…
How ‘bout we spice up the rules a lil'?
Keito: “Spice up”? What on earth are you trying to turn this into?
Rinne: Gambling, of course! Do you even need to ask? ♪
Keito: Over my dead body. If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times: there will be no gambling within the dorm premises. Good grief, you’re incorrigible!
Wataru: (...Fufufu. The heavy atmosphere that was weighing down the dorms has been all but lifted.)
(Everyone’s back in high spirits, and the party is going off without a hitch.)
Madara: ……
Wataru: (...Oho?)
Location: Courtyard
Wataru: I see you’ve taken off your hat. Where are you off to, Festival-Man-san?
Madara: I could ask you the same thing, Wataru-san.
Wataru: The party has yet to come to an end.
Madara: …That’s true, but there weren’t any huge issues. I’d say we’ve done our jobs as organizers.
I reaaally enjoyed myself, but I’ve had my fill now. Thanks for making this into a fantastic Christmas.
Wataru: …Please don’t lower the curtains just yet. It’s still far too early for you to take your leave from this stage.
Madara: Wait, is it… snowing?
Sora: HaHa~♪ There’s so much~ Come here, everyone! Over here!
Subaru: Yaaay! C’mon, let’s make a snowman! Or a snow fort ☆
Mao: We definitely don’t have enough snow for tha—
Waugh!
Hinata: Aw, yeah! That snowball hit the bullseye!
Yuuta: Our pincer attack was a huge success…☆
Ritsu: Hoho. You’ve got guts, attacking him right in front of me~
Watch over me from above, Ma~kun; I’ll make sure to avenge you.
Mao: Hey, I’m still alive over here~ Wait… Where’d you get that scary-looking snowball gun from?
Ritsu: Ehehe, this old thing? It was just lying on the side of the road ♪
Yuuta: As if... Wait, woah! Snowballs incoming!
Hinata: Yuuta-kun, let’s run behind that tree! We need to regroup!
Madara: …That sure was convenient timing. Did you use some kinda snow magic?
Wataru: Fufufu, I’m not capable of anything of the sort… Look at the roof of the dorm, if you will.
I wanted to be prepared for every contingency, so I secretly set up an artificial snow machine. Even I don’t have the Heavens at my beck and call, you know.
It appears that you're shouldering quite a few burdens, and I don’t intend on interfering with that. Your life is your own to live.
But at least for today, won’t you let yourself play around like an innocent child?
After all, Christmas is a day when everyone can find happiness.
Madara: …Can’t argue with that. I guess it’d be alright for me to stick around a lil’ longer.
Wataru: It absolutely would. Merry Christmas, Festival-Man-san.
Madara: Mhm. Merry Christmas, Wataru-san.
Hahahaha! Are you guys having a snooowball fight? Mama’s gonna join the fray ☆
Wataru: ……
Eichi: …I assumed that the party would be long over by now, but I stand corrected.
Wataru: Amazing! Have you been freed of your work at long last, Eichi?
Eichi: That’s right. My, what a spectacular tree this is — I could see its glow from afar.
I was quite shocked when you asked me to prepare a helicopter all of a sudden, but I’m glad I could be of use.
Wataru: Fufufu, I can’t thank you enough for that! We managed to save the day with your help.
Is there anything I can do to repay you? Something you want, perhaps?
Eichi: Not at all, I’ve already received more than enough in return.
You can see all those smiling faces for yourself, can’t you? This view is the best Christmas present I could ever ask for.
Thank you for granting my wish, Wataru.
Wataru: It’s an honor to hear you say that, but it’s far too early to be declaring that you’ve already received “the best” present! The party has yet to end!
Come, Eichi, and enjoy it with me until the curtains fall…☆
