Today was December 24th, Christmas Eve.
On this day, the Spirits and Shido ca together to a departnt store in Tengu City to choose suitable decorations and ingredients for Christmas.
"Shido, what kind of food do you want to buy for dinner? I'll go get it right now."
"Kukuku, speak. How do you wish to modify our stronghold? A dark magic circle? Or shall we stain the walls with blood?"
"Translation. Should we buy black ribbons for decoration, or red ones?"
The Spirits gathered around Shido and asked for instructions very seriously.
"For ingredients, Tohka, I'll leave the turkey to you. Since there are a lot of us, try to choose a big one.
As for ribbons, we definitely don't need black ones. Red would be good, though. Green or white also fit the Christmas style."
Shido thought for a mont and said that.
"Oh! I just need to choose a big one? I understand!"
"A three colored stronghold of red, green, and white? As expected of Shido. I understand."
"Agreent. It seems like it will be very pretty."
After hearing Shido's words, the three nodded and began moving.
"Haa…"
Watching Tohka, Kaguya, and Yuzuru leave, then telling the remaining Spirits to choose ingredients they liked, Shido lightly wiped away so sweat.
"You really are exhausted."
"Oh my, isn't that fine? Everyone is being so obedient."
Hearing Shido's words, Mikoto, who was walking beside him, tilted her head and asked with a smile.
"No, it's not bad… it's just…"
Although the Spirits had beco very obedient, they were being too obedient. Not only did they have the montum of trying to show their best side twenty four hours a day, but once they did anything wrong, they would beco extrely depressed.
Because of that, even though everyone was behaving very well, Shido felt more tired than usual.
"Santa Claus… Everyone is really looking forward to him."
Mikoto blinked and pointed out the reason everyone was being obedient.
That was right. The reason they were behaving was because they had learned the story of Santa Claus.
When Shido explained Santa Claus to the Spirits, he had said, "If you are good children, Santa Claus will co and bring everyone presents."
And now, the Spirits—especially the Spirits who did not know much about the world—were trying to show their good-child side while looking forward to Santa Claus's arrival.
However, precisely because everyone was behaving so well, the Christmas shopping finished even more smoothly than expected.
After that, Shido began preparing Christmas Eve dinner.
Since it was a Western holiday, the dinner dishes were naturally mainly Western style, and the kitchen beca Shido's battlefield.
"Honestly, Shido. You could have left it to ."
"But senpai isn't good at Western food, right?"
Looking at Mikoto's dissatisfied expression, Shido asked in confusion.
"Mm, although I'm not as good at it as my best dishes, I have properly studied how to make Western food too."
Mikoto clenched her small fist in front of her chest and nodded seriously.
"Eh? Is that so?"
Shido was a little surprised. He had never imagined that Mikoto would study Western food.
"Because, look, Shido is very good at making Western food, right? So I was wondering if maybe Shido likes Western food more."
Mikoto said.
"N-not at all. I like all of Yakumo-senpai's cooking."
Hearing Mikoto's words, Shido blushed shyly.
The girl was far too thoughtful. She was so thoughtful that she was practically like a wife trying to take care of her husband's tastes.
"Is that so? Then that's good."
Hearing Shido's words, Mikoto placed a hand against her chest as if relieved and showed a warm smile.
"Ah, but if possible, please let help Shido."
Then she said that.
"It's fine. Leave the cooking to . If possible, could senpai help watch Tohka and the others? Sohow, I feel a little uneasy."
Shido thought for a mont and said that.
"Mm, I understand."
Perhaps because they wanted to show Shido their good child side, the Spirits had actively joined the cooking work.
Tohka was peeling potatoes with movents like she was swinging a greatsword.
Yoshino, who still had Yoshinon on her hand, was holding a large bowl and mixing salad.
Kaguya was competing with Yuzuru to see who could slice beef faster.
And so, Mikoto imdiately understood what Shido ant.
In the end, a luxurious Christmas dinner was placed on the table, with pasta, salad, rice, fried beef and potato croquettes, beef carpaccio, an extra large roast chicken, and cake as the dishes.
Because it was all far too delicious, everyone showed satisfied expressions.
After that was the long-awaited party.
Jenga, Twister, Monopoly, and simple card gas—everyone fully enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the Christmas party.
Aside from Miku being banned from joining the gas because she was too active in harassing others, and Origami not coming because no one could contact her no matter what, nothing else happened that could affect everyone's mood. (TL: This is....familiar..I feel deja vu)
"Well then… I'll be going."
"I'll walk you back, senpai."
By the ti everyone gradually left, it was already very late because of the party. Even if Mikoto herself did not mind, Shido still offered to walk her back to the shrine.
"Mm, then I'll leave it to Shido."
The girl thought for a mont, then smiled and nodded.
"Speaking of which, Shido still has a big job to do later."
On the road, Mikoto said that.
"Yeah. But as long as Tohka and the others are happy, that's enough."
Shido nodded.
That was right.
Although they had said Santa Claus would co and deliver presents, in the end, that was only part of a holiday legend. The person who would actually deliver presents to the Spirits was none other than Itsuka Shido himself.
"Ah… it's snowing."
Mikoto reached out and gently raised her head.
In the girl's vision, white snowflakes drifted down, finally resting quietly on her soft glove.
"I didn't expect it to snow at this ti."
Shido said in surprise. Tengu City was located in southern Kanto, so snow was rarely seen in December.
"A snowy scene on Christmas Eve… Being able to enjoy it together with Shido makes feel like I gained sothing."
Mikoto seed very happy. She held Shido's hand and said that with a smile.
"Y-yeah."
Shido nodded with a red face. Although he felt a little shy, he did not let go of Mikoto's hand. Instead, he held it just like that, walking with her through the street where snowflakes were falling.
Aside from Shido and Mikoto, there were no other pedestrians in the residential street.
Most people were lying on their sofas, enjoying the shows after Christmas dinner and the warmth of ho.
Compared to that, the lonely streetlights and falling snow outside made the quiet atmosphere stand out even more clearly.
But for the boy and girl walking along the road, this world that seed to belong only to the two of them drew them closer together.
Even without saying anything, simply walking hand in hand through the snow and leaving behind footprints that belonged only to the two of them brought a very happy feeling.
"…We're here."
However, happy tis always passed quickly. By the ti they ca back to themselves, the shrine's torii gate was already close before them.
"…"
Shido stayed silent. He could understand what Mikoto ant. If possible, he really wanted to keep holding the girl's hand and continue walking through this beautiful snowy scene.
"Well then, I'll go back."
Mikoto turned around and looked at Shido with a smile.
"Mm. Senpai, hurry back. The weather is getting colder."
Shido nodded. Although he wanted to stay with Mikoto a little longer, he still had Santa Claus work to do.
Besides…
(I have to deliver senpai's present too.)
He thought that.
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