☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆



'I want a fir tree.'
'A fir tree?

In the morning, Yashiro and the manager were discussing something in the kitchen.

'...... Good morning.'
'Oh, Magda, good morning.'
'Good morning, Magda.

My mind was still a bit foggy and unclear.
Magda bypassed the kitchen and headed for the dining room.
He plops down on the dining room table and closes his eyelids. This is a small distraction from the fact that he is sure to fall asleep when he returns to his room.
I never sleep, I just close my eyelids a little ....... ......ke............ ......Kuka.

'Good morning, Magda. You look sleepy.'

I looked up and saw Estella standing at the entrance to the dining room.
That's unusual. I usually meet her at the church.

'...... Well, is that a fake ......?'
'What's the matter?Are you sleepwalking?'

Estella approaches me, her face twitching for a moment.

'I woke up early today, so I thought I'd help you out for a change.

Quietly approaching, Estella casually pats Magda on the head. Her fingers touched her ear and rubbed it lightly. ............ Mmm.

'...... s*x.'
'No!I don't mean to do that, but...?See, Yashiro does it all the time. ......'

Yashiro is special.
He doesn't let anyone else touch him.

'......It's like having Yashiro help you change your clothes when you have Natalia do it for you.
'Oh ......, no, I'm sorry.'
'...... just know.'

He waggled his ear at the touch.
I'll have to get Yashiro to wipe it again later. ......

'So, where's this Yashiro?Is he in the kitchen?'

Yashiro: ......
If it's Yashiro, ...... let's see: ......

'...... Yashiro is ............ in the kitchen ......... ...'
'Are you sleepy?'
'...... I'm fine. I'm just sleepy. ......'
'......You're sleepy. And quite ......'

Estella's face twitched again.
I don't want you to look at me like I'm a troubled girl. Magda is just a little sleepy.

'...... Yashiro is in the ...... kitchen with ............ the manager... .........'

Let's see, ...... what was that ............ Oh, yeah.

'...... "I want a rubdown."' ......'
'I'm going to the kitchen for a bit!

Estella's footsteps rattled as she headed for the kitchen. It's a noisy morning. ......
A lady should be as ladylike as she is elegantly slumbering in the morning.
So, Magda is going to sleep a little ............ longer.



I'm not sure what to say.



'Yasirot!
'Oh, Estella-san. Good morning.'

I jumped into the kitchen, only to find Ginette there.

'Huh?Where's Yashiro?
'If it's Yashiro, he's gone back to his room.

d*mn it!He escaped.

'So, are you alright?
'What?What's that?
'No, no, ......, so ............ rubbing rubbing ......... ...Anyway, were you okay?
'Yes, yes!That ...... is perfectly healthy.'

I wonder if she gave up on the rubbing ...... I'm glad to hear that Ginette seems to be okay.

'Anyway. You have to be very careful in the church after this.
'Oh, Yashiro-san said that you won't be going to church today.
'What?Why not?
'Well, he has to go see Nephrite at .......'
'Nepheli!

Nepheli, you mean?The poultry farmer?


...... No way,............ that Yashiro wants a rubdown.

'I'm sorry. I'm going to have to come up for a minute!
'What?I'm sure you'll agree.

With Ginette's permission, I walked through the kitchen, across the courtyard, and upstairs.
I've always been a little suspicious.
I've been wondering about this for a while, because the way Yashiro looks at Nepheli is a little different than the way he looks at other people.
...... I didn't think he saw me as a rubbing target. ............ I'm not that big... I don't know if that's what you want.
No, I don't care about that!
I can't overlook such an insolent act of rubbing.

'Palm ......!
'What do you need for Christmas? ............ It's not so easy ......'.

As I was about to rush into the room, I heard Yashiro's voice coming from inside the room.
......Kurisumasu?

I put my ear to the door softly.

'I've already prepared a present for you, but ...... I'll have to hide it so you won't find it.

Presents?
I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that.

'I'll make the cake, but ...... it's got to be Neffely's.'

A cake and a nefari?
What the hell are you talking about?

'And then ............ lover.'

'Koibito!

'No way ......Yashiro............ Nepheli as my lover...... ......'

And are you going to rub it in ............?

'No!The new Christmas is not going to be encroached upon by lovers!I won't let that happen!I'm not going to let that happen!I give you these words from another world!Explode!

............?
What the hell is Yashiro talking about?

'...... hahaha ...... I'm sweating fresh ...... I'm feeling refreshed ...... haha Haha.

...... You're smiling like you're having fun. ............ What in the world is this Kurisumasu, Yashiro... ...

Millie, can you take me back to the forest? ......'

I'm not sure what to make of that.
I don't know what to say.
And that too in the forest!

'I'll go to Imelda's first. ...... Well, she won't be awake, but ...... we don't have much time. I'll wake her up.

Oh no!Yashiro is approaching. ......!
Hide somewhere. ............ No.
We need to get to Imelda before she does!



☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆



'Imelda!Wake up!'

Early morning .
Estella barged into my bedroom and started screaming so loudly that I woke up in the worst way.

'Please don't shout ...... I have large breasts, unlike you, so I'm weak in the morning.
'It has nothing to do with my breasts, doesn't it?

I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it. ...... It's too rude. I'm not sure what to make of it.They need to be retrained.

'Imelda, it's an emergency!Jashiro is coming to rub you!'
'Huh?

I jumped out of my skin.
Is this what you mean when you say you didn't know?
Yashiro-san is coming to ...... rub me?

'Why would you do such a thing?
'I overheard it by accident, when I was listening in front of Yashiro's room!
'...... That can't be a coincidence, can it?'
'And anyway!If Yashiro comes, don't let him rub you!
'No, I won't let him rub me!

I'm not going to let him squeeze me!''You know, that's the kind of thing that happens when you make a formal request for a relationship, get your father's permission, get married, announce your engagement to the guild, go on a bunch of ...... dates, and have a romantic... ...For example, he proposed to me on a hill overlooking the sea at sunset. ...... We had a wedding ceremony with many people's blessings. ...... We went on a honeymoon. ............

'That's what I'm talking about!
'...... I think it's good to have a strong sense of chastity, yeah.'

While showing a certain understanding, Estella's face twitched a little.
What is it?I'm not sure what you mean by that.

'Imelda-sama. A visitor is here to see you.
''What?

I and Estella gasped at the same time, then looked at each other.
It seems that Mr. Yashiro has arrived at ...... to rub my face!



'No, listen!No matter what happens, don't make any concessions!
'I know, I know!I'm a lady, I'm a lady!

In the first place, there is no way Yashiro-san would just show up out of the blue and ask for a squeeze.
Estella must have misunderstood something. That's right. I'm sure she is.

'I'd like to talk to you. Send her in.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you.
It's your fault for showing up so early in the morning. I'm not going to let anyone else see me dressed like this.
Do you really understand how fortunate you are to be in ...... such an environment?

It's a good idea to get yourself dressed and ready to go to the reception room.
It is a woman's prudence to keep her guests waiting. I can't be shallow and pushy.
Take your time, pace yourself, and ...... run as fast as you can.

I hope I didn't keep you waiting.

When I entered the reception room, Yashiro got up from the sofa and walked up to me.
He seemed to be a little impatient, as if he couldn't hold back.

Did he really want to see me that badly?

'Imelda'.
'Yes,.......'

A serious look in her eyes,......, and a little bit of excitement in her heart,......
Mr. Yashiro...... you, no way............

'I have a favor to ask you.
'What's that?
'Fir......'
'You are insolent!

I slapped Yashiro without thinking.
It's not acceptable to suddenly talk about rubbing, as expected!
...... Even though there are servants and Estella in this house right now,............

'...... What the hell are you doing ......'

You'll be able to get a lot more information on the web.
Of course.
It's so early in the morning and you're rubbing me right after we meet. ......

'There are some things that I can tolerate and some things that I can't!
I'm not sure what to say. ...... Well, the Lumberjack Guild hasn't moved yet. ...... I'm sorry for being so reckless.

Even if the Lumberjack Guild has something to do with it, ............ what?
It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing.
I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. ......

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.
'What are you going to do if you back out so easily?
'No, you can't, can you?
'No, it's just not possible right now!
'I need it 'now'!
'How much do you love your tits!
'What are you talking about!

I can't believe ...... that a man who has his eyes set on the future after marriage would be swayed by a short-term squeeze.

'Well then, I've disturbed you all morning.
'You're leaving!
'I don't have time for this.
'Are you having withdrawal symptoms?
'...... No, I don't get it.'

'I'm just trying to get a good rubdown!

'See you later.'

He left a simple greeting, and Yashiro left.
............ millie. You're going to that little girl from the flower arrangement guild, aren't you ............

'Servants!Get ready to change your clothes now!I'm going out!

Today's ...... going to be a busy morning.



☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆



'Oh, Ladybug!

The ladybug came to the store shortly after we opened.
The store is open from this time for restaurants and people who come early in the morning. Regular customers come to the shop first thing in the morning, but this is the first time for Ladybug to come at this time.
I wondered if he would buy flowers again.

I was just coming out to the front of the store to pick up the flowers I'd ordered, but I was interrupted by the ladybug's arrival. Let me tell you about it.

'What's a fir tree?
'A fir tree?'

'Trees ............ are not for sale.

'I wonder if they grow in the forest managed by the flower guild.It's a crazy story that ignores the climate and all, but I feel like anything is possible in this city.
'What?Climate?Absurd?



Quickly, the ladybug said something like an excuse, and looked at Miri seriously.
He seems to be in a great hurry.

'The fir tree is ...... the one with the jagged edges, isn't it?
'Yes. Like this.'

Then he draws a jagged tree in the air. I thought he had captured the features well.

'Then I think there is .......'
'Can you give it to me somehow?
'Yeah,............, what are you doing?
'Decorate it!
'............ What are you doing?

When I heard the answer, I was even more confused.
But you can probably give away the trees in the forest.
If you ask someone from the Lumberjack Guild, they'll cut it down for you, and if they're from the Lumberjack Guild, they must know Ladybug-san.

'I'd like a small one, if possible. About a meter.'
'Yeah, ......?That size won't be enough to make wood ......?'
'Oh, that's okay. I'll use it as is.'
'Just like that?

Ladybug always says the strangest things.
But those strange things turn out to be very nice in the end.
Then I'd like to see the final form of this strange thing, too.

It's okay. If it's that big, I'll go and cut it for you. Do you want me to deliver it to the sunlit pavilion?Or do you want to go with me?

It's fun to hang out with you, ladybug.
If we go to the forest together, ............ it'll be fun, too.

'Oh, I'm sorry. I'm trying to get ready for Christmas today. I'd appreciate it if you could deliver it to me.'
'What is ............?'

I've never heard of it before.

'Christmas is an event in my hometown, ...... it's kind of ...... of fun.'
'What kind of things do you do?
'Well, it's usually lovers making out and ............ chattering, which is starting to piss me off.'
'Is this the day of the Koibito-san?
'Well, I guess that's how it is these days.'
'Hmmm ......'

'Well, I guess it doesn't really matter to Miry, who doesn't have a dwarf.

'Then I'll deliver it around noon.
'Oh. Nice to meet you. I'll go to Nephrite's place now.
'Yeah, ......?

You're going to Nepheli's?

'...... eggs?'
'Oh, no. Eggs have nothing to do with it.'

'Then, to Nefarious, errands ......?

'I'll need it for Christmas, for sure. I don't know if he'll OK it, but I'll ask him.'
'That's ......'.

'So that you can be a koi-bito with me?

'Well, I'll see you later. Oh, that's right. If you're free at night, come to the sunlit pavilion. See you later.
'Ah, ............ has gone .......'

What should I do? ...... I failed to mention it.

'Hey Furey, I'm here now. ......'

Miri looked into the store.
Nefarious is a regular customer who comes to buy flowers every day, and even now, Miri is choosing the flowers she recommends. ......
Right now, Nefarious is standing at the entrance, frozen in place.
I wonder if the ladybug couldn't see her because she was behind the flowers.

'Oh, ...... Nefarious-san?
'............I'm ............ going home... ...'
'Ah, ...... where are the flowers?'
'I'll come back for them later!

I'm not sure if I'm going to ...... become a koi-bito.

'Millie!
'Millie-san!



'Aren't you being rubbed?
'Yeah, ......, what are you doing?
'That reaction ...... seems to be safe.'
'Yeah, ............ um, ...... safe.'

The two of them are very relieved ...... to be rubbed?



'So, where is Yashiro!
'Where are you, sir?
'Ah, ............ Neferi-san's, place ......'
'd*mn it!It's a bird!
'Let's hurry up!
'Oh, it's gone to ..................'

Is it really ............ the real deal, after all?

'Let's go get the fir tree .......'

Miri pulled out a cart and headed for the forest.



☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆



My body is hot ...... and heavy ......
My heart is beating out of control like it doesn't belong to me,...... and I'm in a bit of pain.

'Oh, Neffery!Where the hell have you been?

When I returned home, I found Yashiro there.
...... Really, he was there.

My heart skipped a beat.
I don't know what to do. ............ I'm not ready yet. ............

'Neffery.
'What,...... what?'

Yashiro comes in front of me.
He's staring at me.
He's going to tell me. ...... He's going to tell you?
I've been longing for ...... that word for a long time. ......

"I want you to wake me up every morning before the sun does.

Such a prince-like proposal ...... to Yashiro ............

'There's something I want.
'What do you want, ......?

'It's you.
It's not that ............ pushy. ............ But I don't mind.

'It's ......'.

That's ......

'Thighs!

It's ...... thigh meat!

'............ thigh meat?'
'Ah!Chicken thighs!With bones!'
'............ Are you going to eat it?'
'Of course we are, right?Do you think I'll decorate it?What, are you sleepwalking?'

Yashiro laughs.
...... I'm not laughing at all.

'What about ...... Kurisumasu ......?'
'Huh?Who told you that?'
'It's ...... a day for lovers to spend together, isn't it?'
'Oh, ...... in my country, it's been polluted by couples and has become such an abominable day ...... that it's sad.'

It's a sad day!

'But I'm not!I'm not going to let it be a dirty day!

It's unholy. ......

'I just want to get some friends together and have a good party. You'll be there, right?'
'You're coming.' ............ That's a very forceful invitation.

............ But I don't mind.

'Where I come from, we always have chicken thighs for Christmas.
'Why not a hexenbiest's meat?Wouldn't that be better?
'No, no, no!It has to be chicken!There are those who say that turkey is the real deal and chicken is evil, but I've been eating chicken since I was a kid!So chicken is the right way to go!
'I'm not sure, is ...... the right answer?
'It's the right answer!

With this look on his face, Yashiro never bends his opinion. He never gives up.
He just wants to be true to himself. I'm just a little ...... glad that he relied on me at a time like that.

'All right. I'll prepare the most delicious meat for you.'
'Really?That would be great!
'Then I'll just go and squeeze five or six birds.
'And don't say ...... strangle ...... so easily.

Why not?
If you don't wring them out, they'll go crazy.They're very healthy.

'Wait a minute!


'Please wait!

Just then, Estella and Imelda arrived, looking terrible.
...... What are you doing, you guys. What are you doing here?

'You guys are so energetic in the morning,.......'
'Haha ...... haha ...... that's because ............ Yashiro is... '......... haha ...... haha ...... touch'
'Huh!I'm sure you're not the only one who can't,......, and I'm sure you're not the only one who can't,......, and I'm sure you're not the only one who can't,....... ............Neffery, I'll pass. ......'
'No, I don't know what's going on. ......'

These two are really close, aren't they? They always seem to be together.

'Just perfect. You guys, if you're free today, come help out in the evening.''
'Haa...... haa...... hand...... down?'
'Huh ...... what ...... is that?
'You'll see. See you soon.'
'Uh, yeah, .......'
'All right, .......'
'And Neffery.'
'Yeah. I'll squeeze in a good one.'
'No, that's why ...... it's okay.'

Yashiro lets out a sigh and leaves.

'Ahhh ......, I guess I was mistaken after all ......'.
'What?What's that?'
'Hmm ...... it's nothing~'
'You're a strange person ...... in many ways.'

Well, that's true,...... even if it's a proposal, it won't come without warning this early in the morning,...... though it should be obvious if you think about it for a moment. ............

'I feel like an idiot,............,' he said.

But I'm kind of ...... relieved.
It's a little early for that. It's a little early for that kind of thing.
We'll get to know each other a little better ............ and then we'll ...... ......

I'm not sure what to do.

With such sweet and sour thoughts in my heart, I continued to squeeze the chicken from morning.



☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆



When tea time was over, Theron and Millie came to the store at the same time and left some kind of tree.
Around that time, my brother started to get strangely enthusiastic.

'Okay, Loretta. Give me a hand.
'Yes, sir.

Your brother seems to be busy. So you need my help, I get it!

'It's an easy job that even a dumbass like you can do.'
'I'm not an idiot!
'How much is the total for three children's lunches and two oshiruko?
'That's the manager's job, not mine to step into.

I'm a capable girl who knows her place.

'And it's a job even an idiot like her can do.
'I'm not an idiot!

It's funny ...... that you don't seem to get it ............

'Put some colorful fabric on this thing I've been working on since this morning, cutting wood.

Then he put the wood on the table in the shape of a star, a sphere, a boot or a walking stick. There are many of them. They're all pretty. He's as crafty as ever.

'What's this?
'It's called an ornament, it's a Christmas tree decoration.
'Ohnaments ......, hmmm, I see. This is the .......'
'You definitely don't understand, do you?'

It's okay if you don't understand.
As long as you look like you know what you're talking about, you look smart.

'I got some scraps of cloth from Ukrines, so you can use them as you like.
'All right!I'll use this to make it look really cute!
'Oh. Can you do it?
'I'll do it!

To tell you the truth, I've been feeling lately that I have a better artistic sense than others. My intuition seems to be right most of the time, so I must be good at it.
I'm going to make something amazing and surprise my big brother!

'Yashiro~'
'It's here.
'Oh. Come over here and help me with this.

Estella and Imelda came with me.
They seem to be doing the same work as me. Mmmm .......


This is going to be a battle we can't afford to lose.

'Make it look like .......'
'That sounds like a lot of fun.
'Leave it to me, and you'll be fine.
'Please don't. It's an easy job that even an idiot can do.''
''I'm not an idiot! That's right!

Pupu...... is calling me an idiot child,pupu~.

And then, woot, woot, woot, woot, we forgot about the time and made ornaments. After looking at the ornaments objectively and without favoritism,......, I think mine is the cutest. I'm sure you'll agree.

When the light coming through the window began to fade and the sky began to change color slightly, all the ornaments that had been prepared were covered with colorful cloth and made into beautiful decorations. I attached clasps and strings, and made them into rings so that they could be hooked.

'It's done, big brother!
'Oh. Now, go decorate this fir tree.
'A fir tree?
'Here, here. It's got quite a nice flavor, doesn't it?

The 150cm tree, once carried to the courtyard, was placed in the middle of the dining room in a potted plant by Mr. Theron.
This is the fir tree: ......

'A fir tree...... or ............?
'It was a misunderstanding ...... .............

It seems that Estella and Imelda are staring at the fir tree with exhausted expressions.
What's going on?Well, something must have happened.

'Then decorate it nicely. I'll go prepare the food.'

My brother went back to the kitchen and I decorated the fir tree with ornaments to show off my taste.

'Oh, Loretta's decorations: ......'
'Mmm-hmm. Isn't that cute?'
'It's kind of, ...... normal.'
'Well, it's normal, isn't it?

I'm not going to be defeated by this spearhead, I decorated it!



I decorated it!



'It's beautiful, Yashiro-san.'
'Well, I guess it's like this.'

Looking at the decorated fir tree, Yashiro nodded in satisfaction.

'This is what Christmas is all about, isn't it?
'Well, it's just a make-believe Christmas.

Mr. Yashiro said, but I think it's enough to convey the joyful atmosphere.

The small fir tree, 150 centimeters tall, planted in a large pot specially made by Theron, was dressed up like a tree in a dreamland, with many colorful ...... ornaments on its branches. The tree was adorned with many colorful ornaments, called ornaments, on its branches, making it look as pretty as a tree in a dreamland.

'Big brother!The chicken is cooked!
'The ...... cake is done, too.'

The food that Yashiro had been preparing since noon was now ready, and the party was about to begin.

Outside the window, the sky was turning red, and the shiny bricks in the yard were gradually increasing their light.
After this, many guests will visit here and we will have a nice dinner together.

'I'm looking forward to it.
'Oh, yes. Everyone will probably be here soon, so take care of them.'

Clapping me on the shoulder, Yashiro-san heads for the kitchen.

'...... Um...'
'Hmm?
'Where are you going?If you want to cook, we're all here.

I helped a little, and all the food is already laid out in the dining room.

'There are preparations to be made.

And with that, Yashiro left.
...... Preparation?
I'm sure it's already done. ......

'Hello~!
'Oh!I'm here!
'I'm sorry to disturb you, that I am.

Umaro-san, Delia-san, and Bekko-san were the first to arrive.
The three of them were staying at our house until the day before yesterday, which makes me wonder why they weren't here yesterday. It's strange.

Later, we met the sisters, the children of the church, Loretta's siblings, the Yaploks, and their family.
Norma, the mold maker, Ukrinez, the dressmaker, and Millie and Nepheli, the people who have been helping us with our business, came to see us.

'Wow, this looks delicious!

I heard such comments when I saw the food on the table.
I'm glad to hear that.

'Where did Yashiro go?
'Um, ...... something, he said he had to prepare ......'.
'Oh, that's right. Mm-hmm.'

Mr. Ukrines smiled with pride.
'Do you know something about it?

'Whoa, whoa, whoa!Merry Christmas!



And then, an old man in bright red ...... appeared, Yashiro.
I didn't recognize him at first because he was wearing a bright white mustache.

'What ...... are those fancy clothes?
'Well, ......?

Mr. Yashiro was dressed in bright red clothes and carried a large white cloth bag on his shoulder.

'Now, here's a present for all you good kids.

With that, he reached into the bag and began to hand out small packages to Loretta's siblings who had gathered nearby.

'Ooooh!
'Plesentos!
'I'm so excited!

They were so excited to hold the small packages.
The children of the church also flocked to the bright red Yashiro, urging him to give them gifts.

And later, Yashiro gave us the gift as well.

'...... Mmmm, this is a good one.
'Wow, it's so cute!
'Did you make this, Yashiro?
'It's lovely. ......'

Magda, Loretta, Estella and Imelda relax their cheeks.

'Wow, ...... I never thought that piece of scrap iron would turn out like this, ...... but it did.

Norma muttered happily. The raw materials seemed to have come from Norma's place.

'You're a genius!
'It's so cute!
'You're so cute!
'I've always wanted something like this!
'I've been waiting for this for a long time!
'A storm of excitement!

Everyone has their own impressions. All of them were filled with joy.

'Here, Ginette, too.

Mr. Yashiro gently handed me something: ...... It was a small pin badge.
It was a cute little badge in the shape of a fir tree.
It was a wonderful gift, just like Mr. Yashiro.

'Is it okay if I take it?
'Yes, you may. Today is the day when good children get presents.

Why is he talking like that?
I don't know, but since Yashiro is doing it, he must have something in mind. I'll try not to pursue it too deeply.

'Well then, everyone. Let's start eating.

With a cheerful 'wow', the Christmas party began.
It was the beginning of a very warm and joyful time.

Mr. Yashiro has made a wonderful time for us again.
I'm really grateful to Mr. Yashiro.

'Oh, I'm ...... glad.
'We are together, Theron.
'We're together, Wendy.
'Hey, hey, isn't my one extra cute?
'They're all the same!No, ......, but mine might be a little prettier than the others. ......'
'Hmmm ......, can't you use this for your carpentry skills ......'
'I still have a lot of work to do, that I haven't done yet. ...... Well done, Mr. Yashiro!

This gift from Mr. Yashiro is making me smile more and more.
This is the kind of power that Mr. Yashiro has, isn't it?

'Yashiro-san's ...... is amazing.'

From that point on, it was a very enjoyable time, even if it was lively and a bit noisy ...... as usual.

I still don't know much about Christmas, but I like it very much.

I'm sure I'll spend it with you all again next year. I think so.