It's Christmas today. Christmas is a very popular event in this world, and I watch people going about their business from the window.
　Looking back on it, I remember how difficult Christmas was for me before I came to this world.

　It's a good thing that I spent Christmas with my parents when I was a child, but after they passed away, I became lonely at Christmas time, and even the neon lights that illuminated the town seemed to be out of place.
　But because of all the things that have happened since I came to this world, I've changed myself, and we're having a good Christmas.

'Uhhhh!'
"...why are you yelling all of a sudden?
You're crazy!　How can this thing be happening!
What's this all about?

　I was soaked in happiness, even though I was feeling bored, but that feeling was drowned out by Alice, who broke the silence and started screaming.
　Alice is dressed in a Santa version of a stuffed cat with a red hat and lies face down on the counter, cradling its head with both hands.
　Why does she stubbornly try to wear a costume when she's going to guard the store?　This is the only thing I don't understand, even now that I've known him for a reason.

It's a store, store!　Speaking of Christmas, isn't it time to write it down!　I'm sure they'll loosen up their purse strings and do some cancer shopping!　And yet, look at this store!
''Well it's not like we don't have any guests as usual...''
'Yes, I know!　You can wrap that part up a bit more obtusely, can't you!

　Alice asked me to look around the store, but it was as quiet as usual... not a single customer wanted to be there. No, it's Alice's general store. It's a stable trendlessness.


...or is it the owner?
'What?　Me?　I'm like a symbol of this place. If that is denied, there is nothing left.
That's why you're in this mess, isn't it?
"What?

　When I tell her the truth, Alice falls over on the counter with an exaggerated movement.
　But a Christmas-only product hey........hmmm......I think it's good workmanship, but it's out of the question when it's not in the public eye to begin with......

Well, don't worry about it I'm gonna go shopping, okay?
'Well Mr. Kite is cold and I'm going with you.
Take your stuff off.
Kite, you can't tell a beautiful girl to take off her clothes in the middle of the day...
Good boy.
Uh-oh!

　I heard some kind of joke, even though it was the usual, so I took a long spear from the racks of weapons and wielded it with all my might... well, that's why I was able to avoid the assault...

Tsk....
Mr. Kite, you're here to kill me now, aren't you?　He was definitely going to kill it, wasn't he!
"...Is that what it is?　Does the act come from a strong trust that it won't be a problem even if it hits you?
'What a disgusting trust Alice, you grow up with love!　If you don't spoil me like this, I'm going to have to spoil you like this--Ouch!

　Well, Alice is the same Alice as usual, so let's get on with it and go shopping for some Christmas food.









　We only buy the standard items, so it was quick and easy to come back to the store.
　I bought a huge turkey, a gorgeous cake, and various other ingredients because Alice insisted, and the rest is my money, as usual...as usual.
　

　You don't have any customers anyway, but just to be sure, you put out a close tag in front of the store, lock the door and move to the living space behind the counter.

''Alright, since it's a good time, let's have Alice waving her arms around this time!
'....Oh, that's unusual. But Alice's food is amazingly good, and I'm grateful for that.
Oh, well I guess I get a little embarrassed when I'm praised so straightforwardly...

　Alice's cooking skills are top-notch, and she's on a par with that Ayn-san.
　However, she is proud to say that "the best food in the world is the food that people's money can buy," and she rarely tries to cook, so it's rare for her to offer to cook for me like this.
　Perhaps this is one of the benefits of the Christmas event.

　And Alice cooks really quickly, and in the blink of an eye the table is lined with gorgeous Christmas dishes.
　Normally it is not enough for two people to eat, but Alice eats so much of it that she doesn't even know where it fits in her small body, so even this amount is fine... or maybe it's even a little short, which is scary.

''Come on, let's eat.''
Oh, wait a minute, Alice.
Huh?　What is it?
...when you're alone with him?
Ugh.....

　He quickly stops Alice from sitting down at the table to start eating, and tells her in a way that includes.......Alice's cheeks are shyly colored and she moves her gaze hesitantly a few times.
　And after a bit, she lets out a sigh and touches the opera mask on her face and removes it.

''Ko, is this okay?''
Yes.
'Ugh, I'm embarrassed, even though I'm used to it...'

　Alice mutters with a red face while moving her sapphire blue eyes restlessly.
　Alice and I had previously made a promise to take off our masks only when we were alone, and I didn't know if it was because of that or not, but it seems that Alice has gotten used to it a little more recently.


I know. Thank you.
Uh....

　I sit down at the table with Alice, who has turned bareheaded, and start eating the dishes prepared in a full Christmas mood.

　As I was tasting the delicious cooking with a slightly higher wine, Alice murmured to me.

''.........Kaito-san......Thank you for today, thank you.
Yeah?
No, no, so........for spending Christmas with me....
....

　


''Oops, I didn't expect the embarrassment to come in here. Alice has always been an honest and cute little girl, you know!
"...Yeah. I think it's really pretty today.
'Ugh... so straightforward like that...'

　I'm embarrassed to be praised honestly after I said it myself.......I chuckle at Alice's typical response, and I get up from my chair and approach Alice.
　While staring back into Alice's eyes, which are looking at me with her head tilted as if she doesn't understand the intent of my action, I hug her small body that fits perfectly in my arms.

''Hiya!　Kite!　What are you doing all of a sudden...?
"...thank you. I'm having fun with Alice today.
Mr. Kite.....

　We've known each other for a long time now.......and I'm proud to say that I know the real Alice better than anyone else in the world.
　That's why, isn't it?　........I felt like I had to do this. This guy, who doesn't become honest easily, spoke his mind a little today................................so I wanted to accept it.

　Alice stiffened in my embrace for a while as it was, then slowly put her hands around my back and rubbed her face against my chest as if clinging to me.

''.........Kite.......please don't go anywhere......me......''
'Yeah, I'm fine. I'll never leave you alone...
'.........Yes I love you. Mr. Kite........