Christmas Special SS: Loop xxxx. Weiss Fansent

“Hey, Shari. What the hell is... this?”

“It’s a Christmas hat. A Santa hat! Don’t you know what these are?”

“I know what it is. I’m asking why you put it on my head.”

“Because! Isn’t it just adorable?”

That was a completely irrelevant answer.

Good grief, the girl was getting way too carried away. I was up on the rooftop as usual, but to make matters worse, the snow just had to start falling.

“Wow, look at that powder snow! Look, Weiss!”

“Yeah, I see it.”

“It’s so beautiful... Wait, huh? Wh-where are you going?!”

“Back to my room. I’ve finished my daily training.”

“W-wait a second!”

It might be a special day for the rest of you, but for me, it’s just a bothersome event.

Exchanging presents, making a fuss... I didn’t mind the feast, but I couldn't stand the "warm and fuzzy" atmosphere of it all. Seriously.

---

Nobless Academy, reserved classroom.

“Allen, how does my hat look?”

“It suits you, Cynthia.”

“Hey, you guys! Look at my hat too!”

The usual trio—Allen, Cynthia, and Duke—were laughing and smiling happily. Beside them were Carta, whom I’d managed to stop from dropping out, and the ever-easygoing Olynn.

“Look, look, Olynn-san! I bought a Christmas ribbon!”

“Wow, that’s lovely. I made Porin look a bit more Christmassy, too.”

Further off to the side was Tura, who was clearly still head-over-heels for Allen. Even Cecil was there, for reasons I couldn't fathom.

“Lord Allen, that hat is most becoming!”

“...You’re as energetic as ever,” Sierra noted.

Every single one of them was wearing a hat. I mean—

“Hey, Shari. I didn't sign up for this.”

She’d lured me here with the promise of Melo-Melon, and I walked right into this. They’d even put up elaborate decorations. Besides, I wasn't exactly on friendly terms with these people. At least, not this time.

“Ah, Weiss! You actually came!”

“...No. I was just on my way out.”

“Eh? Why?!”

“Because it’s too loud in here.”

“But the hat looks good on you, doesn't it?”

“Hah?”

That bastard Allen was the same as always, putting his full effort into enjoying every little thing. ...Wait, this is strange. It was odd that I’d never seen this particular scene before in any other loop. Did I do something different this time? I searched my memories, but I couldn't find an answer.

Just as I opened the door to leave, I bumped into something soft.

“—Ngh. What the...?”

“Waah! S-sorry!”

“Eleanor, that’s sexual harassment,” Sierra sighed.

“Big sister?!”

Eleanor and Sierra were standing there. They were as massive as ever—and, of course, they were wearing hats too.

“You’re graduating next year, aren't you?” I asked. “Is it really okay for you to be playing around?”

“Oh, thank you for your concern! But Weiss, I happen to be very strong.”

“Big sister, you lost to him the other day...”

“Sh-shut up! I was holding back! I was definitely holding back!”

I did win, but that was the result of a thousand accumulated failures. I don’t even want to count how many times I challenged her before I finally took a match. Precisely because I knew the cost of that victory, I didn't feel like acting like a big shot.

I had no time to play games. I had no idea when the Time Loop would finally stop. If this was going to be the final run, I had to give it everything I had.

“Hm? Weiss, where are you going?”

“Home. My daily training is over. I was only brought here under false pretenses.”

“Hmm. Eleanor, make Weiss sit down.”

“Eh? O-okay!”

Eleanor approached me, her large chest swaying with every step. She grabbed my shoulders, hoisted me up, and forced me into a seat.

“Hey... What are you doing, Eleanor?”

“B-but... can’t we just enjoy ourselves for today? Please?”

She gave me a beaming smile. Dammit. I owed her from two loops ago. She wouldn't remember it, but she had lost her right arm shielding me. Her scream from that day still hadn't left my mind.

“...Fine. Where’s the Melo-Melon, Shari?”

“Fufufu, I’ll have it ready in a second! Well then, before Weiss loses his temper, I’d like to officially start the Christmas party!”

With that, Shari produced a party cracker from thin air and let it rip. Pop! She really was a mysterious woman.

Dishes that had clearly been prepared in advance were brought out one after another. It was such a grand feast that I started to feel awkward about the fact that I hadn't contributed anything.

“W-Weiss-kun, this Melo-Melon was harvested at my family’s place.”

“Hah? You should have said that sooner.”

I stuffed my face immediately. A rich, unmistakable sweetness flooded my mouth.

“...It’s good.”

“Ehehe, I’m so glad!”

“Allen, you have some cream on your mouth.”

“Oh, thanks, Cynthia.”

“I’ve got cream on my mouth too! Anyone? Anyone at all?!”

“Lord Cecil, how about a game of cards later?”

“...I’m in.”

“Can I watch from the side?”

I watched them quietly. They were calm for now, but things were going to get much harder from here on out. Of course, for them, that was all in the future.

Well, I don’t intend to get in the way of their fun. I’ll just do what I have to do to kill that shitty Demon King. If I can make sure these idiots survive in the process, I guess that would make for a perfect story.

“U-um...”

“Eleanor, say it properly,” Sierra nudged.

Eleanor approached me, being pushed forward by her sister. When she stood up, I couldn't help but stare at her chest—it was right in my line of sight. She was holding something in her hands.

“What is it?”

“E-er... well... this is for you. A Christmas present.”

“...For me?”

“That’s right! Here, just take it! It’s a gift from your senior!”

“B-Big sister?! Er, Weiss-kun, if you’d like it...”

“...Yeah.”

Repaying a debt was the code of House Fanscent. If receiving this moved the needle toward balancing the scales, I had to accept. I opened the package.

Hah. What do we have here?

“A necklace? No—it’s a magic tool.”

“Y-yeah. I thought something practical would be best. It’s supposed to block a single attack. I mean, it has its limits, but...”

“It was expensive, Weiss!”

“Big sister!”

...Well, it was certainly a gift I could appreciate.

“Thanks.”

“Ehehe, you’re very welcome!”

Suddenly, Shari poked me from behind.

“You two seem to be getting along quite well.”

“What, are you jealous?”

“Not really~”

Hah. She was so easy to read. Seriously, I’d given her an accessory in the last loop, hadn't I? It was a pain trying to think of something new every time so I didn't end up giving her the exact same thing.

“...I’ll tell you later.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“...You know what I mean.”

“E-eh?! Ehehe... ehehehe... Oh, stop it!”

She started playfully pounding on my shoulder.

You really suck at holding back. You always have.

Well, since I was already here, I figured I might as well eat my fill and then get some sleep. I’d have to start giving it my all again tomorrow—if only to protect those smiles.

Don’t die, you guys. Don’t you dare die.

Because I’m going to be the one to fix this.