Christmas was originally the feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, and I had heard stories that its roots lay in the festivals of light from the ancient Roman Empire... but that was strictly how things worked in the world I came from.
In this otherworld, Trinia, Christmas was viewed more as a festive celebration introduced by a former Hero-role. People recognized it simply as a time for merriment, devoid of any particularly deep religious origin or specific intent. Then again, back in the Japan of my old world, the mainstream approach was to treat it as an annual event divorced from its original meaning anyway, so the difference probably wasn't all that great.
If I had to point out a distinction, Christmas in Trinia was marked by decorations adorning every corner of the streets, and the capitals of each nation bustled with stalls and crowds. It felt less like a day spent at home with family and more like a massive winter festival.
"It's certainly lively out here," I remarked.
"Yes... there are decorations in every town, but the capital has so many stalls and events... it’s much busier."
The capital bustled with crowds, though not so many that it was impossible to walk. I strolled down the street hand-in-hand with Isis-san. In the past, her Magic Power of Death would have made participating in such a festival completely out of the question. Now, however, an item from Canaris-san solved that. By projecting a barrier that prevented anyone below a certain threshold of power from entering a fifty-centimeter radius, she could navigate the city safely.
With Isis-san's superior Magic Power Control Technique, she could easily exclude me from the barrier's effects. As for the problem of her being a famous figure among the Six Kings, she simply used Recognition Inhibition Magic to keep herself hidden. She didn't possess quite the same level of technical finesse as Alice, meaning there was a chance she could be seen through if she spoke directly to someone of sufficient caliber, but since it was unlikely we would run into anyone above peerage-class, we could enjoy our date without worry.
To prevent anyone from noticing her name if I called out to her, I used a portable, modified magic tool that silenced our voices to those around us.
"Still, I'm really glad I could come out and see the city at Christmas with you like this, Isis-san."
"I’m very happy too... Of course, it’s wonderful not to be feared... but being able to see so many things with Kaito... more than I ever could before... that’s what makes me the happiest."
Isis-san smiled happily as she spoke. She looked as lovely as an angel; seeing that smile alone made inviting her out today worth it.
"Ah, look, there’s a tree in the square."
"It’s decorated beautifully... Come to think of it... Vul and the others were setting up... a Christmas tree at the castle, too."
"They're getting ready for the party, right? I'm looking forward to tonight."
"Yes... with Kaito... and everyone else... I’m looking forward to it... very much."
Tonight, we were planning to hold a Christmas party at Isis-san's castle with all the members of the Mutsuraboshi. It sounded like Vul and the others were enthusiastically preparing for the festivities, so I was already excited.
"Well, we can buy presents later. For now, let's just enjoy the date."
"Yes... with Kaito... I want to go... to so many places."
"Let's visit as many spots as we can. Shall we head toward that park first? It looks like they’re holding some kind of event."
As I stepped into the park's festive atmosphere with Isis-san, the first things that caught my eye were a large stage and a group of people who looked like an orchestra lined up upon it.
"It sounds like a choir."
"Traditional winter songs... The stage is so big... they might be holding a choir competition."
"True. There are groups waiting by the side of the stage, so it does have that competitive feel."
Since the holiday had nothing to do with Christianity, they weren't a church choir, but the group currently on stage had a similar vibe in both their attire and their music. I watched the bustling stage from a short distance while holding hands with Isis-san, and I noticed a joyful smile spreading across her face.
"You look like you're having fun, Isis-san."
"Yes... being able to see... everyone looking so happy... it makes me glad. Because the old me... would have made them all afraid."
In the past, Isis-san's arrival in a town would have triggered a state of emergency. Naturally, she never had the opportunity to watch events like this up close. It was a tragic circumstance, but in a way, it was unavoidable; if she hadn't been kept away, the people would have fled in terror, only hurting her more.
But that was exactly why, now that those worries had been dispelled to some degree, I wanted her to enjoy everything she had missed out on.
"I know you've been suffering all this time, so I won't say it's 'good' that things were that way. But... seeing the sights you’ve always wanted to see for the first time... and being the one who gets to see them with you... that makes me a little happy."
"Kaito... Yes! That’s right... Seeing the world I couldn't see before... and getting to see it with Kaito, the person I love most in the world... I’m so happy. Fufu... I’m looking forward... to everything we'll do from now on."
"We still have plenty of time left today, so let’s see as many sights as we can together."
"Yes... Kaito... I love you... so much."
At my words, Isis-san’s expression filled with bliss. Her voice was sweet as she confessed her love and hugged my arm tightly. Seeing her so genuinely happy brought me a profound sense of joy, filling my heart with a deep, soothing warmth.
Serious-senpai: "I-Impossible! A surprise attack?! A-And it’s only Part 1?! Ugh... too sweet...! It's too early for this...! I can't dodge it! Can I endure? No! I'll die! Damn it... 'Sage of Sugar <White Serious>'!"
Machina: "An ability that swaps your own position with a pre-prepared sugar substitute? But even though you were supposed to swap with plain sugar, the sheer lovey-dovey wave transformed the target into a shortcake topped with fresh cream... In other words, that's the mental image Serious-senpai received from this scene. If she hadn't swapped, she definitely would have turned into a cake herself. You won't be shaking that image off easily... Serious-senpai's mental state has taken a massive hit, hasn't it?"
Serious-senpai: "Phew... pant... damn it..."
Machina: "Well, setting that aside, I'm in the mood for chocolate cake right now!"
Serious-senpai: "Wait, what?"
Machina: "Which means... hup! 'Sage of Chocolate <Black Serious>'!"
Serious-senpai: "You—are you kidding m—Gwaaaaaaaaah?!"