After watching the choral competition in the park, Isis-san and I set off once more down the bustling streets. The area was filled with festive decorations, and Isis-san scanned her surroundings with curious, darting eyes.
"...Christmas... it's a festival from your world, right, Kaito?" she asked. "How does it compare... to the Christmas here?"
"Let's see. The decorations and the general atmosphere are actually quite similar," I replied. "But in my mind, Christmas is usually about having a party at home. We’d prepare a roast turkey—or at least some kind of whole bird—and a cake, then spend the day with loved ones exchanging gifts. That’s the image I have."
"...Do people not... go out much?"
"No, that’s not it. Plenty of people stay home with their families, but just as many go out on Christmas dates with their partners."
When I thought back on my own Christmases, I remembered small parties with my mother and father. They weren't grand affairs by any means—just days when we had slightly more extravagant meals than usual. The highlight, however, was always the Christmas present waiting by my pillow the next morning. I had only believed in Santa Claus until about the third grade, but waking up to see a beautifully wrapped gift at my bedside always made me happy, even after I had learned the truth about his identity.
Of course, since I’d never had any connection to things like "romantic Christmases" or "Sexual Night," I didn’t really know exactly what a couple was supposed to do on a holiday date...
"...Then... today... is a Christmas date... for us," Isis-san whispered.
"It is."
She gave a bashful little smile that was undeniably adorable. Before I came to this world, things were different, but now I had a lover so sweet she could be mistaken for an angel. It made me feel like I was experiencing the joy of Christmas in an entirely new way.
"...There are a lot of stalls out. Since we're here, do you want to grab a bite to eat?"
"...Yes. We're supposed to... eat chicken, right? ...Then... is that shop okay?"
"W-Well, that’s definitely chicken, all right. Let’s head over."
The stall Isis-san pointed to was a yakitori stand. Well, it was technically grilled bird, so she wasn't wrong. I found myself wondering if yakitori truly counted as "Christmas food," but since plenty of people back home ate fried chicken instead of roast turkey, it wasn't that far off. In fact, given how easy it was to eat off a skewer while walking, it might have been the perfect choice for a street fair.
As we approached, a wonderful aroma reminiscent of basil wafted toward us. It wasn't the typical sauce or salt seasoning; it smelled more like basil chicken, which seemed delicious in its own right. Since Isis-san didn't eat very much, we bought one large skewer to share and moved away from the crowd.
"...You should... eat first, Kaito," she said. "...I’ll have some... after you."
"Got it. Here goes... Oh, this is great! It’s light but really flavorful. Here, you try some, Isis-san."
"...Thank you. I'll... help myself."
The pieces of meat were quite large and satisfying, seasoned perfectly with basil. I held the skewer out for her, and she moved with her usual elegance, lightly holding her hair back with one hand so it wouldn't touch the food as she took a bite. She only managed to finish about a third of a piece—whereas I had downed an entire one in a single go—and looked up at me with a cute smile.
"...It’s delicious... but maybe we got the order wrong. It might have been better... if I ate first... and you finished the rest. These pieces are... a little big... for me to finish in one bite."
"Good point. Tell you what—you take a bite, and then I'll finish off the rest of that piece. We'll do it that way."
"...Okay."
There was something undeniably "couple-like" about sharing a single skewer of yakitori. It really hammered home the feeling that we were on a proper Christmas date.
Of course, as large as the pieces were, it was still just one skewer. We finished it quickly, and I tossed the wood into a nearby bin. Just as I started wondering which stall to visit next, Isis-san’s expression shifted, as if she’d noticed something.
"...Ah... Kaito... You have a little sauce on you."
"Wait, really? From the chicken? Where—"
"...Stay still."
Before I could ask for more details, she told me not to move. She gently cupped my cheek, leaned in, and gave me a soft kiss. It landed just to the side of my lips, followed immediately by the faint, quick sensation of her tongue licking the spot clean. Pulling back with a giggle, she produced a handkerchief and dabbed at the corner of my mouth.
"...Ehehe... There. All clean now."
"Thanks. But, uh... you know, it might have gotten on the inside of my lip too."
"...Ah... maybe it did. In that case... I'll have to... clean it again."
She caught my drift instantly. With a joyful, radiant smile, she leaned in toward me once more.
Serious-senpai (Bûche de Noël): "...Public displays of affection in the middle of a busy street? You've certainly grown, Protagonist! Damn it all! Because of you, a crazy god turned me into a log cake!"
Machina: "Lalala-la~♪ Hum-dee-dum~♪ Hum-hum-hum~♪"
Serious-senpai (Bûche de Noël): "Don't you dare hum while you're slicing me up! And for the record, 'Jingle Bells' wasn't originally a Christmas song—it was about a horse-drawn sleigh!"
Machina: "...The cake is talking."