"Hehe... we have the whole place to ourselves."
"Well, naturally, at this hour."
Unlike during the day, there wasn't a soul in the park. After we arrived, we sat down side-by-side on a nearby bench.
The bench, bathed in the glow of a single streetlight, looked like a prop on a darkened stage. It felt as if this little patch of the world had been carved out just for us, separated from everything else.
"Sitting here, the stars are invisible, aren't they?"
"Ah, the streetlight is too close. If you'd like, we can find somewhere else..."
"No, while I thought a starry sky would be romantic, this has its own charm as well."
"Haha, I was thinking the exact same thing."
"A heart-to-heart, and mutual love. Don't you think? ♪"
A heart-to-heart was one thing, but I wondered if "mutual love" was the right term... no, if she felt that way, then it was real. Just as Sara-san said, it was a manifestation of our mutual love. Yeah.
"...When I was little, I used to spend Christmas Night staring out the window. Even when I was supposed to be sleeping, I’d sneak out of bed just to peek outside, over and over again."
"...Did you really want to meet Santa-san that badly?"
"Yes. Part of it was that I wanted to thank him personally for the presents he brought every year, but I also simply wanted to meet him and talk to him. Because of that, my father ended up staying awake with me for no reason."
"Haha, I can easily imagine Masaomi-san checking in on you every few minutes."
The image of Masaomi-san repeatedly peeking in on Sara-san and then whispering worriedly to Mayumi-san was easy to conjure. It was actually quite heartwarming.
"Oh, that reminds me—changing the subject a bit—until when did you believe in Santa, Sara-san?"
"I suppose... until around early elementary school. My classmates were talking about it just before Christmas, so I decided to test it by pretending to be asleep. My father simply walked in, placed the present, and left..."
"Ah, so it was that classic pattern."
"Yes."
Yeah, that was a real Santa Claus cliché. Usually, the secret got out because the kid caught the parent in the act, or they heard rumors at school or kindergarten. In this day and age, a quick search on the internet would settle it instantly anyway.
"I felt too bad for my father to tell him then and there, so I kept quiet until I graduated from elementary school... though it seems my mother realized I knew long ago."
"Well, that sounds like Mayumi-san."
Given how sharp her intuition was, noticing a slight change in her daughter's reaction would be a piece of cake for her. Meanwhile, I bet Masaomi-san was too blinded by his doting affection to notice a thing.
"And how about you, Kazunari-san?"
"I was around the same age. At my house, my dad totally blew it. He stumbled into my room drunk and took a spectacular spill, so the illusion was shattered instantly."
"Hehe... oh, Father-in-law."
"No, no, it wasn't a laughing matter. The momentum carried him forward, and he hit me in the face with the present he was holding. The gift inside even broke."
"Oh, my... Hehehe."
Perhaps picturing the scene, Sara-san couldn't stop herself from giggling, her laughter ringing out cheerfully. Well, if it made her laugh this much, the story was worth telling.
"In the end, that was how I figured out Santa didn't exist... but I decided that as long as I got a present, my dad was a perfectly fine substitute."
"Hehe... I see. For me, I was actually quite sad when I realized the Santa-san I believed in wasn't real. I acted normally for my father's sake, but one of my dreams had certainly been broken."
"Right. This is just my impression, but I feel like the shock is probably bigger for girls..."
It wasn't a universal truth, but the image of boys being more "dry" or "realistic" about such things persisted. Thinking about it now, if I had carelessly tried to play Santa Claus today, I might have accidentally crushed the dreams of Mio-chan and the others.
I was glad it hadn't come to that.
"The truth comes out sooner or later, but the older a child is, the more calmly they can accept it. Until then, I truly want Santa-san to do his best."
"Exactly. Anyway, I'm just glad we could keep the dream alive for Mio-chan and the others today."
"Yes. I felt so happy seeing Mio-chan and the others smiling like that! ♪"
"Me too."
Truthfully, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't be the one to play Santa and make them happy myself... but seeing them that delighted meant the event was a massive success. I'd take that as a win.
"Still... hehe ♪"
"Sara-san?"
Suddenly, she let out another meaningful giggle and shifted closer, leaning her weight against my shoulder in a pampered, affectionate way.
"No, I was just thinking... if Santa Claus really existed, what kind of person would he be? And it occurred to me that you’re a lot like Santa-san, Kazunari-san."
"Huh?"
Me? Like Santa? Where was this coming from?
"Santa Claus delivers presents to children on Christmas Eve, but I believe those presents aren't just 'objects.' They are 'happiness' itself—dreams, hope, and joy. Today, you granted Mio-chan's wish, and you brought smiles and joy not only to the children but to us as well. Don't you think that makes you worthy of the name?"
"Me... Santa Claus?"
"Yes. And not just today. You are the one who always gives me overflowing joy and smiles, dreams and hope—every kind of happiness imaginable. To me, Kazunari-san, you are undoubtedly my Santa-san! ♪"
"Haha... but if you put it that way, then for me, Sara-san, you're the one who’s Santa Claus."
If Santa was someone who delivered "happiness" itself to a person, then there was no doubt that for me, that person was Sara-san.
"Hehe... but Santa-san is a man, so you'll have to be the one to take the title, Kazunari-san."
"Ah, I guess so. But in that case, Sara-san, you'd be..."
Was there a better way to put it? "Goddess" felt the most accurate to me, but saying that out loud would be way too sappy.
"Therefore, it's decided. To me, Kazunari-san is Santa-san. It's finalized, and I absolutely won't back down on this, okay?"
"...Understood."
I felt like calling me Santa Claus was a bit of an overestimation, but if that’s what Sara-san wanted, I would do everything in my power to live up to it. My determination and intent hadn't changed since the very beginning.
"In that case... I have a present for you, Sara-san, from Kazunari Santa."
"Eh?"
I pulled a small bag out of my own bag and gently offered it to her. I'd been struggling to find the right timing and was worried I'd have to wait until we got back to the house... I was glad I'd brought it.
"Here, for you."
"Um..."
Though she looked a bit bewildered, Sara-san reached out and took it. Her lips curved upward, unable to hide her joy.
"...To be honest, I'm not sure how to react. I only just received this ring, and I believe I told you many times that I didn't need anything else for Christmas?"
"Haha, that's one request I can't fulfill. There's no way I was going to miss an opportunity like this."
Since Sara-san rarely accepted my gratitude, this was one of the few chances I had to give her a proper gift—and since I knew it would make her happy, I was going to prepare one no matter what she said.
That was my justice!
However...
"Don't worry. I don't really like saying it this way, but the budget was actually pretty modest."
"Is that true?"
"It is."
This wasn't false modesty; because of my recent expenses, I hadn't been able to afford a present that met my usual standards. I’d probably tried a bit too hard on her previous gifts, and even though my Part-time Job was supposed to cover this, I felt a little pathetic that I’d ended up so short on funds.
"...I understand. In that case, I will gratefully accept it."
"I'm glad."
Sara-san’s eyes, which always seemed to see right through me, softened. She gave a gentle, relaxed smile. She was probably just checking to make sure I wasn't overextending myself... but since I was telling the truth about the budget, it was fine.
"Um... may I open it?"
"Go right ahead."
"Hehe... thank you."
Looking suddenly restless, Sara-san gave me a small nod and began to carefully peel away the wrapping. She moved slowly so as not to tear it, eventually revealing two small mascots. Based on their hair and clothes, they were clearly a pair—a boy and a girl. The girl mascot even had characteristic long black hair...
"Are these... us?"
"...Yeah. I made them using a Handmade Crafting Kit."
The idea had come to me when I saw some handmade materials next to the register while buying that Miikawa plushie. I’d hurried back to the shop where I made her brooch and managed to finish this Pair Mascot. Since I’d had to meet Nishikawa-san for party planning while Sara-san was busy with the cooking, I’d had her take me to the shop and finished them in a rush. I’d wanted to take more time and be more precise... but obviously, I couldn't have worked on them in front of Sara-san.
"Hehe... they're so cute! ♪ This one is Kazunari-san, and this one is me. And... hehehe ♪"
Sara-san’s smile deepened as she stroked the mascots' heads, her gaze lingering on their outfits. The male mascot modeled after me was wearing a white tuxedo, while the Sara-san one was in a frilly, white long dress... and both of them had matching rings on their fingers.
"Should I take this as a declaration of intent from you, Kazunari-san?"
"A-A declaration...?"
"Really... you're so mean, making me say it out loud! ♪"
"N-No, that's not it!"
Of course, I knew exactly what she was implying, but she was reading too much into it! The only reason I chose those outfits was because there weren't any other kits that fit the look! There was absolutely no deeper meaning than that! Probably!
"...If you say you want it sooner, Kazunari-san, I wouldn't mind at all, you know? Even as soon as you turn eighteen the year after next..."
"No, no, I really didn't mean it that way! And marriage is..."
"Hehe... I'm joking! ♪"
"Guh..."
I’d reacted so seriously that Sara-san broke into a fit of happy, rolling laughter. Dammit... even though I should have been frustrated, I wasn't. I guess that's what being in love does to you.
"I'm sorry. I was just so happy, I couldn't help myself..."
"N-No, as long as you like it, I don't mind."
"Hehe... thank you, truly. I will make sure to display these prominently at our house."
"They're also keyrings, so you can put them on your bag if you want."
"No, I’d be devastated if I lost them or got them dirty... besides, I’ve already thought of the perfect place to put them."
"Got it. I'll leave that to you, Sara-san. As long as you're happy, I'm satisfied."
"I am! ♪"
Since the mascots belonged to Sara-san now, she could do whatever she wanted with them. The fact that she was this happy was the most important thing to me.
"Hehe... you really are Santa-san, Kazunari-san. Kinder, more reliable, and more wonderful than anyone else... always giving me smiles and happiness. My... my very own Santa! ♪"
"Sara-san..."
"Kazunari-san... please stay as my Santa-san next year, the year after, and forever. Promise me? Of course, I’ll be sure to give you a proper reward."
"Haha, having you by my side is more than enough of a reward for me."
"Hehe... that's my line... mmm..."
Chu... just as I felt her press her body against mine, I felt a warm, gentle sensation on my cheek. It was over in an instant, but we stayed close, basking in each other's warmth.
"...I'll do my best. So I can keep being your Santa, Sara-san... wait, did I say something like this before?"
"Hehe, I'll do my best too. As your... ah..."
Sara-san let out a soft gasp. A moment later, tiny white specks began to flutter down before our eyes, sparkling as they caught the light from the streetlamp.
This was...
"Snow... the forecast didn't mention anything about snow."
"Yes... it's beautiful..."
We looked up together. The beautiful moon still hung in the sky, but dark clouds had quietly stretched across the horizon.
"Honestly... just how much do you plan on pleasing me, Kazunari-san? To even prepare a surprise like this."
"No, this wasn't me..."
"No. No matter what anyone says, this is a present you prepared for me! I've decided so, and I won't hear any arguments."
"Haha... but if you say that..."
If I flipped that logic, then Sara-san was the one giving me a surprise.
"Hehe... look, Kazunari-san! ♪"
Sara-san stood up from the bench and began to twirl as if dancing. The fluttering snow sparkled around her as she moved, as if it were enveloping her. It was a fantastical sight—she was breathtakingly beautiful.
"A White Christmas with just the two of us, Kazunari-san... another dream has come true! ♪"
"Sara-san..."
"My dreams and my happiness—none of it would exist without you. That's why you're always my Santa-san... in the past, in the future, and forever."
As if reciting a song, Sara-san leaned into my right arm as I stood up. My love for her swelled past its breaking point.
"The same goes for me. I can't be happy without you, Sara-san. Only you can make me happy in the truest sense of the word..."
"Hehe... making you happy is my greatest joy. So even if you hate it, you have to accept it, okay?"
"I could never hate it. In fact, it's exactly what I want. And it's the same for you, right?"
"Yes. Of course. I will accept everything about you, Kazunari-san... ah."
I couldn't hold back any longer. Driven by emotion, I wrapped my arm around her to pull her close. Sara-san let out a small, surprised sound, but she didn't resist. Instead, she reached her arms around the back of my head and pulled me toward her, burying my face into her heaven.
"Kazunari-san... please be happy. If you are happy, then I..."
"...That's my line. If you aren't happy, Sara-san, then I..."
It wasn't very cool to be saying this while muffled in her embrace, but it was the one thing I refused to compromise on.
"Kazunari-san..."
She loosened the strength of her arms slightly, and the warmth and softness receded just enough. It was her signal for what came next.
"Sara-san... I... mmm!?"
"Mnn..."
I’d intended to be the one to say the most important words, but Sara-san closed her eyes and blocked my mouth with hers before I could. I suppose it was just like me to never quite be able to win against her... though I’d hoped to look cool for once tonight.
"I love you... Kazunari-san."
"...I love you, too... Sara."
"!?"
I pushed past my embarrassment and whispered it back as a counter-attack. Sara-san’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but that expression quickly shifted into a radiant smile. Surrounded by the glittering snow, she looked almost divine—a sight of pure, mystical beauty.
"Hehe... I love you from the bottom of my heart, too... Darling! ♪ ...Mnn."
With that melting smile, under the moonlight and the stars...
Sara-san moved to steal my lips once more.
"Darling... I love you so much... mnn."
"Mmm!?"
Wait a second, Sara-san—is your "kiss monster" mode activating right now?! At this rate, far from ending things on a graceful note, I’m going to end up in a very dangerous position!
"S-Sara-sa..."
"Darling?"
"...Sara."
"Yes! ♪"
But Sara-san didn't seem to notice my "manly" panic at all.
What happened after that... well, only the moon, the stars, and the blissfully happy expression on Sara-san's face can say.
As for the rest... when we finally got back to our house, Sara-san’s actual Christmas present for me was waiting, and an "extended" version of the Christmas party was held in our decorated home—but that's a story for another time.