Christmas—its origin was a festival celebrating the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and it was a very famous holiday in the world where I used to live.
Naturally, in this world of Trinia, Jesus Christ did not exist. Therefore, the event known as Christmas shouldn't have existed here either.
However, every ten years, this world holds a massive event called the Hero Festival to welcome a Hero-role from my original world. Through the various Hero-roles who had visited over the years, many aspects of our culture had taken root, and Christmas was one of them.
Of course, Christmas in this world didn't carry the meaning of celebrating Christ’s birth. Since actual Gods existed here even if the Son of God did not, Christmas was recognized as a festival to offer gratitude to the divine.
Incidentally, Christmas in this world fell on the 25th of the Month of Heavens, which happened to perfectly overlap with the schedule of the Hero Festival. Because it wasn't observed during years when the festival took place, this was the first time I had ever seen it.
The Creator Goddess who, without exaggeration, ruled this world—Shiro-san—spoke quietly in her usual toneless voice.
"……God of Space-Time, please become Santa Claus."
"……M-My deepest apologies, Shallow Vernal-sama. I do not quite understand your meaning……"
I had come to the Sanctuary after being invited by Shiro-san. I’d expected a talk about a Christmas party, but when I arrived, I found Chronoa-san being subjected to one of Shiro-san's usual unreasonable demands. It was a sight that absolutely could not be shown to the people of Trinia who worshipped the Gods.
"Speaking of Christmas, Santa Claus is a necessity. Therefore, I command you to take on the role."
"Y-Yes! As Shallow Vernal-sama desires……"
"Then……"
"Wha—!?"
Though she seemed somewhat weary, Chronoa-san gave Shiro-san absolute obedience. She accepted with slumped shoulders. Shiro-san lightly flicked her finger, and Chronoa-san's outfit instantly transformed into red and white clothing.
"Sh-Shallow Vernal-sama!? What on earth is this!?"
"It is Santa Claus."
"No, I feel that is incorrect."
Shiro-san, that wasn't Santa Claus; that was a Santa costume. And a mini-skirt one at that. Moreover, because Chronoa-san’s legs were exceptionally long, it looked incredibly short, leaving me unsure where to look.
"M-Miyama…… do not look…… I beg of you……"
"……Thank you for your hard work today, Chronoa-san."
I averted my eyes from Chronoa-san, who was flushing a deep red with shame, and gazed at the Sanctuary. It was completely decked out in Christmas colors. A giant Christmas tree stood tall amidst beautifully falling snow. For some reason, the snow didn't feel wet when touched; it existed only to paint the scenery with beauty. To put it simply, Shiro-san could do anything.
"I have also prepared a stocking."
"……Isn't that ridiculously huge?"
"Yes. In this, Santa Claus will place the gift I desire. I am looking forward to it."
"Eh? I-Is that directed at me?"
It was an additional unreasonable demand, and Chronoa-san was clearly flustered. And for good reason—if Shiro-san was expressing expectations, it became a critical matter for a member of the Gods like Chronoa-san. Failure was not an option.
However, what kind of gift could Shiro-san possibly want? Honestly, I couldn't imagine it at all. Shiro-san could create basically anything she wanted, so for her to go out of her way to request something was unheard of.
As I wondered about it, Chronoa-san timidly picked up a card attached to the giant stocking. She checked what was written on it and her shoulders slumped in total defeat.
"……Um, Shallow Vernal-sama?"
"What is it?"
"……This is not something I have the power to provide……"
"Is that so? I suppose not."
Chronoa-san bluntly admitted her inability to fulfill the request, and Shiro-san simply nodded without a hint of reproach.
I tilted my head, wondering what could possibly be on that card, when Chronoa-san gently handed it to me with a look of profound pity. I took the folded card and opened it. Inside, written in Shiro-san’s characteristically neat, perfect handwriting, was this: "A kiss from Kaito-san (in a romantic atmosphere)."
"……Huh?"
Wait a minute. What kind of unreasonable demand was this? If it weren't for the part in parentheses, it wouldn't have been a problem. But that one phrase—"in a romantic atmosphere"—had raised the hurdle to an impossible height.
I never expected an unreasonable demand to come flying my way at a time like this. Shiro-san was truly terrifying.
"……I am expecting it."
"……Y-Yes. I will do my best."
Feeling the weight of Shiro-san's toneless words as an overwhelming pressure, I decided to try and enjoy the party for the time being.
The party held in the Sanctuary consisted only of the Three Supreme Gods and me—a group of five including Shiro-san. Fate-san did nothing but laugh at Chronoa-san's expense, looking like she was having the time of her life. Meanwhile, Life-san smiled gently, but for some reason, she had come wearing a dress with a neckline so low it was dangerous. Her overwhelming allure forced me into another desperate battle for self-control.
Once the rowdy party had settled down, I found myself alone with Shiro-san, watching the snow fall over the Sanctuary.
"Shiro-san, today was a lot of fun. Thank you for inviting me."
"No, the pleasure is mine…… I believe."
Shiro-san gazed at the landscape with her usual toneless voice and expressionless face. However, having spent so much time with her, I could tell she was genuinely enjoying herself. The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable; it was a soft, almost ticklish quiet as we watched the snow accumulate.
"……Is it not difficult?"
"Eh? What is?"
"……Is it not difficult, spending time with me?"
"……"
Perhaps it was the unique atmosphere of the night, but her voice sounded unusually uncertain, even anxious. Even if her emotions were hard to read, Shiro-san wasn't a robot. It was only natural for her to feel uneasy or have worries of her own.
Hearing her question, I turned toward her and looked into her beautiful golden eyes.
"It’s definitely difficult. I feel like I'm constantly being jerked around by your whims."
"I see……"
"But, more than that, I’m happy. I feel lucky."
"……Eh?"
"I have fun when I’m with you, Shiro-san. I want to spend more time together. So, it’s not a burden at all."
"……"
When I smiled after sharing my honest feelings, Shiro-san’s eyes widened slightly. Then, a faint smile played across her lips.
"……I wonder how many eons I have lived until now. Though I have seen much, known much, and stood at the side of the Almighty…… it seems I am still far from being Omniscient."
"……"
"No, perhaps 'Omniscience' does not exist in this world. The world shifts and changes, continuously giving birth to new knowledge and endless dreams."
She paused for a moment. Then, she showed me a smile so beautiful and gentle it felt as if all the world’s beauty had been condensed into that single expression.
"It feels like a lifetime ago that I believed I had no emotions. Now, I feel joy, and I realize that I am happy. You were the one who taught me that. Thank you."
"In that case, I should thank you as well. Meeting you has made me truly happy, Shiro-san. Thank you."
"Fufu…… Yes."
As she wore a warm smile that could captivate anyone, Shiro-san softly closed her eyes. I slowly put my arm around her shoulder and drew her close.
Then, as gently as I could, I poured every ounce of my feelings into the act and gave my beloved goddess her gift for the Holy Night.