Today was Christmas. Even in this world, it was a popular holiday, and I watched from the window as people moved through the streets with a certain restless energy.
Looking back, I remembered how painful Christmas used to be before I came to this world.
The Christmases I’d spent with my parents as a child were wonderful, of course, but after they passed away... the holiday always made me feel terribly lonely. Even the city's neon lights had started to feel like an eyesore.
But thanks to everything that had happened since arriving in this world, I had changed too. And now, I was enjoying a happy Christmas—
"Uwaaaaaaah!"
"...What are you screaming for all of a sudden?"
"It’s not right! Why has it turned out like this!?"
"What do you mean, 'like this'?"
I had been soaking in a sentimental yet happy mood, but that feeling was completely shattered by Alice’s sudden outburst.
Alice was clad in the Santa version of her cat costume, complete with a red hat. She collapsed onto the counter, clutching the head of the suit with both hands.
I still didn't understand why she was so insistent on wearing a costume whenever she minded the shop, even after knowing her for this long.
"It’s the shop, the shop! Christmas is supposed to be the busiest time of the year, right!? Wallets are supposed to be flying open! People should be buying things left and right! And yet, look at the state of this place!"
"...Well, isn't the lack of customers pretty much business as usual?"
"That may be true, but still! Couldn't you have sugarcoated that a little more!?"
Prompted by Alice, I looked around the shop. It was the same quiet space as always, without a single customer in sight. As expected of Alice's general store—its lack of popularity was impressively consistent.
"Ugh... and I even prepared limited edition Christmas products... I wonder what the problem is?"
"Maybe it's the owner."
"Eh? Me? I’m the mascot of this place! If you deny my appeal, there'll be nothing left!"
"And that's why the shop looks like this, isn't it?"
"Gah!"
When I hit her with the truth, Alice slumped onto the counter with an exaggerated thud.
But limited edition Christmas products, huh? The quality was probably fine, but if they never caught anyone's eye to begin with, it didn't really matter.
"Well, whatever. I’m going shopping. You coming?"
"Kaito-san, you're so cold... Fine, I'll go too."
"Take off the costume first."
"My, Kaito-san, asking a beautiful girl to strip in broad daylight..."
"There we go."
"Uhyah!?"
Since I heard her usual nonsense, I grabbed a long spear from the weapon rack and swung it with all my might. She dodged it easily, though.
"Tch..."
"Kaito-san, you just tried to take me out, didn't you? You were definitely aiming to kill just now!"
"Maybe it's a sign of my deep trust in you? I knew nothing would happen even if I hit you."
"What a horrible kind of trust! Alice-chan thrives on love, you know! You have to spoil me more—ow!?"
Since Alice was just being her usual self, I decided it was time to go buy ingredients for dinner.
The shopping was just for the standard items, so we finished quickly and headed back.
Alice had insisted on a massive turkey, so I bought that, along with a fancy cake and various other ingredients. As per usual, it was all on my dime.
After all, this idiot had just lost everything this morning betting on a monster race called the Christmas Commemorative Cup. If I took my eyes off her for even a second, this was what happened.
Since no customers were going to show up anyway, I put the "Closed" sign out, locked the door, and moved to the living quarters behind the counter.
"Alright! Since it's a special occasion, Alice-chan shall show off her skills!"
"Oh, that's rare. But your cooking is delicious, Alice, so I’d appreciate it."
"Ah, um... when you praise me so straightforwardly, it's actually a bit embarrassing..."
Alice's culinary skills were top-tier, enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ein-san.
However, she usually proudly declared that "food bought with someone else's money is the best in the world" and rarely cooked for herself, so it was unusual for her to volunteer. Perhaps this was the magic of Christmas at work.
Alice worked incredibly fast. In no time at all, the table was covered in a luxurious Christmas feast.
Normally, it was far too much for two people, but Alice ate so much it was a mystery where it all went in that small body of hers. This amount was no problem—in fact, it was terrifying because it almost looked like it wouldn't be enough.
"Now then, let's eat."
"Yeah... wait a second, Alice."
"Huh? What is it?"
"What about our rule for when we're alone?"
"Ugu..."
I stopped Alice just as she was about to dig in. When I spoke with a meaningful look, she blushed bashfully and hesitated, her eyes darting around.
Finally, she let out a sigh and reached for the opera mask on her face, pulling it off.
"I-Is this fine?"
"Yeah."
"Ugh, even though I've gotten used to it, it's still embarrassing..."
Alice muttered with a bright red face, her sapphire-blue eyes shifting restlessly.
We had an agreement that she would only take off her mask when we were alone. I wasn't sure if it was because of that promise, but she seemed to have grown a little more comfortable with it lately.
"It's only because it's you, Kaito-san... I can't believe I'm listening to such an embarrassing request."
"I know. Thank you."
"Au..."
Sitting across from Alice and her real face, we began the meal, which was filled with the Christmas spirit.
We opened a slightly expensive bottle of wine and enjoyed the exceptionally delicious food. Eventually, Alice spoke in a quiet voice.
"Kaito-san... thank you for today."
"Hmm?"
"N-No, I mean... thank you for spending Christmas like this with me."
"..."
She looked down shyly, her voice barely a whisper. Hearing that, I felt a smile naturally spread across my face. At the same time, I felt a bit bashful myself as I replied.
"You're being unusually honest today."
"Whoa, a sudden insult! Alice-chan is always an honest and adorable beauty, thank you very much!"
"...Yeah. I think you're really cute today."
"U-Uu... that's why those kinds of straightforward lines are..."
Despite being the one who started it, she couldn't handle being praised honestly. I chuckled at her very typical response, then stood up and walked over to her.
Alice tilted her head, watching me with confusion. I looked back into her eyes and drew her small body into my arms, where she fit perfectly.
"Hyah!? K-Kaito-san!? W-What all of a sudden!?"
"Thank you. I'm having a lot of fun being with you today, Alice."
"Kaito... san."
We had known each other for a long time now. I took pride in being the person who knew the real Alice best in the world.
Was that why? I felt like I had to do this. This girl, who rarely showed her true feelings, had opened up a little bit of her heart today. I wanted to make sure I accepted it.
Alice froze in my embrace for a moment, but then she slowly wrapped her arms around my back. She pressed her face against my chest, almost as if she were clinging to me.
"Kaito-san... please don't go anywhere. Don't leave me..."
"I won't. I'm not going to leave you alone."
"Yes... I love you, Kaito-san."
Christmas... for the past few years, it had been a day of painful memories. But this year, I received the full affection of the girl I loved, and it was the happiest Christmas I’d ever had.