On a Snowy Night, The Stars Shine 4

[iridesenescence]

Chapter 4:
Writer: Yuumasu
Season: Winter
Location: Starmony Halls, Level 2



[A few days later]

Tatsumi: — Thank you very much. We have received your submission. Your participation in the gift exchange is truly appreciated.
If you are unable to receive your gift in person on the day itself, it will be delivered to your room. But if you have the time, please join us for the Christmas party.
We have food and other festivities planned, so we hope to see you there. Amen ♪
Fufu, the gift box has filled right up. How wonderful that everyone is so cooperative.

Izumi: ... You said your family has a church, right? So I guess making the sign of the cross is something you do a lot?

Tatsumi: Yes, it's a habit I've developed. Is that strange?

Izumi: Nah. It's just that we've got nothing to do other than sit here and wait for gifts, so I thought I'd ask.
How'd we end up getting forced into working like clerks? That guy's really got some nerve ordering me around like this.

Tatsumi: Fufu, how kind you are, Izumi-san. Despite all your complaints, you're still willing to cooperate with us.

Izumi: You're giving me too much credit. I'm only here because it'd be totally uncool to run off and leave you with all the work. Especially since Mikejima and Hibiki handled things on the other day.

Kaoru: 'Sup, you two~ I've brought my Christmas present.

Izumi: Oh? So you're participating too, Kao-kun?

Kaoru: Yep. I don't know if I'll be able to make it for the actual party, but I figured, why not?

Izumi: Hmm, I see. Well, this is you we're talking about, so I bet you've got something excessively stylish in there.

Kaoru: 'Excessively'? Geez, Senacchi, you really are the same as always.
Well, he might be crabby and have a certain way with his words, but I swear he's a good guy. Play nice with Senacchi, okay, Tatsumi-san?

Izumi: Excuse me, can you not speak like you're my guardian? And can you not smile and nod?

Tatsumi: Thank you very much for bringing your gift. If you are unable to receive the gift in person on the day itself, rest assured that it will be delivered to your room.

Kaoru: Gotcha. 'Kay, good luck with the rest! Byebye~ ♪

Izumi: Yeah, yeah. Sheesh, Kao-kun...

Tatsumi: Fufu, you two seem to be very good friends.

Izumi: No we're not. We just happen to spend time together during our circle activities, is all. It's not like we text each other or anything.

Tatsumi: Oh, is that so? That's a surprise, since you both have nicknames for each other.

Izumi: Huh, do nicknames have anything to do with whether you're good friends or not? There's lots of people out there using nicknames for people they hate, right?

Tatsumi: I suppose there are. But to me, a nickname is a sign that I've become good friends with someone, so I'm quite happy to be given one.
I'm sure it is God's guidance that has allowed us to deepen our relationship via this Christmas party. I hope we too can someday become friends that freely call out to each other.

Izumi: And there you go smiling like a saint. Talking to you seriously throws me off...

Mayoi: E-excuse me...

Izumi: Hm? I think I just heard someone's voice...

Mayoi: Uh, uuhm...

Izumi: Woah?! That spooked me!
Could you not suddenly pop out from amongst the present boxes? You, what was your name again—

Tatsumi: This is "Ayase Mayoi"-san.

Izumi: Yeah, that! Ayase! You nearly made my heart stop...!

Mayoi: I-I'm truly sorry for surprising you! I wasn't sure how to begin speaking to you two, so I ended up butting in at a strange time...

Tatsumi: Not at all, I'm sorry for not noticing you as well. How long have you been here?

Mayoi: Umm, since you two brought that table in and placed the gift box on top of it...

Izumi: So you were here even before we arrived? You should've just said something earlier.

Mayoi: Eeek, I'm so sorry!

Izumi: Hey, stop it. When you act all terrified like that, it feels like I did something wrong.

Mayoi: A-a thousand apologies...

Tatsumi: It's alright, don't be afraid. Izumi-san won't bite.
By the way, is that black bag you're holding meant for the gift exchange?

Mayoi: Ah, right, yes, it is... Since I was asked to, I thought it was only right that I prepared something.
I tried my hand at making a snowglobe, since they're associated with Christmas... ♪

Izumi: Wow, and there's a diorama of ES inside. I didn't know snowglobes were a thing you could make by hand.

Tatsumi: Mayoi-san is good with his hands, after all. Thank you very much for the wonderful present.

Mayoi: Oh, no, not at all. In fact, thank you for organising this delightful event. Um, ah, it might be presumptuous for someone like myself to be saying this, but...
Good luck with organising the Christmas party... ♪

Tatsumi: Thank you. You should join us for the party too, Mayoi-san.

Mayoi: I-I will! I'll go even if I have to crawl thereee

Izumi: ... Don't crawl, please just walk like a normal person. Geez, ES is seriously a weirdo factory.
Alright, I think it's about time. No one else is coming, so let's pack it up.

Tatsumi: Yes, you're right. ... Hm? I hear footsteps...

Makoto: Wawah, wait! Don't clear things up yet~!

Izumi: This voice... Yuu-kun, is that you?!
Yuu-kun, Yuu-kun! C'mere! I'll give you a nice warm hug... ♪

Makoto: Nah, that's not what I'm here for... Whew, I'm glad I made it in time...
I brought my Christmas present! Please accept it!

Izumi: For me?

Makoto: Nope, it's for the exchange.

Izumi: Let's try that again. This is a present for me, isn't it ♪

Makoto: Like I said, it's for the exchange...

Izumi: Seriously? Unbelievable. I swear I raised you better than that, Yuu-kun!

Makoto: Well, I swear you didn't raise me...
Here you go, Kazehaya-senpai.

Tatsumi: Duly received, thank you for your cooperation. Will you be present for the party itself?

Makoto: Yeah, I'm planning to be! I'm looking forward to this early Christmas celebration.

Izumi: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it too. Let's have a great Christmas... ♪

Makoto: I wasn't saying that to you, though... Sheesh, you're the same as ever... Ahaha.

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