On a Snowy Night, The Stars Shine 5

[iridesenescence]

Chapter 5:
Writer: Yuumasu
Season: Winter
Location: Common Room



Wataru: — Truly, it's wonderful to have gotten Niki's Kitchen's help! We wanted this to be a grand, yet homely sort of party, you see.
Oh, in all my joy, roses are spilling out from my hands!

Niki: Woah, that's a sweet trick~ Are you good at stuff like that?

Wataru: Indeed I am! If you'd like, I can produce confetti and doves as well... ☆

Yuzuru: Hibiki-sama, please leave it at just the roses. You'll leave the room in a mess.

Wataru: Oh, fret not. Just as waterbirds taint not the water from which they take off[1], I can have my doves clean up after themselves... ☆

Niki: Nahaha, it'd sure be handy if I could make food pop out from my hands like that~
Anyway, back to the point. I'm happy you asked Niki's Kitchen to help out too!
We get to show off the results of our circle activities, after all. We'll pull out all the stops and make some great food fitting for a Christmas party~

Madara: How reliable, we'll look forward to it... ♪ By the way, you can let Wataru-san know the food expenses sometime after the party.
He'll compile everything and submit a claim to Keito-san.

Niki: To Hasumi-kun? Is he the organiser of this party?

Wataru: When we discussed holding a Christmas party, he agreed to treat it as a dormitory-wide recreational activity, so we've been granted funding for it!
So please, don't hold back — cook to your heart's content... ♪

Niki: Oh, I like the sound of that! Then I'll take your word for it and start hashing out the menu~

Yuzuru: With that, I believe our meeting has come to an end. Thank you all for your work, everyone.
... Hibiki-sama, may I have a word?

Wataru: Oh? What is it, Butler-san?

Yuzuru: Thank you very much for stepping up to be the organiser of this Christmas party.
Bocchama is truly excited for it — moreso than he lets on.
... In truth, this should have been a position for me to take on. I should have done something for Bocchama in his parents' stead.
However, due to the multitude of solo jobs I have, I hesitated, worrying that I wouldn't have sufficient time to handle the preparations. I am truly sorry.

Wataru: Please lift your head, Butler-san. Are you not doing a splendid job of fulfilling your duties?
You are the sole reason Himegimi is able to remain in the pink of health despite his busyness, are you not?

Yuzuru: I suppose so... Nevertheless—

Wataru: ... Let it be known that I am not holding this party solely for Eichi or Himegimi's sake — I'm doing this for everyone in Starmony Halls.
And that 'everyone' includes you as well, Butler-san. I hope you'll enjoy this Christmas as well.
(Mimicking Tori's voice) "Merry Christmas ♪ "

Yuzuru: Hibiki-sama... Fufu, have you taken a liking to imitating Bocchama?
Though you may be able to replicate his voice, Bocchama is far more adorable than you are ♪

[The day of the Christmas party]

Tatsumi: Izumi-san, I've brought the green and red tinsel garlands you asked for.

Izumi: Thanks. I've got my hands full right now, so leave them on that table.
... H~mm. The right side of this ribbon is drooping, right?
I don't think anyone else will notice, but it bothers me.

Wataru: Hello from beneath the stepladder, it's your very own Hibiki Wataru ♪
Do you require any assistance? If you'll have me, I could lend you a hand ☆

Izumi: Okay, I'm gonna press down in the middle of the ribbon, so can you keep the edges in place for me? I've got adhesive on it already, so I just need it to stick.
Be careful getting up on the stepladder, yeah? Don't you dare make me fall.

Wataru: Fufufu. Worry not, I can reach up there even without the stepladder.
If I just raise both hands like this... ☆

Izumi: Eek!? Your arms are wiggling and growing longer and longer, what on earth is up with that?

Wataru: We're putting up these tinsel garlands as well, right? Allow me to assist with my hair ♪

Izumi: Eurgh, gross! Stop it, just do things normally!

Nazuna: Haha, you look like you're having fun, Izumi-chin ♪ What an adorable sight~

Hajime: Um, Ni~chan, Kazehaya-senpai, where should I put the Santa and reindeer plushies?

Tatsumi: Hm, let's see... Ah, please put them on that sofa.

Hajime: Okay~ This reindeer is so soft and fluffy, it's perfect for hugging ♪

Nazuna: Haha, it is, isn't it? I chanced upon it while walking around Saison Avenue yesterday, and ended up buying it cos it seemed perfect for the party.

Tatsumi: Thank you very much for not only thinking about the party, but also volunteering to help with preparations.

Nazuna: It's fine, it's fine! I mean, the party's being held right here in Starmony Halls, so of course we'd help out!
I quite like doing the prep work for stuff like this anyway. Watching everything slowly come together gets me all excited ♪
Today's Christmas party is free-for-all, and people can come and go whenever they like, right? I hope lots of people show up~

Tatsumi: Yes, I hope the same. May everyone's hearts find peace for at least a single moment... ♪

Wataru: Fufufu. With the power of teamwork, we've finished decorating the wall ♪

Izumi: Aah~, I'm exhausted... I'm taking a break~

Wataru: Oho, you seem awfully tired! Shall I give you a massage? ☆

Izumi: No, don't. You're the whole reason I'm exhausted, or do you not realise that?

Madara: ... He~y. Wataru-san, do you have a moment?

Wataru: Of course! What's the matter?

Madara: This isn't the best place... Can we move to the courtyard?

Wataru: The courtyard...?

Note ↑: 立つ鳥跡を濁さず is a Japanese proverb about leaving a place as clean as you found it, i.e. remembering to clean up your own mess.

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