On a Snowy Night, The Stars Shine 8

[iridesenescence]

Chapter 8:
Writer: Yuumasu
Season: Winter
Location: Common Room



Rei: Kukuku. The deep red liquid looks so picturesque next to all the Christmas decor... ♪

Kaoru: It's just tomato juice in there, though~ It's been a while since we last did something like this, huh?
Laughing about frivolous conversations and losing ourselves in games without trying to act mature... Feels like we've buried ourselves so deep in work that we left a part of us behind somewhere.
We're still far from done with our work, so we can't be letting up yet, but just for tonight, we can cut loose for a little, I think.

Rei: Indeed. Even if just for a fleeting moment, let's bask in this atmosphere. Cheers ♪

Kaoru: Another one? You're in a really good mood today, Rei-kun~
... Cheers, merry Christmas ♪

Keito: Alright, next — Thirty-five!

Nagisa: ... I have a thirty-five.

Hiyori: Me too! Look, look! This is my second set of near-bingos!
How beloved we are by the game of bingo! It would be such fine weather if we get the chance to shout bingo together ♪

Kuro: ... And that's another useless one for me. Man, I've got no luck with this. How many have I missed by now?
How're you doin', Itsuki?

Shu: It's a mess.

Kuro: Lemme see... You ain't close to bingos, but you've managed to get quite a couple. What're you unhappy about?

Shu: It's unsightly — this card looks like it's been feasted on by insects. Your card with holes only near the center would be preferable to this.

Kuro: But the more holes ya got, the better... Haha, you artists have such unique tastes.

Rinne: Hm~mm. Ain't nothin' wrong with bingo, but it could do with a li'l more kick...
'S there a way to spice the rules up a bit?

Keito: Spice? What are you trying to turn bingo into?

Rinne: Some kinda gambling, duh ♪

Keito: Absolutely not. I've said time and time again that there is to be no gambling in the dorms. Good grief, you are simply incorrigible.

Wataru: (... Fufufu. There's no trace of the dismal atmosphere that was hanging over the dorms anymore, it seems.)
(Everyone seems to have regained their energy, so everything has turned out perfectly.)

Madara: ......

Wataru: (... Oh?)

[Scene change: Courtyard]

Wataru: — Where are you headed, Festival Man-san? You've even removed your hat.

Madara: Same to you — what're you doing out here, Wataru-san?

Wataru: The Christmas party hasn't ended just yet, you know?

Madara: ... Yeah. But there's no major problems, so I'd say our job as organisers is more or less done, isn't it?
I've had my fun, so I'm satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful Christmas.

Wataru: ... My, don't go lowering the curtains on your own — it's still too soon to be stepping off the stage.

Madara: Snow...?

Sora: HaHa~ ♪ There's so much~! Come on everyone, over here!

Subaru: Wahoo, let's make a snowman! Or a snow house ☆

Mao: Uh, I don't think you've got enough snow for that...
Wagh!

Hinata: Sweet, the snowballs hit!

Yuuta: Our pincer attack worked like a charm... ☆

Ritsu: Oho, you two have guts ganging up on him right before my eyes~
Rest in peace, Ma~kun. Watch over me as I avenge you, mmkay?

Mao: I'm still alive, you know~... Wait, where did you pull that nasty-looking snowball gun out from?

Ritsu: Ehehe, I just found it lying around ♪

Yuuta: That's totally a lie~... Woah, it's a snowball barrage!

Hinata: Yuuta-kun, run to that tree! We need to regroup!

Madara: ... What perfect timing for snow. Is this some sort of magic?

Wataru: Fufufu, I can't use anything of the sort. ... Take a look up on the roof of the dorms.
Just in case, I took the liberty of secretly setting up an artificial snow machine. After all, not even I can make the weather bend to my whims.
It seems that you shoulder all sorts of burdens, and I have no intention of prying into any of them. Your life belongs to you, and you alone.
But surely you can at least allow yourself to spend today as an innocent child would?
Christmas is a day where everyone may be enveloped with happiness, you know.

Madara: ... I suppose so. Perhaps just a little longer will be alright.

Wataru: Yes, it will. Merry Christmas, Festival Man-san.

Madara: Mmhm, merry Christmas to you too, Wataru-san.
Hahahahaha! So you're all having a snowball fight? Mama's joining in toooo ☆

Wataru: ......

Eichi: ... I thought there was no way it would still be going, but it seems that was a miscalculation on my part.

Wataru: Amazing! Have you finally been freed from the clutches of your work, Eichi?

Eichi: Yeah. This is a pretty splendid tree; I could see it shining even from far away.
I was surprised when you suddenly asked me to prepare a helicopter, but I'm glad it helped.

Wataru: Fufufu. Yes, thank you very much for that! We couldn't have pulled it off without you.
What shall I do for you in return? Is there anything that you want?

Eichi: No, I've already gotten more than enough in return.

Eichi: You can see them all enjoying themselves too, can't you? It's the best Christmas present I could ask for.
Thank you for meeting my expectations, Wataru.

Wataru: It is an honour, but I won't have you saying it's "the best" just yet, you know? The Christmas party is far from over!
Come along, Eichi. Let us enjoy ourselves till the very end... ☆

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