nhp | (Sutamai) ‘Can't Handle This ♡ Present on Christmas Eve’, Part 2

EVENT STORY INDEX

11.

-Shopping District-

Rei: (I’m glad that I was able to buy a wonderful present for Kujo-san. Next is……)

-Sports Store-

Rei: (Yeah, something like protein would be a good choice for Shindo-san.)

(He seems like the type to be happy if I choose something high-quality even in the ingredients.)

(Oh, it says new on this display here. Let’s see, which one……)

Imaoji: Is that you, Rei-san?

Rei: Woah!?

I dropped the package in my hands at suddenly being called out to.

Imaoji: Oh no, I’m sorry to have surprised you.

Rei: Imaoji-san……

O-Oh, don’t worry about it! I’ll get it myself—

By the time I said that, Imaoji-san had already bent down to pick up the item for me.

Imaoji: Here you go.

Rei: Sorry about that. Thank you.

Imaoji: Is that…… protein? It’s quite the super effective type, might I add.

I squinted my eyes perplexedly as I stared at the packaging with the burly foreigner laughingly showing off his white teeth.

Imaoji: There was an eraser on your desk the other day shaped after a muscular man.

I had thought it strange, but……

I see, so you were seriously thinking about building up your body to that extent.

Rei: So the cat’s out of the bag, huh. It’s the age where women ought to be brawny too, like—

As if that’s the reason!!!

That eraser of ‘beefy boy’ was just a bonus that came with a drink.

This protein is a Christmas present.

Imaoji: Ah, yes, so that’s the story. I was a little bit shocked, but…

Gifting protein for a Christmas present can be thought of as a somewhat unexpected choice, no?

Rei: Ahaha, yeah.

I want the person I’m giving it to to like it, so I was thinking something that they definitely look like they’d use would be the right way to go.

Imaoji: …… I see.

So it’s a present full of thoughts for someone close to you.

My heart silently stirred at that somewhat lonely looking smile.

Rei: (Imaoji-san……?)

Imaoji: What sort of guy is this person receiving the protein?

Rei: What sort, you ask……

He’s a doctor, and he doesn’t shut up about working out and money…… No, I mean, he’s particular about that stuff.

But as for talking to him, I guess I’d say that he’s someone I can hold up a pretty refreshing conversation with……

Imaoji: So it was for a guy after all.

Rei: Huh?

Imaoji: Could it be that…… you’re going to give him that present with just the two of you alone?

12.

-Sports Store-

Rei: (......? Why is he making such a serious face……)

Imaoji: …… My apologies. I ended up asking you something tactless.

It’s your private life so please do somehow forget my question just now.

Rei: Oh, no, it’s nothing really……

Imaoji: Well, I’ll be on my way then.

Rei: Huh? U-Um, Imaoji-san!

Imaoji: Yes?

I called out and stopped him without thinking.

Because I didn’t want us to part with this murky doubt lingering.

Rei: ……

Imaoji: Rei-san……?

Rei: Err………… Merry Christmas! Or something, ahaha…… Since we did run into each other and all, I thought I’d say it just in case.

Imaoji: …… That’s the first time it’s been said to me this year.

Rei: Huh?

Imaoji: Merry Christmas, Rei-san.

Please do enjoy your Christmas Eve.

Rei: (...... Oh, thank goodness. It’s the usual Imaoji-san.)

Thank you. Well then, see you at work tomorrow.

Imaoji: Yes, see you tomorrow.

Rei: Bye.

{Exit Rei}

Imaoji: …………

(............ Who’s a doctor that doesn’t shut up about working out and money?)

-Toy Store-

Rei: (Yep! I managed to buy a great present for Shindo-san too.)

(I want to pick out some party goods for Kirishima-san next, but……)

(Oh, he seems like he would happily wear something like this “Leading man!” sash……)

Asagiri: Just exactly what sort of taste do you have?

Rei: Asagiri-san!!

14.

-Toy Store-

Rei: (I really am running into a lot of people I know today……)

Asagiri: …… Shall I narrow down the situation?

Rei: Huh?

Asagiri: December 24th.

Christmas Eve—a day that the majority of Japanese people get excited over of which has nothing to do with their religious beliefs.

You, with your delighted face and that ridiculous sash, are no exception.

Rei: (R-Ridiculous!?)

Asagiri: Are you planning to be in even more high spirits after drinking your weight in alcohol at some party or other tonight?

Rei: …… Could you please not demonstrate your observational skills here……

Asagiri: I apologise. I assumed that it would be rude to not say anything despite spotting you.

However, there was nothing in particular that I wanted to speak to you about, hence…

Rei: (In the end, you’re still saying rude things though!?)

T-Thank you for being considerate……

Asagiri: You’re welcome.

Rei: ……

Asagiri: ……

Rei: (...... You mean I have to start up a topic!?)

A-Actually, y-you know what! You also being here at a toy store is……

(Hm? That plush toy in his basket……)

Oh! Is that a Christmas present for Kleiner?

Asagiri: Correct. It looks like your observational skills are more or less working as well.

Rei: (Do you have to say all that!?)

Asagiri: This store is abundant in varieties of safe toys for pets.

Kleiner will definitely be happy with them too.

Rei: (Oooh, he’s making a slightly gentle expression……)

Seki: Izumi and…… Asagiri?

Rei: Oh……

Asagiri: …… Yes, good afternoon. Thank you for the other day.

Rei: (The other… day?)

Seki: No, I’m grateful as well.

It’s thanks to the intel that the First Division provided that everything went smoothly.

Rei: (Oh, this must be about a case I’m not involved in……)

(Or more like, it sort of feels really out of place for these two to be standing next to each other in a toy store……)

Asagiri: If we were of use, then that’s all that matters.

Seeing as when we were wondering how much longer you’d leave the target to roam at large…

We were surprised by how easygoing the NCD were taking it.

Seki: Haha, you’re as harsh as always.

Rei: (Seki-san… That’s a mature response for you, alright……)

(If it was Aoyama-san that we had run into here, then fireworks would be going off like crazy right about now……)

Seki: By the way, why are you two here in such a place?

16.

-Toy Store-

Asagiri: It’s not as if we came together. We happened to meet by chance.

Rei: I’m here to buy a Christmas present.

Asagiri: Similarly, I as well.

Seki: Is that so?

Actually, I was also thinking of gifting my acquaintance’s kid something.

Asagiri: …… Is what’s inside your basket the present?

Seki: Yes. I was wavering quite a bit, but I finally settled on something.

Asagiri: …… Pardon my manners, but are you serious?

Seki: Huh?

As I was taken aback by Asagiri-san, whose manner of speaking was already normally exceedingly blunt…

I snuck a peek inside the basket Seki-san was carrying.

Rei: (Wha—!? “Bloody severed head Kika-chan Doll”!??)

(The packaging is already frightening! This is a present for a kid!?)

Seki: …… I suppose then that it’s no good.

Asagiri: Firstly, what notion led you to choosing this doll? Please briefly state your reasons.

Rei: (Is this… an interrogation?)

Seki: I was so undecided that I called up my acquaintance before to ask about any requests his kid might have.

I was then able to gather information that lately…

The kid is really into zombie stuff from overseas anime……

Asagiri: Zombie stuff from overseas anime……

Are you perhaps referring to “Zombies~”?

Seki: Yes, that’s the one. I’m surprised you know it.

Asagiri: My friend selfishly left the blu-ray box set at my house, saying that it was worth the watch.

I had time to spare so I gave it a go. It was surprisingly interesting.

Rei: (How unexpected…… Asagiri-san doesn’t look like someone who’d bother with anime though.)

Asagiri: Let me just say this.

The zombies that appear in “Zombies~” are adorable creatures that have been chibified.

As such, equating liking zombies to liking bloody splatter does not apply.

Seki: Then…… this doll is a failure on my part. Haha.

18.

-Toy Store-

Rei: Ahaha…… T-The doll looks like it would move around in the middle of the night if left alone in the house…

Seki: It’s surprisingly difficult. Picking out Christmas presents, that is.

Rei: (Yes, that’s exactly it!!)

In my heart, I fully agreed with Seki-san’s words.

Asagiri: I believe your attitude of choosing a present after seriously considering the recipient’s preferences is correct.

Your sense in things are another matter altogether.

Seki: Haha, thanks.

Whoever you’re giving your present to…… has quite the cute tastes.

That thing inside your basket—do they love stuffed toys of dogs?

Asagiri: Yes. They absolutely love this line of series. They even sleep together with it.

Seki: That’s right, my acquaintance’s kid does that as well. Come to think of it, I’ve been sent photos of them sleeping together with the stuffed toy before.

Asagiri: I reckon they’re able to sleep well when it’s warm. My little one is the same too.

Seki: Huh? You…… have a little one?

(I’ve never heard of such talk before this though……)

Asagiri: Yes. He’s very much my precious family.

Seki: (So it’s a boy. I wasn’t aware……)

Asagiri: When I give careful attention to brushing him…

His coat is lustrous and looks pleasantly warm even in the winter.

Seki: (......? That’s an odd way of putting it……)

(But……)

Even you make such an expression when speaking of your boy.

Asagiri: What reason would I need to hide my affections when on the subject of someone dear to me?

Seki: That’s true. Your son is a fortunate one.

Rei: (“Son”...... Isn’t the conversation kind of sliding off into a strange direction?)

19.

-Toy Store-

Asagiri: Yes, Kleiner truly is like a son to me.

He’s also like a friend and a brother. He’s an irreplaceable existence.

Seki: Kleiner……?

Rei: Umm…… Seki-san? We’re talking about Asagiri-san’s pet dog here.

Seki: Huh?

(So it was my mistake……)

Rei: (Seems like the misunderstanding was cleared up…… Thank god.)

Asagiri: Well now, I’ll leave off boasting about my family here.

I’ll be going shortly.

Seki: Yes, I need to go look for a different present too.

Rei: (That was a somewhat surreal time……)

Asagiri: I may be bothering myself unnecessarily here, Seki-san…

But there was a “Zombies~” section on the second floor.

Seki: !

Thanks. That really helps me out.

Asagiri: Not a problem. Also, Izumi-san.

Rei: Yeah?

Asagiri: That choice of sash is the worst, so I suggest you reconsider.

Rei: W-What!??

Asagiri: If the person is someone who loves parties, then would they not be happy with stuff that coordinates with Christmas?

Rei: Huh…… Oh, I see. You’re right.

Asagiri: Well then.

Rei: Thank you, Asagi—!

(Aaand he’s already gone……)

Seki: I’ll be leaving now as well, Izumi.

See you at work tomorrow.

Rei: Yep, hang in there.

(...... Alright!)

(I’ll also be like those two and put my all into picking out something that’ll make Kirishima-san happy!)

-Department Store-

Rei: (I’m pretty confident that something to do with cooking would be a good present for Miyase-san, but……)

(He seems like he would have the whole set of basic utensils, so maybe something like the latest—)

Otani: Oh, Rei-chan?

Rei: Hatori-san!!