nhp | (Sutamai) ‘Can't Handle This ♡ Present on Christmas Eve’, Part 5

50.

-Office District-

On the way back to the ministry, I made small talk about the matter of the paperwork.

Rei: And…… in the end, Hattori-san accepted the file.

But if I had actually given it proper thought from the start…

Then I end up wondering if I would have been able to create the documents from having grasped Hattori-san’s intentions or not……

Arakida: …… I see.

Don’t you think you take things too seriously?

Rei: Huh?

Arakida: Yesterday as well. You chose a book to give to your acquaintance after racking your brain thinking about it.

It’s not like that’s a bad thing or anything…… But you know…

For both today and yesterday, you’re exhausting yourself on your own by being too concerned over the other person’s feelings.

Rei: Now that you mention it……

(I guess Hattori-san did accept the paperwork in the end today.)

…… I shouldn’t drag myself down so much after giving it my best in my own way, huh.

Thank you.

Arakida: That’s the way to go.

(...... But why was she so serious about yesterday’s present?)

(Tsuduki-sensei saw through her relationship with the acquaintance as being “surface-level”, but……)

…… It might not be good of me to intrude and ask…

But who did you give that book to?

Rei: Huh?

Arakida: (There’s no way, but could there be someone she has one-sided feelings for…… No, get a hold of yourself.)

(If I get worked up over every little thing like this, then it’s as if I’m some middle schooler lost in love……)

Rei: Ooh, it’s someone you know well too—

[~♪]

Rei: Ah, s-sorry! I’ve kind of got a call……

Arakida: It’s fine. Answer it.

(...... You’re kidding, right? What sort of teenage cliche… The timing for the phone call was way too on point.)

(If this were a novel, then at times like these, the other person calling would usually be the lover or so……)

Rei: Hello?

Makoto: “Sorry for the sudden call. Allow me to confirm a little something with you.”

Rei: (Makoto-san!?)

Makoto: “Izumi Rei. Do you have a lover?”

Rei: I-I beg your pardon!??

53.

-Office District-

Makoto: “Could you not hear me? Let me ask you once more now.”

“Do you, Izumi Rei, have a lover? Or someone you’re intimate with or have feelings for?”

Rei: Err…… No, I don’t. I’m single.

Arakida: (...... Single? What’s being asked here?)

Makoto: “I see…… In that case, could I ask you for a favour?”

“Please contact me again tonight after you’ve finished work. Anytime is fine.”

Rei: Huh? Is that all? Are you sure?

Something like calling you after work is nothing really though.

Arakida: (Do they want Izumi to contact them?)

Makoto: “I’ll tell you the details at that time. Guh, there’s another incoming call from my editor! Excuse me.”

[Beep Beep Beep……]

Rei: …… It feels like he hung up on me after saying all that he wanted to……

Arakida: (This feeling where the other person abruptly says only what they want to then demands to be called back…)

(Like I thought, it’s someone who’s on personal terms with Izumi……)

Rei: Sorry I had you let me take the call…… It was from Makoto-san.

Arakida: Wha—IT WAS TSUDUKI-SENSEI!!???

Rei: Y-Yeah??

Arakida: (Then all the more… what’s the meaning behind that phone call?)

-Government Office Vicinity-

Arakida: …… I see. So that’s how it is.

Rei: Yep! Thanks to you and Makoto-san, I was able to make Kujo-san happy, so I’m glad!

I even ended up getting lunch from you, so you’ll have to let me pay you back next time.

Arakida: No, it’s fine. Forget it.

Rei: No, really, I can’t…… I’m indebted to Asagiri-san as well, so please, let me definitely return the favour soon.

Arakida: …… I’ll think about it. Well then, see ya.

(I allowed myself to imagine something stupid so at least let me shout you to convenience store food……)

{Exit Arakida}

Rei: It’s something in return for Christmas, so hopefully I get to do it soon……

…… Wait, first is work! Seeing as I’ll want to give Makoto-san a call at an early hour too!

(Just what exactly could he want with me……)

56.

-Investigation & Planning Division-

Imaoji: I’ll be leaving first then.

Seki: Thanks for your work today.

Rei: See you.

Imaoji: Well then, please give my regards to your young muscular female doctor, Rei-san.

Rei: …… Imaoji-san, as I literally explained it just before…

All that talk was of the people in the Kujo Household, okay??

(Although they’ve already left, Aoyama-san and Natsume-kun didn’t believe me for a second there either……)

Imaoji: Haha…… We all more or less think something of it.

Rei: Huh?

Imaoji: Of everyone in the Kujo Household who invited you to their party, and were the first ones to see you on the night of Christmas Eve.

Rei: …… How… am I supposed to interpret that……

Imaoji: A very Happy Christmas to you.

Rei: !!

(His sudden English is way too strong in destructive power!!)

Imaoji: As for me, you could say that simply by being able to see that expression of yours just now is my present.

…… Now then, I really will take my leave this time.

Rei: Yeah, okay……

(Somehow, my heart was made to skip a beat for a moment there!!)

…… Everyone finished up early today, huh.

Seki: Even if it is a weekday, it’s still Christmas Day after all.

There might even be a number of staff who have plans of their own for today.

Rei: That certainly makes sense……

(When put like that, it’s hard to believe that Seki-san is still here……)

(There’s no way he’s not popular, so maybe he really does place work above all else?)

Seki: Is it alright with you, Izumi? Is there nowhere you have to be?

I don’t mind if you submit the report in tomorrow instead.

Rei: No, I’m fine! Like I said, I didn’t have any plans at all as far as Miyase-san inviting me went.

I’d rather be allowed to remain here than to go home early and spend a forever alone Christmas……

Seki: …… I see. Then, I have a request to ask of you.

Rei: Sure! What is it?

Seki: Won’t you join me in going to see the illuminations? They’re only up until today.

Rei: Er…… Are you alright with it being me?

Seki: To be honest, I won the invitation tickets at the year-end party for senior managers.

It would be rude to the organiser to not even go after specially receiving it, but I haven’t been able to make use of it.

Rei: If that’s the situation, then the honour’s all mine! I’ll be sure to finish my work at mach speed!

(...... But before that…)

Sorry, I promised Makoto-san that I’d call him so I’ll come back after I do that later.

-Government Office: Corridor-

I got through my work up to a good point to stop at, and went to give Makoto-san a call…...

Makoto: “For my research, a need has come up for me to hastily go see today’s final showing of the illuminations.”

“If possible, would you like to go see it together?”

Rei: (Huh? Makoto-san’s…… also looking to go see the illuminations?)

Makoto: “...... I’ve been up all night, so if I walk around outside after a week of staying indoors, then it sounds like it’ll be tough on my weakened body.”

Rei: Hold on, it feels like you’re leaving the house when your strength is completely at its limit!

Makoto: “But even so, I only have until today to gather my research on the spot. Whatever the cost, I must also grab the opinion of a woman…”

“While viewing the Christmas illuminations!!”

Rei: (...... This is…… If I turn him down then I’ll no doubt end up feeling ridden with guilt!)

-Investigation & Planning Division-

Seki: Of course, the more the merrier.

Rei: Thank you! Well then, let’s meet up at the illumination place.

(Oh yeah……)

(If we’re all going together, then maybe I should try inviting those two as well……)

59.

-Illumination Grounds-

Seki: …… This area must be where the illuminations are.

Rei: Wooow, so pretty!!

(Oh, that’s right! Makoto-san had an all-nighter so how’s he doing??)

Makoto: …… D-Don’t shine the LED’s blue light into my eyes……

Rei: (You can really tell how pale his face is when it’s being lit up by the LED lights……)

Arakida: Are you okay, Tsuduki-sensei? Please just try not to strain yourself……

Rei: Arakida-san! So you came.

Arakida: …… I happened to have time out of work.

Also, a message from Tsukasa-san. He said, “I don’t need such thanks”.

Well, I’m sure that’s how he shows his consideration in his own way.

(...... Isn’t meeting Tsuduki-sensei two days in a row… too amazing of a Christmas miracle?)

Rei: (Again, the furrows in his brows are really something else!!)

???: Woaaah, awesooome!! The blue lights are sparkling!! So briiight!!!

Rei: (Hm?)

Seki: This voice is…

Kirishima: This is what’s meant by a blue Christmas, huh, Kaname!

Woah, is that white zone over there a white Christmas!?

Kaname: Koya-kun, the “white” in a White Christmas refers to the snow.

…… Huh, Onee-san? And also……

Kujo: It seems like quite the rather fascinating lineup of members have come together.

Rei: Kujo san!! Did you all come to see the illuminations as well?

Kirishima: It’s not just the illuminations! What we’re eyeing is over there!

Arakida: That’s… the rollercoaster. You talking about the amusement park?

Makoto: …… U-Under the wintry sky, the young man and woman whose conversation is stilted are annoyed over either of their freezing hands, and so they board the rollercoaster…

I-It’s a perfect ending sequence…… I’ll experience it first-hand for research.

Rei: M-Makoto-san, are you planning to ride it with you looking that sick!?

Arakida: Leave this to me.

I’ll go with you, Sensei.

Makoto: …… How reassuring.

Kirishima: Alright, whoever has both hands in the air the entire time on the jet coaster is the winner!

Kaname: No one’s competing in the first place.

Kujo: I shall watch over the both of you from below.

Seki: Why don’t we go as well, Izumi?

Looking at it closely, this invitation ticket also lets us ride the attractions in the amusement park as much as we want.

Rei: I would love to have a shot at riding it!!

(I’m not really good with handling thrill rides, but I might just be able to enjoy myself if it’s with this group of people……)

60.

-Amusement Park: Jet Coaster-

[Rattle Rattle Rattle……]

Rei: (...... Yep, no way! Nope, this is definitely scary…… Hngh!!!)

Kirishima: Yeaah, baaam! Kabooooom!

Kaname: Koya-kun, that’s so far off from a rollercoaster yell that I can’t retort with anything……

Makoto: As her body continued to fall in accordance with gravity, he extended his hand out towards her. However, she had already……

I’ve got it. I can use this!!

Arakida: (...... I get to witness the moment when Sensei’s inspiration comes bursting forth……)

[WHOOOOOSH!!]

Makoto & Arakida: AAARGHH!!

Seki: …… Pfft……

Rei: (...... Huh? Could Seki-san be laughi—)

AAAARGHHH!!!

-Amusement Park-

Rei: Haah, haaah…… It was a lot more thrilling than I anticipated……

Seki: But it was fun.

Rei: Yeah, it was.

(I haven’t really seen such a peaceful expression like this from Seki-san before……)

???: …… What’s this? Was today a day to gather around Rei-chan?

Rei: Wha—!?

(I’m hearing another awfully familiar voice here!)

Otani: We haven’t met since yesterday, Rei-chan. I’m happy to see you.

Hiyama: What an unusual group of members. Did you come here to let loose?

Kagura: …… This is seriously unbelievable. I shouldn’t have come.

Maki: Take it easy, Aki. It’s probably a crazy coincidence.

Kujo: Revel, huh. Come to think of it, Hiyama Real Estates also played a part in this site’s development.

Hiyama: That’s right. We’ll be working on a redevelopment project next year so this is a light preliminary inspection.

Otani: To run into you two days in a row, maybe it’s the magic of Christmas?

Rei: Well…… There’s no denying that the odds of it happening were staggering.

Kagura: Calling it magic is giving me the creeps. If anything, wouldn’t it be a curse?

Kirishima: Hey now, it must also be some sorta fate that we met here. Let’s all go ride the attractions!

What’s fun about the coffee cups is definitely that on-the-edge feeling of scraping by others.

Kaname: You just want to fill up the seats in the coffee cup to the full, don’t you?

Hiyama: …… It sounds like it’ll be a test of endurance. I’m in.

Otani: If Rei-chan and I are sharing a cup, then by all means, I’m in.

Makoto: In for a penny, in for a pound. I may encounter a new plot development in the coffee cup……

Kujo: …… It’ll be fun to have a taste of a thrill that one normally doesn’t get to.

Kirishima: Alright, let’s go then! You too, Rei!!

Rei: Huh? Oh, okay!!

The many shadows dashing towards the coffee cups were lit up by the illuminations and appeared to be sparkling.

* * *

A holy night raining down with hope.

A day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

My childhood memories were becoming a distant past.

And at some point…

Santa had also stopped visiting completely. But……

* * *

-Amusement Park: Coffee Cups-

Kirishima: Alriiight, driiift!!!

Kaname: Koya-kun, like I said, you’ve got the types of rides mixed up here.

Kujo: That’s Kirishima for you. It’s entirely different when he takes the wheel.

Otani: …… Say, Hiyama. How about for the next project, a coffee cup where grownup men and women can become closer to each other?

Hiyama: Fascinating. Let me hear it.

Seki: Spending Christmas with a large number of people is also surprisingly fun.

Rei: Yeah! Thank you so much for inviting me out today!

Seki: …… It might be nice to forget about work and to enjoy ourselves at least for tonight.

Rei: …… Yeah.

(Even if there was nothing distinctly tangible left behind…… I truly do feel as if I received a ton of presents……)

* * *

To think that I’d be able to spend such a pleasant time such as this with the many people whom I bound to by a curious connection.

I’m sure that, however much people age, they can become a Santa Claus for someone else… It might just be so.