落とし穴８２堀：いい子にはプレゼントの日 (Part1)
**Pitfall 82: A Day for Presents for Good Children**
**Side: Labyris**
"Whew, the snow is really piling up."
"We’re going to practice for the Snow Festival again this year."
"Yeah. Let’s do our best!"
"Then, first, we’re going to make a big snowman."
Behind the two girls who ran off, Autumn—who had become our adopted daughter just recently—tilted her head in confusion.
"A snowman?"
"Unyu? You don't know what that is?"
"Yeah. I don't know. Mother Aslin, what is that?"
"Let’s see... you take the snow, and you roll it like this..."
"You roll it to make it bigger, then make two of them and stack them on top of each other. Like this..."
"Ooh!"
Autumn watched with sparkling eyes as Aslin and Firia built the snowman. It seems she was kept in a position of such high status that she’s unfamiliar with common things like this. Then again, "common sense" in Weed isn't exactly normal to begin with.
While I was thinking that, the two of them quickly finished one snowman.
"And then, you use leaves and things to give it a face..."
"And it’s finished!"
"Amazing! You two are so good at this."
" "Mufu~" "
Both Aslin and Firia looked satisfied by Autumn’s honest praise.
"Alright, let’s make a whole bunch together!"
"We’re making more?"
"We have to! This big snowman would be lonely all by himself. We have to make a 'Big Brother' snowman, and then make ones for all of us, too."
"I see! Okay, I’ll do my best, Autumn!"
As Autumn prepared to join in, I called out to her.
"Wait a moment, Autumn."
"What is it, Mother Labyris?"
"If you use your bare hands, they’ll get freezing cold."
"But I can use fire, so I’m fine!"
"If you do that, the snow will melt. Besides, this is a present from Shera and me."
"A present?"
"A gift. Come here, Autumn, hold out your hands."
As Shera instructed, she held out her hands, and we carefully put gloves on them.
"Oh, these are..."
"Yes. They match ours."
"And this, too. Stay still, Autumn."
"Okay."
This time, I wrapped a scarf around her neck.
"There. You look so cute now. Perfect."
"Thank you, Mother Shera, Mother Labyris."
"You're welcome. Off you go!"
"Yeah! I’ll make some for you, too!"
Autumn leaped into the snow, but perhaps it was deeper than she expected; she caught her foot and tumbled over.
"Oof."
Since she just fell into the snow, I figured she wasn't hurt, so we just watched. But someone else had already rushed over to help her up.
"Are you okay!? Autumn!! Autumn!!"
The person frantically checked her over, but she was shaking her so hard that...
"Au, au, au... I’m getting dizzy..."
Autumn naturally ended up like that.
"Oh, sorry! Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No. It was just cold."
"I see, that’s a relief. Oh, there’s snow on your head... there, got it. But now your head will be cold. Here, take this hat. It’s a knit cap. It’s fluffy and warm."
The one who put the hat on her was none other than Dressa.
"It’s warm. My ears aren't cold anymore. Thank you, Mother Dressa."
"O-oh, don't mention it. I’m Autumn’s mother, after all. It’s only natural to take care of my child. Now, go have fun."
"Okay! I’m off to—oof!"
"Autumn!?"
After repeating that slapstick routine, the two of them joined Aslin and Firia in making snowmen.
"Dressa has really gotten into the spirit of things, hasn't she?"
"Honestly, if she were just as honest with Yuki as she is with Autumn, things would be so much easier."
"That’s a tall order, I’m afraid."
"She’s such a difficult person, Dressa is. So, what about the others?"
"They’re making steady progress on the Christmas party preparations. Kirue and Vilia are looking after the children."
"I see. Then we’ll just keep playing with Autumn as planned."
"Yes. Though, Aslin and the others are the ones doing the real playing."
"Well, they’re the only ones with enough energy to play in this snow."
Normally, I’d be tucked under a kotatsu eating mandarin oranges, or clinging to Yuki to stay warm.
"That’s true. I don't have that much energy either. But, why don't we go make at least one?"
"Why all of a sudden?"
"Tomorrow is Christmas, after all. Why don't we make one for the memory?"
"I suppose you're right. It is Christmas, so that wouldn't be a bad idea."
That’s right. Tomorrow is Christmas in Weed. This is the second year we’ve celebrated it, and since the town is used to it now, there isn't much panic; everyone is just enjoying the new event. Even though Ratz stepped down as the head of the merchant company, she’s still supporting the new representative as an assistant, so she’s busy during this peak season. Naturally, since the entire country of Weed promotes the event, Seraria and the others are busy as well.
When it comes to a country-wide event, the leaders like Yuki are inevitably busy, but they decided that they should enjoy it too, which is why we’re preparing for our home party with Yuki at the center. Above all, this is our first event since our new family member, Autumn, joined us. A Christmas where we can give presents is a blessing for us, too. Since we’re giving gifts to all the children, it’s the perfect excuse to shower Autumn with affection. If we treated only her specially, she’d insist that she should be treated the same as the other children.
*“Autumn is a big sister. I want to be a good girl who sets a good example for my little sisters.”*
She’s such a wonderful, good girl who tries so hard to be a proper big sister. That’s why we decided to use the Christmas event as an excuse to spoil her rotten. Our mission today was to make sure Autumn played hard so she’d sleep soundly at night. During that time, we’d finish the party preparations and leave the presents for Autumn and the other children, claiming they were left by Santa Claus.
As I thought about that while watching them, more and more snowmen appeared, sitting there like a large family, just like our own.
"We did it!"
"It’s finished!"
"Now the snowmen won't be lonely anymore."
"That’s true."
The four of them stared contentedly at the snowmen they’d built in the snow. From where we were watching in the warmth of the room, they looked awfully cold.
"Alright, alright. If you’re done, come back inside."
"We have hot tea waiting."
" " "Okay!" " "
The day passed, and at dinner, we talked about the snowmen.
"Father. We made so many snowmen today. Just like us, I’m sure they won't be lonely anymore, right?"
"That’s right. You did a great job."
"Ehehe~"
Seeing Autumn tell Yuki about her day and look so happy while he patted her head, everyone smiled. No matter how you look at it, Autumn is our daughter. I’ll kill anyone who says otherwise.