落とし穴１０３堀：良い子にはプレゼントを 大人には愛を ボッチには…… (Part1)
"Pitfall 103: Presents for Good Children, Love for Adults, and for Loners..."
Side: Taiki
"Uncle Taiki, Aunt Airi, thank you very much!"
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Sakura, representing her younger sisters, offered her thanks, and the sisters behind her echoed her gratitude.
The reason for their thanks was the presents placed under the tree in the corner of the room.
Currently, the date in Japan, Earth, is December 25th.
In other words, it's Christmas. Not Christmas Eve. The distorted day, the 24th, known as Lovers' Day, had ended, and Christmas, the 25th, had arrived.
Many might not understand what I'm saying.
Generally, the 24th, Christmas Eve, is considered Lovers' Day because the 25th is the birthday celebration.
In other words, if a child is born on the 25th, the day before would be for "getting cozy," a rather crude assertion.
Well, since spending time with family is the custom, it's not entirely wrong in the sense that lovers become a new family...
But that's beside the point.
Generally, on the 25th, after experiencing Christmas Eve, children receive presents from Santa Claus. It's a birthday celebration, after all.
So, we were invited to Yuki-san's Christmas party and gave presents to Yuki-san's children.
I've gotten used to being called "Uncle" now. Airi used to flinch at the term, but she doesn't anymore.
From the children's perspective, we undeniably look like an uncle and aunt.
Besides, anyone who would scowl after being thanked with such happy faces would have their personality questioned.
"Wow! A teddy bear!"
"The ribbon has a name on it. Big sister."
"Amazing!"
"Bear! Bear!"
To make sure the children could hear their excitement, we gave them teddy bear plushies.
You might call it simple or stingy, but elaborate presents would be meaningless for Yuki-san's children.
They're children, after all. We consulted with Yuki-san and the others, thinking plushies would be more appreciated than high-end items, and it seems our prediction was spot on.
Why consult for children's presents? At first, I tilted my head at Yuki-san's suggestion, but she explained that since Yuki-san's children receive presents from all directions, it was to avoid duplicates, which made sense.
Yuki-san and her wives give one. Airi and I give one. Taizo-san and Hifi-san give one. Narjia-san, Comet-san, Zargis, and even Sakura's grandfather, King Roschur, and many others.
Especially King Roschur, King Gartz, and the Saintess of Ritea...
"Make it more modest than ours!"
They threatened us.
Their stated reason was that it was a matter of national pride, but they also wanted to be the ones to give the most joy to their first grandchild and the children of a senior they respected.
Incidentally, after convincing me, these three began to subtly compete with each other.
We participated in this meeting around November and quickly decided on teddy bear plushies, but these three were apparently agonizing over it until very recently.
King Roschur and King Gartz eventually started suggesting giving land, and were reprimanded by Seraria-san and Shera-san. I was curious why King Gartz doted on the child so much, even though it was Kirue-san's child, but it turns out Kirue-san is a concubine's child and Shera's older sister. Therefore, it is undoubtedly King Gartz's child, and thus a grandchild.
Ah, and the Saintess of Ritea was reprimanded by Rurua-san for suggesting something like becoming an honorary priest of the church.
All of their present ideas were ridiculous. I vowed not to become like those adults.
And those grandchild-spoiling old men...
"Grandpa. You're too fast!"
"Hahaha. Of course! Grandpa is a swift steed!"
"Um, Grandpa..."
"Don't worry! This grandpa won't lose to that knight-horse old man!"
They were engaging in a horse-and-rider race, taking turns carrying children on their backs and running around on all fours.
Aria-san, Seraria's older sister, who came with King Roschur, was frozen with a smile, while her sister Elju-san wore a wry smile.
Similarly, Teague-san and Charl-san, who came with King Gartz, looked just as bewildered.
From my perspective, they could pass as kind grandfathers, but these people are kings.
They must have their own reasons.
As I observed the complexities of the world, Yuki-san and the others approached us.
"Taiki-kun. Airi-san. Thank you for today."
"Not at all. It felt like a real Christmas for the first time in a while, and it was fun."
"Yes. It's enjoyable to give presents to children."
"When they're so purely delighted, it makes us happy too, doesn't it, Hifi-san?"
"Yes. That's right. The smiles of children are irreplaceable."
Taizo-san and Hifi-san were also smiling as they watched Sakura-chan and the others.
I couldn't help but think that we were like that once too.
"Well, the grandfathers are keeping the children occupied, so let's have our own conversation."
Yuki-san said, gesturing to a table.
The Christmas party had already begun, and everyone was talking while eating and drinking as they pleased.
There was no reason to refuse, so I accepted the invitation and took a seat.
"Well then, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas."
With that toast, we lightly drank some wine.
"By the way, Taizo-san, do you know about Christmas?"
"Hmm? Ah, you might be surprised, but yes, I do. Nagasaki and Kumamoto, or rather, Kyushu had a lot of contact with the Nanban trade, so churches have had a deep connection there for a long time."
"Ah, that's right, you're correct."
There were even daimyo who were Christian during the Sengoku period.
So, it's no wonder he would know.
"Well, we didn't celebrate it to this extent. It was just Mass."
"That's understandable. Making it a festival and part of large-scale economic revitalization is a modern development. Besides, I do wonder if it's appropriate for other gods, especially those with their own kingdoms, to participate in this celebration."
Yuki-san said, glancing at Hifi-san, who was next to Taizo-san.
Indeed, Hifi-san had an exaggerated title like "Saintess of the Holy Kingdom of Hifi" and was also a goddess.
"Isn't that a bit late to bring that up? Rurua-san, who is next to you, and Nonoa, and even Lilish, who is drinking with us, are all heathens. And as Yuki-san always says, isn't it fine as long as we're having fun? Our prayers are always for the happiness of the people."
Hifi-san replied, seemingly unfazed by Yuki-san's sarcasm.
"You used to be more serious. It's boring when you grow up."
"I apologize for that. However, to say such sarcastic things at a time like this, you're still as dark-hearted as ever. Rurua-san, it must be difficult for you?"
"No. My husband thinks carefully before he speaks, so I'm not too worried. Well, I do worry occasionally when he gets carried away with three other men."
"Ah, I understand. Suddenly suggesting ghost stories, fishing, or festivals..."
"..."
At that, we fell silent.
That was a foolish thing to say. Or rather, she's become quite shrewd to be able to retort like this.
Well, I suppose I should consider it a good thing that I have such capable wives.
"Speaking of which, I wanted to ask you husbands, I understand Christmas is for lovers, families, and children, but how do those who live alone spend it?"
Suddenly, Rurua-san dropped a bomb of immense proportions.