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…… (Part2)
"Certainly, for those who live alone or whose families are far away, how do they spend their time?"
"That's right. Mr. Taizo, how did you spend your time?"
Seizing the opportunity, Hifi also began to drop bombs on Airi without hesitation.
They probably didn't realize it themselves and were asking out of pure curiosity, but I thought they would understand with a little thought.
"I didn't do anything special for Christmas. I was completely immersed in research."
"That hasn't changed, has it? Then and now."
"I wonder. Now I spend it with you, Hifi, and everyone else, so I think it's different."
Yes. Mr. Taizo's reaction was mature.
Well, it's understandable since he graduated from a prestigious university and had a job he could be proud of as a researcher.
Besides, it was a different era, not an era where it was commonplace to be lovey-dovey on Christmas.
However, however!! Yuki and I are different.
"Oh? Mr. Taiki, how did you spend your time?"
"My husband, with his family, I presume?"
And then, the impending final judgment.
The Christmas of students who shouldn't be asked, the ones who can't get a date.
Titled, "Kurishimasu" (Christmas, with a pun on "kurushii" meaning painful). Or perhaps, "Single Bell."
Now, Yuki, how will you answer?
How will you answer about those painful memories!
For now, I'll try to piggyback on Yuki's answer. I look at Yuki, and naturally, Airi and the others also turn their gaze to Yuki, expecting her to answer first.
"When I was young, as a student, I spent it cheerfully with family and friends."
She gave a surprisingly safe answer.
Well, there's no reason to complain here.
Then I'll answer safely too.
"It's the same for me. You know, like getting presents from my parents, or hanging out with friends."
Yes, that's how ordinary families are.
For students, spending time with a lover is something university students do. High school and middle school students, who are in the midst of the exam war, wouldn't have such leeway.
However, Rurua continued to ask more questions.
"Since you had your families when you were students, it's natural that you would spend it that way. However, Mr. Taiki, you were summoned as a student, so it's natural you have no experience. But Mr. Husband, how did you spend your time when you lived alone? D-d-did you, by any chance, have a lover...?"
Ah, I see. This is what Rurua and the others want to know.
The moment Rurua asked, slightly breaking down, countless killing intents flew from the wives.
Even if he had a lover on Earth now, it wouldn't matter, but I can't say that.
Because it's important to the wives.
If I meddle, I'll die!
Now, Yuki, how will you get out of this pinch?
"After I became an adult, I didn't have the luxury to care about Christmas. It's the same for Mr. Taizo, isn't it?"
"Ah, that's right. Before I knew it, it was already New Year's."
Huh? I was expecting a gloomy story about the loneliness of being alone, so I was a bit disappointed.
"Once you become an adult, you're swamped with work. I didn't have the time to celebrate Christmas with my colleagues. Friends who had lovers managed to make time, and those like me who didn't have lovers just worked and went home to sleep? Ah, convenience store cakes and chicken go on sale, so in that sense, there were some benefits."
...Ugh. That was a more painful story than I expected.
It's too harsh to be an adult who doesn't even have the luxury to resent being alone.
And then I noticed.
Yuki's eyes were dead.
"I had to work the next day too. After getting home and eating a modest cake, I'd just go to sleep. That's all."
...As an adult, it's a common story, but on the other hand, for those with families, it's a day to spend cheerfully and happily.
Yuki was also tired from her adult life, and the gap was evident.
"W-well, I think that's enough about work. Let's celebrate Christmas now. Right, Hifi?"
"Y-yes. Mr. Taizo."
Mr. Taizo, who quickly understood, gave a mature follow-up, and I decided to go along with it.
"O-okay. Airi, let's open the presents we received from Yuki and the others."
"Y-yes!!"
After this, Rurua and the others should comfort Yuki.
"...Ah, ah, it's not that I'm frustrated or lonely. But it's like, what am I even doing..."
"I-I'm sorry, Husband!! Please come back to your senses!"
"...Yuki always said she didn't want to work."
"Yuki is breaking down a bit, but what kind of job was it?"
"Given how traumatized Yuki is, it must have been a job beyond imagination."
...Black company, feared by isekai-jin.
Thinking that, I suddenly snapped back to reality.
"No, no, what am I doing on Christmas? Yuki. Let's enjoy today."
"Huh? Ah, right. Let's take it easy today."
Somehow, I managed to bring Yuki back to reality, and we spent a fun Christmas afterward.
But adults are tough.
An adult is defined as a person who doesn't question the lack of holidays. (Interpretive translation)
People say being alone is tough, but in reality, those who are too busy to even lament such things might be suffering more emotionally.
Oh, and Merry Christmas!!
Did you have presents by your pillow?
I don't have anything in particular, HAHAHA!!
Besides, I have work. (Eyes white)
Well, only a little more until the year-end closing.
Let's do our best.