落とし穴外伝：子供たちの疑問 クリスマスのサンタについて (Part1)
Side: Yuki
With Christmas just around the corner, Sakura suddenly appeared, accompanied by Sumire and the others, and posed a question.
"Father, I want to meet Santa and thank him."
It’s a classic scenario, and hearing your own child say something like that is, in a way, quite heartwarming. It shows they have the heart to express gratitude. However, as a matter of reality, the question of whether one can actually meet Santa is...
"Well, if you thank him when he comes to school..."
Before I could finish, Sakura cut me off.
"That’s just a teacher in disguise. And Father, you pretend to be Santa sometimes, too."
I was soundly refuted. Well, it’s not like we’d hire a professional actor for a school visit. And yes, I have donned the Santa suit myself to hand out sweets and gifts. To be honest, I was the type of kid who realized those kinds of "Santas" were fakes before I could even count to ten on my fingers, and I understood they were only doing it to make us happy. You might think I was a cold child, but that’s just how I was. Or rather, my parents were so painfully realistic that they’d cut the dream down with a single stroke: "There’s no such thing as Santa." I mean, I knew it—even as a kid, I knew—but even the brat I was back then thought they could have at least let me dream a little.
But, putting that aside, the request is to have them meet the "real" Santa. Now, how should I explain this?
"I see, so you all figured that out. But you know, meeting the real Santa is quite difficult."
"Is it difficult?" Sumire asked, her face clouding with anxiety.
I wasn't lying. While it contradicts my parents' explanation that "Santa doesn't exist," in this world—or rather, on Earth—the reality is that Santa *does* exist. Specifically, there is a Santa Claus village in Finlan—, and there are people working as Santa there. And then there is "Saint Nicholas," the original figure said to be the source of Santa Claus. However, that’s not what they’re talking about...
"The 'real' Santa you're talking about is the one who rides a sleigh pulled by reindeer, carrying a giant sack, and flies around the world, right?"
"Yes, it says so in this book." Eria held up a book. The cover was titled something about Santa Claus Village. Wait, that’s a legitimate book? It’s not a picture book about a "hurried Santa Claus" or something? I suppose I should call them studious, or perhaps... well, never mind.
Regardless, I have to convey the reality of the Santa they’re hoping for. I decided not to crush their dreams like my parents did, but to provide an answer that keeps the magic alive. First, I patted the heads of the gathered children, knelt down, and met their eyes.
"That Santa, the one who flies through the sky to deliver presents to so many children, is just too busy to meet everyone."
"Is that so?" Shael looked like she was about to cry. If the conversation ended here, it would just be a sad realization that they can't meet him, but that’s not the case.
"That’s why adults, including your father, help Santa out. There are so many children in the world, you see. The Santa who can fly has to prioritize the children who are in the most trouble."
"Father, what does that mean exactly?" Yuyu tilted her head, clearly finding my explanation a bit difficult.
True, that phrasing might have been a bit complex. I should explain it more simply.
"Let’s see. To put it simply, everyone is a real Santa. Well, there’s a difference between being able to fly through the sky and not, but look—I can fly, can’t I?"
" " "Ah." " "
The children, of course, know that I can levitate using magic and skills. So, in that sense, I’m not so different from Santa.
"Well, the grandfatherly Santa is the most famous one, so it’s natural to think he’s the only 'real' one. But are the presents from me or the Santa at school fake?"
"No. The presents are real."
"Exactly. So, is the Santa at school who hands them out a fake?"
"...But even if you give them to us as presents from Father or the teachers..."
"That’s because it’s not *from* Santa. And you all know this, don't you? It feels best to receive them from Santa. After all, it’s a reward for being a good child all year long."
Yes, who you receive the gift from is important. Especially at Christmas. Being recognized as a "good child" by Santa—the person children admire most—and receiving a gift from him is what makes them truly happy from the bottom of their hearts. Sakura and the others seemed to understand, nodding slightly.
"But Father, why do you adults pretend to be Santa?" Sumire asked the inevitable question. Why do adults need to take Santa's place? It’s exactly what Sakura said earlier—why don't adults just give them presents as their own?
There is a very simple answer to this.
"That’s because when I was a child, I received presents from Santa, too."
" " "Eh?" " "
The children’s eyes went wide at the confession. I continued, thinking to myself how strange this must sound to them.
"Just as Sakura and Sumire are children now and will grow up to be adults, I was a child once, too."
"Oh, um. B-but, F-Father, you were a child?"
"I can't imagine it at all."
"I don't get it."
"Father was a child? I don't understand."
Everyone was tilting their heads. I suppose that’s to be expected. It’s impossible for them to imagine me as a child. To Sakura and the others, we have been adults since the moment they were born.
"Is that hard to grasp? Well, when I was as small as you all, I received presents from Santa, too. There were all sorts of Santas—the one at school, the one in the shopping district, and the Santa that was my parents. I thought they were fakes, too."
"You did?"
"Yeah. Like you, I thought the only real one was the one who pulled a sleigh with reindeer and flew through the sky. But they were all real. Sakura, you’re happy when you receive a present, aren't you? A Christmas present. It’s special when it comes from Santa."
"Yes. I’m very happy. Because it’s proof that I was a good child."