落とし穴外伝：２０２５年 年末スペシャル
Pitfall Gaiden: 2025 Year-End Special
Side: Yuki
Phew, I safely made it through Christmas. Lately, Christmas has become a major event. Of course, I have to give Christmas presents to my wives and children. Deciding what to give is an annual tradition. It's troublesome if I carelessly create a hierarchy, but giving cheap things isn't good either. If you have money, appropriate gifts are necessary. Well, it's not absolute, but they are, after all, important figures of the country. Those who possess wealth are expected to maintain a certain status. It's such a hassle. I think any gift is fine as long as it comes from the heart. Status is a difficult thing. Nevertheless...
"This year's presents had a slightly different feel, didn't they? What's the reason?"
It was Seraria who asked. We were now enjoying a relaxed evening in the inn's banquet hall. It was a brief interlude between Christmas and the year-end. No, actually, I'm busy with New Year's preparations. But, setting that aside, about the presents having a different feel...
"Well, I have excellent members among my subordinates. Eventually, I'd run out of ideas if it were just me."
I said that, turning my gaze to Prof, Orelia, Hobis, Yayui, and Ryushi, who were waiting nearby and enjoying their tea.
"I see. That makes sense. Thank you, everyone. My husband's presents aren't bad, but lately, they've been leaning towards food."
"You can't expect that kind of sensibility from me. I'm literally a man. I've long since run out of ideas for things like gloves and scarves."
At first, I even collaborated with Narjia to make accessories, you know? But then, updates for those kinds of ornaments started happening automatically, and it became something I couldn't really get involved with anymore. So, I tried various Earth-made items through DP exchange, but even then, I started running out of ideas. That's why I asked the beautiful women who have become my subordinates and support my private life. Well, they say to ask women what women like.
"I didn't think they were particularly bad, you know?"
"Still, there's a lot of food. It's an annual thing, and I'm running out of ideas in that area."
"Well, after so many times, that's how it goes."
"It's an event I started myself. Suddenly canceling it this year would be... and the children are looking forward to it."
If I were to suddenly say there would be no more presents, the children would surely be shocked.
"Ah, indeed. The children look forward to it every year, don't they? But we also have our own expectations, you know?"
"I know. That's why I agonize over it every year."
"But making you rack your brain is a bit much, so we'd be happy with anything. And at this point, extravagant things..."
"That's exactly it. Even those things, once you get used to them, become boring. That's why this time, it was practical hand towels."
"Yes, they're convenient, aren't they?"
Indeed, as Seraria's words implied, this year's Christmas gifts for my wives were hand towels. They weren't particularly luxurious. If anything, they were just simple items with a subtle embroidered accent, enough to signify them as Christmas presents. The kind that's convenient for everyday use.
"Food, no matter what, is limited by how much can be eaten and is restricted to the day itself."
"That's right. It's delicious, but only for that day. Besides, if it's a party, there are other dishes. Well, in the worst case, we put it in an item box, but that's not quite right, is it?"
"No, it's not."
Eating food prepared for Christmas on a later day just feels wrong. While consuming leftovers is common in ordinary households, it's not the same for us. We can preserve it without issue, but it's food specifically prepared for Christmas. To have it on a different day just feels off. Besides, Kirue and Sasari cook every day, and if they're in the mood, my wives also put effort into cooking. So, we wouldn't set that aside to eat Christmas leftovers.
"And so, I asked Prof and the others for their cooperation."
"I think that's a good decision. Or rather, shouldn't we simplify things regarding presents to some extent soon?"
"Simplify, you mean?"
"Leaving aside presents for the children, regarding our mutual presents, after so many times, they're getting bulky, and the sheer quantity, I'm also starting to worry just like you."
"Ah, that's right."
There's no way I'm the only one worrying. It's natural that my wives are also worrying about various things. If it were between friends, where there are periods of not seeing each other, it might be fine to go for novelty items, but since we're also family, that area is a source of worry. And presents, unless you're quite heartless, are hard to throw away. Of course, we consider such things and even think about disposable items, but it's still an issue.
"Deryu, Eris, Cleena, and Mikos even wrapped ribbons around themselves."
It's the common "me as a present" trope, but they're already my wives, you know~. No, well, I don't dislike it. Everyone else wasn't naked with a ribbon, but they were looking at it with a certain expression, like "that's..."
"Surprisingly, they put a lot of thought into that."
"I see... So presents are a source of worry in any world."
"Leaving us aside, you, in particular, have little material desire, don't you?"
"Is that so? I have various things I want, though..."
"Games and plastic models are mostly covered by Firia and Aslin."
"Indeed, if we're afraid of duplicates, it's a problem."
Duplicates of plastic models are fine, but duplicate games are a bit much~.
"Even if it's not games, it's the same for other things. Because you're our only husband, we try to choose something special. That's why we worry, and surprisingly, what we choose can overlap with what others choose."
"Ah, I see. If it's something that suits me, the possibility of choosing the same thing is high, isn't it?"
"Exactly, exactly. So, simplification. But, even though I'm saying it myself, I also wonder what 'simplifying presents' really means."
"Well, yeah. 'Simplifying presents' is meaningless if it's just words. But I understand what you mean. It's to eliminate those worries and overlaps, right?"
"Yes, exactly."
"If we both recognize that, even if the possibility of mutual discomfort is low, there will still be a difference in monetary value."
The price of the present itself becomes more of a concern the older one gets. Whether it's expensive or cheap, one has to be considerate in various ways.
"That's right. That area is also a problem~. Is there any solution?"
"Not entirely."
"Eh? There is?"
Seraria looked at me with a surprised expression. I wanted to ask why she even asked, but oh well, it couldn't be helped.
"Well, it's a method that can only be done now. If there are presents you really want to give, it could become a hindrance."
"So, what's that method?"
"We set conditions."
"Conditions?"
"Yes. Not just for this year's Christmas presents, it can also apply to birthdays. As for who sets the theme, if it's a birthday, the birthday person can say it. Then, even if there are overlaps, it won't be a problem."
"Ah, so we state our wishes, right? But is that one by one for everyone else? Wouldn't the one making the request worry instead?"
That's true, isn't it? That's precisely why conditions are important.
"Yes, so it's a condition of setting a theme. It also leads to enjoyment. For example, something useful for the cold."
"Ah, I see. Indeed, in that case, there are various things for each individual. And the one who set the theme is following the policy, so it won't become something completely unnecessary."
"Ah, even if they overlap. It can even become a funny story about having the same idea."
"I see. So even those troubles become enjoyable."
"Daringly, like men's clothes that would suit Seraria and the others."
"That's interesting. Me in men's clothing, huh?"
"That being said, unlike cross-dressing as a woman, men's clothes don't feel that out of place even if a woman wears them."
I don't think it would even be called cross-dressing. Well, the idea itself is interesting.
"After that, setting a condition for the amount is also good."
"So there won't be a difference in monetary value, right? That's good."
"Then, shall we try it from now on? It would be troublesome if I suddenly told everyone to do it."
"That's right. New Year's is coming up, so let's set a theme and get everyone used to it through a gift exchange."
And so, I realized that a new event had been added to our family's New Year's celebrations on the day before the New Year. In other words, I learned about it at the end of the year, and I would have to throw myself into the crowds. Truly, the more times you give presents, the more you agonize over them~. Both the giver and the receiver. That's why I think it's important to have a discussion somewhere and establish rules for such things.