"This is quite a tasteful gift. Is it not amusing?"
Having examined the gift from Mika, Kisaki studied it from various angles with an expression of interest.
The snow globe, which perfectly captured Shanhaijing's Plum Blossom Garden, was certainly a novel item, the likes of which she had never seen in Shanhaijing, which tended to reject outside cultures. In terms of rarity alone, it could be called a treasure. Though it would be entirely possible to replicate it, as they did not reject technology itself.
"My Lord, is that...?"
"From what this one has heard, Christmas is one of the most important days of the year in Trinity. Thus, this one sent a gift to solidify the friendship between myself and the Tea Party Host. Fortunately, it seems her intentions in this matter are not so different."
"Although it contains the Plum Blossom Garden, it is clearly of the outside... but, to have realized the garden on a snowy day so beautifully... kgh...!"
"Indeed, it is as expected of the Tea Party Host. This one is pleased that she did not betray my expectations. I cannot help but praise her method of respecting what is of Shanhaijing, and of finding a way into one's heart without overstepping her bounds."
With a satisfied look, Kisaki set down the snow globe and rose to her feet.
"This one promised with her own mouth that she would schedule a visit within the next month... It is deeply shameful to have failed to keep even the first promise with a dear friend. That being the case, it would not do to fail to correct this, however belatedly."
"My Lord, by that you mean...?"
"I shall schedule a visit before the year is over. While this one is away, friction with the Black Tortoise Emporium is strictly forbidden. Be aware of this."
"Y-Yes, my Lord."
Kisaki took out a mobile phone that looked to be about one and a half times the size of her palm and opened Momotalk.
With the graduation ceremony and New Year's festival just around the corner, it was an incredibly busy time for her, but Kisaki simply thought that she would have to work that much harder. In truth, she was more than capable, so it was a matter no one in Shanhaijing dared to question.
***
"Reijo! Look at this."
"What is it, President."
"It's a Christmas present from Mika. Here, there's one for you too, Reijo!"
Handing a gift box to Reijo, Rumi stared at her own and fell into thought for a moment.
"...Hey, Reijo. Did I send a Christmas present?"
"You did, ma'am. You even asked me what would be an appropriate gift."
"Oh, right! It's not a day I'm used to celebrating, so I got a little confused."
This was the first time Rumi had ever exchanged Christmas gifts with someone from outside Shanhaijing. As such, she had to think long and hard about what to send, but in the end, her conclusion led her to what she did best and was most familiar with.
Although the season was a little different, Rumi chose to make and send mooncakes. Since the recipient was an outsider, it would be an unfamiliar dish, and unlike other foods, it could be kept and eaten over time without any pressure.
"Fufu, I wonder what our Mika sent me. I'm excited!"
"Th-This is...!"
Just as Rumi was about to open her own gift, Reijo cried out beside her, drawing her attention. In Reijo's hands was a comic book whose protagonist was a kung fu-wielding panda beastman. Seeing this, Rumi chuckled and shook her head.
'...Was it really necessary to add fuel to the fire of Reijo's obsession with kung fu, Mika?'
Thinking this to herself, Rumi opened her own gift, and at the same time,
"W-Woaaah?!"
a loud exclamation burst out naturally. Seeing the thick recipe book in Rumi's hands, Reijo's face soured. The first destination for all the test dishes combining the countless recipes from that book with those of Shanhaijing... would be her stomach.
"Recipes for things I was familiar with but had to guess at, and for dishes I've never even heard of...! Reijo, taking Mika's hand that day was the best decision ever!"
Reijo, who was about to give a half-hearted reply, glanced for a moment at the comic book in her hands and then back.
"...You are a hundred, a thousand times correct, President."
***
Just because it was Boxing Day didn't mean we could neglect our practice. Especially with the third-years' graduation right around the corner, we were going to be busy for a while, so I came to the practice room thinking I'd get some extra work in.
But to my surprise, the room I expected to be empty already had two people practicing inside.
"Yahoo! Welcome, Mika!"
"Hey, Asuna-chan... and Neru-chan."
The moment I arrived, Asuna's concentration broke and she waved at me. Neru, on the other hand, was in complete focus mode and didn't stop her dance practice.
As expected of Neru, who vies for the top spot among our members in terms of physical prowess, her speed at mastering the choreography is extraordinary. Based on my experience fighting her, I'd say my hardware is slightly superior, while Neru's software is better.
Asuna, who had greeted me cheerfully, glanced down. Her eyes lit up when she saw the sneakers I was wearing.
"Wow! You liked my gift? I didn't think you'd wear them right away!"
"Ahaha, well, you said they might bring me good luck, so I had to wear them."
"Right, right? Oh! Mika, do you notice anything different about me?"
"...The ear cuff?"
"Ah... you're right! You have a good eye, Mika!"
Well, of course I'd recognize the gift I gave her, right...?
The four-leaf clover ear cuff added to Asuna's already sparkling smile, making her so radiant it was almost blinding. I think it's the perfect accessory for Asuna, who always seems to have good luck on her side.
Hmm, it seems Asuna likes her gift too, since she wore it right away. I'm relieved.
By the way...
"...Tall."
"Hm? Tall? What is?"
It was a statement with multiple meanings, but for now, I was talking about her height.
Having lost the height from the heels I usually wear, my confidence had plummeted along with it. Asuna doesn't wear lifts either, but she's fundamentally about 10 cm taller than me, so the difference feels huge.
"Aha. You were talking about height? I think your height is perfectly mature and cute, Mika... I think it's just right!"
That may be true, but when you have memories of being over 20 cm taller, you can't help but cling to what you've lost.
"...Are you kidding me! Not only are you being noisy while I'm trying to practice, but you're sitting there talking about height! You wanna go? Huh?"
"Ah, the leader's mad!"
"Hey, Neru-chan! You look so cool practicing so hard!"
"...Are you two messing with me right now?! Who do you think I'm doing all this for... Argh! Hey, Mika! What the hell were you thinking sending me that?"
Neru, who never forgot her sukajan even in her school uniform, or even during practice, stalked towards me with a fierce expression.
"Huh? What did I send you that's got you so worked up, Neru-chan?"
"What? You're playing dumb when you know damn well what I'm talking about. That stupid headband!"
"Ah, the cat ears?"
"Yeah, you damn brat!"
Ah, right. I did send her a cat ear headband. I mean, cat ears and a maid outfit are a perfect match, right?
So I sent one to every member of C&C, including Karin and Akane who I don't know very well, but I had fully expected this reaction from Neru.
"Oh? But leader, isn't it cute? Meow~♪"
"No, it's not cute! Hey, Mika! You didn't... you didn't actually expect me to wear that and add 'nyan' to the end of my sentences, did you?!"
"Hey now, Neru-chan. If you can't even do that, how are you going to be an idol? Hmm?"
"Huh??? Are you kidding me? I'll be fine without doing stuff like that!"
She's not wrong. The image I expected from Neru was far from that kind of cutesiness; it was the image of a chic, cool, strong older sister. The gap between that and her cute side, due to her height, is Neru's greatest charm.
But that cutesy stuff is all part of fanservice, and—
"Besides, can *you* even do it?"
"Huh?"
"Hah. What, don't tell me you called it 'just that' when you can't even do it yourself?"
"Of course not, but..."
"Oh, really? Then why don't you give it a try."
No, seriously. I've practiced hard in front of the mirror. I've been prepared ever since I seriously threw out this crazy idea of being an idol.
Frankly, my usual way of speaking is already at a level where being an idol wouldn't be a problem, so there's no reason to feel resistant now.
It's just...
"Well... there's someone I want to be the very first to hear it..."
"...Hah?"
No, I'm not kidding, it's true. If the day ever comes when I have to act cute in front of others, I've decided that Nagisa will be the absolute first one to see it.
"Ah, I know who you're talking about! That young lady from back then, right? The one who looked like she was about to cry. So things worked out between you two?"
"Ahaha, if you say things worked out, well, they did..."
"Huh? Then what about, you know, Hina and Haruna."
"...Um."
"...Heh."
Neru just stared at me in silence before shaking her head. The gesture was a critical hit, striking me right in the solar plexus. I've thought about just being shameless about it, but what can I do if it doesn't work out that way?
I don't know anymore if this is what happens when an indecisive person receives more love than they deserve, or if I'm just the problem. All I can do is take responsibility and do my best to make them happy.
By the way, I thought this whole thing made the Kronos News. They must not know because they just weren't interested.
"Anyway, Neru-chan. The gift I sent you wasn't just that, there was something else, right?"
"Ah, that? I saw it."
Neru grinned and held out her hand, showing off her dark, reddish nail art.
"I kinda liked it."
"The leader made a mess trying to do it herself, so I painted them for her♪"
"What?? No, I didn't! I could have done it myself."
"Ahat! The leader is still so clumsy."
It's really surprising, but Neru wears nail art. I heard that one day, the other C&C members roped her into it, and she ended up liking it, so she's been wearing it without complaint ever since. That's why I sent her some nail polish.
I'm glad she likes it, but...
"But you know, the gift you sent me was basically a bag of chips that's all air, Neru-chan." (TN: "Nitrogen-packed snack" is a Korean slang for a product that's mostly packaging/air with little content.)
"...Ah, that."
Neru closed her eyes for a moment. I thought maybe she felt a prick of conscience thinking back on it, but...
"Alright, let's go a round right now."
"...How did the conversation get here?"
"The match we never finished! The more I think about it, the more I feel like I need to see it through to the end."
"An unfinished match? That was basically my win—"
"Argh, fine! Let's say you won and have a rematch! Ever heard of best two out of three?!"
"Yahoo! This is gonna be fun to watch! I love it!"
No, seriously, how did we end up here...
"Or what... Mika, are you scared?"
...
Right, it's about time I put her in her place. I'm going to make her so embarrassed she'll never be able to mention that "strongest in close-quarters" title again.
***