“This is quite an artistic gift, isn’t it? Isn’t it just fascinating?”
As Kisaki examined the present sent by Mika, her expression showed curiosity as she inspected it from various angles.
The snow globe, capturing the essence of Sanhaegyeong’s Yukwagaek, was undoubtedly a new object that had never been seen in the culture-rejecting Sanhaegyeong before. If we simply consider its rarity, it could even be described as a precious item. It wouldn’t be impossible to recreate it since they don’t reject technology outright.
“Lady Mun, what is…?”
“According to what I heard, Christmas is one of the most significant days of the year in Trinity. Thus, I sent this gift to strengthen the bond between me and the T-party host. Fortunately, it seems she doesn’t have vastly different feelings on this matter.”
“Even though it contains Yukwagaek, this is clearly from the outside… However, the way it beautifully depicts Yukwagaek on a snowy day… Kuuh…!”
“As expected of the T-party host. I’m glad she hasn’t disappointed my expectations. I can’t help but admire her way of respecting what belongs to Sanhaegyeong while skillfully finding a way into the gaps of the heart without crossing lines.”
Kisaki put the snow globe down with a satisfied look and stood up.
“I made a promise with my own mouth to schedule a visit next month… I feel exceedingly ashamed that I couldn’t even keep my first promise with a friend. Since it has come to this, I must rectify it, even belatedly.”
“Lady Mun, what do you mean…?”
“I will ensure to set a visit schedule before the year ends. While I’m away, I will prohibit any clashes with Hyeonmusanghoe, so keep that in mind.”
“Ah, understood.”
Kisaki took out her phone, which appeared to be about 1.5 times the size of her palm, and opened Momotalk.
With the graduation ceremony and New Year festival approaching, it was an incredibly busy time for her, but Kisaki thought that the extra hardship was her responsibility. In reality, she had the capability to handle it, and no one from Sanhaegyeong could dare question her.
*
“Rei, look at this.”
“What is it, President?”
“It’s a Christmas gift from Mika. Look, there’s one for you too!”
Rumi handed a gift box to Rei as she pondered over her own.
“…Did I send a Christmas gift to you, Rei?”
“I believe you did. You even asked me what would be suitable as a present.”
“Oh, right! I’m not used to keeping track, so I got a bit confused.”
It was the first time Rumi was exchanging Christmas gifts with someone from Sanhaegyeong. Given that, she had to think long and hard about what would make a good gift, but ultimately, Rumi decided to go with what she was most familiar with.
Though the timing was slightly different, Rumi chose to make and gift mooncakes. Being from outside Sanhaegyeong, the cooking probably would not be her expertise, but unlike other dishes, they could be eaten leisurely at any time.
“Hehe, I wonder what Mika sent?”
“This, this is…!”
As Rumi was about to unwrap her gift, Rei squealed, drawing her attention. In Rei’s hands was a comic featuring a panda beastman practicing Kung Fu. Seeing this, Rumi snickered and shook her head.
‘…Was it really necessary to throw logs into the fire of Rei’s obsession with Kung Fu, Mika?’
As Rumi thought that, she opened her own gift, and naturally, a large gasp escaped her lips. Seeing the thick recipe book in her hands, Rei grimaced. The first place all those recipes combining Sanhaegyeong’s dishes would head to… was all straight to her stomach.
“These are recipes for both familiar dishes I’ve guessed and entirely unknown ones…! Rei, it was the best decision to hold Mika’s hand that day!”
For a moment, Rei’s wandering eyes turned back to the comic in her hands before she replied with a hint of indifference.
“…A hundred times, a thousand times, you are correct, President.”
*
With Boxing Day approaching, one couldn’t afford to slack off on practice. Especially with the graduation of the third years looming, it was time to buckle down for a busy period, so I intended to catch up on practicing in the rehearsal room.
However, contrary to expectations of no one being there, there were surprisingly two people already practicing.
“Yay! Welcome, Mika!”
“Hello, Asuna-chan… and Neru-chan.”
As soon as I arrived, Asuna waved at me while her focus relaxed, but Neru remained solely concentrated on her choreography.
True to her nature as one competing for the title of best mover among our members, Neru was mastering the dance at an incredible pace. If experience in battles were the metric, the hardware tilted slightly in her favor, while the software felt like it belonged to Neru.
Asuna’s gaze fell downwards, illuminated by the sneakers I was wearing.
“Wow! You liked my gift? I didn’t expect you to wear them right away!”
“Haha, they say good luck can come from them, so I couldn’t help but wear them.”
“Right, right? Oh, by the way! Mika, do I look different in any way?”
“…Your earrings?”
“Oh! You’re right! Mika, you have a keen eye!”
Well, it would be rather obvious if I recognized the gift I gave, wouldn’t it…?
Asuna’s shining smile, now coupled with the four-leaf clover earrings, was literally sparkling, nearly blinding me. I felt it suited her well, as she was always accompanied by good luck.
Well, it looked like Asuna loved wearing the gift immediately after receiving it, which was a relief.
Speaking of which…
“…You’re tall.”
“Huh? What’s big?”
Well, technically, it had a complex meaning behind it, but initially, I meant her height. With such a noticeable height difference due to the absence of my usual high heels, my confidence took a hit. While Asuna’s height wasn’t specific, I felt her height was about ten centimeters more than mine, which was quite significant.
“Oh, I see, you were talking about height? I think you’re just the right height, Mika… I believe it’s an excellent height!”
That’s true, but having a memory of when I was over twenty centimeters taller makes me cling to what I’ve lost.
“…Really! How can you keep chattering while we practice, and then start talking about height! Want to have a match? Aang?”
“Ah, the President is mad!”
“Hello, Neru-chan! Your earnest dedication to practice is really impressive!”
“…Are you two making fun of me?! Who the heck do you think is making me practice here… Argh! Hey, Mika! What on earth were you thinking sending that thing?”
“Huh? What did I send that has you so worked up, Neru-chan?”
Even dressed in her school uniform, and even while practicing, Neru forgot her headband and approached me with a fierce look.
“Aang? You know what it is and are playing dumb! That damned headband, right?!”
“Oh, the cat ears?”
“Yeah, that damn thing!”
Ah, I did send the cat ear headband. Understandably so; cat ears and maid outfits make a perfect combination, right?
That’s why I gifted one to everyone in C&C, including Karin and Akane, with whom I didn’t have much of a relationship. I, of course, expected this sort of reaction from Neru.
“Isn’t it cute, though, President? Meow~♪”
“No, it’s not cute! Hey, Mika! You can’t be serious; I can’t believe you actually expected me to attach ‘meow’ at the end of my sentences while wearing that?!”
“Hey, Neru-chan, how are you supposed to be an idol if you can’t even do something like that? Huh?”
“Aang??? Are you joking? That’s not an issue at all!”
While there’s some truth in that, what I expected from Neru isn’t all those cute things but rather the image of a chic and cool big sister. Yet somehow, she maintains a cute vibe due to her height, which is her greatest asset.
However, these kind of cute acts were merely fan service—
“Besides, can you do it?”
“Huh?”
“Hah? Come on, you’re not implying you can’t do it and then saying ‘just barely’?”
“Of course, that’s not the case…”
“Oh, really? Then why don’t you give it a try?”
No, seriously. I practiced hard in front of a mirror for this. Given that I took the insane step of becoming an idol seriously, I was prepared for this.
Truthfully, my usual way of speaking was already on the level that doing idol-like things shouldn’t pose a problem, so I shouldn’t feel weird about it.
It’s just that…
“There’s someone I want to show this to first…”
“…Huh?”
No, I’m not joking. The first person I want to perform any cute antics for, should that time come, would be Nagisa without a doubt.
“Oh, I know who it is! That girl from back then, right? The one who looked like she would cry at any moment. So, how did things go with you two?”
“Ahaha, if things went well, that would be nice…”
“Aang? So what about Hina and Haruna then?”
“…Um…”
“…Huh.”
As Neru looked at me silently, shaking her head, that felt like a critical blow to my gut. I’ve considered being more brazen if that was the direction my thoughts took. But, it just doesn’t work out that way.
Whether being showered with love beyond my worth leads to this, or if it’s just my own issue, I can no longer tell. All I could think was to take full responsibility and do my utmost to ensure everyone was genuinely happy.
Speaking of which, as far as I know, this was bound to make it into the news, alongside Kronos’ coverage. But it seems they were simply indifferent and had no idea.
“Speaking of which, there should be another gift I sent to you, Neru-chan.”
“Huh? That? I saw it.”
Neru smiled slightly, extending her hand to show off her nails, which had a dark red polish.
“I quite liked it.”
“President helped me out because it turned into a mess when I tried to do it myself♪”
“Aang?? No way! I would have done it just fine on my own.”
“Ah-ha! The President is still a little clumsy.”
It’s quite surprising, but Neru is into nail art. I heard that after being reluctantly dragged into it by other C&C members one day, she actually ended up liking it, and since then, she continues without complaint, so I gifted her some nail polish.
I’m glad she liked it, but…
“However, the snack you sent, Neru-chan, was packaged like nitrogen-sealed snacks?”
“…Ah, that.”
Neru closed her eyes for a moment. Perhaps reflecting made her feel a bit guilty for her choice.
“Fine, let’s have a match right now.”
“…Why did the conversation take that turn?”
“The match we never finished! No matter how you slice it, it feels wrong not to see this through.”
“Never finished? In reality, I won that round—”
“Ah, seriously! Let’s put it down as you won and have another match! Best of three, you heard? Best of three?!”
“Yay! That sounds like fun! I’m all in!”
Wait, why did the conversation end up here…
“Or are you perhaps… Mika, are you a little scared?”
…
Yeah, it’s about time to sort out the ranks. I’ve got to make sure that title of ‘best at close-quarters combat’ is just a slogan and nothing more.
