Chapter 99.4 - SS 4
SS 4. [Merry Christmas]
I was invited as a guest for the Angu Ogu Christmas Livestream, but
<<So that's what Christmas is like in Japan, huh? In America, ham and mashed potatoes are the classics. We leave a letter, milk, and cookies as a thank-you to Santa.>>
<<Oh, I see.>>
<<On that day, it's the children's job to wake up their parents. And under the tree, there are lots of presents. We tear the wrapping paper eagerly.>>
<<It's like Christmas straight out of a movie, huh?>>
<<Hahaha! In Japan, I guess they carefully unwrap each present, right? By the time they finish opening them, Christmas is over!>>
<<That's a good joke! Hahaha! Or not!?>>
What's with this American joke?
Don't involve me in weird things! And besides
<<Ogu, let's stop here.>>
<<Don't say that, Iroha. It must be lonely for you.>>
<<Oh no! This guy is getting annoying! You're drinking alcohol??>>
<<That's not true, you know.>>
She can't even speak properly.
Oh well, she's drunk. She shouldn't have overdone it since she's not used to drinking.
<<Ogu, you've had too much to drink. You should drink moderately, it's harmful to your body.>>
<<Because, you know! Hyeeee,>>
Now she's crying her eyes out!
Angu Ogu cries out in a sobbing voice.
<<But, but~! I'm so saaaad! It's Christmas today, but I'm all alone and lonely. I wanted to feel closer to Iroha, so I went to the trouble of preparing Champagne. Isn't it okay to have a little? Beeeeeeen!>>
<<Ogu, you were thinking that huh?>>
>Hmmm!
>Oh, so Champagne is that kind of alcohol. (U.S.)
>Ogu, don't cry! (U.S.)
<<Wait a minute, Ogu. Are you drinking Champagne?>>
<<Huh? Y-Yes. In Japan, you drink this sweet sparkling wine, right? I can only get it in Japan, so I went through the trouble of ordering it. Wait, is it not okay to drink it?>>
<<Sigh.>>
<<W-What's wrong?>>
I let out a sigh at that moment.
<<What the hell?>>
I let out a sigh.
It was grand.
"Phew, thank goodness Iroha-chan isn't awake!"
But I was wide awake!?
However, I couldn't just act like I wasn't awake.
After all, the noise source had somehow infiltrated the room, and it was none other than Ah-nee, who was now dressed up as Santa Claus.
"Phew, that was close. Even though Iroha Mama asked me to play Santa today because I couldn't go home, I almost messed up."
Mom, seriously! It's a casting mistake!
Ah-nee is unsuited for covert operations!
".Iroha-chan."
Suddenly, she spoke to me gently, and my heart skipped a beat.
Did she somehow realize that I was awake? But no, it was different.
"I know deep down, Iroha-chan is a kind child."
Ah-nee gently stroked my head.
Why is that? Without thinking, I almost said, ""
"Maybe there will be difficult times ahead. Iroha-chan has a special power, so you might be expected to act accordingly. But don't forget,"
[]
"Just remember what you truly like.' As long as you don't forget that, everything will be alright. With your abilities, Iroha-chan, you can overcome any challenge."
Perhaps she noticed that I was awake?
Hey, Ah-nee. I am
"Wait a minute! Wasn't I super cool just now?! I was saying something that sounded right, but it felt like I knew everything!"
You've ruined it!
I cried in a different sense. Return the emotion!
***
The next morning, I sat absentmindedly on the bed.
After that, Ah-nee enjoyed playing make-believe and continued saying those lines.
It was so noisy that I couldn't sleep at all!
And I was waiting for when she would finally leave after leaving the presents.
I stared down at the floor, completely absorbed.
There, I saw
"Snoring Zzz"
"Hey!"
Ah-nee in Santa costume was sprawled on her back, belly exposed, and fast asleep.
That's a complete disaster!
This is a story from before Iroha entered middle school.
Just an ordinary moment from Iroha's everyday life.