~ Dec. 24, after 11 p.m.

　Coupled with the freezing full-moon night, there was silence around the apartment building.

''Then, please,''
Oh, I'm on it.

　On such a night, I was visiting the Minami family.
　It's not a purpose for me to meet with Amari.

　Rather, it was for a purpose related to the Christmas that will be coming soon.
　No, I've always had the perception that Christmas is a meeting between a man and a woman... the holy night is a s*xual night, and that's noisy.
　Anyway, I want you to understand that we're not here for that kind of romance reason, even if it's just for one night.

　Then what is the reason.........








''Kuh...........''

　When you're a kid, everyone has to expect, 'I woke up this morning and Santa sent me a present! It's all about making it happen!
　The subject is Amana-chan, who is still resting soundly in her lovely sleep.

　Naturally, the trespassing doesn't apply since I got permission from Amanashi.
　She was rather flippant and agreed with me.
　At first I was thinking of having her give it to me, but it seems that I'm going to give mine to her on Christmas day, and because of this, I was given the role of Santa Claus.

　The first step in the process, 'entering the room', was a success for now, and I didn't hear anything but calm, sleeping breaths.

　You're still cute as always in your sleep........
　It's not that this is the first time, but just looking at her innocent, lovable expression is enough to heal me.......

　I would look at them endlessly if I could, but if I did, the sun would rise.
　It's still too early for Amana to know the cruel truth that Santa isn't there.
　I don't feel like this situation is already ruining her longing, but if she doesn't find out, nothing will matter.

　However, there is one thing that bothers me.
　It's the bug net that I keep under my pillow.

　I'm pretty sure this was an attempt to reveal Santa's identity, right?
　I'm really wondering what you were going to do with it?
　I mean, aren't you falling asleep while you're waiting, or has your cuteness turned into violence?

　Things that are on my mind keep coming up, but if I don't get it done soon, I'm going to wake them up.
　Shaking off my thoughts and trying not to wake them up, I slowly place the box of gifts under my pillow.　　

　Inside is a sewing kit for kids.
　Tenashi told me that he had recently taken an interest in it, so I prepared something for beginners.
　I'm sure Amana-chan will improve as she goes along.

　With such hopes in mind, the only thing left to do was to leave....

''──Onii-san~........''
I...

　The voice I heard suddenly startled me and I shook my shoulder.
　
　Did I wake you up...?

　I turned my head towards Amana-chan fearfully, but she was still the same cute sleeping face as before.

''Always, Gokuro-sama........''
!

　Apparently I'm talking in my sleep, but I honestly can't afford to take any relief from that.
　The fact that I'm aware of Amana's working in her dreams makes me more than a little sad, but I'm moved by her bottomless kindness that never forgets to work for others, even in her dreams.
　Is this girl really an angel already.....

　Isn't this the Santa Claus that brings healing?
　I don't know what it means that I came here to give you a gift, but I'm supposed to get a gift of healing.

　Oh, but there's a story that Santa Claus is motivated by the smiles of children, so it's not necessarily wrong, right?

　I managed to calm myself down with various thoughts.
　But as I was staring at it, trying to get a perfect view of the sleeping face in my eyes at the end, I saw what looked like a letter with 'Dear Santa Claus' written on the pillow.

　I didn't notice it at all as my gaze fell on the insect net... could it be that I was trying to catch it to give it to you?
　I would like to say that we couldn't catch them with the insect net, but we might ruin our Christmas spirit if we didn't receive the letter.

　For now, I'll receive the letter.
　I'll look at the contents later, but I'd better get out of Amana-chan's room.

　With a slight sense of regret, I carefully leave the room so as not to wake her up....

　===.

　～Next morning...

Hey, man, good morning!　
Good morning, Amana-chan.
Good morning, Tenna.

　Amana and I returned the greeting to Amana-chan, who was greeting us cheerfully from the morning, pretending to be calm.
　Hmm....when I look at the expressions of joy on her face, a sense of guilt surges through me...I wonder how many times the parents of the world have overcome this....
　Once again, I feel a renewed sense of respect for how hard it is to be the parent of a child.

　I want to slap myself in the past for saying 'there is no Santa Claus' because it wasn't what I wanted, and I want to make my parents apologize.

'You know what, when I woke up earlier, I got a present from Santa!
'Oh, good for you!
It's your reward for being a good boy this year.

　As I was feeling a bit of regret, Amana, with a twinkle in her eye, came over to show me her gift proudly.
　As soon as I saw her expression, I felt a warmth in my chest.
　It's quite natural that any guilt would be easily erased by showing such a good smile.

"So, you see, Santa Claus gave me a handkerchief that he drew for me, too!
A letter, sir?
'Yes!　Did you read it?
''Well yes, I'm sure he would have been happy to receive it.

　After hearing about that letter from Amana-chan, Amana glanced back at me with a sideways glance.
　Well, I'm the only one who can take it in a situation.

　I can't blame her for the look she gives me, so I can't help but return it with a bitter smile from a complicated state of mind, both grateful and apologetic.

''Presents are good, but please go brush your teeth before breakfast.
Yes!

　Amana-chan went to the washroom with a reply full of childlike vitality, saying that she's in good spirits since morning, even without the presents.
　As if to replace her, Amanashi laid out the breakfast, took a seat and came over to look at me.
　I knew what she was going to say, so I silently took out the letter that Amana had written.

''It's a letter to Santa, and you've got a pretty mean thief in you.
'Don't make it sound so unsavory. Even though it's not real, it's better than being sad that you didn't get it.
'I don't blame you, I'm just teasing you. ...Have you seen what's in it yet?
Before you go to bed.

　So, taking a break from the conversation, Amari looked through the letter.
　She finished reading it in less than 10 seconds, and slowly covered her face with her hands.

''~~, haha~.......I am proud of you for being such a sweet child to all intents and purposes.......''

　I was visibly writhing, which was unusual.
　In fact, I had a similar reaction, so I know that feeling very well.

　What a shame it would be for an adult to think that Santa Claus is real.
　After all.....


"──To Santa Claus.

　I thank you for leaving presents for everyone.
　I'm sure that he's trying his best, so I'm sure he's getting caught.

　I'd like to say "Thank you" to him, but I'm too lazy to say it because I'm a heavy drinker.
　That's why I've scratched his handwriting like this.

　Thank you very much.
　After receiving a present, please take a good night's sleep.

　Minami Amanayori

　It's not very often you get a letter from such a good boy.