Do You Think Someone Like You Can Defeat the Demon King?

"... who spread the mysterious custom of Christmas?"

Chocolate said, stirring the cream in the ball with a foam.

She has dying eyes and even moves her arms.

"That's it, an ancient business god or something unearthed from the ground."

"So if I set up the god of commerce, this businessmanship of the year will also go away?"

"Chocolate, that's not good. Because even if they rot, they're gods."

Cyril talks as she wraps the dough.

"That's what I say, Kedo, don't seniors think cute juniors, like me, look exhausted?

"I think. I want to see more"

"Do-soo!

"That's what it is, and the other guy is God. You shouldn't lick it. I'll go if you want to punish the god of business."

"What, did you stop it?"

"Only he must be in my hands...!

"Senior, please calm down. The temperature in the room is dropping."

"Hey Cyril, don't kill them in the kitchen. Yours doesn't make it any more stylish!

Teachet's skin, which felt “cold chill" emanating from Cyrillic's body, was poppy in an instant.

But not so long ago, a confectioner's Christmas is a busy one.

The first “Christmas boom” started about two years after Flam destroyed the Origin.

That was what Slough and Eela intended to spread, and it was a kind of “festival” devised to boost the King's capital on the way to reconstruction, which tends to get dark.

The people of the kingdom who were hungry for entertainment immediately rode the stream, and the epidemic continued to this day without becoming obsolete.

"Oh, I can't believe the others are spending time with each other, but we've been in the kitchen all morning. You're lonely."

"We don't have any lovers anyway, okay?"

"Ah, you said it, Master. Chocolate is such a cute girl, so if you care about that, you can have a lover right away!

"You said something similar last year."

"I think he'll be saying the same thing next year."

"My master and senior are terrible! Yes, wouldn't it solve everything if the seniors would be lovers! It's about as much as risking my life to help me, and I'm practically living together, and I'm seriously wondering if it's pulsating or something! Excellent property like mine isn't quite there, and won't you catch it early?

"Think when you've gained enough fighting power to defeat me"

"You can't do it all your life!?

"Don't hang on to me, you think we're going out together? You're a shopkeeper, but you're gonna have to narrow your shoulders."

"Master is a good year, so why don't you make about one of your lovers? Can I give you some advice?

"I don't want it. I'm a lover of booze."

"Isn't that where you at least say the cake is your lover...?

Bitter chocolate.

But while we talk, we never stop.

There are more than a few cakes that are usually sold, even if they are reserved.

Plus, you have to make some for the store.

I made it a temporary holiday and did so with a word from Teachet's "Well, you can probably go" about what I should only deal with for my appointment.

"Ah, and why can't we afford so much time this year!

"You just feel that way because you lost your arm while you were resting."

"You have no blood or tears against such a cute disciple... hey, come console me. Come on!

"If I can go home alive, I'll comfort you"

"Is this a battlefield or something!?

"Busy more"

"Seniors don't get along -! I'm moving my hands right, okay? By the way, seniors, you're in the mood for that cake burn. I'm making it out of marzipan... Mr. Ink, is that it?

"Yes, because it's what Eterna asked me to do"

"When did you order that?"

"He asked me to keep it a secret until the day. Because as soon as I tell Chocolate, it's going to spread."

"Rude, your mouth is still stiffer there!

"To the ink: 'Sister Chocolate, tell me?' What if they asked me to?

"You might talk to Pollo!

"Too Little"

It's also proof to the left that we have a good relationship, but don't talk. Kirill is convinced once again that he was right.

"Come on, you guys, don't mess around too much. Focus. 'Cause I'm really not gonna make it."

"Okay."

"Huh."

"Cyril, by the way"

"What is it, Master?"

"It's nice to make it in the mood, but it's evening to bring that cake, isn't it?

"... ah"

Under the cold skies, the number of people walking down the street is higher than usual despite the early mornings.

People seem to be floating somewhere, depending on how the decorated city looks.

Looking at that, Cyril stared narrowly at the feeling of reality escape.

◇ ◇ ◇

Although an event called Christmas has become familiar with Concilia, an event that is still unfamiliar to Fram.

As the day approached, he looked up at the townships to be decorated with trees, leashes, etc., and seemed to have no such thing as party consciousness, such as' hoe 'and asshole-like admiration.

That's the only thing I can do.

So I wasn't ready enough to set up a temperamental surprise for Milkit, and I managed to talk to someone I knew and buy a gift, so I did my best.

But looking at the movements of the lovers around me, that still seems a little short.

Nevertheless, that's why Flam, who doesn't know what to do - even though he remembers such toothache, celebrated Christmas Day.

I wake up in the morning with a mill kit kiss awake one foot away.

When the two of us went down to the ground floor, we switched on the stove as it shrunk into the cold.

And make breakfast side by side.

Cyril and Chocolate are already at work, so it's for four.

While cutting the vegetables for the salad, Flam asks how the mill kit looks.

(... Something seems a little strange. I guess I'm aware because it's Christmas. And cute today)

I'm only going to see it for a moment, Flam, but I accidentally stare at it.

Of course I see eye to eye.

"What is it, sir?"

Funny and laughing, Milkit said happily.

"I could see it."

When the flam is not hidden, the mill kit is slightly reddish on its cheeks.

But the expression pointed his lips, a little dissatisfied.

"It's sloppy. I was so desperate to concentrate on the dishes that your husband could see them."

"Because that serious face was fascinating"

"If they say so much...... a lot, I won't be able to stand it"

Milkit took his hands off the balls and turned to the fram for each body.

Flam puts her hand on her cheek and overlaps her lips.

Milkit turns his arm around Flam's back.

Flam also attracted his body naturally and pushed his body against each other.

The food burns as it is - it may seem so, but there is nothing wrong with it.

This kind of interaction is a routine tea meal, so we have reason to stop along the way so that cooking doesn't fail properly.

So now, just a little bit more, no, anything longer...

"Whew... hey, both of you... whack!?

"Flam, milkit, cooking's burning."

The ink that came down surprises me, and Eterna shudders.

Flam and Milkit, hastily releasing their bodies, extinguished the fire in a flurry, placing the heartless and black bacon on a plate.

"Ya... I've done it, it's been a long time"

"I did it..."

A mill kit that drops its shoulders all the time.

This doesn't always happen, really, properly rational, so stop along the way.

I mean, I couldn't do that.

"Floating."

Eterna shrugged as she put tea leaves in the cup and poured hot water.

◇ ◇ ◇

There's not much more I can do for a flam on Christmas Day than I only have a gift for you.

Especially since I haven't even put in a job, why don't I observe the mill kit looking soggy and wait for the night - I was thinking about that.

"Oh, uh, Jiuu... I have business, so I'll be on my way to the night!

What a day or so ago, I left the flam.

Fram, left alone, sits in a dining chair lonely and makes tea.

Before her like that, Eterna sat with an invincible grin.

"It's shaken."

"Phew, they're not shaking me. No!

Flam was bad at deluding.

"It's Christmas. As you know, lovers spend their time each day"

"That's the kind of Mr. Eterna who's not with the ink. Awesome!

'Cause that kid's out hanging out with his friends.

"Well, I mean, Mr. Eterna misses you, too."

When I laughed invincibly not just to say revenge,

"I miss you. I want you to hang on to the flam"

Eterna narrowed her eyes and admitted honestly in a dark voice.

"Mr. Eterna, have you weakened anything?

That sounds like she'd be shocked if she left her lover for Christmas, too.

Nevertheless, it's a well-known fact that ink is sticky on Eterna, so don't worry. I guess I'll be back in time and stick with it as much as I don't like it.

"Hold on, Christmas is so widespread. While I'm gone."

"We all just want to make excuses and make a scene"

"Haha, there is that, isn't there? Is Concilia the only one who's making a scene so far, after all? At this time of year, I heard a rare increase in tourists."

"I heard it's thriving in trees and leasing regions."

"Sounds like it means something different to be cheerful..."

"Well, I think it'll take some years for it to spread across the kingdom"

"Mm-hmm. Right."

Flam put his hand on his chin and showed him how to conceive.

To that appearance, Eterna with her neck hanging.

"How did you hear that?

"I heard it was an event to give gifts to loved ones, not just lovers, so I thought I should send something to my parents."

"I think the other way around"

"To?"

"Normally, what parents dress up as a man in a red costume with a white beard and give gifts to their children. Interaction between lovers is just an inherent aside."

"Oh, I heard that! You're a man named Satan Claus!

"That makes me a demon. Santa Claus."

"Yes, that's it! The shopkeeper saw the store dressed like that!

"Well, because we all like to masquerade. The colors stand out, and they're just right for the discount."

Even at Anzu's time, but the people of Concilia always try to imitate that outfit when something is popular.

It's the same thing that Flam's Slave Print changed its name to Hero Print and became a kind of boom.

"Ha ha... I guess it would be cute if Milkit wore that outfit..."

"Let Flam tell you, I think Milkit is cute in any way he looks"

"Isn't that obvious!

"I've been instantly answered"

It's something you don't even have to ask.

"Yes, the mill kit is cute in any way. That's why I want to burn a mill kit of every appearance in this eye! I want to complete every cuteness!

And Flam gets up, grips his fist and hot valves.

Eterna, who used to flush it white.

(Now I understand a little...)

I couldn't help but feel the flow of time as my own mood changed.

"Mr. Eterna, by the way"

"Hmm?"

"Do you have any gifts or anything for the ink?

"Well, of course"

"Heh, sure..."

Flam to nibble on.

Never in a bad way, it is a favored nianya.

"I don't like that face."

"No, hey, you look like a lover between Mr. Eterna and ink. With that one, I'm kind of happy. Personally, I think we could stick together more."

"Because we are not like flams and mill kits"

"I say so, but we're not doing that in front of the public either, are we?

"Then how could you do that?"

I thought it was useless to just ask, but I'll ask Eterna for once.

Then Flam gripped his fist and hot valve.

"You have a good eye."

"Yeah."

"Isn't that cute?"

"Well, yeah."

"Milkit thinks it's nice about me, too."

"I guess so."

"Then you'll have to kiss me!

"That's strange"

No, there's nothing wrong with the flow of logic.

The only problem is that it's in front of the public.

"Normally people should stop embarrassing me to see them"

"There was a slight glitch at first."

"Even the first one is slightly..."

"But... when I realize I like it, it fills my head."

If it was Eterna before, it would be here, kicking ass as "ridiculous”.

But now she wasn't.

(... this, too, makes me understand)

My first few months socializing with ink.

We've hugged each other many times.

I've kissed him many times.

Although I haven't crossed the line yet, every time I make a lovely touch, I feel a little "laid” down.

Flam and Milkit just have that laying low from the start, and the end destination, isn't Eterna the same?

Yes, I mean, Eterna and Ink are also in a relationship where they suddenly whisper, hug, and sweet words all over the city.

(If it doesn't, it doesn't. My reason won't let that happen. only because that's what we do when we're alone)

Bumbun, and Eterna shaking her head and denying it.

Flam laughing at that with Nyonyo.

"So I want you to stop that face"

"Pfft, Mr. Eterna looks like it's just a matter of time, too. Come on, we're coming to this world fast! I'd be happy to come...?

"Even the Patriarch is aiming? I'm telling you, I don't want anyone else to see ink do that."

"... I see that makes sense"

"Is Flam okay to show me?

"You haven't removed the bandage outside. You can only see your face when you're alone."

"That sort of thing"

In short, for Eterna and Ink, cuddling and kissing are the “final stages" of so-called yicha.

But Fram and Milkit still have the next stage of "taking bandages and flirting.”

Maybe that difference is making a difference in the way you think about skinning in public.

"Well, even so, it's definitely bad for my eyes. I'll make sure to stop it one day."

"Mr. Eterna comes to this side first, or I break first - it's a battle!

"I hope you won't let me fight on my own"

For some reason, Guillaume and motivated Flam.

That's how time went by, and when the sky was about to turn blue again - the bell of the house rang.

If you're back home millkit or ink, you should come in unlocked without bothering to ring.

I guess that means you're a visitor.

Fram, who had reached the limit of loneliness because Milkit was not quite back, heads to the front door with Eterna distracting loneliness in reading.

And when I opened the door, there was - a mill kit standing.

"Ha, I'm home... your husband"

She is blushing and leaning down on her cheeks and her shame additions and subtractions are adorable again.

"Milkit? That outfit..."

In addition, Milkit now wore so-called “Santa clothes”.

On a red cloth, this fur is also white.

The skirt was a little shorter, and that was probably the best point of shame for Milkit, who usually wears a long skirt of maid clothes.

But it's also for Flam.

To reward my companion for always saying 'cute' about me, I challenged her in a slightly different direction than usual.

Whether that prospectus was successful - I didn't have to bother to check, it was obvious.

"Stay, no way, no way! I did say earlier, though you wanted to see it. Though I thought you were absolutely adorable! The real thing was dozens of times cuter than that, Milkit. Whoa!

Flam is shuba! And when you spread your hands, heh! and hugged Milkit's body.

"Ah... your husband..."

Milkit, anxious to make it work, finally let her cheeks down here and smiled.

And turn your arms around Flam's back.

"Glad to hear you got such a surprise from Milkit. I'm a happy man..."

"It would be an event that your husband is still unfamiliar with, so I wanted you to have some fun"

"It's great!

"Great... but, you know, it's not just this outfit"

"Is there more? You're so happy already!?

Flam releases the mill kit.

Then Milkit is taking Flam's hand and trying to invite him outside.

"What, are you going somewhere?

"I was getting ready for a party venue. I cooked more than I did on my arm."

He was anxious to see where he was going, but apparently he was getting ready for you.

This is all the time I took, so I wonder how temperamentally cooked it is.

"Wow...... wow milkit! I had no idea you were getting ready for the party.

Less joyful, less vocabulary poor flam.

When she hugs her even harder, Milkit gives her a nagging look as she speaks without thinking "ehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe.

"I'm more... sorry I couldn't get you something big! I'm definitely gonna be great next year. I'm gonna be ready. Hey!

"I'm just happy to be with your husband."

"That's what you're gonna say, Milkit, which is why I want you to do everything in your power to be happy -!

"Yes...... well, I'm looking forward to it"

"Yeah, look forward to it! Because this year I will have as much fun as I want!

"Ha! Enjoy a lot!

The two stay in each other's arms, cheeks and bites off that happiness.

Speaking of the usual, it's always the same, but it looked happier to Eterna than usual.

"Hmm, I mean alone... could it be"

Flam calmed down to his lid and turned around in the house, where Eterna stood smiling.

"Mr. Eterna, did you know?

"Christmas is for two lovers, so don't hesitate to come"

……

"What, that face?"

"No, it's nothing"

Maybe Eterna was the one who asked 'I want to be alone with ink at home'.

That's what Flam imagined.

But it's called wild life to hear that here.

Because Fram is alone with Milkit, and we can have the best night ever.

"Then come on, Milkit. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of food you can eat at any venue."

"We have demonstrated all the results of our research, so it should always suit your husband's mouth!

"Oh, I'm confident Milkit won't be long. This is definitely delicious! Your cheeks must fall all over!

"Ugh... I did my best to make that happen"

"I'm already hungry when they say that. Let's go! Let's go right now!

Floating, flam and mill kit leaving the house.

Of course, Fram hasn't forgotten about the gift he prepared.

Walking down the road, gently turning her consciousness backwards, it is unclear in what way she used the force of inversion - but upstairs windows open on her own, from which the packaged box flies with a flam, and she catches it so that the mill kit doesn't notice.

And finally, the window closed - Eterna smiled as she watched a series of streams as she dropped them off.

"Every time, but a great way to float"

It's not limited to Christmas, but every time there's an anniversary - no, there's nothing there. And the two of them always look like that.

I was only happy and happy to be with you.

Holding hands.

Embracing each other.

overlapping lips.

Exchanging love.

Everything, even though it exists there as a matter of course, I never get tired of repeating that “normal” over and over again.

From that moment of my first love, the flame of emotion connecting the two never dwindled.

Because of their youthfulness - it's easy to say, but probably old doesn't change those two.

"Maybe it's a kind of talent when you get there..."

Returning to the dining room, Eterna sat down in her chair and exhaled "Phew".

What I recall is what Milkit looked like before Flam came back.

At that time, the Eternas had a party in this house so that Milkit would never miss them.

I called in some of my planned vacant acquaintances, took my wings off and made a lot of noise.

If that distracts her at all - that's what I thought it was, and in fact, I was laughing in the party.

But when she opened up and went back to her room, she said she was pressing her face against the pillow and crying.

It didn't sound like Eterna.

Because he was killing his voice.

But in the ink, even such a small voice can be heard.

The Eternas couldn't do anything, even though there was a mill kit next door that leaked whimpers while calling Flam's name.

There's only one way to fix it - because the flam is coming back.

So there's no choice but to float.

Originally, in a sense of dependence, the two men, who were so deeply united, were reunited after a single loss - the love that dwelled as a result, I'm sure, cannot be deduced by anyone.

"If that's happiness for both of us, I guess that's the best part"

As if to tell myself, Eterna said.

Some say 'moderate distance is important'.

Some also say, 'We must be independent of each other'.

At first glance it looks like an honest argument, but it's just an individual opinion.

A creature called a person is a thousand different things.

There are also so many different categories of disorientation that they cannot be counted.

Each form of love, each form of happiness.

Life and so on, and ultimately happiness, is the goal, so it is only the property of the other person, such as the “correctness” of the other person's decision.

Think.

How can I, am I happy?

Think.

What do you wish your greed to be, not correctness or mistake?

"And me too..."

Eterna looking up at the lights illuminating the room and narrowing her eyes.

Then the doorway opened in a chatter, and someone was coming up graciously.

There's only one person coming back at this time, ink.

Sharp in sensation, she must have noticed that Eterna was in the dining room as soon as she walked into the house.

He sneaked out of the entrance, put a red ribbon on his head and put out only a flaked head, and let down his reddened cheeks in the cold.

"Welcome back, Ink"

Eterna calling it that in a calm voice.

"I'm home, Eterna"

Ink to answer full of energy.

Even though it's just an exchange, she always has a full smile.

But when they smile at me, Eterna unconditionally does too.

I can't help it, because I'm in love.

"Hmm, hey, Eterna, why do you think I'm hiding my body?

"Because I'm dressed as Santa"

In Eterna's words, ink that instantly loses its expression.

……

……

Frequent silence.

Sip the tea that Eterna should be, and the ink gazes at her like that.

Eventually, there were tears in his eyes.

"... or I don't think it's a good idea to easily guess. Me!

That's what she said in a trembling voice.

I felt a little sorry for Eterna, but I couldn't help but figure it out.

"Just now, because Milkit dressed the same and took Flam"

"The mill kit? That, so we're all not having a party this year?

"I'll open it, you two"

"Two!?

Glance, exaggerated amazing ink.

"I don't know why I'm surprised there. I'm always glad we're alone, even though it's more ink."

"So, but it's Christmas!?

"Exactly."

"It's the day my lovers spend!?

"So alone"

"Well, that's right. Eh! Yes, how dare you!

Ink said, 'How could you be so sudden when that didn't happen until this year?' You must want to say.

Naturally because I'm a lover, it's easy to say, and it's actually possible - there's nothing more to it than that ink feeling uncomfortable with this situation than Eterna's prospects are elsewhere.

"For one thing, I think you've already found out, but can I reveal my outfit"

"I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"I haven't had enough of a surprise and I'm feeling a little embarrassed because they noticed me... Yikes!

Pimp, and the ink that jumps and reveals the whole thing.

As she pinched the edge of the red skirt, she twisted her body gently and inquired upward.

"I don't know..."

Eterna stares at the ink with a silent and indescribable look for a few seconds.

"That face... how do I judge it?

"It looks so good, I couldn't put it into words"

"Huh?"

"Ink, very cute. I'm so glad you wore it for me."

Ink's heart accidentally jumped at that feeling, which is a little different from the usual Eterna's, honest or disgusting.

Dayne must be surprised in the afterlife, too.

"... that's strange, I thought they'd react like they didn't after lightning up once"

Ink that puts his hand on his chin a lot.

Eterna, on the other hand, stood up to the fence and approached Stasta and ink, placing her hand on her cheek.

"Really, cute"

"Ha, wow...!

Eterna et al., to words and deeds, head bugging ink.

But even more, the offense will not stop.

"At times like this, I really feel like I like ink"

"Heh heh!? Oh, wow, you got it! Eterna, that's how you're trying to get away from me! Still happy though! Of course it's not like I doubt Eterna's feelings or anything, but this is just it!

"No, that's not it"

"So what do you say?

"... if you insist, run away"

"So-so?

"Help, run, run, run."

"Oh...... I don't know what that means anymore"

"I'll know soon enough. Anyway, I really think you're cute."

"Ugh, yeah...... okay. Thanks."

Ink lays his own hands on his cheeks, grinning.

And they were naturally, lightly overlapping their lips.

◇ ◇ ◇

After the ink returned, Eterna began working silently.

Out of nowhere, bring malls and other decorations and decorate the room.

Ink somehow behaved and put his hands on his lap to watch how it was going.

"... can you help me?

That's the third time I've heard that.

"You want to help?

And he turned it down twice, and now he finally got a different reaction.

The ink snorts.

"I knew it would be more fun for the two of us to do this"

"I know that too... because today, I was in the mood to entertain ink"

The ink with the sparkling mall packed in the box looked strangely at the rear of Eterna as she stretched out.

"Why did you suddenly want to make it such a Christmas this year?

"Not suddenly. As a matter of fact, I've been consulting with Milkit for some time now and the plan was underway"

"Uh... so Milkit and Flam left, too, you mean they were showing each other?

"That's what's gonna happen"

"Is it just Fram and me I don't know, or what? But I'm surprised. You like that, it's me one way or the other. Hehe, of course I'm glad."

Until earlier, "surprise” prevailed better, but when feelings subsided a little, warm happiness filled the area around the chest.

I also know why Eterna wanted to prepare herself.

Then I wish I had done it before the ink came back, but I could think of a few reasons for that - for example, I wasn't really going to decorate it, but the room was a killing landscape than I thought I'd try on the same day, or - I couldn't even decorate it to the critical because I couldn't let the flam care less about today, or - well, it's a matter of whatever it takes to even come up with the right excuse, but if I also said this, "because I'm not used to it” happening.

But I don't care about ink.

I rather think its clumsiness is loving, because there will be no time for the two of us to decorate the room like this, without happiness.

Even Eterna would magically be able to decorate it in an instant if she cared about it.

But I don't dare - of things I sometimes use by deforming my magically made right arm - just my own body, with a mall on the wall in the tunnel.

"And I bought a lot of them. I don't think they sold it anywhere until last year."

"It's been released recently and they use every store because it's easy to flashy"

"You're shiny and beautiful. I wonder if the old people used this."

"At least they had the culture to decorate the Christmas tree"

"It's a tree... you can't keep it in the house."

That's what Ink said a little lonely.

Then he said he was waiting, and Eterna took something out of the box and placed it in the middle of the table.

It was an imitation tree, small enough to ride flat.

"Ooh! That's Eterna, I can't get out of it!

"It's small, but just having one creates an atmosphere"

"It's Christmas feeling - what do you do with the food? There's no mill kit, no Cyril."

"I'm asking you. They'll be here soon."

Then I lost so much, and as Eterna said, many of the dishes were carried.

I was originally asked to go to a restaurant that didn't go to deliver or anything.

The store side gave me a little comfort, and everything was ridiculous.

And the table was quickly filled with lavish dishes.

A salad with raw ham and cheese on top of bright green leafy vegetables, pumpkin potage with a sweet aroma along with hot air.

Thick white fish frit, sautéed lobster with shells instead of plates, roasted beef so thick as to be misleading with steak.

And sitting in the center is the round roasted rainbow bird, which is becoming a Christmas staple as early as possible.

"Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho..."

Unexpectedly. Who does the ink?

Eterna looks at her with joy and smiles with satisfaction.

"So many, just the two of us can eat it all up!

"I don't care what I leave..."

"No, I eat! Good luck eating! Enjoy the Holy Night with Eterna!

Is the tension needle shaking off, or the pimpy jumping ink as I say so.

The people at the store who brought the food are laughing bitterly.

As soon as they finished their work, they left the house and were alone again.

When Eterna, who dropped him off, returns to the dining room, the ink is observing him on the table with his eyes sparkling.

But on the other hand, she also looked like she was looking for something there.

"Ink"

"Hiya!? No, I was never looking around for anything sweet in this dish!

"I know. I'm asking Cyril for the cake, so it should be time for you to bring it"

"That's right, Eterna. I believed that. I like that Eterna would definitely have a cake for you, too. I love it. I love it all my life. Huh!

Ink hugged Eterna as she jumped.

There's no way I think Eterna would be too exaggerated for that behavior - it's just the words' cute ',' cute 'and' cute 'that come to mind.

(After all, they're pretty fucked)

Now.

It is now.

I've been kissing all day, and now I'm calm, and I can't go back.

Even at night, I can feel the cold just sleeping alone.

"Ink"

"What?

"I want to kiss you"

"Yeah, I did too. Go!

Ink immediately turned his arm around Eterna's neck and pressed his lips against it.

This is my twenty-fourth kiss of the day.

Twenty of them, by the way, were minutes spent sleeping together in the morning.

◇ ◇ ◇

Then a few minutes later, Cyril brought the cake.

She was sluggish and squeaky, "Brave wants to use it" like a rumor.

But I used it, and finally, the launch tonight, as well as the rest of tomorrow, passes asleep.

But using it will make today's work easier.

Distressed in such a grip, Cyril returned to the store with a spooky laugh as she handed him a box with cake, "Ugh, heh," swaying all the way left and right.

Let's do everything we can tomorrow.

It was Eterna, so determined.

Returning to the waiting room of the ink with the box, she draped someone from the edge of her mouth and stared at the dish.

Apparently the limit of appetite is approaching.

"Can the cake revelation be done after dinner?

When Eterna asks, Kokoku and Ink shake their necks vertically.

"Actually, I'm still ready, can we wait a little longer?

When Eterna asked that, Ink looked at her more with a very sad bend of his eyebrows to the letter to.

Too sad, Eterna's chest hurts.

"I'll be done in a minute, wait"

But I bought it because of it, so I couldn't possibly not use it - Eterna opens the closet once she returns to her private room upstairs.

And when I took off my clothes using the magic of water cleverly, I quickly changed into that costume and went back to dining.

"Grandpa."

Eterna, who came out in front of the ink in that outfit, behaved more cheerfully than usual because of the lighting.

Still, the embarrassment doesn't go away.

"Eterna, is that... did you prepare it for today!?

"Yes. Excited"

What Eterna wears was a water-colored dress.

Its fabric, like a clear feather coat, looks luxurious to see.

Originally, Eterna was a strange person.

If she wears that dress like that, the atmosphere reaches the realm of “fantasy”.

"I don't know."

Ink became silent, so I couldn't stand it, and Eterna asked.

Earlier, Santa, I knew exactly what ink felt like wearing clothes.

"Beautiful. Sooo beautiful! Fairy? Yeah, goddess!

"That's just too much to say"

"Not too much. Yikes! 'Cause right now, I'm, like, totally busy just watching. When you think such a beautiful person is your lover, it's more buggy!

That praise of ink still sounds exaggerated to Eterna, but I'm still happy with what I'm happy with.

Eterna, who seems to be lighting up.

to that trick, and the ink that bounces off my chest again.

"I can't believe Eterna has a dress like that... it might not match with these clothes"

"That's not true. Ink is cute."

"But Eterna is the most beautiful thing in the world."

"Then ink is the cutest thing in the universe"

"Eterna is prettier than all the substances that exist in this world!

"Then the ink... no, well, no. As far as I'm concerned, it's hard to throw away that garment of ink, if you like."

"If you like?

"I also have a dress for the ink. Want to get dressed?

Ink gripped his hands in front of his chest, letting his heart pound.

"Sarasu is Eterna, perfect!

I said that in high tension sometime.

◇ ◇ ◇

Dressing by Eterna was swiftly and vividly carried out without realizing the fact.

It's no exaggeration to say it's over between blinks.

I'm a little sorry for the ink that had a pale expectation that Eterna's hands would have a thrilling event touching her skin - but that kind of thing was erased by her own appearance wrapping around the dress.

"Costumes for horses too......!

Standing in front of him, looking at himself, Ink said so.

"Here, I don't say that myself"

"So, because I didn't think you had any connection to this stuff... do you look good?

"You look great. It was worth thinking about the ink and getting it made."

"Am I an orange image in Eterna?

"... well"

Eterna that turns red for some reason.

Ink saw the look over the mirror and snapped his neck.

"The... orange, or the sun, I think."

"Am I Eterna's?

"Yeah. Milkit said the same thing to Flam. Yes, but because the sun is ink to me"

"Eterna..."

Ink's heart doesn't have time to rest for a surprise from Eterna, which strikes like a tatami.

"Hey Eterna. You two in a dress like this, don't you think it's kind of like a ball?

"Right. Somehow it's going to be like this."

"All right, let's dance!

"Why?"

"So, because if you haven't moved your body anyway, you're going to figure it out! My feelings for Eterna are about to explode!

"I don't know. But I get it."

Eterna takes the ink hand and tangles her fingers.

Ink also suddenly grabbed the little Eterna's hand and laughed with his eyes together.

"Is that it? From here... what am I supposed to do?

"Speaking Up"

"I've never danced..."

"I don't know either. Well, I think it's okay. It's not like anybody's watching."

"Yeah, you're right. So... is this what it looks like?

Move your feet appropriately, twirl around, and enjoy a ball just for the two of you.

I still don't completely understand what I'm doing, Eterna, but even if I don't know why, it's somehow fun, so that's fine.

Without music, there is no way to do it, but the emotions that gush out of your chest are warm and dull.

"Uh hehe... I wonder what we're doing"

"Heh heh, if anyone sees me like this, I'll be ashamed to sleep for two days"

"I'm going to sleep with you, too."

This kind of - there's no reason, I guess I should accompany someone who can share casual fun.

Eterna was thinking about that, staring into those eyes at close range.

◇ ◇ ◇

As a result, my stomach began to move more often by exercising, and I was able to start dinner on an empty stomach.

"I knew the rice after I moved my body would be delicious!

From the middle of the dance, I no longer knew if I was dancing or squirming, and eventually I ended up with feathers gently sweating on my forehead.

There was no romantic mood.

(well, that's not bad either)

That's what makes me think so, so something called love is horrible.

"That's the finest restaurant dish, not even a salad..."

"The taste of the store is not like home cooking. Not superiority or inferiority, but direction."

"I get it. It feels special, but if you eat it every day, it feels like..."

On a special day, I eat in a special outfit, so I guess it seems extra tasty.

Yes, today is a special day.

Biting that thought, Eterna shrugged the yellow potage with a spoon, carrying it to her mouth.

Naturally, there was no way we could have finished eating this much together, and we decided to keep the rest of it tomorrow.

Clean up the dishes in a dress, because it is quite a rare sight.

And when the top of the table was cleared, Eterna put the box with the cake in the middle that was in the corner.

"Cake, cake"

Ink single-handedly awaits the moment of its revelation, now or now.

Before that innocent appearance, Eterna slowly opened the box, daring to scorch.

The hall cake that emerged is of the orthodox shortcake type.

The thick sponge is wrapped in pure white cream.

There were countless red berries placed on top, two dolls made of marzipan near the center and a Christmas-like pattern gift box decorated.

"Cute! This is Eterna and me, right?!?

"Yes, Cyril asked me to make it"

"Wow, wow, wow! Eating... that's a waste. All right, it's my fault, and I'll eat Eterna, so Eterna eat me!

"Eat..."

Eterna making her face red.

Ink was decent, but soon realized what the word meant, blurring his face.

"Oh, well, that's not what I meant! Oh, but it's not like I don't want you to eat it. Oh, no, that's not the right time. Uh!

"I know, I was too conscious"

"Ahhh... and eat anyway? Cake, it looks so yummy!

Ink to delude with momentum.

Eterna also decided to ride it now, and when she magically created a knife of water, she put it on the surface of the cake.

If it's a regular knife, the cream really sticks, but if it's a constantly flowing blade of water, you don't have to worry about it.

Without any effort at all, just move your hands, and sharply the cake is severed.

Of course I avoided the doll and when I put a piece of cut on the plate, I put it in front of the ink.

She puts her cheeks on the table and observes the cross section as she adjusts her gaze to the height of the cake.

"It's just so thick, it's so tight in between."

Although not visible from the table, the cream-covered sponge cake is in fact divided into layers, during which it is also packed with cream and fruit.

When Eterna also split her share, they once again joined hands with 'I'll have it' and took the fork and carried the cake to their mouth.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

Blissful facial ink.

Eterna is also satisfied with its flavour, which is moderately accented by the refreshing aroma and acidic flavour of the berries in a cream that is not too sweet.

But she stops her hand with one bite and gives her a look that doesn't float.

"... Eterna?

There's no way the ink won't notice that Eterna's wrapping atmosphere has changed.

She also stopped her cake-eating hand and stared at Eterna worried.

"On a happy day like today, I don't know if this is the kind of story I want to talk about... I need to ask ink something"

"What?

"Back in the day. A mother of ink fruit was grabbed from the town where Maria was, raised as a mother's child - from then until she met us. Think I've never heard of it before."

"Ah... that's the story."

There must have been time, opportunity, as much as there was.

But somehow, I've avoided that topic.

Even if I'd listened to the Childrens, my relationship with Mother felt somewhat taboo.

"Why, do you want to know? Oh, it's not like I don't want to talk about it. Probably because if you don't, you don't know, but it doesn't matter."

"Just selfish. Because I could not forgive that there was a void in the ink that I did not know."

To Eterna's answer, the ink opened her eyes gently and she immediately showed her teeth, shaking her shoulders and laughing.

"Nfu."

"How can you laugh?"

"No, I thought it was heavy."

"Mm..."

"I never meant it badly. I just thought you were taking my relationship seriously enough to think about it. I felt love."

"I don't mind if you feel otherwise. In fact, I think so."

"Nhhhhhh"

"But I want you to stop laughing that way"

"I can't do that. If they say that, anyone can do it."

Laughing at Nico, Ink starts talking without breaking his expression.

"For me, Mother was a real mother. Even though I knew my real mother was something else, from the moment I realized it, that guy was so adorable about me. When I was two, the other four joined me, and I knew it would be hard to raise five of them by myself. I think I've been helping a lot since I was about four years old when I was blind. As a child, I suppose you call this a family, and I thought so."

At that time, there was still no difference between the first and second generations.

I guess Ink literally blindly believed in her love, without even knowing that his own eyes were crept out by his mother.

"I guess that's changed when I was about five. The Nects grew faster than me, and when they were about three years old, they were smart enough not to be that different from me anymore, and the motor nerves were way above me. Probably since then, he had a high status, and he heard“ Dad ”. And at the same time, the treatment from my mother has changed."

From children to experimental subjects.

No, the ink that was called a failure may no longer have even been the subject of it.

"It was really sudden to realize that, one day on the border, it suddenly got cold. I don't know if you found out that I was a failure as an Origincore experiment, or if Mother's feelings cooled. But my behavior as a“ mother ”was only superficial, and the time it took me was obviously shorter - because I was" sudden, "and I thought to myself," Oh, I wasn't loved from the beginning. "Uh, no, I mean, I thought about it, and now I think about it. I felt simply abandoned by my mother at the time, because I was lonely, sad, and I would sort out that feeling in my chest, so I did my best."

If you're going to lose your feelings one by one, or if it was an act from the beginning, I can understand it.

But probably not for Mother.

If you tried it from the person, not the act, you would have earnestly put your love into the ink at first.

But the “love” that Ink perceived was different from the “love” that Mother perceived.

At the age of five, Ink noticed the gap.

On the other hand, if you look at it from your mother, you still poured the least amount of love on someone who was worthless as an experimental animal.

Such ink fled and decided to walk with the Flams more than we did ourselves.

Oh, how ungrateful. This traitor - I thought so, and I stopped even taking care of my physique as a mother anymore - explains his actions as well.

Whether you can understand it or not.

"Naturally, if parents behave that way, the kids behave the same way. When we were close, Mute and Howis called me 'sister' about me, and I wonder if Luke was' sister '. Nect is' sister '. That's how you admired me... when I was dumped. I wonder if they even gave me a terrible nickname. Still, compared to the coolness of my mother, I think I still had a" family connection "with those kids... Exactly after four or five years, I'm cramped, my chest is bitter, and I'm not even family. I don't think I need to be here..."

"So I ran away."

"Yeah. It was impulsive, though."

That's what makes people run away from something, from somewhere.

Eterna engraves into her memory as she bites the words of the ink.

"Oh well... thanks. And I'm sorry I asked you this on a happy day."

"Yeah, it's okay. I wanted to talk to you someday, too. Just... me too, can I ask."

"How have I spent my life until I came to the king's capital?

"Yeah. 'Cause for nearly fifty years, you've been outside the king's capital, haven't you? But I don't think Eterna heard much about it back then."

"You're more right to say that you don't have much to talk about than you've never talked about it"

"It's been fifty years?

"For in the meantime I barely deal with others"

With that said, Eterna speaks of the memories of the time.

"As I told you that I lived as a subject in this house"

"My parents, Mr. Kinder and Mr. Claudia, were."

"Yes, experiments that can bring demonic properties to humans. As a result, I was the only one who survived, and your father and mother were about to be disposed of, and secretly put me in a carriage and missed me outside the king's capital."

Eterna is transported to a strange land, shaken between trolley luggage.

The place where the carriage stopped was a country I had never really heard of.

"Don't let people find you anyway. So I recklessly pushed myself toward the mountain. Fortunately, I could use the magic, so if a monster attacked me, I wouldn't die, and I could secure food for anything."

"That's annoying..."

"I think I lived my experience when I lived in a ghetto. So I wandered the mountain for a few days, and I found a cabin that no one was using, and I began to use it for Negijo."

At first, the house was full of rough all-you-can-dirt, not very much but not human-livable.

But any place compared to a ghetto is as happy as it is with a roof.

Besides, Eterna has magic.

Cleaning is easy, and it's a first aid, but it's a good thing to keep the roof from leaking.

"Collect mountain vegetables and nuts, hunt beasts and go home. I have lived such a life for a while. I don't know about the future, but I was so desperate to have every day that I didn't have time to think about that. Just to survive."

"Knowledge of medicinal herbs, when?

"Originally, I had gained knowledge of medicine and medicinal herbs when I was undergoing experiments. I expanded from there, and so on is more right. As I grew accustomed to that life, I gradually became able to afford it, and I began to carry out various studies"

"You've always liked experiments and stuff."

"The influence of your father and mother is great. For to me, those two were also admirers. However, if you live in the mountains that way, some people get lost occasionally"

Eterna remembered the event and narrowed her eyes sadly.

"... well, anyway, that's what happened"

"Wait, Eterna, didn't you just remember something?

"It's not a very pleasant story. I don't want you to hear it on a day like today."

"It's this time, and I'll spit it out. I don't think it's the kind of thing that gets lost right now."

……

Eterna to silence.

But that's what I just heard from the ink.

You can't just be yourself.

"Once, a child came. It was a girl. The kid seems to have gotten lost while playing in the mountains and reached the cabin. He was also wounded, so I brought his son into the house, and treated him, and sent him to the foot."

"That's sweet, Eterna."

"... but then, about twenty years later, I shall be reunited with her"

"Are you here to thank me or something?

Eterna shook her head to the side.

"At that time, just around the village, there was an epidemic. I couldn't take much of the crop, my nutritional status was getting worse, and the disease just happened to spread."

"What does that have to do with Eterna? Like you saved me?

"No. While I was helping an occasionally lost person, I was sometime called a“ witch ”. Of course that's just a rumor, but the name witch was just right to tailor it to the bad guys"

"Ah..."

"The people of the village at the foot were about to ascend the mountain with their weapons in their hands and attack my cabin. And when I stood before them, the girl who had helped twenty years earlier said this with her fingers clasped. 'I'm not old. I knew he was a bad witch and a monster'. And tried to kill me."

"For my part, I never cared less about its anomaly. I don't deal with other people, so it's natural. But not getting old is usually a very creepy thing"

"That's not true. Yikes!

"The senses change depending on who sees them. Everyone and he accept it as a matter of course - there is no such convenient world"

"Then you can change it!

"Hard, because it may be an ideal, but it is also about eliminating people with different ideals on the other hand. Besides, that doesn't change even normal people. It naturally exists whether we like it or not, and all humans know it, and we get along - there's no way there's such a world. So it is enough for me to say that ink likes me. In addition to that, Flam, Milkit, Cyrillic, Chocolate - all sorts of people are accepting of me now, anyway. I've never been happier."

Inked is similar.

Originally, my eyes were sewn together - that's all there is to it, there must be someone who doesn't look good.

In addition, they have inhabited the origin-core in their hearts, and as a result have claimed many human lives.

That fact cannot be accepted by all.

Those close to me are accepting.

There's even someone who loves me.

How happy and blessed such an environment is.

"... it's hard to live."

"So with or without a source of happiness at hand, satisfaction changes"

"Hmm... right. Someone you like tells me you like me. And he stays close. That's very blessed."

"So I want to take care of it - 'cause I'm out of line"

"Oh, I did. So, what happened to Eterna after that... yeah, what's up?

Just where the villagers were evicted and attacked, there's no way Eterna would lose.

That's why she's the one to choose.

"I did everything I could to be a bad guy and I threatened him."

"So you're glad?

"I don't hear you say you told me. So play something like evil god and say, 'You're getting more evil because you leave your bodies alone -' or 'You don't think you can beat me without that sacred herb -'"

"I'm advising..."

"The disease is too widespread, because even for me it was not where I wanted it to be. And soon the epidemic came to an end, and no one came near my cabin."

"... I don't know if I'd be happy."

"The trouble has left. That's only positive for me."

"That's all..."

I wasn't shocked, I guess I'd be lying.

But Eterna didn't care, she continued her life alone.

Perhaps somewhere in my mind, I've always had a sense of 'I'm not decent'.

So after twenty years, even if they treated me like a monster, they accepted it.

"But then you take Origin's announcement and you join the Cyrillics on their journey, right? What kind of change of heart is that?

"I was hoping to see my parents again someday"

"Didn't you think of a trap or something?

"Exactly fifty years later, the people of the kingdom are also being replaced. The people who came to call me that didn't seem to find my worth as an" experimental body "... well, that's what happened."

"Eterna......"

What Eterna remembers, of course, is what happened when she had sex with Necromancy.

Though false, she reunited with Kinder and Claudia for a temporary peace of mind.

It was a dream moment.

But it was a nightmare.

"Um, but I, I think. I knew Eterna was such a sweet guy from the roots."

The ink forcefully changes the subject and switches the air that is going to get dark.

"'Cause even though the villagers attacked me and that's about to make no one believe me, if I took part in all the journeys, I'd be teaching Flam a lot, right?

"That's because Fram has asked me to 'help at all'"

"But you taught with Gadio, didn't you? I could have said no."

"Well......"

"I mean, you saved my life, protected me, made it to my eyes, and at that point, I'm pretty sure it's already the nicest. Again, I thought nice people had seen me."

I fell back in love, I guess.

Without needing to fix it, the ink's preference for Eterna has already shaken off the meter, reaching the limit value ahead of the shake off, but the momentum is likely to even overtake it.

"For now...... this is the thing about my past. If you still want to talk about it, there are a number of fine topics."

"It's a chase, I guess."

"Yeah, 'cause we got plenty of time"

"Plenty... plenty... that's what I thought too, it's time for me to be fifteen... time flies fast"

Ink called smudging.

Eterna couldn't help but penetrate.

"It's still too early to think about that"

"Eterna will always be young, so come on. I can already see the decay..."

"There's no way. Well, but I'm sure we don't have time. That's what I've been talking to a certain person about."

"... consultation?

"I'm a hero for once, so I thought I'd say something important in advance."

"What are you talking about?

"I knew if I did, they would want me to be ready for about a year. I'm glad I talked to you. Ink is fifteen years old now. We only have one more year until we turn sixteen."

"That's... old enough to marry Eterna, isn't it?

Eterna doesn't even snort, she recommends more and more topics.

"Oh, yeah. Speaking of age, I talked to Saila the other day and got a little test."

"Wait, Eterna, I'm confused! What are you trying to talk about?

"If you'll just listen to me till the end, I'll know. Anyway, I did a test and got the results."

"Ugh, yeah......"

To the imposing Eterna sometime, bewildered ink.

And Eterna said something extraordinarily important.

"About my life span"

"What..."

Ink to lose words.

That's more than a story from the past, a topic she didn't try to touch.

"Originally I was a" success story ”of an experiment to embed demonic factors, but I don't know exactly how that affected my flesh"

"You said it before. He said he didn't know how long he'd live."

"I got that answer."

"... how long was it?

Ink grabs his fist over his thigh and asks with a serious look.

Eterna still did not change her expression and opened her mouth pale.

"In conclusion, my life span is as good as that of the Demons. I mean - if there's no sickness or accident, they can live around seventy years."

Listen to that, Gatang! and well motivated ink.

And I put my hands in heaven, and shouted out of the blue.

"You mean not much different from me!?

The lifespan of the ink itself is also unclear, but so far, the state of the body is little different from that of a normal human being.

That means I can live as much as Eterna.

"Yeah."

"Well, then, really, really, really, we can be together all the time!

"That's what happens. So I can tell you safely"

"Tell... what?

Eterna shifted her gaze to a marzipan doll riding on the cake.

Then the doll with the water colored hair gets up dull, takes a box placed nearby and walks to the front of the ink.

"What, what, what!? Alive!? The doll is alive!?

Surprisingly inked, the doll offered her the box and opened it all up.

Inside, a ring is shining with gold diamond on it.

"A little earlier than planned, but I want you to take it"

There is only one thing, such as what that ring means.

"Maybe this is... an engagement ring?

Eterna nodded quietly, but clearly.

"So, what was the story earlier, maybe... about having a wedding on my birthday or something? So you need to be prepared in advance..."

"I thought it would be nice if I could do that. It's just that every anniversary is a birthday, so if ink wants another day..."

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! And celebrate every year. Ugh, birthday and wedding anniversary together! Seventy times, 80 times!

For one reason or another - I really don't see it as one.

Everything is what I wanted.

Eterna is trying to make everything she wants come true, even though she doesn't mean to put it into words in particular.

"Oh... well, Eterna, I've been nervous... heh, yeah, I've decided to be nervous to give you the ring. Uh, what is it? No, I don't know, I'm, like, losing my mind right now!

The ink rests its hands on both cheeks and keeps moving, looking over there and over here.

Eterna, on the other hand, took a seat, and when she took that ring, faced the ink.

"Can I put it on?

That said, Eterna's left hand is offered.

Ink placed his trembling left finger, slowly, over its flat hand.

"Please, I will..."

Hearing the reply, Eterna put the ring on its left hand pharmacopoeia, slowly, with a hand made of magic.

Walk with me through all of that life - with that determination and readiness in your chest.

Slightly cold, its cold feel progresses deep into the pharmacopoeia.

When Eterna's hand was released, Ink brought that ring shining with his own hand to the front of his face and gazed.

"Uh... uh... I'm really Eterna's daughter-in-law..."

It was a decision.

I also didn't think it was possible to disappear on the way.

However, when it thus fits into the finger as a shape, it is also very touching.

From the eyes of nature and ink, tears flow down.

"Eterna's, daughter-in-law... me... eh"

Eterna wiped her flowing tears with her fingers gently.

Ink then laughs as he cries and conveys the emotions that overflow in his chest, in words as they are.

"Thank you, Eterna. I'm really happy. And I'll always be happier! Because Eterna will be with me... all the time, together..."

But overpriced emotions interfere with the word this time.

Even though I have so much to tell you, it's still not enough.

Seeing such nonsense, Eterna hugs the head of the ink to her chest with every tear.

Ink rubbed his face around and inhaled the smell of Eterna all over his chest.

"Oh, I really don't know how to like Eterna anymore......!

Something has already gone wrong.

But it's going to work out better.

I can't take it back any longer, but I'm getting into more depth.

"Ha... ah... if I get such an extraordinary gift, it could be me, Kasumi... eh"

"You got something for me?

"Yeah... you see, when I changed earlier, I didn't take this ribbon off, did I?

Ink pointed to the red ribbon attached to his head once he spoke of his body from Eterna.

"The... ribbon, the same goes for the box that contained Eterna's ring earlier, but something to put on the gift... what the hell"

My eyes moisten.

At the top, she looks up at Eterna.

"So... the..."

To put it this far, even Eterna understands what she wants.

But after all, I wanted to hear it in Ink's own words.

Will this not mess with me?

No, it shouldn't be.

Because no one, not just Eterna, would have.

"Ah... I want you to take me!

Not only life, but all of it.

If you're a lover, you'll get there someday.

But until now, somehow, I've avoided, the relationship before the kiss.

"I'm already your daughter-in-law, okay?

Such reasoning could not have been given, nor could it have been refused.

Besides, for the most part - although Eterna herself set up the situation - there is no flam, no mill kit, no Cyril, no chocolate.

Until tomorrow morning, there will only be Eterna and ink in this house.

Eterna exchanged her twenty-fifth kiss today in lieu of a reply.

The Holy Night grows quieter.

It doesn't matter how cold the snow pours.

Hot, melty sweetness.