Kingdom of Ancula in the Land of Pirates, Month of Stars…-.
Snow was falling over the sea of Ancula…-.
“Oh?” says Douglas, “this is unusual.”
“Does it not snow much here?” you ask.
“Ancula’s sea is vast,” Douglas replies. “When it gets to be this time of year, we can go abroad and see things we usually wouldn’t be able to, like this.”
“Snow–!!” shouts one sailor.
“Right-o, let’s sing!!” another calls back.
“Snow falls on the sea’s route. Merry sailors are we. We sail across the white sea~”
“Aah,” Douglas says in response to the sailors as they raise their voices in song, “they sure are in high spirits. Sorry about that.”
“It’s alright,” you reply. “It looks like they’re having fun.”
“It’ll be the new year soon.” Douglas says. “They’re pretty restless about it.”
“The new year?” you ask.
Douglas looks at you. “Yeah, didn’t you know?”
“No,” you respond. “I guess that means it’s about Christmas time then.”
“Christmas?” Douglas asks. “What’s that?”
“Ah…”
You realize that while the people of Ancula recognize the start of the new year, they don’t know what Christmas is.
“In the world I came from,” you begin to explain, “it’s something that would happen around this time of year. The town would sparkle with decorations, and we would exchange presents with family and those we loved… There was always a happy feeling in the air around Christmas. And we have a person named Santa Clause…-“
Douglas says nothing as you tell him about Christmas.
“Douglas?” you ask.
“It’s nothing,” he says. “It must be a good celebration for you to talk about it so affectionately. It’s a good look on you.”
“Th-that’s…” You stutter and trail off. “Well, I kind of miss it.”
“…right then,” Douglas says suddenly, “let’s try it out.”
“Eh?”
“This Christmas thing…that lights up your face like that,” he says.
…
……
“Douglas—! OO!!” Corail calls out.
“Yo, Corail, Sarasa. You made it.” Douglas greets them as the two arrive at his ship.
“…it’s been a while,” Sarasa says.
“OO!” Corail calls out to you. “You’re skin is as silky as ever~! It feels so nice.”
“Wha!” you exclaim as Corail touches you. “Corail, that tickles.”
“…what are we doing today?” Sarasa asks.
“Right,” Douglas says, turning to Sarasa and Corail. “I figured we’d try out this Christmas thing.”
“Christmas?” Corail and Sarasa both question Douglas.
“It’s a festival from the world OO came from,” Douglas explains.
“Yes,” you continue.”We spend time with family and loved ones, and exchange presents.”
“Loved ones!?” Corail exclaims. “So you mean a date!?”
“If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, then it can be.”
“Sounds fun~!” Corail says excitedly. “A date with OO!”
“Afterwards,” you continue, “we go to parties and eat special foods…”
“Special food…” Sarasa remarks. “…is it…fish?”
“Ah, no,” you respond hastily, “it’s turkey, a kind of bird.”
“Oh…”
You’re slightly confused at Sarasa’s response, but then Douglas chimes in.
“By the way,” he says, “I went and invited him too.”
“You mean Orion?” Corail asks.
“…he probably won’t come.” Sarasa adds. “He doesn’t like these kinds of things.”
“Geez,” Douglas says, “guess it can’t be helped…hup!”
“Douglas…” you ask, “what are you doing?”
“You just dropped a fishing line in the sea…” Corail notes, observing Douglas.
“Yup.” Douglas replies. “Fishing. I wrote a letter saying he might find something interesting and hung it in the sea.”
“Eeeh!?” Corail exclaims. “You think he’ll come from…”
“Oi, Douglas,” comes the sound of Orion’s voice. “Are you serious about what’s in this letter…-.”
“He caaaaaame!” Corail shouts.
Douglas laughs. “Haha, effective right?”
Orion looks around the ship. “Corail, Sarasa, OO…?”
“It’s…it’s been a while Orion,” you say hesitantly.
“Douglas,” Orion turns to the ship captain. “…you bastard, are you mocking me…!?”
“Oh what’s the harm,” Douglas shrugs. “It’s Christmas after all.”
“Christmas…?” Orion asks in confusion. “What’s that?”
“A party,” Douglas says simply.
“It’s a date!” Corail shouts.
“The fish will be fine,” Sarasa puts in. “…we won’t eat them.”
“…I seriously don’t get it,” Orion says finally.
“Oh, well you see…” you start to explain, but Douglas cuts in.
“Well, anyway there’s a bunch of fun stuff. What’s the harm in a little fun?”
“This is ridiculous,” Orion responds. “I’m leaving.”
“Orion…” You say his name.
“Is what I’d like to say,” Orion continues. “But if you partner up with me, I probably won’t think too much about it.”
“Eh…”
“You can’t Orion~!” Corail cuts in. “OO is my date!”
“You’re still too young,” Orion says bluntly.
“I am not!” Corail responds indignantly. “I can escort her right! I’ll show her the coral in the sea!”
You hesitate, thinking of going swimming in the freezing water.
“…Corail,” Sarasa cuts in.
You turn to Sarasa, glad that he’s about to speak some sense to Corail.
“There are no birds in the sea.”
That’s not the point…! You think in exasperation.
“Corail,” you say, “…I-I think it’d be better if we stay on the ship.”
“Eh~!?” Corail exclaims in surprise.
“Haha!” laughs Douglas. “Then it’s decided! Alright, let’s get ready for a party!!”
“Oi!” shouts Orion. “Don’t pull me into this! First tell me what the heck this Christmas thing is…!!”
“Alcohol,” Douglas answers, short and simple again.
“Presents!” shouts Corail.
“…bird,” finishes Sarasa.
“I don’t get it!” shouts Orion.
…
……
“Kaaaaah!” Douglas exclaims after taking a drink. “This Christmas thing is nice! The best!”
Orion remains silent in response to Douglas’ excitement.
“What’s wrong Orion?” he asks. “You got such a sour look on your face when we can finally have Christmas. Ah, though I guess that’s how you always look…haha.”
“Are you seriously trying to make me mad right now…?” Orion replies. “That aside, OO!”
“Y-yes!?” You respond as Orion calls out to you.
“What exactly is this Christmas…-“
“Douglas~!” Corail cuts in, “There’s trouble with Sarasa!!”
You look over at Sarasa questioningly, and notice he’s singing. The sailors are all in a tizzy around him.
“Prince Sarasa~!! You’re the best!” they cry out.
“Merpeople’s songs have strange powers!” Corail explains. “Everyone’s already high on his singing! It’s like ‘Sarasa on Stage’, and I’m worried cause he gets nervous around so many people~!”
“Prince Sarasa! Prince Sarasa!” The sailors are all chanting his name.
Sarasa stands there, unsure of what to do.
“Raise your right hand!” Corail shouts to him.
“Hahaha!” Douglas laughs, watching the events unfold. “Looks like Sarasa is having fun too.”
“…shut up.” Orion says. “Oi!”
“Y-yes!” You respond as Orion once more calls out to you.
“What the heck is this Christmas thing…!?” Orion finally finishes asking you.
At that moment, you realize that Orion hadn’t been around when you’d explained it the first time.
“Well, you see…” you begin.
“It’s like a festival where you spend time with people who are important to you right?” Douglas says. “That’s Christmas. Everyone’s together, our friends and OO…good times. Here, have a glass.”
“Hmph,” is all Orion responds with as he takes the offered glass.
“Ah, me too, me too!!” Corail shouts.
“No alcohol for you,” Orion says.
“You’re too overprotective Orion!” Corail retorts.
“OO,” Douglas says as he turns to you. “What is it we should say? That thing you told us.”
“…at Christmas, we say this:” you begin. “Merry-…-“
“Merry Christmas,” says Sarasa.
“Merry Christmas!!” shout all the sailors.
You grow silent as everyone cheers.
“Hahaha!!” Douglas laughs. “A nice night!”
“…this is ridiculous,” mutters Orion.
“Orion, you look like you’re having fun!” Corail remarks.
“What exactly about me makes you say that?” he replies.
“Alright, we’ll do it right this time,” Douglas says.
[Merry Christmas]