Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all~


Christmas Chapter "Judgement of Christmas"

Γ Gallerian ~Marlon Mansion's "Study" ~

"The wind's getting chilly lately. I better get myself some hot chocolate before checking these papers."

It's the peak of December and you know what that means? Time to let the dogs out!

Everyday is the same. People come by and sing caroling songs, expecting to be given money. What a scam. Do you expect me to give them even a single cent for just singing? HELL NO.

As I sip some hot chocolate, I took a peek at the news paper.

"2 days before Christmas!" it says.

Christmas day is the world's most renowned scam. You spend MONEY and give it as GIFTS. And what do you get in return? Nothing. No beneficiary, no interest, nothing. But I have to admit it, whoever thought of this idea is a genuine scammer. You get to receive stuff, FOR FREE and they don't expect to a return of favor.

I checked the exam papers and other school work needed to be done when someone suddenly came in.

"Father, someone is singing caroling songs outside. Can I give them some money? Her voice is so beautiful"

"What?! What happened to the guard dogs?!"

"They—"

I stood up and went for the front door.

"Ah! Father!"

As I got near the entrance, the singing got louder. There was only one singing voice and it was very familiar. When I arrived, I immediately opened the door.

"Envy through the world~… Oh, hello there, Gallerian."

"Kayo! What are you doing here? What happened to my guard dogs?"

"Oh these pups? They were so cute, I could cuddle them."

I saw the guard dogs sitting next to Kayo and being very obedient. Impossible! I got these dogs directly from the special forces of the military! They should only obey me and my daughter. How did Kayo…

"Gallerian, we will have a Christmas party here, in your mansion"

"Why all of the sudden…"

"Because you seem lonely, celebrating Christmas with just your daughter."

"…No. Absolutely not. The only gift I plan to give is to my daughter. This has happened for-"

"Father, is she the one who was singing outside?"

My daughter, who was on a wheel chair, was behind me. The guard dogs immediately came inside and clung unto her.

"Ah! Nice to meet you Gallerian's Daughter-san~

"Good Evening. Your voice was beautiful. Do you know her, father?"

"Uhm- Yeah! She is just a student from the school I work from. She was just about to lea-"

"Daughter-san~ you really do like one of my underlings. What's your name?"

"My name is…"

"Kayo, my daughter is not your underling…"

"Father, I'm having a conversation with Kayo-san. Please wait for your turn"

"Tsk"

I heard Kayo snicker when my daughter said that.

"Pffft. Anyway, daughter-san, I was just talking to your father about the Christmas party we were going to have here in your house."

"Really father?! We're going to have a Christmas party here?"

"What? No! I haven't agreed…"

"Please father! Every Christmas, it's just you and me celebrating it. I don't have friends because you don't let me go outside or attend school. The only friends I have are the stuff toys you give me and the plants I water in our miniature garden."

"You're pretty harsh on your daughter aren't you, Gallerian?"

"Shut up! Don't tell me what is best for my daughter! Leave, now!"

"But…"

"No buts. C'mon, let's head back inside. It's chilly outside. Goodbye, Kayo-kun"

I let the dogs out and closed the door. I pushed the handles on my daughter's wheel chair and led her back to her room.

"Father, when are you going to let me have some real friends?"

"You can have real friends anytime my dear. I just don't want you to befriend someone like Kayo."

"But why?"

"Let's just say she is an Evillious girl"

"What does Evillious mean-"

As we arrive at her room and went inside, just before my daughter could finish her sentence, I locked her up, not giving an answer.

"Geez, Father…"

"Good night my one and only daughter"

I headed back to the study room.

Σ Kayo ~ Marlon Mansion "Miniature Garden" ~

That greedy bastard, not even letting me in and offer some hot chocolate or something. Dammit Gallerian, I'm freezing here! As I stood frozen in front of the mansion, a guard dog came to me. It had a note stuck on top of its nose.

"Please meet me in the miniature garden behind our mansion"

The name on the bottom was smudged off but I knew it came from Gallerian's daughter because this was the dog that clung on her.

Because the dogs were loyal, they didn't bark at me at all but instead just barked at the people who attempted to sing caroling songs. A walked around the mansion until I saw a beautiful lighted garden at the back. It was full of Christmas decorations. I knew Gallerian weren't the type to just spend needlessly so I assumed it was decorated by her daughter.

As I waited in the garden, a pink scarf fell on my head. I looked up only to see Gallerian's daughter waving at me. She was signaling me to come up to her room and to remain silent. I saw light coming out from the other window. That must be where Gallerian is. Fortunately, there was a grape vine trellis on the wall. How stupid of Gallerian, making a ladder for burglars. As I got on the 2nd floor window, I got in and warmed myself up. I felt like Romeo coming for Juliet.

"Good Evening again Kayo-san. Plea warm yourself up with the scarf and would you like some hot chocolate?"

"Good Evening to you too and yes, please and thank you."

Her room was grand like it was made for a princess; a grand bed, a grand closet full of grand clothes, everything is grand.

"You sure are spoiled"

"Yes. My father likes to spoil me with expensive things. I can't deny him when it makes him feel happy. Here's your hot chocolate, Kayo-san"

She handed me an expensive looking tea cup on a saucer. The smell alone makes my body hot. This must be imported chocolate.

As I sip and became warm, I asked her:

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"About the Christmas party you and father discussed about."

"What about it?"

"I want to do it here"

"How can you get your father's permission?"

"Father will do anything I want for as long as it's for the good of me."

"Hoho you really are a spoiled bra- I mean, child. Go on~"

Gallerian's daughter plotted with me to have a Christmas party in their mansion. Despite how she looks, she is very clever, unlike her father. I wonder where her mother is?

Γ Gallerian ~Marlon Mansion's "Kitchen" ~

One day before Christmas. I heard a lot of barking and screaming last night. Yup, life is good. And this warm coffee right in the morning made by my cute daughter makes it all worthwhile.

You may ask, even though my daughter is crippled, why do I let her do house work? Because I don't trust maids. Even though she can't walk, she is very good when it comes to cooking and gardening. How is the cleanliness of our mansion maintained? It is because of yours truly. What? Did you think I was just a lowly bastard who loves money? I may love "dirty" money but I hate dirty places.

"Here's your breakfast father~"

"Ahh, two soft-boiled eggs, two strips of bacon and a cup of ice cream, my favorite!"

Although you would expect me to eat luxurious food, I don't. It's a waste of money. It's also bad for your health. So my daughter grows organic fruits and vegetables in our beautifully decorated garden. I also keep some poultry but not live stock like pigs and cows; only chicken because believe it or not, there is such a thing as Chicken flavored ice cream. Yum yum!

Before I knew it, my daughter was already finished with the dishes. She came up to me.

"Father, about tomorrows Christmas party…"

"…Do you want us to spend it outside?"

"What? No… I… want it to be here, in the living room. So I want it decorated as much possible like a Christmas tree, some Christmas socks, a mistletoe, etc. and some random gifts…"

"…"

Why would she suddenly want to that? This was the first time she ever looked forward to Christmas.

"OK, we will stop by the mall later"

"Yey~"

This was the first I saw her smile like that… just like her mother's… After her mother's death, she never smiled like that again. What's gotten into her?

Γ Gallerian ~Mall ~

In the afternoon, we rode my car went for the shopping mall. As we window shopped and because I was pushing the handles of her wheelchair, I noticed she kept looking at a list she had with her.

"Why do you have a list with you?"

"Ahh, ehh, this are all the things I want you to buy me."

"Let me see… Hmm, this hand writing looks familiar…"

"What are you talking about father? This was always my handwriting…"

"Then… why do you need a green sleep mask, a pink kimono, a green robin feather pen, a purple dagger, a white ribbon, a yellow coated green onion, red wine and… a yellow whetstone?"

"…I want to try new stuff father. I read a lot of things in our library and this things interest me. I also want them wrapped up individually"

"…what's the use of wrapping them up if you already know what you are going to get?"

"It's the spirit of Christmas. We could at least do it the traditional way."

"…Daughter, you have the strangest ideas… just like your mother. C'mon, let's grab a bite first before shopping"

"OK~"

Although I wanted to eat at some fancy restaurant, my daughter suggested we eat at a commoner's restaurant aka a fast food restaurant… What's gotten in my daughter lately? Well, it's fine. She looks happy so I'll go along with it.

I sat on a vacant table for two and waited as my daughter wanted to wait in line and order our food. I can see people staring at her. There's no doubt about it though, she is dressed like a doll. Of course people would set their eyes at my daughter. As she finished ordering, I can see the troubled face of the cashier. They would wonder how she would be able to move her chair while carrying food so the cashier ordered someone to help her. When they arrived at this table, I can sense the evil glares of the people and their whispers.

"Is he her father?"

"What a bad father, letting her crippled daughter order food for him"

This is why I hate commoners. Their judgment is flawed; one sided judgment. Suddenly, some woman came up to me.

"Are you the father of this girl?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

"You should be ashamed of yourself! Letting your daughter do the work"

"I don't want to hear-"

Suddenly, my daughter cut me off.

"Lady, please don't hastily judge things one sidedly. In your perspective, my father seem to be a heartless man letting me do the work but in truth, it was I who wanted to do it and my father just let me do what I please."

"I… I still think it's wrong for a father to let her disabled daughter do it…"

"If it disturbs you that much, then we will leave. C'mon father, I'll the order the food as take out and let's eat somewhere else."

My daughter right now has the same confidence as her mother. She looks just like to be exact, minus the wheel chair and green hair.

As it seems that people are disturbed wherever we eat so we went shopping first. It took us all afternoon before we could finish. All of the things we bought will be delivered in the evening including the gigantic Christmas tree.

There was a giant open air fountain in the middle of the mall. The water patterns that flowed showed an image of a Christmas tree. The green, yellow and red lighting made it even better. The hamburger and fries my daughter bought got all cold but since it's from her, it doesn't matter.

"Wait here father, I'll go get some hot coffee."

My daughter rolled her way to the coffee vending machine and fetch me some black coffee.

"Here you go father."

I blew the coffee and sipped a little. Even though we went around the mall for the whole afternoon, she doesn't seem to be getting tired. In fact, she seems happier than before. I wonder why?

"Father, it's the evening before Christmas. Let's rest for a while before going home."

My daughter smiled as she sipped the hot chocolate she also bought. I can't take it anymore. I stood up and kneeled in front of her.

"Daughter, why are you so happy?"

"Because… I'm thankful to have such a loving father. I'm thankful for all the things you give me and trying to be a father and mother role at the same time. I'm thankful for being alive"

I cried. Those were the exact last words of her mother after the incident. I hugged her and cried. After a moment, a snowflake fell on me.

"Ah! Father, it's snowing!"

"You're right. I should buy you some earmuffs. And we better get home soon. The delivery truck might come anytime soon."

"OK~"

We rode our way home and as we got there, the guard dogs were already barking at the delivery men.

My daughter calmed the dogs and I instructed the delivery men where to put the Christmas tree and all other decorations. It took them till midnight to set up the gigantic tree in the garden. When they finished, I didn't even consider giving them a tip. They looked mad but my daughter just thanked them and gave them a smile. They went off with happy smiles… Bastards.

As we looked up the gigantic tree decorated with lots of light and stuff, my daughter's fatigue finally overcome her. I carried her over to her room and gave a good night kiss on her fore head. The last time I did that was when my wife encouraged me to do so.

Γ Gallerian ~ "Park" ~

The next morning, my daughter invited me to walk the dogs. This was a first. We only had two guard dogs so each of us handled one. The last time I went to the park was when my daughter was still just a baby. With my wife, we were just strolling around looking at birds, skipping rocks in the pond, feeding the ducks and having a picnic. Those were happy times.

My daughter was carrying a lunchbox. She said we had to have picnic here at lunch then stroll other places the whole afternoon. She must want to preserve our garden's scenery for the evening.

"Father, I want to skip some rocks."

"OK, We'll need to find one that skips a lot; a flat one"

I searched around and saw the perfect flat stone. I remembered my childhood days, I was always teased for having a weak, uncontrollable arm but not today. I smashed a lot of gavel during my time in law school. I positioned myself beside the lake and posed my throwing style. I wish for my daughter to see how awesome her father is.

I took a look at my daughter… and she was playing the dog.

I dropped and immediately became depressed.

"Father, what are you doing lying there? Aren't you going to skip rocks?"

That's because you weren't watching! I regained confidence and assumed my stance. I can feel it, this is going to skip a million times!

As I threw the rock in sideways, allowing it to have spin potential…

It sunk… without even skipping once.

"You suck at this, father."

I became more depressed. Wait… where have I heard these lines before?

The guard dog fetched my daughter a blunt stone. That stone isn't going to skip, it's too round.

My daughter, even without some potential force, was able to skip it five to eight times… Déjà vu… I remember… this exactly happened on our first date. Michelle… I want to see right now.

"See father, I was able to skip it eight times!"

I just went up to her, patted her head and smiled.

"Good for you"

It was already lunch time. We found a great picnic spot just below the cherry blossoms. Surprisingly, there weren't many people around. Or maybe because the guard dogs scared them off.

Our picnic was composed of some sandwiches, some meat for the dogs and ice cream. There always have to be ice cream. Whenever I have ice cream, I always have to use the spoon my mother gave me. It was a big spoon and I always have to use it with me whenever there is ice cream. You can say it was my good luck charm throughout my life.

Γ Gallerian ~Marlon Mansion ~

We did a lot of things and before we knew it, it was already evening. As we came home, what was odd was… the house lights were on and the main gate was also unlocked. Are we being robbed?! I hurriedly released the guard dogs in search for the robbers.

"Father! Wait…!"

"Ooouuuuccch!"

A scream was heard in the garden. I immediately went for where the scream was.

"…Sateriajis-kun?!"

"Hey there Galleria-sensei, could you please get the dogs off my leg? I'm painfully bleeding like only the hellish yard master knows here."

I ordered the dogs to stand guard then continued to question Mr. Venomania.

"What are you doing here?! Are you robbing us?"

"Before that, please take me to nurse Clarith who's inside the mansion. I'm dying here you know."

"Nurse Clarith is inside?! Why?!"

I hurriedly went inside.

"Gallerian-sensei! My leg!"

I went for the living room and immediately saw… girls, including my daughter, in santa out fits.

"What a mad time~ it's the wrong time~ to kill the night away~"

…Kayo, Margarita, Rilliane, Nurse Clarith, Michaela and… my daughter, who was in the middle, were wearing santa out fits.

"Merry Christmas Gallerian-sensei~"

"What… How…"

"Yeah, Merry Christmas, you greedy… man. If you're wondering how we got in, it was all thanks to your daughter here. She planned it all out."

"…Is that true?"

"Merry Christmas father! The reason why I wanted to take out the dogs for a walk was for Kayo-san and the others to prepare this feast"

"She is a clever girl indeed."

"But… when did you two become friends?"

"A few days ago when you selfishly lock me out."

"…I don't understand"

"Hohoho!"

Suddenly, a mischievous silhouette came out. It was Banica-kun in a santa out fit too.

"Good Evening my children! I, Julia Abelard, have brought you gifts from my gift factory!"

"…Julia Abelard?"

I don't know why but I an ominous feeling when I heard that. Her attitude wasn't like Banica-kun at all. It was like she was a totally different person.

"First gift is… for Sateriajis-kun. Where is he?"

"Oh yeah. Nurse Clarith, Sateriajis-kun is bleeding outside."

"What?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

"…Next off is… for Banica-chan~ does anybody know where Banica-chan is?"

"…."

"She must be in the buffet already. Next is… for Rilliane-chan~ Here ya go~"

She continued to give out gifts. Surprisingly, everyone, excluding myself, was given gifts.

What the surprise was… the gifts I bought were the ones being distributed… I knew I've seen those hand writings, it was Kayo's… Again, I was needlessly made to spend things for others… Kayo was the true mastermind…

Sateriajis-kun got the green sleeping mask.

Banica-kun got the pink kimono

Rilliane-kun got a green robin feather pen. Unexpectedly, she is writing her own story. How did Kayo knew about that?

Allen-kun got the purple dagger. Apparently, it was small and easy to carry around. He said he always wanted something for self-defense.

Margarita-kun got the white ribbon. When she wore it to tie her hair, it was unexpectedly cute. But it would be cuter if my daughter wore it.

Nurse Michaela and Nurse Clarith got the yellow coated green onion and the red wine, respectively. I never would have thought nurse Clarith would drink and… what the hell is the green onion for? Is she going to swing it up and down and sing Ievan Polka?

Finally, Kayo-kun got the yellow whetstone… I never really understood why we bought a whetstone but now that I know it is to be given to Kayo-kun…

"Thank you for waiting everyone! Dinner Time!~"

Allen-kun burst from the dining hall. The table was filled with food. We all sat down and began to eat.

But before I sat down, my daughter called for me.

"Father, thank you for not spoiling the fun and letting your students have a Christmas party here. I love you"

My heart jumped. This was the first my daughter said she loved me. She then began to place herself beside the table. I sat at the center chair and raised my glass.

"Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone! Please don't forget to pay your bill for the food you are about to eat and the gift you just receive~ Cheers!"

"…."

"What a cheapskate…"

"Father, you idiot!"