Let us begin our story with a whimsical rhyme

Twas a wonderful world, in a wonderful time.

When the land was blanketed in soft crisp snow

And our heroes share in a fire's warm glow

Darkness told tales of her childhood bliss

While Aqua was being overly religious

Megumin wrote a letter to her parents,

And Kazuma sang out "Merry Christmas!"

Yes, in just a few days would come the most joyful time of the year. And our heroes were feeling just a bit merrier because of it. Well, you wouldn't really be able to tell from looking at them.

"Honestly, some gods have it super easy." she grumbled while continuing her diatribe. "Some of them got highly regarded holidays just for being born! I had to save at least six droughts before I even got an obscure holiday in a random world that hardly anyone outside the Axis sect even knows about! Well, at least I can rely on my followers to celebrate World Water Day."

"Say what now?" said Kazuma, glancing away from his ax sharpening.

"March 22nd." said Aqua. "It's a holiday all about the importance of water in our society. And, being the goddess of water, it's considered my holy day! It's not on my birthday though, and most of the people from your world probably don't know anything about it! It's totally unfair!"

"My dearest friend Aqua," Darkness explained. "You are truly the only person who can make one of the world's most important holiday's into a problem. Besides, Christmas hasn't been about gods for over a century in Axel. It's about enjoying your time with your loved ones, and making merry with peace and goodwill. Iris and I loved decorating the family tree together. I remember the year she asked Santa for a magical sword. In the end, she ended up stealing her mother's!""

"I see…" Kazuma continued sharpening. "The innocence of a child is always welcome over the holiday period."

Huh, now that I think about it, this is my first real Christmas in a while. I spent the last two broke and in debt, and before that, five locked up in my room. It's almost a little surreal to get back into the holiday spirit. Well, I guess I could use a good time.

"Kazuma, Kazuma!" Megumin excitedly leaped off her seat.

"Yes, I'm Kazuma."

'What did you ask Santa for?" she said, her eyes glowing. "If you must know, I've requested a new hair accessory! Komekko's probably going to ask for a new mage's cape. Seriously, her current one is beginner to resemble a bar rag…"

What exactly is she talking about? Some kind of really generous neighbor who dresses up as Santa? Sure, I've seen people like that back in Japan, but back in her village…

"What exactly do you mean by 'ask Santa for'?" Kazuma said, his eyes narrowed

"...The process of writing a friendly letter to Santa, asking him to bring you a specified gift on Christmas morning via his magical reindeer." Megumin innocently tilted her head. "Why? Is there something I'm missing?"

Kazuma blinked. Was she serious? Like, legit?

"Forgive me, but I don't recall us receiving any gifts last year from anyone except that guy from the bar." he pointed out.

"Kazuma, were you not aware we were all on the Naughty list back then?" Megumin said, before her eyes shrank. "That explains so much…"

"All of us?" Kazuma said.

"Please, do not try to deny it Kazuma." Darkness said. "You were a pervert, Megumin was insane, I was selfish, and Aqua was… how do I say… unpleasant."

"Fine, fine." Kazuma nodded.

Wait, why is she agreeing with her? And more importantly, my own archiwzard apparently still believes in Santa Claus! I mean, she is the youngest member of the party, that's for sure, but I figured it out when I was eight! Oh gosh, how do I break it to her…

"Look, Megumin, I don't know how you haven't figured it out by now, but Santa isn't actually-"

"What about you Darkness?" Meguin turned to Darkness. "What did you ask him for?"
"Oh… um… I…" Darkness stammered while Megumin gleefully leaned in closer, her eyes lighting up like lanterns. "You see, the thing about Santa is…"

"Yes, of course, good ol' Santa Claus!" Kazuma nervously chuckled as his visage shifted drastically. "I asked him for a uh… magic ring! Yes, that's it, a ring with magical properties to help with adventuring!"
Her delusions are one thing, but only a truly heartless person could ruin that wonderful adorable smile, even if she is an Explosion loli! Kazuma mentally teared up.

"Huh? Something up, Kazuma?" Megumin said.

"Nothing!" he quickly said.

Megumin shrugged.

"What about you, Aqua?" she resumed her ecstatic interrogation of her party members. Aqua simply smiled and put a finger to her lips.

"It's a secret." she said.

"Well, I'm gonna go find a tree to cut down." Kazuma hoisted the ax over his shoulder. Anything to escape this dishearteningly nostalgic conversation.

"Kazuma, can I come with you?" said Megumin.

"I mean… sure."

And so, with the thought of Santa on his heart

Kazuma went to do his part

His excited lover by his side

Though the extent of his love, he has denied

For despite their fights and disagreements

Their chuuni hearts made secret amendments

And an unknown love began to bloom

Or at least that's what the fandom will tell you

Kazuma searched the public pine forest. Thanks to some rather lax property taxes on woodlands, and the fact that apparently only a few classes could take ax-related skills, he was able to get a considerably good bargain on a Christmas tree.

"This one looks good." He indicated to a nice tall one. "It'll fit great inside of our living room."

"Perfect!" said Megumin. "I've never had such a large tree before."

"Eh?" Kazuma blinked. Then he recalled Megumin's… less than optimal financial situation.

"Still, Komekko's eyes were always incredibly bright when we decorated that old shrub." she sighed wistfully. "Oh sorry, I got a little nostalgic."

"No, continue." he chuckled, as his ax lit up with a skill. "Cleave!"

"My whole family looked forward to Christmas. Dad loved decorating the house with magical lights. Mom made her famous roast. When Grandpa was still with us, he'd tell stories of famous heroes from our village. But my favorite tradition was on Christmas eve, when the entire village gathers around the big tree in the town square and sings the Seven Songs, each representing a different point in our history. And they covered the tree with hundreds if not thousands of beautiful decorations, some magical, some not. It was planted at the village's first Christmas you know? A symbol of its almighty power, and the longevity of the Crimson Demon race… is what Grandpa would say. Grandpa…" Kazuma almost though he heard a sniffle as he struck the tree again. "He never spoke much, and couldn't remember my name half the time, but he was still very happy. I'm glad… to think he's with Grandma again, in the eerie heart of the netherworld!"

That took a sudden dark turn! Kazuma thought. And with such an innocent tone! I should really read up on her culture, at least so I can understand when she makes references like that.

"It sounds like you've got a lot of happy memories from the holidays." he said, his mind wandering back on his own life.

"From the way you phrased that, it almost seems like you don't have any."

He sighed.

"It's a long story. I've made quite a few mistakes back in Japan, and I think my parents made a couple of their own. I can't pinpoint the exact moment I went wrong, but I lost a lot of the best years of my life to being a NEET. During that time, I rarely ever left my room, not even for Christmas. The way a Crimson Demon might describe it is that I lost the magic of the holiday, at least until I came here. Sure, it crossed my mind a couple times the last two years, but our far more pressing debts sort of took priority. I guess this makes this my first… real Christmas in a while."

As he made another cut into the tree, he felt Megumin's delicate hands on his shoulders.

"Kazuma… I want to make this Christmas special for everyone. And you just gave me yet another reason to do it."

"Don't make things worse with pity." Kazuma sliced through the tree one final time. "Timber!"

Just then, they heard a loud yelp from behind the tree. Standing a few meters away was a very familiar face, quickly hiding behind another tree.

"Yunyun?" said Megumin. Her rival blushed when she realized she had been spotted.

"Uh…" She quickly slapped herself in the face and immediately went to her normal persona. "Megumin! It would seem that we cross paths yet again! And now, I have trained long and hard to finally beat you in…"

"Were you eavesdropping on us?" said Kazuma.

"EH? Of course not!" Yunyun said, her face turning redder than her eyes. It was at this point when Megumin noticed a small notebook in the snow.

"Huh? What's this?" she picked it up. Yunyun's personal diary maybe? Why did she bring it with her if… WHAT?

The notebook proceeded to list a detailed schedule of Megumin's lifestyle, a day-to-day compilation of events that occasionally occurred in her life, a comprehensive list of all her abilities and proficiencies, a record of every duel they ever had and most of the battles Megumin had participated in, and most disturbingly, an elaborate series of potential strategies to defeat her.

"Hey! Give that back!" Yunyun immediately snatched the notebook back. "That's personal…"

Having to resort to stalking and obsession just to maintain an okay relationship… how far is this girl going to go?

"Shouldn't you be at the Crimson Demon village, helping prepare for the Christmas celebration?" said Kazuma. Megumin let out a sigh while Yunyun stared at her feet.

"As the daughter of the chief, Yunyun's responsibility is to place the coronatite star on top of the tree. However, the clan's leaders unanimously agreed it would be best to reduce her responsibility to just that. And since the decorations have been complete, Yunyun's schedule is wide open."

"W-What are you talking about, Megumin?" Yunyun twiddled her fingers. "I have tons of stuff to do for Christmas."

Megumin's eyes narrowed.

"You mean buying gifts for everyone who lives within a mile radius in a vain attempt to join their Christmas celebrations?"

"Eh?! That's not it at all!" Yunyun said. "I mean… technically but…"

Yep, classic Yunyun. Well, I suppose I'll just let this scene play out and…

Ah, what the heck, it's Christmas.

"If that's the case, why not spare the effort and come to our Christmas party next week?" Kazuma said. "Just bring some food for dinnner."

"Really?" Yunyun's eyes lit up. "Thank you so much! I would love to come to your party! I'll bring nothing less than the best!"

And with that, she jubilantly skipped off.

"When was it a Christmas party?" said Megumin. "I thought it was just the four of us."

"Come on, is there really anyway you could forgive yourself after excluding her?"

"Fair point." Megumin nodded. "But isn't it kind of weird calling it a party it's just her and us? Sounds more like a get-together…"

"You're right…" Kazuma rubbed his chin. "I suppose we'll have to invite some more guests. I'll take care of that, you take the tree back to the house and tell the others. I'm sure they won't mind in the slightest, Aqua loves parties."

"No kidding…" Megumin rolled her eyes. "Well, I suppose we should pull out all the stops on this one. We'll put together the Christmas party of the century!"

And the two adventures set off on their quests

To throw a Christmas party, the century's best

Megumin went home and spoke to their friends

Who agreed that the idea would certainly be splendid

Kazuma looked for guests to share the Christmas spirit

And also for more gifts, that was also in it.

The familiar bell rang as Kazuma stepped into his friend's store.

"Welcome, and Merry Christmas, Kazuma!" Wiz said, happy as ever. Her efforts to decorate the store were extremely impressive, a set of ice sculptures lined the entrance, lights were hung on every wall, realistic snowflakes reflected shimmers of light onto everything int the store, and a grand decorated tree stood tall in the corner.

"Looks awesome!" Kazuma said. Just then, Vanir stepped out of the storeroom.

"Yes, Merry Christmas, boy who wishes to…" he looked like was about to say something obnoxious as usual, but trailed off. "Oh… he actually has no ill intent as of now."

"Uh… thanks?" said Kazuma. "Anyway, what are you guys gonna do for the holidays?"

Vanir cackled with a knowing grin.

"One would normally assume that a demonkin such as I would hate a day based around happiness, but it is actually quite the opposite!" he said. "I will be prancing around town, looking for all kinds of holiday-related misfortune! Be it overworked parents, drunken fools, suffering retail workers, or disappointed teenagers, I will feast on Christmas!"

"...I see." said Kazuma. He wasn't particularly surprised, holidays had been a source of unpleasantness for him for almost a decade. "Anyway, do you guys want to come to our Christmas dinner party next week? It's a potluck."

"Why, that sounds splendid!" Wiz said. "I haven't been to a Christmas party in ages!"

"Indeed!" Vanir said. Then his expression brightened. "Oh would you look at that! The boy wants a late-night Christmas kiss with a certain party member!"

"H-Hey!" Kazuma said. "It's a normal fantasy for boys my age! Well, bye guys. I have more guests to invite."

"Bye Kazuma!" Wiz said.

Just as he exited the shop, Vanir slipped out behind him.

"Eh?" he said, his sadistic grin returning.

Oh gosh, what's he doing now?

"Well, here's an interesting conundrum. It would seem that his party member still believes in the jolly fat man."

Kazuma let out a sigh.

"It's true. Megumin apparently still believes in Santa Claus. I was gonna tell her, but…"

"But his true feelings for her prevailed instead!" Vanir laughed. "Can you imagine the disappointment on her face? It will be most satisfying indeed…"

Immediately, Kazuma dove to the ground in a deep prostration.

"Please, don't tell her yet!" he said. "It's not the right time, she can find out some other way. I already ruined so many other Christmases, I won't let this one go by."

"Oh? He truly cares for the girl he spends so much time chastising." Vanir chuckled. "Fine then. I swear on my demonhood that I will not speak the truth about Santa."

"Thank you." Kazuma let out a sigh. "We'll have a much better holiday because of it."

"Truly!" said Vanir.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion.

Aqua cheerfully hummed a merry tune as she hung up strings of lights while Darkness stirred a sweet-smelling mixture. Apparently it was her mother's pudding recipe.

"What are you getting Kazuma for Christmas, Darkness?" she asked, sticking a paper snowflake to the wall. "I'm getting him a figurine! I'm still working on Megumin's gift."

Darkness began to blush as she poured the pudding into a dish.

"I am getting Megumin a chess book. I think it'll really improve our weekly games. As for Kazuma…" She exhaled sharply. "I intend to give him something that will make my true feelings for him clear… And maybe I will finally have the gift I've always wished to receive from him."

"Uh-huh." Aqua rolled her eyes and stuck a wooden reindeer silhouette above the mantel. "I wonder who'll come to the party… Oh, maybe Cecily!"

"Hardly…" Darkness said. "Kazuma will likely invite our more close friends. Dust, Taylor, Rin, Keith, Chris, Yunyun, Wiz…"

"Ugh, don't tell me he's inviting a lich to a Christmas party." Aqua groaned. "The last thing I need this year is…"

"Aqua!" Darkness glared at her.

As the holiday preparations went underway

Kazuma surely had much more to say

For the last the guests he intended to bring

The gift she wanted was not a normal thing

But that is for later, my dearest reader

So when the next chapter comes, be sure to be here

And as a little treat, for their vacation

Help our heroes with their party preparations

Pick your favorite songs from this time of year

And review them to me, for everyone to hear

Match the characters traits to a wonderful tune

And they will sing them at the party, or under the moon

Authors Note: So, in case my vague rhyming didn't catch you off, I'd appreciate it if you recommended some holiday music for the characters to sing. It'd be great if the song matches the character in some way or form, but it's not required.