The party went on with songs and laughter
It went through sunset, and quite long after
Of course, as we all know how parties can go
A tendency which Aqua most notably shows
Nerves rising high, and they searched for some relief
The kind of enjoyment that later brings grief
A lack of awareness that comes from a debuff
Basically, they wanted a shot of the good stuff.
"Alright, who wants booze, people?" Dust started passing around bottles. Aqua looked happier than she'd ever been before me.
"Wow! Are in interested in becoming my divine hero? Better yet, just marry me!"
"No thanks." Kazuma shook his head when offered. "I had a really bad time the morning after the last time I got drunk."
"Suit yourself." Dust shrugged and gulped a few sips, while Aqua drained her entire bottle in a single swig.
"Woah!" Rin's eyes widened. "Are you okay, Aqua?"
"It's fine!" she giggled. "As the goddess of water, I can drain anything in a single swig! Even entire barrels!"
"Right…" Taylor said, as he took a couple of sips of his own drink, as did Darkness.
Kazuma turned off the magical recording device he had purchased for the occasion, their impressive karaoke session contained within. He glanced at Megumin, who watched the group drink while Iris played with Chomusuke and Emporer Zel."
"What, you don't want to join in like you usually do?" said Kazuma
"Complaining about alcohol is for children," Megumin said. "As an adult, and a responsible Archwizard, I am saving my sobriety for later tonight."
"Oh, and what might that be…"
"An irrelevant question." she flushed red and turned away.
Speaking of which, Aqua's face was already red as a rose and the goddess was pulling a guitar out.
"Heya everyone! Lemme sing ya another song I just made up!" she stammered.
"Uh-oh…" said Kazuma.
Before long, Aqua began to play surprisingly well in her drunken stupor, while the other partygoers shrugged and joined in.
This is a song parody from Cami-Cat, please support the official release, it's awesome.
Aqua: We just made our way back
From a dungeon straight from hell
I'm pretty sure that we
Are not doing so well
Sure we got a lot of loot
And we gave the boss the boot
But now we're all low on HP
And need a little boost OH-
Alcohol alcohol, please take me away
I wanna drink so much that I get off this stupid plane, HEY-
Alcohol, alcohol, tell me you'll be true
Teleport spell or Banishment cuz anything will do~
Our party's looking rough
Tender give us the good stuff
Something that warms our throats
And messes up our guts!
Our constitution save
Won't matter in this case
Because we all just wanna fail
Say screw that battle! HOORAY!
OH! Alcohol, tavern crawl, let's get on our way
We're gonna clear them all out if we get to have our say HEY
Alcohol, tavern brawl, I swear that they hit first
I know I didn't start it so you'd best show me your worst
The increasingly inebriated group laughed and danced about, all while the bystanders watched with mild amusement.
"Can I have some of…" Iris began to say.
"No, just no," said Kazuma. "Also, did she just make that up on the spot?" he said.
"She put a lot of skill points into the Spontaneous Music skill line," said Megumin.
"Why is that even a skill line?" said Kazuma.
"Who knows? Anyways, it should be around…" She glanced at the clock. "Yes, now would be a good time to do that."
"Do what?" said Kazuma. What's she planning now?
"Tell the future for the next year, of course!" Megumin pulled a book off of a nearby bookshelf. "My grandma was a fortune teller, so she'd always go out in the last few days of the year to make predictions about the next one using the clouds."
"Should you do that kind of thing during the New Year festival or something?'
"No, she did it on Christmas Eve since she liked to gamble during the festival." Megumin shook her head. "Anyway, I still have her book of cloud symbols, so I've been single-handedly keeping that tradition up. Care to join me to see what the future has in store for us?"
"...Sure, why not." Kazuma shrugged. "I'm sure Chris can handle things from here. Isn't that right Chris?"
The thief in question was furiously making out with Keth on the sofa.
"Just so you know, you're not my first." She said, panting between kisses.
"Quite frankly neither are you." Keith cackled. "But let's not think about that for now and just enjoy the night! It's Christmas after all."
"Oh, got room for another?" Aqua peeked her head in.
"Make that two!" Darkness excitedly said
"...I take it back, just get me away from here," Kazuma said.
"Excellent!" Megumin excitedly grasped his hand. "Let's go!"
"Eh? Why are you…" Kazuma flushed as she pulled him along.
He was sure she'd never held his hand before
The Explosion mage he was beginning to fall for
Like it or not, their feelings were true
The expressions of love, they always came through
Not with any packages, boxes, or bags
Not bothering with ribbons, nor any tags
Yet a single fact became incredibly clear
She wanted to be his, he wanted her near.
Kazuma thought about her, and then thought some more
Both his heart and his mind were beginning to grow sore
Then he remembered something he was told long ago
Something about Santa, when he still hadn't known
"Santa is tall, friendly and wise
Funny and clever, and giving, and kind
No matter where he is, he will bring you joy
Be it the love that you get, or a long lost toy
That happiness he gives you will last for a year"
And at his realization, Kazuma shed a tear.
At this point, you may be confused
Well, I'm sorry, this style I haven't used… before.
"You really do love Santa Clause, don't you?" Kazuma said. He and Megumin slipped on their winter jackets and opened the glass doors to the balcony.
"Of course, I do?" Megumin gave that same innocent smile. "Who doesn't for that matter?"
"Yeah, who doesn't?" Kazuma chuckled. They walked out. Normally the cold would've stung his face, but at that point all he could think about was Megumin. "So, what do the clouds say?"
"Let's see…" Megumin pointed to a random star and slowly traced it to the left. She took out the book and opened it to a specific page. "That one's large with two downward points… We'll get a vegetable surplus this year."
"I see…"
"That's two circles, touching at the edges, and dotted lines on both sides." she tapped her chin. "It's going to be a good year for siblings."
"Figures."
"A crescent moon shape, rising above a pointed edge…" A smile pulled at her lips. "We won't be killed by the Devil King, that's for sure."
"Wait, what?"
"And an oval shape with a handle-like line… strange, that means a shocking revelation of some kind. Wonder what that's gonna be."
Yeah, I think I can figure out what that is. She's almost fifteen.
"A cross-shape… that means suffering." She narrowed her eyes. "Oh, but there's the shape of the sun, which means happiness. So, something will hurt, but we'll be happy about it? I think…"
This is becoming increasingly obvious
"And one more…" Megumin examined a much larger cloud. "Hm… Kazuma, would you say that one looks more like two swords crossed, or someone dancing badly?"
"I want to say swords, but I think dancing badly is way more accurate," Kazuma said.
"Okay, so that would mean…" Megumin flipped through some pages before coming across a large image. "Progress."
"Huh?"
"The symbol of maturity." she read aloud from the book. "Not just growing physically, but learning to accept reality in all of its entirety, as well as becoming smarter. Love begins to spread throughout this time, be it romantic, platonic, familial, or godly, as a demonstration of emotional growth. The love grows, changes, fades like the tides of the ocean, but still remains nonetheless. The object of one's affection become concrete and timeless, while the momentary distractions fade into the background… at least that's what it says." Megumin shrugged and closed the book before turning to Kazuma once again.
"Maybe it means Yunyun will make some more friends. I sure hope she does…" she said. "What about you, Kazuma?"
Kazuma understood perfectly. The beating in his heart, Megumin's electric eyes, and the weight of her words all made sense. She would have to learn the truth about Santa Clause one way or another, but it shouldn't be painful. She would have to find something else to love. Or someone.
And what happened? In Axel they say,
That Kazuma's heart grew half a size that day.
He turned the girl, her shoulder he grasped
Taking a deep breath, he stopped thinking and asked
"Megumin, I love you," he said. She blinked in surprise as her eyes glowed a little brighter.
"Wait what? When did this…"
"Hearing you talk about Santa Clause like that is too painful for me," he said. "You know I've always admired you. The way you don't seem to care about what anything thinks, even if they think you're weird. It's something I can't quite seem to grasp. It confuses me to no end as to exactly where these feelings come from, or when I got them, but I can't deny that they're there. And I know I'm not exactly civil. I can be egotistical, or short-sighted, and a little lewd. But if you're willing to look past all that, then I simply have to say…" The words caught in his throat.
Drat, why is this so hard? This is nothing like in the movies or the dating sims!
"Please be my girlfriend!" he finally exclaimed, bowing as to not look at her face. Ack, that was way more embarrassing than I thought! Ugh, I feel like such an idiot!
He slowly lifted his head to see her reaction.
He never did, however.
For the next thing, he felt was her lips pressed against his. Megumin passionately leaned into a deep kiss with him. Her eyes were closed, but he could see a hint of a warm reddish glow underneath her eyelids. Kazuma took the hint and closed his eyes as well.
When they finally parted after what felt like an hour, Megumin's eyes glowed as bright as hot coals.
"I've been waiting… so long for you to say that." She beamed as few tears streamed down her face. "I was going to tell you the exact same thing. You were the only person who could understand me like a Crimson Demon; yet, you have a different allure that I simply can't resist. I love you so much… Kazuma-kun."
They both laughed on the balcony. The snow was still falling gently; the stars and moon shone above them. The cold barely mattered when it came to the warmth of each other. Everything just felt so…. Perfect. Saying nothing, they embraced once again, into a longer and deeper kiss.
What was I, Kazuma Satou, the scum of Axel, think when I thought I could tell her about Santa Claus? Aw, what the heck; I guess I can play into believing it too. At least until she figures it out. Besides, she'll probably grow out of it in a couple of months at most. Better enjoy it while we can.
As they came up for air, Megumin cleared her throat.
"Uh… this doesn't leave the room, right?"
"Definitely." Kazuma nodded. "We just tell the others that we're dating, and that's it. If they find out we're acting lovey-dovey like this, we wouldn't hear the end of it until next year."
"Too late!"
"EH?"
The couple turned to see all of their friends standing in the doorway.
"Aw, you two make such a cute couple!" Aqua cooed in her drunken stupor. "We should celebrate with more drinks!"
"Congratulations!" said Wiz. "Not a lot of people can say they had their first kiss on Christmas."
"Huh, that is pretty nifty." Kazuma chuckled. His eyes wandered to Vanir's surprisingly happy face. The demon put a finger to their lips and winked.
Kazuma let out a mental sigh of relief.
"Well, I guess we better turn in so we can wake tomorrow to open our presents."
"Agreed." everyone nodded as they turned to leave. Kazuma was about to as well when… A-hem
With the moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the light of midday on the garden below
When out in the sky, there came such a roar
Kazuma freaked out and drew his sword
But what to their surprise should then appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and nine tiny reindeer
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
Our heroes then knew that it must be St. Nick!
Kazuma's jaw dropped from his face
As Santa flew across the background of space
He turned to his friends, but they were not shocked
Rather, it was him that their odd looks dropped.
Even Megumin glanced at him sidelong
And he suddenly realized it was him that was wrong.
"Wow, we actually got to see him this year!" Megumin excitedly said. "I haven't seen him since I was three!"
"I did actually see him three years ago," said Darkness. "But it's still so amazing to look at."
"It really takes the breath away, doesn't it?" said Dust. "Literally, in Kazuma's case."
"...I'm sorry, that's Santa Claus? Like, the actual Santa Claus?"
"Yeah, why?" Aqua said.
"I've actually spoken to him," Wiz said. "One immortal to another, he was a nice conversationalist."
"Woah…" said Rin. "That's so cool. Nine beautiful reindeer, pulling a sleigh across the sky…"
"It is beautiful…" Vanir nodded. "I suppose I can see the appeal. But Kazuma's thoughts, however, that's the real show here!"
"I'm sorry, am I the only one concerned with this?" Kazuma's eyes twitched as he shouted to his friends. "I mean… that's Santa Claus! Actually, Santa Claus! What the heck is going on here?"
Still, everyone looked at him strangely.
"Oh, is this your first time seeing him in person?" said Wiz. "Still, I don't see what you're so upset about…"
"Upset? That's a freaking fairytale character! You know, the fake guy that parents make up on Christmas for some reason before putting a few extra gifts in their kid's stockings? I've been having a freaking seizure trying to figure out whether or not to tell Megumin..."
Megumin put a hand on Kazuma's shoulder.
"I am sorry, dear Kazuma, but it would seem that someone had fed you lies when you were younger. Perhaps your parents or a sibling? Either way, I'm sure you can tell that Santa Claus is very much real. The fact that you have lived your life so ignorantly is a tragedy."
"Wait… am I the idiot here? Am I stupid for thinking Santa was fake?" Kazuma exclaimed. "You guys don't think I'm stupid, right?"
"Uh…" Everyone seemed to struggle to find the words, except for Vanir, who was cackling loudly. Kazuma then realized that the demon had set him up in this exact situation.
"Come on guys, he's an old man who visits every house in the world flying on a sleigh pulled by magical reindeer! Tell you don't think that's a little weird, right?"
Strangely enough, Aqua seemed abnormally sober for a brief moment.
"Kazuma, you live in a world where giant toads roam the fields, Mobile Fortresses level cities, and Dullahans slay armies by the million. You live with a beautiful archpriest who can bring you back from the dead. You've slept with a crusader who can survive the full force of a stampeding minotaur. Your girlfriend is a wizard who comes from a magical race of red-eyed chuunis and can call down a miniature nuke whenever she feels like it. Not to mention you live in a mansion that used to be haunted by ghosts, invaded by succubi, and the shopkeeper you frequent is a demon that feeds on feelings. And you've used magic, slain monsters, and come back from the dead several times. After all of that, you think Santa Claus is weird? Yeesh, I don't know what to tell you."
Kazuma had never felt more embarrassed in his entire life than he was at that exact moment. For when he had believed that Megumin was the fool, it was truly him all along.
Taking a deep breath, he put a hand around his new girlfriend.
"Well, If it had to be the first time I saw Santa for real, then I'm glad I could do it with you guys. All of you. Merry Christmas."
"Yeah yeah, that's enough of that." Aqua pulled out another bottle. "How about another song?"
"Uh, I'd really prefer if…"
And with that, it seems we've come to an end.
Thank you for reading, and staying my friend
From this story, we learn an important truth
Not the meaning of Christmas, that's way overused
That even though our world may seem disappointing
Depressing, enraging, stale, and frustrating
We need not accept that it is truly so
For we need only to concern with what matters most
Your loved nears and the beat of your heart
The satisfaction of an end, the joy of a start
So to keep this tradition, and also a bit light
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
The End.
Author's Note: Well, thanks for reading, everyone. I originally planned to put the Karaoke scene into the story itself, but it didn't quite fit well. So, I'm going to be uploading one more chapter. There's still room for plenty of songs to suggest, don't be shy. The deadline is Dec 24th, so make haste if you want to offer a song suggestion for your favorite character.