Duran-kun and Kiyo-chan's Omake Theater
(featuring the Kuga-Fujino family pets)
The ringing of the doorbell came, of course, at the worst possible moment. Natsuki had just taken a giant bite of her hamburger, cooked to perfection by Shizuru and liberally slathered with mayo, mustard, lettuce, and tomato between the halves of a toasted brioche bun (Shizuru only being willing to go so far away from formality in her cuisine) when the bell pealed. Duran barked twice, demonstrating his dedication to his job as watchdog by letting duty take his attention away from dinner.
"It appears that a nun has come to call," Shizuru observed, craning her head around to look out the window.
Natsuki sighed (muffled by dinner), put down her burger, and got up. It was obviously for her anyway, so there was no point in having Shizuru get up too. She chewed frantically on the way over and managed to swallow without choking herself before yanking open the door.
"Dammit, Nao, quit being a telemarketer and interrupting dinner—oh."
The Sister on Natsuki's doorstep was not Nao. Rather, it was the other novice at Fuuka Academy's chapel, Miyu. Natsuki wasn't sure whether an android was more or less out of place as a nun than Nao, but either way the two were at least consistent.
"Sorry about that; I thought it was the idiot."
"Why would it matter who it was, if the source of your irritation is that you are being interrupted at dinnertime?"
"Because you're less likely to be interrupting me for something that's likely to land me in the hospital or in jail."
Miyu looked blank for a second, possibly running an analysis on various scenarios, then nodded once.
"That assessment is accurate."
"I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad about that. Did you want to come in, Miyu?"
"Unnecessary. I am here only to make a delivery."
She extended what she was holding towards Natsuki. This was a package, about eight inches by four by four, wrapped in black paper, tied with orange ribbons, and decorated with sparkly pumpkin stickers.
"This is a gift for you from my lady."
"Huh, really?" Alyssa Searrs seemed to be taking this "sisters by way of mad science" thing seriously.
"She suspected that you would be surprised, as Halloween gifts are uncommon in Japan. My lady merely is attempting to be gracious and share some of her native customs with you."
"That's nice," Natsuki said, accepting the package. "I'll have to return the favor for one of our holidays."
"I believe that would be appropriate," Miyu approved.
"So how does this work? Am I supposed to wait until Halloween to open it?"
"That should not be necessary. As Nao often advises, 'thou shalt grab all the loot thou can'st now, 'cause the cops might show up at any time.'"
"Good to hear that the Church is providing the kind of moral guidance today's youth needs."
"Some of her Biblical interpretations can be unduly creative, but I have found that her advice is always eminently practical and well-suited to solve her postulants' problems."
"Just not always legal."
Miyu shrugged. Obedience to local law was not particularly high on her hierarchy of behavioral determinants. Natsuki figured that she herself wasn't in any place to quibble, which was probably why she got along, if one could call it that, with Nao.
"Well, tell Alyssa 'thank you' and wish her a happy Halloween from me."
"I will do that. Good evening." Miyu took her leave with a slight bow.
"So what did Nao have to say?" Shizuru asked when Natsuki returned to the dinner table.
"It wasn't Nao; it was Miyu delivering a Halloween present from Alyssa."
Duran sniffed at the box and didn't immediately start growling, which was a good sign.
"Do you know what it is?"
"I have no idea. Miyu said something about Alyssa wanting to share American holiday traditions with me, so maybe it's candy? But she said I can open it now, so let's find out."
Natsuki suited actions to words, pulling the ribbon around a corner of the box so it fell off and ripping off the paper. The box itself was marked with the logo of a pricey imported-foods store in downtown Tsukimori.
"I know this place; it's where you got me that fancy Swiss chocolate last White Day. The kid's got good taste in stores." Imported gourmet treats seemed kind of expensive for the occasion, but Natsuki wasn't going to worry about financial "oh you shouldn't haves" when the giver's family name was Searrs. She opened the box and took out a jar made from orange glass that was ribbed to resemble a jack-o-lantern.
"Huh," she said aloud, reading the label.
"Natsuki is being such a tease to draw out the suspense," Shizuru said with shameless hypocrisy.
"Pumpkin-spice-flavored mayonnaise."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me: it's pumpkin-spice-flavored mayonnaise."
"American customs are strange," Shizuru decided.