Foreword: I did say 'See you next week' last time, didn't I? Heh, surprise! Have another chapter! I know it's a couple of months early for a Christmas story, but that's elaborated on below. Hope you enjoy!

Timestamp: 4 months after the end of Volume 1. About 3 weeks after the last chapter?

Chapter 3
Surprisingly, Christopher Schwartz knows how to pick a gift.

The holiday season. An annual event that exists solely to make any working members of society miserable.

When this time of the year swings around, everyone suddenly becomes enthusiastic. They talk about how they're planning to relax by taking a vacation, or how they're going to pick out the perfect gifts for their friends.

But if you think about it, it's actually a trap.

The closer you get to the beginning of your vacation, the more pressure there is on the job. And once the vacation finally starts, you spend so much time planning it out and making sure that everything is perfect that by the time it's over, you end up wasting money without getting anything from it.

Furthermore, if someone buys you a gift, you're now obligated to buy one back. That just means spending both time and money buying something you think the other person will like, only to eventually have that gift be stashed away in the closet after it's opened, never again to see the light of day. Either that, or you buy a gift that anyone could think of, like an ugly sweater or a pair of socks, which just means you don't really need to go to the clothing store for another year if half of your relatives pull the same trick, but not much else. Source: Me.

How can anyone possibly enjoy the holiday season? Everyone sings praises about the holiday season while it passes, and yet when it finally finishes and everyone returns, their eyes are more soulless than even my own.

In conclusion:

~~This is a Line Break~~

thock thock thock

Three knocks sounded at my door, interrupting my train of thought. Hackard's voice came in from outside. "Oiiiiiii, Hikitani!" The shout broke my train of thought as I lay on my bed, a book in my hand. Dammit, I had just started reading! "Hikitani, you in there?"

I ignored Hackard and went back to my book.

thock thock thock

"Hikitani, are you in there?"

thock thock thock

There was a pause. "Hikitani, I'm coming in, okay?"

As quickly as I could, I threw my book onto the table, flattening myself on the bed and covering myself with my blanket, my pillow, and several spare sets of clothes, which formed a respectable amount of cover.

The door flew open as Hackard jumped in, her boots making a loud thump as she landed. "a-HA! I'VE CAUGHT–oh. You're not here? Damn." I could hear the disappointment in her voice. Heh, Hackard, you've just fallen for one of the Hachiman 108: Convenient Vanish! Combined with the Ordinary, it makes for the perfect disguise to your unassuming riajuu eyes! Now, all you have to do is be on your merry way and I can go back to enjoying my day before you decide to go dragging me around for whatever crazy ideas you have.

I heard Hackard traipse around the room in a circle before sighing loudly and shuffling back towards the doorframe.

"Hackard-san. Why are you in the Hostess's employee dorms? Are you in need of anything?" Even though the speaker was slightly muffled by the cloth over my head, I recognized the tone as Lyon's.

"Ah, Ryuu-san! Do you know where Hikitani is?"

"If you're referring to Hikigaya-san, I believe that he is still in his room. Why do you ask?" Dammit, that woman was going to be the death of me.

I held my breath as Hackard traipsed the length of the room, opening the cabinets and the small closet, even getting on her hands and knees from the sounds of it as she searched everywhere but the bed.

"Are you sure he's in here, Ryuu-san? I didn't find anything."

"No…? Are you sure?" Lyon's voice sounded surprised, but it was feigned. When Lyon was actually surprised, she'd probably be too shocked for words. Source: A certain experience at a certain ramen stall in Orario. "Well, that is odd. But there is no need for worry, Hackard-san. Sometimes the things we are looking for–" I heard her footsteps grow closer and closer before there was a massive WHOOSH as the blanket and everything on top was whisked away, exposing my head and part of my body to Hackard and Lyon's eyes.

"–are right underneath our noses." Lyon looked downwards at me. I could see the faintest of smirks set in her features. "Why, hello there, Hikigaya."

"Hello to you too, Lyon," I muttered as I quickly got up from the bed.

"Hikitani!" I narrowly sidestepped in the small room, barely avoiding Hackard's attempted glomp before throwing a glare at Lyon. Hackard, for her part, tripped in her attempt and sprawled out across the floorboards.

The elf tilted her head to the side, her equivalent of a shrug. "I was simply rendering assistance to one of your party members. Was that not a desirable outcome?"

You know it wasn't, Lyon! I specifically refrained from the poker game going on downstairs right now because I wanted to avoid interacting with people for the day! Is this your petty revenge for the incident with Rollo and Faust a few months ago? Is that what this is?

"Hikitani, Hikitani!"

"Yes, yes, I'm Hikitani." Gender equality, and now the "Kazuma, Kazuma!" gag? We're 2/3rds of the way to stealing basically all of the Konosuba jokes! Now all we need to round out the humor is a hyperactive, blue-haired party member who loves alcohol… and wastes lots of... money...

…

…

Sorry, Hikipedia™ is currently unavailable due to a server crash. Please reconnect at a more convenient time.

…

Actually, you know what? Existentialism is a killer, so let's ignore it. Never underestimate the power of self-denial.

Moving on. "What is it, Hackard?"

"You forgot already?" Hackard gave a mock-gasp. Maybe it was a real gasp, and she was just mocking me. It was hard to tell. "Remember? We're going shopping, remember?"

"Ah." I blinked as I recalled what happened yesterday. Supposedly inspired by the so-called "holiday spirit", Yelena had proposed that all of us engage in some group activities and socialize together outside of the Dungeon.

In short, if this were an isekai anime, this would be a slice-of-life episode. Unfortunately for them, I had much better things to be doing with my free time than pandering to a nonexistent audience. At least, I had, before Lyon and Hackard had walked into my room and made that a moot point.

"No thanks." My refusal was curt and straight to the point. Against a lesser foe, it would have perhaps done some damage, but against a riajuu like Hackard who was using the skill «Oblivious Cheerfulness», it bounced off of her without any effect at all. Dammit, I was too low-level to win against her! She wasn't even keeping it up actively!

"Nope! No refusing! Yelena wants this to be for everyone, so you're going there, whether you like it or not!" Before I could protest, she simply wrapped her hands around my waist, picked me up, and slung me over her back. Her hold was like iron; I flailed my limbs to no effect, only succeeding in making her readjust my body on her back before marching down the stairs and leaving, Lyon waving goodbye as we passed by with no change in her expression whatsoever as she walked us out the door.

Was the sanctity of my room no longer sacred? Was that what this was? Was this why I was now being bodily carried towards imminent doom and towards a day where I could not longer enjoy myself by one of my party members?

… Oi. Stop staring at me with your pitying gaze, Lyon! It doesn't matter if my status as a loner has been violated, that doesn't apply to you! Just because I'm being carried out on Hackard's shoulders doesn't mean that this is over, dammit! I'll get my revenge, just you wait!

~~This is a Line Break~~

"Hey, everyone! Sorry I'm late! Hikitani took a little convincing!" Hackard waved cheerfully to what I presumed to be the rest of the party as she gradually slowed to a stop. I presumed, because she still had me slung over her shoulders like a bag of rice.

"Wow, you actually got him to come, Maris-chan! You're amazing!" Yelena's praise had me narrowing my eyes. Did it look like I willingly agreed to this, Yelena? Would you thank a monster you killed in the Dungeon for willingly offering its Magic Stone to you?

"Hehe, you know me!" Even though I couldn't see her face, I could hear the smugness in Hackard's voice. Which was concerning, considering she had just marched down an entire crowded street in Orario while carrying me on her back and drawing stares from everyone nearby. Where was your dignity? At least have the decency to trick or bribe me instead of resorting to brute force.

I scanned my surroundings as Hackard and Yelena talked, looking for a chance to make my escape. Unfortunately, as soon as Hackard set me down, I found myself surrounded on all sides by a hostile force far more threatening than any monster party the Dungeon could cook up.

"Good ta see ya here, lad." From the left, Umbar clapped a hand on my shoulder, restricting my movements instantly as he flashed a good-natured grin at me.

"Hikitani-san! It's great of you to join us here today!" From the right, Schwartz waved as he closed in menacingly, cutting off my only escape route as Hackard and Yelena stood to my front and back.

This was a 4-way encirclement I had no way of breaking out from. The only thing left I could do was engage it head-on and get it over with. "Yo."

"Hello, hello!" I exchanged greetings with the rest of the group as Hackard did the same.

"Umbar, Chris! It's good to see you guys, too!" Hackard high-fived Schwartz before clasping arms with the dwarf. "So, figured out what you guys might be doing for Holy Night? Got any plans?"

I tuned out their conversation as I idly looked around at the shops on display, each and every single one of them displaying large signs emphasizing their wide array of discounts specifically for Holy Night.

–Holy Night. It was Christmas, but Orario-flavored. Or isekai-flavored, I guess. More specifically, Holy Night was moreso of a parallel to Christmas Eve rather than Christmas proper, so it actually occurred on the 24th rather than the 25th. Santa-san didn't exist in this world, but it was basically the same thing, with the leadup to the event being a time for people to give gifts to each other and everyone to be filled with holiday cheer.

"Okay!" There was a clap that brought my attention back to the present, and I realized that it was Yelena who had done it. "So, how does this sound: We'll split into groups to check out what we're interested, and then we'll regroup after a bit to figure out what we wanna do together afterwards. Sound good?"

Everyone else nodded, as did I. Why, one might ask? Well, it was simple. We were a party of 5, and 5 was an odd number. When a group of people split into smaller subgroups, they tended to split into pairs, which meant that for my party, someone would be left out of the equation. All I had to do at that point would be to say that I was feeling like the odd one out to make things awkward, and then dispel said awkwardness by heading off on my own to supposedly browse some cafes before making a break for it when they weren't paying attention.

But before I could start to construct a reasonable-sounding argument, Hackard grabbed me by the arm. "Alright, Hikitani, you're with me and Umbar!" I looked at her, and she beamed at me. "You'll probably just try to disappear if no one's keeping an eye on you, so you're coming with me!"

This wasn't good. She was adapting to my loner tactics before I could even use them!

Thankfully, before Hackard could drag me off to my doom, someone else piped up. "Actually, Maris-san, if you don't mind, I'd actually like to borrow Hikitani-san for the afternoon." Somehow, and for some reason, Schwartz came to my aid, rescuing me from Hackard's nefarious clutches.

It didn't make sense, though. It was awfully suspicious of him to do so. We didn't know each other really well, not to the extent where he would've wanted to hang out with me voluntarily when he could be spending time with Yelena.

"Hm?" Hackard blinked owlishly before nodding and grinning. "Sure! You're gonna go weapons shopping, aren'tha? I remember you saying that your spearhead was getting dull a few days ago."

Schwartz shook his head. "Actually, Maris-san, I was going to ask Hikitani-san about the finer intricacies of coffee, since he seems to know a lot about it. I've been interested in trying the drink out myself and I wanted to check out some cafes nearby…" Schwartz, in all the time I have been in this world, you are the best person I have ever had the fortune of knowing.

"Huh. Damn, I thought I had you pinned down."

"Haha… well, you know, I thought I'd try to expand my interests a little." Schwartz laughed and scratched his head sheepishly. "Although, Maris-san, if you're free, please do so if you can!"

Hackard shrugged before flicking Schwartz a thumbs-up. "Don't worry! I gotcha! I've been meaning to get a new whetstone myself. I'll check out some spears for ya!"

"Thanks!" With that, we headed our separate ways, at least for awhile.

~~This is a Line Break~~

Today had turned out to be a good day, after all. I sipped my free coffee, only grimacing as the bitterness hit my tastebuds. Definitely not enough sugar. Or milk.

"Uhm, Hikitani-san…" Schwartz, who had offered to treat me, paled as he watched me add the optimal amount of milk and sugar to my coffee. I took a sip, letting the cream, sugar, and coffee mix together on my tongue. Ahhh, bliss. "Are you sure that that much cream and sugar is healthy?" I briefly paused and set my cup on the table.

"Listen up, Schwartz, because I'm only going to say this once." Placing my elbows on the table, I leaned forward, interlacing my fingers together to hide my mouth. I was sure that if I had glasses, they would've glinted ominously, but since I didn't, I settled for staring at Schwartz. "Life is bitter, so our coffee should at least be sweet."

He tilted his head in confusion. Evidently, my worldly wisdom was lost on him, so I settled for a "only-I-understand-what-I'm-talking-about" sigh before reclining backwards and taking another sip.

"Hikitani-san, I bought you coffee because I want to ask for your help." So this wasn't about coffee, was it, Schwartz? Well, at least you've tried to bribe me, so I suppose I can make the effort to hear you out.

I continued sipping my coffee, so Schwartz continued talking. "I need some advice, and I'm not sure that anyone else can help me, so please help me!" He ducked his head down in a bow, and I finally looked up from my coffee again.

"You still haven't told me what exactly I should be helping you with."

"Er… erm…" He scratched his cheek awkwardly, and suddenly, I had a terrible, terrible premonition. Oh, isekai gods, why must you curse me so? "As you know, Holy Night is coming up in a couple days, and uh… it's about buying a gift… for someone. So, um… any recommendations on what I should give someone?"

Have no fear, Schwartz. Hikipedia is one of the greatest resources available to you. One could even call it one of the 8 Wonders of the Hikigayan World. It took me less than a second before I had my answer.

"It's easy, Schwartz. The best attribute of a gift is how often you'd use it, correct?"

He nodded. "Uh-huh."

"So then, of course, the best gift would be money, right? If you can give someone money, then they'll be sure to use it."

Schwartz didn't seem very convinced of my wisdom. "Why do I feel like there's something wrong with that line of reasoning?"

"There's nothing wrong with it." I held up a finger. "Consider this: During the holidays, everyone gets gifts for each other. However, most of these gifts are rarely used, and tend to be stuffed in the closet, especially if they're useless to you in daily life. On the other hand, gifts that have increased utility in daily life are more often to be used, thus making it less of a waste. By gifting money to others, you bypass this problem entirely, since then that person can take the money you've given them and buy a gift that they're likely to use often. My parents and relatives did this to me all the time!"

"I don't think that's something you should be proud of!" Schwartz buried his face in his hands. I finished my cup of coffee, setting the empty cup on the table with a plink. "And, uh… I don't think she would–" His eyes widened as he clapped his hands over his mouth.

I processed the words. Then I got up from my chair. "Thanks for the coffee. Have a nice day."

"Wait wait wait!" Schwartz lunged across the table, grasping onto the hem of my jacket. "Please, Hikitani-san, don't leave! I'm seriously begging you here!"

I turned and stared him down. "Just what makes you think that I have any experience with these things?"

He gaped like a goldfish. "So… you and Maris-san aren't–?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. Was he serious here, or was he trying to screw with me? "No."

"Huh, really?" He seemed extremely shocked. He was serious. "I mean, you guys are really, really close, though…"

What, just because Hackard enjoys hugging people means that she's dating them? If you think the two of us are dating, Schwartz, then you at this point might as well call Hackard a harem protagonist, seeing as she hugs all of us whenever she wants to.

I felt my eyelid twitch in irritation. "She's like that with everyone. Haven't you noticed?" Hackard, as far I could tell, was completely oblivious to the idea of romance.

"Huh." He put his fist in his palm, as if he had arrived at some amazing conclusion. "You're right!" And you're clueless.

"So, why are you coming to me about this, then?"

"Ahaha…" He pressed his fingers together. "Umbar-san isn't interested in that, and Maris-san is a bit of a gossip. So… there's only you left, Hikitani-san!"

I resisted the urge to sigh. And of course Schwartz couldn't ask Yelena, seeing as she was the person he was getting a gift for. "You seriously don't have anyone else?"

"Can you help? Please please please?"

"No means no." Downing the rest of my coffee, I got up and made to leave–

"I'll buy you coffee every day for the next year!"

That was how I ended up spending my afternoon going with Schwartz through the shops on Babel, which had been fully decked out in Holy Night cheer, looking for an appropriate gift before we met back up with Hackard and the others.

~~This is a Line Break~~

"Cheers!" There was a clink as Umbar, Yelena, Schwartz, and Hackard knocked their cups together before downing their drinks. I raised my cup halfheartedly in response, but did nothing more.

We had been eating for the past 2 hours in celebration of the end of the year. It was hard to tell how many bottles they had gone through, but there had to be at least 4 bottles that had gone down between the four of them. I, on the other hand, had stuck with juice.

There was a loud GONG as the bell of a nearby church rang 10 times, the sounds of various bells joining in tandem as the entire city announced that it was 2 hours before the year ended.

"Tahhh, that's m' cue." Umbar got up from his chair. "Got some drinkin' to do with my familia members. Gon' see if we can hit up all tha sector bars before tha year ends. See ya around!"

"See ya, old man!" Hackard cheerily waved the dwarf out the door as Schwartz and Yelena began getting up from their chairs.

"Guys, wait outside while I pay the bill, yeah?" Schwartz smiled as he began rummaging in his pocket for the appropriate coinage, while the rest of us made our way outside.

"Whuh… oops!" Hackard let out a light giggle as she nearly tripped, but caught herself. She was definitely drunk.

"Careful there, Maris-chan." Yelena smiled as she patted Hackard's head. She was somewhat tipsy, if her slight swaying was anything to go by.

Schwartz came out with a large paper package tucked under his arm, which made clink-clink-clink noises as he joined us. More alcohol, probably. "Alright, everyone." He sucked in a deep breath. "Follow me. I know somewhere we can go to."

We followed him through the streets of Orario, cutting through the bustle of the crowd as we headed north.

"So where are we going, Chris…?" Hackard ventured a question.

He smiled and gave the rest of us a thumbs up. "Don't worry! It's a surprise, but it'll be cool!"

"... Cool!" Hackard's head bobbled up and down. She didn't bother asking what was cool. What's cool is cool. What's cool? It's cool. The circular logic is irrefutable, but it's cool. Cool.

We made our way through the streets of Orario, slipping through the crowd as we followed Schwartz to the edges of the city, and then up the stairs that led through the empty towers within Orario's walls.

"Alright guys, we're here!" I emerged from within the empty tower to find Schwartz standing at the top of a city wall guard tower overlooking the city. "Tada! Pretty nice view, isn't it?"

I shrugged. If you say so, sure.

"Huh… that's it?" Hackard sounded disappointed. "I thought there would be more drinks… or something…"

Schwartz smiled. "I also have drinks here, Maris-san." Out came the paper package from under his arm, and a bottle swiftly found its way into Hackard's hands, where she began drinking.

"Puwahhhh! This is good stuff!" She let out a sigh of satisfaction. "Thanks, Chris! You're the best!"

"Err… you're welcome?" Bottles were passed around to the rest of us. I snuck a peek at the label, and was not at all surprised to find "Red-Wasp Liquor" printed on the side of the bottle. We had been eating at the Hibachitei tonight, after all.

"A-HEM!" Hackard cleared her throat, and then let out a belch, followed by a round of giggling from Yelena. "Anyways…" She blinked. "Wait, where was I? Right! Let's have a toast!" She thrust her bottle into the air. "Let's go in order! Yelena, you should go first!"

"Wha…? Okay." The chienthrope got to her feet somewhat shakily. "To striking it rich!" I could get behind that.

" "Cheers!" " The trio clinked their bottles together, while I raised mine halfheartedly in response. I sputtered a little as the alcohol seared its way down my throat and a slow fire began burning in my stomach, warming me up from the inside out.

"Uhm, I'll go next!" Schwartz staggered a little as he got up from his chair, but he lifted his bottle all the same. "To going back to my hometown and my family, and to finding true love!" Pfft, typical riajuu wishes. I raised my bottle in response and downed another sip while Hackard and Yelena clapped Schwartz on the back and wished him the best.

Another round of drinking and talking followed. Maybe it was the alcohol, but it didn't feel as cold as it normally did, even though we were pretty high up with no real cover from the wind around.

I took a look at my bottle. About half of it had disappeared, the rest of the liquid glimmering in the moonlight as it sloshed back and forth in the bottle.

I didn't really feel drunk yet, though. Drunkenness always seemed to be portrayed as a warm, happy, fuzzy feeling that completely overwhelmed you and let you drift away, but I didn't feel anything close to that. There was a bit of slight unsteadiness, but I felt like I still had full control over my faculties.

"It's... my turn now…" Hackard wobbled to her feet unsteadily before her balance gave way and she collapsed to the floor. "Wait… hold on…" A couple attempts later, and she was on her feet, although she still swayed back and forth dangerously. "Alright... uhm." She thrust her bottle into the air. "To adventures and meeting more people like you guys!"

"Hear, hear!" Yelena chanted, raising her bottle in response, Schwartz joining in with her.

"What about you, Hikitani?" I blinked as the rest of them turned to me.

"Yeah, you're the only one who hasn't said anything yet!"
"Come on, make a toast!"

I shrugged before getting to my feet and raising my bottle. "To Leveling Up, and to getting what each of us wants."

" " "Cheers!" " "

"Nee, Hikitani…" Hackard plopped down right next to me. "So what is it that you wa–"

She was interrupted by an explosion as far above us, the midnight sky turning bright as colorful explosions lit up the sky. Fireworks.

"Wow! They're so pretty!"
"Yeah, they look awesome!"
"Wow…"

Red, green, yellow, blue, and orange streaked across the sky before exploding into different shapes and outlines, framed against the inky sky. Even from atop the city wall, we could hear the distant crackling of the fireworks.

Underneath the fireworks, I saw Schwartz reach out, the shadow of his arm nearing closer and closer to tap the shoulder of Yelena's silhouette. Between them, the distance shortened with each flicker of light, and before I realized it, my attention wasn't fixated on the fireworks anymore.

I didn't even know what gift Schwartz had picked out. We had spent the rest of our time together in Babel looking, but in the end, we hadn't found anything, so he had opted to strike out on his own while thanking me for my "help".

There was a murmured conversation amongst them, and then Schwartz brought out another package from under his jacket. Then, between the two, Yelena's arm reached out to snag the package while the other arm reached around his neck and the silhouette of their faces moved closer and closer towards each other until–

A firework erupted with a massive BOOM, showering over the entirety of the city in streaks of crimson light as I turned away to avoid the blinding flash.

How cliched.

There was some more scattered drinking and talking after that, but the festivities had mostly died down as the bottles were emptied. After we made our way down from the city wall, we had walked through the city until we were at Babel.

As I turned to head back, I felt a hand land on my shoulder. "Hey, Hikitani-san." Schwartz gazed at me, his hand aloft. Within it, there was a gift. "For you. Thanks."

"For what?" I stared at him, but he nudged the gift towards me nonetheless. "I don't need it."

"Just as thanks. It's a token of my appreciation. Just take it." Wordlessly, I took the package that he practically forced into my hands, while he went over to Yelena. He blushed as she grabbed him by the hand and began leading him down East Main, and a large, stupid smile spread over his face. I scoffed.

"Heyyyy, Hikigaya." There was a voice that caused me to turn around. Behind me, Hackard wobbled unsteadily back and forth, supporting herself by leaning against the wall, a flat package clutched in her arms. "Y'know, I almost forgot to give this to you, heh… funny, isn't that?" she staggered as she walked towards me before shoving it into my arms.

"Everyone already… got theirs, so this… this one's for you!" As I took the package, she threw her arms around me in a hug. "Happy Holy Night!"

"..." I looked for the words to respond as I remained trapped amidst the hug, but couldn't find any before a response escaped my mouth of its own volition. "... Merry Christmas to you too, Hackard."

"Christmas? Whuzzat?" In response to her inquisitive head tilt, I waved her off.

"... Don't worry about it. Have a good night, Hackard."

"Hehe, you too!" She smiled back at me before moving on to join the other two. "Heyyy, Chris, Yelena… ! Wait up!"

I stood there for a while, looking after them. I watched as Hackard caught up to the two of them and wildly slung her arm around Schwartz's back, laughter clear in her grinning face. As the three of them made their way down the street, still full of holiday cheer and warmth, I turned, alone, towards the Hostess.

~~This is a Line Break~~

Holidays are no fun. When the time of the year draws close, it's easier to become overworked, and it becomes even harder to be relaxed right after.

Quietly closing the door after sneaking through the Hostess's hallway, I dropped into my bed and let out a small yawn, doing my best to ignore the festivities in the other building, where Anya and Rollo's incessant yowling could be heard, even now. Before I could fall asleep, however, the two lumps in my bag were asking to be opened, and I had to oblige.

It's even worse if someone buys you a gift, because you probably won't even like it.

Both of the packages were rectangular. Schwartz's was thicker and wrapped in packaging paper, while Hackard's was thinner but wider, wrapped in blue cloth the color of her hair.

I slit the wrapping paper open with my knife and easily removed it, crumpling it up into a ball and tossing it to the side.

Not only that, but if someone gives you a gift, you're obligated to give one back.

A note from Schwartz was closed inside the leatherbound book I had received, golden filigree faintly glimmering in the moonlight to spell out the words "Chronicles Fantasia". Embossed below the title in gold was the number "1".

"Heya, Hikigaya. I heard you were really into reading, so I picked up a first edition, first volume of the newest fiction series that the bookstore had been selling. Apparently, this was selling like potato croquettes in Altena, so I thought you might like it. Happy Holy Night! - Christopher Schwartz."

I placed the book on the desk. I'd read it later.

And there's nothing more than a simple gift-giving to demonstrate how little you know about a person.

Next was Hackard's gift, bound with a red ribbon. An easy tug made it give way, the cloth unfurling to reveal the edges of a simple, wooden picture frame.

However, that is not to say that your gift won't be appreciated.

I eyed the rough pencil sketch Hackard had given me, my eyes drinking in every detail.

Hackard had sketched herself out in the center of the crowd, permanently caught midair in a jump of joy, her sword dangerously close to Umbar, who was in the middle of a loud, bellowing laugh. Yelena crouched down right next to them, her face frozen in a look of confusion as she eyed something behind the artist. Schwartz stood off to the side, face caught in a gentle smile. And then there was me. Hackard had somehow managed to recreate my lack of photogenity, capturing me in the background, face set in a blank expression, with my eyes staring somewhere into the distance...

Woah woah woah. I know that my eyes are bad, but were they really as bad as Hackard drew them as? They looked like they were trying to actively rip out someone's soul. I think this is slanderous embellishment, you know? That's just hurtful. Hackard, why would you send this sketch to me like this? Compensate me for my hurt feelings! Compensate me, I say!

The sketch had been titled "My Kinda Party", with "Maris Hackard" scrawled as a signature in the lower-right hand corner. There was even a note on the back. The address, which originally had "Hikitani" written on it, had been scrawled out.

"To Hikigaya: Thanks for being my rival. And for being the best friend I could ask for. Happy Holy Night! - Maris Hackard."

Should the intent of the giver come through loud and clear, regardless of what type of gift it is, you'll be able to come to some modicum of understanding.

I set the drawing of the party up on the corner of my desk before lighting up the magic-stone lantern and positioning it to provide my desk with the most illumination. One cup of coffee later, and I opened up my new book. Sleep could wait.

In conclusion: Despite all of its shortcomings, the holiday season still has some redeeming features.

Afterword:

If you were wondering about what happens afterwards–Chris receives a wrapped present that was snuck into his adventuring backpack after his next trip. He opens it and finds a bundle of spearheads, which fit onto his current spear perfectly. They're clearly intended as replacements. Maris, on the other hand, gets a brand-new whetstone–she was planning to buy one, but hadn't found time for a replacement yet.

"Bah, humbug" is something I could imagine Hikigaya saying. I wrote this back in January 2021, so it's actually almost been 4 years since the majority of this chapter was made. Chronologically, it's actually the "first" chapter of Volume 3.5, because it was the first one I made. Originally, it was intended as a Christmas Omake, but I put it off in favor of finishing Volume 2, and then it was inbound for Volume 3.5 instead. Oops!

I hope you enjoyed, though! See you next week!

Sincerely,
Oreo the Cookie