99.2. [Christmas ~ Angu Ogu’s Side]

Mai and the transfer student.

They compare the Christmas presents they received from each other.

As usual, when it comes to this kind of meticulous work, Mai is good at it.

The transfer student truly understands my preferences.

The colors are simple and subdued, and they seem easy to use.

I can’t believe that both were made by elementary school students. The quality is impressive.

Receiving such elaborate gifts makes me feel genuinely grateful.

“Thank you. But I’m sorry, I didn’t prepare a gift for you.”

“Yeah, I just wanted to give you a gift!”

“Huh? Well then, Mai wants a ‘voucher for one thing you want me to do’?”

“You should hold back.”

Still, it feels uncomfortable when I don’t give anything in return.

But I can’t come up with anything fancy.

“Oh, is there something you want? If it’s something I can give you, I’ll give it as a present.”

“Huh, is that okay? In that case, um…”

The transfer student musters up the courage and points at my neck with trembling hands.

There, was a worn-out scarf I used since my first day of school.

“Oh, is this okay? I’ll buy a new one and give it to you later.”

“Yes! Th-That’s perfect!”

“I see. Well, here you go.”

I take it off right there and hand it over.

The transfer student jumps up in joy <Yatta~!> instantly.

She’s so happy that it puzzles me, who gave the presentation.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, they repeatedly say, <Thank you very much!> while shedding tears. Unconsciously, their native language slips out.

“You’re… you’re welcome.”

I understand what it’s like to be the one supporting someone.

But I still don’t know how to react when I’m the one being supported.

It feels a bit embarrassing.

I’m getting shy.

“Iroha-chan, me too! Um, um…”

Watching such an exchange, Mai raised her hand.

But then she froze, looking at my hands.

The transfer student received a scarf as thanks for the scarf they gave.

She probably thought, “I should get gloves too,” unfortunately, I wasn’t wearing gloves.

They would get in the way of using my smartphone.

“Oh well, in that case, I’ll give you… huh!?”

I smacked Mai’s face with a balled-up sock.

That’s enough for you!

“That’s mean, Iroha-cha… Huuufft, haa~ Iroha-chan’s freshly taken-off socks… Hehehe~”

“Hey, wait! Give it back!”

“Mai already got it, no~! Yippee~!”

“Hey, don’t run away!”

“Iroha-sama, please wait here! I will retrieve it! Please wait for me, Mai-san! Those socks belong to me!”

“They’re not yours either, right!?”

Maybe I made the wrong choice of options.

I meant to give her only the “socks” as a gift, implying that I have no other gift for her.

“Sigh…”

One of my legs feels chilly.

As I rub my feet together, my smartphone vibrates.

[Iroha, sorry for asking so suddenly, but can you make a guest appearance on the Christmas broadcast?]

The sender of the message was Anguogu.

If I had received this message 10 minutes ago. I would have declined.

But after hearing the conversation between the transfer student and Mai earlier…

Understanding the emotions of being pushed is difficult.

But I do understand the feelings of being the one doing the pushing.

[Okay]

That’s what I typed.

***

<<Groooroo… Hello, it’s Zombie. It’s Angu Ogu! Merry Christmas, everyone!>>

>Merry Christmas!” (US)

>Thanks for the Christmas Livestream!” (US)

>Technically, it’s still Christmas Eve though!” (US)

<<Woooh! Ooguuu! Merry Christmas!>>

As a viewer myself, I was watching that highly recommended Christmas Livestream.

There was cake and chicken lined up in front of my monitor.

<<We’re doing a surprise live stream for Christmas! Well, I’ve made appointments with the guests in advance!>>

>Are you going to reveal them yourself?” (US)

>At this time, Japanese content creators are busy with Christmas live performances and such.” (US)

>I prepared a feast for Ogu!” (US)

<<Oh, thanks to the Japanese viewers. I’ve also prepared various things. Look, here are some photos.>>

>Hmm, isn’t it subtle? (US)

>That’s nice!

>It looks so simple and funny.” (US)

<<Stop it, you guys! I’ll cry! I’m a grown-up, so this is enough! Besides, since it’s a special occasion, I prepared it in the Japanese style, not the American style.>>

>By the way, in Japan, don’t they eat fried chicken instead of turkey?” (US)

>What’s the connection between Christmas and cake?” (US)

>Is that wine on the side?” (US)

<<Yes, that’s right. It seems to be sparkling wine made in Japan. It’s supposed to be very sweet! I don’t like bitter things, so I thought it would be just right. Alright, is everyone ready with the food? Cheers!>>

I raised my glass and said, “Cheers!” through the monitor.