Birch and Evangile #PulpAdventCalendar2021

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There is still a little time left until night, isn't there? ...You'll stay by my side? I'm so happy.
Then, just for now, just for a little while... could you listen to my story?

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That was on a morning when the lingering snow felt somehow lonely.

I sank my legs, frozen stiff like sticks, into the white, cold bedding and just waited patiently for spring to arrive. Of course, there was nothing to eat. But I had long since pushed the sensation of hunger to some distant place.
Listening to the chatter of the small birds, I let my newly awakened head drift back into a doze, thinking only of how to burn as little of my life as possible, just that and nothing more.
Having broken my body, been abandoned by my companions, and left behind in the winter mountains, I was merely waiting for death. If that was the way of nature, then so be it, I thought.
But that day was different. Along with the light filtering through the gaps in the conifers, the unfamiliar sound of footsteps crunching on the hard snow shook my heart.

Oh, you, don't make a face like that. It can't be helped if you don't remember. You were still very, very young.

A small boy—yes, that's you—appeared before me, leading two majestic reindeer and ducking under the spruce cones.
Seeing me sitting on the ground, you immediately let go of the reins held in your small hands and ran over. You were desperately trying to say something, but I couldn't make out the meaning at all. Because my frozen body was already at its limit, and my consciousness was fading.
You left one of the two reindeer you were leading by my side to warm me up, and you rode the other one back the way you came. I thought you were a clever boy, even at such a young age.
After a while, you returned to me, and with the few reindeer you brought along, you put me on a wooden sled and took me through the deep forest.
The sled carrying you and me, pulled by reindeer weaving through the narrow trees.
It was a smooth dash, unlike running on my own legs. I still remember that sensation, the first of my life, very well. I must be very lucky to have had such a precious experience.
Watching you skillfully handle the five reindeer pulling the sled, your eyes fixed straight ahead in the same direction as their gaze, my body felt warm and cozy, as if wrapped in the spring sun.

Thank you. You saved my life.

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It was around early summer, when the green leaves began to stand out, that I was able to step on the ground with my own legs again.
It took some time to rouse my legs, which had once lost their strength, but you took such good care of me. Not only did you provide a warm bed and plenty of food, but sometimes you would spend the whole day in my sleeping quarters... yes, wasn't it you who prepared a room that caught the sun? Saying, 'It feels good to take a nap here'... thinking about it now, was that just an excuse for you to sleep here? —Let's assume it wasn't.
It was just the right size for you and me to snuggle up and sleep together. It would be a lie to say I didn't mind the draft, but when the sun came in, there was no problem at all. Once you breathed in the fragrant smell of straw, you were in dreamland in no time. You always fell asleep before me. ...It's fine, watching your happy sleeping face was one of my joys.
When I lived in the forest, I lived my days constantly on edge, wary of cold, hunger, and the dangers to my life. I had never known in my life that being able to sleep soundly without anything to trouble my heart could fill my heart and body so much.

From summer to autumn. As the birch trees turned color and the area was covered in an orange carpet, I realized that the harsh winter would come again soon.
But I had nothing to be anxious about anymore.

You took me out to the meadow when I wasn't yet in full condition, and watched by my side as I took one step after another with unsteady feet.
You introduced me to those reindeer one by one so that I, who had lost my family, wouldn't feel lonely.
I could never understand the words you always spoke to me, but I could somehow feel what you were thinking.
Your voice, which warmed my heart through my ears, was so comforting, and I would gently rub my forehead against your soft cheek, always thanking you. Even now, yes. If I do this, you'll smile, won't you?

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A winter day when I felt the starry sky was the most beautiful I had ever seen in my life.
The exhilaration I felt when my hooves, which I had stepped out with at that time, pushed against the cold night air and climbed higher and higher, step by step, was a feeling that could not be replaced by anything.
The voice you used to call out to me was like magic. Strangely, strength welled up, and my legs felt light.
It felt like I could run anywhere at a very high speed now. 'Everyone' was just as excited. Forgetting the cold of the midwinter night, it seemed they couldn't help but want to move their bodies as their emotions dictated.

Yes, I had always wanted to repay you.
The day had finally come when I could thank you for saving my life.

No matter how hard the cold night wind mixed with snow blew, our bodies, snuggled closely together, never felt cold at all.
We ran through the cloudless night sky, endlessly, without losing our breath. When our hooves tapped the night like the sound of light bells, even the cities illuminated by bright lights fell asleep in an instant.
And, as if decorating the midnight blue where everything had fallen silent, you scattered happiness like powdered sugar.
The voice I heard from behind should have been exactly the same as the one I heard beside you that winter morning, yet it rang out much more vividly at this moment.
—Ah, I could clearly understand that 'here' is where I belong.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with everyone, 'on this wonderful night,' how proud it makes us to be of service to you.
Even now that I have stepped down from that duty, I will never forget that joy, and I believe it is something that must be passed on to those who succeed us. As the 'Evangile' you gave me signifies, this is the repayment I can make to you.

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Why are you crying? This year's duty hasn't even begun yet. If you have a face like that, everyone will get worried.
It's alright. I have lived longer than you, so it is my destiny that this life will burn out before yours. Eventually, it will be everyone's turn. Sooner or later, for everyone. I... have lived a long time, haven't I? If you hadn't found me then, my life would have vanished.

Since then, the seasons have turned many times, and every time winter comes, I run through the night sky again—and I find myself looking forward to winter coming. I never would have thought of such feelings before.
Before I knew it, enjoying the changing seasons with you and everyone else had become an irreplaceable happiness.
You grew up little by little, and I was infinitely happy to be able to watch you grow—
—Ah, don't cry. I love your smile. I love your voice, I love your gaze. I love you, I love you... Why, even though I want to convey this feeling more than anything, I cannot speak the same language as you.
Please... if... if my wish can be heard... please share with me just a little... of the powdered sugar of happiness you give to the people.
I... want to tell you... in my own... voice. Just two words would be enough.

"Thank you," he said... and then—.

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The young man wiped away his tears and clenched both fists tightly. He gently kissed her still-warm nose, draped a beautifully patterned horse blanket over her, and stood up. As he left the stable, the clear night breeze of the moonlit evening gently brushed against his body.

The reindeer were snorting, waiting impatiently for their turn. At the head of their formation, a red ornament shone brightly. "Everyone, today is 'her' (Cupid's) debut. Please support her well." The young man spoke to the young female reindeer who had been newly assigned to the spot where "she" once stood. "Listen. You don't need to be afraid. You have 'everyone' with you. And you have 'her' (Evangile) too. Tonight will be a wonderful night."

"Your name is [Cupid]. Now, let's go deliver love."

The sleigh, having slid forward with great force, slowly gained altitude toward the moon. To connect the wishes and feelings of many, the nine reindeer raced through the holy night.

Evangile: Gospel. Birch flower language: I will wait for you forever, patience, light and abundance, gentleness.

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[It's fine for a reindeer to fall in love with Santa, isn't it?]

Bullets are dangerous, so I won't be firing them, but I'll leave them here gently. Last year was a dreamy story, but this year was a story about a girl who is dreaming. Christmas always comes with a DREAM. This is my third time participating in this project; my name is Niinomi.

I participated again this year. I used up my luck for the end of the year by drawing the top spot (excluding the organizer fixed for the first day) with a 1 in 23 chance. I can't expect much from my social game gacha at the start of the year. This year I sent a warm pulp... is this pulp?... a one-sided love pulp, but since there are many experts waiting behind me who will be firing intense bullets in earnest, please read this as an appetizer.

Speaking of Santa Claus episodes, reindeer are indispensable, but according to various theories, all the reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh are female. It seems that it is the females who carry magnificent antlers during the winter season. And it is said that each of them is given a name, and each has a different meaning. I tried using these episodes as a reference this time.

I chose the word "Evangile" because it means "one who conveys teachings/evangelist," but I love it because it has a wonderful sound.

Tomorrow, the 3rd, is bapuru-san's "Lost Control".

I want to participate again next year. Merry Christmas. Have sweet dreams.

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