[Novel] On Christmas

I am participating in the Tomoshibi Story Cup hosted by Kokoro, Katachi, Zukuru 'Re-Curator'.

Christmas is packed with dreams.

"Akane, I met Santa Claus."

Akane-chan said with sparkling eyes.

"Huh?! What was he like?"

I have never met Santa Claus.

Envious of Akane-chan, I pressed her for details, asking her to tell me everything.

Akane-chan placed her right index finger on her cheek as if to ponder, then glanced at me with a precocious, big-sister pose, saying, "Hmm, I wonder if I should tell you."

"He was wearing red clothes and had a white beard."

Akane-chan's face was very proud as she said that.

"Santa had a big bag and said he was going to go around the whole neighborhood from now on."

"Really?! Then, did he stop by my place too?"

I pictured the new dress for my Licca-chan doll, which was my present this year.

I hadn't told anyone what I wanted, so I was incredibly happy that Santa knew everything.

Santa Claus really does exist!

"I wish I could have said thank you to Santa, too."

When I was opening my Santa present first thing on Christmas morning, my parents were irritable from the start, saying nothing but, "You'll be late for school, so do that after you get home."

Feeling reluctant, I put the present down and sat at the breakfast table, but my mind was full of the contents of the gift, and I couldn't taste the food. I was also worried about my parents, who were more irritable than usual.

"Santa is amazing, isn't he! I want to meet him next year, too. Where should I wait for him? Where did you meet him, Akane-chan? Inside your house?"

For the first time, Akane-chan made a grumpy face.

I don't think it's possible.

Huh? Why?

Because... the neighborhood Santa was talking about is near Akane's house.

Then maybe I can meet a different Santa...

That's why it's impossible. At your place, Mii-chan, it's not a real Santa; it's just your mom or dad pretending to be Santa and leaving presents.

You don't know that for sure!

My heart felt like it was going to break, and I didn't understand why Akane-chan was being so mean.

But you've never seen Santa yourself, have you, Mii-chan?

I haven't, but...

Besides, when I met Santa, his bag was already flat. Didn't he skip your house?

Maybe he visited my house before yours, you know!

Akane-chan's house was indeed far from mine, but if you grouped them together, they were in the same neighborhood.

Doesn't Santa deliver presents to every child?

Isn't that why there was a Licca-chan dress by my pillow?

Santa came to my house too!

I'm teeeeelllling you...

To me, on the verge of tears, Akane-chan looked annoyed, shook her head from side to side, and stuck out her tongue.

Santa doesn't come to the houses of crybabies.

---

While drinking hot cocoa, I waited for the deep night of Christmas Eve.

I had been hearing the children arguing about Santa from the next room, but it has been a while since that went quiet.

I switch the lights to a nightlight to keep the room from getting too bright, then gently slide open the sliding door to the next room.

My daughter in the third grade and my son in the first grade.

They are sleeping soundly, both with their mouths hanging open.

I tiptoe over and place a present by each of their pillows.

I can't give them anything grand, but Santa really does exist.

He doesn't wear a red suit, and he doesn't have a white beard, either.

Whether you're a crybaby, stubborn, or a liar, Santa comes to everyone.

Even if there isn't a present by your pillow, Santa has still come to visit.

The Santa that Akane-chan saw was a real Santa, and a real Santa had come to visit me, too.

I gently close the sliding door again and gaze at the mug containing the hot cocoa that has gone cold.

But I wonder if he won't come to me now that I'm an adult.

Just as I was cleaning up the mug and thinking about heading to bed, I heard the sound of the front door lock clicking open.

"Man, it's cold. Oh, you're still up?"

"Welcome home. I had to play Santa today, you see."

"Right. That's right. Today is the day."

He said, "Thanks for everything, as always," and while still wrapped in the cold air from outside, he approached and hugged me.

"Merry Christmas."

"It's still Christmas Eve today."

Christmas is filled with dreams.

[Today's English Composition]
They say that persistence is power in everything. It is important to keep working at it without giving up.
They say persistence pays off in everything. It's important to do your best and never give up.

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