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[dereban]

Inaban

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[spacialeyes]

A romantic holiday..? Back home, we call that 'Valentines' and celebrate in February.

[But he thinks that he understands!]

Do you suppose that they celebrate it in this world? I wonder if Nenonen will want to learn about it...

[dereban]

Well, we have Valentine's as well. But it a pretty different... vibe?

[ As for the answer to his question: ]

I think they do. Maybe not entirely the same way, but I remember hearing about it here and there. Is the person you mentioned your romantic partner...?

[spacialeyes]

[When Inaba asks that, Yuuto answers with his body language: He's immediately blushing and his tail has curled into a heart shape. It feels like the heat in his face is causing his hair to rise, so Yuuto begins patting down his head and hair in a shy near-panic.]

I-I think so... I'm one of their... their partners, mm. [It's hard not to smile when he thinks about it. This is the first time he's talked about their relationship.] But they have a lot of people who love them. I'm sure it would mean more to have a Christmas with a Christmas-senpai than a newbie like me.

[dereban]

What's with that lack of confidence...

[ She sighs a bit pathetically with a frown. ]

It doesn't matter if it's your first or your twentieth Christmas, if they care about you, they'll enjoy spending Christmas with you regardless.

[spacialeyes]

[He’s startled when she scolds him… but not unhappy. It’s weird to have someone tell him things bluntly. He kind of likes it and how it cuts through his anxiety.]

Aaahhh, well… I guess… Mm. You’re right. They care about me a lot, so they’d enjoy spending time together.

[Yuuto lowers his gaze, shy.] S-Sorry. I’m not used to it yet, is all. Um… Do you know how to romance on Crickmas?

[dereban]

Good. I'm glad you understand.

[ She lets out a little huff, before-- ]

...Hm? Why are you asking me? Do I look like a master of romance? And it's Christmas.

[spacialeyes]

Christmas... [He repeats quietly while forming a reply,] Mm, you do? You're the only person that I know of to ask, actually?

[dereban]

I don't know if I should worry that I'm the only person that you know to ask about this sort of thing.

[spacialeyes]

[He doesn't want to admit to being unsocial. Even now, Yuuto is terrified of vanishing and leaving people behind.]

Well... I don't know how common Christmas is in other worlds. You may be the only one who knows of it.

[dereban]

It honestly depends on the kind of world someone's from. I've seen a pretty mixed bag when it comes to people from other worlds.

. . . well. My biggest warning would be to be careful of mistletoe around strangers.

[spacialeyes]

Oh, do not be concerned. I do not have access to missiles.

[dereban]

[ ... ]

Mistletoe is a type of plant-- what's the stupid scientific term again... The viscum album. Or at least, that's one type, anyway.

[spacialeyes]

Oh.

Is it toxic?

[dereban]

Yes.

But what it's most known for is that around Christmas time, if two people stand under the mistletoe, they have to kiss.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto files this away as Fact and nods.]

I see… That sounds very troublesome when encountering a stranger, for sure. Thank goodness you’ve informed me before I made a fool of myself.

[Or got arrested for not kissing someone, he thinks.]

[dereban]

Well, it's not something that's enforced, but given that this world has magic... you never know what might happen. Which is why I am staying at home when I'm not working.

[spacialeyes]

Oh. [...] Where do you work, then? I'll come visit you!

[dereban]

I'm kind of... freelancing at the moment, actually.

[spacialeyes]

Oh, me as well. I've been doing quests and assisting my sister with her atelier. I collect potion ingredients!

[dereban]

Potions, huh. That sort of thing is pretty common in this world, isn't it.

[spacialeyes]

Yes! And they can be used to help anyone, regardless of any abilities that person possesses. There are a number of interesting ingredients that I must forge for.

[dereban]

"Help anyone", huh.

[ Inaba isn't sure about that. Then again, she's so very much anti-potions. Or well, anti-supernatural in general, and potions kind of fit in that category, even if some of it can go in the 'science' category. ]

[spacialeyes]

It's really amazing too! There have been potions that do all sorts of things.

[He beams with pride as he continues,] My dear friend is a doctor and I like to think that we are helping him to help others. Though, I can hardly compare my efforts to his. All I can do is gather ingredients for others to use...

[dereban]

Right.

[ Her answer is rather dismissive, as if she's just saying it automatically. ]

Well, not everyone will like using potions.

[ It's probably just her, though. ]

[spacialeyes]

Do you think so..? Hmm... I wonder what I can do instead to help them?

[They're arriving at the cafe now, with Yuuto slowing his walk and pointing towards the door,] Here it is. What do you think?