The last of our three tales follow none other than our leads. The demon lord of another world, and the manger of a convenience store that she works at. While Juuto didn't care for the rule that made them together, Rame was more than happy to look for something that gave them some fun.
"So, you've never been to one of these before?" She commented that fact to herself. "It's kind of exciting that the two of us are going to be learning about this then." Normally, he was the one that explained to her how certain things worked here. Since he was the one from this world. So there was a sense of adventure going into this blind.
"I mean, I know what Christmas is." He informed her. "So I'm not completely lost here."
"But I bet you have no clue where to go right now." She wasn't wrong in that assessment. "So that means I get a chance to take us to whatever I think looks cool." While the girl was more than happy to follow his recommendations, it was time she took the lead for once.
"That's fine with me." He was content with that. It wasn't as if being the lead was something that he was used to doing anyway. After all, the man had only been promoted to this position just a couple months ago. "So where to, captain?" She took a long while to look at him, wondering where that nickname came from. "What? You call me boss all the time."
"Hmm?" She returned to scanning their surroundings on where to go. This reminded her back during her days leading demons to ravaging a town or engaging with another military. "If there's one thing I've learned, is that people really like where all the children are." She pointed over to a tent where dozens of young kids were walking in with their parents.
"I wonder what this is all about." He commented as they walked. It wasn't clear what this place was for on the outside. All it said on the sign was that this was 'Santa's Workshop'. However, things became clear as they walked inside. The place filled the pair with awe, despite neither of them being children. There were toys lining up along multiple bookshelves. It was brightly lit and there were flashing lights up along the top to shift between the festive colors.
The reason for there being so many children here was simply because of all the joy and toys for them to ask as a gift for the holidays. Not only that, but there was a section with a rug on the ground for them to sit around, for a story was about to be read.
"Juuto, is that really you?" His presence would be more than enough for people to be in disbelief. In this case, it was the elder lady, Morin Nagaya, that was here helping out with the children who was asking this question. "I can't believe my eyes, it really is you."
"Yeah, I guess you could say I finally bit the bullet." He greeted her with an uneasy smile. "It's just because Rame really wanted to go, and you guys told me about the rule. So I couldn't just let her go alone."
"Oh, that rule was just something we all made up so you would finally bring a date to one of these things." He was speechless as she chuckled about the neighborhood joke he wasn't in on.
"I guess we could've gone with the rest of them." Rame responded, now pondering what they were doing in their respective pairings. "Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter now." Juuto couldn't agree with her on that assessment.
"Anyway." He noticed the old lady wearing a costume. "I'm guessing you're pretending to be Mrs. Claus to read to the children?" Juuto hit the bullseye there, that was what the woman was about to do.
"Although..." She came up with a mischievous plan on the spot. "I could do with a pair of helpers."
"What do you mean?"
***
"So this is what you meant." Juuto said unenthusiastically as he and Rame were forced to play as elves for her with the children. The two of them were made to ear long pointy ears with green hats for their head.
"So this is what you guys think elves look like?"
"What do they look like on Enatis?" He quietly whispered to her as they stood in front of all the kids.
"You're pretty much right, but they don't wear these silly hats. And they're pretty short too." Well, it wasn't like the elves of Christmas were trying to be the elves of fantasy anyway. Though, since Enatis actually exists, Earth's elves were technically more fantasy.
"…And then, the elves gave all the good little boys and girls their presents." Morin ushered the pair to carry out the large bag and give all the children a toy. They obliged, with Juuto carrying the heavy bag and Rame taking out one at a time as they walked by the kids. Funnily enough, it would've made more sense given her insane strength to be the one holding the bag. However, they didn't want to give the ruse up.
"That should be everyone." Juuto said as they returned to the elderly lady.
"Yep, all the good little girls and boys got their presents." Rame had gotten into the act. She never once thought that giving children joy was something that could be so fun. The man figured they were about finished with the story, however Morin had other plans.
"Our story seems to have one final thing for our two little helpers though." She pointed up, which lead to Juuto seeing a fishing rod being held above their heads. On its hook was a mistletoe. His jaw dropped when he realized the trap the old woman put him in.
"What's that?" Rame asked.
"My dear, you don't know?" Morin kept up with her act as she made up the story on the spot. "That's a mistletoe and they say if two people find themselves standing under one. They must share a kiss."
"K-k-kiss!?" She couldn't believe her ears, nor was Juuto very happy with hearing this either. They were being ushered on by the woman to finish this little play. The kids watching this were also cheering them on to do it as well.
"This wasn't what I was expecting at all." He whisper to her, as they quietly faced one another.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to put you through this." She replied, remorseful since this was her idea in the first place.
"It's fine." He held no hard feelings. "I was hoping to wait until I met that special someone, but I think you're fine too." Juuto didn't hold back. After all, there was little point in delaying the inevitable. The man went right in and landed his lips onto hers. Rame never had this sensation before. It had nearly happened once before, with Juuto of all people, but that is a story for another time. For right now, the two locked lips in a kiss to satisfy the desires of those around them.
But to say that it didn't satisfy their own desires would be an incorrect statement as well.
"There." He said as they separated. The pair faced the crowd and gave them a bow for completing the show. "When we're done, let's get out of here quick."
"I-I got y-you, boss." She was feeling a little special after a kiss like that. However, that didn't make the girl lose focus on their plan. So as soon as the two got out of their costumes, they hightailed it out of there.