Mystic Christmas Prologue Part 3

Around the same time all the Santa School stuff is going on, camera now shifts over to Shinjuku because the viewpoint has to come back to us at some point. In the classroom, Kengo points out that snow is falling outside and is getting excited about it. Shirou says it doesn’t seem like it’ll be that heavy, but the next few days should be cold regardless. Moritaka says it looks like the biggest cold wave of the year will be coming and comments on it looking like a white  Christmas.

Shirou is quiet for a second before suggesting hot pot for dinner again tonight. Kengo complains about it since he says Shirou’s been cutting corners lately. Shirou argues back that he’s been making extra effort on the prep work and making the soup stock by hand. Chouji comments that hot pot is easy to make and high in nutrients, so he tends to be asked to make stews this season. You comment that hot pot is the go to winter dish, say it’s nice but not something to have consecutively, or say you want curry.

In B, Kengo agrees and says he’d like a beef bowl or a katsudon. In C, Shirou takes note of that and suggests a curry hot pot, which Kengo still complains about. Shirou however says the stuff in the fridge is close to expiring which is why he’s sticking with this until the weekend.

Anyways, Touji seems bothered by something and thinks on it for a while before declaring he’s realized what’s on his mind. He then asks why Ryouta isn’t joining the talk about foods. Ryouta is baffled by both this sudden turn and Touji’s focus on that. Chouji says he understands Touji’s thoughts though and asks what Ryouta has been writing all morning.

Ryouta laughs and asks if they’re that interested. Kengo and Touji both deny this, but Ryouta happily shoves what he calls a page of his masterpiece into their faces. Shirou is mildly surprised at his sudden pushiness. You take a look for yourself and say it looks like a blueprint. Specifically a blueprint for Ryouta’s dream cake.

Shirou initially thinks it’s a recipe before correcting to blueprint too. Ryouta decides to concede to the term and mentions he’s not familiar with how cakes are made. Moritaka says the cake idea is so like him what with it being three layers with different flavors, and Ryouta is happy he likes it. You either comment that it’s very Christmassy, say you want to try it when it’s done, or ask if it’s a request for Santa.

Ryouta says he’s going to ask Chouji to make it. Chouji is surprised by this but isn’t refusing to do it. He mentions the scale of it would make it a big special event sort of cake though. Ryouta says he just wants to eat it and brings up that the Santa Sendoff Ceremony is coming up soon.

Shirou sort of understands and says Chouji makes a giant cake every year but has trouble coming up with designs. Chouji says it’s because the cake is the big finale so he has to think about the design and other things for it. Ryouta suggests his design as a way to help, so Chouji tells him he isn’t making the cake this year.

Ryouta has a minor breakdown at this bit of news, so Moritaka tries to calm him down and says they should hear out the situation from Chouji. Chouji explains that the ceremony’s plans this year have changed a bit, so they’ve looked to someone else to handle making the sweets for it. Shinjuku’s cooking club will be handling the main dishes instead, which will include roast chicken, salads, and hors d’oeuvres.

Shirou congratulates Chouji on this and says he’ll be excited for those dishes in the big day. Chouji thanks him and apologizes to Ryouta. Ryouta asks him if the cake by the new guy will be good, so Chouji vouches for it wholeheartedly saying he had a test taste.

Some time later, Mononobe comes in to start class for the day. He notices Ryouta being in a good mood and decides to ask about it. Ryouta says he’ll tell him later, so Mononobe figures it must be about a Christmas cake or something. You are either impressed by Mononobe’s insight or say Ryouta’s easy to read.

Anyways Mononobe says he has some news for everyone and decides to start with stuff about the Santa Sendoff Ceremony. It’ll be happening as per usual, and Shinjuku will be continuing to cohost. People are still being selected to help with the organizing, so if anyone is interested they should head on over. Apparently a first year and third year have already been picked while Jinn and Triton are hoping to join as well.

Mononobe also pulls out a fax that came in just earlier and tells everyone that the last bit of news is that the main program for the ceremony will be a sauna. The class is baffled into silence and Shirou asks Mononobe to repeat that since he thinks he misheard him. Mononobe says he knows how he feels but it’s written clear as day on the paper. Shirou asks to look at it and confirms it’s there. Big bold block print letters (well kana really) according to Mononobe.

You try to wrap your head about mixing Christmas with saunas, and Mononobe asks everyone to settle down. He’s gonna go recheck on that and tell everyone what’s up later. Then he prompts Shirou to do the standard Japanese classroom formalities.

Time skips to after class as Shirou tells everyone that yes sauna is definitely the thing for the Santa stuff this year. You wonder what’s up with the Santas here, and Kengo mentions going to saunas a lot when he was younger after martial arts training at the bathhouse. Shirou adds that *somebody* ended up fainting and then swimming in the cold baths, so he doesn’t have fond memories of the things.

Kengo tries glossing over that memory by saying hot springs are way better and wanting to go to an open air bath in the mountains again. Touji joins the conversation by agreeing and commenting on how unusual that is. But yeah baths are great for heating up from the chill.

Moritaka comments that you don’t really see saunas aside from in bathhouses in Tokyo. Shirou says their generation isn’t that familiar with it having not seen many and having entered even fewer. Moritaka then asks if you’ve ever been in one. You either sorta say yes, say you don’t like them, or say no.

In A, Ryouta is impressed. He then suggests going all together when the ceremony happens since you’ll all have a chance to go. Moritaka and Kengo agree, though Shirou needles Kengo about not passing out this time and reminding him to stay hydrated. Touji volunteers to keep an eye on him as he says he’s used to needing to keep track of people. You then express either some, a little of, or a lot of enthusiasm for the idea.

Some time later, Chouji excuses himself and apologizes for leaving the dorm dinner making to Shirou lately. Shirou waves it off since Chouji will be busy for the event. Ryouta wishes Chouji good luck and is still disappointed by the cake thing, but he’s still excited for his cooking. Then Chouji leaves.

Kengo says they should head off too and tells Ryouta to move it if he doesn’t want to be left behind. Ryouta however makes a request of everyone. You either wonder what it is and comment on how sudden it is or say you’ll do anything for him.

Going A, Ryouta says he’s been thinking of it for a while ever since the ceremony topic was brought up, and Touji prompts him to say it out loud. Ryouta says it’s just a suggestion but asks what everyone thinks of joining the organizing committee.

Shirou asks if he has something on his mind, so Ryouta says it’s not a big thing but the sauna thing stuck with him. You either ask him to explain or just wait and listen. Ryouta says he was surprised at first, but thinks it’s a good idea after all. They’re meant to make you feel good after all. Ryouta also wants to do something to show his appreciation for Chouji, Yule, and Krampus. And if he could do this with everyone that could make a cool unforgettable memory.

The gang is quiet, so Ryouta backs off from the idea and says you guys should all go home. You however interrupt to support the idea and say you want to go with everyone to a sauna. Moritaka also offers to join in, as does Kengo. Touji says he hasn’t done much Western holiday stuff so it might be good to try them once in a while.

Shirou says he’ll come along if you guys are going to see Mononobe and supports Ryouta’s idea as well. You add in that you hope you guys will have a good Christmas, sauna experience, or make good memories. Ryouta thanks you.

Some time later, Shirou is done talking with Mononobe and says you’re all in the organizing group. He’s not sure you guys can help with the sauna part just yet, though Mononobe can put a recommendation in. Kengo shrugs at that and says you guys can’t just do the parts you want to do anyway. Ryouta says preparing for the party should be as fun as the real thing, and if you guys are assigned to different things you’ll be doing your best as always.

Moritaka is quiet and looking around, which Ryouta asks about. Moritaka brushes it off as his imagination but thinks he still senses someone around. Some Evil is around, but no one really notices.

Time skips a bit later to Touji coming back as he asks Shirou if their assignments had come in yet. Shirou says they’re ready thanks to him and apologizes for taking his time. Ryouta asks if some sort of promise or whatever came up on the phone. Touji says it’s not a big emergency and that it was a scheduled call from Hougen.

Touji then starts looking serious as he mentions that he did hear something strange. There’s a rumor floating around the police department that might be true. When you ask, Touji says Hougen told him after he told him about the organizing stuff. Also Hougen says he’s totally first in line when the sauna is done.

Anyways Kengo asks Touji about the rumor already. Touji doesn’t say anything at first, but then says there’s a bit of a case of Santa Claus going around pulling pranks on young children before running off. The rest of the gang is surprised, and you all move to a class room to talk some more.

Shirou expresses his disbelief at the news, and Kengo asks if the pranked kids were bad kids. But even if they were it’s wrong to be pranking them. Ryouta insists there must be a misunderstanding. Touji then starts talking about how most adults believe in Santa as someone who watches over children. Because of that they don’t believe the case is genuine and think it’s just kids making stuff up for attention.

Shirou asks if he’s saying it’s not. Touji says the reports are increasing by the day and every child testifying said Santa did it. Kengo grumbles that this case is weird since they can’t not believe it. You ask whether any adults started to believe because the kids were saying so. Touji says part of the police is suspecting Santa, with Ded Moroz being one of them. A voice suddenly yells in shock, and you are surprised by this and say you feel someone is there.

Ryouta freaks out a little about a stranger being around, and Moritaka says the hidden presence is revealing itself. The voice begs Touji to explain and asks if Ded really is under suspicion. You look around for a bit and eventually see Tomte hanging from the ceiling like some sort of ninja.

Touji demands Tomte to identify himself and asks if he’s Santa Claus. Tomte is concerned about giving himself away and mentions his Santa Sneak, which Shirou notices and asks if he’s related to the Santas. Tomte decides to retreat and bails from the classroom.

You guys run out to the hallway as Touji demands he stay to answer some questions. Moritaka also calls after Tomte, and Kengo notes that Tomte is clearly visible this time. Tomte runs back to be indignant that his sneaky escape isn’t working on them. He also wonders if their belief in Santa is weak and thinks about what’s happening to the faith given to Santa.

Ryouta tries to get Tomte to stop and says he’s a friend of Yule and Krampus. Tomte describes Yule as having nice prongs and fur as he expresses his surprise in Ryouta knowing him. Shirou asks him to calm down and talk with them. Tomte takes a moment before apologizing for surprising them and says he’ll talk.

You guys go back into the classroom as Tomte introduces himself and mentions he’s a 2nd year student in the Santa course. Ryouta asks if he’s Yule’s classmate, but Touji tells him to not let his guard down so fast before asking why Tomte is around their school. Tomte says Ded asked him to find out why there’s been an increase of bad kids since the beginning of the month.

Touji asks if Tomte can prove he isn’t the culprit. He doesn’t answer at first but says he can show some with his artifact. He activates it, summoning something like a memo pad to his hands. He shows it to you guys and explains that it can read and write out the memories of whoever he uses it on.

When you ask him on that point, Tomte says he uses it to see whether someone is a good kid or bad kid. He also says it basically can’t be used for anything else because he’s restricting it to the barest minimum of information. Kengo comments he could do so much more if he weren’t limiting it like that.

Tomte says he feels memories are important and sacred since they’re proof that someone has lived. He says Kengo ought to have things he wouldn’t want known and asks what he’d think if they were let loose. Kengo apologizes for the remark.

Touji asks what Tomte is planning on showing with his artifact. Tomte says he’ll show his own memories with it since it should prove his innocence that way. Touji is shocked by that, and Tomte adds that Ded and Yule should show up in them, so it should at least make some things clear.

Shirou points out that this isn’t foolproof evidence since it’s possible there are artifacts that can fake memories. Tomte says all he can do is get you guys to believe. You ask Tomte to read your memories with it since that should verify whether it works. Moritaka is surprised and offers to be the one it’s used on instead. You thank him but say you’re okay with doing it, and maybe add that it’s a little embarrassing still.

Kengo sighs about you sticking your head into dangerous situations but tells Moritaka to let you be. If anything happens he’ll cover for you. Touji threatens to lop Tomte’s head off if he does anything suspicious. Tomte comments that everyone believes in you and wishes everyone would believe in him too, then gets on with activating his artifact.

Light shines from Tomte’s pad, and words that only he can read appear on it. He’s surprised by what he sees, which are the memories of the day you came to Tokyo. As things flash by, he comments that your memories of your time before Tokyo are gone too, and that you’re the same as him.

Eventually Tomte’s memories start flashing in too from his first day in Tokyo and his acceptance to the Santa School. Happy times are seen, ending with some strange noise. You comment on seeing his memories and the people at the Santa School, then ask about the noise at the end. Shirou asks what you saw, so you either start explaining or ask Tomte if you can tell them. B just adds a quick line of him agreeing.

One offscreened explanation later, Touji says you feel Tomte isn’t lying, and that he isn’t the pranking Santa culprit, which he decides is good enough for him. As such, Touji apologizes for being suspicious of him and brandishing his sword at him.

Tomte says it’s okay and admits to looking suspicious now that he’s looked back on his actions. You agree that he was super suspicious,, so Tomte laughs about how harsh you are. Everyone also laughs for a bit to let out the tension, and Moritaka wonders who the culprit could be. Touji says the police have no leads either, which has left Hougen at a loss with things.

Tomte says the pranking Santa bothers him and that no Santa would act that way. You offer to help him with finding the culprit as friends. He’s surprised by that, and Ryouta agrees to help too. Tomte tries to protest it saying it’s what Ded asked him to do, so you either say it’s better if everyone helps, say you don’t want people hating Yule and the others, or say you want to get on better with Tomte.

Moritaka says that letting the pranking Santa cause more trouble would bother Ded. Tomte is having difficulty believing you guys would help someone you don’t know and just met, but Ryouta grabs him by the arm and suggests exchanging phone numbers and deciding when you’ll all meet again.

After the contacts are exchanged, Tomte comments on having finally done so with students outside the Santa School. You call to everyone and say you guys should find the culprit and make the event a success. The gang responds in unison with Tomte awkwardly joining in as the episode ends.