Mystic Christmas Epilogue

Things start off some time after the big event with the Santa Sendoff Ceremony in Ded’s office, where Ded has called Tomte to come over. Black is there saying he called Tomte in to tell him how he did as the event lead. Tomte says he’s ready for it because he has the sauna no matter what the result is, then asks Ded to lay it on him. Ded is amused as he says he’ll get to it then.

Ded starts off with the preparations, saying Tomte did unbelievably well to handle that and the demon investigation at the same time. Tomte inwardly wonders if he was personally complimented. Ded moves on to Tomte’s communication with the cohosting school organizers, saying he did great and comments that he’s good at background deals. He also tells him to focus on that.

Ded then says there’s one point that he could point out for Tomte, though he figures he already knows. That point is that Tomte focuses on the feelings of being the one helping rather than the one being helped. What Tomte feels is important, but Ded says he needs to consider the feelings of those helping him too.

A thought of Krampus flashes through Tomte’s head, and Ded makes a point of saying that being in charge means you have to be in a higher position whether you like it or not. It’s not about how great you are. If things are decided to be done a certain way for everyone’s sake, that’s all that’s happening.

Ded then reminds Tomte that roles and rank orders don’t define individual values. He tells him to not act self-important or to take on too much, then says the latter would be more applicable to him.

Tomte asks if that’s all there’s going to be for this discussion since he thought he’d be rebuked more than this. Ded questions the point of that, saying the event went well and Christmas finished without any issues. Tomte brings up that he did temporarily run out on things while he was still supposed to be managing things.

Ded remembers that that happened and adds that would also count as running away from home. He says he has to punish bad kids, then orders Tomte to close his eyes. Tomte is confused but does so.

Tomte expects to be hit, but he’s instead hugged by warmth. Ded tells him to keep his eyes shut or else he’ll really punish him then. He apologizes for trying to give him his artifact without considering how he felt, admitting this is a failure as a Santa and not blaming Tomte for running. Ded then assures that Tomte’s done well enough, no matter what anyone else says. Then he thanks him for saving them.

Ded hugs Tomte even harder, and Tomte pats him on the back in response. Ded says hugging once in a while is fine, then says Tomte can open his eyes again. Tomte comments its the first time Black ever hugged him, then says it was nice how warm he felt.

Ded tells him to stop voicing his thoughts since it’s embarrassing him. He then talks about Tomte finding a new way of being Santa different from his, and says he’s happy he did so. He initially offers what he calls a farewell gift before correcting to Christmas present. Tomte thanks him for it, and Ded says he’ll switch out for White now since he has something to say too.

White starts off saying that Black has already mentioned most of the things he was going to say about his approach to school stuff. So to change the topic, he talks about there being a present for Tomte from some special people. Ded reaches into his bag, then pulls out an envelope for Tomte.

Tomte opens it to find a deed certificate and asks why he was given it and if it’s for that farm. His pad activates as if to respond, and the memories he had cast off start returning. Tomte asks again about the title being for the old couple’s farm, his old home before he had discarded his memories again.

Ded says he was asked to give it to him when Tomte finally finds something he truly wants. Tomte asks once more if the farm now belongs to them, and Ded says it is because he’s the ‘him’ the request referred to. Ded then says he should decide what to do with the place himself, expressing faith that Tomte can make his choice after all he’s changed over Christmas.

Tomte thanks Ded, then says he’ll try to face his old self. If it leads to an end, he’ll try to think more about his future without being tied down to roles. He then suggests moving the sauna village over there, maybe serve dishes with potatoes grown over there. Ded says he’s brimming with dreams, which is both a bit happy and a bit sad. He also feels that Tomte was definitely a different kind of person who brought happiness to children.

Tomte says what he’s aiming for is a little different from Santa, but he can see how it’s similar. He apologizes for saying it without any consideration, but he says he wants to stay and help until he can figure out what his goal is. He asks Ded to give him more guidance and chastising from here on out.

Scene shifts to the Shinjuku dorms as the snow falls. You look around wondering if you imagined someone else being around looking at you. You eventually figure it out as you pull your sword out to point it out, surprising Tomte as you find him. You get annoyed at his mild reaction to being caught and demand to know why he didn’t talk to you.

Tomte says he didn’t because the event managing work has ended, so he’s been trying to think about what he could talk about with you. For some reason his head went blank when he came to see you. Apparently it went a lot easier for him when he went to talk to Krampus after the event, feeling like they had become friends.

Tomte talks about how he’s been thinking up until he got here about what sort of relationship he wants with you. He shrugs at being found out before he could come up with something, so he figures he may as well ask you straight out. He then loudly asks if it’s okay for him to come hang out. You either agree, say it’s okay for a little bit, or gladly welcome him to do so.

Going A, Yule runs up saying he was looking for Tomte. He reminds him that he agreed to join him for some special training to become Santa. You greet Yule good morning, remind Tomte that promises are important, or suggest leaving Tomte’s question for another time.

Tomte seems put off by the idea of giving Yule special training as he admits that he doesn’t think he has anything to teach him. Yule is surprised, so Tomte asks you two if you remember the words related to being Santa. Yule does and asks why he brings them up. Tomte asks if he’s ever thought about what they meant and if he’s ever talked to Ded about it.

Yule says he didn’t since he always thought that there’s only one way to be Santa. Tomte says that the path Ded teaches is the path he had taken himself to be Santa. Tomte also says there can only be one Santa who makes it that one. He asks if Yule understands what he means. Yule sums it up by saying there can only be one Santa who can be Ded and sort of sees where Tomte is going with this.

Tomte confirms that he’s talking about Ded became Santa by inheriting the artifact of his old friend. Since Ded’s friend lost their artifact, they ended up going someplace where Ded can’t reach them. Tomte supposes that this is the same for anyone who tries to be the same as someone else whether it’s Santa or not.

Tomte says none of you guys there can be Ded, and he figures what Ded wants is for all of them to find their own ways of being Santa. Tomte then tells Yule he thinks he’s amazing. He’s faster than Tomte, always struggling to find his own way. Tomte also thinks Yule will be the one to exemplify what Ded truly hopes for. While Ded is strict with Yule, Tomte thinks his expectations for him are the opposite, and that he feels something more than love for him.

Yule is shocked to hear this as he says it’s the first he’s heard this, and he turns to you for an opinion on what to do. You either suggest thinking it over together, say to take it easy, or suggest that he not take what Tomte says as that true.

Going A, Tomte says that you guys can come up with a new idea if you do that. Anyways he then suggests going someplace with everyone to go relax. He describes this place as a place where steam wraps around you and heals your murky and sticky feelings. He’s sure an idea will come to you there, though he starts faltering under the look you’re giving him.

Yule agrees to go to the sauna with him and suggests doing the special training at the same time. He also invites you to come with. You either agree, say you’ll ask everyone to come along too, or tell them to think hard on it. Tomte leads the way as Yule follows behind. And upon looking up, a snowflake drifts by. And so the event story comes to a close.