Osechi, the Mouse, and the Sweeper Episode 2

Things start off with a flashback where a certain researcher (Leib) and those around him thought, “I wanna eat more good food.” Yet they also thought, “I can’t be bothered to make any.” So then they started thinking, “why doesn’t it just appear out of thin air?” They gave up right away thinking, “no one would do that for me.”

So the researchers then sighed and said “okay fine I’ll make something that’ll do that for me.” Maybe it’s because they stay up late all the time, but those researchers seemed pretty excited. Normally they would never use the ideas, premises, materials, or methods they did here, but somehow they created a miracle upon a miracle, and so a piece of overtechnology was created.

The end result didn’t look it, but it was the cutting edge of engineering, and they dubbed it the cook slime. The researchers tried it out right away, putting in ingredients to a storage bag on the back of the slime, then told it to make something. Leib also asked it to store stuff cheaply amongst other things and trails off vaguely asking it to make something good.

Leib being so vague turns out to be the reason things have turned out like this. Camera tunes back into the present as Algernon finishes explaining how the slimes ran off, then guesses it’s because the things like their creators. Leaving them alone would cause a ruckus though, and Algernon says responsibilities should be taken as the creator. That’s how they were asked to pick the slimes back up.

The cook slime is sitting on a table where Algernon had put it, and Kengo comments on how dumb the reason is the cook slimes exist. Shirou agrees with the feelings behind the slime though, then starts ranting a bit about how someone would complain about his food, make vague requests, and be bratty for as long as he can remember. This all happened even when Shirou wasn’t done making anything or even making it for said person to begin with.

Since he doesn’t actually name Kengo as doing all this, Kengo squirms at how specific it all is. Shirou needles him about his guilt and says he ought to say thanks or say it was good every once in a while. Ryouta attempts to stop the tangent and put off their talk for another time. You either comment that it’s like Shirou’s nerves were struck, try to calm Shirou down, or thank him for always.

Going C, Shirou gets bashful as he apologizes and says he want trying to get you to say that, but he’s still happy you said so. Anyways, Touji says he mostly gets what’s happening and says Algernon should take the slime back quickly. He also however asks Algernon to pay some damages beforehand. Algernon asks what he means, so Touji says he wants him to repay the gang for the osechi the slime took.

Kengo is surprised that Touji is so insistent on this. Algernon comments that they thought Touji was the cool-headed type but is surprised at how considerate he is for you guys. They do concede they have some level of responsibility, but they also have their pride as a cleaner. Algernon then agrees, then has a suggestion for the group. Touji tells him to spill it, and you either wonder what the idea is or tell Touji he sounds like a villain.

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called The Osechi Hosting War.

Time skips a moment as Agyou comes back from the kitchen carrying some plates. Touji asks if Algernon is really suggesting they eat the osechi the slime made. The AI admits they only thought of it just now as the best possible solution, then prompts everyone to try.

Kengo admits he’s hungry but still thinks it’s weird to eat a slime. Ryouta points out that the slime osechi looks exactly like Shirou’s though. You either ask if the slime cooked it, say it doesn’t look slimy, or ask what the metamorphosis the slime did is anyway.

Algernon says that while he called it that, it’s really just cooking. After you express shock at this, Algernon explains how the slimes work. First, one slime picks up food, Shirou’s osechi in this case. After analyzing it all, it makes a recipe that all the other slimes use to cook up the same thing in tandem. That way they can mass produce something that there was only one of to start with.

Touji is surprised but understands as he says that’s how the three cook slimes all turned into osechi slimes. Algernon adds that the slimes have ingredients stored in them to guarantee freshness. Ryouta is convinced by this to start eating, and you join in whether enthusiastically or in trepidation.

The whole gang starts trying out the food, then proclaim the food to be great. You either react positively, in amazement, or casually. Algernon comments on liking the chestnut kinton for its sweetness and velvety texture. You then either express shock and ask how they’re doing that or wonder if they were originally a living thing.

Algernon says that both parts of them were originally organic life forms and that only part of their bodies were replaced. Because of that, they say it’s especially important that they can satisfy their needs as a living thing. Whatever Charlie takes in, Algernon can sense as well. They describe it as clean and efficient with nothing wasted. Charlie says nothing, and the game labels him with the name Algernon while the mouse is pretty much always labeled the helmet voice.

Anyways, you can ask if they share *all* sensations, proclaim that efficiency mindedness has come to an extreme, or ask if the design philosophy is the same for the osechi slime.

Going A if it matters, Algernon speaks up and says his own life span as a machine was set when he was born just like you guys as organics. He also feels he should cut out anything that doesn’t relate to his goals or maintaining his body as much as possible. The AI is surprised Algernon would talk to anyone at all, never mind that you aren’t his client. Algernon stops talking again, which the AI sighs about.

The mouse turns to you and starts telling you that Algernon is stubborn and hardly ever talks to anyone. They figure he probably likes you or is interested in you, so they ask you to talk with him again. Then the gang starts talking about the food they’re all eating.

Touji comments on a konbu seaweed roll he’s having, which while it isn’t real according to him does have a lot of flavor. Shirou says he couldn’t tell a difference and says the simmered nishime dish came out well. Agyou mentions liking the fish omelette roll. Ryouta says it was a great idea to add two more layers to the box set and loves the roast beef and shrimp gratin. Kengo says you wouldn’t be able to tell a slime made the food and raves over the meat.

Some time later, you guys have managed to eat through 3 out of 5 layers to the box of osechi when Ryouta starts to talk about something while having juice. He remembers Algernon talking about how the slimes put the osechi within themselves and asks about them not actually transforming. The mouse explains that the original set is being kept inside the slime for reference and locked in in a sense. The lock will be undone once the copied meal is eaten up so you can take it back out, and the mouse suggests a toast for this idea.

Ryouta says it’s a pretty indirect way for it to tell you to eat, but he shrugs since the food is good. Touji says it’s understandable and mentions it’s impossible to see into to look at the original dish. You comment on not knowing, on it being okay, and/or that it’s not this, and Algernon goes silent. Kengo starts getting suspicious of them, and the mouse squeaks.

Kengo refuses to be distracted by the noise and accuses them of not knowing which one has the original dish. The mouse excuses it as an act of god saying the slimes were with the osechi when he found them. Algernon himself just looks away unconcerned.

Agyou says you guys should hurry. There may only be three of them now, but if more come then it’ll be an issue. Since he brings that up, Shirou asks how many cook slimes there are to begin with. The mouse says that not including the ones they already caught and the three here, there’s five left. Shirou says that must be the rest of them then. Kengo doesn’t get what Shirou’s saying and starts asking where he’s looking at.

You reason there must be eight cook slimes loose total. Shirou tells you guys to slowly look at the corner of the room, and it turns out the other five slimes are there with the two already sitting there. They promptly transform, and the mouse gives a mild wow at that. You either say this is the worst possible situation or suggest giving up.

If you go C, the AI argues against that saying bad things will happen if you leave the slimes alone. Ryouta asks what, so they pull out a manual Some Researcher wrote up about the cook slimes. The words are read off in Leib’s voice, starting off with the classic doomed scientist written record gag before he gives up to disclaim any responsibility.

Anyways, the notes say that if the food the cook slimes cook up are left alone, the slimes will go on a mass riot. You can also just call it setting off their tempers, and Leib grumbles something about having to set a safety in them. Ryouta is alarmed about this warning, and the AI says the slimes will get mad and stuff their food into people’s mouths. The issue would be the part of all of the slimes doing so at once.

Touji is slowly processing all this and asks if this means the slimes will rampage at the shrine if left alone. Kengo asks basically the same thing. You either call it an osechi panic, say this is really awful, and/or say you guys have to do something.

Agyou points out that you guys have to get rid of seven five-layered boxes of food, and Shirou adds that you guys are barely close to finishing the first box. Kengo also points out that even if you guys weren’t full, most of everyone around doesn’t eat that much. Ryouta says he can probably eat one more whole box on his own, but still. Kengo is surprised but glad about that.

You say that leaves six boxes to account for but the situation is dire, so you call out for help. Gullibursti barges in on cue eager to help and asks you what the problem is. He seems surprised at everyone smiling at him, and time skips to after Gullinbursti finishes off one of the boxes and collapses. Five are left, and you thank Gullinbursti. He gets up and says he’s happy to help, then falls back over.

Algernon starts talking to the AI and brings up a suggestion since he doesn’t think it’s efficient to let the incident escalate. Leib or whoever is the client told them to prioritize people’s safety if the slimes were to go rampant but accepts if it’s impossible, so Algernon suggests time traveling to after the rampage is over and burning them all.

The AI considers it but is only willing to do so if it’s possible for them to check that you guys have escaped to safety. Kengo says you guys have to do something now whether you force yourselves to eat, or as Shirou finishes his sentence, find other people to eat it. Shirou doubts you guys will have it that easy though.

AI-gernon thinks you guys should give it up and let the world go to Utopia again. They think about how optimizing your decision making will speed things up to the point the world will hit the barrier of the speed of light, but trail off there. You agree that it would be really convenient if you guys could find people to eat the food, say it’ll be a disaster if a panic occurs, then decide to try calling Behemoth.

You end up getting Behemoth’s voicemail as it says he can’t come to the phone right now since Ziz made some osechi from Gehenna. Shirou still takes a moment to ask if Gehenna really has that there.

AI-gernon notes it looks like you guys are about to give up, which they think is the most logical thing to do. They decide to go with Algernon’s original suggestion, and Algernon starts setting it all up when you begin to rally yourself. Ryouta says he knows what you’re thinking, and you speak officially as guildmaster to ask the gang to help solve the mess.

Touji is motivated since people important to him are at the shrine as well as a bunch of innocents. Agyou says he’d lose a lot of komainu points if he lets a panic happen at a shrine he’s protecting, and Gullinbursti pushes himself up to comment on how brightly you shine.

Outside, Algernon is about to get ready to time travel since he’s got all the prep work done, but the AI stops him before he goes through with it. They can apparently hear you guys as Shirou says you guys will have to split up the last six boxes among yourselves and have each person give them to someone.

Shirou says he’s already called Mononobe and the other teachers, so he’ll be bringing them the osechi for their drinking snacks. Kengo says he’ll take his to Kabukicho even if it bothers him. The Outlaws ran out of drinking snacks themselves, so Kengo can dump a box onto Tetsuya to deal with it.

Touji says he extended his break and says he’ll be going to the police academy. For better or for worse, Hougen is over there training cadets today along with Tajikarao, so Touji can give them a box. Ryouta repeats that he can eat a box by himself and that he’ll be fine, and then the gang splits up to deliver their food.

The slimes babble a bit about the dishes they’re cooking, and Agyou notes there’s two boxes left to handle. You are taking those boxes, and although you have no leads you’re heading out now too. Agyou says he and Gullinbursti will go with you, even if all they can do now is help carry the boxes since they’re full. Gullinbursti says he wants to help in between burps and asks to come along.

AI-gernon walks back in and volunteers to handle one of the boxes, though they admit to not having ideas who to give it to. You are either happy about this and suggest going together, or point out it seemed like they were about to run out on you. The AI says this is a job they took on, and they’d rather finish things up smartly and neatly if possible.

Algernon asks what the AI is planning, so they respond by saying they might be rushing it too much. They can probably afford to slow down a little for New Years because it’s not like they have to get anywhere that fast in what they call a small city. Algernon cancels the time jump and agrees to follow along with the AI’s idea. The AI in turn teases him for being so nice to them since long ago that they could cry tears if it were possible.

You guys head outside and Agyou wonders what the plan is since you can’t just give the food to strangers. Gullinbursti is sure you have a plan, so Agyou cheers up and thinks you’re some master planner. You express surprise, try to bluff your way through it, and think to yourself that you can’t admit to not having a plan.

AI-gernon also wonders what you guys can do and comments it’s a pretty long shot to conveniently have people you know suddenly show up and collapse of hunger. So of course that’s exactly what happens as Ashigara pops up and collapses from training too hard and being hungry. Gouryou does too after failing to score with anyone and losing his wallet. Arachne also walks up and thinks aloud about how visiting the shrine after staying up three nights straight might be a bit much and probably should have had breakfast.

You point out this stroke of luck, and Gullinbursti is mildly surprised there really are people who will flop over as soon as New Years rolls around. Agyou says you should feed them right away, so you call it an osechi battle and tell everyone to get started. AI-gernon adds that you guys should start things off clean for the year and squeaks as the episode battle starts.

Osechi, the Mouse, and the Sweeper Episode 1

Algernon shows up in the narration zone where the human half is described as a quiet, surly cyborg Transient while the other half is a helmet shaped Transient. As they boot up, Charlie says he handles fighting while the mouse is supposed to handle all the negotiations, then pushes them into following their arrangement for sharing roles. Mousegernon responds, then notices the audience is here as they start talking with an artificial voice.

Algernon then starts referring to the audience in plural as future clients, then bids a happy new year. When asked about their name, Algernon thinks it’s an uncool question, then decides to go by Mystery Sweeper Duo for the both of them. They then decide to talk about something that happened to them today, describing it as a very New Years sort of story that can only happen this time of year. Algernon squeezes in a squeak just before the story event starts proper.

Things tune in at some time at the night as a bunch of slimes are jiggling around in the woods, far away from the bustle of the city of Tokyo. Their instincts push them forward, and they begin trekking towards town. Before they manage to leave the forest though, Algernon swoops in to attack, then comments on them being faster than expected when they manage to avoid them.

Charlie remarks that it’s better than being a rat, then notes that they shot down five of them so far. He suggests grabbing them all now while they’re stunned. Algernon comments back that Charlie is making them sad with how insensitive he is, brushing off his words as a joke towards a former genius rat.

Charlie doesn’t respond to this, so Algernon focuses back on work and activates an electromagnetic web they have for capture mode. Some time later, Charlie sighs, and Algernon asks him to hold it in since they’re on the job and they don’t know how many possible future clients are listening.

Charlie seems annoyed by this, and Algernon talks about having work as a nice thing through the turn of one year to the next. They do understand though, saying they feel like playing a bit when they reach a stopping point after some work.

Charlie then says he understands something and remembers something about that. He mentions that video recordings of end of the year specials are taking up a lot of space on their hard drive and suggests deleting them. Algernon seems alarmed about this and says they don’t have time to be doing that while on the job. They call Charlie unfeeling, but do admit that he is a cyborg. Then they note that two slimes are coming in at them 30° to their left.

Charlie adds the two new slimes to their list and orders Algernon to track them. Algernon quickly scans for them and reports that several slimes are heading for the urban areas. Charlie gets irritated at how things are turning out and comments that a mouse trap wouldn’t work. Algernon says a mouse trap could never work on mice, comparing it to a nice plate for cheese. Charlie calls him out for being smug and suggests sticking a paralytic in the cheese next time.

Algernon then changes the subject and says the slimes must have reached town already, which they’d have preferred to have caught all the slimes before happening. Charlie isn’t willing to put up with any complaints and says they just have to complete the job.

Algernon comments that Cleaners would obviously be hated in places they aren’t known in, and that they’d prefer to stay away from risky places. They shrug it aside though as they say they’re popular. Charlie doesn’t answer that and says they should pursue. Algernon bugs him for a response as the screen fades for a bit.

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called The Sweeper’s Work Begins.

Camera tunes in at the shrine as a little lost kid cries for his aunt and uncle. With all the big people around he got scared, so he yells for help. Agyou notices this immediately on what he calls his komaimu sensor and calls Touji about it. He then bounces over to the kid who calls him a puppy upon seeing him, and Agyou tries to soothe the kid and promises to help find who he’s looking for right away.

Time skips as the kid thanks Agyou for reuniting him with (I guess) his family, an oni and a yaksha. Agyou sighs after he leaves and comments that there’s been a lot of lost children cropping up with the big uptick in shrine visitors too. He tries to remember whether he helped lost children when he was at his shrine back in Wa no Kuni during New Years, though he does remember it wasn’t as crowded.

A voice calls out to Agyou commenting on how hard he’s working and that the head priest thanks him for all he’s doing. Agyou brags that he’s alright, swearing to become a great komaimu as he turns around and calls the speaker his grandpa. Touji is confused to be addressed as such, and Agyou tries to backtrack and explain he was remembering old times.

Touji brushes it off and understands, then tells Agyou it’s almost time for their break. He suggests having some chestnut red bean jelly and putting on some tea, and Agyou happily agrees.

Inside the shrine, Ryouta greets the two of them happy New Years and says they all came by to hang out. You greet them happy New Years too, whether the regular way or the abbreviated way. Touji comments on how you respond, then greets you back, followed by Agyou greeting you.

Shirou asks how Touji and Agyou are holding up. Touji says he’s used to it since it’s like every other year, then says Agyou is doing well. Kengo pokes fun at them for having tea and red bean jelly in the back and jokes that they’re slacking off. Touji is shocked and offended by this remark and says Kengo’s way of speaking hasn’t changed.

Agyou notices Moritaka and Hanuman aren’t around and asks where they are. Ryouta says Moritaka is out exchanging greetings with people while Hanuman is off playing games with Tsathoggua. Touji says that does sound like Hanuman, though he still seems to disapprove. You either say there are plenty of ways to spend New Years or say it’s rude to nitpick.

Going A, Touji admits that you’re right. But anyways, Touji offers you guys tea and red bean jelly too, telling you guys to sit back. Some time later, Ryouta is amazed about the jelly commenting on its restrained sweetness and the steamed bun type of texture on the bottom of it. Agyou agrees and says he was surprised when he had some earlier.

Touji says he’s surprisingly happy to hear them like the jelly, then mentions that he’s liked it since he was younger. Kengo tries to downplay how good he thinks it is, and Shirou pokes at him saying he can just say it outright. Shirou then says it’s good himself.

Shirou then brings out something for Touji to see, which Touji notes is a multilayered lunch box. He asks if it’s osechi, New Years food in there. Ryouta says the osechi was made by both Shirou and Chouji, so there’s both the traditional stuff as well as a mix of Western foods too. You can either be shocked at that, ask if that’s why it was so heavy, or ask about the blend of east and west style foods.

Agyou is amazed and notes that aside from the chestnut kinton and chicken, there’s also hamburgers and stir fried shrimp in chili. Shirou says osechi is filled with a lot of meanings and wishes, so they ended up making a lot more for it. He apologizes if anyone is put off by the nontraditionalness of it and says he has a more standard one made too.

Touji says he’s happy to have the blended one, mentioning that with a lot of guests coming with children that this idea would make people happy. Ryouta invites Agyou and Touji to eat it with them since they’re still on their break. Ryouta also comments on there being a lot of famous stores nearby and having done research on them. You however wonder if they’ll be even open or if there will be crowds there.

Touji shoots down Ryouta’s plans and says all the nearby places are packed. Ryouta is disappointed but not too surprised. Shirou suggests they go back to the dorms and eat since there should still be more osechi left. Kengo says there isn’t, and as Shirou starts to ask, Ryouta says he basically ate it all with everyone else at the dorms who didn’t go home for the holiday.

Shirou is shocked by this, and Kengo says they ate through it all pretty much as soon as the year ticked over. Shirou grapples with himself and says making more of the side dishes younger people like backfired on him. Touji tries cheering him up by giving him something as thanks for the food. He says it should go well with the New Years soup they’re handing out to visitors.

Ryouta asks if it’s really okay, and Touji says yes while mentioning there are a lot of rules for the first three days of the year. For example, you should refrain from using fire in the kitchen during that time. Osechi was meant to inform you of these things, though Touji does say it would be meaningless if they’re eaten up just like that on New Years. You thank Touji and say you’re looking forward to the soup.

Touji tells you guys to wait while he takes the osechi to the kitchen, but before he goes anywhere he notices the food is somehow gone. Agyou points outside to the garden, where the osechi is with the weird slimes. You notice and wonder if they want to eat it, though you also note that they seem a bit different.

Agyou says it’s weird that he doesn’t sense impurity from the slimes. Touji agrees and says they make him uncomfortable. Shirou wonders what they’re doing with the slime, but Ryouta figures they were attracted to the smell. Kengo says you guys should grab the food back already because he doesn’t want the slimes to eat it.

Kengo stands over them menacingly and reaches out for the box, but he pulls back when he hears gunshots. You look for the source, and Touji points out to above you guys. A voice says you guys shouldn’t get close to the slimes. Kengo demands they show themselves, which the voice sighs over but decides to make an exception and agree to it.

Algernon appears in front of you guys, and the AI greets you guys for the first time and a happy new year, tacking on a mouse squeak at the end. You either comment on his manners, comment on how mechanical he looks, or question the mouse squeak.

Charlie doesn’t say anything, and Touji asks who he is and why he fired warning shots. Algernon apparently didn’t fire any shots at all as it takes them a sec to understand, but they apologize and say they wanted you guys to get away from the slimes. They admit it wasn’t a smart move but explain Kengo was in danger.

Shirou asks if Algernon is saying the slimes are that dangerous, and they confirm it is towards normal people. They also say the slimes are about to metamorph. The gang is surprised by this, and the slimes transform on cue by taking the osechi. This has the effect of multiplying the amount of osechi there, and you refer to the slimes as osechi slimes now.

Charlie thinks to himself that they didn’t make it, then asks what the mouse thinks since the other slimes might do something the way things are going. Algernon says he’ll deal with it and says it might actually be easier over here. Charlie agrees to it, and Algernon starts congratulating the gang because the cook slimes have picked their osechi. It might not be that happy an occasion, but he tries to get everyone to think positive. You either agree, ask what cook slimes are, or shout about being involved in shenanigans right off the bat in the new year.

Going B if it matters, Algernon says they’ll share their info as a sign of good will. The two of them are a Sweeper duo, and the mouse AI introduces himself as the negotiator part of Algernon. You ask if the cyborg and helmet is a two people in one deal, ask how cyborgs differ from robots, or look at his abs and ask if he’s a former human.

Algernon explains that a cyborg is a fusion between an organic body and technology. He’s a cyborg based off a mouse while his partner is a human based cyborg. When you ask how much of them is machine and not machine, the AI decides to not answer and justifying it by saying they don’t want things slipping to their business rivals.

Agyou asks them about being cleaners since he doesn’t see a broom and dustpan anywhere on them. Algernon thinks they shouldn’t explain every little thing to kids since that’s bad for their education, but they explain themselves as people who clean up anything.

Touji pulls out his swords and demands to know what they’re here for. Algernon says that since you guys have been caught up in their work, they’ll tell you what’s going on. They then start approaching the slimes and say they’ll do so while eating the osechi. Elsewhere on the shrine, Gullinbursti comments on having come back again, then senses you around. He also picks up on you being in trouble, so he calls it a twist of fate, then says he’ll come over right away since he wants to help. On that note the episode ends.

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.

Mystic Christmas Episode 6 Part 2

Tomte begins narrating that at any time somewhere out there, there’s a child crying. They can do nothing and are unable to accomplish anything except cry that they are there. Up until now, Tomte in his act as being a good kid had always ignored them. He has always lived that way in a bid to be accepted, trying to not cause problems and always trying to give.

Tomte has always rejected being given anything and avoided being close to others. He lived that way because he had always cast off a part of himself whenever things became inconvenient. Perhaps somewhere within himself, he thought he’d be discarding things anyways. He always hated worlds that would divide things between good kids and bad kids, and yet he was the one who did it to himself, denying that the bad side of him was him anymore.

Now though, he sees that resetting it all and trying again wouldn’t be weird. Tomte thinks that maybe a part of himself that had memories of his time with Ded and the Santa School May have been thrown out. He’s had so many encounters though, and he found someone who would chase after him if he tried to run away. Tomte then takes this statement back and says he’s sure it’s not the first time this happened.

Tomte starts thinking of the old couple, of Ded, and maybe plenty of others he can’t remember anymore. He never noticed when people tried to talk to his cast off pieces, but now he feels like he can see it now after repeating his mistakes over and over. He wanted to be happy with his other selves.

Tomte says that making every single child out there happy is an easy thing to say. He also says it’s easy to call whatever doesn’t fit with other people evil and cut it off. Tomte says that his goal is probably not something that can be called Santa.

If what he tries to be also becomes something that everyone would accept, Tomte believes he’ll cut away something from himself again. He doesn’t know what to call himself and his many fragments of himself, and for now has to rely upon a borrowed Santa name. But he hopes to figure out what to call it one day.

Tomte thanks the old couple, then says he can still make it in time to see Ded. Things tune back at the sauna village as the group of randos labeled Naughty Kids say that even if they aren’t possessed anymore, they still hate Christmas and Santa. Tomte laughs as he agrees, which surprises them as they ask if he’s Santa. Tomte says he is, and still is at the moment.

Tomte gets ready to punish the randos, which in practice means smacking them with his vihta and sticking them into the saunas as they start moaning about how good a coal sauna feels. Meanwhile, Ebisu is passing out special dishes using potatoes and animal guts, saying he removed the scents and made the tastes suited for young people. He also comments that he’s much better suited to cooking things like this rather than Christmas food.

The crowd of randos love the food, and Tomte prompts them to let out all the words and feelings they’ve bottled up. Sitri says he’s gonna be cool and listen to whatever they have to say, so they better be ready for it. Tomte then declares that this is his new traditional yet innovative style of Black Santas.

Some time later, all the Santa students and organizers have lined up together at the sauna village. Everyone has bags noted not to have any Santa Power or artifact power in them but still filled with presents to be handed out to children. Tomte asks if everyone’s warmed up and eaten yet, then says it’s about time to get the Christmas present handout operation started. He orders everyone to go, and people start getting into sleighs and positions.

Tomte asks you to come with him, saying he wants you to watch over him and make sure he finishes up with everything to the end. You either agree or ask what happened to the naughty kids. Going C, Tomte says his other selves will handle it, and that it’ll be fine since there’s so many of them. They’re currently spread throughout Tokyo to bring an end to the incident. His selves caused all this, so Tomte says his selves should take responsibility.

Yule calls for you guys to get in the sleigh since he and Tomte have the most addresses or whatever on their list to hit up. Tomte adds that they need to go around in Tokyo, then tells you to be careful as you get in. You do so and start looking around.

Takemaru starts calling for any Santas without buddies heading for Asakusa to go with him in his truck. Krampus asks to join in since a lot of the Black Santas are going on foot. Takemaru says it’s fine and waves them in.

Tetsuya sighs about having to hand stuff out and having to be with HIM on top of it. Kengo laughs and teases Tetsuya about looking good in the Santa suit and mangling the expression ‘clothes make the man.’ Tetsuya scoffs at him saying Kengo never grew at all and corrects him on the saying.

Sitri runs up and asks Kengo to come with him for a sec since he was looking for him. Kengo protests and tries to ask where Sitri is taking him, adding that he’s not getting into a Santa costume himself. Sitri says he can’t handle everything he has on his own and asks Kengo to come with him.

Aegir walks up and laughs about how lively the place is and that he’s participating in more than one thing. He calls it the Yule feast and the beginning of the Wild Hunt, then says he’ll be giving treasures to the jewels he hasn’t seen yet. You wonder if this will be alright and say that there’s a few people you aren’t sure of.

Shirou talks to you and says he thinks they’ll fit just right with the children they’ve been assigned to go to. Ryouta says it’ll be fine even if you weren’t worried since everyone’s motivated after the sauna and the food. Moritaka wishes Ryouta good luck in his job as a Santa and says he and Touji will be cheering for you guys. Touji says he’ll be doing logistical support, then tells you to go on.

Tomte turns to whoever’s around and says it’s time to go trail new paths for the new Santas in town. On his call, the sleighs start flying out, and Yule prompts you guys to hang on as he calls out his own NP to get going. The next thing you know, you’re already up in the sky as you comment on how fast and how high you are.

Tomte calls out asking for the children to tell them what they think, then activates his NP as well. As he swings his vihta, a shining mist spreads into the sky, looking like an aurora as it falls with the snow.

Scene shifts to Alice’s room as she recites Humpty Dumpty for a few lines before deviating and saying Humpty Dumpty never got better because Santa didn’t come. A flash outside the window gets her attention, and she sees a trail of light heading towards her. She notes how beautiful it is and compares it to a dream, then says she needs to get her tea party ready.

Back outside Tomte starts crying, which you notice and ask about. He says he can hear the children’s voices and wishes. None of them are the same, and all are varied. He comments that Ded and the others have always been hearing these voices, and you can either pat him on the shoulder, grab his hand, or hug him.

Going B, Tomte notes that you’re warm and compares you to a sauna. Then he tells you and Yule to stand firm as it’s time to make all the children happy as the episode battle starts. More story happens after that.

After the battle, narration describes you seeing the fires of celebratory parties lighting up one by one down below. And as that is happening, Tomte’s pad is glowing as well. Tomte says all of the demons scattered around Tokyo have been picked up now, though he raises the possibility that he has fragments of himself thrown about in other worlds. If there are, then he’ll just have to go find them one day.

Yule talks about how Tomte could be like Ded if he got back all his parts and then be split between white and black. As he thinks on it, he then asks if this means Tomte can qualify as both Santa and Black Santa. He knows that this is what talent is supposed to be, but he still feels envious towards Tomte. Yule then insists that Tomte accompanies him on some special training after Christmas is over.

Tomte doesn’t really get why Yule is mad but is happy to go along with it. He then asks Yule if he can keep going since he wants to check in on everyone else. Yule sighs but agrees.

Over in Asakusa, Takemaru is at Motosumi’s temple and acting like a Setsubun oni. Motosumi’s kids walk up and recognize him, then ask what he’s doing dressed up the way he is. Takemaru attempts to play dumb and cover his accent as he tries to stick to his act.

The kids huddle together as they have an idea. They agree on a plan, then shout out together for Motosumi saying there’s a raid on the temple. Motosumi promptly charges out ready to fight, and Takemaru in surprise tries to say he’s Santa Claus as he continues with his evil oni lines.

Motosumi tells him he’s doing it wrong because the line is supposed to be Merry Christmas for Santa, and that the line for being a monster out to eat bad children is for namahage. Motosumi also points out that if Takemaru is trying to disguise himself he should have gotten a white beard. Takemaru tries excusing himself by saying he has to dress in a hurry and skipped out on the beard.

Takemaru mentions that the Santa School asked him to help, so Motosumi decides to let it be as he asks him to say hi to Ded for him. Takemaru then says it’s time for presents to the children’s delight.

Scene then shifts to the dojo Kagutsuchi and Ikutoshi are at, with Kagutsuchi greeting Santa and Ikutoshi being surprised at who came. Ikutoshi also figures that Kagutsuchi is enough to deal with them though. Sitri is the Santa who came and is annoyed by the remark, and Ikutoshi then tells whoever to come out.

Kengo comments on Sitri having to go to Ikutoshi’s dojo to hand out presents, and Ikutoshi asks the former #6 if he’s also a Santa. Kagutsuchi apparently never met Kengo in this iteration as he asks if they know each other before introducing himself. Kengo is about to give his name when Sitri cuts him off and explains that he came to help as his assistant.

Sitri then says that the two of them came to grant their wish to spar against Santa. Ikutoshi is interested by this as he figures Kengo is good enough to be worth fighting. He then turns back to Sitri and starts to critique his movements towards the end of his fight with Macan before cutting it off and suggesting they get started.

Kengo gets ready as he says he finally understands why Sitri asked him to come along. He says he’s gotten stronger since last time and challenges the two to come at him. Sitri then announces the start of the tag battle.

Scene shifts again to the slums as Barguest asks what Kenta is doing up so late. Kenta doesn’t answer, so Barguest talks about how bad things gather at night around there and suggests that Kenta go to bed. Kenta says he doesn’t want to go home and that he wants to be with Barguest. Also since it’s Christmas Eve, Kenta says he needs to feed Inugami.

Barguest relents and says he’ll go with him then. Once they finish up, Barguest says they should go somewhere warm or else they’ll catch a cold. Kenta agrees and thanks him, though Barguest waves it off.

Barguest then comments that it’s weird how he doesn’t see any vengeful ghosts around for Inugami to eat when Aegir rolls up talking about how the golden hunting pack appears when the fires of Yule are lit. But instead of riding a horse like that ass Odin, Aegir’s come by car.

Aegir then holds up a present for them, which is mostly meant for Inugami. He then releases a bunch of dead spirits he caught with his artifact. Kenta thanks him as he tells Inugami to eat. Barguest is surprised as he asks if Aegir is Santa Claus before recognizing his costume is that of the Wild Hunt. Aegir figures Barguest must be someone from the world of fairies Tir na Nog as he says he’s probably familiar with it from the twelve nights of Christmas. He also says the look suits him better than dressing as Santa.

Anyways, Kenta thanks Aegir again as he says Inugami is full now. Aegir laughs it off as he says he had fun going on a hunt. Since Barguest mentioned looking for someplace warm, Aegir hands them a written invitation. Barguest reads that it’s for the sauna village and asks when it was made. Aegir says it’s only for tonight and is free of charge, so he suggests they may as well go. Barguest thanks him and suggests to Kenta that they go. He agrees and thanks Aegir one more time.

Over in some unspecified shopping district, Nobuharu is trying to sell some champagne for Christmas. Tetsuya walks up and Nobuharu welcomes him asking what he’s looking for before noticing something. Tetsuya says he came to give a dream to the kids in his care.

Nobuharu is amazed as he asks if Tetsuya became a Santa. He answers it’s just for tonight and gives him a present. He also gives him stuff to give to the people lodging there and for Nobuharu’s whole family since Tetsuya can’t be assed to do it himself.

Nobuharu thanks Tetsuya on behalf of everyone else and feels a little bad to be receiving so much. Tetsuya says it’s fine since Santa is supposed to be a giver. He also tells him he looks forward to working with them more in the future, which he also adds a comment about not meaning that as a Santa. Nobuharu then thanks him for his patronage.

Back to your side, Tomte says it looks like everyone handed out their presents alright. Yule asks if Ded can come back now. Tomte says he thinks so and that they’ll just have to wait for something to happen. He then asks if Yule can take him to one more place.

Time skips a bit as you ask Tomte where you guys are and why he wanted to come here. Tomte tells you this is where he met Ded. He apologizes and asks if you two will let him stay there for a bit. He promises to go back later since he has to clean up and thank everyone for helping. Yule agrees, then asks what you plan on doing. You either say out loud you’ll stay with Tomte or just stand there quietly.

Yule seems sad before accepting your answer and heading off. Snow starts to fall as if to shine on the world and to cover it. It just falls from above, silently. Tomte starts talking to Ded as if he were there saying he’s regained his memories. He thinks that it might be why he can finally see the thread that connects them together now. He admits he was right, that he has more ties than he thought. He’s not alone anymore, but it’s also because of that that Tomte feels lonely.

Tomte says he hasn’t repaid Ded for all his help, and he says he wants to help him and see him again. He calls out begging for Ded to come back, and a voice says that Santa Claus is the one who brings happiness to all ‘children.’ White appears as he says that he can’t look away from any crying children.

You call out to Ded and say he came back. He says it’s because Tomte didn’t take his bag. White then admits that he didn’t know if he could come back, but thanks to that choice both he and Black have returned. Tomte rushes up to him in tears, and Ded says his cute student did well.

Ded comments that it’s really hard to make children grow and graduate. He says it’s probably not time for that yet, so he can probably guide them for a bit longer. Ded turns to you and thanks you for supporting Tomte and everyone. If you weren’t here, he suggests Tomte might have cut off a part of himself again.

Black speaks to White about not needing a hug and that White can do it. White laughs that he’s so indirect and that he can stand to be nice at times. Ded then says it’s time to go back to the Santa School then, and the episode ends to be continued in the epilogue.

Mystic Christmas Episode 6 Part 1

Things start at the sauna village as you and Tomte await for all the demons to come over, who show up as expected. Tomte comments on them finally arriving and says he heard that they’ve been escalating their pranks. Now that they’re here he’s sure that their attempt to mess the event up is their complete rejection of Santa.

Tomte says he worried about it and didn’t accept it at first, but he admits the demons are himself and understands. You either be shocked at how many of them there are and call out to Tomte, or you can stay quiet. Tomte says it’s okay as they won’t hurt either of you guys. He says the main problem is whether he can believe in himself all the way and finish what he’ll set out to do.

Narration questions if Tomte is directing that to the demons, someone else, or both. Tomte talks about hating the people who cast him down as a demon. He hates them and continued hating them, meaning the people of Eden whose faith judged him unilaterally.

Theirs is a simple faith that moves their world, saying good children go to heaven while bad children go to hell. Santa is one thing born from this System, which is why Tomte hated him too. He hated everything that came from Eden, and narration brings up the expression that relates to that.

Narration says this hatred is not a thing that will be resolved in a day since it tied so deeply to Tomte’s way of life. He’d need at least as much time as he spent suffering with the hatred to move past it. Tomte speaks aloud about not having the time for it now, so he says he won’t deny it. He’ll put it on hold for now. Tomte says that he’ll coexist with those feelings and bring about a new image of Santa.

You are shocked at Tomte’s apparent plan to remake Santa, ask what he means, or quietly wait for him to go on. The demons wait for Tomte to continue as if listening closely. Tomte says that in Tokyo, the faith for Eden and the faith for Santa are not equal. In which case, Tomte says he can find some gap to squeeze through.

Tomte talks about how in Tokyo, Santa is just thought of as the guy who brings presents to good kids. Black Santa is the one who punishes bad kids, and according to that belief they do so with gifts that don’t make them happy. Things like coal, potatoes, or animal guts.

Tomte notes that Black Santa is not believed to take naughty children to hell, then repeats that there’s a gap for him to work with. He takes his being able to think of this as proof that he is naughty, unable to let go of his hatred.

Despite that, Tomte thinks of Ded and says he wants White to worry about him one more time and for Black to scold him again. And he wants them to do so as Ded and not as Santa. Tomte then asks you to watch him finish what he’ll do all the way to the end. You ask about watching him or if he’s okay with you doing so.

Tomte explains he wants you to see that he’s not just a good kid or a bad kid since you’ve accepted him as both. It’s why he wants you to watch him all the way. You agree to it and nod, or you can ask if this is a love confession. Going A, he thanks you. In C he says you shouldn’t say something like that so lightly and says he might prank you like the bad kid he is.

Tomte then faces the possessed people and brings out his vihta. He then activates his NP as he tells them all to blow out all their pent up emotions and tells the demons to return to him. The possessed initially react with pain upon being hit with a branch but soon says it feels good. The Evils fall out of them and are absorbed by Tomte’s pad as it glows.

Narration then turns the clock back a bit to the daytime and tunes into the Santa School before the Santa Sendoff Ceremony is supposed to start. Tomte introduces himself formally as the head organizer and thanks everyone there for coming. Aside from the Santa School people, this includes the Crafters, Claude, Snow, Bathym and Sitri, Team Shinya, the Toyosu group, and the Outlaws.

Tomte starts the meeting off with an apology for running out on things. He doesn’t expect forgiveness, but he hopes he can prove himself with his actions. He also mentions for the record that Ded has disappeared from Tokyo and takes the time to explain the situation.

After that’s done, Tomte says that Ded doesn’t really have a connection to people outside of Christmas since he’s a Santa. That’s why the unstable faith in Santa caused him to disappear. Bringing him back will require you guys to take back that faith, and to do that you guys will have to give presents to good kids and punishment to bad kids. Tomte also says however that Ded won’t be coming back if they use his artifact to do so.

The Santa School students are shocked when Tomte declares they’ll have to go without Ded’s bag. Tomte says he can’t do it alone, and that the Santa students can’t do it by themselves either. Everyone else who joined the organizing committee will be needed to pull this off, so Tomte asks them once again for help. You raise your hand and agree to help, or you look around to see how others react.

Going A, Tomte is surprised but thanks you for joining in. Kurogane happily offers to help out until the end of things as a point of pride. Takemaru adds that they need to repay for the help with Musashi. Tomte is happy for the offer but notes that it’s technically his fault that happened to begin with. Takemaru points out that he still helped Musashi get in to the sauna regardless. Their sauna has been a hit since then, so Takemaru says they need to thank him for that.

Talos joins in the conversation and offers to help as Hephaestus. Hephaestus himself is either apparently talking to Talos remotely or is only there as a flashback saying he wants to help you but doesn’t want to be near a crowd, so he orders Talos to go in his place. Talos is happy to do so and plans on trying to improve Hephaestus’s reputation among other people.

Claude agrees to help, reasoning that if the possessed causes this to be the last Christmas ever then it was unintentional. He stakes his own reputation on helping out here, and Sitri asks why he was brought along despite not being a Bukuro student.

Snow says he saw him loitering around looking bored, so he decided to take him with them. Sitri protests being bored but says he can’t give Kengo his present with things like this. He decides to help if he can and that he can’t just overlook people in trouble if he wants to be cool. Bathym happily coos about how great Sitri is turning out, then decides he should work in the background this time instead of being in the spotlight.

Shinya says he’ll help out as much as he can, then asks what Kalki and Taromaiti plan on doing. Taromaiti says she’ll go with him but has reservations about how things are at the moment. She thinks having Santa around on Christmas would be best. Kalki high handedly says he’ll lend a hand too.

Eita is shocked at the idea that Santa could be gone and cries over how sad that is. Makara tries to calm him down, and Aegir says it’s too early to be crying. If someone steals something from you, then he suggests taking it back. Eita however is annoyed Aegir is using him as an elbow rest.

Kengo is shocked Tetsuya is around and asks why he’s there since he couldn’t possibly be one of the organizers. Tetsuya tells him to shut it and says things just happened. Kengo is happy to have him around as an ally and suggests they go hand presents out. Tetsuya sighs it’ll only be for a day and tells him not to drag him down.

Tomte thanks everyone, and Shirou asks him to explain his idea. The Analyst starts up for Tomte’s exposition as he decides to begin with explaining how the presents will be handled. So without Ded’s bag, they’ll need to work off predictions and haul around the presents and people. Tomte also says presents aren’t just objects as there are some things that have to be done with actions. Like one child is hoping to have tea with Santa while another wants to fight him.

Touji feels that this is impossible unless they had an artifact that has the power to predict things. Tomte says his pad has been in use for a long time and has a record of what all the kids in Tokyo want. They can use that to figure out what to get as presents. This is vital to the operation, so he wants Shirou and the others to handle it. You either say it’s a huge responsibility or say you’re counting on him.

Shirou has some doubts about being able to do this since picking presents isn’t his specialty. Tomte has faith in his analytical abilities and assures him you and he will be with him to help. Shirou says he’ll do it then and says he’ll be counting on you too.

Tomte says the next order of business is actually getting the presents, and Shirou says he he heard of a good offer from Kamata and Ikebukuro. Claude backs him up, saying he can put in advertisements for toys and goods from their foundation. He thinks it’ll be a cheap investment if some branding is thought up for it.

Kurogane adds that Takemaru can get the materials they need to make things using his artifact. Takemaru thinks it’s cute of him to volunteer him like this and says he’ll do it. Tomte thanks him and says the next bit is getting the presents handed out. With belief in Santa weakened, transporting the usual Santa way will be delayed. He suggests lightening the load on the reindeer and using alternate methods to make it up.

Tetsuya offers to pitch in on that front, saying the Outlaws’ biker gangs are waiting on standby, which seems to be Suzuka and the yakshas. Tomte accepts the suggestion and moves onto the part with Black Santas and the presents for naughty kids. Moritaka says that seems hard and asks how they’re supposed to keep the kids from running away from them. It was Ded’s artifact that kept them from running away since it’s an artifact related to karma. How do they work without it?

Tomte says he’s already thinking of something. But if he’s right, he thinks the bad kids will come to him on their own. Moritaka is shocked and is about to ask about it, but Tomte asks they leave it to him as he says he’ll use his vihta artifact to retrieve the demons. You either express surprise that it’s an artifact or ask if it wasn’t a sauna tool.

Tomte says he was surprised by it too since he also thought it was just a normal object until recently. He says it started shining with its power when he started to remember things, and he says he’s sure he knows what power it has. Before he says what, he realizes he needs to talk about what’s happening next. He then asks Sitri and the Toyosu group for help here to be the new style Black Santas.

Sitri is surprised he’s needed for this part, but he talks to himself about how it would be cool to say ‘leave it to me’ there. Aegir is surprised but interested as he asks Tomte to explain. Tomte says that all Santas exist to bring happiness to children whether they be regular or Black Santas. He wants to have a connection with the old way of thinking while coming up with something new.

Tomte then declares as the head organizer that it’s time to get started on things. Scene flashes back forward to the sauna village as Kalki welcomes everyone coming in, being really intense as he asks if people want to eat in or get take out. You either comment on how much pressure he’s putting out or ask him to smile. Ryouta compares this to how Touji would do things, but Touji doubts he’d be so cold and says Kalki is inflexible in some ways.

Kalki notices Touji around at this point and asks if he knows you guys. Touji tells him you guys are his friends, then tells you guys he and Kalki study under the same master. Kalki then asks why you’re here and asks if you’re there to help give presents. You say it’s mostly that and hand Ryouta something.

Ryouta jokes that you’re giving him a love letter, then reads that it’s orders from HQ telling him to bring specified presents to an assigned location. He says he can’t go as he is and needs food right away, then asks Kalki for a whole bunch of cakes while inviting you and Touji to eat with him. Kalki is shocked at how much he’s ordering and notes it’s a lot for three. Ryouta admits the point but mulls it over since he still wants to try them all.

Chouji comes over telling Ryouta that there’s still chicken, salad, and hor d’oeuvres left, then says everyone can take them home. Ryouta is happy about that and plans on emptying his stomach before having them later.

Over at the Santa School, Yule is in Ded’s office staring at his bag. He reaches out hesitantly for it, but eventually stops and hangs his head. Tomte walks in looking for him, and Yule starts apologizing for not being around for the last bit of prep for the main event. Tomte almost brushes it off but figures Yule isn’t feeling the best since Ded was like a parent to everyone in the school. Yule agrees saying he wants him to come back. Because of that, he couldn’t bring himself to take Ded’s artifact with him.

Tomte starts talking about how he and Yule are the same, in that there’s a good kid and a bad kid within themselves. Tomte says he wants to remake the image of Santa, and to do that he needs Yule’s help. Yule says he’s a jerk for saying that first since Yule had thought of Tomte as a rival beforehand. Tomte brings up that rivals can also be friends, which is something he heard from Krampus’s DVDs.

Yule laughs at that, then thanks Tomte and says he feels a little better now. Tomte has a request of him, then asks Yule to buddy up with him for tonight. Yule asks if he’s being asked to be the reindeer, but Tomte says he wants to do something that isn’t the Santa and Reindeer setup that’s been happening up until now. Yule is surprised and asks what that is.

Tomte says he knows what Yule has been worried about and that he’s always been hesitating. But it’s precisely for those reasons that he wants Yule’s help so that they can find something new together. Yule agrees after a moment, and Tomte says it’s time for them to be a new age Santa Claus.

The episode ends as the title card pops up, and the chapter is called The Obliging Santa’s Present.