Connect this wire here and...
Yes, it's working.
I'll attach this motion detector and leave it near the entrance. Let's see... Somewhere around here...
Rui? It's almost time for lunch...
Wait, this place is a mess. I just cleaned it this morning...
Oh, did you make another fun device?!
Mom, Dad!
The thing in your hand... Is that a motion detector? How do you plan on using it?
I'm thinking about having it light up whenever it detects a person.
Light up when it detects a person...?
What made you want to make something like that?
I'm hoping to meet Santa.
He stops by each year to deliver presents, right?
I want to thank him for being so kind, but I've never been able to meet him...
That's why I've been making all these different devices.
And when I do meet him, I'm going to give him a present.
I see. Now I understand.
Then, are the toys in this box for him?
Did you make all these, Rui...?
Yes, so that he doesn't get bored while waiting for the next Christmas to come around.
Haha. So that Santa Claus doesn't get bored, eh?
You're so kind, Rui. Still...
You made so many of these devices...
This entire garage is covered in them now.
Because I'll probably be asleep when he comes to visit.
That's why I made it so I'd wake up when he does!
I see...
For example, when you open the door, this plank will fall off and...
Whoa!
Set off a really loud alarm.
Then, this noise will cause...
So bright...!
It'll flicker like this!
Not only will it wake me up, it should stun Santa for just long enough.
Stun him for just long enough...?
This...
This is incredible, Rui!
A flickering light that activates after it hears a loud noise. Your imagination is impeccable!
While you're at it, you should add a couple more gimmicks to your contraption! For example, you could modify your alarm clock in such a way that...
Don't you think there's something a little more important that we need to discuss right now, dear?
Oh... R-Right!
Umm...
So, Rui...
We'd prefer it if you got a good night's rest. We promise to thank Santa for you.
Huh? Why?
Because... He's probably a very busy person.
He has to visit quite a lot of other children, so it wouldn't be nice to interfere.
...
No...
No?
I want to thank Santa.
I want to see him myself.
Because he's really nice and always brings me presents every year...
...
I see...
If you're willing to say that, then there's probably no way for us to stop you.
Yes, then...
Alright, Rui.
You're free to do as you like today.
...!
Thank you. I will meet him.
A-Are you sure?
Yes, I am.
Also, Rui, we'd really appreciate it if you told us what sorts of traps you're going to set up.
Huh? Sure, but why...?
That's because... I'd like to know all about your various inventions. I mean, the devices you just showed us were so impressive!
Right, dear?
...!!
Yes, absolutely!
I was startled by how much thought you'd put into how they function and operate!
Really?
Really! I'd like to use them for reference, so would you mind telling me more?
Sure.
Then, I'll start with the one by the entrance.
Thank you.
Don't spare any details...!
Mhm...
H-Huh...? It's morning already...?!
But why...?
Does this mean Santa didn't make it...?
Oh...
There's something on my desk. Could it be...?
It's a present.
Santa was here...!
But why didn't I wake up?
All of my devices should be working properly...
Huh? There's a letter next to my present...
“Your parents told me that you wished to thank me. I promise to treasure the toys you've given me.”
Oh...
He took the toys I made for him.
I didn't get to thank him in person, but he seems to understand what I was trying to do.
And that experience ended up becoming the inspiration for this show.
That really happened...?
Yes, and I even overheard some of my classmates talking about how they also failed to capture Santa Claus. That became the core concept of this story.
I see. That's how you landed on the idea of the strongest Santas overcoming a series of trials...
Hehe.
It just goes to show that all the things you experience in life lead to shows...
Is this your way of tying your story up in a neat, little bow?
Also, are you sure you wanna keep that thing running...?
Hm? Keep what thing running...?
Whooaaa!!!
Wh-Where did this mountain of snowballs come from...?!
Ah, we forgot to switch off the snowball maker. We have quite a few snowballs on our hands now as a result.
Wh-What do we do with all these...?!
Hmm... Well...
I suppose there's only one thing we can do with a mountain of snowballs such as this...
Wait, do you mean...?!
Yes. We should have a fun and exciting snowball fight.
Woohoo! We're gonna have a snowball fight♪
Yes, that's a nice idea.
On top of it allowing us to get rid of these snowballs, we'll also get a chance to warm up for the show! Two birds with one stone!
So, let's get started, shall we?!
Wait, no one said that...
*Roar*
Think fast!
Huh?!
Haha! Your hair's gone all white, Akito.
You're not gonna just let him get away with this, are you...?
Not a chance...
Huddle up, you guys.
We're going to cover them all in snow.
Huff... Huff...
Those four are tough...!
To think that my pegasus snowballs weren't enough to defeat them...
Yeah, those are just regular snowballs...
Grr... It's so hard to hit Otori. She keeps jumping around...!
Same with Tenma. He keeps dodging everything at the last second...!
I-I'll act as a decoy...!
While their attention's focused on me, you guys try to hit Emu and the others...!
We can't ask you to do that, Azusawa...
I'll go instead and...!
Hehe. You two left yourselves wide open☆
Whoa!
Nice one, Emu!
(Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.)
(And the machine appears to be working just fine, so I'll move on to check the rest of the equipment after a few more—)
Oh, Mr. Kamishiro, there you are!
Hm?
You're a part of the show staff, yes...?
Is something the matter? You seem quite alarmed...
I'm sorry, but we have a bit of an emergency...!
An emergency?
Yes, the thing is...
Some of the equipment for the show might not arrive on time...!
What...?