Gasp! Someone's outside!

Is it a burglar?

No, I'm no burglar...! I'm Santa Claus!

I'm about to fall. Can you please help me up?!

S-Santa Claus?

Don't lie. Santa doesn't exist...

I never had Santa visit me... Not even once...

Hmph. It's too cold for an outdoor performance, I'd say.

(I came by to make sure they weren't disgracing the park, but they seem to be doing okay so far. This one's singing has improved too.)

(Still, they won't come close to our show.)

There. All done! With this disguise, no one will suspect I'm actually Santa!

Isn't it 'Santa's apprentice'? And won't that disguise get you into more trouble? You could be mistaken for a burglar.

Everything will work out, just you wait and see! Huh? Oh nooo!

A thief is trying to break into the manor! Catch him at once!

H-How did this happen?!

Hehe...

Gasp. No, it wasn't that funny...

And certainly not worth a laugh from me...

Oh! Are you Santa? I thought you were an old man, but you're really a girl!

Er... I'm sorry, you have the wrong idea...

Huh? You're not Santa?

Well, I guess I am...!

Here, I brought you a present!

Yay! It's a teddy bear!

Thank you, Santa!

I'm happy about the present, but I'm even happier that I finally got to see you!

Thank you so much, Santa!

Hehe. You're welcome...!

We're getting close to the finale.

I have to get the snow machine ready.

I wish I could make it snow over the audience too, but that wouldn't be feasible outdoors with the equipment we have.

Phew, all presents are delivered!

I couldn't have done it without your help!

Heh. You're welcome!

Oh, the sun is starting to rise...

I'd better get back. Bye!

Wait... You could have stayed a little longer with me...

Everyone got their gifts... Except me.

Hmph...!

But... Being thanked...

That might've been the best moment...

♪♪♪

Gasp!

(Oh... The words are rolling off my tongue so naturally.)

(It's as if a surge of feelings in my heart turned into this song and wants to be heard.)

(I completely forgot that singing can be this much fun.)

Alright, time to make it snow...!

Huh?

Is it...?!

(Oh?)

(It's actually snowing?)

Whoa...! It's like her song made it start snowing...!

(It's so beautiful...)

(Like a little gift from the heavens...)

This is sooo awesome...!!

Rui, how on earth did you do this?

Oh, no... It's not me.

Maybe it's just a Christmas miracle.

Heeey!

It's you again? I thought you'd left...

Well, I had to make sure you got your gift too.

This is just for you! Do you like it?

Well, it'll do nicely...

I'll see you again next year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you too!

Sigh... That was ten times harder than usual.

Kusanagi, I want a word with you!

Oh, uh...

Seiryuin...

Your play was very good...

And your singing was outstanding.

Oh, y-you think so? Thank you...

Your last song in particular was... It was so...

Um... Are you crying?

N-No, of course not!

You've proven that you may be worthy of being our rivals. But you'll need to maintain this standard for your next show!

Hehe. Maybe she's not such a bad person after all.

Guys! Mr. Mascot brought us an update on the standings!

Finally! Let me see!

Who's number one...?

Ph-Phoenix Stage is still number one?!

Hm...

Wait, read it carefully. There's another set of rankings at the bottom.

The one at the top is for cumulative scores and the one below is just for this last round.

Gasp! You're right! And we came out on top for this round! We did it, Nene!

R-Really?!

Are you sure?!

We did it!!

Naturally, there could have been no other outcome! I knew we wouldn't lose to that fancy Phoenix Stage troupe!

We're still behind them in overall score, but victory is within our reach. Everything hinges on the final round of shows.

I... I just wanted to say...

Thank you... All of you...

Thanks to you, I remembered how to sing the way I used to...

I feel like I got my own Christmas present a little early...

Hehe. Funny, but I feel that way too. Don't you, Tsukasa...?

Of course. I get what you mean!

Your smile, Nene! I've never seen you smile like this before!

Oh...

Hehehe...

We all got our present early, so I guess that means today is Christmas for us this year♪

Hehe, yeah.

Alright! In that case, are you up for a Christmas party in SEKAI? We can tell Miku and her friends the good news too!

Yeah! You're a genius, Tsukasa!

I'm gonna stuff my face full of cake!

I'd like to take a few stage props with us.

Can you help me carry the snow machine?

Hehe, you're going to make it snow in SEKAI? Miku and the others are in for a nice surprise.

Let's go, shall we?