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