"Here you go—"
"These are two sample copies. Give one to your onee-san later, okay? I'll be counting on you for some last-minute promotion~"
"Got it. When's the official release date?"
"This Sunday."
"Alright, I'll spread the word before then."
"Much appreciated, Touji-kun~!"
...
The sun hadn't quite dipped below the horizon yet, and the sky glowed with a rare shade of twilight cyan—a mystical color that painted the quiet little town in a serene, almost ethereal hue.
Izumi Masamune glanced at the package in Kasumigaoka Touji's arms and raised a brow. "Touji-san, did you go pick up a delivery?"
"Yeah, and also grabbed a few essentials that adults should always have ready."
"Essentials? Like what?" Masamune asked curiously.
In response, Touji reached into his pocket and nonchalantly flashed a pack of Durex Gold Ultra Thin condoms.
Critical hit!
Masamune visibly staggered, his face contorting as if struck by a fatal attack.
"D-damn normie...!" he cried, clutching his chest dramatically before storming off.
Touji just shrugged, slipping the item back into his pocket before turning toward home, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Once inside, Touji sliced open the package marked "893" with his trusty utility knife and pulled out the contents: Volume 3 of The Reincarnated Silver Wolf: Overpowering the Fan ~ Humiliation!! The Fall of the Slave~.
The title alone was already a bold statement, but he curiously flipped through the pages—
Spicy!
His hand reflexively snapped the doujinshi shut.
The artwork was top-tier, the dialogue delightfully unhinged, and the page layouts full of flair and emotional intensity. Every panel screamed passion and craftsmanship. The camera angles and close-ups?
Chef's kiss.
His heartbeat quickened.
"Kashiwagi Eri-sensei... I'm officially a fan now!"
If it weren't for the fact that Eriri Spencer Sawamura might actually think he was a total pervert, Touji would've sent her a heartfelt fan letter right then and there.
...Though imagining her reaction was entertaining enough.
He chuckled quietly and stored the delivery box away in the utility room—he preferred to accumulate a decent pile of boxes before disposing of them all at once. Japan's garbage disposal system was a nightmare. After all these years, he still couldn't get used to the bizarrely rigid rules.
After double-checking that all the doors and windows on the first floor were locked tight, Touji finally ascended the stairs with the sample book and doujinshi in hand.
He first dropped off the doujinshi and the Durex in his own bedroom, then made his way next door.
Knock knock—
"I'm coming in."
He gave two gentle taps on the door but didn't wait for a reply. Sliding the door open, he stepped into his onee-san's room.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was seated at her desk, her head turning slightly in curiosity.
"For you," Touji said as he walked over, holding out the sample book. "It's The Reincarnated Silver Wolf, Volume 3. Izumi gave it to me earlier and asked me to pass it on."
"Oh? The samples have already arrived? When's the release?" Utaha-san asked, taking the book from his hands.
"This Sunday," Touji replied.
"Then we should go buy two copies to support him again, ne?"
It had become a silent tradition ever since the trouble Izumi's family faced last year. Whenever sample copies came out, Touji and Utaha would go to the bookstore together and purchase two extra volumes in quiet support.
"Yeah, let's do that. And maybe check out what other interesting titles are out," Touji added with a thoughtful nod.
Lately, life had been so packed and fulfilling that he hadn't had time to read much. If they found something promising, he could buy it now and save it for a rainy day.
"Are you revising your manuscript?" he asked, noticing the open document on her laptop.
The interface looked familiar—and sure enough, Utaha softly confirmed, "Mm."
There was still over a month before the manuscript for Volume 2 was due, so she wasn't in any rush. She could take her time polishing it to perfection.
As Touji turned to leave, her voice floated toward him like a whisper soaked in mischief.
"Touji-kun, make sure you go to bed early tonight~"
"Eh?" He paused mid-step, confused. "Why?"
Utaha didn't look up from the light novel she'd started reading. Her delicate finger turned the page casually as she replied:
"Because something good might happen."
Mysterious.
Touji tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "What kind of good thing?"
He stepped back toward her, wracking his brain, but couldn't come up with any possible scenarios.
Was she being metaphorical? Like, waking up earlier or having more energy tomorrow?
Utaha continued, her voice soft and playful:
"Just trust me, baka otouto. If you go to bed early... a passing Santa Claus might leave you a special gift."
"...Santa Claus?" he repeated, blinking.
Kasumigaoka Touji blinked, visibly puzzled. Santa Claus? At this time of year? Did she bonk her head on the bookshelf or something?
He tilted his head and tried to make sense of it. "We're not even close to Christmas, nee-san. Isn't it like, five months away or something? Are you planning to cosplay or something?"
There was a brief pause.
Wait…
Kasumigaoka Touji narrowed his eyes.
Was she… trying to give him a surprise gift?
He could already smell the mischief wafting through the air like freshly baked melonpan. And the way she was acting so vague about it made his imagination kick into overdrive. But still, why after he fell asleep?
He squinted.
This wasn't his fault! Anyone in his shoes would be suspicious!
Her choice of timing and words was just too misleading!
Touji's face twisted slightly with a hint of disbelief. He raised an eyebrow and muttered, "Christmas is months away… Why would Santa Claus be showing up now? Hasn't he gone on vacation or something?"
Utaha didn't even look up as she replied, calm and composed, flipping a page like an elegant villainess from a romance anime.
"Santa Claus is working overtime."
Touji nearly fell over.
"Oi, oi, Utaha-nee, are you seriously forcing Santa to work unpaid OT?!"
"…."
Utaha didn't flinch.
Touji gave her a thumbs up, grinning. "You're scary, you know that?"
With just a few words, she'd rewritten Santa's job description. The poor old man didn't even see it coming!
"Isn't this technically elderly exploitation?"
He thought that comeback was pretty clever, but the silence that followed was deadly. He felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
Kasumigaoka Utaha slowly raised her eyes from the page and stared right at him.
The look said: Do you really want to go there, baka?
Touji gulped. "F-Fine, fine. I'll go to bed early tonight, okay? I'll be a good boy, promise!"
He even saluted. "Before ten o'clock. Scouts honor."
Utaha's gaze narrowed.
"Mm… Otouto-kun should sleep properly, ne? No pretending to sleep, or Santa won't give you anything."
Touji laughed awkwardly. "You make it sound like Santa has some kind of lie detector…"
But still, he got the message. She was teasing him—but she also meant it.
Utaha raised the book, covering half her face, but her eyes sparkled like a sly fox.
This wasn't good.
He'd completely seen through her plan.
Now what?
What was supposed to be a dramatic and romantic "night raid" was turning into a predictable trap!
Utaha was fuming internally.
She regretted dropping that line about Santa… Why had she gone and made things so obvious!?
She sighed inwardly and glared at the ceiling.
(╯゜Д゜)╯︵┻━┻
This wasn't how a proper night raid should go!
"I'll behave. Scout's honor," Touji declared proudly. "Should I hang up a pair of socks, too?"
If he was going to play along, he might as well go all the way.
Utaha blinked.
She opened her mouth to retort but paused.
"…Actually, yes. You should. Otherwise, Santa might think you don't want anything."
That settled it.
She would improvise.
If he was going to be a good little actor, then she'd play the role of sneaky Santa-sama perfectly.
No matter what, tonight—whether a night raid or a trap—Kasumigaoka Utaha would be a proud "Squeeze Ojou-sama"!
"Okay then! I'll go get ready~"
Touji gave an exaggerated nod and skipped out of her room like a kid hyped up on too much Pocky.
Once he left, Utaha finally dropped the act.
She leaned back in her chair, resting her chin in one hand as she stared at the light novel.
"Compared to walking into a trap… I'd still rather be the one who launches the ambush," she murmured.
A glint of determination flashed in her eyes.
If the plan had been compromised, then she'd simply update the schedule.
Originally, she planned to wait until around 3:20 AM for the night raid.
Touji usually fell asleep by 11 PM, so she thought that would give her plenty of time. But now that he was on high alert, it was too risky.
Her new plan: Strike at 2:30 AM sharp!
That way, even if he tried to stay up, fatigue would likely win.
Kasumigaoka Utaha would sleep early and wake up right on schedule—
Then launch her operation: Silent Night Raid!
Excitement bubbled up in her chest.
So much so that she couldn't even concentrate on reading anymore.
She closed the book and reached for her mouse. A few clicks later, Line was open.
She found Touji's name and typed a message with her usual teasing flair:
[Kasumi Utako]: "Otouto-kunr, make sure to wash up thoroughly tonight, okay? You know what I mean, right? (y▽)* (covering mouth and giggling)."
Just sending it made her grin.
She really enjoyed teasing him—
A few seconds later, her screen lit up with his reply:
[Touji.]: "I know, I know!"
Utaha smirked.
"As expected… He figured it out."
Her pouting lips couldn't hide the anticipation written all over her face.
Tonight would be fun.