#970 Reindeer Visit

I’m Jiteo.

I’m an eight-year-old boy living in the Human Kingdom.

I really don’t like winter.

Why? Because there’s nothing to do.

Spring is warm, full of blooming flowers, and so much fun.

Summer is hot, but you get to play in the river and go hiking, which is awesome.

Autumn means harvest time, and you get to eat all sorts of delicious things, which is amazing.

But winter has nothing.

It’s just cold. No flowers, no playing outside.

We have to ration our food until spring, so you can’t even eat as much as you want.

There’s just nothing fun.

That’s what winter is.

“Times like these are perfect for staying inside and studying,” my mom says, but studying is the least fun thing ever.

If I stay at my desk all day, I’ll turn into a zombie.

But it’s too cold to go outside, so I don’t want to go anywhere.

Man, I can’t wait for spring.

I wish winter would just hurry up and be over already. Or better yet, disappear altogether.

That’s what I was thinking one night.

***

I was staring at the night sky from my bedroom window.

Winter air is clear, so the stars look beautiful.

It’s one of the few good things about winter, but you can see the stars in spring, summer, and fall too.

Besides, it’s so cold in winter that you can’t keep the window open for long, so star-gazing sessions are short.

Boring.

Spring is better. Or summer, or fall.

Anything but winter.

Winter is so dull.

I wish it would end soon.

I figured I’d just go to bed early. The faster I sleep and wake up, the faster spring will come.

To make spring come faster, all I have to do is sleep a lot!

Just as I was about to get into bed... I remembered I needed to close the window first. It was too cold to sleep otherwise. I reached for the window...

...Huh? What’s that noise?

Gogogogogogogogogo...

It sounds like the air is shaking.

Winter nights are supposed to be quiet. What on earth is going on...?

Huh? Something’s flying over the mountain... What is that?

The moon is bright tonight, so I can just barely see a shadow... A bird?

No, it’s not a bird.

Dad said birds can’t see in the dark, so they don’t fly at night.

So what’s that flying thing?

It’s not a bird, but it’s huge, way bigger than a bird...!

A DRAGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON?!

“I’m not a dragon! Tonight, I am a reindeer!”

The dragon’s talking?!

Do dragons talk? And what’s a reindeer?!

“A reindeer is! Santa Claus’s partner! Like Lü Bu and Red Hare, or Odin and Sleipnir!”

What’s this dragon talking about?!

A dragon that’s a reindeer? Is a reindeer a kind of dragon?!

And what’s a Santa Claus?!

“If you put it that way, maybe a reindeer is a kind of dragon... Master, what exactly is a reindeer?”

“Um, it’s a kind of deer?”

Oh.

Wait, there’s someone behind the dragon?

Dressed head-to-toe in bright red, not a spot uncovered!

It’s like he’s drenched in blood!

And why is he behind the dragon?!

Here’s the thing: the dragon is flying in the air!

Which means that guy behind it is flying, too!

No, wait, maybe he’s not floating himself...?

He’s in a little boat or something, and that boat is flying...?

“This is not a boat; it’s a sleigh. You might not see one around town, but in heavy snow areas, it’s a vehicle pulled by animals.”

A sleigh?

I have no idea, sorry.

...Huh?

Does that mean that person has the dragon pulling his sled and flew all the way here?!

And it’s flying, not sliding on the snow?!

Is that even a proper snow vehicle?!

“Hmm, Master, is this okay? The kid’s waking up.”

“It’s the professional Santa way to leave presents by a sleeping child’s pillow. Normally, no gifts for kids who stay up late, but tonight is special. Let’s bend the rules a bit.”

Presents?!

What a heart-fluttering word!

I have a feeling something wonderfully happy is coming my way!

“Were you looking up at the night sky? It’s great to see a boy with a fascination for the stars. For you, here’s a special gift!”

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

If it’s free, I’ll take anything!

What is this?! A tube made of wood or paper?!

“This is a telescope. It lets you see faraway things up close. Use it for lots of stargazing.”

“Oh, it’s like the one you made for Junior a long time ago.”

“It’s a simplified version of it, like a toy you’d find in a souvenir shop.”

Whoaaaaaa!

I can see the stars so clearly through this tube!

Oh! There’s a naked lady taking a bath!

“In this world, stargazing lets you peek into the lives of the gods. But I guess it’s okay.”

“They invade the mortals’ privacy all the time. Peeking at Artemis’ bath won’t get you in trouble.”

Amazing! This telescope is incredible!

Can I really keep this?!

“Of course, tonight is a night for giving gifts to all the children in the world.”

Who is this crimson-clad man?!

A god?!

Thanks to you, this ordinary winter day became something special!

“Of course, because today is a special day.”

Special?!

“Yes, it’s Christmas, a very special day.”

Christmas!

Who knew winter could have such a wonderful event!!!

“Christmas comes every year, making winter days special! Look forward to Santa’s visit next year, too!!!”

I’m suddenly excited for the coming winters!

To think such an amazing thing would happen just by looking out the window at midnight!

It’s not a fairytale—it’s real!!”

“Did you enjoy it? Now we must go and give more gifts to other children. Adieu, and have a happy new year!”

“Master, is that the right farewell?”

“Of course! After Christmas, ‘Have a happy new year’ is the standard!”

“By the way, Master...”

“What?”

“The ground is noisy. It seems people have noticed us.”

“Why?! Santa is supposed to be stealthy!”

“You’re not gonna get any stealth soaring the sky with a dragon...”

The townspeople are panicking at the sight of a dragon in the sky. Emergency bells are ringing, and adults are rushing out of their houses!

“A dragon! A dragon has comeeeeee!!!”

“Men, grab your weapons! Defend the town, protect your wives and childrennnnnn!!!”

“Emergency call to the Adventurer’s Guild and the town guards! Can we even protect the town till theeeeen?!”

“We’re up against a dragon! This is the biggest crisis since the town was foundeeeeeeed!!!”

Wah! Even in the middle of the night, Dad and the other men are making such a fuss!

This is the first lively winter night I’ve ever seen!

Mr. Santa, Christmas really makes winter so much fun!