章 38: Chapter 44: Omake 5: Christmas

Takashi realized something. That this must be what hell was like. He and the rest of his family were attending a Christmas party for his wife's family. They had escaped last year by saying that the children had caught some cold or flu. Unfortunately they couldn't get out of this torture with some excuse every year and it did mean a lot for Hotaru to attend; being close to her family. So he put up with it for her. Every excruciating minute of it.

The bad music, the garish lights and way too much decoration, awkward conversations with the human family of his wife, and of course the shaving cream flavor cake and champagne made of used toilet water. It felt like it was wearing on his soul. He wished he could go curl up in a warm blanket near the heater and dive into one of many books. But his wife's smile made it almost worth it. Almost.

Currently she was across the room talking with her father animatedly. At least that would mean he wouldn't have to talk to the man for now. It was an ordeal that Takashi hated. His father in law was so energetic and pushy. He always complained to Takashi that he was too morose and brooding and needed to learn to be more upbeat. He also always pushed him to find a real job and support the family; like a real man. Takashi laughed at the idea. 'The first thing they'll ask for is my medical papers. Including an RC count. Not like I have the credentials for it anyway.'

Deciding to retreat to the empty kitchen before he got caught by another of Hotaru's accursed family members, Takashi subtly placed his partially eaten plate and barely drunk glass down and began to sneak away. He passed by Kuro, who was stuck playing games with one of the younger children here. And sadly for the tomboy girl, it was a game of playing house with some dolls. He could barely hold in his laughter at her irritated face. Though as he passed by she had enough of it and started to rip one of the dolls in two before he was thankfully able to stop her. He didn't feel like trying to explain to everyone how his meek, little daughter could rip a hard plastic toy in half barehanded. His attempt to stop her though did cause her to give him a true death glare. 'Like mother, like daughter.'

Eventually he made it into the kitchen to find both Ken and Shiro collapsed on the kitchen table. Both looked haggard. He sat down next to them and asked, "You two ok?" Shiro was the one who raised her head and looked half dead. "One of those people out there took our coffee away. Said something about it being unhealthy for little boys and girls to drink. Then she gave us these…things." As she finished she throw a juice packet at him. He caught and blanched at the depictions of all the fruits that were probably used to make it. Ken didn't raise his head but dejectedly added, "She wouldn't leave us alone till we drunk some of it. I think I lost a year off of my life from each sip of it."

"I hate Christmas. Why?! Why must humans always celebrate holidays with food?! Don't they get enough of this stuff every other day?," Shiro added. It saddened Takashi to she his children so dejected on what should be a joyous day. Of course they had all agreed to this for Hotaru, but they still were suffering in the end. So he decided to give them something to save their Christmas spirit. In his mind that had once played with foolhardy doves, a plan began to form.

Late night on Christmas Eve. Takashi set his plan in motion. He dressed up in a Santa costume and covered up his scent. He planned to sneak in leave a few gifts under their tree, and have the kids see him as slipped back out the window. And then tomorrow he would listen to them as they told him about how Santa had come to visit them the night before. A Christmas miracle. He leapt up to their balcony as quietly as he could so as not to wake either the children or their neighbors. He opened the door and crept into the front room.

But instead of an empty, lightly decorated room, Takashi was greeted by all three of his offspring staring at him like he was an idiot. "What are you doing dad?" Ken was the first to ask. Not willing to admit defeat, Takashi unleashed his best attempt at a Santa voice. "Hohoho, I'm not your father little boy. I'm Santa." Shiro sighed. "Give up dad," she began. "We aren't stupid. We can tell it's you."

"No I'm Santa. Ask me a question only Santa would know and I'll prove it." Kuro smirked at him and asked, "Then why under the scent of that cheap holiday cologne, do you smell like our father." Takashi quickly replied, "Because I'm good friends with your father."

"There's no way dad would know someone so important."

'Oh come on, that's just mean,' Takashi thought. Next Ken asked, "And how do you get around the world in one night?"

"Magic."

"That's a cheap answer! If you can't explain how then you're lying," Kuro then snapped. Eventually it turned into a full argument till Hotaru came in and just yanked the fake beard off of Takashi's face. "Oh just give up you stupid oaf. You're not gonna fool them. They are bright kids after all. At least it means that the twins won't fall for some smooth talker in the future." The now unmasked man simply snorted. "I'd disembowel him before he could try anything with my precious little treasures."

After a family hug, a bit more teasing of Takashi, and a handing out of presents from "Santa's" bag, the family curled up on the sofa to watch some holiday specials on the tv tonight. The one human family member with a cup of hot chocolate while the rest sipping on freshly brewed coffee. Eventually the three youngest fell asleep in-between their guardians. Hotaru petted one of the sisters and told her husband, "It was a sweet thing you tried to do." He sighed. "I just wanted them to enjoy the holiday a bit after that gastric torture you humans call a Christmas party." Hotaru punched Takashi in the arm for that. "Sooorry you had to suffer through all that you sourpuss." He grinned and replied, "Thank you for the apology." She punched him again; harder. "But they really are bright kidsI didn't expect them to figure it out. At least not that fast. Still, I'm proud of them even if they did mess up the whole thing at the end." This time Hotaru kissed him. "Don't worry your silly little head off dear. I'm sure they appreciate the sentiment. Just couldn't resist the chance to tease you. It's so rare that we get to see you so flustered." He simply grinned at her again and the both of them snuggled in together with their young ones, and closed their eyes.

In another part of Tokyo, a meeting also took place this Christmas Eve. A meeting that would alter the destiny of the small, happy family that had just fallen asleep together on their couch. In a conference room in the CCG headquarters a number of ghoul investigators were gathered. As the meeting had not officially started yet, they were all currently talking amongst themselves. Such as Shinohara admonishing Setsuko and Mado for being here and not with their families during this time of the year. With the two of them arguing that they had a duty to protect the city/slaughter ghouls and therefore couldn't take the holiday off.

The Bureau Director appeared and everyone came to attention. He stood at the podium and cleared his throat. A screen came on behind him and the face of one Takashi Sasaki appeared with some facts about the man. Already several of the doves began to write down notes and memorize what they could. "Good evening everyone. Tonight, you all have been called here to discuss the Yamata no Orochi case. Recently we received a credible tip that this man seen here, is Orochi. We will now begin to discuss the data we received by this concerned citizen and assign those appropriate to investigate our target. And if he turns out to be guilty…" His final sentence was interrupted by Mado who loudly placed his latest quinque case onto the desk in front of him. "Then we will eliminate him and all of his disgusting brood," he gleefully stated as his slasher smile appeared.