"Jingle, jingle..."

This is the unique melody that plays on the eve of Christmas, making me, who was already exhausted, feel even more helpless.

In the snowy landscape, if you glance towards the bakery's entrance, you will find a boy who has been frozen into an icicle, standing alone in the cold wind. That's me, alone and helpless.

"Um... A match seller's successor, I am the boy who delivers flyers!"

Although it's an exaggeration to say that I am frozen into an icicle, I am shivering from the cold.

Hehehe, I'm the kind of person who tries to be funny even when facing death. But seriously, who would want flyers from the bakery's entrance in this horrible weather?!

"Why... why did I end up doing such a heart-wrenching job?

Initially, I wanted to pass this miserable job onto Yuanhui, that idiot, but then Yukari-san showed up that afternoon...

The reason behind this: I spent my days at home watching TV, and unfortunately, Yukari-san caught me red-handed when I was skipping basketball club.

"What are you doing?"

"Just watching TV."

She even donated my computer to charity, leaving me with no choice but to pass my time watching TV, right?

"Um... this can't go on!"

"Yeah, yeah, it can't go on... so, stop bothering me, okay?"

"Hey! As someone who is supposed to become a great and successful man, how can you just sit around at home all day being idle?!"

The next thing I knew, she began lecturing me non-stop, and annoyed, I made the stupidest decision ever...

"You're so talented, aren't you? Besides, if you're so capable, why do you need me to do it?"

Perhaps my tone carried a hint of sarcasm or intentional provocation, as they say, never mess with an angry girl! (Seems like a rule for wooing girls, huh?)

Especially when she's a tigress like her, which is why I ended up being dragged here to work for free.

Blah blah blah, this and that, after all the rumors, Yukari-san suddenly remembered that our student council had planned to open a small bakery for these two days.

"We're in need of extra hands for these two days, so why not use the resources we have? After all, you are an indispensable senior member of our student council!"

"A senior member, more like a janitor who does twice the work alone, right?"

"Exactly, you gave a wonderful answer, spot on!"

"Why not have Yuanhui do it for you then?"

"No, it wouldn't make sense without Juxi!"

Yukari-san bolted toward me, and at that moment, the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Her delicate face leaned against the side of my face, and the warm breath from her even, rhythmic breathing brushed against my ear.

"Hoo..."

Intentionally, she blew a stream of warm air against my earlobe.

And I... couldn't take it any longer, feeling like my brain was about to melt.

"I just hope that Juxi can broaden his horizons a little and not waste away at home!"

That's how I agreed to her request and fell for her scheme.

"Sigh, remembering I was so touched by her back then, crying my eyes out. Only later did I realize that she hired me because she didn't have to pay me... sob sob sob!"

Just as I was feeling lost, a female voice suddenly approached me and struck up a conversation.

"Excuse me, can I have one, please?"

"Yes, please take care!"

"Well, dear, can you come with me?"

The girl took the arm of the man next to her and both of them walked into the bakery next to me, singing and laughing together.

Such a gentle girl...

"If only she were my girlfriend... Oh wait, what am I thinking? She already has a boyfriend!"

I quickly snapped out of my daydream and watched the girl and her handsome boyfriend enjoying themselves. Their elegant and virtuous demeanor was like an angel compared to my sister, the Queen.

During Christmas time, our bakery is in high demand.

Yukari sister is responsible for the kitchen and also manages the store. Other tasks like cashier and miscellaneous duties are handled by Yu Nai, Chiyori, and myself, Chiyori.

"It's true that Yukari sister's work is the heaviest. Compared to her, mine is nothing."

Couples are everywhere on the streets, enjoying each others' company. Before I knew it, the scene of lovey-dovey couples had transformed into the eve of Christmas. The non-workers have come to the streets, shining and radiating their own light and warmth.

"Ah, but this is my first time working. Well, it's the first step towards living a normal life."

It seems like I still have to prepare myself. Shivering, I handed out the few remaining flyers to the passing couples with my frozen hands.

"That's enough, Juxi!"

A girl with golden pigtails walked out of the door. With her blue eyes, she greeted me with concern.

"I will take care of the rest, you can rest now."

She was my friend from kindergarten, my childhood friend.

When we were young, my dad used to have conversations with the Chairman of our school. Thanks to him, we were able to smoothly enter the school. The opportunity for us to meet and become good friends was because the Chairman and my dad were childhood friends.

Listening to my dad passionately recounting those days, including our joyful play and even our fights, he told me everything in detail.

Of course, there was that incident... he and the Chairman fought for a girlfriend before. (As a result, he had to apologize to my mom for an hour.)

However, even wealthy families have their own shadows. Newlan's mother had very strict requirements for Yu Nai and always put on a good face. Although she usually treated Yu Nai kindly, whenever it came to studying and work, she would give her a hard time.

"Heh, Yu Nai... it's okay, I can hold on a bit longer. There's no need to trouble you..."

"Juxi...!"

Yu Nai commanded me with her voice.

She seemed serious, so I'll let her take care of it.

"It's not good to continue like this. If you get sick, how will you work? We can't afford to be short-staffed at the store!"

"Oh, I see... I'm so dumb... Hehe."

"And you're even laughing... but, I'll forgive you. After all, it's your first time working, right? Go rest in the room. You'll be taking over the shift at 3 o'clock!"

"But there are other tasks..."

"The cash register will be handled by the enthusiastic Chiyori, and the waitressing will be handled by the calm Arima Shinobu. Your only task is to rest, understood!"

"Yes!"

After saluting like a soldier, I was condemned and sent back to the staff lounge.

Wait a minute... Hey, what does this mean, are they scolding me?

So I turned back to Yu Nai again.

"Are you saying I'm useless?!"

"No good deed goes unpunished, don't you want to take a break?"

"Yes, I do!"

By now, I was already exhausted, standing since noon until now, anyone would not be able to hold up.

"Oh, by the way, remember to switch shifts!"

Before I left, she didn't forget to remind me. This made me toss out all the emotions I had just felt.

"Ah!"

Yu Nai rubbed her frozen stiff hands together and exhaled a breath of warmth.

In her heart, using words to describe it, is she going to spend this year's winter alone?

"But being able to see Juxi again and see him getting better... I am already satisfied."

As Christmas approached, snow covered Christmas trees could be seen everywhere, and various colorful lights emitted their own faint beam of light at this moment.

Numerous beams of light combined together to form this perfect Christmas night.

Such a peaceful era has long allowed society to continuously develop. People are also spending this moment with their families, and good times are always so lengthy...

Taking some time out of my busy schedule, I can finally make a call to my dad.

I took out my phone...

Oops, I seem to have forgotten... I never memorized dad's phone number!

What do I do... What do I do... I haven't seen dad in half a year, and now I suddenly realize that I didn't even leave a phone number, sigh, it's an unavoidable situation. We usually use the landline at home, but when using a mobile phone outside, I don't know what the number is.

"Hmph, you useless little brother, let me tell you... Did you remember it?"

Yukari, wearing a pink and white striped sweater, made time amidst her busyness and stuck her upper body out of the kitchen's back window to remind me.

"..."

"Aren't you going to thank me, you uncivilized barbarian!"

How did we end up with me being unreasonable?

"Hey, if you remove the words 'uncivilized barbarian' and 'useless', I would have thanked you earlier!"

In a very unhappy mood, I dialed my dad's phone.

"Hello, dad... Yeah, my part-time job is going well, take care of yourself over there!"

"Hehe, my son is finally sensible. Dad is so happy! Naturally, there won't be any problems with my health!"

"Is that so... Then let me waste a few more words and take care of yourself..."

"Thank you, having your mom taking care of me is enough."

Dad sounded cheerful on the phone, so I can also feel relieved.

"As the price for providing information, come quickly and help me take out the cake I baked!"

"Uh..."

Honestly, they always take advantage of the opportunity to push troublesome tasks onto me.

Besides that, most of the physical work is there to trouble me. Whenever I don't understand something, they help me explain, but immediately, they also want me to help them in return.

"Not satisfied? You're just lazy and don't understand the principle of reciprocity? This is called everyone for me, me for..."

"Nonsense, you're clearly engaged in a quid pro quo business. It's simply extortion and exploitation!"

"Tch, think whatever you want. I just need you to answer: will you do it or not?"

"...What if I don't do it?"

Yukari, who was suddenly denied by me, furrowed her eyebrows for a moment, but quickly regained her usual playful expression.

"Humans really are peculiar creatures!"

"Oh, so...?"

"Hehe, I wonder how long a human can survive solely on water? I'm really curious!"

After exchanging a glance, I felt like I had fallen into her trap.

"...So, where should I move this basket of bread, Yukari?"