Kobato, hand them separately!
Huh? Oh, I'm sorry!
Will we have a Tirol Christmas cake this year too?
Yes.
Santa will come, won't he?
That he will.
What are you doing, Yuzuru?
Making sure we can fit a ton of presents under the tree!
I'll help you!
I-I'm sorry!
I'm fine.
Kobato.
How do I do this again?
The simplest things in life
end up being the most difficult.
I just want to smile when I'm happy
and sing a song whenever I please.
I was told, "Someday, your dream will come true."
But when exactly will that be?
I can't wait that long!
I spread my arms
on the count of one two three
and gather all the light in the world.
Tell me,
isn't there something I can do?
Even if someone hurts my feelings,
I'll keep running toward the light.
Even if I trip, fall, and cry my eyes out, I still believe.
Although it may seem silly...
I believe in tomorrow.
Production The Kobato Protection Group
That's Santa's outfit, isn't it?
Yup. Every year, Fujimoto acts as Santa for us.
There's no one else who can do it besides me, right?
I suppose so. Then we'll be counting on you, okay?
...White Christmas.
I wonder if Fujimoto's mad at me again.
Dobato.
Yes?
More importantly, you know what else you need to be worrying about, right?
Hm?
Konpeito, you idiot!
Right!
Kobato.
Domoto!
I waited for you.
You must be tired, working so late.
No, I'm fine!
I'll walk you home... if that's okay with you.
Oh, um...! Thank you.
Everything sparkles during Christmas time, it's beautiful!
Isn't it?
Kobato, is there anything you want?
Huh? Anything I want?
Um... Thanks to the bazaar, I've already gotten new toys...
Then would it be okay if I picked out something that I think you'd like?
Huh?
A present, I mean.
For... me?
It is Christmas, after all.
I wonder what would be good...
Oh, hey! That must be tough, working during the Christmas holiday.
Not really.
Doesn't matter whether it's Christmas or not.
Is something the matter?
Nothing in particular.
Kobato, what's the matter?
Oh, nothing!
Shall we go then?
See you later.
Kobato.
You haven't made up with Kizokazu yet?
I... guess he really does hate me after all.
He's different than he usually is.
He hasn't bullied me at all...
and he won't meet my eyes anymore...
I see.
I've been worrying about it for a while...
It's not your fault.
I'm sure Kiyokazu feels the same way.
He might not be able to say things so straight out.
So don't worry.
Right.
Thank you very much.
You're welcome.
Do you think I could see you tomorrow as well?
Huh?
Oh... sure.
Then I'll wait for you in front of the Nursery.
But... it's cold outside!
I'll wait for you.
But...
I'll be fine.
Then I'll see you tomorrow.
See you...
It's Christmas-y inside too!
I need to prepare a present for you too, Ioryogi!
What would you like?
Konpeito! A bottle full of them!
I-I know!
Oh, I got it!
I made this for you, Ioryogi! Here you go!
Ioryogi, you're now a reindeer!
Dobato!
Honestly.
Oh no, I'm late!
Good morning!
Oh, good morning!
You're earlier than usual this morning, aren't you, Kobato?
Yes! I'm going to help prepare for the Christmas party.
I see.
Kobato, if you're not busy tonight, will you come over to our place?
We're going to have a Christmas party!
Mama's making a feast!
If you're free, please do come by.
Of course, thank you so much!
Good morning.
Good morning!
Fujimoto, you too!
Come to our Christmas party!
I have work tonight...
But yeah, Christmas is just...
Hm?
Good luck at work!
Have a safe trip.
All right... you two need to get going too.
Right!
We'll see you later!
Kobato?
Everyone's so happy because it's Christmas, but Fujimoto is still sad.
I'm sure it's because I did something I shouldn't have...
That's not it.
Huh?
Kiyokazu... became an orphan on Christmas Eve.
Mom!
Are you okay?
I'm... okay.
Good, I'm glad.
Kiyokazu's mother never came home again after that day.
And then before long, he was taken in by Sayaka's father.
I'm sorry for being late!
Don't worry about it.
Now, let's start the Christmas party!
I'm done changing.
All right. Come in when we call for you, okay?
Okay.
Kobato?
Yes?
Once you're ready, let's get started!
Kobato?
Fujimoto is... amazing.
He is, isn't he?
He's... amazing.
I'll try my best too.
Yes.
All right then, let's all call for Santa Claus!
Okay!
Santa Claus!
Wow, it's Santa!
It's Santa!
Santa!
Santa's here!
Santa!
Huh? Mr. Kiyokazu?
No, it's Santa Claus, isn't it?
Santa, are you Mr. Kiyokazu?
That person is Santa Claus!
Isn't that right, Santa?
All right then everyone, what are you getting from Santa?
Santa, did you bring presents?!
Can we have presents?
Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you very much, Santa.
All right everyone, let's have some cake now, shall we?
Okay!
Perhaps I'll go get a present too.
Oh, Fujimoto, good job today!
I'll take care of the cleaning up, and it's Christmas after all... So why don't you—
Mind your own business.
Jeez. Why do I have to—
Shut it. Christmas is the busiest time of the year!
Slavedriver...
Merry Christmas!
What are you doing?
You look pretty good in that.
Kobato!
Kobato?
I see.
So Kiyokazu's shut himself off from the others because it's Christmas.
It seems I've just... hurt him all the more.
I made him hate me all over again.
Why...
does it hurt so much?
Does what happens to him bother you that much?
I just can't help thinking about him.
And I don't know why... but when I do, my chest hurts.
I see.
Domoto?
I've finally realized what the perfect present is for you.
Thank you very much.
It's a Christmas present.
What?
Don't get the wrong idea.
It's not for you.
I want you to take this to the lookout, to Kobato.
Go.
I'll cover your job for you.
Wait, why should I?
Even though it's Christmas, she looks so sad.
And what does that—
She's hurt because of your attitude!
But she thinks it's her fault, and she said she wants to apologize to you.
She's waiting for you.
She's waiting for you, all by herself!
Fujimoto?
It's not your fault.
You haven't done anything wrong, so there's nothing you need to worry about.
What?
So why are you worrying so much?
Um... could this possible mean that you aren't angry with me, Fujimoto?
I said that from the beginning, didn't I?!
Y-You're angry right now!
Anyway... just don't worry about it.
Right.
Oh, right.
This is from Domoto.
Um...
I hope you had made up with him.
This is my present to you.
I'm sorry if he bullies you.
What?
Merry Christmas.
Domoto's present is... you, Fujimoto?
What did Domoto say to you to make you wait here?
He said, "I'm going to get the perfect present for you, so just wait here!"
He gave me the chance to make up with you...
That guy...
Hey!
Fujimoto, it's snowing!
Obviously.
It's so pretty!
The flowers that bloom in springtime,
the endless skies of summer
are both brilliantly engraved into my heart.
Even when it rains and the windows are closed,
the overflowing light from my heart shines from above the clouds.
Happiness or sadness,
I'll embrace all of it and continue walking forward.
They are what so strongly connect...
...my hands to yours.
Snow is kind of pretty, isn't it?
Yes!
Guide me, O voice, so far, far away.
No matter what happens, when winter passes and spring arrives...
I'll have to say goodbye to Dobato.
Like smiles...
Like songs...
The resonating sound of the wind.
Even though we all want to fly,
we're being deceived by gravity.
In reality, everybody can already fly.
The reason why that child looks so sad
might be because she left her shadow somewhere.
If so...
If telling you "Thank you",
or hearing "Thank you" just makes you smile,
then doing those things will make me happy.
And they'll make you happy too.
Don't worry, we're together.
It's mysterious as to why tears roll down
even though I'm happy.
Next
...The Traveler.