I have become stronger, but also shorter [comprehensive]

It only took a second.

"boom!"

"Snapped!"

"Wow!"

"Hey! It hurts!"

The dreaded "Small Snowman" let the daring little ghosts know that any words related to "short" and "small" cannot be used on him.

Eric didn't realize that he was bullying the kid at first, probably because he used to do this when he was cleaning up the boys in Class A of the first year, especially when he knocked people's heads off.

However, when he got used to it and stopped, and was ready to get used to it again, he severely reprimanded these brats who mentioned forbidden words.

Eric suddenly realized: No, this is not right.

These brats are not his little brothers, and it's not his turn to teach them a lesson.

Moreover, the nature of his action changed from scolding the younger brother to bullying the stranger, and even made him cry——! ! !

"..."

"Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah—"

Cried.

The little ghosts who were caught off guard were dumbfounded for a while, and finally came to their senses with the help of pain.

Their average age is definitely not more than ten years old. When encountering such a situation, they will naturally not be able to bear it, and immediately opened their throats and howled.

"Mom—mother woohoo!"

"It's not Santa Claus, oh, the snowman is so scary!"

A few little ghosts ran out quickly to find "mother" with bags on their foreheads.

But more little ghosts stayed behind.

Among them, there was a kid who bravely rushed forward, blocking the crying brothers and sisters behind him.

Obviously, this girl is the oldest among them, probably around ten years old.

The golden hair is slightly turned up, and the girl's energetic emerald green eyes are round, from which one can see the fortitude that can stop all dangers.

She is much sharper and smarter than this brood of immature little devils. When she realized something was wrong, she stretched her arms violently: "No matter who you are, don't hurt Sai Qi! Let him go!"

Eric: "?"

The blond girl's stunned hair flicked, and somehow she put on a stance of going all out: "Although I don't know how you did it just now... But! As long as I am here, I can't let you hurt my family!"

Eric: "..."

Now, he who just came here to look for someone has become a dangerous person with evil intentions in the eyes of others...

Well, there is indeed part of his own reasons for this.

It is meaningless to waste time and feelings with a kid who doesn't know the truth.

Eric still planned to take the baby Kusuo and leave directly.

The number of troublesome brats has exceeded the warning line, and it is dangerous to stay even a second longer——

"Hey, hey, Emma, ​​why are you backing away, Big Brother Santa is here."

The sound of this sweet voice full of doubts not only made Eric's footsteps dragged again, but also made the brave girl named Emma bow her head in surprise.

Coney may be the only lucky little girl who was not shocked by the scary behavior of "Snowman" or "Santa Claus".

She was pulled behind by Emma's sister, but she didn't feel that she needed to be afraid at all.

This little head protruded from under Emma's arm, and when she looked again, the same expectation as when she left not long ago was still on Connie's flushed face.

"Brother Santa is all right." Coney tugged on Emma's sleeve lightly, as if he couldn't understand why everyone should be afraid.

She said innocently: "He sent Coney's doll back and picked Coney up off the ground."

No, that's a mention, not a hug—Eric may also want to correct the mistake in Coney's words. Once this mistake is made, it softens the originally not so gentle movement a hundred times.

"Kony, don't go over there."

Fortunately, someone saved him the trouble, firmly believing that the silver-haired boy who suddenly appeared here must not be simple.

Emma still nervously protected her siblings, her eyes stayed on the pink-haired baby being picked up by the teenager, she couldn't go in if she wanted to, let alone retreat, she could only think about what to do in the stalemate.

"He's not the Santa Claus in the story," she told Coney.

"Isn't it? But, big brother sent Kony's favorite gift..."

"That's different! Kony, in this world, there is actually no—"

"Ok?"

"Not at all, no—"

The girl's voice stopped here, and the follow-up was cut off by hesitation.

[Santa Claus only exists in stories and legends, in reality, he does not exist at all. 】

Such a simple truth, but Emma hesitated, unable to say it in the most frank way.

Because Coney firmly believes in the existence of Santa Claus.

If the truth is told, it is tantamount to tearing off the dreamy veil specially set up for children, and making them burst like bubbles in the joy and happiness that could have been maintained for a long time.

——In the name of "Santa Claus", prepare gifts on the second day of Christmas, and put them in front of each sibling's pillow.

This is Emma and Norman, plus Lei who didn't want to participate but was forced to come here. The three of them discussed the plan a few days ago.

They are the three oldest children in the orphanage. They have consciously taken on the responsibility of helping their mother take care of their younger siblings a long time ago.

Yes, this white manor surrounded by greenery is an orphanage.

Emma, ​​Norman, Ray, and other children grew up in an orphanage.

There is no blood relationship between them, but because they have lived together as long as they can remember, they are very close to each other, just like real brothers and sisters, they are not lonely and unfamiliar at all.

The condition of the orphanage is very good, and it is undoubtedly a lucky place for orphans who lost their parents when they were young.

The children have comfortable quarters, clean clothes, and good food.

When playing, you can jump around in the spacious corridors, and run hide-and-seek on the grass to your heart's content.

If you like to be quiet, you can also sit in the library full of books for half a day, catch up with time, and help in the kitchen.

Everyone living here is carefree and loves a life full of happiness every day.

Oh, right.

Although they have no biological parents, they have a dear "mother".

The only person in charge of the orphanage, the nun Isabella who takes care of them, is the children's favorite relative.

Isabella was their mother, who sheltered them and grew up with soft words and warm embrace.

Day by day, mom raised them until they were adopted by needy families outside the orphanage.

However, such a beautiful orphanage still has some shortcomings that are not perfect.

There is a low iron fence around the orphanage. Although it is easy to climb over, my mother never lets them climb over.

Mom only said that it was dangerous outside and the fence was erected to protect them.

Therefore, the range of activities for children is only within the fence.

Say it's not small, say it's big, it doesn't seem to be big.What the outside world looks like, they have never seen it with their own eyes.

This shortcoming doesn't really matter. The children in the orphanage are very satisfied with such a beautiful life.

Generally speaking, children will be adopted by outside families one after another until they are six years old in the orphanage, and they will not exceed 12 years old at most.

Emma is almost 11 years old.

Lei, who is a little older than her, seems to be almost 12 years old.

"Because parting is destined to come, it is necessary to cherish the time we can still be together, and work together to create beautiful memories that can be recalled forever in the future!"

The blond girl with super high mobility rolled up her sleeves energetically and made a "come on" gesture.

The "Santa Claus" project did indeed originate from the storybook Norman found from the bookshelf a few days ago.

The content of the story doesn't matter because it's simple.

It roughly talks about a magical old man with a white beard who will drive a reindeer sleigh on Christmas Eve, come to the bedside of every good child, and stuff the prepared gifts into their socks.

Although the three of Emma are still in the age range of "children", they are precocious and smarter than other brothers and sisters in the orphanage.

Especially the white-haired boy Norman, whose intelligence has reached the point where others can't even envy him.

After reading the story, they will not have any longing for Santa Claus like other children. After reading it, they will understand that this is an innocent story made up to coax children.

But, the festival of Christmas—well, it should exist, and many books in the library have mentioned it.

In the orphanage, the only way to understand the "outside" is to read the mountains of books in the library.

Children's cognition of "outside" can only come from books.

"Look at the date...ah, it's just right!"

Emma felt that the story of Santa Claus came at the right time, and the date would be just in time.

"Norman, Ray, let's prepare gifts quietly first, and then tell the story to Coney and the others one day in advance. On the second day, we will be able to achieve a surprise effect. Isn't it very meaningful!"

"Actually." The black-haired boy who was dragged by force had one eye blocked by bangs, and the other eye was lazily exposed, but he spoke the sharp truth: "Emma just came up with this idea on a whim, because it was too late. It’s troublesome, so drag us into the water too.”

Emma akimbo: "No—Norman~Norman! What do you think?"

The white-haired boy looked at them quietly from the side. Hearing this, he showed a light and gentle smile: "I think Emma's plan is very meaningful, and it is necessary to implement it..."

Ray: "Tsk."

Norman: "However, Ray's speech also has certain reference value."

Emma: "Norman!!!"

Norman: "However, in order to please everyone, I still think I can try it."

"Hahaha~"

The blond girl wiped away her pretended anger and smiled brightly, knowing that the two little friends would definitely not object.

She raised her arms first: "Those who volunteer to participate in the plan raise their hands!"

One on each side, Emma unceremoniously raised the left and right hands of Norman and Ray, as a way to save them the time of dawdling.

"Alright, Emma's decision cannot be shaken."

"So, Ray, just know it in your heart. It's just hard work for a few days. Bear with it, bear with it."

"I didn't ask you to do hard labor - I heard it before!"

With only three masterminds in the premise, there is such an air of joy.

The three of them took the lead. In the next few days, the older children in the orphanage were ventilated and quietly joined in the preparations.

According to the plan, the simple toys for boys and the handmade dolls for girls were completed on time.

Just wait for the night of Christmas mentioned in the book, when the little ones go to bed early, the older ones get up quietly and put the presents over one by one, and at this point you're done.

On the last day before the project started, Emma took the storybook Norman had found and read it to her bright-eyed siblings as a bedtime story.

Sure enough, young boys and girls have basically no resistance to Santa Claus who can bring gifts to good children.

After reading a few words, the children were deeply attracted, and asked questions enthusiastically:

"Emma, ​​Emma, ​​do you really get a gift after you wake up from sleep?"

"Yes!"

"As long as you are a good child, you can receive it?"

"Exactly!"

"Well, are there any gifts? Can I choose? I don't want toys. Can I choose the big truck I saw in the picture book!"

"Yes! Can - eh, eh? Should... can?"

"Oh! Then I want something else too. It would be great if Santa Claus is so powerful!"

Emma (cold sweat): "Uh..."

It seems that he accidentally agreed and dug a huge hole for himself and others.

In the orphanage, although there is no shortage of supplies, it is quite abundant, and other things that are not necessities of life are rarely found there.

The toys are all brought back from "outside" by the mother occasionally, and the types are relatively rare.

And because everyone in the orphanage wears neat and uniform white clothes, white trousers and white skirts, and there are very few bright and beautiful clothes. Only when a child is confirmed to be adopted by an "outside" family will he change into a different one before leaving. regular clothes.

Although the current desire to "go outside where I will go someday" is not strong at all, and I still want to be reunited with relatives, but the children's curiosity is always strong.

Emma probably ignored this in advance.

The appearance of "Santa Claus" just corresponds to a certain yearning for the "outside" in the hearts of younger siblings.

— because "Santa Claus" will bring presents from "outside".

——Because "Santa Claus" will fulfill the wishes of good children and send them the most wanted gifts.

They have been trapped in the world of the orphanage since they were conscious, and even if only a little bit of novelty that they are always curious about appears, it can ignite the thoughts that have accumulated for a long time.

So, I fell asleep with the expectation of "I will receive a gift tomorrow", and just like that, I greeted the new day more positively than ever...

Fortunately, "Santa's gift" has been prepared in advance.

The first "gift" that appeared on Christmas Eve was the new little brother Sage that mother just brought back from "outside".

The addition of new members caused a shock in the orphanage, and at the same time it became evidence of the real existence of "Santa Claus"-because the most wanted gift of several children is younger siblings.

However, some children may be a little disappointed, after all, Emma and the others really can't make a big truck.

But as long as there is a gift full of heart, the original goal can be achieved.

……

This is the reason.

This is the reason why Emma suddenly got stuck in the middle of her sentence and couldn't continue.

If the truth of "Santa Claus does not exist" is told here, then, wouldn't the previous preparations be completely zeroed out and completely ruined?

Emma was still standing in front of her siblings, and for some reason her palms were sweating, not just because she was caught in a dilemma.

Coney still believes in the story of "Santa Claus".

Do you want to refute loudly here?

The hope that I personally sowed, and then I cruelly exposed it, and made such an excessive——

"..."

At the same time, I heard the mental activity of a girl who was broadcasted by a certain superpower simultaneously.

At this time, the young man who was positioned as the villain seemed to be breathing in, and the corners of his eyes trembled slightly.

What the hell are you doing——after emphasizing this sentence in his heart, Eric just remembered that Saiki Kusuo said before that he couldn't hear his voice.

This question, which is probably inconvenient to reveal in front of outsiders, can only be dismissed.

Before speaking again, breaking the silence here.

The little ghosts in the room were frightened by his casual look, and subconsciously backed away.

"Am I so scary?"

As soon as these words came out, the frequency of the brats retreating unexpectedly accelerated.

This discovery made Eric, who was already very unhappy, even more unhappy.

The kid really is a kid, troublesome, it looks like he wants to eat people.

Especially the stupid hairy one at the front.

The performance of wanting to retreat and rushing to snatch the baby Kusuo is too obvious, which further pushes Eric's image in the direction of "human trafficker and robber".

So brainless, yet so overwhelmed.

Facing this kind of blind kid, Eric would only have one reaction.

The gaze he swept forward was even more indifferent.

He raised his hand, and pointed his index finger forward. The movement was obviously slow, but it seemed to lift up the tens of thousands of pressure together——

"You, yes, it's you."

"Ok!"

The little ghost head who was named seemed to have received the most anticipated order, and suddenly became energetic, and tried to raise his head under the arm of her sister Emma.

Ignore the astonished expressions of the other little ghosts, as if the sky has fallen and the earth has cracked.

The boy with a particularly bad attitude said bluntly, "What do you want?"

"Hey?" The little girl blinked her eyes and hugged the rabbit doll tightly, but it was clear that the light of hope was not extinguished: "Kony has received Mr. Rabbit, can I have any other gifts?"

"I have it if I want it. I declare it first. It can only be the one I have seen and remembered." The attitude of the silver-haired boy remained unchanged, and even became more impatient.

If it weren't for the friend who wants to be silly and pretend to be shrunken, he is now the iconic gesture of clasping hands, paired with eyes that make people dare not look directly...

Super fierce.

It's just horrible.

Now that he is so cruel, the young man still said fiercely: "This is the psychological damage fee that I beat you up, don't try to use this as an excuse to trouble me afterwards, you understand!"

Children: "...huh?"

"The time is only for today, not for the past. Don't? I'll go if I don't."

At the moment when the other children didn't react at all, the little Kony girl who had accepted well was the first to be happy, and asked in a soft voice: "Brother Santa Claus, can you give Kony...well, a little rabbit who can work with Kony?" Is it your new friend?"

Eric: "Here."

boom!

A cute cat appeared out of thin air and landed firmly at Connie's feet.

There is an obvious semi-circular arc mark between the kitten's left eye and right eye. It looks especially like that so-and-so in the next world—that so-and-so's irresponsible master has abused his image at will.

Except that it is not alive and cannot move, it is a little heavy to hold, and it feels a little cold to the touch, this cat is fine in every way.

"Wow--"

Connie's joyful cry finally woke up the other people who were stunned.

"...Ai, Emma? Are we dreaming? Just now, I seem to see...a cat..."

"This, this, no, no!"

"Could it be—is it really Santa Claus?!"

The silver-haired boy with a bad attitude, but neither refute nor admit it, finished solving the best kid No. [-], and immediately said: "Next."

Everyone: "..."

Everyone: "..."

The stalemate continued for about ten seconds.

No. 11 seconds.

wow-

Emma was in a hurry, but she couldn't cover the kid behind her with bright eyes.

"Me! Me, me, me! Grandpa, I want a car!"

"Who is the old man, someone as young as me—cough. Well, take it."

Snapped.

The car made of ice landed out of thin air just like the Frozen Cat.2.0.

The workmanship of the car is quite exquisite. It perfectly restores the luxury car of the rich young master that the producer once saw with his own eyes, and the wheels can rotate smoothly.

Say nothing else, just three words:

"Awesome!!!!"

Immediately after:

"Grandpa, Grandpa! I want—what do I want? Oh, I want a radio that plays!"

"It's not a grandfather anymore! There are so many demands, only a radio that can't make any sound, just take it."

"Santa Claus is real! Grandpa, have you brought something delicious? I'm suddenly a little hungry."

"No. At most, there are popsicles with no sugar and no additives."

"I...that...grandpa, Anna... want a new bow..."

"...you brats are here to embarrass me."

Not to mention whether "Santa Claus" finally fulfilled the little girl's wish for a new bow.

He was surrounded.

Yes, in just an instant, the mysterious boy turned enemy into friend, and was enthusiastically pursued by a bunch of innocent little ghosts.

Emma (stunned): "This is... what an incredible development! I didn't wake up? Am I still in a dream?"

"Eh, no, this is—"

"Emma, ​​what happened?"

After a sudden pause, the girl who was extremely suspicious that her eyes and brain had problems turned around, almost crying: "Mom!"

At the critical moment when the incident was basically resolved, Sister Isabella, the head of the orphanage, rushed to the baby room.

Seeing the chaos in the room (covered with ice cubes of different shapes), the woman was obviously stunned for a moment, and then turned her gaze to the strange boy in the center of the enveloping layer.

——And, the pink-haired baby that the boy was holding on to.

A strange color seemed to flash across her expression, and her eyes also changed.

It was at this moment that Eric met the nun's eyes.

He still believes that this orphanage is quite problematic, and it is impossible for the person in charge of the orphanage to be free from problems.

In this eyes, the young man's line of sight is like an unfathomable deep pool, which cannot be covered by the radiant and flawless golden light on the surface.

It was as if he had seen through the details of the extraordinary woman, including what she was going to say next.

There is no need to speculate at all.

The woman's eyes were also gloomy, and what she opened her mouth must be——

"That's not the way to hug."

"……What?"

"The baby's cervical spine is very fragile. You can easily hurt him if you hold him like this."

The woman leaned over slightly, the corners of her lips raised, her smile was like a spring phoenix, soft and warm enough to touch people's hearts.

"Emma."

Her voice was equally gentle when she called out the girl's name.

"Go and teach that brother what to do so as not to hurt Sage, you two, be careful."

Emma: "...Oh! Okay, Mom~"

The girl who was so vigilant at the beginning suddenly let go of her doubts and ran over.

Eric: "?"

Wait.

This plot is wrong.

Seeing the intruder at a glance, is it a normal reaction to not care at all?This woman looks deeper than he thought...

"So there is really Santa Claus in the world? I'm sorry, big brother Santa Claus! But, even though you are Santa Claus—you don't hug like this, oh, how stupid!"

"?"

"Grandpa is so stupid!"

"??"

"Xiaoxue... I'm sorry, Grandpa Santa, if you give me another big truck, I'll praise you for being smart."

Eric: "???"

Who will tell him.

What's going on with these brats!

"old--"

"...I'm not Santa Claus, I'm—a friend of Santa Claus!"

"Huh? So who is Santa Claus?"

Eric who was about to be overwhelmed by the kid: "Oh."

"It's a bald man."

The strongest man who dragged his friend into the water without conscience said: "You wait at the door, he will come in a while."