This Years Santa Is

Hikari
Good morning...

Ramona
Good morning, Hikari.

Ramona
...What's wrong? You look like you're in a bad mood.

Hikari
Are you okay, Ramo-san...?

Ramona
Am I okay...?

Hikari
It's soooooo cold! Are Xue and Koyomi-san okay? Aren't you cold?

Xue
It's cold, but is it really that much of a problem?

Koyomi
It's winter, and the temperature isn't that different from usual...

Hikari
Eeeeh!? I'm so cold, I was thinking of putting on a futon!

Hikari
How about you, Lilja-san? It's cold, right?

Lilja
No.

Hikari
Why...?

Lilja
It's actually quite warm.

Lilja
This way, you can see more of me. Look...

Ramona
Whoa! Don't take it off, don't take it off.

Ramona
You're already wearing light clothes all year round.

Xue
That's true, you always wear light clothes. Maybe it's because you're from the north that you can handle this?

Lilja
Yeah.

Koyomi
That doesn't mean you can expose your skin, Lilja-san. If you catch a cold, it will affect both your stage performances and your studies.

Lilja
I won't catch a cold from this.

Hikari
Haha, this is what it's like to be born in the north...it's amazing...

Director
As is our annual tradition, the next performance will be a Christmas charity performance.

Director
This is a chance for future Dai Stars to see a real stage performance. It's a free public performance, so we'll have to put on a good show for the kids.

Director
Now, I'll announce the cast.

Director
First of all, the lead role of Santa Claus will be played by Lilja Kurtbay.

Lilja
...!

Lilja
Yes.

Director
Next, the reindeer will be played by Wang Xue.

Xue
Yes.

Director
Next...

Lilja
...

Ramona
You've been looking really happy these past few days.

Lilja
Yeah. I’m happy.

Koyomi
Is it about the next charity performance?

Koyomi
I thought you weren’t the type to get excited about being the lead role...

Lilja
I don't really mind whether I’m the lead or not. I'd like lots of people to see me, so I'd be happier if I stood out.

Ramona
So, is it because you'll stand out this time too?

Lilja
No.

Lilja
This time I’m playing Santa Claus, you know? So.

Ramona
So?

Koyomi
Oh, that's what it was.

Ramona
What is it, Koyomi, you know?

Koyomi
Yes, sort of. She caused quite a stir at the school last year.

Ramona
At school...?

Lilja
I was just handing out presents because it was Christmas. She’s exaggerating.

Koyomi
Those don’t sound like the words of someone who came to school dressed as Santa and paraded around the school repeatedly chanting "Ho ho ho"...

Lilja
Of course, because Santa Claus's words are "Ho ho ho". I'll be doing it again this year, so please look forward to it.

Ramona
Don't mess up the school discipline...

Hikari
What!? Lilja-san, you were giving out presents at school last year!?

Hikari
Oh no...if only I'd become a high school student a year earlier...!

Xue
So, the story was that you like Santa Claus that much, and that's why you’re happy with the casting this time?

Lilja
Yes, but not quite. I'm following Santa Claus’ example.

Xue
Following his example?

Lilja
Yes. I worked with him at Santa Claus Village and gained respect for him. I can't become Santa Claus, but I'm following his example.

Lilja
So I'm going to work hard in this role too, and I'll be handing out presents at school again this year. Look forward to it.

Hikari
Really? Yay!

Ramona
Hey, hey, don't encourage her.

Xue
You're so weird, going around giving stuff away for free. It's not like you're getting anything in return, right?

Lilja
Yeah. Sometimes I get sweets from the convenience store.

Xue
It's totally not worth it.

Koyomi
Now now. Putting aside the pros and cons of doing it at school, that kind of spirit of service can be applied to the upcoming charity performance, can't it?

Xue
A charity performance, huh?

Xue
They're giving away free tickets to the play and even giving out sweets, but that's not going to make any money. Christmas is the perfect time to make money...

Koyomi
It's a mistake to only think about immediate profit, Xue-san.

Koyomi
You know that money isn't the only thing that makes things valuable, right?

Xue
But it's Christmas...

Koyomi
By doing charitable work, Gingaza's reputation will also improve. The children who watched the show for free may become our future customers.

Koyomi
There's a chance they'll become actors who stand alongside us one day, so don't be stingy about money.

Xue
Mmm...

Koyomi
Let's put on a good show as usual.