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Chapter 76 – Christmas (1)

On November 10, the “Imperial Enthronement Ceremony” of Emperor Showa took place.
Since the Ootori family holds a count’s title and the head of the family is a general-class military officer, they attended the ceremony.

Of course, as a child, I had no role to play. 

I didn’t even attend. 

I only know about it from hearing stories from my grandfather and from reading newspaper articles.

Also, December 25, the day the previous Emperor Taisho passed away, became a national holiday from the following year as the “Taisho Emperor Memorial Festival.”
In other words, from the Showa era onward, Christmas happened to fall on a day off.

It is said that the general Japanese public started celebrating—or rather, getting excited about—Christmas around the time of the Russo-Japanese War. 

I had assumed it all began when the occupying forces brought the custom right after the war, but it seems I was quite mistaken.

In any case, although Christmas had started to become established in the Taisho era, according to records I’ve looked up since reincarnating, it was still mainly a children’s event during that time.
Church events were mentioned in newspapers and such, but overall it seems things were relatively modest and quiet.

However, instead of taking root as a Christian religious event celebrating Christ’s birth, it became established as a “Children’s Day,” a celebration for kids.

For Japan, from the beginning, it was not a religious observance but a cultural custom.

After that, when German POWs from World War I were interned across Japan, they brought with them German-style Christmas celebrations (and other German customs).
Christmas songs also began to be played on the radio.

Meanwhile, Christmas dinners began to be held in extravagant fashion at places like the Imperial Hotel, and gradually, it turned into a “festival” that included adults as well.

Since it was a peaceful era, the festival expanded in a carefree way.
This kind of Japanese mindset apparently hasn’t changed at all, then or now.

Then, as the Showa era began, the day Emperor Taisho passed away became the Taisho Emperor Memorial Festival.
Still, in the year after his death, it was only the first anniversary, so only a few rowdy people made a bit of noise.

That year of “liberation” was 1928.

Looking at things in real time, it became clear that reports about Christian churches disappeared from the news, and Christmas had become an adult “festival.”

Things got even worse entering the 1930s, but well, for now it’s 1928.

That’s why there should be no problem with recreating the 21st-century Christmas I know.
And of course, there should be no issue with enjoying it on Christmas Eve, too.

“I’ve seen it so many times already, but it’s still huge.”

“Well, it is a giant Christmas tree, 15 meters tall.”

The first comment in moments like this is usually from Ryuichi-kun.
Then I respond, and the other three tend to follow.

“But it’s so pretty!”

“Yeah, it’s wonderful.”

“I think it’s overdone, though.”

“It’s a festival, so the flashier the better.”

And me countering Gentarou-kun’s blunt comment to wrap it up is starting to feel like a kind of standard routine.
And just as I’d hoped, around the evening of Christmas Eve, the Ootori children stood gazing up at the massive Christmas tree set up in front of the Ootori Hotel.

Lots of other people had come to see it as well, so the Ootori household staff guarding us were a bit on edge—but I wish they’d let us enjoy it a little.

The tree itself was set up on December 1st.

The decorations were based partly on drawings I had made, so it’s styled as much as possible like a 21st-century tree.
Naturally, in true 21st-century fashion, I didn’t forget the electric lights and illumination either.

Of course, there are no LEDs, and due to various limitations, we couldn’t use too many lights, but for this era, the result is flashy enough.

Thanks to that, it’s already become something of a landmark in the Imperial Capital, and there are even talks about preserving it as is.

The hotel’s restaurants were also fully decked out for Christmas.
Each restaurant served Christmas-themed dishes.

The hotel itself was decorated with lights on the outside, and inside, a towering Christmas tree was set up in the lobby, with all the standard holiday decorations placed throughout.

Starting about a week prior, the hotel staff began wearing Santa hats designed by me, based on Santa-themed outfits.
On the day itself, those handing out candy to children for free wore the familiar Santa cosplay.

The festive atmosphere of this Christmas became great publicity for the newly opened Ootori Hotel.
What surprised me, though, was that Santa was already wearing red at this point in time.

I had thought the Coca-Cola campaign that popularized the red suit came after the Great Depression, so I assumed Santa might have worn blue or some other color before that—but I was wrong.

Just to be sure, I asked at a church, and they explained that red priestly robes are worn on feast days for martyrs.
That tradition apparently solidified during the 19th century in the West as the basis for Santa’s outfit.

In other words, Coca-Cola didn’t make Santa’s outfit red—they just used the already existing image for advertising.

So even in this era, Santa wore red.

Looks like I was completely fooled, too.
Well played, Coca-Cola. I’ll keep drinking it gladly from now on.

However, at this point in time, Santa’s outfit isn’t quite like the one I know well, and even looking at old illustrations, there’s a lack of consistency—so it’s possible the design became standardized only after the Coca-Cola ads.

And since the Santa I drew was the 21st-century version, even if it’s only locally in Japan, it means I preempted Coca-Cola’s design.
But there’s no need to worry about that.

“So why is Reiko dressed as Santa Claus?”

Ryuichi-kun follows up his comment on the Christmas tree with one directed at me.
I could complain about how stiff he is, but instead I do a light twirl and show off.

“Come on, you should just compliment me here. I’m cute, aren’t I? I had this outfit custom made.”

Saying that, I lift the edges of my 21st-century-style frilly flared skirt with both hands to show it off.

“Maybe so, but even for a child, you’re showing too much leg. Have some modesty.”

Gentarou-kun is strict too.
I thought this length should be acceptable.

“Reiko-chan’s outfit is really cute. But my big brother says I’m not allowed to wear it.”

“As he should. You mustn’t copy this weirdo, Youko.”

“I kind of wanted to see it though—Youko-chan dressed as Santa Claus.”

With that, it’s three against two. 

Victory goes to me.

However, the only boy who voted in my favor—Koshirou-kun—is scheduled to sing this evening at the church’s Christmas Eve mass.
Once he puts on the white choir robes, he’ll truly look like an angel. 

Honestly, I think he should just go all the way and add wings and a halo.

But I won’t get to see Koshirou-kun in his choir outfit.

The reason I’m wearing this costume is for an event at the Ootori Hotel.
I’m not wearing it just for fun. 

So I think it’s fine if I indulge my tastes a little.

Still, I have a strong feeling that the reason I’m attracting so much attention isn’t simply because I’m a small and dainty Santa Claus.

“Achoo!”

Also, it was a little cold.

To escape the cold, I stepped inside the hotel, and thanks to the decorations I personally oversaw, the place was filled with Christmas spirit.
The restaurant area—accessible both from the lobby and another entrance—was packed, and with evening approaching, the crowds were growing even more.

The grand banquet hall where the event I’m participating in will be held is on the second floor, and of course, it’s completely sold out.
In fact, all the guest rooms are fully booked as well.

To add even more, I heard the top-floor observation restaurant is packed with seats filled by ladies and gentlemen.
It’s no different from the 21st century.

And tonight, aside from children coming with their parents to the restaurants, there’s no place here for any other kids.

The other Ootori children are all spending the evening with their respective families.
In the case of Ryuuya-oniisama’s family, since he is currently studying abroad in Germany as a military attaché, they declined the invitation, using work as a pretext to enjoy family time on their own.

If my onii-sama were here and invited me, I wouldn’t have been able to say no.
But his wife, Aunt Sachiko, isn’t the type to go out of her way to involve me. 

That’s normal.

Uncle Genji, the father of Gentarou-kun and Koshirou-kun, treats me as if I don’t exist. 

I’ve heard he constantly tells his sons not to go near me.
Well, I don’t want to go near Uncle Genji either.

Besides, tonight—I have somewhere I need to be.