Mentioned Characters: Mayumi

One snowy night, a girl was waiting at home all alone. She was a very good girl who faithfully obeyed the words of her master―the one who created her. She was dressed in cute, frilly clothes and waited in a warm room filled with elegant furniture and soft plushies. Her master also created her clothes, that room, and everything else. They were works of art, perfect in every way. This girl, who looked like a doll in a doll house, was called Mayumi. She was a haniwa waiting for her master's return.

Mayumi couldn't tell how much time had passed since her master left. It was pitch-black outside, and it felt like she had been waiting for ages. She kept asking herself how much longer she would have to wait and when her master would return. However, she was freed from these questions when a kind voice called out to her. "Don't worry, Mayumi." "Thanks, Hani Horse." Teary-eyed, Mayumi smiled softly down at her friend―the soft plushie bag clutched in her arms.

Her room had a bookcase lined with books she received from her master. One of those books contained a story about how wishes come true if you wish on a shooting star. Mayumi thought about this as she stared out the window. She waited and waited but couldn't see any shooting stars. On a whim, she drew a star on the window with her finger, but as drops of water began to run down from the star like tears, she realized this probably wouldn't grant her wish. All she could do was wait and pray... It was then that Mayumi was reminded of a different book containing a story about a dog who faced a similar dilemma. Perhaps this is what caused tears to stream down from her face, hitting the floor along with the condensation from the window.

Tis the Season for Presents Mayumi is loyal, so she must continue to wait even if her master never returns... In the outside world, there was a dog who continued to wait many years for his deceased owner's return. The dog's loyalty inspired the people of Japan, and he was commemorated with statues and books... But did that dog ever get what he truly wished for?

"Oh!" Mayumi spotted something outside. Did she see a shooting star? No, perhaps... her wish came true without it. The star she drew on the window had disappeared and no longer dripped onto the floor. To Mayumi, it must've felt like she was waiting forever, but when she turned around and rushed to the door, there was a great big smile on her face. "Welcome back."