Mentioned Characters: Satori, Orin, Utsuho

Rin Kaenbyou is one of Satori Komeiji's pets. She's a youkai tasked with managing vengeful spirits and transporting corpses in the Remains of Blazing Hell. Luckily, she can communicate with both. She's a bit self-conscious about how long her full name is, so she has everyone call her "Orin" instead. Her hobby is collecting corpses, but as Christmas approached, she put that on hold to prepare for the Palace of the Earth Spirits' Christmas party.

Utsuho Reiuji is also one of Satori Komeiji's pets. She absorbed the immense power of Yatagarasu, which had been granted to her by a mountain god. Normally, she puts that power to use working at the Underground Geyser Center. Even with Christmas approaching, she didn't abandon her duties there. However, she made time to help Orin with her preparations for the Christmas party.

Late at night in the Palace of the Earth Spirits, the stained glass windows cast an eerie glow down the hallway. There, Orin was busy hauling a mountain of boxes. The pulleys groaned ominously under the weight. Passing by, her best friend, Okuu, spotted her in the gloom and nervously called out. "Orin? What is all that?" "I'm glad you asked. It's... PRESEEEENTS!" "EEEEEK!"

A Solemn New Year "So yeah, I'm getting the presents for the Christmas party." "You really scared me, shouting like that. I was worried you were moving corpses around or something." Chatting as they walked, Orin and Okuu made their way to a brightly lit guest room. "Usually, you'd have been right. But at Christmas, I focus on delivering presents for Lady Satori." "I never knew... Can I help, too?" "Really?" "Yeah! I want Lady Satori to enjoy Christmas as much as possible!" "I don't mind, but it might be tricky for you to carry stuff. Maybe you could help liven up the party in a different way?" "Hmm, good point. In that case, how about this?"

In a guest room of the Palace of the Earth Spirits, Orin and Okuu stacked shiny presents below the grand Christmas tree. "We're going to do a gift exchange at the Christmas party! Instead of a starting gun, I'll let off my Third-Leg Party Popper!" "Wait, THAT'S what it's called?" "Yep! Because I attached it to my third leg!" Okuu beamed with excitement as she explained her plan to Orin. Orin looked a little overwhelmed but couldn't hide her amusement. "Wanna try firing it, Orin? You know, as a rehearsal." "Me? You sure?" "Totally! It'll be fine! Ready... GO!" With a festive bang, the blank round echoed through the room. The Palace of the Earth Spirits sparkled so bright that it was easy to forget you were deep underground.