My Brother's a Jinchūriki! EXTRAS

2020 Christmas Special Part Three

Natsumi grinned from ear-to-ear as she kept her hands in her pockets while she walked, holding onto her earnings tightly.

I worked really hard and now I'm tired, but I've got enough now to get Naruto exactly what I wanted!

She stepped inside of a convenience store and the clerk glared daggers as he recognized the girl. She ducked down an aisle to avoid his gaze and began her search. Reading the labels and signs carefully, she found the shelf she had been looking for. She frowned slightly and stood on her tiptoes, but it looked empty.

Empty? How?!

Reaching her small hands up to grab a shelf, she ignored the side glance from the young man nearby and climbed the shelves until she could see clearly onto the top shelf. She grinned as she saw what she had been searching for.

The last one!

She readjusted her grip and reached for the tin can while sticking out her tongue. Her fingertips brushed the edge of the lid and she grunted in frustration. She stretched her arm further, catching the side of the can with a smile, only for the tin to fall to its side when she tried to shift it closer. She reached out once more to grab it, when a woman quickly took it.

Natsumi slipped from the shelves in surprise and she looked up at the woman who frowned down at her quietly and then turned to leave.

"W-Wait!" Natsumi reached out to grab the woman's sleeve, only for it to be knocked away. She looked down and the young man behind her cleared his throat. The woman turned to look at him and he stuck his hands into his pockets.

"The girl had it first."

"I didn't see any such thing."

"Oh really?" He titled his head slightly. "Maybe you're just not being perceptive enough of your surroundings." He met the woman's eyes directly. "But, now that you know, I'm sure you'll do the right thing."

The woman grumbled and frowned, then tossed the can at the girl. "Fine." She turned and left, her heels clicking as she did.

Natsumi flinched as the can came at her, but a hand caught it before it hit her face, and then gently dropped it into her own hand. She blinked and smiled, then turned to the man.

"Oh, thank you—" She blinked again and looked around. "Where'd he go?"

A moment later, Natsumi happily left the store with her shopping bag, nearly skipping home.

I'm not sure who that man was, but he sure was nice. I can't wait until Naruto sees what I got him! All that hard work was worth it!

--

Natsumi sniffed and wiped her cheek with her gloved hand, then hugged her arms close.

Christmas really just doesn't feel right without Naruto here.

"Ho ho hello there!"

Natsumi jumped and turned to the man suddenly beside her dressed in a red suit and wearing a large, puffy, white beard. She let out a sigh and then crossed her arms.

"Aito? What are you doing?"

"Ho ho! Young miss, I'm Santa Claus, not this Aito fellow." He laughed and scratched at his red hat and wig, then winked. "Though he sounds incredibly handsome."

"Right." Natsumi stifled a laugh and glanced away briefly before looking back at him. "A-Anyway, Santa, what are you doing here?"

"Well, you see, I'm supposed to be visiting some wonderful little girls and boys but my elf assistant is sick and can't be here." He put his hands on his hips. "But you're a good girl, and you're very cute. Wouldn't you like to come help me bring cheer to some children?"