(Yuuta POV)
The moment I mentioned that we would be celebrating Halloween, Elena began jumping around the living room in excitement. She hugged her stuffed toy against her chest, occasionally lifting it into the air as though she wanted it to celebrate with her.
"All right, all right! Calm down, my little princess. Halloween isn't until October thirty-first."
Elena stopped jumping and immediately began counting on her tiny fingers. After several unsuccessful attempts, she gave up and looked at me with an expectant expression.
"Papa, how many sleeps?"
"Not many, sweetheart. Just a little longer."
Elena nodded seriously, apparently deciding that she could endure a few more nights if it meant getting an entire basket of candy. She returned to the sofa, hugging her stuffed toy while quietly whispering about chocolates and sweets.
Meanwhile, Erza was still in the kitchen, determined to finish the sugar sculpture we'd ruined earlier. She had prepared another batch of syrup and was carefully stirring it over the stove when she finally decided to join our conversation.
"Mortal."
I turned toward her. "Yes, my dear wife?"
"You're telling our daughter that humans willingly give away sweets simply because children wear ridiculous costumes?"
"Well, when you put it that way, it does sound a little strange, but yes. That's basically how trick-or-treating works."
Erza glanced toward Elena, who was now hugging her stuffed toy and happily murmuring, "Candy, candy, candy," before returning her attention to the saucepan.
"And what exactly is the purpose of dressing as monsters?"
"Well, Halloween has a pretty long history," I explained, leaning against the kitchen counter. "People once associated this time of year with spirits and the boundary between the living and the dead. Over time, those traditions changed. Nowadays, it's mostly a fun celebration where people wear costumes, decorate their houses, play games, and collect candy."
Erza considered my explanation for a moment, gently stirring the golden syrup as it thickened.
"So humans dress as terrifying creatures for entertainment?"
"Pretty much."
"How peculiar."
I chuckled at her response. Coming from someone who could transform into an enormous dragon and terrify entire kingdoms, I supposed the idea of humans pretending to be monsters would seem rather ridiculous.
"Come on, Erza. It's fun! Besides, imagine how adorable Elena would look wearing a little witch costume."
At the mention of her name, Elena immediately lifted her head from the sofa.
"Mama! Mama! Elena want be witch!"
Erza glanced over her shoulder.
"A witch?"
"Yes! Elena want big hat!"
"I see."
"And broom!"
"Hm."
"And candy!"
"Naturally."
I couldn't help smiling at their conversation. Elena was practically glowing with excitement, while Erza continued stirring her sugar syrup with the same composed expression. Still, I noticed her gaze lingering on our daughter for a moment longer than necessary, as though she was already imagining Elena wearing a little witch's hat.
Then Elena suddenly climbed down from the sofa and hurried toward us.
"Papa! Mama!"
I looked down at her. "What is it, sweetheart?"
She spread her little arms wide, looking between us with a hopeful smile.
"Elena want Halloween with Papa and Mama!"
"Of course, my princess. We'll celebrate together."
Erza raised an eyebrow.
"Who said I was participating?"
Elena immediately turned toward her mother, her excitement fading slightly.
"Mama not coming?"
Erza paused, her spoon hovering above the saucepan. She looked at Elena's disappointed expression for a moment before returning her attention to the syrup.
"...I never said that."
Elena's face brightened instantly.
"YAY! MAMA COMING TOO!"
I laughed as our daughter threw both hands into the air, delighted that she'd successfully recruited her mother into our little celebration.
Erza merely sighed and continued working on her sugar sculpture, although I caught the faintest smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
Heh. Looks like our dragon queen is looking forward to Halloween too.
Watching Elena's excitement, I couldn't help smiling. She was already talking about witch costumes, pumpkin baskets, and all the candy she hoped to collect. Considering this would be her first Halloween, I wanted to make it a special memory for her.
I gently ruffled her hair before raising my hand.
"All right, Elena! It's decided. This year, we're celebrating Halloween!"
"Yay! Halloween!" Elena cheered, raising both hands to imitate me.
I chuckled and gently stopped my little bundle of happiness before she could start jumping around the living room again.
"But first, my little angel, we need to order some costumes. After all, we can't celebrate Halloween without looking a little scary, can we?"
Elena's eyes sparkled at the word scary. She immediately raised both hands beside her face, curling her little fingers like claws before baring her tiny teeth.
"Waaah! Scary Elena! Grrrr!"
She growled at me with all the ferocity a four-year-old could manage. Unfortunately, instead of looking terrifying, she resembled an angry little kitten demanding more food.
I pressed a hand against my chest, pretending to be frightened.
"Oh no! What a terrifying monster! Papa is so scared!"
"Hehehe! Elena scary!"
"Very scary, sweetheart. I almost fainted."
Elena giggled proudly, apparently satisfied that she'd successfully frightened her father. I smiled and picked up my phone, opening a shopping app to look through the available Halloween costumes.
"Hmm, let's see. Elena can dress as a little witch, and Papa will be a vampire. How does that sound?"
"Yes! Elena little witch!" she declared happily, raising her hands again.
"That's right. The most adorable little witch in the entire world."
I scrolled through a few more costumes before suddenly remembering that there was still one important family member who hadn't chosen an outfit.
"Hmm... But what about your mother?"
I turned toward the kitchen, where Erza was still working on her sugar sculpture.
"Erza, what would you like to dress as?"
She glanced at me with her usual indifferent expression.
"What? Don't include me in those ridiculous activities, mortal."
"Oh, come on, Erza. It's Halloween! You can relax and have some fun with us for once. Besides, Elena wants to celebrate with both of us."
Erza looked toward our daughter, who was watching her expectantly with those big red eyes. She remained silent for a moment before letting out a reluctant sigh.
"Ugh, fine. If I must participate..." She looked away. "I'll dress as a witch too."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? A witch?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No, no. Not at all." I grinned. "It's just that I mentioned how much I liked witch costumes earlier, and now my lovely wife wants to wear one too. How sweet! Are you trying to impress your husband?"
Erza immediately turned toward me.
"Mortal, stop saying such ridiculous things!"
"Oh, come on. There's no need to be embarrassed. Your husband appreciates the effort."
"I said stop!"
She folded her arms and turned away with an irritated huff, although the faint color appearing on her cheeks was rather difficult to miss.
I wisely decided not to tease her any further. After all, I had already received one saucepan to the head today, and I wasn't particularly interested in experiencing another.
"All right, then! Everything's decided!" I announced, turning back toward Elena. "Papa will be a vampire, Elena will be our adorable little witch, and Mama will be a beautiful witch too!"
"Yay! Papa vampire! Mama witch! Elena little witch!" Elena exclaimed, clapping her hands.
I smiled at her excitement before raising my fist.
"Then let's make this Halloween the best one ever!"
"YES, PAPAAA!"
Elena enthusiastically raised her little fist beside mine, already looking forward to the celebration.
Meanwhile, Erza watched us from the kitchen. She shook her head at our excitement, but a small smile appeared on her lips before she returned to her sugar sculpture.
"Idiots," she murmured.
To be continued...