Reindeer House pt.20

“I don’t know what my next story should be…” Puransa sighed, sliding down onto a stool beside the piano where Donaa was quietly playing.

“Mm… have you tried elf-watching at a café?” Donaa asked calmly. “It usually helps.”

“Yeah. I tried. I watched three elves argue about foam milk for forty minutes and still got nothing.”

“You could write about the eternal beauty of the Yule Goat…!!”

“Donaa?!” Puransa snapped his head up in alarm — only to find Kometto beaming at him from directly in front of his face. “Uh — no. Absolutely not.”

Rudorufu marched past with his clipboard. “If you’re struggling, why not rewrite an old classic? Reliable structure. Proven appeal.”

“No,” Puransa muttered. “That’s boring.”

“BROTHER DEAREST!!” Dansaa burst in, striking a pose mid-twirl. “You could write about one of the deer here!! ME, for example!!” He snapped a selfie. "I inspire creativity.”

“…Actually,” Puransa murmured, his tired eyes lighting up just a little.

“HOW IS THAT MORE INSPIRING THAN MY BELOVED YULE GOAT?!!” Kometto wailed.

Puransa was already pulling out his notebook.

⸻

The Gingerbread Phantom, the Adorable Terror That Haunts Your Baking, By Purapura

It was said that if you left your gingerbread unattended — even for a moment — it would vanish.

Not stolen.

Not eaten normally.

Collected.

The Phantom was small, impossibly sweet-faced, and forever sticky with icing. He lurked in kitchens, appeared at midnight, and hoarded gingerbread men under his pillow like priceless treasure. If denied sweets, he would stare with his large sparkly eyes. Silently. Intensely. Until guilt alone caused you to bake more.

⸻

“He sounds kinda scary,” Buritsen said, peeking over the book.

“He sounds misunderstood,” Donaa replied.

⸻

The Phantom loved gingerbread more than anything — except perhaps the reassurance that there would always be more tomorrow.

⸻

“…Hey,” a small voice piped up. “Who’s this story about?”

Puransa didn’t look up. “No one in particular.”

Kyuupiddo tilted his head. “Because he sounds really cute. And smart. And also correct about storing gingerbread for emergencies.”

“I still think the Yule Goat would’ve made this better,” Kometto muttered.

“This isn’t romance,” Puransa said proudly, scribbling faster. “It’s horror. Or folklore. Or… festive psychological suspense.”

Rudorufu adjusted his glasses, scanning the page. “…You’ve written three paragraphs about hoarding sweets and zero about consequences.”

“Yes,” Puransa nodded. “It’s very realistic.”

Kyuupiddo smiled sweetly, gingerbread in both hands.

“I hope the Phantom gets a happy ending.”

Puransa paused. Then wrote one.

And for the first time in days, he smiled.

Well, it was more of a menacing smirk.

But a smile none the less.

To be continued...