Miraculous Day, the Day before New Year (良いお年の前の素晴らしき日).

Amidst snow, our friends

Celebrate the traditions:

Preparing dishes,

Childhood friends reuniting,

Playing, laughing, joyous times.

雪の日々　yuki no hibi

伝統の年神で　dentou no toshikami de

おせち料理　osechi ryouri

幼友達　osana tomodachi

遊びふれて楽し　asobi furete tanoshi

      “Tick… tick… tick…” the alarm clock said, counting the time before the hour hand reached the number six. After some couple seconds, it’s finally six o’clock.       “Rrrring!!! Wakey-wakey!” the same alarm clock exclaimed as loud as possible. The red guy named Drake Harris took a rubber hammer from a drawer and—crack!—smashed that alarm clock to pieces.       “Be quiet, you Vollpfosten!” he groaned, annoyed. He slowly sat up on the bed, looked at his friends—the green-feathered duckling Robin Green and the blue-haired yellow puppet-like boy Doi Soan—still sniffling in their sleep, and slowly and lazily got up, holding a body pillow with his duckling friend drawn on the pillow case.       Drake made his way out of his room, slowly went downstairs—his expression a little tired—to toss the body pillow to the sofa on the living room, went back upstairs to the bathroom and started brushing his teeth.       “Hm, the mint toothpaste tastes nice,” he thought to himself, running a brush over his teeth. “But because of it, the small wounds on my lips are now burning. That’s not good, indeed.”       As he finished brushing his teeth, Drake brought his mitten-like palms together, cupped some water—which, weirdly, felt a little colder—with them and washed his face. The coldness of that water immediately spread all over his face, so, surprised, he let out a short yelp, “Eek!!! So cold! They want me to get sick, or what?”       “Sorry, my big red friend,” the quacking voice of Robin replied. “I couldn’t help that, ya know. Couldn’t miss a chance to prank ya like that, so—”       “You ha’p’orth!” Drake interrupted his friend, scolding him. “Don’t you know it’s December? The water’s colder than before, isn’t it? I could get sick like that, you know.”       Then, some little yet quick footsteps were now heard. Doi also made his way to the bathroom, and asked, his voice sounded childishly naïve, “What just happened? Why’s there such a noise and no fight?”       “I nearly got sick because of Robin,” Drake said, pointing at the duckling.       “What, me!?” Robin asked in response.       “Well, who do you think could do that?”       “Doi could!”       “Alright, nevermind!” Doi said, trying to calm his friends down. “Let’s just stop arguing and go outside, like going for a walk or eating out.”       Drake nodded, leaving a bathroom and telling the other two to preen, as he went upstairs to their room, took off his red and black checkered pajama shirt and white pajama pants with blue and orange dots. He put on his shirt, sweater with red and black stripes and jeans, went downstairs and told his friends to get clothed.       “Why should we?” Robin asked.       “We’ll go to the Tepoco supermarket,” the red one replied. “We need to buy something to make a food for ourselves. I’ll bake everything, indeed.”       “Hm, okay then,” Robin said, going upstairs with Doi. As the two changed their clothes Drake took his coat and green and yellow checkered scarf which he wrapped around his neck. As Robin and Doi also put on their jackets and scarves, the three friends finally made their way outside and headed towards the supermarket.       As they walked towards the Tepoco supermarket, Drake couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. It had been a while since they had gone grocery shopping together, and he enjoyed every moment of it. The crisp winter air filled their lungs, and the town was adorned with colorful lights and decorations, adding to the festive atmosphere.       Upon reaching the supermarket, the trio scattered in different directions, each with a specific list of items to find. Drake headed straight to the bakery section to pick up fresh bread and some pastries for their breakfast. The aroma of freshly baked goods engulfed him, making his stomach rumble.       Meanwhile, Robin took charge of the produce section, meticulously selecting the juiciest fruits and crunchy vegetables. He even managed to strike up a conversation with the friendly store owner, who shared some cooking tips and recipe ideas.       Doi, on the other hand, found himself in the dairy aisle, carefully inspecting various types of cheese. He was fascinated by the wide variety and couldn’t resist trying some samples. He also made sure to grab some milk and eggs for Drake's baking endeavors.       After gathering all the necessary ingredients and paying for their purchases, the friends made their way back home, their shopping bags filled to the brim. The excitement of cooking a delicious meal together lingered as they entered the warm embrace of their humble abode.       In the kitchen, Drake took charge, wearing his blue apron. “Alright, my friends! It’s time to make us an Olivier salad! Robin, please, pass me some ham.”       “Aight, here ya go!” Robin nodded, passing his friend a piece of meat he just cut. Drake looked down at the duckling like at some kind of a dummy. Robin then quacked, defending himself, as if nothing serious happened, “What? You didn’t tell me how much ham you need, did ya?”       “Don’t be this mean, or you won’t have a present from Father Christmas,” Doi scolded him, passing Drake the ingredient list for the salad he’ll make. There was: ham, peas, carrots, potatoes, eggs, pickles, mayonnaise, onions and chicken.       “Thanks,” the red one said, ruffling the younger one’s blue hair. Then, he took the jar of green peas, the whole ham—the one from which Robin cut a small piece, pickles and the other ingredients. “Rob, you can eat that small piece.”       Robin nodded, taking that piece he cut and chowing it down. “Hm… it really tastes awesome.”       Drake just chuckled and also ruffled his green feathers, before continuing making that salad. “By the way, try to guess where is this salad from.”       “Hm, France?” Doi thought.       “Indeed it’s the french salad!” Robin nodded. “Olivier is the french name, innit? So it’s the french one, you’re damn straight!”       “Hm, I fancy the way you two think,” Drake thought. “But, actually, no. It’s in fact the dish in Russian cuisine, made by some chef from French and Belgian descent, yet who’s born in Moscow. Plus, some call it the Russian salad.”       Robin’s eyes widened a little in surprise. He never thought that the person with the french surname could be from Russia; this indeed would be one of his new discoveries. “I think I’d better use Internet not only for playing games,” he thought.       “Well, if we’d eat this salad, can we speak Russian, I wonder?” Doi asked, his voice sounded curious and childishly naïve.       Both Robin and Drake looked down at the boy with the surprised expression, asking, “Why is that?”       On what, Doi just shrugged.       As the friends finished making the Olivier salad, they moved on to preparing the mince pies for dessert. Drake washed his hands and gathered the ingredients for the mince pies—the flour, butter, sugar, egg, and mincemeat made of cinnamon, apples, raisins and nutmegs.       “Alright, everyone, let's start by making the pie crust,” Drake instructed, rubbing the butter into the flour until it resembled fine breadcrumbs. Robin and Doi watched attentively, amused by the process.       Once the pastry dough was ready, Drake divided it into portions and rolled them out to line the greased mini pie tins. “Now, it's time to spoon in the mincemeat,” Drake said, as he filled each pastry case with the sweet and spicy filling.       While Drake was focused on the pies, Doi was humming a cheerful tune, and Robin couldn't resist eating some of the leftover ingredients.       “Hey, Robin, leave some for the pies,” Drake chided playfully, causing Robin to smirk and continue making mischief.       “I can’t help it, ya know,” the duckling protested. “This just smells nice, so I… yeah. By the way, I’ve heard somewhere that you need to add some liquor to—”       “Nuh-uh, no alcohol!” the red one replied a little more firmer. “There’s a kid, remember that. Plus, I don’t think drinking alcohol is nice, as it may cause… something not so good.”       “Your loss,” Robin sighed shrugging his shoulders and sitting down.       After the pies were filled and covered with pastry lids, they went into the oven to bake, filling the kitchen with a festive aroma.       As the three of them waited for the pies to bake, Robin and Doi began cleaning up the kitchen, chuckling and chatting about random topics. Meanwhile, Drake started preparing a calming cup of tea for everyone to enjoy while they waited for the mince pies to be ready.       Once the pies were baked to a golden perfection, the friends took them out of the oven, letting them cool before sprinkling them with powdered sugar. They marveled at how delicious the kitchen smelled as they eagerly anticipated the taste of the freshly baked pies.       “Let’s chow these babies down, fellas!” Robin exclaimed in a familiar American accent, as he took one pie. But as he made his first bite, he immediately placed it back and began drinking cold water—the pies were still a little hot inside. “Ow, that burns. Damn this oven.”       “Maybe you’re just rushing things, aren’t you?” Doi noted with a chuckle. “I think before eating the pies, we can enjoy the Olivier salad.”       Drake nodded, as he took three plates and put some salad on them. “Here you go,” he said, passing the plates to his friends. He also took one for himself, sat down and started eating. The mix of the mayonnaise, ham, eggs, peas et cetera felt awesome—he enjoyed the feeling of the tastes dancing on his tongue.       “Wunderbar,” the red guy said with a satisfied expression. “You guys try it too, it’s unbelievably moreish.”       Robin nodded and also ate a spoonful of the salad. “Yeah, it’s finger-lickin’ good!”       “Yet it’s quite sad that we won’t speak Russian after eating it,” Doi sighed, chowing it down, “but it tastes good indeed, hee hee. Thanks, Drake.”       As the friends enjoyed their Olivier salad, they relaxed and savored the mingling flavors of the dish. The creamy mayonnaise, savory ham, tender potatoes, and the zing of the pickles created a symphony of taste that brought smiles to their faces.       Drake was pleased to see his friends enjoying the salad and felt a sense of contentment as they chatted and relished the meal they had prepared together. He appreciated these simple moments of camaraderie, where the busyness of everyday life seemed to slow down, allowing them to savor the joy of good food and good company.       After finishing their salad, they cleared the plates and, finally, the mince pies were cool enough to eat. “Now, we can try these,” Drake said, taking one pie and biting it, also drinking some tea. “Hm, they’re nice too.”       Robin and Doi just silently nodded, not wanting to interrupt this moment by saying it a thing. The buttery, flaky pastry and the sweet, spiced mincemeat filling felt so good in their mouths that there was no real need in words. The cozy warmth of the kitchen and the comforting aroma of freshly baked pies added to the pleasure of the moment.       As they indulged in the delightful dessert, they continued chatting and laughing, feeling the warmth of friendship and the satisfaction of a meal well-made. The combination of the hearty Olivier salad and the comforting mince pies made for a delightful dining experience.       With contented smiles, they sat back, sipping on their tea, and relished the remnant flavors and the memories of their culinary adventure. The simple pleasure of a shared meal and the delight of good food made the evening a cherished memory for them all.       After finishing their meal, Doi got up, rushed towards Drake and exclaimed, “Now I wanna go outside! Can we? We can build a snowman, or snowball at each other. Can we? Can we, please?”       Drake shrugged his shoulders, unsure what to say. Of course, he would like to go outside with his friends and have a good time, yet he just ate the salad and mince pies with tea. He then looked at Robin, as if asking what does he think about it.       The duckling stood up, approached Doi, and with a proud voice, said, “My boy, our red friend is a little lazy, so he prefers to stay home for the rest of the day.”       “What!? Hey, that’s not true!” exclaimed Drake, shocked by Robin’s words. “I mean, I don’t know if I also need to go outside or stay home for some time, to relax after our meal. What makes you think the other way?”       Robin’s eyes sparkled mischievously as he looked at Drake, clearly enjoying the banter. “Come on, Drake, admit it, you’re feeling a little too cozy after all that food and tea,” he teased, unable to hold back a mischievous chuckle.       Drake couldn’t help but smile at the playful jabs from his friends. “Alright, maybe I am feeling a bit snug and content after our meal,” he admitted, joining in the lighthearted mood. “But the idea of going outside and enjoying the snow does sound appealing.”       Doi’s eyes lit up with excitement at the possibility of outdoor adventures. “Please, Drake, let’s go out and have some fun! We can build a snowman, go sledding, or just enjoy the winter scenery,” he pleaded, radiating eagerness.       Drake glanced outside at the picturesque winter landscape and the softly falling snow. The idea of embracing the frosty air and engaging in a playful snowball fight with his friends began to entice him. “Alright, alright,” he conceded with a grin. “Let’s bundle up warmly and head outside for a little while. We can savor the frosty enjoyment and make the most of the winter wonderland.”       The three friends quickly donned their warm winter gear and stepped outside into the crisp, wintry air. As the snow crunched beneath their boots, they were filled with the thrill of the chilly outdoors. Doi even let out a small cloud of steam, and giggled, “I can make clouds. How interesting.”       “Nuh-uh, Doi,” Robin scolded playfully, giving the boy a light flick behind the head, “ya can’t smoke yet, you’re too young for it.”       “But that’s not a smoke—it’s a steam cloud!” Doi pouted, holding his head. He then turned his attention to Drake and exclaimed, “Drake, Robin hit me for nothing!”       “Don’t listen to him,” the duckling exclaimed, “he was smoking something!”       Drake approached the two and looked down at the two with a more serious gaze. “Robin, don’t joke like that! That sounds dumb. And Doi, please, be a little quieter, okay? I’d like to calmly enjoy the view of our snowy town first, before we’ll do something else.”       Robin sighed in response letting go of Doi, who looked down at the ground, as if he got scolded by his parents. Drake ruffled the boy’s blue hair, looking down at him with a smile, and said, “Oh, don’t think of it as I’ll punish you for nothing. You know that’s not it—at least, I think you do.”       Doi chuckled quietly in response, both grateful for Drake not scolding him for no reason and enjoying the sensation of his mitten-like palm ruffling his head. “Yo, pat me too!” Robin exclaimed, and Drake also tenderly patted the duckling’s head, a gesture of camaraderie and affection.       The three of them stood together in a comforting silence, taking in the serene beauty of the snow-covered town, the hushed stillness broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind and some cars.       As they gazed at the enchanting winter landscape, a sense of peace settled over them. The soft white snow blanketed the town in a gentle embrace, transforming familiar streets and buildings into a picturesque winter wonderland. The distant sounds of laughter and joy from other residents enjoying the snow added to the serene ambiance.       “Do you guys realize how lucky we are to experience this together?” Drake said softly, breaking the peaceful silence. “These moments of togetherness and the simple joys of life are what truly make our days special.”       Robin and Doi nodded in agreement, their hearts filled with gratitude for the bond they shared and the treasured memories they were creating. They stood there, basking in the quiet beauty of the snowy town and the warmth of their friendship, cherishing the simple pleasures of the winter day.       As the three friends stood in contemplative silence, the town of Clayton revealed itself in its winter glory. The snow-draped streets and quaint buildings exuded a timeless charm, creating a picturesque scene straight out of a storybook. The wintry cloak had transformed the town into a serene wonderland, where every nook and cranny seemed to be touched by the enchanting allure of the season.       The streets were adorned with a pristine layer of snow, forming a soft, pristine carpet that muffled the sounds of footsteps and added an ethereal quality to the surroundings. The streetlamps cast a warm, golden glow, diffused by the falling snowflakes, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow that painted the town with a magical ambiance. The gentle hush of falling snow, combined with the joyful laughter of the townsfolk, painted a portrait of winter bliss that captured the hearts of all who called Clayton home.       In the midst of this winter spectacle, Drake, Robin, and Doi stood, not merely witnessing the beauty around them, but also nurturing the warmth of their enduring friendship amidst the serene backdrop of their beloved town. Their hearts were filled with appreciation for the simple pleasures of togetherness and the enchanting magic of a Clayton winter.       “It’s hard to believe we live in this quite quaint town,” Drake sighed, his voice sounded content and calm. “How wondrous.”       However… this peaceful admiration moment was interrupted by the snowball thrown at Drake. It was Robin who threw it—the duckling pointed at the red guy and laughed out loud. Doi just looked at this with a smile, not understanding what was happening.       Drake's surprise at being hit by the snowball was quickly replaced by a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Oh, I see you want to fight me, huh,” he said with a sly grin. “Well, you better get prepared!”       The red guy bent down, scooped up a handful of snow, and with a playful grin, unleashed a retaliatory snowball aimed squarely at Robin. “Ah! Why you lamppost! C’mere, I’m gonna get ya!” the duckling shouted, also scooping up the handful of snow.       That was the moment Doi understood what that was—the snowball fight was on. “Robin, I’ll avenge you!” the boy exclaimed heroically, also grabbing a handful of snow and aiming at Drake.       As laughter and shouts filled the air, the serene spell of the winter scene was broken, replaced by the joyful chaos of friends engaging in a spirited snowball battle. Snowballs whizzed through the air, accompanied by peals of laughter and playful taunts.       Robin, with his quick and nimble movements, darted from place to place, expertly evading the snowball onslaught. Doi, caught up in the infectious energy, found himself in the midst of a delightful snowball exchange, his laughter blending seamlessly with the jubilant sounds of merriment that filled the wintry air.       “I’m gonna get ya!” Robin exclaimed, aiming at Drake. “I’ll throw one thousand snowballs at you, and get plus one thousand points! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!!!”       “Oh, no, you won’t. One thousand points from throwing thousand snowballs at me—as if,” Drake said with a calm yet sly voice as he dodged the snowball Robin threw at him. “Missed! Minus one point to Green.”       “Then, it must be plus one point to Soan! Here!” Doi exclaimed, also aiming at Drake, but instead his snowball hit Robin.       The duckling quacked in surprise, as he felt the cold snow behind his head. “Ah! You little traitor!”       “It was an accident, you goofy duck!” Drake scolded playfully, but then he bumped into Doi so they fell down to the ground.       “Owie!” the boy yelped as he felt the weight of the red guy’s body. “Drake, get off, you’re heavy!”       “Woah, sorry. Didn’t want to.” Drake got up and helped Doi up his feet.       The once tranquil streets of Clayton were now alive with the exuberant energy of the snowball fight. Passersby, caught up in the joyous spectacle, paused to watch the spirited display of friendship and fun unfolding before them, their own faces breaking into smiles at the heartwarming scene.       As the snowball skirmish continued, the three friends reveled in the simple, unbridled joy of the moment, their camaraderie growing stronger with each lighthearted toss of snow. The magical allure of the winter season had turned a quiet town into a vibrant playground, and amidst the laughter and the flurry of snow, the bonds of friendship continued to deepen, radiant as the winter sun shining through the falling snowflakes.       After their spirited snowball fight, Drake, Robin, and Doi decided to seize the moment and further embrace the winter wonderland that Clayton had become. They made their way to a nearby hill, where families and friends were gathered to indulge in the timeless joy of sledding.       “Can we also sledge?” Doi asked Robin and Drake.       “Well, if you want that, we need to go home and get the one for you,” Robin replied, shrugging.       “Alright, let’s go home,” Doi nodded.       The three friends went home, where Robin and Doi ran to the attic and took their sleds. “Why won’t ya get one for yourself, Drake? C’mon, it’ll be fun!” Robin encouraged his friend.       “Drake just thinks he’s too mature for this stuff,” Doi giggled.       Drake shook his head, chuckling. “Wrong,” he said, “I will sledge with you guys. Just without a sled—as we’ll go outside, you’ll see what I mean.”       As they made their way back to the hill, Drake’s mysterious declaration piqued Doi and Robin’s curiosity. They reached the top of the hill, and Drake took a deep breath, surveying the snowy landscape before him.       “Do you see that?” Drake pointed to a large, smooth piece of cardboard lying near the base of the hill. “That’s what I'll be using.”       Doi and Robin exchanged puzzled glances, but their confusion quickly turned to amusement as they realized Drake’s plan. With a mischievous grin, Drake positioned himself on the cardboard and pushed off, gliding down the hill with surprising speed.       “Whoa, that’s actually pretty cool!” Doi exclaimed, impressed by Drake’s makeshift sledding technique.       Robin chuckled and followed suit, grabbing another piece of cardboard and joining in the unconventional sledding adventure. “Aight, I guess I’m gonna use my normal sled later.”       The three friends spent the afternoon racing down the hill on their makeshift sleds, reveling in the simple joy of winter fun. Doi and Robin sled down the hill both with their sleds and the cupboard pieces, while Drake was using only cupboard. However, as the red guy sled down as fast as he could, he flew away form his makeshift sled and rolled head over heels down the hill, straight into a snowdrift.       Doi and Robin rushed to Drake’s side, their laughter turning to concern as they saw him buried in the snow. “Drake, are you okay?” Robin called out, trying to stifle his laughter.       Drake emerged from the snowdrift, his face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. “I'm fine, I'm fine,” he said, brushing off the snow from his clothes. “I guess that wasn't my best idea after all.”       The three friends burst into laughter, the mishap only adding to the unforgettable memories they were making. As they helped Drake back to his feet, they decided to call it a day and head back home, still chuckling about the unexpected turn of events.       “By the way,” Doi said, as he and his friends made their way home, “I don’t know why, but you looked a little like a snowman when you fell to the snowdrift. Not if I wanted to tell you something with these hints, but…”       “What, you wanna build one next to our house?” Robin asked, grinning.       As Doi nodded in response, Drake said, his voice sounded a little determined and adventurous, “Then why not? Let’s give it a try, shall we?”       The three friends gathered in their backyard, ready to embark on their snowman-building adventure. They rolled up big balls of snow and stacked them carefully, creating a sturdy foundation for their snowman. They worked together, laughing and joking as they molded the snow into shape.       Drake took the lead, using branches for arms and rocks for eyes and buttons. Robin found an old hat in his closet and placed it on top of the snowman’s head. Doi carefully placed a carrot as the snowman’s nose and traced a line to make the mouth.       As they stepped back to admire their creation, the friends couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Their snowman stood tall, a symbol of their friendship and the fun they had shared. It brought a warmth to their hearts, despite the cold winter air.       “Atta guy!” Robin stated, pointing at the snowman. “He sure is a good gentleman, who needs his charismatic pal, like I am.”       Doi just nodded, while Drake came up with an idea. “Hey, why don’t we try to make him a little more creative?”       “You mean, change him someway?” the yellow boy asked.       “Yep. Listen up: let’s give him the same long hair as mine, the beak like Robin’s, and the same overalls like the ones you wear usually.”       Excited by the idea, the friends immediately set to work on transforming their snowman. Drake gathered some fallen twigs and attached them to create long, flowing hair. Robin carefully sculpted a beak out of snow and delicately placed it where the snowman’s mouth had been.       Doi, always up for a challenge, meticulously shaped the snow into overalls, adding small details like buttons and pockets. As they worked, the snowman seemed to come alive, taking on a personality of its own.       The friends watched in awe as their creation began to resemble each of them. It was a snowman made of their combined characteristics and quirks. It stood proudly in the yard, a true representation of their friendship, creativity, and shared experiences.       Their snowman became a neighborhood sensation, attracting the attention of passersby who stopped to take pictures and admire the friends’ handiwork. The joy that radiated from their snowman seemed to spread throughout the community, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.       As the sun began to set and the cold started to seep into their bones, Robin and Doi started feeling the weariness of their winter adventure. Robin, with a mischievous smile, suggested they head home and warm up with hot cocoa.       “I think it’s time we bid farewell to our snowman,” Robin said with a touch of sadness in his voice. “He has brought us so much joy, but we can always come back and build another one next year.”       Doi nodded in agreement. He was feeling a bit tired and welcomed the idea of going home. “I had so much fun today, but I think I could use some rest,” he admitted. “We can always have more time for these winter adventures in the future and continue creating memories together.”       With a final glance at their transformed snowman, they exchanged happy looks and made their way back home, their footsteps leaving imprints in the snow behind them. As they entered the warmth of their houses, they knew that the memories they had made that day would stay with them forever.       Drake, as he took off his winter clothes, looked at his friends and suggested one thing, “Who wants some cocoa? I can make this for you.”       “Can I have some marshmallows here?” Doi asked, with a familiar slight naïvety in his voice.       “We haven’t buy ’em, silly,” Robin noted, his voice both playful and a little strict.       “Of course, we haven’t,” Drake agreed with the duckling. “And I, to be honest, am also a little tired to go to buy them. So let’s just drink it just with milk, shall we?” Then, he knelt before Doi. “I’ll make the cocoa with marshmallows a little later.”       Doi nodded eagerly, accepting the compromise with a smile. “That sounds great, Drake! Thank you for making the cocoa for us,” he replied gratefully, his tired eyes brightening up at the thought of a warm drink.       Drake headed into the kitchen and soon the aroma of rich chocolate filled the air. The sound of pots clinking and the sound of water boiling brought a sense of comfort to Robin and Doi as they settled in the living room.       As they waited for their cocoa to be ready, Robin glanced outside the window and noticed the first few snowflakes starting to fall. “Look, Doi! It’s snowing again,” he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.       Doi joined him at the window, his eyes widening in awe at the delicate snowflakes. “Wow, it's so beautiful,” he whispered, marveling at the magic of winter.       Almost in no time, Drake entered the room, holding two cups of cocoa for Robin and Doi. “Sorry for interrupting your snowfall viewing, but your cocoa is done. Here, have a drink.”       “Oh, thank you,” Doi said, taking his cup. “Hm, it’s not so hot, like you always do. Somehow. How exactly do you make it not so hot?”       “I can’t tell you—it’s a secret,” Drake chuckled, teasingly winking.       “Well, not bad,” Robin noted, taking a sip of a drink. “Why are you not drinking? Where’s your cup?”       “It’s still in the kitchen. You know, I don’t have a third arm to carry mine as well, and I can’t use my legs for it, can I?”       The three friends laughed at Drake’s sarcastic and humorous response, and Robin looked at his red friend with a gaze full of pleasure. “You do some amazing food and drinks for us, Drake. Thank you.”       Drake went to the kitchen to take his cup of cocoa, sat in between his friends on the sofa, and said, ruffling Robin’s green feathers, “Thank you too for these words. I just enjoy making you and Doi happy—you’re my best friends, after all.”       “Yeah… friends…” Robin muttered, taking another sip of cocoa. Then, when Drake was looking outside the window, the duckling pressed his beak against the red guy’s cheek, making him blush. Yet he didn't know that Doi saw that, so the boy exclaimed, “Drake, Robin just kissed you!”       “I know,” the red one replied, rubbing his cheek. He looked down at Robin and asked, “And why do you think you did that?”       “Maybe, we could be… ahem, more than just fr—ow!” Robin got cut off by Drake giving him a light flick behind his head.       “Robin, you’re a dummy, you know that? Of course, if I was into guys, I’d become your boyfriend. But I am not, and you perfectly know that.”       “Sorry,” the duckling chuckled, feeling a little defeated. But he also knew, that Drake wasn’t actually angry at him.       “Next time, ask me if you want to become a little closer to me. And know that it shouldn’t be in a passionate sense, okay?”       “Okay, okay. I will.”       “Alright, now let’s just enjoy our time together,” Doi said, looking at the snowfall and drinking his cocoa. “It’s much better than quarrelling because of this dumb thing, isn’t it?”       Drake and Robin nodded at Doi’s words, and also looked outside the window, enjoying the view.       With their hot cocoa in hand, the three friends gathered around, sitting on the sofa, savoring the warmth and the company. They laughed, shared stories, and cherished the bond they had formed on their winter adventure.       As the night grew darker and the snowfall intensified, Drake, Robin, and Doi exchanged knowing glances. It was a moment of pure contentment, where time seemed to stand still, and the worries of the world outside faded away.       In that moment, they realized that the true magic of winter lies not only in the snow or the cold, but in the connections we make and the memories we create with the people we love.       The night ended with smiles, hugs, and promises to continue their winter adventures in the future. As they bid each other goodnight and retreated to their room, the warmth of the day and the joy of their friendship lingered in their hearts.       And so, as they fell asleep, the snow softly blanketed the world outside, creating a comforting silence that seemed to whisper, “Until next time.”       “Mm, but there should be the speech on the TV…” Robin mumbled in his sleep.       “Robin… let’s just sleep, okay?” Drake replied, closing his eyes.       “Fine,” the duckling drawled, before completely falling asleep.