Christmas Day, two in the afternoon.
Babylon Temple-
Apart from the lack of snow, the Babylon Temple had gone all out with its festive decorations, but far fewer people were coming and going than usual.
Under Babylon's regulations, the vast majority of posts were staffed by Artificial Angels or mechanical attendants during the holidays.
Most of the knights, nuns, and attendants had gone off to enjoy their time off.
Babylon had no need for "aristocratic socializing," so most holidays were celebrated in a fairly relaxed way.
Sephiroth and Uta made their belated arrival along the temple's central passage.
They were on their way to the event hall.
From time to time, Mechanical Soldiers or Artificial Angels standing guard bowed their heads to the pair.
"...Sephi..."
Dressed in white skate shoes, beige streetwear trousers, and a pink-and-white athletic shirt, Uta followed behind Sephiroth with an awkward gait.
She had put the outfit together herself, giving it something of a hip-hop singer's style.
"-We're so late... It's all your fault..."
Uta expressed her displeasure at only managing to "successfully arrive" on Sky Island at two in the afternoon.
Even after being healed by Holy Light... she still felt a little that way.
"...Well, that's because you're just too cute, isn't it, Uta...?"
Dressed in blue-and-white casual knight attire, Sephiroth spoke from the heart.
Given her constitution, he had even handled her gently. Yet being so restrained had only left him wanting more.
"Hmph~! I'm telling Yamato on you in a minute~!"
Uta stamped her feet "fiercely."
"...Now that's quite a threat..."
Despite saying that, Sephiroth really did want to let loose and have a true man's showdown with Yamato.
The two arrived at the entrance to the hall hosting this Christmas celebration.
The doors were decorated with Christmas wreaths and red bows.