Series by 中村光

Kou has been raised to avoid owing anything to anyone. After bullies leave him in danger on a bridge, he falls into the Arakawa River. Nino rescues him and leaves him unable to accept the debt. He asks how to repay her, and she tells him to love her. Kou begins living under the bridge among Nino and the unusual residents of the riverbank.

Miharu is stuck spending Christmas alone while working a dead-end job. He wants stable employment more than anything. A Santa dressed in black appears before him and turns out to handle Christmas for bad children. Because Miharu is on the naughty list, he is taken away to work for this shadowy Santa. The job promises pay and benefits, but its true nature may be far from his dream.