In Japan, today, it’s called New Year’s Eve. The time is already 7 o’clock in the evening and the four of them, except for me, were decorating in the living room for the beginning of the year.
“Yes, that’s about it.”
“Mmm, when it comes to New Year’s, we have to do this huh.”
“Flashy”
Erna, Freya, and Liz are somewhat convinced. The tree, which resembled a fir tree, was decorated with many decorations, and it looked like a Christmas tree. In particular, the metal star on the top of its peak and the little red boots hanging here and there are reminiscent of Christmas. It’s an event that makes me feel like I’ve been reincarnated in a strange world once again.
“Father, are you ready to make soba?”
“The broth is already ready, all that’s left is the noodles.”
Pero watches the work from the side, feeling curious. While the four of them were decorating, I was silently making soba noodles. As it is New Year’s Eve, soba noodles should be eaten at night. Although I am now a person from another world, I can’t give up on this one thing.
The kneaded dough is stretched with a self-made rolling pin, and when it spreads widely, I folded and cut it into thin strips with a knife. I took a moderate amount and threw it into the already boiling pot.
“He~y, the whole roast is done!”
My clone came to the hideout with a whole roasted chicken. There is no oven here, so I had it grilled in the miniature garden. It was browned golden and the meat juice were already dripping. I involuntarily swallowed my saliva. Tanaka β puts the meat on the table and he looks at me, asking me to serve it already.
“It’s specially made by a confectionery store! Here, surprise!”
When I brought the shortcake out of the bangle, my four comrades cheered. The whipped cream is topped with Ichii, a fruit that looks a lot like strawberries, and the contrast between white and red is pleasing to the eye. There are also cakes made with whipped cream in this world, but there was no shortcake that Japanese people is familiar with. So, I went to a confectionery shop and had them make a special one for me.
“Shall we leave the soba noodles to the main body and celebrate first?”
“Agree! Let’s eat quickly!”
They sit around the table and start eating with excitement. Perhaps because of his small body, my clone is placed on Erna’s lap and is being fed. Of course, he didn’t like it at first, but he smiled when he had noticed the feel of a soft chest touching the back of his head. Because he is said to be my clone, his thought process is still the same as mine.
“I’ll help too.”
“No, it’s fine. All I have to do is boil the soba noodles, you can eat with them first.”
My face softened at my son’s request, and I urged him to eat first. The reason I want to make soba is partly for self-satisfaction.
Once the noodles are boiled, I put them in a bowl and pour in the soup stock. All I have to do is add green onions as a condiment, put the fried vegetables I made in advance and it’s complete. As I place them in front of each person, the fluffy white steam and the pleasant aroma of the soup stock wafts through the air.
“He~e, this is New Year’s Eve soba noodles huh.”
“It’s not just limited to New Year’s Eve. But because the noodles break easily, it’s been eaten for a long time with the idea of warding off bad luck.”
“Oh, it’s true. It’s breaks easily.”
Erna uses chopsticks to pick up the noodles, albeit awkwardly. Perhaps because I only uses chopsticks, both Erna and Freya have recently started using chopsticks as well. Pero and Liz sip the noodles with practiced movements.
“Yes, it’s delicious. The bonito flakes are really good.”
“Delicate taste. I like this.”
The evaluations are good. This was the moment I realized I was glad I had made bonito flakes. By the way, the buckwheat flour was obtained in the kingdom of Sanargia. Actually, when I went to that kingdom, I saw it at a store, so I stopped by and bought it. If I had missed it then, we wouldn’t have soba today.
I also sit on the floor and slurps my soba noodles. A light, salty, and sharp soup stock. The crispy kakiage absorbs the soup stock and amplifies the flavor. The noodles are chewy, and it goes down into my throat in no time. There is no need for troublesome words anymore. Just one word. Delicious! Afterwards, we spent time eating meat and cake.
◇◇◇
The current time is past 12 o’clock. The new year has already begun.
“Wearing this red cape…wouldn’t this make me a suspicious person?”
“If you have any complaints, tell the tailor. I just ordered as I was told.”
“Maybe I should have dressed up as Santa Claus after all.”
—My clone and I were having soft conversation in the living room late at night. I wore a red cape and a white beard made of cotton over my mouth. I didn’t know what Red Cape-san of this world looked like, so I borrowed the image of Santa Claus.
My clone, on the other hand, is dressed in a hooded brown top and bottom, and a barely sufficient round red ornament on his nose. I made the clothes with the intention of him being a reindeer, but no matter how I look at it, he is just a child in pajamas. He looks good and cute though.
“What’s with those eyes? Even though I look like this, I’m you, you know. Don’t say I’m cute!”
“I know. But still, it’s like I’m watching my own childhood, and it’s comforting.”
“Whatever. Let’s go finish it quickly. If the four of them wake up, we’ll be in trouble.”
“That’s right. Then, let’s get started.”
Carrying a white bag, we first invaded Pero’s room. The room is tidy, and there are stacks of books on the desk. On the wall was a piece of paper with the words “Meat and Passion” written on it.
Meat and passion…… It’s a profound word.
“Is it the time to be impressed? Hurry up and give him the present.”
“Oh- my bad. I was just looking at it. It’s this then.”
I put a wrapped present at Pero’s bedside as he sleeps in bed. Inside are 12 colors of paints and art supplies. I left the room, thinking of my son’s joy.
“Who’s next?”
“Freya said she didn’t need anything, but I’m sure she’ll be happy with this.”
We gently entered Freya’s room then both of us were stunned. Dolls made to resemble Pero are displayed all over the room. In addition, there was a diary on the desk titled, “Today’s Pero-sama.”
I want to take a peek inside, but I stop at the last minute. I felt like there was nothing good to look at. If anything, it quite scary I think. Freya, who sleeps in bed, sleeps with a large Pero doll in her arms.
“Going to this extent… I feel like something scary is approaching.”
“I agree. I wonder where this girl is headed.”
I placed a present at Freya’s bedside. Inside is a dog brush made of boar hair, she should be able to pet Pero to her heart’s content with this.
“Where to next?”
“Go to Liz’s room.”
After leaving Freya’s room, we went straight into Liz’s room. It could be said to be bare inside. There are no other things except for a desk and a bed. Then, I suddenly noticed something like a cloth sticking out of the wall. When I pulled it, the wall rotates and a wall with weapons and other items appears on it. I don’t know where she got it from, but there was a large number of kunai and shuriken stored in it. When I dig into another wall, we found a closet with clothes. It’s a ninja house. At a glance, you won’t have an idea on where and what things are hidden.
“This is for you.”
I left a present at Liz’s bedside. Inside, there is an eye mask with cat’s eyes on it and a pillow made of the finest wool called Royal Sheep. I’m sure it’s the perfect item for her who is greedy for sleep.
“Erna is the last one. I hope she’s happy with this.”
“Speaking of which, what did you prepare?”
“Robes and boots.”
My clone said, “I see” and nodded.
Despite the fact that Erna already has the ability to be called a master-level mage, she still wears a special purple robe. Wondering why, I asked the reason for it once. Apparently, the price of a mage robe jumps with each rank increase, and when it becomes a master level, it is worth as much as ten gold coins. However, 10 gold coins is not a lot of money for the current Homeless. I offered to buy it, but Erna flatly refused. She said she wants to buy her own robe with her own money.
I was tempted to say, “Don’t beg for jewels instead”. Well, I guess Erna has her own preferences. Then an idea came up to me. I thought that if it was a gift given by Red Cape-san, she wouldn’t be able to refuse.
We sneak open the door and entered the room. We saw Erna at her desk, working enthusiastically on something by herself. I was tempted to click my tongue, wondering why she was still awake at this time. But from the way she looked from behind, she seemed strangely happy.
Me and my clone activated our stealth skills and quietly moved to her bed. I put the gift on the bedside and sneaked out of the room.
“It was out of my calculations that they could be awake.”
“No, no. When I was younger, I used to stay up all night waiting for the next day. Try to remember yourself.”
“I see, it’s the first sunrise of the year huh. You used to go see it with the family.”
“It’s nostalgic. My son was having fun then.”
Me and my clone return to the living room while talking about the old days. After changing clothes, the two of us drank while remembering the events of last year.
◇◇◇
“Shinichi, it’s time to wake up!”
“Is it morning already?”
I sat up and checked the pocket watch on the table. It’s now 4:30 in the morning. I woke up earlier than usual. When I looked around, I saw a number of liquor bottles lying around, and my clone was sleeping soundly on the sofa with his stomach showing. After handing out the gifts, we seemed to have fallen asleep before we knew it.
“Everyone! He’s up!”
As Erna said that, three people with paper bags enter the living room.
“Thank you always for everything, Father! I look forward to having a good relationship with you this year too.”
Pero handed me a large paper bag. When I opened it, I found a brand-new breastplate. The size is perfect and it’s very easy to move around. Moreover, it contains my name, “Tanaka Shinichi”, engraved with the characters of this world.
“This is from me. I look forward to your continued support this year.”
The paper bag I received from Freya was small. When I looked inside, there was a kitchen knife. It had a shiny luster, probably made of steel, and the sharpness seemed to be good. I usually cook with a knife, so I am very grateful for this.
“My feelings. Take it.”
The paper bag I received from Liz is small and thin. When I opened it, it was a leather glove without fingertips. It is black in color and the size is perfect when I put it on. This should make it easier to grip the sword. Above all, it looks cool.
“Lastly, mine. Thank you for your continued support.”
Erna handed me a large thick paper bag. When I opened it, I found a muffler and gloves insides. What’s more, it’s black to match the robe.
“This is?”
“I’ve been working on it for a week. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it because it was my first time, but I managed to finish it yesterday.”
Was this why she was working so hard last night? Gradually, my lacrimal glands loosen. I was on the verge of tears at the thoughtful gifts from the four of them.
Then, Erna spins around in front of me.
“How is it? Red cape-san gave me boots and robes.”
Dark brown boots with floral embroidery and a dark brown robe looked good on her. Pero smiles as he holds his art supplies. Freya has a sloppy expression while brushing Pero’s hair. Liz has an eye mask on her head and a high-end woolen pillow in her hand, the corners of her mouth raised slightly.
“Just like me, all four of you got good things huh.”
“Yes. I have to thank Red Cape-san who’s in someplace.”
I smiled wryly at Erna’s words. Even if I know these things, it’s better not to say them. Even if the identity of the red cape is me.
“But where did red cape-san come from? Father was in the living room, right?”
“““Eh?”””
Pero tilts his head at the unidentified red cape man.
No way….Haven’t he noticed?
Of course, I wanted it to be that way, so I went out of my way to give it away at night. But I was surprised by Pero because he is too pure.
“R-right. Red Cape-san has always been very good at hiding.”
“I’m sorry, Pero-sama. I don’t think I can help you this time.”
“Red Cape is oni—Mumumu!?”
“Come on Pero. Try painting with your new paints! I’d love to see it!”
I hurriedly presses Liz’s mouth and asks Pero to draw a picture.
“It’s fine if father asks for it. But, what should I draw?”
“Can you draw me the first sunrise, at this time, the sun should not have risen yet, right?”
“Yes. I’m in favor of that.”
Putting his art supplies in his backpack, Pero was the first to leave the hideout. After seeing off his back, I warned Liz.
“Don’t say anything that will destroy his dreams. He believed in it.”
“It’s going to shatter eventually. It’s just that it’s either late or early.”
“You look so out of touch that I don’t think you were once bedridden.”
With that said, we used the Temple of Teleportation to go to the surface. In the dark sky with visible stars, a faint orange light was coming up on the horizon. Pero is already sitting on the ground, running a pencil over the drawing paper.
We waited for that moment with deep breathes.
“I see it! It’s the sun!”
“It’s the light of the new year. It’s so divine.”
“It’s just like Pero-sama. It’s beautiful.”
“I’m looking forward to this year too.”
“Well, it’s the beginning of a new Homeless.”
Light shines through the darkness. The first sunrise of the new year gave me a stately feeling.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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