Lets be an Adventurer! ~Defeating Dungeons with a Skill Board~ 125
Extra Episode Blessings on this Holy Night!
Every winter, K-town would be covered with a thick layer of snow.
This year was no exception.
This morning, a sniveling Haruki who had been robbed of the snow plow by the dungeon was forced to use a shovel to clear out the snow this morning.
This would be much easier if I had the snow plow
However, his snow plow was trapped in the dungeon.
He had no plans to purchase a new snow plow, though.
Inside the house, Rhea and Esta were warming up in front of the wood stove.
Rhea was trembling in front of the stove, wearing a White Boar Robe especially made for her.
Esta was wrapped in a blanket and was sleeping beside the stove.
Compared to how active they usually were in sumr, both of them were almost motionless.
That was understandable. Both Rhea and Esta were vulnerable to the cold of winter.
In the sumr, Rhea would often walk into Harukis room, and Esta would move around on the outside the window (at night, insects tend to gather on the window, lured by the light from inside, so it was a good spot for getting food), so even if he wanted to be alone in his room, Rhea and Esta would always be ssing around.
But it was different now.
Ever since winter started, Haruki had been spending more ti by himself.
Surely it wasnt just the temperature that made the room feel cold.
The fallow land was flattened by snow, and more snow was being blown up from the ground.
A shining snow curtain that reflected the suns light ran through the plain, waving slowly.
Soon enough, a girl arrived at Harukis doorway.
It was Karen, a mber of his party.
Good morning, Karaboshi. Ive co across sothing nice, so I brought so with .
Karen opened her pouch and took out a white mass from inside.
That was
Is that mochi!? Where did you get that, Karen!?
Ehehe. Actually, Ive beco good friends with the hotel manager, so she gave so as a New Years Eve present.
Oooh, thats great, Karen!
Yeah! Thats why I decided to bring so with today to share with you.
Why, thank you so much! Well, co in then!
Haruki was humming cheerfully as he carried the mochi to the kitchen.
Seeing his excitent, Karen couldnt help but pout.
Karen wiped the snow off her coat, walked in, and sat next to Rhea.
Rhea sluggishly waved her leaves, as if saying Hey, dont co here, youre so cold youre gonna take all the warmth to yourself!
Karen smiled mischievously at Rhea.
She quickly placed her numbingly cold hand on top of Rhea.
Rhea reacted to that attack with a Nyaa! as goosebumps ran all over her body.
At that mont, Esta slightly moved his feelers And then, perhaps because he realized his favorite food wasnt around, fell asleep again.
Just as Haruki was about to begin serving the mochi, the buzzer went off again.
After opening the door, he found Akane there, with the biggest smile ever.
She was wearing a bright red hat and robes furnished with white fur.
Are you cosplaying Santa?
Nu-huh! Im the Angel Akane!
Oh. Nice.
W-Wait! Dont close the door on ! AHAaaHAHAaaN!!
When Haruki tried to close the door, Akane clung onto the doorknob and started crying.
What on earth is wrong with this woman?
What do you need?
Well, today Ta-dah! Look what I got!
She took a bottle out of her bag.
The label had Nita no Nishiki written on it.
It was the na of a local brewery.
Well, isnt that sake! How did you get that!?
I happened to co across a limited sale, and I couldnt help myself.
Sake is the best thing for the cold season.
Akane must have rushed to the brewery right on ti to be able to get her hands on that sake.
Well, what are you waiting for? You just have to let this cute and beautiful angel who has brought you sake in! Its so cold outside!
Oh, right! Thanks for the sake!
B-But dont just take the sake and leave out here to freeze to death! Let iiiiiiin!
Oh well. I dont want to be standing here at the door forever.
Haruki reluctantly invited Akane in (because he had no other choice).
A few monts after Akane entered the house, the buzzer went off once again.
Who could it be now?
When Haruki opened the door, he was astonished by a bright radiance.
Yo!
Kagemitsu!
It was Kagemitsu, the man with the strongest presence in all of Hokkaido.
It seed that the radiance that had blinded Haruki ca from Kagemitsu, and not from the light outside.
Long ti no see. Whats up?
You guys have been a great help this year, so I decided to co pay you a visit. Ive brought so salmon as thanks.
Awawaahh!?
The sensitive Chep instantly reacted to the salmon that Kagemitsu was holding upside down. She could be heard quivering inside Karens pocket.
The once cold room started to warm up now that more people were there.
The house that had beco a silent place because of the winter was now full of sounds, laughter, and chatter.
Feeling the warmth of those sounds, Haruki cheerfully prepared the mochi.
The dish he was preparing was a simple yakimochi. He then whipped up so zunda bean paste and sweet soy sauce as a side dish.
Then he prepared so salmon stew with the salmon that Kagemitsu had brought. He garnished it with potatoes, onions, and carrots he got from Mr. Kitora, and seasoned it with miso.
Everything was set on the table as they enjoyed the sake.
Karen looked like she wanted so, but she was still too young for it.
Of course, Karen wasnt served any sake. She joined in the toast with a glass of 100% lon juice.
Everyone was cheerfully poking at the salmon stew, eating the yakimochi, and enjoying their drinks
Before they realized, Rhea and Esta, who hadnt been moving much until recently, were also attending Harukis banquet.
When was the last ti I got together with people like this?
Haruki had been alone ever since the First Stampede happened.
Being alone had beco the norm, to the point of not feeling lonely anymore.
However, with everyone gathered together like this, Haruki couldnt help but think that this was way more lively.
The bottle was empty.
Haruki shed tears while he washed the dishes by himself, away from Kagemitsu and Akanes gaze.
Those tears felt sowhat warm.
The mories of this day would one day beco a page of Harukis book of wonderful mories.
Actually, I wish they would. I hope I can keep having more days like this to keep as precious mories.
Lets keep doing our best to enjoy adventuring.
That was the oath Haruki swore to his heart.
Reviews
All reviews (0)