Chapter 69: No Oni Laughs at a New Year's Story
ONI=DEMON
Back in old Japan, people didn’t celebrate individual birthdays. Instead, everyone collectively aged up on January 1st.
Apparently, the same custom holds true in the Qilin Empire. For children, a New Year’s celebration is basically the same as a birthday party.
“It’s understandable that Young Master doesn’t know about such things…”
“That’s because he never had a New Year’s party or a birthday celebration.”
The honey milk I’d been given—warm milk with a touch of honey—was perfectly balanced in both temperature and sweetness.
It slowly thawed the chill from snow play, but the mood in the room remained heavy.
This was particularly evident among the adults present.
“Well… the Master and Mistress attend the New Year’s party at the palace every year, and as for Young Master’s birthday party, they expressly instructed that it wasn’t ‘necessary’...”
“Yeah, I figured as much.”
They’re employees. It's not like they can disobey their employers—especially ones in positions of power.
Besides, it’s New Year’s. Given the choice, who wouldn’t rather go back to their hometowns to be with family than host their employer’s kid’s birthday party? That thought reminded me—
“By the way, do any of you get time off for New Year’s?”
“Except for Genzo, most of us here don’t have families to return to.”
“Oh… I see. Then not being able to have a party must’ve been disappointing.”
“No, not at all…”
Ugh. My parents again. Even in this rural corner of the empire, they couldn’t be bothered to offer proper benefits.
Well, this year—or rather, next year—I might not be able to throw a full party, but at the very least, I can serve some wine.
As soon as I made my decision, my gaze met Regulus's.
“Um, Regulus-kun, how about we throw you a birthday party?”
“Eh? B-but…”
“Because we’re in mourning? Yeah, maybe it’s not appropriate… But your family used to celebrate it every year, right?”
“Yes, they did… Even this year, Mother was still well for New Year’s, and Father came back from the castle to give Regulus-sama a gift…”
Utsunomiya-san, clearly moved, recalled Regulus’s household fondly. It sounded like the perfect picture of a happy family.
And yet, this year… neither his mother nor father would be there.
You really never know what life holds.
As I gently stroked Regulus's fluffy hair, I caught a glimpse of Rottenmeier-san trembling with emotion.
“You mean to say… when Young Master was near death, and even though we sent express messengers day after day, you all are happily and nonchalantly celebrating!?”
Oh. Right. Around this time last year, I was on the verge of passing away.
Her outcry, laced with sorrow and anger, startled Regulus, and Usunomiya-san turned pale—beyond pale.
“I’ve spoken out of turn!” she said, bowing low.
 |
| yeaaaah you go tell her Rottemeier-san~!! |
I waved my hand casually. “It’s fine, Utsunomiya-san. Lift your head. Rottenmeier-san, you too—try to calm down.”
“My deepest apologies…”
“I appreciate that Rottenmeier-san is upset on my behalf. But honestly, I don’t want to waste any more of my emotions on those people. When I do, I just end up feeling like a really awful person.”
“If that’s how Young Master feels…”
When I gave her a wry smile, Rottenmeier-san gave me a stiff but genuine one in return.
That alone lightened the gloom in the room.
Now, let's talk about Regulus's party.
In times like these, you should probably consult adults—especially ones who know how the world works. So I turned to the trio of elves.
“I think it’s okay to throw a New Year’s party and a birthday celebration, but… should we still be in mourning?”
“Hm, I wonder…”
“When the Emperor passed away, the New Year’s celebrations were scaled back, but they still happened.”
“The household where I worked as a tutor also toned things down a bit, but they never skipped the celebrations entirely.”
“I see…”
So it seems that canceling the party altogether isn’t a hard rule. But then Kanade-kun shook his head vigorously.
“When my grandma passed, my family didn’t hold any parties.”
“It was the same at the estate in the capital. That’s why I just assumed it’d be the same here,” added Usunomiya-san.
Conflicting accounts. I stroked my chin.
So basically, this seems to depend on the household’s own values.
If that’s the case… then I guess I can decide what this household does.
“Alright then. We’ll have the party and Regulus-kun’s birthday celebration. That’s the plan this year.”
Technically, I was the one whose birthday party had been forbidden, not Regulus’s. So it should be fine.
Now, as for how to throw a proper party… I have no clue.
But I remember what the princess told me: when you don’t understand something, just delegate.
“Rottenmeier-san, I’m leaving the planning up to you. I don’t know how these things are usually done, but I’d really appreciate it if you could make sure everyone in the estate can attend.”
“Understood.”
With a graceful curtsy, Rottenmeier-san accepted the task.
It looks like things are about to get a little busier again.
After all, I still need to make a birthday present.
Once our meeting ended, we had lunch, did a bit of magic study, and then called it a day.
Regulus and I were free after that.
After playing in the snow and feeling worn out, Regulus took a nap while I began crafting the present.
There’s only about a month left, after all.
The materials I gathered were ribbon, thick paper, lace, fabric, beads, cotton, glue, a needle, and thread.
I had two kinds of fabric scraps from the princess, and I’d bought plenty of ribbon on my trip to the capital. I had a good stock of beads and glue too.
What I planned to make was a rosette—a brooch that looked like a medal.
Sew ribbon into pleated loops, attach it to a base, add a fabric-covered button or beads in the center, and trail more ribbon from the back like a tail.
To make it fancier, I’d add cords or even some chains.
By dinnertime, I had finished the central part—the fabric-covered button—using thick paper, cotton, and fabric.
After dinner, I started making the tails, using ribbon and lace.
Just then, an out-of-season firefly, glowing with light, drifted in through the window that should have been closed.
“What’s that?”
A divine figure in military uniform, whose appearance transcended gender, picked up one of the rosette components curiously.
Apparently, even gods are intrigued by human handiwork.
As always, Hiryuu-sama’s form seemed to shift, his appearance never quite stable.
I took back the piece he was holding.
“It’s a birthday present.”
“A birthday… I see.”
“Yes. Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
Should we refrain from holding a party while in mourning?
When it comes to matters of death, it’s best to ask the deity who governs it.
Hiryuu-sama looked disinterested as he slowly shook his head.
“Mourning is not for the dead—it’s a ritual for the living. The living can choose to either refrain from festivities or make things lively in honor of a cheerful departed soul, and that decision is entirely up to them. Because in the end, it’s the living who have the right to decide.”
“I see… So it’s really a matter of how you feel.”
“At the core, yes.”
“Got it.”
“Now, let me see that again.”
His pale hand reached out for the rosette again.
… Turns out, gods are surprisingly curious creatures.
EUN: FFFFF....SERIOUSLY I FEEL LIKE CRYING!! but like frustrated tears. Ageha never got to celebrate his birthday. And I know it's not really Utsunomiya-san's fault but I just can't like insensitive people like her. Sure she means no harm but wtf.
At first she was accusing and kinda bossy towards Ageha and Romanov-sensei. Sure she didn't know about Romanov but to Ageha? Like why does she get to "demand" stuff from a 5 year old kid like its his responsibility for whatever happens to Regulus? I mean Ageha is also a kid and she should have known already that Ageha's situation is way worse than Regulus, who at least got to celebrate birthdays before his mom died, but the callous attitude she has is just so off putting.
Even though she was just reminiscing about it cause she was asked but that insensitivity of bragging how Regulus used to celebrate the new year/birthday with his parents to a kid who NEVER even had one celebration is so frustrating. Like when Rottenmeir snapped like that, I was like go Mama!!!
LET THIS SINK IN!! Ageha was dying, they were sending letters to his dad, informing that his eldest son, his blood is DYING but that trash was happily celebrating new year using somebody else's money together with his mistress and illegitimate child.
if you know a guy like that in RL, please do not hesitate to slap the f out of him!
_________
SORRY FOR RANTING
ANYWAY I WANNA SHARE THIS particular page. Like everyone's reaction when they found out that Ageha initially rejected Hyakka-sama.
I can't wait to see this scene on ep 12~
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