CH 168.1

Chapter 168.1. New Year’s Day

-Miu’s POV-

Mii-chan slowly opened her eyes with a drowsy mind. The room was slightly chilly, so she tucked herself under the warm blanket, head and all.

It feels so cozy. The fluffy blanket and the stuffed animals in the dream world are beckoning me.

With a relaxed smile on her face, Mii-chan tries to join the wedding ceremony in her dream, but she is gently shaken.

“Good morning, Miu-sama.”

“I think having a second sleep is the ultimate luxury.”

“Yoshiyuki-sama and the others are already awake, you know?”

“Oh, I see. I should wake up early too.”

Poking her head out of the blanket, Mii-chan, still half-asleep, resolves to get up.

Good girls get praised for waking up early. In her ice-blue eyes, Mii-chan catches a glimpse of Ranko-san wearing a rare kimono. It must be because it’s New Year’s.

“It’s already 8 o’clock. Are you not going for Hatsumode? I was wondering.”

“It’s already 8 o’clock? I need to eat osechi!”

With her eyes wide awake now, she pushes aside the covers with her tiny hand and gets up. I’ve heard this year’s osechi is splendid.

The osechi from previous years, handmade by Mama, was the best, but it seems they are using special ingredients this year. Exciting!

“I feel like I had a strange dream.”

Mii-chan rubs her eyes while saying good morning to the rabbit plushie by the bedside.

“It was a weird dream for a first dream.”

She rubs her head against the newly added lion plushie, trying to recall.

“Well, it was just a dream.”

I toss the plushie of Ant-san, holding a clipboard, and get out of bed. It says “Total amount of damage?” on the clipboard, but I don’t understand its meaning.

“Master, I brought the washbasin! It’s at just the right temperature. On New Year’s Day, punishment is granted amnesty for a year.”

Nimue wears a traditional Japanese dress and proudly enters the room, making a fuss. In her hand, she holds a wash basin filled with warm water.

I understand, I understand. In the manga, nobles wash their faces, right? And I can also guess the punchline.

“Ah!”

It must be because she’s not used to wearing a kimono. As expected, Nimue trips and the washbasin flew through the air.

If it continues like this, Mii-chan’s bed will get wet on New Year’s Day. Annoyed, she tries to protect herself, but Nimue quickly flicks her index finger.

The water in the air turns into a sphere and spins, deflecting the washbasin and suspending it in mid-air.

“Oh~! It’s a New Year’s performance! I thought I would get splashed with water from head to toe!”

I clap my hands happily. Mii-chan, in her game mode, can’t do things like this.

“Hehehe, it’s truly wonderful.”

Ranko-san applauds with a chilling voice that resonates from the depths of hell. She’s wearing the washbasin on her head, but it must be the latest trend this year.

“It suits you very well, Ranako.”

“Come over here for a moment!”

“I didn’t mean any harm. Don’t you aspire to be the master washing their face while the maid stands next to them with a towel?”

“I understand your feelings. But it’s easier to use the washstand!”

Ranko-san grabs Nimue by the collar, who is sweating nervously and drags her away.

“Well, everyone seems energetic from the start of the year. Let’s get up.”

With a little effort, Mii-chan gets out of bed and changes her clothes. Most of the servants have the day off on New Year’s Day.

In the small family living room, Mii-chan sits in the kotatsu with her parents, watching TV and chatting leisurely.

They haven’t touched the New Year’s feast yet. It seems they were waiting for Mii-chan.

I approach them, kneeling in front of them.

“Happy New Year, papa, mama. I hope this year will be a good one.”

With a bright smile and hands on the tatami, she greets them. Then she rolls over and checks her first cartwheel of the year.

“Happy New Year, Mii-chan.”

“Oh, you’re not wearing a kimono?”

“Nope, I’m wearing a cat dress!”

Mama looks puzzled, but it’s a dress with a cat print. Meow. It’s a beckoning cat to bring good luck.

Turning my small hands into cat paws, I beckon.

The maid who helps me with dressing scolded the silly maid, huh? It’s good that even in the magical world, there’s a kotatsu. Well, in the world of novels. A kotatsu is essential, so the original author must have left it to convey the seasonal atmosphere.

“Phew, it’s warm!”

Warmth slowly spreads from my feet, making it comfortably cozy. Since you don’t catch a cold even if you sleep in a kotatsu, maybe I should take a nap.

“Well then, let’s have some osechi, shall we? The head chef made it this year.”

“Yeah!”

With a warm smile, Mama looks at me and opens a big jubako with a snap.

“Wow! What’s this?”

Golden Ise lobster floating in the air. A transparent rolled omelet. Pearl-colored black beans and translucent kombu rolls. The chestnut paste is burning red, and the kazunoko is sparkling from the inside. The dishes are packed with vibrant colors.

…Wait, can you eat this?

The common sense from my previous life, which probably only remains in the corner of a cupboard, is screaming that it’s too suspicious.

Please forgive me if my expression twitches a little. It reminds me of a gourmet manga I read a long time ago.