CH 168.2

Chapter 168.2. New Year’s Day

-Miu’s POV-

“I haven’t seen such a New Year’s feast before! Is this osechi?”

As I tilted my head in confusion and voiced my question, mama nodded seriously. Yeah, it’s suspicious.

“Yeah… I thought the same, too.”

“Ah… It reminds me of the old days. I used to eat these foods when I was a child.”

Surprisingly, papa’s face became nostalgic. It was a complex expression, with memories of both joyful and bitter moments.

Mii-chan and the others also had a complex look, wondering if this is edible. Mama’s homemade dishes were always the best.

“Well, let’s give it a try, shall we?”

“Yeah, um… as for me…”

What should I choose? The appearance of the dishes doesn’t make me want to eat them. Ugh, my previous life’s common sense is getting in the way. Maybe I should have read some battle gourmet manga.

When I pondered and tried to pick something that looked somewhat normal, Ranko-san arrived.

“Yoshiyuki-sama, Kazamichi-sama has come to give his New Year’s greetings.”

“That’s quick… considering what happened yesterday… Alright, bring out the appetizers.”

“As you wish.”

Ranko-san approached with a composed expression, bowing her head without showing any emotions. Dad was slightly puzzled, but he gave instructions to guide Windō-san. After a bow, Ranko-san stepped back and led grandpa Kazamichi inside.

Grandpa Kazamichi is a grandpa with a stern and intimidating expression, as always. He stood straight, exuding a sense of dignity that belied his old age. Wearing a traditional Japanese garment, even his slightest movement commanded respect.

“Happy New Year. May this year be a good one.”

“Happy New Year, grandpa Kazamichi!”

After exchanging New Year’s greetings with a firm voice, grandpa Kazamichi smiled gently and gently stroked my head. Papa and mama also responded with a calm expression, returning the New Year’s greetings as usual.

Papa probably has some thoughts. But he doesn’t show it on his face. As for mama, I’m not sure if she really minds. I can’t tell.

“Hmm. Miu is still a good child as always. Why don’t you let her wear a kimono?”

Finally, he glanced at papa. Papa shrugged his shoulders and casually brushed it off.

“I thought of letting everyone rest on New Year’s Day. Tomorrow will be busy, you know.”

“You can provide special allowances. Those who chose to work as servants should understand that. Some of them must have wanted to prepare today, right?”

“We have already made some preparations.”

“Well, for now, I’m the acting head of the household. There’s no need for you to meddle in trivial matters,”

Papa and Grandpa Kazamichi finish their exchange of light jabs. The atmosphere didn’t become heavy, so perhaps their relationship improved somewhat.

Well, it’s not like they can become close in just one week. After all, Papa must have been tempered by the turbulent waves of the nobility throughout this year.

If we can avoid tension from the start of the new year. That’s fine. The most important thing is for the family to live in harmony.

With that in mind, I hand the osechi to grandpa Kazemichi. I place all the dishes evenly on small plates as a present.

“Here you go, grandpa!”

“Oh, thank you, Miu.”

Grandpa Kazemichi, sitting in the kotatsu, receives it with a smile.

He eats each dish with a serious expression, savoring them thoroughly. Then, he nods in satisfaction. It’s truly befitting of a connoisseur like grandpa Kazemichi.

“The taste hasn’t changed since last year. It’s delicious.”

“Delicious?”

“The taste hasn’t changed since last year. Delicious.”

“Delicious?”

Or rather, are they edible?

“Oh, they’re all top-notch. The Golden Ise Lobster has a great flavor. This one was caught in an A-rank underwater dungeon. It was enchanted with [Preservation] magic to keep it fresh.”

“I see. It’s from a dungeon. Is that so?”

That was a cryptic response? A dungeon, huh? I get it. They’re all from dungeons.

They are delicious. I feel a bit sympathetic, considering that until last year, I think papa had been eating osechi in this mansion as the head. I know the New Year’s Day visit was not just for the osechi.

Setting aside the conversation about uninvited guests who arrived in the middle of the night without making an appointment, it seems Nimue quickly handed them over to the warriors.

Anyway, I’ve confirmed that they are edible. Let’s start with the Ise Lobster.