†Welcome New Year† Concerto of a Cat and a Crow (Event Story)
Chapter 2: Greeting by Dusk of the Year
Kamira: Oh~ So you’re not goin’ back to your hometown this year.
Tsubomi: Mhm, that is the plan.
Kamira: I think you mentioned before that you live by yourself instead of dormitories or da kind..
But rest assured. You can always call my phone number whenever it gets lonely!
Tsubomi: A phone call…?
Oh no, you don’t have to. But I shall appreciate the thought.
Towa: Weh~ Finally done with the floor mopping..
It’s annoyin’ that we have to clean this much every year.
Iroha: The window cleaning is also done!
Ah…… Which means we’re done with this year’s practice session……
Now hold on. Is it now the time for proper greetings?
Thank you so much for handling me with a lot of care this year, Towa-chan.
Towa: Don’t mention it.
Welp. Since I’m all done with my task, can we immediately disband the hall now?
Tsubomi: Not sure if we can do that now…?
Though, I think we should ask Kaname-san about the matter.
Mito: But. Mito, also need to go soon.
There are some Osechi ¹ shopping errands to do…
Kamira: Well then, off to reporting I goー
Iroha: Too quick, too quick…
To think that the year will end soon, suddenly it’s like I’m getting the nerves……
Mito: Heheh. You’ve been saying that throughout the day today.
Iroha: I mean, it’s like every second just went too fast…?! Even though we’re doing “Alice” and many other plays… It feels like we’re from all of those stuff just yesterday!
Tsubomi: That just means you’ve been doing things to your fullest, am I right.
Iroha: Assume that I make osechis like what Mito-chan does,
I wonder if that will give a strong new year start impression…?
Mito: N… Not sure about that, but……
Mito think, just by doing things which usually occur both during the end and start of the year, that should be enough?
Such as being all relaxed while watching the TV,
Having a zouni ² bowl to eat, or going for a first shrine visit. All of those, should be able to suit the mood.
Iroha: First shrine visit, huh~...
Mito-chan, will you have some free time during the new year?
Mito: Eh?
Well, since our shop will also be closed. Mito… Should have some time, to spare……
Iroha: Okay then! Let’s all go for a first shrine visit together!
That also includes you, Towa-chan!
Towa: Huh…? Nah, I will pass.
I don’t like the idea that you need to go out on a day where you could just doze around.
Iroha: Oh c’mon…!
Then, what about Tsubomi-san……
Tsubomi: I apologize, Senju. I need to do my shrine practice―
Or rather, there are some assists that I need to do. Means I have no time to spare.
Iroha: Shrine assists…?
Towa: Now what is that about. You’re doing a part-time job with shrine maiden cosplay?
Tsubomi: It is not, a cosplay. After changing my attire, I shall earnestly maintain the shrine charms,
Which are being placed inside the sacred barrier… This is all a well-structured practice session.
Towa: That still seems like a shrine maiden part-time job to me.
Tsubomi: Any form of remuneration is not included.
Towa: Oh~...
How noble of you~.
Iroha: Tsubomi-san… Will be practicing as a shrine maiden…?!
I’m… I’m definitely going to see that!!
Kamira: I’m here now~ They said that we may go home when the cleaning’s all done.
Being able to go home faster makes me all hyped!
Iroha: Kamira-chan!! Listen to this!!!
What do you mean a shrine maiden practice?! We’re definitely going to see her fearless demeanor at the shrine!!
Kamira: Hol’ up, sentence by sentence.
What’s with the sudden tension..?
Mito: Ahaha… Iroha-chan, seems like she’s really wanting to go……
Nikako: Eh?!?
That means you’ll become a shrine maiden?!
Daikoku: Shush…!
Don’t say it out loud……!
Nikako: But I can’t help it…!
So, what’s the occasion? Why are you going for the assist again?
Daikoku: Because of… The conversation……
Nikako: So it’s like, your friend got troubledー! Then they’re asking for your help?
Daikoku: Yes.. It roughly went like that…
So I can’t go with everyone for the shrine visit……
Nikako: I see~
Hatsumi: ……
Iruru: Hello~ Earth to Hatsumi…!
You better actually clean the room. Since it’s the end of the year and all…
Hatsumi: Uh-huh……
Shigure: What’s the matter? Why’s the long face?
It’s really not usual of you…
Iruru: … Are you not feeling well?
Being in a hangover or something?
Hatsumi: No, I don’t think so…
But my whole body feels… A bit tired in general.
Iruru: Oh, you got a cold…?
Are you getting a fever as well?
Hatsumi: Although I measured so many times, my body temperature remains normal.
I also went to a doctor, but there were no concerning results.
Shigure: Maybe you’ll just need to actually rest from all of the hard work~?
Hatsumi: I guess that played a huge role in this. The other possible reason is an ill-mannered thirsty soul…
Sigh… Perhaps it's best to relax myself during this last day of the year……
Nikako: Then, then! Tell us the place where you’ll become a shrine maiden, Daa-chan!
Hatsumi: … Hmm?
Daikoku: Eh…?!
Nikako: I mean, I really have to see on how hard working you are♪
Daikoku: But I don’t want to…!!
Nikako: What?! Why not?
Daikoku: It’s definitely going to be embarrassing……
I also know that this is so unusual of me, I don’t want it to be more known……
Hatsumi: A shrine maiden…?!
Daikoku: My Lordー?!?!
Hatsumi: Sorry if I bothered you. The topic seemed very interesting to follow.
I’ll ask again. Was it about Daikoku as a shrine maiden?
Nikako: Ren-san! That’s exactly what we’re talking about.
She got invited by a friend of hers, it was an ask to do some assistance for a shrine.
Daikoku: Why are you getting carried away with this…?!
Nikako: While it’s a shame that we all can’t go together for the shrine visit,
If Daa-chan’s going to the shrine in the first place, it will kill two birds with a stone!
Hatsumi: That’s a good idea! Let us all go there!
Shrine Maiden Daikoku……. Maybe I’ll be able to heal with this.
Daikoku: Eh…?!
I… It’s still embarrassing… But if My Lord said so……
Nikako: Hooray!!
That being said, we’ll be right there! Daa-chan~!!
Daikoku: Uu……
I guess it is what it is……
Tsubomi: … What……?!
So there will be no comedy show during this New Year’s Eve…?!
Though the usual for the start of the year will still be there…
I’ll make a recording schedule for it.
… There’s nothing else to do now……
Should I watch a comedy show recording…? .. Do I want to……
……
(Akiru said that I can call her anytime. But is it proper to make one during the night of New Year’s Eve……
We’re also not families to begin with... Earlier than usual, but perhaps it’s best to make my way to bed.)
(Phone rings)
Tsubomi: !
Good evening…? Mother.
Mhm, I’ve got the time to talk now.
You read me like a book. Since I’ll not be there this year,
I wanted to make a phone call at some point soon. But it seems that you went to call me first, mother.
… No, I’m just by myself now. I was also about to go to sleep.
I see. Both of you two are doing well? … That is, really assuring to hear……
TL notes:
[1] Osechi is a set of foods (packed as bento) for the New Year.
[2] Zouni is a Japanese soup with mochi rice cake as the main dish.
* As the event story was up, Towa’s lines were not being voiced. (Added on January 21st: In January 1st, the seiyuu / Akao Hikaru posted a letter, announced that she gave birth to a daughter)
Hatsumi: “The other possible reason is an ill-mannered thirsty soul…”
The thirsty soul in approx 7 months ago (May 30th, 2024):
