†Welcome New Year† Concerto of a Cat and a Crow (Event Story)
Chapter 4: Crawling Through the Wicked Mind
Nikako: I can’t wait to finally see Daikoku as a shrine maiden!
And if only Shigure-chan is also here with us…
Iruru: I’m not sure about that…
Looks like she’ll keep teasing her if that happens?
Hatsumi: Likely since both of her parents are workers and become busy,
It’s only natural that she wants to spend the whole New Year calendar ¹ as a family.
Nikako: I see…!
That also makes sense since she’s an elementary schooler.
…… Wait, what?
Isn’t this the same butcher shop sign from before……
Iruru: Did we just walk in circles, all this time……?
Hatsumi: That’s really odd……
It’s been a series of getting lost now. We also stopped on a dead-end before this……
Iruru: And you said that you’ve been here before, which means you must be familiar with the roads… Didn’t you?
Hatsumi: I did. That’s, supposed to be the case……
Iruru: For now… Maybe it's best if we walk while looking the map?
Hatsumi: I agree.
…… Although that being said. What a strange occurrence…
Iruru: Maybe because you’re still feeling tired?
We should all go back home right after the shrine visit.
Nikako: Waah~! There’s a lot of food stalls!!
Iruru: There’s really a lot of people during the first three days of New Year~
And despite the fact, Daikoku is now one of those shrine maidens? That’s rad!
Nikako: Hehehe. Now that we made it to the shrine, my mind is all clean… But my stomach feels hungry……
Let’s get something to eat!
Iruru: Alrighty~
I think there must be more kinds of food around that part of the stalls.
Hatsumi: Okay. You are free to eat anything.
Nikako: *huff, huff…*
Mmph~!! Dewwisyous……!
Iruru: Hehehe. Nikako will always make anything to look delicious~
Nikako: Eating some snacks from a new store,
It feels like something, and that wonder becomes fun!
Iruru: !!! …… Hmm?
Hatsumi: ……………………
Iruru: Hatsumi?!
What’s wrong? Why are you shivering that hard…?!
Hatsumi: It’s… It’s dead cold……
It’s like the coldness suddenly stings inside me……
Nikako: Ren-san, your face looks terrible……
Iruru: This seems like you’re getting a cold for real……
But hold on, her temperature is still cold. So you were right when saying that you got no fever……
Nikako: Maybe it’s best if we make our way home now……
Hatsumi: … Ha... Haha……
No no no, it’s all good. It’s probably because of the cold wind around here, right……
Nikako: Th- Then, maybe you’ll be better if I bring some warm food to eat?
Iruru: Hatsumi, are you able to eat?
Hatsumi: Yeah, my stomach feels sick……
Nikako: Nng… Nnggh……!
Please wait here!!
Nikako: Here, Ren-san! I brought a bowl of stewed offal!
Better to eat while it’s hot. You’ll surely also become warmer!
Iruru: Nice, Nikako!!
Hatsumi: Mhm…… Thank you.
*munch…*
Crashー!
Hatsumi: ーMmph?!
Nikako: Ah……!
Passerby: Aah… I must have bumped your way……!
I feel sorry……
Hatsumi: … Hahaha…… Do not worry about it, young lady.
How about you, did you get any scar?
Passerby: But, the food……
Iruru: It’s all good~
You can go back now.
Passerby: I’m deeply sorry……!
Hatsumi: ……
Even though you bothered all your way to buy that… Nikako, I shall apologize.
Nikako: Please don’t be…!
I can go to buy another, it’s not a huge problem.
… Hey, I think there’s a place to sit on the other side of this place,
We should go to relax and eat there instead.
Hatsumi: Yeah. Let’s do so.
Shrine Maiden: Sorry if I bother your time, but can you go to refill our stocks of charm and ema? ²
Daikoku: Refill……?
Tsubomi: Understood. I will go to take those from the office.
Daikoku: I- I’ll go as well…!
Daikoku: There’s more crowd of people……
The first three days of New Year are expected to be busy, and that fact speaks for itself…
Tsubomi: Mhm.
Daikoku: Is this the box for the charm stocks?
Heave, ho……
Tsubomi: Let’s switch boxes. The box you bring contains emas and some other large stuff, so it must be heavy.
You better lift this box of the charms instead.
Daikoku: G… Got it……
……
… Is this really your first time to assist in this temple, Tsubomi-san…?
Your works seem so dexterously done. Seeming as an experienced person, even.
Tsubomi: Do you think so?
… Actually, I went to roughly learn about the kind of tasks that I need to do before the schedule.
Daikoku: You’re doing preparations in advance…?
Tsubomi: I sure am. By doing observation and learning in advance, one will be able to make the proper actions, whenever they’re being asked to.
This is not far different from the usual way to study.
Daikoku: A study……
Seeing from each structure, it does make sense……
I admire you, Tsubomi-san…… If I can be as strong-willed as you,
I wonder if then I can immediately become My Lord’s right hand……
Tsubomi: Hhh... Your compliment makes me flustered red.
You are still a young one. You shall keep making progress with anything that becomes necessary to you.
Stay true with your own beliefs. You will walk on a successful path before you know it.
Now then, let’s make our way to the offering place. ³
Daikoku: On it…!
…… The weather is great today.
To be bathed with the sun outside, and doing some help for other people.
It’s not bad to do these things for once……
TL notes:
[1] The literal translation is both “New Year’s Eve” and “First three days of New Year”
[2] Emas are those small wooden plaques and usually written with new year’s wishes.
[3] More specific explanation for this offering place: For visitors, it's a place to purchase charms (or the kind) and pull some fortune slips.