落とし穴３１掘：年末＆正月スペシャル 前半
Pitfall 31: Year-End & New Year Special (Part 1)
Year-End & New Year Special
Side: Yuki
"Alright, it’s finally the end of the year! Year-end is here!"
On the calendar, December 31st was circled in red.
The year-end—it’s a major event for everyone living on Earth.
However...
"Year-end? Ah, that’s just the year changing, isn't it?"
"Year-end, you say? Every year around this time, we used to have very little food and would suffer from hunger."
"Ah, I understand what Ratz means. When I was in the village, the year-end was a time when food supplies would steadily dwindle, so I was always hungry. Even if I tried to hunt, there was hardly any game to be found."
"Yeah, it was the same for me. We’d just conserve our supplies and stay put until spring arrived."
"It’s the same everywhere, isn't it? When it’s cold, crops don't grow, and we have to reduce the number of livestock. Plus, the state has to lower taxes, so the year-end is a tough time for the country as well."
What a surprise.
Well, once they put it that way, it makes sense. In this world, where civilization isn't as advanced, the concept of "year-end" exists, but it seems they don't celebrate it.
I suppose it’s better to hold celebrations in autumn or spring when you have more leeway.
Even in Japan, there used to be a custom of not going outside on New Year's Day.
Actually, things like visiting a shrine for the first time in the New Year (Hatsumode) are more of a modern custom—a strategy, really—and it only became a lively affair within the last hundred years.
Since even on Earth, in an era approaching modernization, it was like that, it’s no wonder that in this world, rather than celebrating, the priority was simply having enough food for the next day.
"So, what about the year-end?"
"Ah, well. In my world, we celebrate the year-end grandly. We combine the year-end and the New Year’s transition."
"Combine them?"
"Ah, right. Usually, people go to sleep once it gets dark, don't they? In my world, as you can see, we have electricity, so it’s bright all day long. That’s why, for the year-end and New Year’s transition, we stay up until midnight, eat 'Year-Crossing Soba,' and go to shrines for Hatsumode. There are food stalls and everything. It’s like saying, 'We made it through this year safely,' and 'Welcome, New Year, let’s do our best!'"
"I see. So the residents—no, the entire nation—waits for the year to change together. If clocks were as widespread as they are in Weed, that kind of enjoyment would be possible, wouldn't it?"
Seraria understood my intent immediately.
What a capable wife.
"If that’s the case, it seems like we could sell various items specifically for the New Year’s transition. What kind of things were there?"
Ratz also reacted sharply from a business perspective.
"Let’s see... for food, like I said, there’s the Year-Crossing Soba or Zoni (rice cake soup). If we’re adapting it for Weed, maybe dishes using high-end ingredients. As for goods... well, maybe it would be good to cooperate with Lilishe."
"With Lilishe-sama?"
"I mentioned Hatsumode, right? In my hometown, you go to a shrine—which is like a church here—make a small offering, and pray to the gods. You pray for things like, 'I hope I can spend this year safely,' or 'I hope I find a lover,' just various wishes. Then, they sell things like Omikuji (fortune slips) to test your luck for the first time that year."
"Hmm, hmm. And you sell things like rice cakes and set up food stalls there. But what is an Omikuji? And how does that tell you your fortune?"
Oops, Omikuji are unique to Japan or places influenced by it.
"How should I put it... well..."
I took some copy paper from the banquet hall, tore it into Omikuji-sized strips, scribbled something on them, and folded them up.
"There are types like 'Great Blessing,' 'Blessing,' 'Middle Blessing,' 'Small Blessing,' 'Half Blessing,' 'End Blessing,' 'Small End Blessing,' 'Fair,' 'Curse,' 'Small Curse,' 'Half Curse,' 'End Curse,' and 'Great Curse.' Well, it means your fortune is good in that order. A 'Curse' means something ominous or bad luck. They sell these at the shrine for, say, one copper coin each."
"Oh my, that sounds interesting. You write various things inside, don't you?"
"Yeah, you give a general fortune first, then write details about health, romance, money, and work."
"But wouldn't it be unpleasant if you got a 'Curse'?"
"There’s a countermeasure for that, too. At the shrine, there’s a tree where you tie those fortune slips."
"A tree?"
"It’s not quite the same as a sacred tree, but if you tie the fortune there, the result of the fortune is 'tied' to the tree. In other words, it’s believed that the result will come true. Also, it’s said that if you get a 'Curse,' tying it there can ward off the bad luck."
"Haha, that’s a convenient thing to have."
"Well, the element of it just being a test of luck is bigger. I’ve never heard of anyone’s fortune actually coming true."
Actually, you’d probably only remember the result for about a week.
No, I forgot mine the same day. Though I did laugh when a friend drew a 'Curse.'
In a way, getting a 'Curse' is a hit in itself.
"Is that so? It’s like making a wish."
"Something like that. Since it’s done at a shrine, it probably seems like it has a higher probability of coming true than just wishing randomly."
"Now that you mention it, that makes sense. Hmm, this could be a good business."
"That’s true. Economic activity tends to stagnate at the end of the year because there’s less money moving, so this might be a good idea. Eris, do you think we can secure a budget?"
"Yes. A lot of funds were taken during the recent subjugation of the Demon Lord, but we used that to promote Weed, so trade has become active and Weed products are selling well. Well, as you know, since we’ve entered the year-end, economic activity has become passive, so this is a brilliant idea."
Oh, she seems motivated?
"Lately, I’ve been relaxing at home, so we should definitely try an event like this!"
"That’s true. It’s good to take care of our health at home, but we do need some stimulation."
Ah, right, they’re pregnant, so they’re bored.
"Please, don't do any heavy labor."
"Of course, I won't do anything that puts a burden on the child. But I will handle the paperwork. Now, tell me more about the year-end and the New Year’s transition. We don't have much time for preparations, so there’s no time to be lazy."
Well then, I wonder what the year-end and New Year in Weed will turn out like.
Ah, I need to do some deep cleaning.
Well, for me, the year-end and New Year are just work! Damn it!!
Sorry for the slow updates lately.
If you all can take it easy, please do.