落とし穴１０６堀：今年も今日で終わり (Part2)
Well, at worst, I suppose we could just buy some prepared foods and pad out the meal, but we're aiming for the best we can do.
"Alright, let's bring out the food."
"Yes, sir!"
As we were carrying the finished dishes to the banquet hall, Kirue and Sasari, having entrusted the children to Deryu and the others, came to help us, so the food was brought out in no time.
Honestly, it's impressive how they can carry so many plates at once, just like active maids.
But I thought, isn't that more like the skill of a restaurant server? When I asked, they explained that while they serve each dish individually and carefully in front of nobles, they often carried and cleared multiple dishes at once when serving the staff behind the scenes, so they were used to it.
It made sense when I heard it. It's like the saying about swans – they're paddling furiously underwater.
"Now, all that's left is to wait for everyone to return..."
"We're back!"
Just as I thought we only had to wait, the members who had finished their work returned right on time.
I won't be able to see Seraria until next year, but that's unavoidable. I already delivered the dishes I made for her, so I'll have her do her best with those.
"Welcome back. Dinner is ready, so after you bathe and change, let's all gather in the banquet hall."
"Yes, sir!"
Normally, I'd worry about getting cold after a bath, but since we won't be going for our first shrine visit of the year right at midnight, there's no need to worry.
We're planning to go with Seraria after sunrise.
The plan changed because Seraria can't join us at midnight.
Today, the plan is to calmly and leisurely welcome the New Year at home, and then go to sleep after confirming Seraria has returned.
"Alright, let's finish our preparations. All that's left is to set out the plates and cups."
"Yes, sir!"
We've brought out the food, but we still need to set out the plates, chopsticks, and so on for everyone.
And the drinks go over there...
As we were doing these small preparations, Deryu and Ria entered with the children.
"Wow, this is quite a feast."
"It's New Year's Eve, after all."
"Whoa. It looks delicious. Hey, can we eat it?"
"No, big sister. Not yet. Mom and the others aren't here yet."
"Sakura's right. Sakura, you have to be patient."
"Mmm, okay. Shute-neechan."
Sakura, restrained by her younger sister Sumire and older sister Shute, managed to hold back.
Seeing that, the other children also put on expressions of restraint.
Watching them, I wondered if it was necessary to make them wait, when the members who had gone to bathe and work returned.
"Alright, let's eat and drink!!"
"Yes, yes. Please drink in moderation. It would be a shame if Yumi ended up having to drink from alcoholic breasts."
"Huh? If you drink alcohol, do your breasts become alcoholic?"
"No, Ratz, she means to drink in moderation. I've never heard of alcoholic breasts before."
"I haven't heard of them either, but the smell of alcohol would transfer, so it's probably best to avoid drinking to a level that would bother Yumi."
"...Hmm. If that happens, I'll give Yumi my breasts."
"Whoa, whoa. Cleena, you don't have breasts, do you? Wait, did you suddenly develop them!?"
Huh? I didn't hear about this?
Cleena, could it be...
"...If I develop them, I'll give them to you."
"Ah, I see. In that case, I'll be counting on you."
Everyone around us let out a sigh of relief.
I was surprised too.
I thought everyone else was keeping it a secret.
Phew. No, it's not that pregnancy is a bad thing, but it was so sudden, and my mind immediately went to things like needing to take her to the hospital.
"Well, enough idle chatter. The children are waiting, so let's start eating."
"Yes, sir!"
"Everyone, thank you for another year. So, to relieve the fatigue of this year... Cheers!!"
"Cheers!!"
It turned into something like a year-end party, but I guess it's not that different from New Year's Eve.
Well, we have just under four hours left this year.
Truly, thank you for your hard work this year.
And to all of you, our readers, thank you very much for your support this year as well.
I am deeply grateful that you read this novel, which is full of typos and errors.
And to the three or four of you who consistently provide comments for corrections, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude.
To everyone who leaves reviews, I sincerely apologize for not being able to reply to each of you individually, but I want to assure you that I read them all and they serve as great encouragement.
Finally, I ask for your continued support in the coming year.
With that said, enough with the troublesome greetings. Here's a preview of the next post.
Scheduled for January 1st at 0:00.
I have no intention of taking a break, so please look forward to it.
That said, there will be about two or three more New Year's-themed posts, so please bear with me.