落とし穴外伝：２０２３年末スペシャル 安全な冬を (Part1)
Pitfall Side Story: 2023 Year-End Special – A Safe Winter
Side: Yuki
Before I knew it, the year was drawing to a close.
Weed has already adapted to Japanese—or rather, Earth—culture, so the atmosphere has become quite bustling.
Every year, I find myself reflecting on just how much more prosperous we’ve become.
And when I say "prosperous," I mean...
"So, we don't have to hold back this winter?"
"That’s right. Eat your fill. And make sure you stay warm."
"Okay!"
I pat the head of the boy standing before me.
He’s beaming.
Just having enough food, warm clothes, and a roof over his head is enough to make him smile.
People living without a care in the world back in Japan might find that strange, but in this world, winter is the season when death comes knocking.
Well, unless you’re in a region of eternal summer, winter is a harsh season even on Earth. Until very recently, it was a time of shivering in the cold with dwindling food supplies—a season where survival was a struggle.
The current excitement surrounding the New Year is a relatively modern phenomenon.
To be specific, it only really took root during the Taisho and Meiji eras.
The reason? The establishment of the locomotive as a means of transport.
Without that, you’d be stranded in the middle of a blizzard, facing certain death.
Before that, people could barely manage to pray toward the direction of their local shrines or temples. As for food, the distribution networks—like train stations—didn't exist, so if you didn't have it, you simply went without. It was a brutal season; there was no such thing as eating luxury foods.
People were just trying to survive.
And that holds true for this world of Aulito as well.
No, it’s even harsher here.
After all, there are monsters.
If you had to range far and wide in search of winter food, your chances of encountering a monster would skyrocket, not to mention the risk of freezing to death.
But that terror doesn't exist here in Weed.
Every year, I make an appearance at the school like this. Most of the new children are from elsewhere—kids like Vilia and Hiiro who grew up in the slums. They’ve spent their lives struggling just to find enough to eat every day, living literally side-by-side with death during the winter.
That’s why they look at the current situation with such disbelief when they ask me.
"Come on, over here. The Principal has brought gifts. Right, Principal?"
"That’s right. Take as much as you like, just don't get a stomachache or cavities."
"Okay!"
And what I mean by "prosperous" is that there are children here who know this situation is the norm and guide the newcomers.
They teach them that in Weed, they don't have to worry about such things.
As I’m doing this, Prol returns, leading Orelia, Hobis, and Yayui.
"Yuki-sama. The delivery of the sweets, mochi, and ingredients for the New Year’s *ozoni* is complete."
"Distribution to each grade level is finished, too."
"Everyone was so happy!"
"Yes. They all said thank you to Yuki-sama."
"That’s good to hear. I’m just finishing up here, too. Right, Rushi?"
"Oh, yes. I’m cleaning up now."
Beside me, Rushi is tidying up the empty cardboard boxes that held the sweets.
But she seems a bit off.
The others seem to have noticed it too, tilting their heads in confusion.
"Rushi. Is this your first time doing something like this?"
"Ah, yes. It’s my first time at a school."
Prol, having accurately read the issue, asks the question, and Rushi admits it honestly.
"Come to think of it, you only joined me recently."
Now that she mentions it, I remember.
Rushi was transferred to my care from the hospital after the Suls incident.
It’s been, what, less than four months?
It’s been so intense that...
"It feels like Rushi has been with us for years already, doesn't it?"
"It really does. It feels like we’ve been together forever."
I can only nod at Hobis and Yayui’s words.
I realize that Rushi has had a very dense experience in a short amount of time.
"Rushi, did you have experiences like this elsewhere, if not at a school?"
As I’m thinking that, Orelia asks where she might have had such experiences.
Come to think of it, that’s a good point.
If Rushi has done volunteer work like this...
"Yes, at the hospital, we would provide special meals and gifts during the New Year and other celebrations. For the staff, too. I just never expected to do it for this many people at a school."
I see.
The hospital run by Rurua and Elju does provide small gestures like that during celebrations.
Well, since people are only hospitalized there if they are seriously injured or ill, the total number of people is small.
Actually, it’s mostly to reward the staff who are working on those holidays anyway.
Compared to that, the school is on a completely different scale.
After all, including the students and the staff, there are four hundred people.
"Well, I’m not handing them out to everyone personally. I leave that to the teachers in each class, and as for the supplies, I just bring them in my Item Box."
"Yuki-sama, do you do this every year? This... well, this difficult task?"
"I don’t really think of it as difficult. I’ve been doing it every year. Lately, I’ve been so busy that I only show my face during celebrations. Some Principal I am, huh?"
I say this with a wry smile.
The Principal I know is someone who is at school every day, interacting with and supporting the students and teachers.
Of course, that’s not all there is to it, but I can’t help but think it’s ridiculous to call yourself a Principal if you’re never at the school.
"No, I think it’s wonderful. But I’ve heard that the school operates perfectly fine under normal conditions. Why add this on top during this season? And are you paying for this out of your own pocket? You’re already making donations separately, aren't you? It’s just strange that you don't save up, even though it’s winter..."
Rushi asks a very reasonable question.
She asks because she knows the severity of winter in this world.
Just as I’m wondering how to answer...
"Rushi. That is because there is no need to save."
"Eh?"
"It is as you say. Haven't you seen it for yourself? In Weed, no one ever has to worry about food, shelter, or clothing."