落とし穴外伝：２０２５年明けスペシャルその２
Dungeon Side Story: 2025 New Year’s Special Part 2
A sharp, biting wind whistled through the air, stinging the skin.
Though the cold made me want to curl into a ball, before my eyes, the scene was different.
"Let's do this."
"Leave it to me."
Taizo-san and Sota-sama exchanged those words, and then—
*Thwack, thud, thwack, thud.*
The rhythmic sound of a mallet striking, followed by the voice of someone folding the steaming mochi rice, echoed through the New Year’s garden.
If you’re wondering what on earth they were doing...
Side: Kagura
"Mochi-pounding, huh."
"That’s right. Mochi-pounding."
My husband, Yuki, answered me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"In this cold?"
"Well, if you say that, every year-end and New Year’s tradition would be disqualified."
He had a point, but personally, I found it strange—and a little surreal—that my ancestor, Sota-sama, was going through the trouble of making mochi himself.
Perhaps sensing my confusion, Yuki offered an explanation.
"Mochi-pounding is a staple of Japanese New Year’s. Originally, it was done at the end of the year to be eaten after the New Year began, but people don't really fuss over the timing anymore. It’s considered a lucky charm."
"Mochi is a lucky charm?"
"What, you didn't know? It’s said that the rice used to make it holds a 'Rice Spirit' or 'Grain Soul,' making it sacred. The rice made from it is believed to boost vitality. Plus, mochi keeps for a long time. It’s an offering to the gods, and by sharing it, we pray for good health."
"I see. I never knew."
I had assumed it was just one of the many rich culinary traditions of Japan, but there were prayers and wishes woven into it all along.
"It’s actually surprising you didn't know. Was it because you didn't have mochi?"
"We didn't. In the Haiden region, we don't have rice paddies or rice. Come to think of it, Father was searching for ingredients for Japanese food as a lifelong ambition for our clan."
"Ah, Sota-san was certainly happy to eat Japanese food when he had it. I suppose rice itself is a rarity over there. Though, I imagine you could have made barley rice."
"Barley rice?"
"Rice made by cooking barley just like you would rice."
"Instead of grinding it into flour?"
"Exactly. If you cook the whole grains, the seeds, it ends up surprisingly similar. Well, it’s only similar—not the real thing, but close."
I could only tilt my head at the talk of food I didn't recognize, but what isn't there, isn't there.
Just as I was thinking that, Sota-sama, who must have overheard us, chimed in.
"Unfortunately, the barley grown in the Haiden region has a very strong aroma, so it’s not really suited for cooking like that. Perhaps 'oatmeal' would be a better comparison?"
"Ah, I’ve heard of that. So it didn't work out?"
"For someone who knows the taste of original white rice, it was a bit... well."
It was impressive how he could make mochi while holding a conversation. I was on edge, terrified he might accidentally smash his hand.
"How are you not smashing your hands? You’re picking up the pace, aren't you?"
"It’s all about the rhythm. We started slow, but now that we know each other's timing, we can move quickly. It’s not unlike combat coordination."
"...I think I understand, but it’s still a strange feeling."
The sight of the two of them working at such a blinding speed was incredible, but to think they were applying combat techniques to this...
"In this world, putting effort into useless things is what defines human activity."
"I suppose so... wait, if mochi is that important for rituals, I should have told Father and my sisters. They would have been thrilled."
It dawned on me too late that mochi was essential for ceremonies, and I felt a sudden urge to contact my family. Or rather, I felt like I might get scolded for forgetting—or perhaps for never realizing it in the first place...
"Hm? You don't need to worry about that. I’ve been keeping Sota and Kanna updated on Japanese food whenever the opportunity arises."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Enor-sama interjected with a surprising statement.
"Indeed. After all, this place might as well be Sota’s home. It’s only natural for a wife to look after such things. Besides, I’ve always been interested in the Japanese food Sota talked about."
"I see. Thank you for taking care of that in my stead."
"Nonsense. I know how busy you are, Kagura. It’s no trouble for me to handle those little details."
"Thank you, truly."
I thanked her again. She was covering for me, even though the reason she had to step in was partly my own oversight.
"You’re such a dutiful child. It’s hard to believe you have Sota’s blood. You’re a good girl."
"Ahaha, thank you."
I replied as she patted my head. To Enor-sama, no matter how old I was or that I was married, I would always be treated like a child.
"The children are delighted by the mochi-pounding, too. Sota might be a bit much, but he’s always loved the idea that serving food brings joy to others."
As Enor-sama smiled, her gaze drifted toward the kids.
"Wow!"
"So fast, so fast!"
The children were cheering, mesmerized by the pounding.
Well, that synchronization was truly something to behold.
As I watched, their movements came to a halt.
"Here we go."
"Ready, one, two..."
"Hup!"
In perfect unison, they lifted the finished mochi and placed it onto the flour-dusted table.
"Alright, Yuki-kun, Taiki-kun, is everything ready?"
"Leave it to us. Yuki-san has everything set up over there. Right?"
Taiki said, turning to Yuki, who was standing beside me.
"No problems here. We have red bean paste, sugar-soy sauce, and kinako, of course. We also have grated daikon, zunda paste, miso, seaweed, chocolate, and a variety of other toppings. Isn't that right, Kirue, Sasari?"
"Yes. You can enjoy a wide array of flavors."
"We even have a version mixed with sake, and we’ll be making ozoni soup later tonight!"
Kirue and Sasari, our maids, were standing by with a colorful spread of ingredients to pair with the mochi.
To go through all this just to eat mochi... the variety was on par with rice balls.
Then again, since it’s made of rice, I suppose it’s only natural?
"Now, Sakura-chan and the others, go ahead."
"Really?"
"Yes. Mochi is for wishing for good health, so the children come first. Right, Taizo-san?"
"That’s right. The children get the best of it. Go on."
"Thank you!"
Sakura and the other children received bowls of mochi, shaped into bite-sized pieces by Sota-san and Taizo-san.
Ah, I see. They made them small for the children.
To us, they looked tiny, but I suppose adult-sized portions would be too much for them to finish.
As I pondered this, it was the adults' turn. A piece of fresh, steaming mochi was handed to me, but...
"Hmm..."
I didn't eat it right away; I was paralyzed by the sheer number of toppings spread out before me.
There were just so many.
It was obvious that if I tried to enjoy them all, I’d be stuffed before I could finish.
Then...
"Hey~? Kagura, you haven't eaten yet? It’s sooooo good!"
Mikos wandered over, stretching a piece of mochi with her chopsticks as she ate. It looked like she’d chosen kinako, as the powder danced in the air every time she moved.
"Hey, watch it, the kinako is flying everywhere and getting on your clothes."
"What are you talking about~? They say you should wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty for mochi-pounding because of the flour, right~? Besides, if you don't pick a flavor soon, the mochi will get hard! It’s best when it’s fresh~"
"I know, I know. Fine... I’ll go with the safe choice: red bean paste."
That’s the classic, isn't it? It’s guaranteed to be delicious, so even if I picked a dud later, I’d have had a good start.
I popped the fresh mochi with the bean paste into my mouth, and just like Mikos, it stretched out into a long, gooey string.
It seemed that unless you really put some effort into biting through it, it wasn't going to break easily.
But...
"It’s delicious."
"Right~?"
Soft, fresh mochi. It’s good on its own, but combined with the bean paste, it’s even better.
...I can't underestimate this.
"Alright, time for the next flavor~! Mikos-chan is going to do her best~"
"W-well, I suppose I will too..."
And so, caught in the allure of fresh mochi, I would end up battling my bathroom scale later that day.
Mochi is surprisingly high in calories for its size and shape.
Well, it’s just pounded, compressed rice, so that’s to be expected.
By the way, I think red bean paste and kinako are the best. Sugar-soy sauce is hard to pass up, but as an adult, the thought of washing the sticky dishes afterwards is a bit of a deterrent.