CH 98.1

It’s midnight and snow is falling and today is New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year.

It’s a day when everyone relaxes at home, reminiscing about the year with their families.

On such a quiet day, there is only one place in the city of Torquiva that is filled with light and noise that cuts through the darkness.

A corner of the central city, the den of the slaves of the Schenker family, the headquarters of the organization in which they belong.

A place lined with state of the art five story h.i.g.h. r.i.s.e. apartment buildings, where construction of all buildings was finally completed this winter, was called Schenker Street.

After putting the twins to bed, Laura-san and I walked there talking about this year’s events and were completely taken back by what we saw.

「Hey, were there this many people here last year?」

「No……that’s……what’s going on？」

-0-

People, people, and more people.

The street was a sea of people.

There were some people standing and walking, a group of people that laid down cloth on the ground and drinking, people peeking out from the aisles of the apartment and making noise, and people above, below, and in the middle of the street.

「Gyahahaha!」

「You’re drinking too much!」

「Drink of course! It’s a drinking game! It’s only at the end of the year when you can drink for free!」

Young and old alike seemed to be enjoying the sake served by our brewery and tucking into the snacks from the food stalls and stores in the apartment buildings.

Even so, what’s this?

It’s supposed to be a big party but not a festival. This is more like the cherry blossom viewing from my previous life.

The fact that not only adults but also many children are coming to this party makes it very much like a festival.

It’s the middle of the night and there are a few kids rubbing their eyes out of sleepiness but that’s just the way it is.

「There were a lot of people last year but it can’t hold a candle compared to this year’s crowd.」

「No one’s working today to begin with since it’s the end of the year. Perhaps everyone came over. However, given what’s happening, I might get scolded by the councilor later……」

「Well, I guess so. However, isn’t this the liveliness you like?」

Laura-san says so happily but today’s event is less lively and more noisy……

「No no, I just want to spend the year end and New Year’s holidays in a more lively atmosphere.」

Given how many the Schenkers are, we could have a lively gathering of our own.

However, if we did that, it would be hard to bring their children, husbands, or boyfriends……that’s why I let it free for all.

As I was thinking so while staring at the people who were making noises and drinking alcohol, Laura-san next to me suddenly said, “Oohhh” and pointed at the sky.

「Is that sparkling thing up there the one you were making the other day?」

「Ah, yes. It’s gorgeous when hung like that, isn’t it?」

「Just staring at it makes my eyes twinkle but that might be enough to tell everyone that there’s a special occasion here.」

Her eyes twinkled as she pointed to the twinkling lights of various colors.

Stretched between the apartment buildings, lined up on both sides of the streets, passing by the tents and rooftop, lights are turning on and off along with the snow and wind.

At a quick glance, it will remind you of a scene in the mall during Christmas but there is no Christmas in this world.

There wasn’t even a custom of a New Year’s eve party in the first place but I got lonely sitting at home on New Year’s Eve so I gathered people and started making a fuss on our own.

I think this year’s gathering was a bit too much but I want to send my heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out to make my loneliness go away.

『The west end of Torqiva～♪　the udon noodles at Dende’s store～♪　made from pork bones simmered for a day～♪　is amazingly mild～♪』

「What is that song? A song about udon?」

「It sounds more like a food review. Bards are getting creative……」

「What’s a food review?」

「Eh? Food review? Yeah……I don’t know how to describe it……」

We watched the bards and street performers, who were performing their last performance of the year, as we made our way to the Schenker family headquarters in the middle of the street.

A band made up of our band members were playing on the stage in front of the headquarters, but they didn’t use any kind of loudspeaker equipment so as long as you watch your distance, the sound wouldn’t mix up with the crowd.

「Everyone, please take a look. The coin is on my left…..! Ara! Where did the coin go? 」

「Your hand movement is too slow.」

「It’s on the back of your hand!」

「I can see your coin from here.」