Sorry for the delay in posting.
“December indeed flies by.”
It feels like the time from the start of December until today has passed in the blink of an eye.
Christmas is over, and the TV is filled with New Year’s Eve content. I myself am letting myself get swept up in the atmosphere.
Soon, the New Year’s Eve bell will ring, and specials will be aired on TV, marking the countdown to the New Year.
It’s at this timing that I’m with my beloved lovers.
This year was a year of change and was very demanding.
I’m taking it easy in the living room, comforting my body and telling myself “good job.”
“Was that alright? I heard you received an invitation from Kaido-san for the tradition of Ninen-mairi (visiting shrines for the second time).”
Suella and Memoria are by my side.
Rather than usual, after work, I dedicate my time to family services, or rather, communicating with my lovers.
So, it’s now a part of my everyday life. However, because my profession is combat, ordinary moments like these feel truly precious.
Sometimes we lean on each other, sometimes we touch, sometimes we share peaceful conversations.
I think that what little hobbies I have at the moment are these interactions with them, and I answer Suella’s question.
“Ah, it’s fine. This year was a bit chaotic with various things. If I don’t take it easy once in a while, my body will just give out.”
She’s already past six months in her pregnancy, and her belly is quite noticeable.
The doctor’s diagnosis is that the progression is good, and as long as things continue like this, there should be no problem.
While feeling reassured by this, I also wish for things to continue going smoothly.
Am I neglecting my other lovers because I’m cherishing Suella too much? If you were to ask me that.
“Indeed, Jiro-san has worked very hard. You’ve visited my shop for various things as well. Thank you for your hard work.”
It’s not like that.
There are times when we gather like this, but I make sure to have individual meals or spend time together as well.
In the customs of that world, polygyny is commonplace. While acts like affairs, cheating, or touching married individuals are considered evil, it’s not a problem to be in relationships with multiple women as long as the relationships are clearly defined.
I think that the fact that I feel a sense of security and healing from having them by my side means that I’ve truly fallen for them.
“I suspect that ‘thank you for your hard work’ also includes a desire for continued patronage, doesn’t it?”
Well, while equality might be impossible, I am confident that I am pouring enough love into them.
This might sound conceited, but I believe that aspect is going well.
Otherwise.
“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”
“Honestly, you’re such a straightforward person.”
It would have been impossible to create a scene like this, where Suella looks on with a smile as I stroke Memoria’s head as she clings to my arm and acts affectionately.
I believe this is the result of my efforts to satisfy them.
Even though I say it myself, I even schedule my nights to be fair with them.
It might be considered a luxurious problem, but my lovers are quite proactive at night.
As a man who places himself in battle, there’s a part of me that’s hungry for such intimacy.
I never expected to actually feel the effects of body reinforcement through the magic crest.
“Oh, Memoria!”
“Master! Suella! Memoria! The New Year’s soba is ready!”
When I think about it, I’ve been beset by troubles ever since I joined the company.
Perhaps that’s why such happiness is now coming my way.
My mother used to say that effort isn’t rewarded, but rather accumulated. And after that, she would always add.
“The more you put in effort, the happier a person becomes.”
Mother, what you said was true.
Although I was bewildered at first, the fact that I can be in a relationship with three women and want to make them happy is truly a blessing.
“Hmm? What’s wrong, Master? You suddenly have such a gentle expression.”
“No, I just realized what a fortunate man I am.”
“Is that so? If you’re happy, Master, then I’m happy too!”
It’s embarrassing to express thanks with words, but I should say at least this much.
“Thank you all for being with me. I look forward to next year as well.”
“Yes, thank you for giving me happiness. Jiro-san, I look forward to next year as well.”
“If possible, please bestow that happiness upon me too. I’ll be looking forward to it next year.”
“Mhm! I’ll be with you not just next year, but forever!”
Although my smile became a little embarrassed and casual, they replied with happy smiles.
It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve had truly relaxing time like this due to my work.
Unlike my previous company, it’s not that I lack free time, but rather that I have a stronger desire to try everything.
Perhaps that’s why.
Suella, now in her stable period and with her noticeable belly, is sipping tea peacefully by my side.
The shopping street, which had already become deserted due to the testers returning home for the holidays, has mostly closed for the New Year’s break. Memoria has also closed her shop and is peeling an orange in a kotatsu.
And Himik, carrying a tray with four bowls of soba, sits down gently and places the bowls in front of us one by one.
“What magnificent shrimp tempura.”
“Mhm! I got some good shrimp, so be careful, it’s freshly fried and hot.”
The New Year’s soba in front of me is topped with a single, magnificent piece of shrimp tempura.
I’m surprised, thinking it’s an item that would cost over two thousand yen if ordered at a restaurant.
I’d laugh if it turned out to be just a showy facade with a mostly batter coating, but I doubt that’s the case.
“Suella should refrain from oily foods, so I made you mountain vegetable soba.”
“Thank you. Yes, the dashi broth smells wonderful.”
“Mhm! I learned from Katsu that dashi is important for soba.”
While the soba in front of me, Himik, and Memoria had generous portions of shrimp tempura, Suella’s soba was topped with mountain vegetables, a thoughtful touch from Himik, for which Suella expressed her gratitude. Watching Himik settle into the kotatsu, we all said “itadakimasu” and began to eat.
We ate quietly, with little conversation, but the atmosphere wasn’t unpleasant.
The sound of the TV served as BGM, and occasionally, we’d exchange casual small talk.
I liked this space where we could relax without any forced obligations, just chatting.
“This is my first time celebrating the New Year in this world, but do you have celebrations like these in other worlds as well?”
“It’s an event that happens once a year. Do you have it there too?”
“Yes, the Demon Lord attends a divine ritual, praying for the peace of the populace and the prosperity of the nation, and we ring the bells of blessing. It has been happening for hundreds of years.”
“Is it like the New Year’s Eve bell?”
“Master, what exactly is the ‘Joya no Kane’?”
“Ah, to put it simply, it’s a bell that’s rung 108 times to dispel the accumulated sins and misfortunes of the past year.”
“Is it something like a magic item?”
“No, it’s just a metal bell. It might be that I just don’t know about it. The ones ringing it are monks, who are like priests in your world, but I’ve never heard of them having any particularly special abilities.”
I have no way of knowing the true capabilities of monks, whom I’ve only encountered during funerals, nor have I ever considered it. I’ve never heard if they possess abilities like those seen in manga, or perhaps in this particular industry.
While sipping the soba broth, I glanced at the TV and saw a slightly large shrine displayed.
“Oh, is this a Japanese temple? It’s a magnificent building.”
“It’s a shrine. But, well, this one isn’t that large.”
“Is that so? Even from my perspective, it looks like a magnificent structure.”
“If you go to famous ones like Ise Grand Shrine, you’ll find much larger ones. This one is being shown now because it was the setting for a popular drama this year.”
“A drama, you say? That’s like a theatrical performance, right?”
“Ah, that’s correct.”
As Himik exclaimed in admiration and Suella asked questions, I listed the names of shrines that came to mind.
Even so, the shrine shown on TV is likely quite large in scale.
However, having seen the temples of that other world, it appears smaller by comparison.
That’s precisely why I mentioned famous locations and explained why it was being shown on television.
Currently, the lead actress and the announcer are talking amicably, eagerly awaiting the turn of the year.
For this event, a stage has been set up centered around this shrine, and with many celebrities present, it’s naturally very crowded.
“I think Kaido and the others said they were going to this shrine too.”
“Is that so?”
“Ah, I think so.”
While I mentioned Kaido and the others, I wasn’t referring to Katsu or Minami. Instead, it was a year-end gathering of acquaintances from my previous company.
Even though we became friends at work, most of them have since quit.
They are the kind of people with whom we shared hardships and joys, but ultimately parted ways, leaving behind a peculiar bond.
While it might be nice to reminisce with such members, this is my first New Year’s Eve, and I chose to spend it with Suella and the others, so I turned down their invitation.
It’s also true that, as I told Suella and the others, I genuinely wanted to relax.
“If things go on like this, Kaido might even appear on TV.”
“That would be interesting.”
“Should I record it?”
“…”
“Himik, what’s wrong? I don’t think Kaido will appear just by staring at the screen so intently.”
In this peaceful setting, as I was about to casually welcome the New Year, I noticed Himik, who had stopped eating and was silently staring at the screen, and decided to ask.
“Master, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Is this place, a shrine, a location where one is permitted to carry weapons? I heard that Japan is a region where weapons are not carried.”
“Huh?”
Before I could ask what she meant by her sudden question, a single popping sound was heard from the screen.
I thought it might be fireworks, but it didn’t seem to be.
“!?!”
I immediately looked at the screen. The announcer, who had been talking amicably moments before, looked around in confusion. Then, another popping sound, this time multiple, was heard.
And after that? Screams.
Just as I became convinced that something had happened. It appeared.
“We have risen to change this world!!”
A group of masked individuals appeared on the stage where only celebrities were present, holding guns in their hands.
“You will be hostages to become witnesses to the world’s change. Resist, and our brethren will judge you!!”
As the leader-like man raised his hand, the masked individuals behind him revealed the contents of their coats.
“Bombs!”
I wanted to ask what kind of terrorist group this was. Simple devices were wrapped around their bodies, and they held what appeared to be detonation switches.
“Tch.”
The moment I saw this, I reached for my smartphone.
After a few rings, it connected.
“Kaido!”
“Ah, Senpai, it looks like I’ve gotten caught up in something serious.”
“Can you escape?”
“No, it seems impossible. It looks like those guys were not just on the stage, but also around the venue. We’re surrounded.”
“Damn it, they’ve really outdone themselves right at the start of the New Year.”
“No, it’s my fault.”
“It’s not your fault. For now, hide your phone so you can contact us, and be mindful of your battery life. And please, whatever you do, don’t do anything rash.”
“Got it.”
However, it seemed to be too late.
Kaido informed me with the information that he was surrounded by terrorists, unable to move, and in a very dangerous situation.
Suella and the others looked at me worriedly. Glancing at the TV, I saw the perpetrators instructing the crew to keep filming.
Although it might be too late, I asked Memoria to start recording.
“If anything happens, contact me. I’ll take action if I can, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“Indeed, even Senpai can’t act from here. Understood. I’ll just stay put and wait for the danger to pass.”
“Please do that.”
Fortunately, Kaido, having experienced many situations, possesses the composure to not be flustered by a commotion of this magnitude. I was relieved that he wouldn’t act recklessly out of panic.
I slowly ended the phone call and pressed my head against my hand.
Through my fingers, I could see the wall clock; only a few minutes had passed since the New Year.
“A problem right at the start of the year. Please, spare me,” I wished, but it seemed that wish would not be granted.
However, this is not within the company.
The most I can do is pray to the god who brought about this trouble.
“Master, I may be mistaken, but…”
“Hmm?”
“I just saw Katsu, Minami, and an unfamiliar woman on camera.”
Goddamn it.
It seems the gods hate me.
“Huh?”
And then, it vibrated again.
It was a notification from the communication app. I softly opened it.
“I’m sorry. It seems I’ve been caught up in an incident.”
A message from Kitamiya.
Correction.
The gods absolutely despise me.
Today’s Quote:
Let me rest during the New Year’s holidays!
This concludes this chapter.
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*The first volume has been decided to be published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.*
*It was released on October 18, 2018.*
*The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.*
*Volume two was released on December 19.*
*Volume three was released on February 20, 2019.*
*The content has been revised and supplemented from the original Naver Novel posted content, with the addition of an unpublished interlude.*
*Please check out the new releases!*
*Furthermore, a comic adaptation has been decided for Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”*
