“Impressive,” he said. “Though, I suppose it’s only a company like ours that would think of building something like this within the company grounds.”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
Like the leisure facility we visited last summer, our company puts a lot of effort into welfare facilities, perhaps because the nature of our business is so demanding.
Last year we visited a leisure facility, and this year we’ve reserved this place for a cherry blossom viewing party. They’ve put a lot of effort into it.
It’s practically a place made solely for cherry blossom viewing.
Kaido and I, each carrying four cases of beer, let out exclamations of admiration at the place Suella had told us to come to.
It was a gently sloping hill, with meticulously maintained cherry trees that allowed sunlight to filter through and a gentle breeze to blow.
In the midst of them, a solitary outdoor seating area typical of a tea house was set up, as if to declare, “This is the venue.”
“Um, wow, it says ‘A party of Moonlit Perch and company are here,’ it’s amazing!”
“Such a childish impression.”
“No, that’s all I can say!”
Beside it, a sign that looked like it belonged in a historical drama was planted, clearly indicating that this was for our party.
“It’s helpful that it’s so clearly marked, but… it’s not as flashy as that over there.”
“It looks like something you’d see at a pachinko parlor’s grand opening, doesn’t it?”
However, while we appreciated the thoughtfulness, we weren’t surprised.
After all, next to it was a sight that would put this scenery to shame.
Our eyes were drawn to a spot that had been in the corner of our vision, standing out prominently.
If our reserved area was for general use, then that place was clearly for VIPs.
The area we were to use was a tatami room with tables, and although it was indoors, there was a diffused sunlight, so we had umbrellas for shade, along with flower decorations, and a simple venue finished in a Japanese style.
Even though it was simple, it didn’t feel like they had cut corners.
The seating arrangement was also surrounded by cherry blossoms, with ample sunlight and an open view.
The furniture for the seating and tables was also a masterpiece, clearly showing the care put into each piece.
The color scheme of the tatami room was also a sophisticated finish, suggesting careful consideration.
It was a place that demanded we acknowledge its perfection.
But then again, it was undeniable that it paled in comparison to the place over there.
We had no complaints about our seats and were satisfied, but it was difficult not to compare, as the other place was so imposing.
“The appearance is totally like a mansion.”
“Yeah, it is. If it wasn’t, it’d be a super luxurious tea house. The kind you can’t get into at old establishments in Kyoto.”
The construction made us want to exclaim, “What kind of mansion is that?”
From its appearance alone, you could almost hear a monumental drum beat.
It was located a short distance from our seats, no more than a five-second walk.
It was like an open-air mansion, with one side open, seating in the back, and beyond that, what appeared to be a kitchen area with a “staff only” sign.
The tatami room was also meticulously done, and the interior was luxurious.
It was the kind of establishment that would undoubtedly be fully booked during the cherry blossom season if it were located near a flower viewing spot, and on either side of it were the flower garlands that Kaido had mentioned earlier.
The central plate read, “Welcome, Machine King!!” and “Welcome, Oni King!!”
It was probably built by the Giants, but was it really necessary to put this much effort into it? The construction was remarkably solid.
I wondered if Suella’s overly inquisitive attitude was due to this, as we unloaded the sake and then the boxes we’d carried on our backs.
“It makes me think there might be a refrigerator over there. Also, I’m not tired, but what was the point of me carrying this all this way?”
“Don’t say that. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this.”
Those boxes were magically powered refrigerators.
Magic stones were incorporated into the top and bottom, cooling the space inside.
We diligently placed the beers inside to chill.
After this, we’d just need to carry a couple more loads of alcohol on our backs in addition to our hands to finish.
Kaido and I could drink quite a bit now, but it was an amount that most people would never drink. However, since we had someone who could drink like a sieve, or rather, like a colander, I was worried if even this would be enough.
“Alright, that’s good. Kaido, let’s go.”
“Yeah!”
The refrigerator was left here so there was no fear of it being stolen, and we left the venue for a moment.
We were early, so there was no one there yet, but I figured by the time we returned, there would be someone. With that thought, we headed to Memoria’s shop.
Normally, it was a shop where we bought consumables for dungeons, but today, alcohol was stacked up to the ceiling in a corner.
We reached the shop without incident and bypassed the “temporarily closed” sign, using the key Memoria had given us to enter.
“So, we brought the beer earlier. The rest is Japanese sake, wine, whiskey, tequila, Spíritus… Senpai, the latter half of this list seems to have some dangerous items mixed in, is this correct?”
“Unfortunately, it’s not a misorder. That latter half of the list is Kio-kyokan’s special request. He wanted to drink something with a high alcohol content, as much as possible, in this world. So, that’s the obvious choice, isn’t it?”
“I understand that, but I didn’t expect it to come back to us like this, did you?”
“Hahaha, of course it would come to this. Don’t worry, tomorrow is a holiday.”
“I’ll take some medicine beforehand.”
Imagining the drinking contest with the Oni that awaited us, we exchanged wry smiles at the thought of a guaranteed hangover, and resumed our work.
We diligently packed an amount that could probably open a small liquor store, and then we returned the way we came.
“Senpai, isn’t today a weekday? Memoria-san’s shop was marked as temporarily closed, is that alright? Other testers and newcomers are training normally today.”
“Ah, the second-year students can’t use the underground facilities yet. I don’t know once they’re fully operational, but it’s still as quiet as ever. Honestly, they’re barely staying afloat with what our party brings and the consumables we buy, so it seems to be okay.”
“You mean like an in-house business?”
“I don’t think that’s quite right.”
“Then, is it insider trading?”
“Why do you keep using more and more ominous words? ‘Regular customer’ is perfectly fine.”
“Well, since the wife of the leader of the most successful party in the company runs the shop, people would definitely suspect something’s going on from the outside.”
“Hands and the others said that too. They told me to spend more at our shop if I didn’t want people to think that. They probably don’t think that, but they’re not shy about making money if they see an opportunity.”
“Ah, so that’s why you’ve been getting new armor recently.”
“It’s not like that. Well, maybe it is, but it’s also true that I’m starting to feel my current armor is inadequate.”
“That new armor also got pretty damaged in the last battle. At this rate, we’ll have to buy replacements again.”
“I know it can’t be helped, but can anything be done about the increasing expenses?”
As we walked through the company grounds, the occasional clinking of bottles echoed, lamenting the results of our recent dungeon delves.
Our party’s savings still had some leeway, but our recent balance sheet was in the red.
It was fine for now, but if this continued, we couldn’t just ignore it.
“Lately, golems have been equipped with beams as standard. It’s painful that we can’t easily defend ourselves. What is that? Is it possible that it’s not magic, but rather made with Japanese technology?”
“Who knows? It’s likely something that we just started using without noticing, but knowing Amili-san’s preferences, I wouldn’t be surprised if a transforming robot eventually showed up.”
“No, Senpai, that’s not a joke. Seriously, the shelves in my room for Blu-rays are getting pretty wild lately.”
“Your room is being gradually eroded, isn’t it?”
“Recently, arguments have broken out at the dinner table about which is the strongest: magical girls or robots.”
“…Angels and Demon Lord’s Army executives discussing anime.”
It was the end of the world, I thought with a wry smile as we walked. As they say, speak of the devil.
“Hm? Oh! Isn’t that our Master?”
“My, my, Hero Shiik is here.”
“Yes, yes, Miik is here too.”
“Tadashi, found.”
Three figures appeared, their wings fluttering gently. It was Himik, the twin angels Shiik and Miik, and Amili, the Machine King, likely accompanying them. Each of them held a furoshiki bundle, presumably lunches.
“Jiro Tanaka, I thank you for the invitation to this feast.”
“No, I just invited you because I thought it would be nice.”
“Humility. It is rare for me to attend such a feast, therefore I am looking forward to it.”
I struggled a bit to grasp the meaning of his unique way of speaking, wondering if he was thanking me for the banquet.
“Yes, as Amili says. Jiro-sama, we are also grateful for the invitation to this banquet. Usually, we can’t move around freely.”
“That’s right. We understand our circumstances make it unavoidable, but it is still restrictive, so we are very pleased to have this opportunity.”
And they, too, had a peculiar way of speaking. It was as if they were twins, though I doubted it was to this extent even for twins. The younger sister followed the older sister’s words. Their smiles and closeness showed how much they were looking forward to it.
“Is Memoria accompanying Suella?”
“Indeed! Keiri-dono is also with us. I intended to take my siblings and prepare ahead of time.”
“Thank you.”
And if they were to go together naturally, their positions would shift. Himik came to stand next to me, Amili on my right, Shiik on my left, and Miik floated nimbly behind us.
This naturally led to conversations between those standing side-by-side. Himik proceeded with a beaming smile, as if humming a happy tune. Next to me.
“Tadashi, I wish to inquire about the meaning of dining under a cherry tree.”
“Oh, you don’t know, Amili?”
“Answer: Estimating it as a unique Japanese culture, but the meaning is not yet clear. Do you two know?”
“Yes, after eating under a cherry tree, you confess your love.”
“The book said that if you do that, you’ll be united forever.”
“Agreement. So, it had ritualistic elements. In that case, I too must face it with resolve.”
“Um, I feel like a lot of things are getting mixed up here, but it’s just a normal meal, right?”
I decided not to mind what seemed to be an enjoyable conversation.
“Himik, was this your first time seeing cherry blossoms?”
“Ah, I heard about them in old stories, but this is my first time seeing them for real.”
“Then look forward to it.”
“Hm? Is it that amazing?”
“Yes.”
“I see. If Master says so, it must be true.”
For her, who usually couldn’t leave the company grounds, this scenery would surely please her. Thinking that, I nodded in agreement with her joyful smile, encouraging her anticipation.
“How is it, Himik? Even as a Japanese person, I’ve never seen such a sight.”
“……”
As we spoke, we arrived at the cherry blossom viewing area. The moment we stepped out and saw the vista before us, Amili and the others, who had been talking so animatedly, fell silent, captivated.
“Astonishment.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful.”
“Yes, truly.”
The contrast of white and pink blooming on a slightly green hill.
“Master, it’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t it?”
Faced with that scenery, crafted words were unnecessary.
Hearing the single word, “beautiful,” made me happy, and I agreed with a smile.
From then on, our words became fewer as we slowly walked through the cherry blossoms towards the venue.
The otherworldly group, captivated by the sight they were seeing for the first time, repeatedly turned their gaze towards the cherry blossoms even after placing their bento boxes, gazing at them for a while.
Every time we saw them, Kaido and I would exchange a wry smile, and I decided to go fetch the remaining sake. Just then, a cheerful, booming laugh echoed from afar.
“Gahahaha! To be able to drink alcohol in a place like this in broad daylight is the best!”
“Hmm, flowers from another realm are quite elegant. Not bad.”
Looking in the direction of the voices, we saw Kio-kyokan with sake barrels slung over both shoulders, and Fushio-kyokan, who had also brought sake barrels via magic. And behind them, several figures could be seen.
“Oh, Jiro!! I heard there was sake, so I came!”
“Kukukuku, Master, this is a feast hosted by you. I intend to enjoy myself today.”
The two of them looked their usual selves, so there was no problem there.
“Ah, I’m glad you could come, Kyokan. By the way,”
I didn’t recognize the women the professors had brought with them.
“Who are those people behind you?”
“Oh! My wife and daughter!! And my son too!!”
“Kukukuku. I was told it was alright to bring family, so I brought my wife.”
I accepted their explanation and, at the same time, understood. Ah, I thought, there would probably be some trouble at this cherry blossom viewing party.
Today’s word:
Why is the word “banquet” associated with the word “reception” when I hear the word “cherry blossom viewing”?
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*The first volume of the book is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was also released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the original Naver Novel submission, with the addition of an unpublished interlude.
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