I’ve revised the titles from the previous two installments as they weren’t cohesive.
Now, regarding cherry blossom viewing parties attended by colleagues and superiors, from a working adult’s perspective, they are essentially opportunities for business entertainment.
In reality, this assessment is largely accurate.
Securing a venue for viewing the cherry blossoms falls to subordinates, and once the party begins, a significant portion of the actions involve tasks like pouring drinks for superiors, serving food, and engaging in conversation – essentially an extension of work.
It’s undeniable that such events serve to deepen relationships, and the casual feeling of going out for drinks with friends is entirely absent.
For some, it might feel like an imposition on their day off.
It’s likely that a considerable number of people find such occasions to be a source of distress.
However, for individuals who don’t dwell on these aspects, these events can be enjoyable.
I can’t definitively say which category I fall into, but I can enjoy myself depending on the time, place, and the attendees.
To put it plainly, I can enjoy myself as long as I don’t have to deal with bosses I dislike.
Drinking with close friends is fun, and I’m grateful when my juniors arrange such gatherings.
What if there’s a disagreeable boss? Well, I put on a mask, flatter them, maintain a neutral demeanor, and mentally give them the middle finger.
“Well, I doubt you’ll find another cherry blossom viewing party like this anywhere else in the world,” I remarked.
“Excuse me? Did you say something, Jiro-san?”
“No, it’s just an incredible scene. It’s supposed to be the cherry blossom viewing party I know, yet it appears completely different.”
“Yes, you might be right.”
The venue became lively with cherry blossoms scattering around.
The cherry blossom viewing parties I know involve cheerful fathers juggling drinks and lively conversations, families with children happily enjoying their bento boxes, and couples admiring the cherry blossoms with joy.
However, the scene before me is in a class of its own.
Under the cherry trees gather Oni who are guzzling sake, Undead laugh, treants from the darkness savoring the food, and humans are enjoying themselves.
If one were to describe it solely in words, it might sound like a Hundred Oni Night Parade, but contrary to its literal meaning, the atmosphere here is incredibly bright.
Until last year, I would have thought such a spectacle was something out of anime or manga.
Taking a sip while seated on the tatami, I tilted the cup in my hand, but no alcohol flowed into my mouth. It informed me that it was empty.
“Please, Jiro-san.”
“Thank you, Suella.”
It’s Suella, the Dark Elf, who refills my empty cup.
Looking at the bottle she holds, it’s Japanese sake prepared at Memoria’s establishment.
It was quite pricey, but thanks to the sponsors who contributed to this banquet, the cost of the alcohol hasn’t been a significant burden.
Indeed, an Oni chieftain on the other side is downing the same brand of sake straight from the bottle.
Thanks to that, I am grateful to be able to drink such delicious sake.
“Delicious.”
Perhaps it’s because it was poured by my beautiful fiancée, or maybe the atmosphere of the place contributes to it, but it tastes even better than when I drank it before.
“Please have some of this too, it’s delicious.”
“Oh, it looks delicious, Memoria.”
As I surrendered myself to a gentle, warm, and pleasant intoxication, Memoria softly extended a plate towards me.
The food on the plate was something I had never seen before.
At first glance, it resembled jerky, but the white powder was intriguing.
Since she’s offering it, I assumed it wouldn’t be bad or strange, so I picked one up from the plate and popped it into my mouth.
“It’s a little sour, but the sugar makes it just right and delicious. Is it dried fruit?”
I expected a salty taste, but instead, a tartness and sweetness spread through my mouth.
“Yes, it’s a fruit called Larahi, dried and coated with sugar. I often begged my parents to make it for me when I was a child.”
After expressing slight surprise at the taste and giving my compliment, Memoria smiled happily and revealed the identity of the food.
So, it’s Memoria’s nostalgic taste.
Thinking about it, it makes a man want another piece. I casually picked one more from the plate and put it in my mouth. Again, a sourness spread, and the sweetness of the melted sugar softened it.
Washing it down with Japanese sake, it paired surprisingly well.
“Ah, delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
With that, the sake naturally flowed, and Suella poured me another drink.
“Master, try this too.”
“Oh, dumplings? They look delicious.”
“Indeed! An Oni almost stole them, but I kicked them away!”
“Which Oni?”
“The one who was just sunk into the ground.”
“Then it’s fine.”
The banquet began, the flow was established naturally, and in an environment where it’s the height of folly to impose uniformity, it’s best to let things take their course. Therefore, by allowing everyone to do as they please and distributing food and drinks, groups naturally formed.
Since I joined last, I was watching the cherry blossoms with Suella and the others.
However, at our spot, while we had drinks, we lacked food. Himik left her seat for a moment and, as expected, went to prepare food at the luxurious table over by the kitchen and brought these dishes over. The steaming plate of dumplings looked incredibly appetizing, and it seems an Oni tried to interfere, drawn by the aroma, but she, possessing combat power equivalent to an instructor, easily repelled him. It appears she used a bit of force, but it’s a drinking party, so they’ll likely cut her some slack.
If things continue like this, it’s unlikely those Oni will drink quietly. While the women might suppress them, I won’t harbor any faint hopes, as they are also Oni. So, I decided to fill my stomach while I could and reached for a piping hot dumpling, bringing it to my mouth.
“Ah, delicious. Have you improved again, Himik?”
“Yes, it’s truly delicious. Is it a little milder? Is that cheese?”
“Yes, I prepared various flavors, so please try them.”
“I like this spicier one.”
“How about you, Master? Which dumpling do you like?”
“The ones with unique twists are delicious, but in the end, I always return to the orthodox ones. I suppose it’s because I’m used to them.”
“I see! I made a lot, so please eat plenty!”
The taste of meat fat and vegetables spreading in my mouth goes well with the sake again. I wondered if beer might be better than Japanese sake, but this is plenty delicious. Himik, nodding happily as she watched me eat the dumplings with relish, offered me other dishes.
“Himik, your skills have improved considerably. You used to fail even when cracking eggs, and now you’re the best cook among us.”
“W-well, I’m not good at controlling my strength. I had never cooked before, either. It can’t be helped, can it?”
She arranged several plates and, holding a drink, picked at the food with us. Suella, though not drinking alcohol, ate slowly to avoid straining her stomach.
“However, it is very helpful to me as well. Thanks to Himik making lunch boxes, I save on food expenses.”
“Me too. Because you do the household chores, I can fully concentrate on my work.”
“Hmm, hearing you say that makes me a bit embarrassed.”
“You’re right. I feel bad for always depending on you, so this is a good opportunity. Is there anything you’d like me to do? It’s not exactly repayment for everyday favors, but…”
“In that case, I want to have your child.”
“No, we do that regularly. I can’t really do anything more about that.”
“…Then…”
Perhaps it’s the alcohol, or the atmosphere of the place, but Himik has become a little less reserved. To my “Anything is fine,” she thought seriously for a moment, then slowly approached me and rested her head on my lap.
“Um, can I stay like this for a while?”
It’s what they call a lap pillow, I suppose. I’m not sure if a man’s lap is acceptable, but she looked up at me, a little shy.
“Yes, you may.”
Being given a lap pillow by a Fallen Angel under a cherry tree. What kind of scene is this, I wondered.
“…”
“You two, after Himik.”
“Yes!”
“Please.”
With a wry smile at the two who looked on with envy, I gently stroked Himik’s head. Seeing her accept it with joy was rewarding enough to justify this cherry blossom viewing party.
And, if it ended there, it would have been a clean conclusion. But that’s not how our company operates.
After Himik, Memoria and then Suella also received lap pillows, but by then, the alcohol had started to take effect throughout the venue.
“Now! Come at me, Kaido-senpai! My Kotetsu thirsts for blood! Behold! A four-sword style using magic!”
“What are you talking about! I’ve been using a two-sword style all along! There’s no way I’ll lose to some makeshift technique!”
“Go, Hero-sama!”
“Yes! Do your best!”
“Tadashi, I expect a good fight.”
“What are they even doing?”
“Uh? Is it… badminton?”
“What is that guy doing?”
“Oh my, Amī’s colleagues are interesting people, aren’t they? Huh, Amī?”
“Mummy!? That’s a cherry blossom!”
Minami, fueled by the party’s atmosphere and elevated by the sake, wielded a badminton racket with both hands and an additional two, unleashing her magic while her tension surpassed its usual level. Countering her was Kaido, who, despite being thoroughly drunk thanks to the twins and the Machine King, maintained his consciousness due to the training from the instructors, parrying with his two-sword style racket. Neither side yielded, and to outsiders, it must have looked quite extraordinary. The instructors watched, roaring with laughter.
“Hey! What’s this fun stuff! Oi, Undead King! Wanna join us later?”
“Hmm, that’s an idea. It might not be bad to move our bodies after so long.”
Perhaps brought for fun, Kaido’s position would later be taken by Instructor Kio, and Minami’s by Instructor Fushio. It remains to be seen if an even more spectacular scene will unfold. However, the surroundings might become quite chaotic. When I returned from the restroom, I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard that conversation. Thinking about the Oni siblings, I found them.
“Oi!! Godou, Gadou, Ina! Drink up!! You can still go for more!!”
“Yuka, big brother is already…”
“Sis, any more and…”
“No, oneechan, I’m done.”
Looking in the direction of the commotion, I saw a sibling group happily drinking, but there was an Oni crushing Oni with alcohol. Seeing that sight, I thought she might be the closest to Instructor Kio. And what about Suella and the others?
“Ho ho, a child of a good soul.”
“Indeed! Hey, hey, is it a boy? A girl?”
“No, we don’t know yet.”
“I see. Still, Dark Elf, Vampire, Fallen Angel… to support such beautiful women, the husband must have a good eye, wouldn’t you say?”
Suella was surrounded by the instructors’ wives, discussing children.
“We’d actually like to have one too, but…”
“It’s difficult to conceive.”
“Don’t rush. Unlike me, you still have a chance. Not worrying about it is the best medicine.”
“That’s right. I was also slow to conceive and was anxious, but my husband encouraged me by saying, ‘Don’t worry about it! I’ll take responsibility until you get pregnant!'”
“Me too! And aside from that~ my husband, despite his appearance, is surprisingly fond of children~ When Gadou-kun was born, he was so restless that Enka-chan had to hit him multiple times.”
“Is that so? The Oni King?”
Given the content, it didn’t seem like a place for a man to interject. As I pondered what to do next, thinking I might join the instructors’ circle, a familiar voice called out.
“Hey! Son-in-law!! Sorry I’m late!”
Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw five figures. There was Suella’s grandfather, Muil-san, waving energetically, and my father-in-law, Mait-san, and mother-in-law, Smilasta-san, offering a gentle nod. Next to them were Gray and Miruru, Memoria’s parents, a couple with a noticeable height difference.
“It’s been a while, everyone.”
“Indeed! Son-in-law, you look hale and hearty.”
“Hey, it’s been a while. Is Suella doing well?”
“Oh my, no news is good news, as they say in this world, but I’d like a little more news.”
“Haha, I’ll tell Suella. It’s good to see you again, Gray-san, Miruru-san.”
“Indeed, it’s been a long time, Jiro-dono.”
“Hi there, son-in-law! Are you and Memoria-chan getting along well?”
“Yes, she always treats me very well.”
“Excellent!!”
It was almost evening, around the time when regular work hours would be ending. Thinking it was about time for Keiri-san and the others to arrive, I guided them to their seats. Initially, they were taken aback by the presence of instructors, their wives, and children, but their surprise was short-lived.
“My, my! It’s worth living a long life! I never thought I’d live to see the day I’d share drinks with the Oni King and the Undead King! I, Muil, have a great souvenir for my wife in the afterlife!”
“F-father, please, forgive us, Oni King and Undead King.”
“Gahaha! Don’t worry about it, old man! You’re drinking well! Here, have some more of this sake!”
“Hmm, would this vampire prefer this sake?”
“Yes, thank you.”
The fathers easily blended into the circle with the instructors.
“Indeed, raising children is hard, isn’t it? They’re settled now, but Suella used to be quite a handful.”
“Compared to my children, they’re cute. They try to imitate their husband, so they’re quite a handful.”
“But Memoria-chan was so quiet, it’s enviable to see energetic children like that.”
“Is that so? Cute children are also good in their own way, I think?”
“From my perspective, your worries are a luxury.”
“Shuri-san, you shouldn’t give up! After joining this company and seeing and thinking about so many things, I couldn’t keep up! But with some unknown power, things will work out!”
“Mummy! Stop!! Let’s drink some water!? Okay!?”
The mothers were also forming their own cohesive group. Suella and the others listened intently to their conversation, considering it valuable for their future. And so, I pondered again where to fit in, ultimately deciding to join Kaido and the others.
“Jiro-kun, sorry for the wait!”
“Ah, Keiri-san, welcome.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Jiro-sama.”
“Thank you for coming all this way, Tatte-san.”
“It looks lively, Jiro.”
“Yes, they’re quite inebriated.”
However, it seemed Evia-san and the others had also arrived at just the right timing. Since everyone else was caught up in the festivities and couldn’t properly attend to them, I stepped forward.
“I apologize in advance. I’m sorry, I couldn’t shake them off.”
I hurried towards Keiri-san, Tatte-san, and Evia-san, who greeted me. However, all three of them had grim expressions. Or rather? Were they slightly tired? Furthermore, Evia-san’s apology left me wondering what it was all about.
“Seriously, it’s too much! How could you not invite me to such a fun event!”
Her voice, though not loud, carried well. Everyone in the venue flinched, and all eyes turned to the source of the voice.
“Hey Jiro-kun, we meet again! I came because it looked interesting!”
As if to answer my unspoken question, from behind Evia-san, a figure slowly emerged, holding a plastic bag.
“President!?”
Today’s Word:
Surprises should be kept to a minimum.
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*The first volume of the novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
An e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume will be released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content includes revised and expanded parts from the “Shosetsuka ni Narou” series, along with newly added interlude chapters.
Please also consider purchasing the new volumes!
A comic adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
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