I've gotten used to the rhythm of receiving presents, the whole process of finishing the gift exchange, shifting over to a parallel world, and spinning the prize wheel.
In a way, I appreciate that everything moves at my pace. Once I finish receiving the present, the transition to the parallel world happens, so there's no issue if I take a moment to chat leisurely with the person who gave me the gift.
If anything, I might even have more free time now than when I had to fit gift-receiving into short breaks between events or performances.
Ah, next up is Blossom-san. I wonder what she’s brought? I get the feeling it might be something Japanese……
[MASTER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!]
Whoa, that was loud…… Just as you'd expect from a Spirit known for their singing. Her voice was bright, powerful, and carried incredibly well, so much so that a good number of people turned to look this way.
[……Thank you. But, Blossom-san, could you keep your voice down just a little?]
[Oh, my apologies.]
She listens when asked, and there’s no doubt she’s kind and good-natured. The only issue is how she tends to get carried away once she gets an idea in her head, like slamming the gas pedal to the floor. When her switch flips, she charges ahead so recklessly it makes you wonder if a wild boar might turn more gracefully.
But as long as she doesn't get too hyped up, like just now, she’s totally willing to listen and adjust, so it’s not really a problem……
[Today is the birthday of my respected Master, so I’ve taken the liberty of preparing a gift. As a samurai, I thought perhaps a katana would be appropriate…… but I also understand you’re not fond of such violent things, so I’ve prepared something else.]
What she handed me was…… if I’m not mistaken, a box with a hanabishi pattern? It was a traditional Japanese design often used for celebratory occasions.
……Wait, did she actually bring something accurate for once, instead of getting Japanese culture all wrong? Or maybe I’ve just been focusing too much on the weird parts of her knowledge so far. Her outfit might not be full-on samurai style, but it does give off a kind of "kendo girl" vibe. She probably has some accurate understanding too.
[Thank you. The box is beautiful.]
[You noticed? I often purchase textiles from a particular artisan, and when I mentioned it was for a celebration, she remended this box. It’s apparently a design monly used for wedding gifts and such, and she said it’s a formal pattern well-suited for presents.]
[Sounds like someone really knowledgeable. Do you get all your Otherworld cultural info from her too?]
[Oh, no, actually I only recently learned how knowledgeable she was. She's been making Otherworld-style fabrics for a while now, and I’ve liked her work enough to keep buying from her. But up until now, I hadn’t realized she was particularly versed in the Otherworld. Last time I visited, though, she told me all sorts of things in great detail…… a hidden master of Otherworldly knowledge…… Wait! Could it be…… she's a ninja!?]
[No, she's not.]
Just knowing the hanabishi pattern is one thing, but being able to explain that it’s a formal motif suitable for gifts…… whoever made this box must really know Japanese culture. Plus, it’s lacquered. Yeah, this definitely came from someone seriously familiar with the real thing.
[Is she an Otherworlder or something?]
[Hmmm, I believe her race is probably Ice Oni. She has two distinctive sharp blue horns…… but the rest of her features don’t quite match her race, so she might just be a similar-looking but different species.]
[I see……]
[By the way, the contents of the box are clothes. It’s something I learned about from that trading partner. The garment is apparently called a jinbei, and while I was the one who made it, she assured me it turned out well.]
[Hehh, a jinbei huh? They’re loose-fitting and easy to wear, would be great as loungewear too. Thank you very much, I’ll treasure it.]
[Yes. I’m glad to hear that, Master! It makes me happy to know you’re pleased!]
When I thanked her, Blossom-san beamed with a dazzling smile. It really showed what a good person she was. Her appearance was pure yamato nadeshiko, but her personality was more like a warm, cheerful extrovert.
Still, a textile maker with deep knowledge of Otherworld culture…… It’d be rude and take too long to bombard Blossom-san with questions now, so I’ll try to ask more about her some other time.
Serious-senpai : [And then, here's the sakura-colored golden retriever…… That makes three dog-like people in a row. That textile maker from the past, she's talking about Miyabi, right?]
? ? ? : [Exactly. Until recently, she had lost her memories of the Otherworld, so from Blossom-san’s perspective, she wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about it. She probably just saw her as someone who made fabrics with Otherworld-style patterns, nothing more.]
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