Part 6
—After the end of the game when it is announced by Jack and Ayesha that the Game <CandletheTown> is finally cleared, they held a formal ceremony to bestow the prize.
Handing over the letter that would give the [No Name] the rights to the candle lamp, they then announced the end of the game for the other contestants.
“Eh, the event that has lasted for over a span of three years, <CandletheTown> has finally been graced by the appearance of individuals who will be receiving the special Gift. Hence this game will also come to an end today. If there’s another game that is hosted by the flag of [Will O’ Wisp], we will gladly welcome your support to grace our game next time.”
Jack ended the speech at that and stepped off the stage, to which the crowd gave a loud resounding applause in appreciation.
Having hosted it a total of twenty times, they gathered close to two hundred participants. Although more than half of the participant population were small children who did not need to pay the fee for participation, the rest were normal participants and that was proof enough to attest the support that the game had garnered for itself. And there were the sounds of regret echoing in the crowd of participants.
Having experienced the game hosted by [Will O’ Wisp] for themselves, Yō and Asuka gave a wry smile.
“I guess the essence of Little Garden is the hosting of Gift Games, eh?”
“Mhm…… Someday, I would like to be a host too.”
The duo watched the hosts with envious eyes as the hosts left the stage.
After the ceremony, the tea party organized by [Will O’ Wisp] for the post-game celebrations was started.
The young boys and girls were able to exchange the gems from the captured lanterns for the handmade cakes.
Asuka and Yō who were also welcomed to the party were given a slice of baked apple omelette cake.[3]
Having seen a western cuisine for the first time in her life, Asuka’s eyes were shining as she looked at Ayesha warmly.
“This is a really delicious dessert……! The dessert with whipped cream and fruits wedged between the slices of crust, is that a cake of some sort as well?”
“How’s that possible? Although the crust of the omelette cake is similar to that of cakes, if it is the crust type of dessert that is used to sandwich other ingredients, it will still be an omelette cake. And besides, Asuka’s dish is a baked apple omelette cake while mine's a pumpkin and whipped cream omelette cake.”
And just when she said that, the pumpkin and whipped cream omelette cake disappeared from her plate.
For a while, Ayesha was confused by the sudden disappearance of her dessert but upon seeing the chipmunk like food pouches that were the cheeks of Yō, she immediately turned to stare angrily at the culprit.
“……Oi bastard. What’s that you have stuffed in your mouth?”
“…… Aie. Shuafs. Puan. Cake.”
“Aaaaah! Seriously?! Your rude and dirty personality is so bad that I can’t even think of the place to start a tsukomi, you baka!”
Ayesha started to rub that puffed up cheeks forcefully. Although it did make Yō nauseous initially, she utilized all her capability in that cavernous appetite of hers to hold it in and to swallow it down.
Ayesha was stumped for words at that point and could only droop her shoulders. It looks like there won’t be anything left of that omelette cake. And Yō who thoroughly cleaned the insides of her mouth of any remaining scrapes of the omelette cake started a conversation with Ayesha,
“Ayesha.”
“And now what?”
“The pumpkin and whipped cream omelette cake was really delicious. And thank you for the invitation that you’ve sent to us.”
“…… Hmph.”
Ayesha pouted her lips as she left with her twintails swaying behind her.
Seeing that they were now alone, Asuka asked Yō about the Game details,
“Kasukabe-san. Regarding the things that we said during the game……”
“Mhm? …… You mean the sharing of the trophy of this game?”
Yō started on her own plate of omelette cake as she tilted her head to reply Asuka with a question.
They, who were competing with the number of trophies they could obtain for the game set by their Community, had worked together in the game and it was due to the agreement to share the results for the battle that the alliance was forged.
If they had not won anything in the game, it would have been a waste of effort. Besides, the thought of wanting to win the personal game of their Community was not to be confused with the greater good of an actual win in the Gift Games. Hence Yō had judged it to be efficient to work together in that battle and proposed the alliance…… And Asuka was feeling a sense of apprehension, or rather, she was very taken aback by the enthusiasm shown by Yō in that game.
“Perhaps I’m overthinking this…… but Kasukabe-san, is there a reason behind wanting to win the game no matter what? After all, for Kasukabe-san to propose an alliance with others for a team battle is quite unusual of you.”
“…….Well, that is…”
Opening her mouth but closing it soon enough. That was a strange behavior as well.
Yō who was very carefree on normal days would not have taken back her words like that. Saying things when she felt like it and not saying anything when she did not have anything to say was the true Kasukabe Yō.
Worried by the uneasy feeling about this, Asuka leaned closer.
“Kasukabe-san. If there’s something that I can help you with, please tell me and I will gladly help you. So, would you please talk to me?”
“……Mhm”
Yō was troubled about where to begin.
And before she started to talk, Asuka was sitting really straight while waiting for Yō to begin.
Yō’s gaze drifted slightly as she finally gave in with a low mumble.
“……I, would like to contribute to the farmlands.”
“Aie?”
“Well……That farmland is being recovered by the contribution of Izayoi’s water source and Asuka’s help in fertilising the soils, right? So, I was thinking that maybe I could help to secure the saplings…… and then I would be able to proudly lift my chest to say ….. ‘This farmland is the result of the labours from the three of us!’ or something like that.”
And for that end, she wanted to get the extra day that she can to arrive at the Harvest festival to secure the saplings.
Understanding Yō’s thoughts for the first time, Asuka swallowed her breath in her surprise as those words seemed to pack a punch. It was probably due to the unexpected realization that the solitary Yō would consider about such team play.
“……Is that so. I see. So that’s how it is.”
Asuka gazed quietly at Yō who had bent her head at this point.
Asuka understood Yō’s current feelings very well. After all, she had also been fretting about her ability to participate in the higher level Gift Games which would be difficult to secure victory during those times that she had yet to acquire Deen.
‘You shall cast aside your family, friends, possessions, everything in the world of yours.
And come forth to our [Little Garden].’
They who had been summoned over from their respective worlds were undoubtedly expected to fulfil the dream of resurrecting the Community. And if one were to be unable to meet that sort of expectation with a contribution to that goal, it would be the dismissal of one’s raison d’etre—that sort of uneasiness was one that she had experience with.
(I see……So everyone’s having that similar sensation of insecurity.)
Seeming to have realized something, Asuka closed her eyes and gripped Yō’s shoulders,
“I understand your feelings, Kasukabe-san. In that case, I will also lend you a hand in this.”
“Lend, a hand?”
“That’s right! Firstly, for you to get the chance to enter the Harvest Festival eve celebrations a day earlier, I shall give Kasukabe-san the accomplishment of today’s battle.”
Yō’s eyes widen in surprise.
But in the next moment, she anxiously shook her head.
“No, that won’t do, Asuka! If we were to use that sort of false testimony, it will be really unfair to Izayoi who is battling alone.”
“Ara, I don’t see it that way you know? The person who came up with the battle plans, saw through the special characteristics of the opponent and grabbed the gem, weren’t they all done by you, Kasukabe-san?”
“That’s, That’s with a lot of help from Asuka……!”
“Now, now, there’s no need to be that modest. And if we are talking about Izayoi-san, it might just be possible for him to achieve this standard of a war trophy you know? It’s hard to come by with a war trophy that can be on par with his standard and it would be much a waste to divide it between us.”
Asuka waved her hand as she commented jokingly.
Yō had a look that said that she was still skeptical about the ethical part of the agreement but her determination also provided a strong motivation. Seeing that turning down the offer might be a rude act on her part, she gingerly asked for a reconfirmation.
“….. Is it really, okay?”
“Mhm Mhm. If you feel bad about it, just remember to return the favor next time. Of course, you will have to gift something to Izayoi-san as well.”
“……Mhm, I understand. I will remember to thank Asuka and Izayoi next time.”
Saying that, Yō smiled softly.
Asuka was also contented by the first true smile of her friend as she guided another spoonful of baked apple omelette cake into her mouth.
The blessed sweetness that spread throughout their mouths relaxed their expressions and the duo exchanged a look with a smile of contentment.
Translator's Notes
1. ↑ [magrefnotes: regarding the thin crescent moon in the sky, the actual translation would have been ‘the moon of the third day of the lunar cycle in the sky’, although it is also pointed out by jorgelotr that it is the same as the pun on Izayoi's name and may have been a double translation error. ]
2. ↑ [magrefnotes: The Community decreed festival is so named because it is a festival that is made into a tradition and a law because it has yet to be cleared by the participants of the previous attempts and it is a Game that is specifically hosted by the same Community.]
3. ↑ [magrefnotes: omelette cakes look really delicious. Basically omelettes stacked over each other to form a thick layered cake with fillings between each fried egg sheet. Google it for image. Don't know how to put the link here XD]
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