Ignoring the bustling crowds of classmates planning their dungeon raids for winter break, we finished our preparations and left school early. Ever since the dungeons first appeared in April, I had maintained an opinion about them that differed from the majority of my peers. By the time I realized it, the social groups had already been solidified; I had ended up in the minority with very few close friends.
It was an inevitable result of our differing views, but it still left me feeling a bit lonely.
"See you, Daiki. Have a good one. Happy New Year."
"You too. Happy New Year."
I exchanged year-end greetings with Yuji, who was in the same boat as me, and we parted ways. Left alone, I walked down a street where the freezing wind howled and foot traffic was sparse. The thought suddenly hit me—I really was lonely.
I recall that last year, even with entrance exams looming, I at least had friends to walk home with.
"...Hah. Whatever. I’m going home."
The more I thought about it, the more hollow the subject became, so I shelved those feelings and hurried my pace.
The countdown to the new year was fast approaching. I was plopped down on a beanbag chair in the living room, waiting for the television countdown with my younger sister.
"Only a few minutes left of this year, huh..."
"Yeah. Somehow, time really flew by, didn't it?"
"I guess so. This year was absolute chaos for the world because of the dungeons appearing. That probably makes it feel like it passed even faster."
Every single day of this year had been incredibly dense. Ever since the dungeons emerged, my life had consisted of pouring salt on slimes, training with Juzo-san, and diving into the depths.
If the dungeons hadn't appeared, how would I have spent this year? Would I have been fooling around with friends, struggling right before exams, or joining a club to sweat away my youth?
"Speaking of which, Big Brother... you’ve been doing nothing but practice swings this winter break. You haven't gone to a dungeon at all. Are you staying away for the holidays?"
"Yeah. It sounds like both Yuji and Hiiragi-san are busy with the New Year. I’m not quite ready to solo a dungeon yet, so I won't be going until the break is over."
"I see. In that case, if I asked you to come with me for the first shrine visit of the year, would you come?"
Hm? Hatsumode?
The first shrine visit, huh? Well, I didn't have any other plans, so I suppose it was fine. Though saying it out loud like that made me feel a little pathetic.
"Sure."
"Really!?"
"Yeah. So, which shrine are we going to?"
"The usual one on the mountain. I’m planning to go with Saori-chan, but that’s okay, right?"
Saori-chan. Mika's friend.
Come to think of it, I hadn't seen her lately. I’d been training at Yuji’s place until late every evening after school. It might be good to see her, if only to give her my New Year's greetings.
But...
"It’s fine with me. But are you sure it’s okay if I tag along?"
"Of course. I’ll check with her when I send her a 'Happy New Year' text, but I doubt she’ll mind."
"I see."
Well, if she was okay with it, then there was no problem.
As I talked with Mika about the shrine visit, the sixty-second countdown began on the TV. A digital clock appeared on the screen, and the comedians who had hit it big this year were trying to hype up the audience. The countdown ticked away, and finally, the ten-second mark was read aloud.
"3... 2... 1... 0! Big Brother, Happy New Year!"
"Yeah, Happy New Year."
Mika gave me her greeting the moment the clock hit zero, and I returned it. It was a strangely comforting exchange.
Until last year, I hadn't felt anything special about it; it was just a routine annual event. But now that I had experienced the dungeons, I understood. I had lacked humility. Giving thanks for the year that passed without incident and rejoicing in being able to welcome a new one safely—how difficult a task that truly was.
The fact that I could ring in the New Year with all my limbs intact was a wonderful thing. I could feel that truth deep in my bones now.
"Oh, it's from Saori-chan."
While I was lost in my reflections, Mika's phone chimed. It seemed Saori-chan had sent a New Year's text. Mika scanned the message and typed out a quick reply.
After a few back-and-forths, Mika told me with a delighted voice that Saori-chan had agreed to let me join them at the shrine.
"Big Brother, Saori-chan says it’s fine! She said she’ll be waiting in front of the stairs to the shrine path around nine tomorrow morning. Yay!"
"Right. We’d better make sure we're not late, then."
"Yeah. We’re wearing kimonos, so let's head out a bit early."
Wait, kimonos?
"Kimonos? You have one?"
"It’s just a one-touch type with Velcro, but Mom bought it for me, so I have it."
...Was it one of those? The winter version of a summer yukata. They really did have everything these days.
"Saori-chan said she has a similar one, so she’ll probably be wearing hers too."
"I see. If that’s the case, I should probably dress appropriately as well, but I don't own anything like that."
I certainly didn't have a kimono. If she had told me a bit earlier, I had enough extra funds that I could have prepared one.
Well, I couldn't help what I didn't have.
"I thought you might say that, so I had Mom buy one for you too!"
"Huh?"
Wait... Mom?
I glanced toward my mother, who was drinking tea and chatting with my father at the table. She was looking at me with a mischievous grin that said her plan had worked perfectly. Seeing my father let out a wry smile beside her, it appeared my entire family had conspired against me.
"Go along with Mika for once. She’s been lonely lately because you haven't been spending any time with her."
"That’s how it is, Daiki. Just keep Mika company tomorrow."
I received those words of family love from both my parents. Sigh...
When I looked back at Mika, she had a radiant smile on her face.
"Understood. I’ll gratefully accept the gift."
"Yes!"
When I told her I would wear it, Mika pumped her fist in a happy victory pose.
Five slimes, colored red, blue, green, yellow, and white, sat before me. Each of them contorted their viscous bodies as if asserting something, though I had no idea what. After watching their movements for a while, the blue, green, yellow, and white slimes struck symmetrical poses centered around the red one.
It felt familiar... Ah, that Sunday morning show. In that case, I guess this makes them... the Viscous Sentai Slimeger? Which meant I was the villain they were supposed to defeat. Well, from a slime's perspective, I suppose the guy who slaughtered them daily was indeed a mortal enemy.
After striking their poses, the slimes lunged at me all at once. For some reason, I reached into a bag of salt I was holding and scattered a handful over them, like a sumo wrestler entering the ring. The slimes that were touched by the salt began to writhe in agony as usual. I thought that was the end of it, but this time, they reacted differently. The writhing slimes gathered in one spot and merged, transforming into a massive rainbow slime.
...Wh-what?!
As I stared blankly at the absurd sight, the giant rainbow slime spread its body wide and collapsed over me. Without any way to resist, I was swallowed by the rainbow slime... and I woke up.
I sat up in bed, shaking my head and glaring at my desk with bleary eyes.
That was a terrible way to wake up. What a thing to see as my first dream of the year.
I got out of bed and washed my face in the bathroom. My reflection in the mirror looked exhausted. When I went to the living room in my pajamas, my mother was already preparing breakfast.
"Oh? You’re up early, Daiki."
"Ah, yeah. I just didn't wake up very well. Can I have some tea?"
"Yes, of course."
I took the tea and watched TV for a bit until my father and Mika appeared. After a quick breakfast, Mika and I changed into our kimonos and left the house. I was dressed in a navy blue kimono with a matching haori jacket. Mika wore a black kimono adorned with colorful polka dots, paired with a modern black shawl and a black bag with floral embroidery. Since Mika was walking slowly with short steps—clearly unaccustomed to the limited range of motion of a kimono—I adjusted my pace to match hers.
Although the sun was out, our breath was white, a stark reminder of the New Year's morning chill. It really was freezing. Even though I was wearing heat-generating innerwear as a precaution, the cold still bit through. As we walked toward the shrine, other people heading for their first visit of the year began to appear. By the time we reached the foot of the mountain, a decent crowd had gathered.
Yeah, finding Saori-chan in this mess was going to be a chore.
"Mika, where is Saori-chan? Are you in contact with her?"
Mika pulled her phone from her bag.
"Yeah. Um, she says she’s at the convenience store nearby."
"I see. Then should we wait for her by the stairs?"
"Yeah."
Following the flow of people at the base of the mountain, we reached the stone staircase of nearly a hundred steps leading to the summit. I could see a line of worshippers already forming on the upper steps.
Ignoring the people heading up, Mika and I stopped by the side of the stairs.
"Now then, where's Saori-chan?"
"Hold on, let me see..."
Just as Mika was about to send a text, a loud voice suddenly called out from behind us.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"Whoa!"
"Eek!"
"Haha! Did I scare you?"
"Sa-Saori-chan!"
The person who had snuck up on us was Saori-chan, dressed in a pale cherry-blossom pink kimono with a floral pattern.
Seriously, I wish she’d stop that. Out of habit from my training with Juzo-san, I nearly caught her with a counter-backfist. It was a stroke of luck that I identified her and managed to stop my arm before it could fully commit.
Saori-chan looked delighted that her prank had worked, her bashful smile looking quite annoying to me.
"Geez, you gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry, sorry. Oh, right. Happy New Year!"
"...Happy New Year."
Mika gave a sulky New Year's greeting to her unrepentant friend. Though, true to form, they were chatting normally again just a moment later.
I suppose I should say my piece as well.
"Happy New Year, Saori-chan. You really gave me a shock right at the start of the year."
"Oh, Big Brother. Happy New Year to you too. Haha, it was just a little prank, just a prank."
Yeah, well, to her it might have been just a prank, but she nearly spent the New Year in a hospital bed. I’ve been learning the proper way to strike from Juzo-san lately; even an instinctive backfist packs a dangerous amount of power now.
"I’d appreciate it if you could just greet me normally next time."
"Oka—y."
She answered readily enough, but judging by the look on her face, she’ll definitely do it again given the chance.
"So, what’s the plan? Shall we head up? The line seems to be getting longer by the second."
I looked up at the stairs and sighed at the growing queue. Mika and Saori-chan followed my gaze and let out similar sighs.
"You’re right. But we came all this way, so we have to line up..."
"Yeah. That crowd is depressing, but I guess it’s to be expected on New Year's Day."
"Then let's get in line before it gets even worse."
"Yeah."
"Oka—y."
Mika and Saori-chan started up the stone steps first, and I followed. At the top, about twenty people were lined up neatly on the left side, slowly advancing toward the prayer hall.
After a ten-minute wait, we climbed the final steps, passed through the torii gate, and entered the shrine grounds. The approach was packed with worshippers. Elsewhere, the grounds were bustling with people drawing fortunes, writing on prayer plaques, and purchasing charms.
"Um, I think the way to pray is two bows, two claps, and one bow... right?"
"I think so. I remember seeing that on TV..."
Mika asked me about the etiquette, and I gave a vague confirmation based on my hazy memory.
Then, Saori-chan chimed in.
"Two bows, two claps, and one bow is correct. Normally, you’re supposed to stop by the purification fountain first, but with this crowd, that’s not happening."
"Huh? Wait, Saori-chan, you’re an expert on this?"
"Yeah. Well, I had a bit of interest, so I dabbled a little. Actually, you’re supposed to bow once at the torii gate, too. Also..."
As I waited while listening to Saori-chan's impromptu lecture on shrine etiquette, our turn finally came.
Following her instructions, I first rang the bell. Apparently, the bell serves as a signal to the deity that you are visiting. Next, I quietly placed an offering into the box and bowed twice, bending ninety degrees at the waist. I shifted my right hand slightly lower, pressed my palms together, opened my hands shoulder-width apart, and clapped twice.
Then, with my hands together, I closed my eyes and offered my prayer.
(I pray that this year passes peacefully and without incident!)
Last year was a turbulent one where dungeons appeared all over the world. That was precisely why I wanted this year to be quiet; my prayer reflected that desire.
After praying with all my heart, I lowered my hands and bowed once more, ninety degrees at the waist.
I suppose the title of that first dream would be "The Slime's Revenge"?