By the time he returned to Hourai Island, it was a little past one in the afternoon.
"Hey, Jin. Congratulations."
His best friend, Reinhard, was already there to greet him.
"You’re early, Reinhard. I’m fairly certain I specified five o’clock Hourai Island Time."
By the Shouro Empire’s clock, it would have been just before eight in the morning.
"Well, of course I am! It’s not every day we get to celebrate such wonderful news for you and Elsa!"
"Ever since he heard the news, he hasn’t been able to focus on his work. I figured it was better to just come over early," added Reinhard’s wife, Berche. She was cradling their beloved daughter, Juliana, in her arms.
"Hello, Berche."
"Jin-san, congratulations on the happy news."
"Thank you. Please, both of you, make yourselves at home."
Berche, however, shook her head.
"My husband may do so, but I intend to help out."
"Eh?"
"It’s a celebration for the two of you, after all. It wouldn't be right to have Elsa-san doing all the preparations herself."
Following her lead, another voice chimed in.
"She’s right. Please, let me help as well."
"Eh?"
"Jin-san, congratulations."
"Congratulations."
Stearena and Toa had arrived. Stearena explained that she, too, had come early specifically to assist. And then...
"Congratulations, Jin-san."
Vivienne appeared as well.
"Thank you."
With that, Berche, Stearena, and Vivienne all headed toward the kitchen.
Left in the lounge were Jin, Toa, Reinhard, and little Juliana.
"I feel a bit bad about this," Jin murmured.
Reinhard was quick to dismiss his concern. "Don't be. Didn't Bell say it? You and Elsa are the guests of honor today. It’s only natural for us to handle the work."
"He’s right, Jin-sama."
"Eh?"
"It seems we’re a little behind the curve."
"Onii-chan, congratulations!"
Jin turned to find Mine, Martha, and Hanna standing there.
"We came to lend a hand, only to find others have beaten us to the punch," Martha noted.
The three of them promptly followed the others into the kitchen.
"I’m truly grateful for everyone..." Jin sighed softly.
"Jin, congratulations!"
"Jin-dono, congratulations."
"Congratulations, Jin-san."
Marcia, Rodrigo, and Lishia arrived next. It wasn't a planned group arrival; they had simply bumped into one another in the Warp Gate room.
But the guests kept coming.
"Congratulations, Jin!"
"Jin, I know it's early, but I figured there might be something I could do to help."
"No, Beena, you shouldn't... Your well-wishes are more than enough."
Beena and Louis had arrived, despite Beena being quite far along in her own pregnancy.
"Oh boy, we really are late. I told you we should've left sooner! Jin, congratulations on the news!"
"My bad, my bad... Jin, congratulations!"
Saki and Goose made their entrance, their banter as lively as ever.
"Jin-sama, congratulations!"
Marikka appeared as well.
"Sion mentioned that she couldn't get away just yet..."
"Yes, I know."
Sion was currently in the Klein Kingdom with her parents, Ladeous and Rolona. Jin had already promised to go and pick them up.
It was now two o’clock Hourai Island Time. In the Klein Kingdom, it would be just before noon.
"I didn't give them a precise time, so I suppose I should go fetch them now."
Jin was a busy man indeed.
"My Lord, at times like this, please leave the task to the Doppels," Laojun suggested.
"Good point. Alright, I’ll leave it to you. Send the three of them to the De—I mean, the Nord Federation for the time being."
"I believe it would be more efficient to bring Sion-sama directly to Kaina Village."
"Ah, that would be much faster. Let's do that."
"Understood."
With the plan set, a Doppel was dispatched to retrieve the family, with orders to drop Sion off at Kaina Village along the way.
"Hello. Thank you so much for the invitation."
At four o’clock, Milowina arrived from Uni.
Her complexion was healthy, and she looked revitalized, as if she had grown younger. It was a heartening sight to see her so full of energy.
"Jin-kun, congratulations."
"Thank you very much."
Milowina, of course, was not expected to help in the kitchen; she was shown to the laboratory’s reception room to relax.
Then, shortly before five o’clock, the final guest arrived: Sion.
"Am I the last to arrive?" she asked, looking slightly sheepish.
"Don't worry about it. You were on official duty; it couldn't be helped," Jin said, reassuring her.
"I suppose..."
"It's fine, Sion-san. I didn't help with the preparations either," Marikka added, trying to be supportive.
Sion gave her a wry smile. "That’s not really something you should be proud of."
While they talked, Hanna came out to announce that everything was ready.
"Onii-chan, everyone! Everything is ready, so please come to the dining hall!"
"I’ve been waiting for those words!" someone shouted, and the group moved as one toward the dining hall.
"Well then, once again—to celebrate Elsa and the child she’s carrying! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!!"
Reinhard led the toast.
Glasses filled with sparkling wine and sparkling juice were raised high. The vessels were made of cubic zirconia, sourced from the Northern People.
"Everyone, thank you for coming today."
"Thank you all so much."
Following the toast, Jin and Elsa each gave a short, heartfelt greeting.
Then, the sekihan was served.
"In my homeland, this is a special rice dish served only on celebratory occasions," Jin explained briefly.
"Mmm, this is actually quite good."
"The aroma of the sesame and the beans is wonderful."
"The texture is nice and chewy. It’s delicious."
The meal was a resounding success.
Surrounded by friends he could trust with his life, Jin allowed himself to forget the looming threats for a while, losing himself in the joy of the moment.