I was starting to get used to the rhythm of the gift-giving—the cycle of accepting a present, transitioning to a parallel world, and then spinning the lottery wheel.
I appreciated being able to proceed at my own pace. Since the transition to a new parallel world only triggered once I had finished receiving a gift, I could enjoy a leisurely chat with each guest without any pressure. If anything, I might have even more time to spare this way than if I were trying to receive them in the gaps between performances and other festivities.
The next name appeared on the screen: Blossom.
Next up was Blossom-san. I wondered what she had for me. Knowing her, it would likely be something related to Japan.
"Master! Happy birthday!"
Her voice was deafening. True to her nature as a Spirit who excelled at singing, her volume was immense and exceptionally clear. She was practically vibrating with energy, and her shout caused more than a few people to turn our way.
"Thank you. But Blossom-san, please, lower your voice just a little."
"Oh! My apologies!"
When I spoke up, she listened obediently. There was no doubt that she was a kind and well-meaning person. Her only real flaw was her tendency to be overwhelmed by intense preconceptions. Once her switch was flipped, she became so single-minded that even a charging boar would have looked nimble by comparison. However, as long as she wasn't overly excited, she was perfectly reasonable and quick to correct herself, so it wasn't a major problem.
"Since today is my respected Master's birthday, I have humbly prepared a gift. I initially thought that a katana would be the most appropriate offering from a Samurai such as myself... but I understand that Master does not care for such violent matters, so I have prepared something else instead."
Blossom-san held out a box decorated with what looked like a Hanabishi Pattern. It was a traditional Japanese design, one I remembered seeing often used for formal celebrations.
Wait, did Blossom-san actually bring something appropriate instead of some bizarre, misunderstood version of Japanese culture? No, it was probably just that I had only seen her eccentric side until now. While her usual outfit didn't look strictly like a Samurai's, she did have the air of a Kendo Beauty about her, so she likely possessed some legitimate knowledge as well.
"Thank you. It’s a beautiful box."
"Did you notice? Actually, there is a certain Textile Maker I often buy from, and they recommended this box for a celebration. Apparently, it’s a pattern frequently used for gifts at weddings and the like. They told me it was a prestigious design perfectly suited for a gift."
"That person sounds very knowledgeable. Is that where you get all your otherworld information, Blossom-san?"
"Oh, no. I only recently learned that they were so well-versed in the otherworld. They have been making otherworld-style textiles for a long time, and I liked their work enough to become a regular customer. However, I never got the impression that they were particularly knowledgeable until now. But when I visited the other day, they explained everything to me in great detail... A hidden expert of otherworld knowledge... Ha! Could it be that this person is actually a Ninja!?"
"They aren't."
Setting aside simply knowing the Hanabishi Pattern, to have the depth of knowledge to explain that it was a prestigious pattern suitable for gifts was impressive. Moreover, the box appeared to be genuine lacquerware. I had a feeling it was made by someone who truly knew Japan.
"Are they an otherworlder?"
"Hmm, I believe they are an Ice Ogre. They have two distinctive, sharp blue horns... but their other features don't quite match those of a typical Ice Ogre, so they might be a different race that looks similar."
"I see..."
"The gift inside is clothing. It’s something my business partner taught me about—a garment called a Jinbei. I made it myself, and they gave me their stamp of approval, saying it was well-crafted."
"A Jinbei? They’re loose and comfortable, so it’ll be perfect for lounging around. Thank you, I’ll cherish it."
"Yes! As long as Master is happy with it, then I am happy as well!"
When I thanked her, Blossom-san gave me a brilliant, beaming smile. Her good nature was plain to see. Her appearance was that of a refined Yamato Nadeshiko, but her personality was pure, cheerful energy.
Still, a textile maker well-versed in otherworld culture... It would be rude to grill her for details now, and it would take too much time, so I decided to ask more about it later.
Serious-senpai: And there’s our Cherry Blossom Golden Retriever... That makes three dog-like characters in a row. And that textile maker she mentioned—that has to be Miyabe, right?
???: Definitely. Since she had lost her otherworld memories until recently, Blossom-san probably just saw her as someone who made exotic patterns, rather than an expert on our world.