#787 HAPPY HAPPY

After seeking abundant prayers from Sugawara no Michizane, we successfully completed junior’s Shichi-Go-San.

“May he mature with a gentle spirit. Let it be so that he does not cast aspersions upon his peers and cast them asunder.”

Compared to other gods I know, I thought Michizane was relatively mild-mannered and comforting to interact with.

He occasionally shows a darker side, though.

"For eons, I have been revered as the god of learning. Perhaps, in answering the fervent prayers of zealous young scholars. Gazing upon the youth, I am naturally drawn to offer them my guidance." 

“I get it. I really do.”

Beside me, Sensei the Lifeless King is also watching the energetic Junior.

“Due to some mistake, I became immortal. I’ve always thought that if there’s a way to make my extended life worthwhile, it’s to pass on the lessons I’ve learned to the younger generation.”

"Do our aspirations not align in that sense? To employ our ceaseless existence for the prosperity of the young?"

“When you put it that way, it might be true...”

Now, Sensei is wholeheartedly dedicated to nurturing the next generation at the Farm School.

Even after death, Michizane, the god of learning, watches over the children’s growth.

“...”

“...”

The two exchange glances...

“SYMPATHY!”

And firmly shake hands.

It’s good that you found someone with similar interests, right, Sensei?

Now that the Shichi-Go-San event is over, should we head home?

There are still more events waiting for us.

Have you forgotten?

The Shichi-Go-San, marking Junior’s third birthday, is held around this time because it’s close to his actual birthday.

While the third-year commemoration is done, we also need to host the actual birthday party!!!

Back in the main house, the remaining farm members are steadily setting up the party. By now, everything’s probably ready, and they’re eagerly waiting for the guest of honor.

I just hope no one’s given in to temptation and taken a bite of the birthday cake I prepared in advance.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

I need to get back quickly.

I’ll dash back.

***

When I returned to the main house, as expected, I saw orcs and goblins desperately holding back the female members of the farm. 

Thanks to them, the birthday cake was still untouched.

“They sure have their hands full.”

Are there any orcs or goblins on the verge of being overwhelmed by women?

“My Lordddddddddddd! Hurry! Start the birthday party before it’s too lateeeeeeeeee!”

“We can’t hold them back any longer, My Lorddddddddddd!”

Elves, satyrs, and the girls – they all love sweet treats. 

Wait, girls?

“Um, but we still have the ceremony where we let Norito step on mochi, right?”

Today’s party isn’t just for Junior. 

We’re also celebrating his younger brother Norito’s first birthday in a big way.

It’s a tradition to have the baby step on firm mochi on their first birthday to pray for their healthy growth and well-being.

Especially this time, Junior made the mochi for his brother with all his heart. 

It’s filled with a brother’s love. Norito stepping on the mochi is essential.

“We get your point, My Lord, but we can’t hold them back any longer! They’re about to break through!!!”

Hearing the goblins’ desperate cries, I decided to rearrange the program.

First, we let Junior and Norito blow out the birthday candles, and then we’ll do the mochi ceremony.

Go on, my sons, muster all your lung power and blow out those candles!

“Um, Dear?” 

“Yes, Platy?” 

“Why are there four candles on one cake?” 

“Three for Junior and one for Norito. That makes four.” 

“Why not have two separate cakes?”

I thought combining them would show their closeness better...

“HAPPY BIRTHDAYYY TOOO YOUUU”

“HAPPY BIRTHDAYYY TOOO YOUUU”

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUNIOR AND NORITOOOOOO”

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY...CAKEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

Who was that? Who couldn’t control their desires and blurted out their true feelings?!

Anyway, the ceremony’s done. Go ahead and blow out the candles!!!

“Fuuu.”

However, one-year-old Norito didn’t grasp what was happening. 

Ultimately, all the candles were blown out thanks to Junior’s consideration and impressive lung capacity.

“Junior sure has impressive lung capacity for a three-year-old...”

All it took him was one puff.

Could it be the effect of the Hand of Ultimacy?

Oh well.

Let’s give a big round of applause to celebrate.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap...!

“Happy Birthday!”

“Happy 3rd Birthday, Junior!”

“Happy 1st Birthday, Norito!”

“And I’m 17, so happy birthday to me too!”

Who just sneaked in their own birthday wishes?!

Come forward, we’ll celebrate your birthday properly!

“Done, let’s let Norito step on the mochiiiii.”

“Wait a minute, Junior!”

Can’t we at least have a bite of the cake?!

It’s Dad’s masterpiece, you know!

But Junior was entirely interested in his own work, the mochi.

Well, I guess it’s natural for kids to get super interested in something.

The mochi Junior made was insanely huge, kept outside because of its size.

Specifically, it had enough mass to survive a siege for half a year.

Neither I nor the orcs who helped intended it to be this massive.

For some reason, it grew to this size under Junior’s touch.

This must surely be the power of the Hand of Ultimacy.

If left as it was, it’d pile up like a mountain, making it impossible for a baby like Norito to step on.

When spread out super thin, it expanded to a size covering several tennis courts.

After drying, it became rock-hard, making it safe for baby Norito to walk on...

It looked as if he was walking on a snow-white field, given the color of the mochi.

“Yayyy! So cute, Noritooo!!!”

An excited Junior claps his hands.

The love between the brothers was evident.

Now, what should we do with this massive mochi after its purpose was served?

One of the orcs, probably having the same concern, voiced out.

“With this quantity, even all the farm residents can’t finish it. What should we do, My Lord...?!”

“We don’t need to eat it all at once...!” I reply, reassuring myself.

That’s right, mochi can be preserved when hardened.

Let’s split some of it and enjoy it with everyone today.

Mixing it with sweet red bean soup might tempt the girls who are crazy about the cake.

We can even use it for savory dishes.

The rest, we’ll keep in its hard form for any food shortage.

Ideally, we’d freeze it, but let’s just keep it at room temperature.

If mold appears, we can just cut it off. If we’re lucky, we might get some penicillin.

So, to the ladies with us...

Don’t just bite into the cake. Eat some mochi, too.

“Fwoaaaaaaaah!!! That slice is mine! Give it to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!”

Even Platy was joining the girls in their cake fight.

Why does cake make girls go so wild?

“Dad, Daddd.”

Junior toddles over to me.

By the way, I’m holding Norito in my arms.

“Thanks, Dad. Thanks for todayyyy.”

...s

Just hearing those words makes all the hard work worth it...!

Happy Birthday, Junior and Norito.

And to the ladies...!

Please stop fighting over the cake...!