The brilliant decorations celebrating the new year were hung everywhere throughout the town of Kuyou…-.
Amidst the voices of the crowd, something was happening.
Kanoe: “Let’s go Banri. Suu…HA!”
Banri: “Right! Wow, hand-made mochi…!”
Within Banri’s hand was a thoroughly sticky mochi, and it just kept sticking to his palms.
From nearby, just a step apart, Kanoto was eating zouni and started speaking.
Kanoto: “Prince Banri, I don’t think you soaked your hands in water. Brother Kanoe, you got too much in one go… I think it might be hard for you to know when to turn it over Prince Banri.”
Kanoe: “I see. I guess I thought it was better to do it all at once.”
Banri: “It’s fairly difficult to put water on my hands when watching the mochi on the mortar.”
Juri: “Haha! Watching you guys fight like that has me thinking Kanoto is the smart one!”
Kanoe: “Yeah. That’s because every year the Bird Family does the mochi pounding to ring in the new year. I watched closely, but turns out it’s harder than it looks…”
Let’s go back a little before this started…-.
Previously, Banri and Juri had received invitations from the Land of the Calendar to come help with the Mononoke Kagura event and were now walking the bustling streets during the new year celebration.
On their way, the two happened to come upon the brilliant display of Kanoto pounding mochi, and Kanoe who was assisting, but…-.
Kanoto: “Mochi is delicious…”
Banri: “…Prince Kanoto seems to have completely lost himself in the freshly-made zouni.”
Kanoe: “Do you want to give it a try Juri?”
Juri: “Nah, I’m no match for those muscles. Isn’t it better to have a ton of strength for pounding and kneading the mochi?”
Kanoto: “Strength yes, but… balance is important. And it’s important for the people who are kneading and making to be in sync.”
Kanoe: “I see, keeping in sync… it’s like in dancing.”
Banri: “It’s similar to when filming a movie and the actors match their breathing. The back-and-forth with the people you’re acting with is important.”
Juri: “If keeping in sync is important, can I chant or yell something to help?”
Kanoto: “That could be good. I’m sure it’ll be easy to match up…”
Kanoe: “…alright, I’m counting on you Banri, Juri.”
Banri: “Right!”
Juri: “Leave it to me!”
Kanoto: “…good luck everyone.”
Juri: “Righto, let’s start…ready and, go!”
Kanoe: “There…!”
Banri: “Ha!”
Juri: “And again!”
Kanoe: “Yah!”
Banri: “Yes!”
Juri: “Damn straight!”
Kanoto: “…that’s an interesting chant.”
Though initially it was quite awkward, Kanoe and Banri gradually started to match up… and before long, the two were smiling.
Kanoe: “Ha!”
Banri: “Yes!”
Juri: “Now give it all ya got!?”
Alongside Juri’s strange chants, the rhythmic pounding of the mochi rang out pleasantly.
Kanoto: “That’s a really good rhythm… I’m sure it’ll make delicious mochi… I can’t wait.”
Kanoto had only just finished his zouni as he watched the mochi dance in the mortar, imagining the taste and soft texture as he closed his eyes and smiled happily.
END