It was the beginning of winter and the season for snowfall.
　I was holed up in my room in the kotatsu, shivering in the cold.

Oh, it's cold. It's getting really cold.

It's winter. But it's nice to warm up in here. Yes, brother.

Oh, thank you.

　I receive the tangerine Esther peeled for me and throw it into my mouth.
　Hmm, it feels like winter is here.
　Since the introduction of the kotatsu, Estelle has been spending time in my room, reading books.

It's like the end of the year when you get warmed up in the kotatsu," she said.

'Come to think of it, it sounds like they're celebrating the new year in town too. Noll and Freesia said it sounds like a lot of fun.

Oh, yeah, I have a New Year's Eve event.

　New Year's Day is the first event of the year, but I didn't know there was a similar event in this world.
　Come to think of it, I think I saw them making some kind of noise outside.
　I'm basically an indoor person, so I don't know about such events.
　I was just thinking about it when I suddenly heard a voice saying, "Oh dear.

I was thinking, "Oh, boy. It's so cold here, I should just sleep.

　Only Luna's face came out of the kotatsu with a thud.

'Whoa!　Hey, when were you there!

'You've been warming up in the kotatsu, haven't you? Don't you sleep in bed?

Of course I sleep in bed. But there's something special about sleeping in here. I have my own moods.

Oh, really?

　It's like a cat curled up in the kotatsu....
　I know it's nice to sleep while in the kotatsu.

　This time I heard a thumping sound and the door opened, and Sisha came into the room.
　As it is, I went into the kotatsu with Zubot and sat next to Luna as well.

''Ah, Sabu Sabu. It's really cold these days. I've brought you some tea. Please have something warm.

Oh, I'll have a hot beverage.

　I sip the hot tea I received from Sisha for a long time, take a breath, and relax again.
　And then the door opens again, and in walks Freesia and Noor with a pot.

'There you are all here, I see. We brought a pot for lunch!

I'm here to help.

Oh, that looks good.

　A hot pot at noon is also a bold one.
　The mushrooms from Czeres are well-cooked and look delicious....

I mean, aren't they all gathered in my room?

It's not fair that this is only in Okura-san's room.

'Oh no, I didn't think you guys would be so interested in the kotatsu. I only found one in the mess.

　This Kotatsu is actually an SSR that came out of the gutter.
　It has no heating mechanism inside, but somehow it warms up, and can be stored in a palm-sized box with the press of a single button.
　I used to keep it in my room because I thought it would get in the way in the living room, but Nolu and the others have taken a liking to it and recently it's become a favorite of theirs.

　At any rate, I was hungry and we all started to eat the hot pot that Noll had made for us, but suddenly my phone vibrated.

''Hmm?　........Heh!

What is the matter with you, sir?

Do you think it's a gadget to be surprised by that?

Yeah, looks like we got a New Year's mess.

108 stacks of New Year's Complications Gacha!　Let's shake off our worries at the beginning of the year!　One confirmed seasonal UR unit!　The words "One time only" were prominently displayed on my phone's screen.

"Whoa!　Excellent!　This is a great mess, this is a great mess!

Another 108 in a row, isn't it?

''What do you mean, let's get rid of your worries with a mess of worries...''

Does this mean we should get good results and satisfy our desires? It's a pretty good gacha.

...Is it a good gutter?

'Sounds interesting!　Let's turn it around quickly!

　What a great way to start the year with a confirmed UR gacha!
　It takes 500 magic stones to play, and there are also items with the same name.
　It's a bit of a loss considering it's 110 in a row for 10 gacha, but if a seasonal UR unit is fixed, it's a blast!
　We'll just have to pass it around!

　Tapping on the Complicated Gacha will display a rainbow-colored treasure chest and reveal its contents one after another.

　------
UR [Maiden of Spring] Noor Fanya
SSR Seven Lucky Gods
SSR donation box
SR Furisode×5
SR Shaman's Clothes x 3
SR Mochi Pounding Set x 2
SR New Year's Play Set x 3
R New Year's gift x 16
R omikuji x 25
R-Shimekazari decoration×4
R Kadomatsu x 7
R Demon Bow x 5
R-Bombard arrow x 7
R-Kamamochi x 5
R Amulet x 8
R Osechi cuisine x 15
　------

Wow, my limited edition costume?

Congratulations, Nole!

I wonder what it would look like if it were a limited edition Nole costume.

'Me and Esther-san have had limited costumes before, too. I'm curious to see what Noll-san will look like.

Hmm, I'm a little jealous.

　Oooh, I didn't expect to see a seasonal costume for Noll... the gacha results are honestly a bit iffy since it's only one UR, but is it worth it to turn it in?
　Nevertheless.

'Looking at these ejections, I'm guessing they're only related to New Year's.

''The gacha also said New Year's, but is this another event in your brother's world, like Christmas?''

Yeah, it's a New Year's Eve celebration in a nutshell.

Hohoho, it seems there are clothes for that too, so why don't we have a New Year's celebration for it?

I don't mind, but let's just make it look like that, at least for the atmosphere.

　Speaking of New Year's Day, there are many things to do, but shall we use the items from the gacha that came out this time to get in the New Year's spirit?

And before that. Noll, since there are limited edition outfits, do you want to change them?

Of course I do!　Mmmmm, I'm embarrassed to be a maiden.

　Noor scratches his head and his mouth is loose and telegraphed.
　He's really happy to have the word "maiden" attached to it.
　I wonder what this guy's seasonal costume looks like.
　To be honest, I don't feel like it's decent because of the eye mask and the usual outfit....

　I quickly take control of my phone and switch the title of Nole.
　Light floods out of the phone and clings to her body, emitting a distinctly large light.
　And when the light subsides, there is the figure of an immensely beautiful girl wearing a bluish silver furisode.
　Her silver hair is pulled round the back of her neck, and her blue flower-like hair ornament flourishes.
　Normally, this is where the eye mask would have been put on and the pretty figure would have been ruined, but to my surprise, she's still wearing her bare face.
　She's beautiful and insanely pretty!

'Beautiful!　You're beautiful, Noor!

Oh, yeah?　Ehehe, I'm a little embarrassed... what?

　She blushed and looked embarrassed at Freesia's compliment, but as soon as she flattened her face, she started screaming.

'Pyah!　Mask!　Where's the mask!

Hey, take it easy!

"I can't calm down!　Why are you barefaced!

'You still can't get away with being bare faced...'

I'm sure I'm getting used to it by now, but when it's just the two of us, she's rather unapologetic about it.

　Noor managed to calm down as Estelle and the others quieted down Noor, whose face was red as a boiled octopus due to wattling and confusion.
　You look embarrassed, though, holding your clothes tightly with tears in your eyes.
　You even change your tone as usual.

''Noor, since you're wearing such beautiful clothes, why don't you keep a bare face for today?

Uh-uh.

Since this is a limited edition costume, it's a shame to hide your face. You should have more confidence.

Hmm, sometimes I need to spend time with a bare knoll.

'Nole, it's okay!　Because it's so cute and beautiful!

　I was silent while Estelle and the others followed up, but suddenly they all turned around and geezed at me.
　What, I have to tell them too!

Well, I think it looks good on you, yes.

...Really?

Yeah, I think you're really beautiful and don't be so shy.

Well, I guess that's it for today.

　He's still looking shy with his head down, but apparently he's going to stay with his bare face.
　It seems to be a lot better than when I first summoned her, but she's still embarrassed to be bareheaded, isn't she?

　Then Esther and the others started to change into the furisode that came out of the gacha.
　Freesia seems to have chosen a green and Luna a black, leg-length furisode kimono.
　Estelle was purple and looked cute in a mini length dress that went to her thighs.
　The dresser is being dressed by Noor.

I know it's not as good as Noor's, but this dress is pretty.

Ugh, but it's kind of hard to move around and I'm not very good at it.

'Don't try to run around in those clothes. Sis-ha must be dressed differently.

Hmmm, it's a miko outfit. I felt like it was sacred for some reason, so I decided to wear this one.

　Only Sisuha is wearing a common miko outfit, a mixture of white and red.
　Her hair is tied back and she looks like a normal knoll.
　This alone is enough to make the evil priestess look like a neat and clean priestess.

　After everyone was dressed, Noor tilted his head and asked me a question.

'So, what should we do for New Year's?'

I don't have much to do. The only thing I do is pay a visit to a shrine for the first time, but there's nothing like that in this world. For now, let's put some money in the donation box that came out with us.

Wow, what does that mean?

It's like thanking the gods for their daily blessings and making a wish for this year's wish list.

　New Year's Day is the first day of the year. If you want to do other things, you can spend relaxing time with your family or go on a trip, etc.
　I had a New Year's sleepover every year.
　There are no shrines in this world, so I'll just make an offering to the donation box that came out with me in the gacha to give you a taste of the atmosphere.
　Maybe we could show up at Sevalia's temple later. And there's actually a guardian deity there.

　As I walked out into the garden and selected the money box on my phone, a small shrine-like building materialized.
　Not only does it have a donation box, but it's also authentic, with a torii gate and a bell string.
　As an example, I first bow lightly and then put money in the money box.
　Because there is no original world's money, it is this world's money for no choice.
　Then I ring the bell, bow twice, clap my hands twice, and finally bow once more to end.

　The Noles are imitating me, and each one of them is praying in the same way, putting in a roll of money and praying, but Luna is the only one who comes back without putting in a roll of money and praying.
　But Luna was the only one who came back without putting in a roll of money or praying, with her arms crossed and a dissatisfied look on her face.

'Luna doesn't do it?'

'I don't want to pray to God. I don't feel well. Would you pray to an evil god?

Oh, no, please...

　Is it because they are vampires that they are unwilling to do these events? Don't pray to an evil god!
　Well, I guess I just made some concessions because I only had a roll of money in my pocket.

Did Freesia pray for something?

'Yes!　I asked that we all have a good time!

That's a Freesia-like request.

What about those knolls?

Well, I want to live happily ever after with you guys and eat a lot of good food.

'You'll still be a foodie after all, even if you look that pretty...'

Hey, come on!

　Noor muffled and puffed out his cheeks.
　Let's get him to stop making cute gestures with his bare face!

What about Sisha?

'That's because of course I've been drinking a lot of good booze this year, going on a rampage and spending time with Luna and... gosh, I prayed for you all to be safe.

Hey, hey, hey! Don't lie to me!

　What the hell does this guy wish for dressed as a miko? You really are a hopeless guy.
　When I was dumbfounded, I was poked in the body with a poke.
　When I turned around, there was Esther looking up at me with a smile on her face.

''Aren't you going to ask me?''

'Uh, um ... does Esther want to get along too, or something like that?'

Well, yeah. It's a little different, but that's pretty much it. Hey, brother.

　He's saying it in a cute way while tilting his head a bit, but I get a strange chill... but I don't want to ask too deeply.
　As I was listening to everyone's wishes, this time Noll asked me.

'What did you pray for, Okura-san?'

Haha, of course I was hoping desperately that you would let me draw lots of URs in the gutter!

'I hope he doesn't hide his desires while everyone else is asking nice favors of him, this guy is a rogue.

That's my boy, Heihachi.

　They all nodded yes and no while looking at me in disgust.
　Wow, I'm sorry, you rogue!
　The money is done and the next thing to do is....

The next step would be.... I'm going to tell my fortune for the year.

Wow, it's like a gutter.

That sounds kind of interesting.

'Hmmm, I'm sure I must be in luck.

　There was also a fortune in the gacha, and since we're here, let's try our luck with this one.
　I let each person select a fortune on their phone and check each paper that comes up.

Ah, great luck.

'Me too, great luck!　You're with me, Noor!

I'm lucky.

Me too.

　So Noll and Freesia are great luck, and Esther and Luna are lucky.
　Noll and the others who are in the fortunate position are really lucky.
　On the other hand, the one remaining priest-sama was looking at the paper and shaking with a pull.

''Hey, what about you?''

It's evil.

'Pfft, hahaha!　That's because you're not doing well on a daily basis!

What about that kind of Okura-san!　It must be bad if you're laughing at people!

Haha, let's have you not lick this Heihachi. It's a great fortune for sure.

　It's always the lustful words and actions that get you into trouble!
　In the hands of this humble Heihachi, great fortune, or at worst, good fortune is appropriate.
　Confidently, I also draw my fortune and unfold the paper.
　Then.........there was a big bad luck character on it.

"Pfft, hahahahahaha!　That's a big deal.　That's what happens when you laugh at people!

Oh, shut up!

　You're lying!　This is the wrong result!　I mean, I don't know if the big bad is in the fortune book!
　Upset, I looked at the paper and underneath the words of the great evil, [Let's reflect on ourselves more. Gacha in moderation].
　What's this specific content!　

''Hey Heihachi, what's this thing called a New Year's gift?''

The new year's gift is...well, I'll give you a new year's gift from my pocket money, apart from the gacha's. I don't have a bag or anything, though, because it's urgent.

　There were some New Year's gifts in the gacha, but I, personally, would give Freesia and the others a New Year's gift as well.
　I took out a gold coin from the pocket money I earned and gave it to Freesia, Luna, Esther, and Norr.

''What? You're giving it to me!　It's okay Heihachi!

Yeah, but don't waste it.

'Yes!　Thank you!

Thank you. Heihachi is very generous.

Are you sure about me?　Thank you, brother.

I got one too. Thank you.

　As Noor and the others looked happy, Sisha also came a long way forward and pointed to herself to show off.

'Okura-san, don't I have it in me?'

Okay, all right. Here's the trick.

　I dropped the wooden ball I had prepared on Sisha's palm.
　Sisuha scowled for a moment, but immediately smiled.
　Then he crushed the wooden ball on the palm of his hand with a cracking sound.

''Hoho, that's quite an interesting joke.''

'Just kidding!　Here, I'll give you one!

Thank you very much.

　I gave Sis-Ha a gold coin, and she looked very happy and excited.
　We finished our New Year's visit and decorated our house with shimekazari ornaments, kadomatsu and kagamatsuri (mirror-shaped rice cake).
　After that, we spent our time poking at the rice cake with a mochitsuki set and playing shuttlecocks and karuta with a New Year's game set.
　Most of the 15 Osechi dishes disappeared into Noll's stomach while we ate them too.
　Even though he looks cute with a bare face, the amount of food he eats is the same as usual.......I wonder where that amount of food goes in his body.

　As I watched Freesia and Sisha outside doing feather pecking, I called out to Noor, who was watching it together beside me.

''It looks like you've gotten used to it all by now. It's good to be bareheaded for a day like this, isn't it?''

'Oh, yes. She seems a bit confident in this appearance. Besides, with Okura-san and the others, I'm not that embarrassed either.

Oh, right. Well, since you're here, why don't you take a break and walk around the area?

Yes, that's fine.

　I've never had a chance to go outside with a bare faced Nole before, so I just asked her if she wanted to go for a walk.
　When I look at Estelle, her cheeks are puffed up a bit and she looks unhappy, but she immediately smiles and waves at me as if she has no choice.
　Thus, I decide to take a little walk alone with Noll.

'Nole, isn't it hard to walk?'

'I'm not used to wearing it, just a little. But it's okay.

Okay.

　I've never seen Noll dressed up like this before.
　Today Noll's movements are quiet, and she is maidenly with an indescribable fragility due to her shyness.
　As it is, we continued to walk in silence without talking to each other.............................but I started the topic.

''Last year was tough too, with all that happened.

'Yes, that's true. But even if it was hard work with Okura-san and the others, it was fun. ........Oh, except for the magic stone hunting!

'Oh, come on, I should say that's where the magic stone hunting is fun too.

No!

　Even a knoll in bare-faced mode wouldn't give that part away!
　Noor said no with a crisp expression, but then huffed and giggled.

'Good luck this year, Heihachi-san.

Oh, well, it's nice to meet you too.