PS2: Click here to start reading Oran Knight 96 and Merchant Noble 110.

 

 

Snow-Free Flower (1): Snow-Free Tea

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

*Today’s Diary*

In the northern region of the Principality of Rozan where we lived, a flower known as the “Snow-Unaware Flower” blooms in the season just before the snow falls. As its name suggests, it’s a flower that withers away before the snow arrives. I heard from Rick-san that this is how it got its name.

If you pick the Snow-Free Flower when it blooms and dry it in the shade, you can enjoy it as Snow-Free Tea throughout the winter.

This Snow-Free Tea warms the fingertips, and in winter nights in the northern town even further north than where Rick-san lived in Rodon, drinking it before bed allows people to sleep without waking from the cold until morning.

Although I feel that the town of Rodon is cold enough, Hana says it’s not really that bad. I was astonished. Therefore, Snow-Free Tea doesn’t seem to be a common drink in Rodon.

However, Rick-san’s wife, Rona-san, although born in the northern part, doesn’t handle the cold well, and she’s apparently troubled by the fact that Snow-Free Tea isn’t readily available in Rodon’s market.

Rick-san talked about this during an idle lunchtime conversation, when suddenly Hana said, “Eh? I know a place where Snow-Free Flowers bloom in abundance, degozaru”.

 

—

 

“Eh? I know a place where Snow-Unaware Flowers bloom in abundance, degozaru.” (Hana)

“Eh? Really!?” (Rick)

In the middle of lunch in the clubroom, Rick-san, who usually has a relaxed air about him, stood up unexpectedly and leaned forward at Hana’s words.

A bit startled by his enthusiasm, Hana replied.

“It’s true, degozaru.” (Hana)

“Hana, I apologize, but could you tell me? I swear I’ll keep it absolutely secret!” (Rick)

When he explained, he said he really wanted to obtain it for his wife, who always felt so cold in winter.

Rick-san is quite the devoted husband.

“You don’t have to keep it secret. People in Rodon don’t drink Snow-Free Tea much, the flavor is a little…” (Hana)

Now calmer, Rick-san settled back into his seat with an understanding expression.

“Ah, it’s certainly got a unique taste, and above all, it’s bitter.” (Rick)

“Exactly! I’m not fond of it myself, degozaru…” (Hana)

Hana answered, seeming a bit less enthusiastic as if recalling the taste of Snow-Free Tea.

“But if it helps with the cold, I’d like some too.” (Lux)

I said, to which Rick-san replied.

“Huh? Lux-kun, do you have trouble with the cold? Ah, for your sister, of course.” (Rick)

He added, and I nodded in response.

Though she’s improving, my sister is still recovering from illness, and I’d like her to be able to spend the cold winter warmly.

“Oh, I’d like some too. I’m not too good with the cold…” (Sonia)

Sonia added, raising her hand.

“In that case, let’s all go on tomorrow’s day off. Who wants to come?” (Hana)

Those who raised their hands were myself, Sonia, Rick-san, and Lev. Watching Lev raise his hand, Lite shrugged and joined in with an “Oh, all right then”. These two had come along as Heinz’s escorts, but with Heinz’s permission, they often split off on their own.

“By the way, where are we going?” (Rick)

Rick-san asked.

“To Mount Paro in the east. Since I often use it for training, I know the mountain well. Let’s go with a picnic spirit, degozaru.” (Hana)

Hana replied, and that was when Ratt-kun, probably motivated likely by the lunch box, decided to join us.

 

—

 

Leaving Rodon City, we leisurely walked eastward for about 30 minutes. Mount Paro stood as a lone peak, a solitary mountain left in place all on its own.

What is the altitude? It’s quite high, but you can climb it even in light clothing, and there’s a park at the top. It’s visible from the school’s walls, so it’s a familiar mountain to us.

Hana has frequented Mount Paro since she was small, strengthening her legs. I now understand why she seemed unfazed when we went hunting behind the Bell Household’s mountain villa, where Maria’s family lives.

“We’ll follow the mountain trail partway and then branch off. We’ll have lunch at the top park.” (Hana)

In the thick wintery atmosphere around Mount Paro, it was rather desolate, and we didn’t see anyone else who seemed to be heading up the mountain like us.

“It’s been a while since I climbed Mount Paro.” (Rick)

Rick-san muttered as we stood at the entrance to the trail.

“Have you climbed it a few times before?” I asked. (Lux)

“Yeah, for picnics with my wife in the spring. The path is easy to walk, and it doesn’t take two hours to climb.” (Rick)

“Really? It’s my first time… oh, wait. Thinking about it, this might actually be my first time going up a mountain for a picnic!” (Lux)

“You’ve only been in the mountains for work, Lux-kun. Maybe Mount Paro won’t be much of a challenge for you?” (Rick)

Rick-san teased.

“No, actually, I spent most of my time aiming for game in the woods, so it’s not quite the same.” (Lux)

I replied.

As we continued chatting, “Hey! Let’s start climbing already!” called out Ratt-kun, who was clearly excited for the lunch, prompting us to begin our leisurely ascent into the mountain.

 

—

 

The dull colors of the autumn leaves stood out in the mountains, where they had already settled, creating a somewhat desolate scene that foreshadowed the arrival of winter.

The lack of people passing by may have added to that sense.

“By the way, Rick-san, how is Snow-Free Tea made?” (Ratt)

Ratt-kun asked. Despite being one of the class’s endurance elites, he was chatting away without even being out of breath.

“You pick the flowers, dry them in the shade, and then place a petal in a cup, add hot water, and wait a little.” (Rick)

“That sounds easy. Just one petal?” (Ratt)

“That’s right. So, if you pick about a handful, that’ll be enough for the whole winter.” (Rick)

“Are the petals big?” (Sonia)

Sonia, who hadn’t seen a Snow-Free Flower before, asked.

“No, rather they’re small. Once dried, they’re no larger than the tip of a pinky nail. So small that if you don’t store them in a jar or something, they could blow away.” (Rick)

“Even so, just one petal is enough?” (Sonia)

“It’s curious, isn’t it?” (Rick)

We continued our conversation while advancing steadily. Unlike the mountain behind the Bell Household’s villa, where Maria was out of breath, she seemed fine on this well-maintained trail.

Maybe she’d grown stronger since then.

“Oh, it’s around here, degozaru.” (Hana)

Hana, who was leading us, stopped near a tree with a large hollow, then suddenly stepped into the underbrush.

“Be careful not to trip here, degozaru.” (Hana)

Hana warned, and we tread cautiously as we moved.

The ground beneath our feet was soft with fallen leaves. Occasionally, the feel of breaking leaves underfoot was pleasant. After about ten minutes of walking, we suddenly came to an open area.

A slope covered in a blanket of tiny white flowers appeared before us. It was as if an early snowfall had fallen only in that spot.

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Please consider supporting Bayabusco Translation @

Previous Chapter | Table of Content | Next Chapter