Finally, the Day of Souls has arrived.
From the moment Motegi's store is opened, people already overflow inside. With huge half-price deals on kitchenware, furniture, ceramics, and gemstones, it's no wonder that people are flocking in nonstop.
At the kitchenware section, the familiar group of housewives eagerly crowds around the shelves.
"They're really half off!"
"This is the exact fruit knife she showed us the other day!"
"Ahh, yes! It's so light in the hand!"
Yomogi stands by the display with a cheerful smile, holding up a saucepan in one hand.
"And it's not just knives today! All cookware and utensils, everything in this section is half price!"
"I'm getting the whole set!"
"Don't forget the frying pans!"
And there's no hesitation because the housewives rush to grab whatever they can.
At the woodworks section, a nobleman's eyes are locked on a fresh, perfectly shaped butt imprint pressed into a wooden chair.
"It's real..."
Salacia giggles as the second damp mark glistens beside the first.
"You doubted me~? I did promise two imprints per piece, didn't I~?"
In an instant, more nobles flood into the section as they're all trying to claim a piece kissed by Salacia's signature touch.
At the ceramics section, a group of nobles crowd around a long display of elegant porcelain tea sets, admiring every pattern.
"They're all so beautiful..."
Kimberly smiles calmly as she joins them.
"Please… take your time. You may choose... anything you like... here. Everything... is half price... today..."
"But they're all pretty!"
"I want this one. No... wait, that one!"
Despite the indecision, their hands are still eagerly reaching out and unable to resist the deal.
At the gemstones section, things are a bit more chaotic.
"Where is the sapphire?"
"Do you have diamonds?"
"I need something pink for my wife!"
Lilith stands at the center, giggling and raising both hands.
"Fufufu~... calm down, everyone. I only have two hands, you know~? I'll get to everyone's requests, just be patient with me, okay~?"
And the entire crowd is enchanted all over again.
Even though the toiletries section may not be part of the sale, the crowd hasn't faded as Pinna holds up a sleek shampoo bottle for a female customer.
"This product contains lemon extract. It is designed to control excessive oil production and balance scalp condition. Recommended for oily scalps."
"Oh, really?! That's exactly what I've been struggling with. Thank you so much!"
"You are welcome."
At the masonry section, Chantal smiles warmly as she helps a mason carrying several mortar bags.
"Be sure to head home early today, alright? Don't make your family and your ancestors wait."
"Hahaha... of course! Thanks for the reminder!"
At the weapons section, an adventurer carefully examines the balance of a brand-new sword.
"With this… I might be able to score rare drops on today's run."
Manas nods with pride and conviction.
"A noble will… to impress thy ancestor. I wish thee victory… and honor upon thine return."
"Thank you, miss!"
Meanwhile, Motegi keeps the line moving as usual at the counter, with Puck perched on his head once again and chirping cheerfully to the customers.
"Kyuu!"
"May your ancestor love the offering, miss."
"Thank you so much, sir!"
"Next one, please."
And just like that, the store continues to thrive as the people of Remantia prepare for a night when the departed are honored, remembered, and fed with love. He may not celebrate like the locals do, but his heart is still full because through his store, he's found a way to be part of the community.
LUNCH TIME
Outside, the streets have fallen into a rare quiet. Market stalls, bakeries, and boutiques alike have closed their doors in preparation for the night of the Day of Souls as people visit the graves of their departed relatives, clean the stones, and leave offerings.
And in full respect of the tradition, Motegi has closed his shop early just after lunch began and won't reopen again until tomorrow. But even with just a half day of business, they earned 850,000 yen, thanks to their lively half-price event.
Now, gathered around the large dining table, the girls enjoy their first taste of hoshigaki, another one of Motegi's from Kooky Kaki's persimmons that he's dried for weeks.
Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Salacia, and Lilith mumble together in delight.
"Mmmm...! I can't believe persimmon is this delicious when it's dried like this…"
"It's so chewy too! I could eat ten of these."
"This… would be... better… if we had... tea... to go... with it…"
"It's sweeter than honey, I love it~!"
"Mmmhh~… what is this? It's melting in my mouth~…"
Manas declares with pride as Pinna analyzes, and Puck chirps joyfully.
"Indeed… 'tis as luscious as the dates of Nomah. Yet… far more complex in body and aftertaste."
"Its softened fibrous texture and concentrated fructose content yield a jam-like sweetness. Contains dietary fiber, potassium, manganese, and antioxidants. An ideal pre-meal snack."
"Kyuu!"
While they snack, Motegi has been doing something in the kitchen.
On a cutting board, he slices his homemade pastrami, made from Misdaras's brisket cuts, into thin strips. Next, he lines up sixteen slices of Heiligeichen's rye bread, lightly toasted to a perfect golden brown. From a small bowl, he spreads a blend of ketchup, hot sauce, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, and creamed horseradish across each slice.
Half of the slices get layered with the warm pastrami, while the other half receive a heaping of his homemade sauerkraut from Catapult Cabbage. Then, he grates a generous helping of Misdaras's cheese over all sixteen slices. After that, he places the open-faced sandwiches onto a big tray and slides them into the oven.
As he waits, he leans against the counter, pops a hoshigaki into his mouth, and murmurs with a small smile.
"Yup, this really does taste just like the ones back home."
A few minutes later, the cheese has melted, and he pulls out the trays and quickly assembles the sandwiches into eight perfect sandwiches. Lastly, he adds a small curl of pastrami and a spoonful of sauerkraut to a tiny bowl meant for Puck before he carries all of them to the table.
"Lunch is ready. These are called Reuben sandwiches."
Each girl receives one, and Puck gets its bowl. The moment they take their first bites, the room fills with a warm, satisfied hum.
"Mmmm! Why are your sandwiches always this good, Motegi-chan?"
"I told you meat and cheese combo never fails, Motegi-kun!"
"Kyuu!"
"The cabbage and… the sauce… balance the richness… so well, Motegi-sama…"
"Thou hast spared not the fire, mine king. For this… I thank thee."
"The fermented cabbage adds acidity, cutting through the fat. Sauce emulsification supports cohesion. Toasted rye provides crunch while preserving internal moisture. Result: satisfactory."
Meanwhile, two girls aren't faring as smoothly.
Salacia gasps, squirming with her cheeks pink.
"S-So good…! Spicy, but soooo good, darling~!"
Lilith fans herself with her hand, laughing between breaths as she shows him her swollen lips.
"Oh honey~… look what you did to me. This sandwich is sinfully delicious~..."
"Take your time, you two."
Despite he only used a tiny splash of hot sauce, Salacia and Lilith still couldn't handle it. While Kimberly has long since adapted and Salacia's tolerance is improving, Lilith is still catching up, as she's only started eating spicy food for days.
Finally, Motegi takes a bite of his own sandwich, and he's quite satisfied.
"Oh yeah, it's really good!"
And just like that, the lunch continues, as they also won't do their usual labyrinth run.
NIGHT TIME
When the night settles over Remantia, translucent and weightless shapes glide silently through the moonlit streets as the spirits of the departed begin their solemn journey, drifting from home to home. Some linger near doorsteps where offerings have been placed: baskets of fruit, platters of smoked meat, folded linens, gleaming trinkets, and finely cut gems. A few pause before their shimmering hands lift the tokens and leave without a word.
Across town, some homes leave their doors wide open, lanterns lit, and tables set. Within these warm-lit dining rooms, the spirits enter and are welcomed. They take their seats as if they'd never left. Bowls are filled, toasts silently raised, and dishes passed around with quiet reverence. The living smile through tears as they feel the subtle joy in the air, the warmth of invisible company. And many of them silently thank the new pots and pans they bought earlier that day.
Elsewhere, a lone adventurer from the store earlier kneels beside his modest table, offering a Needle Bees' honey atop a humble wooden plate. The moment the honey begins to lift into the air by his old mentor, he knows it has been accepted.
Meanwhile, noble houses take a different approach. Lavish tea parties unfold in ornate halls as ghostly figures sip from new teacups. The furniture is new, bearing the distinct imprint of Salacia's touch. Spirits recline on those seats with elegance, as if indulging in a final waltz of nobility.
As the humble honors quietly and the rich celebrates grandly, there is one house that doesn't put anything in front of the door or hold a party. It just stays closed, as everyone inside there is doing their things like normal.
"Mmm! It's simple but so delicious, Motegi-chan!"
"So creamy… and so much cheese, Motegi-kun!"
"So much crab~! I love it, darling~! It's just dancing on my tongue~!"
"It's… so rich… and flavorful… a beautiful match… for such... a peaceful night, Motegi-sama…"
"'Tis not… as fierce as chili fire. Yet still… it hath enough warmth to rouse one's spirits. Acceptable, indeed."
"Mmm~… exceptional. Just the way I like it, honey~. And thank everything it's not spicy~..."
"Texture is firm with ideal starch retention. Crab protein is delicate and seared at a precise temperature. Flavor composition balanced and pepper levels tolerable. Moderate protein and calcium, low saturated fat. Overall assessment: satisfactory main dish with optimal flavor-to-efficiency ratio."
"Kyuu!"
Motegi, the girls, and Puck gather around the table and share a meal together. Tonight's main course is cacio e pepe with garlic crab meat on top, as Puck also has its own portion in a tiny bowl. And everyone loves it.
He twirls a forkful and takes a bite, closing his eyes briefly.
"Wow... this is incredible..."
When the pasta is gone, the dessert comes out, which is a rich, decadent Swiss roll cake. The sponge is infused with cocoa powder, filled with a thick layer of whipped cream blended with homemade strawberry powder and chopped fresh strawberries, and coated in a smooth, glossy layer of melted dark chocolate.
Lilith lets out another delighted moan as she takes her first bite.
"Mmmmh~! Just as I thought... strawberry and chocolate really are the perfect couple!"
Yomogi murmurs as Chantal says through a full mouth and already reaches for another bite.
"It's so light… and soft..."
"I can't get enough of this!"
Salacia and Kimberly bite, chew, and sigh dreamily.
"Why are strawberries and chocolate always so good~? Every time, it just melts me~…"
"Such… a wonderful dessert… gentle and sweet…"
Manas declares with a nod, savoring the richness.
"It pleaseth me… very well. Thou hast conjured delight most divine, mine king."
And Pinna analyzes again as Puck squeaks from its tiny cake slice.
"Chocolate sponge is moist and aerated. Cream composition: balanced acidity and sweetness. Classification: perfect dessert, Master."
"Kyuu!"
As Motegi takes a bite of his own slice, he hums with satisfaction.
"So good. Like… ridiculously good."
As the last of the cake disappears, Motegi uncorks a bottle of Heiligeichen's white wine and pours a glass for each of them. Everyone raises their glasses as he lifts his own with a speech.
"To our success today… and to the Day of Souls. Cheers."
"Cheers!"
After dinner and their stomachs have relaxed, they slip into the bathroom for their usual end‑of‑day routine.
Motegi exhales a long, satisfied breath, leaning his shoulders back as he sinks into the bath.
"Haaahh… nothing beats a bath after a day like this. Right, Puck?"
"Kyuu…"
Puck chirps softly, floating on the warm water like a tiny boat set adrift.
Yomogi stretches her arms above her head, melting into the water.
"You're right, Motegi-chan… this feels so nice…"
Chantal groans with delight, and Kimberly closes her eyes and rests her head against the bath's rim.
"Ohhh... this is exactly what I needed."
"What a… serene time… this is…"
Manas lowers herself fully into the water with a sigh.
"Truly… this warmth never disappoints. A blessing upon weary flesh."
Lilith lets out a deliberate, sultry moan as Salacia giggles beside her.
"Mmmnh~… my body's melting already~…"
"Fufu~… same here~… this heat is too good…"
Pinna sits with her back straight, observing the steam curling off her skin.
"Thermal influence is optimal. Muscular tension decreasing. Circulatory output stabilized. I am… currently recharging."
After a long soak, they rise from the bath one by one. Motegi gently dries Puck and carries the now‑sleepy creature to its small crib.
"Good night, Puck."
"Kyuu…"
After Puck falls asleep, he turns to the girls and takes out something sleek and black in his hands, which are none other than sexy gloss silk outfits he made using [Tailoring].
"Alright, pick whichever you like."
As he presents them to the girls, their eyes brighten at once and their fingers eagerly run across the fabric.
"It's so glossy… Motegi-chan, this feels really nice…"
"Whoa... this is totally like Lilith's dress, Motegi-kun!"
"I now… understand… why you wanted… this... gloss silk, Motegi-sama…"
"Cut emphasizes curvature over concealment. Sensory allure is significantly elevated. This is… categorically distinct, Master."
"Ooooh~! It's so beautiful~! I love it, darling~!"
"Mmmh~... it already looks so sinful. I love it, honey~..."
"'Tis a cloth of demons, no doubt… so indecent… and yet… I find myself intrigued."
With that, each of them makes their choice and slips toward the wardrobe room together. Meanwhile, Motegi heads to the bedroom and sits on the edge of the bed to wait.
Because this is exactly what he wanted for this Day of Souls night. No spirits to impress, no rituals to uphold. Just his own kind of celebration with a private, Halloween-like night of gloss silk that he intends to enjoy to the fullest.