Even though it’s New Year’s Day, it’s not quite the same as it was in Japan.
There are no New Year’s cards arriving in the mail, no festive TV programs, and no visits to a shrine for hatsumode. The absence of those familiar traditions is, honestly, a little lonely.
But even so, spending a quiet day with my family is the same, whether here or there. And that’s something I’m truly happy about.
Breakfast was simple: microwaved rice, miso soup, and fried eggs. Afterward, we each went about our usual chores—laundry, cleaning—and before we knew it, the morning had passed.
Mother spent some time teaching Mint magic in the garden, while Karen took Chocola for a walk. Grandma taught me how to make the perfect cup of tea, and then we relaxed together with Pochi.
And then it was time for lunch.
The osechi I had woken up early to prepare was finally ready to make its debut.
「Of course, that’s not all.」
To fill the table with something more festive, I decided to make something extra—a kind of mochi.
Well, not real mochi, of course. Rice isn’t widely available in this land, and glutinous rice is even rarer. So, I had to make do with a substitute.
The main ingredient? Okara.
It’s something called okara mochi.
I mixed okara and potato starch with milk and water, kneading the dough together. After shaping it into round pieces, I fried them in a pan until they were ready.
I made a few variations:
– Some with sugar and soy sauce glaze.
– Some with finely chopped vegetables mixed into the dough, giving it an oyaki feel.
– Others with cheese and tomato sauce on top.
– And finally, some okara mochi served in a clear broth, like a sort of ozoni.
「Hmm, this is pretty close.」
I said, taking a bite of the ozoni. After all, it wouldn’t feel like New Year’s without it.
The other ingredients in the soup were chicken, daikon, carrots, and greens. There are all sorts of variations in Japan, but this was the way the Hatano family had always made it.
The clear broth had turned out great, and while the okara mochi didn’t quite have the stickiness or the subtle flavor of rice, it still had a pleasant chewiness and a wholesome taste. I hoped everyone would like it as much as I did.
…Or at least, that’s what I was thinking.
「Hhmmm〜〜！ This sweet soy sauce flavor and the texture are addictive!」
「Viole-sama, try the one with vegetables. I think it’s my favorite.」
「The one with cheese and tomato sauce is delightful as well. Very impressive.」
「Auntie, you’re not usually fond of tomato sauce, are you?」
「Well, I’ve gotten used to it since coming to Sidera. I might even eat it more than you all do now.」
「The ones in the broth are nice too. It’s comforting… It’s Sui’s usual taste.」
「Mint, here, I made yours smaller. Can you eat it?」
「Uuuu! …..Yummy! Tastes like tofu!」
「Hmm, it’s made from okara, which is similar to tofu.」
Judging by their reactions, the meal was a huge hit.
Everyone was happily chatting, praising both the okara mochi and the osechi.
「The simmered shrimp is absolutely delicious. The flavor has soaked in perfectly, blending so well with the natural taste of the shrimp… Oh, I could really go for some sake right now.」
「And this… datemaki, is it? Such a peculiar flavor. It’s so fluffy, yet has a satisfying bite to it, and the taste lingers pleasantly.」
「Fufufu, Grandma, that lingering flavor is called umami. Sui taught me—it’s a new type of taste.」
「Fwooo… What’s this? Sweet! Soft! Sweet potatoes, chestnuts!」
「You’re right, Mint. Sweet potatoes are quite similar to chestnuts, aren’t they? By cooking them together with sweetness, the flavors become more cohesive. Eating them together brings out the differences in taste, which makes it interesting.」
「Hmm, the smoothness of the sweet potato mixed with the chunkiness of the chestnut is delightful. It’s like a little burst of happiness in my mouth.」
「Is this a dessert? It doesn’t seem quite like a cake or any typical confection.」
As everyone shared their thoughts, savoring the food, smiles spread across their faces.
Whenever I try out a new dish, it always goes like this with our family—I know it’ll turn out this way, and that makes me happy.
「I’m glad you all like it.」
「Barrrkkk!」
「Oh, you want seconds too?」
「Bark bark!」
I patted Chocola, who was looking up at me with pleading eyes, and scooped more food into his bowl. Today’s meal for him was a mix of dog food and okara mochi, shaped into bite-sized pieces with milk poured over it. Judging by how fast he gobbled it up, it seemed to be a hit.
「Do you want more milk too? Take your time eating, and let me wipe your mouth after.」
「Bark… bark, bark!」
As I chuckled at Chocola eagerly digging into her seconds, I noticed Mint sitting with a pout, staring at the last bit of kurikinton on her plate. She was clearly torn, letting out little sighs.
「Ugh… last bite… don’t want to end.」
「Don’t worry, Mint. There’s more. I’ll bring it out again for dinner.」
I had made plenty of osechi—I’d woken up early to prepare it, after all. It would last us through the first few days of the new year, filling our table and keeping the festive spirit alive.
「Really!?」
「Yup. So it’s not wasteful to finish what’s left. But if you eat too much in one sitting, you’ll feel sick. So that’s it for lunch, okay? Can you wait until dinner?」
「Can!」
Mint, overjoyed, finished the last of her kurikinton, savoring each bite and swaying happily in her seat with a big smile on her face. It was the same as always—our usual family meal—but it was also the first of the year, making it feel extra special.
That’s right—every day in our family is special, in its own way.
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