New Year Under Starlit Trails · Chapter 2

A Letter from Home

Asherah

Wait... It really is. It's actually from my mom.

Luna

Ooh! Even that envelope looks ridiculously expensive!

Come on, open it! Maybe your mom sent you some pocket money?

Asherah

...To be honest, I'd rather not read it.

It's probably just another lecture telling me to quit this nonsense and return home.

I'm sure it's all about returning home to resume my training as the family's successor.

Luna

Hahaha! You really sounded like a spoiled noble girl just now!

Smile

Objectively speaking, Luna's description is accurate.

Asherah

S-Spoiled?! I'm not! It's just that my mom's being overprotective!

...Now that I think about it, how did she figure out where I was?

I'm certain I covered my tracks when I left home.

Lisa

Well... you have written home from time to time.

I'd be more surprised if they hadn't figured it out.

Asherah

I-I had to! Otherwise they would've turned the whole continent upside down looking for me!

Tch... I should've been more careful.

At this rate, my family could show up any day now. I should prepare—

Luna

Oh, come on. You're making a bigger deal out of this than it is. Just read the letter.

I'm willing to bet they've known exactly where you've been ever since you mailed that first letter.

If they wanted to drag you home, they would've done it by now.

Asherah

Hmm...

Go ahead. Read it.

It might not say what you're expecting.

Asherah

...If that's what you think, I suppose I'll give it a read.

...Huh?

Luna

Well? What's it say?

I hope life in NOA has been treating you well.

Word reached me through a contact in NOA that you're part of a Savior Party.

When you first ran away from home, I couldn't help but worry that you'd come to harm.

Knowing you're safe and healthy has put my mind at ease.

I still worry about you living on your own so far away, but I can see you've made up your mind.

P.S. If it's not too much to ask, would you attend the Night of Harmony on my behalf this New Year?

I had a little accident in the garden last night and ended up spraining my ankle.

I've included extra invitations so you and your friends can enjoy the evening together. Think it over when you have the chance.

Luna

See? What'd I tell you?

Asherah

Whew... At least she wasn't asking me to return home.

Although... there is one troublesome favor she wants.

Lisa

D-Don't tell me it's "the" Night of Harmony I'm thinking of...?

Asherah

I believe so...?

The Night of Harmony?

Asherah

Yeah. It's an annual charity gala held every New Year's Festival.

Lisa

It's much more than just a charity event.

It's an exclusive luxury gala attended by the biggest nobles and celebrities from all across Lavistar!

It's the dream opportunity for anyone hoping to break into elite social circles...!

Going there at least once has always been on my bucket list!

Luna

Then why didn't you just attend?

Lisa

Tch, as if I wouldn't go if I could! The admission fee is outrageous!

I'd need a 360-month payment plan before I could even think about buying a ticket.

Asherah

Well... The event is funded by tickets, and the donations made during the gala are used for charity.

It funds disaster relief efforts and provides aid to those harmed by Voidborns.

The gala's proceeds are what make the citywide New Year's Festival possible each year.

Which is why the guest list mostly consists of nobles... or the rich.

Luna

Huh? That's actually a lot more wholesome than I expected.

I know there's a fancy term for this...

Noble... something?

Noblesse oblige, right?

Luna

Yep! That's exactly what I meant!

Asherah

They say the gala exists to preserve the Star Savior's ideals of coexistence and harmony.

Though these days, it's pretty much turned into an ordinary social gathering.

Luna

None of that matters! What matters is that we're invited!

If all the rich and famous are going to be there, the food's bound to be incredible!

Smile

A high-society event, separate from the public festivities...

Expectations remain low. However, this event may provide valuable laughter data unavailable elsewhere.

Luna

Hehe, it's settled! Time to eat until we're ready to burst!

Boo hoo... I've barely been able to afford one decent meal a day since the casino cleared me out...

Smile

...Which is entirely self-inflicted.

Luna

Aww... You meanie!

Lisa

W-Would it be okay if I tagged along...?

Smile

Entry is granted to the invitee, one partner, and two additional guests.

...So the invitation states.

Luna

A partner...?

So we're allowed four people total?

Aww, you're out. Better luck next time, Lisa!

Lisa

You've got to be kidding me...!

Luna

Well then, let's get ready for the party!

So we're going, then?

Asherah

Actually... I wasn't thinking of going.

Luna

Huh?! You're not going?! But we just talked all about it!

Asherah

*Sigh*... You're probably picturing a fun, lively party, but that's not what this is.

Trust me. Events packed with nobles are painfully boring.

The moment you put a foot wrong, they'll lecture you about etiquette and look down on you.

I can't even remember half of those aristocratic manners I learned growing up.

I'm sure some stuffy noble from one house or another will recognize me and start making conversation.

Worse, if they happen to know my mother, I'm guaranteed to get stuck listening to another lecture.

Ugh... Just thinking about it makes my stomach hurt.

Asherah frowned, her expression suggesting old memories she'd rather forget.

Smile

However, this invitation is valid only if Asherah is present.

Luna

Yeah... Giving up a high-class gala this easily feels like such a waste.

I wonder if there's any way we can change her mind.

C'mon, Captain. You're curious too, aren't you? It's written all over your face.

That... is true...

She was right. I was curious what a high-society party in this world would be like.

That said, was I willing to go to the gala badly enough to take Asherah there against her will?

Lisa

Lady Asherah...! If you do decide to go, would you perhaps... choose me as one of your guests?

...Please? Pretty please?

...At least, not to Lisa's extent.

Luna

Now then, a way to convince her...

Aha...!

Hehe! Hear me, Asherah! Lavistar's greatest oracle has spoken...

You'll change your mind about this party.

Asherah

Luna, weren't you listening? I said I'm not interested.

We'd have way more fun just hanging out together than sitting through a boring gala.

Luna

No, no. Let's call this one a genuine prophecy.

Because—

Asherah

Huh?

...Wait a minute.

This year's charity gala will feature a special prize generously donated by a benefactor...?

Luna

Look! It says the prize is a relic left behind by the Star Savior!

Asherah

R-Really?

Lisa

Oh, I've heard about it. They say it was discovered in the domain of a margrave in the northeast.

Asherah

But why would they give away something that valuable as a prize?

Lisa

Well... apparently it's a bit of an odd case.

Ancient records and other evidence suggest it's authentic.

That said, it doesn't seem to have any mystical abilities or priceless records associated with it.

Even if it's authentic, it's really only valuable as a symbolic antique.

Asherah

B-But still... it's a relic left behind by the Star Savior...!

Luna

So? Starting to change your mind about the gala?

Asherah

I-It's not because of the relic or anything!

Ahem! O-On second thought... it was a personal favor from my mom. It'd be rude to turn her down...

I did leave home on impulse, so she's probably been worried. I suppose I can do this much for her...

Th-That way she won't suddenly insist I come home...

Smile

...Asherah is attempting to justify her change of heart.

Luna

Shhh! Don't ruin it, Smile. I think we're getting somewhere.

Asherah

So, um... how exactly do you win the prize?

Luna

It says the prize goes to the couple that performs the finest dance at the ball!

Asherah

Wait, a ball? You mean I'd have to dance...?

Th-That's never going to happen...

Even back when I took etiquette lessons as a child, they always told me, "Do whatever you like, but never dance."

Luna

...You're that bad?

Asherah

Besides, if it's a couples' dance, I'd need someone to dance with.

And I... don't have one.

Smile

Problem solved. The Captain can be your partner.

Asherah

...! M-Me? Dancing with the Captain... in a dress... in front of everyone...?

Then I'd have to hold his hand, look into his eyes, lean in toward his face, and then—

Excuse me?!

You could at least ask for my opinion...!

Asherah

R-Right! The Captain probably wouldn't want that either...!

Luna

Hmm... Is that so?

Asherah

R-Right? It'd be a bit much, wouldn't it?

I'm so clumsy... I'd only embarrass us both...

Luna

Well... if that's the case, I guess it can't be helped.

Aww... I just really wanted to see you in a dress. You'd look gorgeous.

Asherah

Huh? What are you talking about?

Luna

You're constantly working so hard.

Opportunities like this don't come around often. If not for the gala, we might never see you dressed up.

...You'd like to see Asherah in a dress too, wouldn't you, Captain?

If you put it that way...

...I'd be lying if I said no.

Asherah

R-Really...?

Luna

Obviously! C'mon, Smile, back me up!

Smile

O-Oh... Uh...

...

Analysis. A dance between the Captain and Asherah satisfies all present parties.

Good luck, Captain.

No hesitation whatsoever?!

Luna

Captain, isn't it your job as our leader to help a teammate who's lost faith in herself?

...And while you're at it, it'd make everyone happy!

Urgh...

Asherah looked at me with an expression unlike her usual confident self, silently asking for something.

Whatever it was she wanted, I found myself wanting to see her take on this challenge and see it through.

I wanted to see her succeed.

...

And... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious how she would look in a dress.

...All right. I'll be your partner.

Asherah

R-Really...? Thank you so much...!

Luna

Let's be honest, Asherah could use a dress every once in a while.

If I dressed up too, though? I'd have the Captain acting like a beast in no time! Ahahaha!

H-Hey! Cut it out!

Smile

A dress...

Muttering to herself, Smile began feeling around her body with both hands.

It looked like she was running a mental simulation of herself wearing a dress.

Asherah

...Then it's settled. If I'm going, I'll give it everything I've got!

Smile

Dress...

Asherah

Right. First things first, we need to find a proper dress.

That'll take money... Maybe if I empty out my allowance and living expenses...

Wait, no. I'll figure that out later. Right now, we need to get going.

Come on, Captain!

Before I knew it, Asherah had grabbed my wrist and was dragging me along at full speed.

Where are you taking me?!

Asherah

To get ready for the party, obviously!

Luna

Hey, wait up!

Lisa

Ah?! W-Wait!

Asherah...! Is there any way you could get me an invitation too...? Pleeease?!