"Larvanine~!"
It called softly to Ash, then cautiously extended its two antennae to touch the snowflakes drifting toward it.
The icy, cold touch was new and intriguing to Larvanine.
This was its first time seeing snow.
"Alright, we'll go outside later and see more," Ash said, gently pulling Larvanine back inside with her left hand, while her free right hand shut the open window.
Although Larvanine seemed reluctant, it obediently stayed in Ash's arms, letting her carry it back inside the warmth of the house.
Despite the beauty of the snow, it preferred Ash's embrace.
....
"Come out and see, do you like any of these styles?"
For the first stop of the New Year's Eve shopping spree,
Ash carried Larvanine into a chain store that was specializing in Spirit Beast clothing.
In theory, Spirit Beast didn't actually need clothes.
Since they had survived to this era, most of them were well adapted to the changing natural environment.
But just like how your mother insists you wear long underwear in the cold, no matter how well adapted to the environment, Ash still thought Larvanine, which didn't have fur to protect it from the cold, would need some clothing to keep warm in the snowy winter.
Fortunately, this chain store had a wide variety of items.
While Ash didn't find any clothes for Larvanine, she was able to buy it a cloak that was designed for a canine Spirit Beast.
It cost her 400 Beastdollar, nearly a month's worth of food expenses.
It was expensive, at least for the poor Ash at the moment.
She hadn't even been willing to spend this much on a down jacket for herself.
However, when she saw the joyful expression on Larvanine's face, Ash felt that every bit of this expense was worth it.
Now that Larvanine had a cloak for warmth and it no longer needed to hide in Ash's backpack.
Instead, it stayed on Ash's shoulder, just like when they were at Azure Bay Mountain.
The soft, fluffy cloak brushed against Ash's cheek and neck, making her feel ticklish.
But Ash didn't mind.
She was busy thinking about what to make for the New Year's Eve Dinner that night.
The truth was, Ash had never really celebrated New Year's Eve.
She was an orphan and she raised on the charity of neighbors who gave her food.
In Ash's few memories of New Year's Eve, the so-called New Year's Eve Dinner was simply a bowl of rice piled with meat and vegetables that a neighbor's grandfather or grandmother would give her, or, when working overtime for triple wages at her job, a boss who kindly gave her a family meal bucket.
So Ash didn't know what a real New Year's Eve Dinner should be like.
Luckily, this time, she wasn't alone.
"Is there anything you want to eat?" Ash tilted her head to look at Larvanine, who was carefully poking at the snowflakes falling from the sky with its antennae.
She decided to leave the choice of the menu to it.
"Larvanine~?"
Anything?
Larvanine tilted its head, and suddenly, many of the tasty vegetables Ash had given it before popped into its mind.
Ash smiled and gently stroked the white pattern on Larvanine's forehead, saying, "Of course. Whatever you want, I'll get it for you today."
"Larvanine~ Larvanine~"
Then I want cabbage, napa cabbage, and that orange vegetable!
Upon hearing Ash's nod, Larvanine immediately listed all the vegetables in its mind while gesturing and pointing as it spoke.
Ash, who was about to seriously note it down, couldn't help but laugh. "Isn't this the same as usual?"
"Larvanine?"
Is that not okay?
Larvanine thought it had asked for too much, so it called out softly again.
Then... can I just have cabbage?
Ash paused for a moment in her steps.
She tilted her head and looked at Larvanine, which was eagerly awaiting her response.
Ash suddenly smiled and then reached out to stroke its head again. "I already said it, whatever you want to eat today, I'll buy it for you."
"Cabbage, napa cabbage, and carrots, right? Then let's go to the supermarket and get those things!"
Ash withdrew her hand and, with Larvanine's two antennae standing upright in excitement, they set off toward the supermarket.
"But you have to promise me something. After we get home, you need to help me clean up the house. After all, the day before the new year is a time to get rid of the old and welcome the new. We're no exception."
"Larvanine~!"
The fluttering snowflakes spun in the air, falling gently and then disappearing completely when they touched the ground, melting into snow water.
New Year's Eve Dinner...
Perhaps it didn't matter so much what they ate.
What mattered was the people you spend time with.
At night.
After a hearty New Year's Eve Dinner, Ash took Larvanine out again.
Their destination was the commercial street in Solvale Town.
There was a large LED display screen there, where they usually broadcast news and live coverage of Spirit Beast competitions.
It was a place Ash, in her poverty, often visited to watch TV for free.
Although Ash had earned a significant sum from selling Ripple Fruits—an amount reaching five figures—she hadn't spent the money recklessly.
After buying a cheap washing machine and a flip phone for 1,000 Beastdollar, she saved the rest of the money.
Until she found stable work, that money was all Ash had.
Especially since she still had to prepare for the practical exam for the Spirit Beast Department, she had to use every penny wisely and spending it only on essentials.
By the time Ash and Larvanine arrived at the commercial street, where they often went to watch TV, it was already close to 11 p.m.
There was no one else on the street except the two of them.
But it made sense.
On this joyful New Year's Eve, who wouldn't be spending time at home with their family, enjoying the warmth of family life while watching the festive New Year's Eve Celebration on tv?