Banquet Beneath the Clouded Moon - Chapter 1

English translation by @raikanata. Not proofread.

Location: Starmony Hall's Kitchen'

Kanata: chiaki, good morni~ng ♪

Chiaki: Good morning! Are you going to eat now too? If it’s no problem, shall I prep your meal as well?

Kanata: is that fine?

Chiaki: Yup. I was going to start grilling fish just now.

Kanata: hmm? i thought you weren’t that "good" at "cooking"?

Chiaki: I can make anything that is considered beginner-friendly. I’ve already attempted grilled fish once before, so it’ll definitely be fine ☆

Kanata: is that so~. the trick to making grilled fish is using "strong fire" at a "distance". ^[1] When you do that, the outside becomes "crispy", and the inside becomes "juicy".

Chiaki: Strong and distant fire… Is it far enough right now?

Kanata: yes. let’s hold it “carefully” like this and wait for it to cook ♪.

Kanata: while it’s cooking, you can’t move, right? is there anything i should help with?

Chiaki: Well, could you prepare tea and rice for the two of us?

Kanata: got it.

Kanata: chiaki~ do you want a “big serving” of rice?

Chiaki: Yep! A good day starts with a good breakfast, after all. Let’s eat lots, and grow big…☆

Kanata: hehe. are we going to keep growing "bigger" as well?

Chiaki: I don’t mean just getting taller. People are always growing.

Chiaki: Let’s make sure to live regular lives and eat balanced meals, so that we can continue to grow!

Location: Rinne, Kanata and Hiyori's room

Time: At the same time

Hiyori: C’mere, c’mere, c’mere Bloody Mary! It’s breakfast time!

Hiyori: Eat lots and grow big, okay~?

Hiyori: Since I slept pretty well, I have a good feeling about today. That’s good weather ♪

Rinne: (snore) zzz…

Rinne: Only a loser of a gambler would run away now! Let’s bet all of the money! (mumble)

Hiyori: Ugh, isn’t that a harsh case of sleep talking…

Hiyori: Mary, don’t grow up to be an adult like Rinne-senpai, okay?

Rinne: Huh… Hiyori-chan, did you call for me…?

Hiyori: I didn’t, I was just amazed at your sleep talking. “Gambler” this, "bet all of the money" that, it shows a lack of character, no?

Rinne: Kyahaha. Sleep talking is no sign of character, good or bad.

Hiyori: You look slovenly… Is this your day off?

Rinne: Ah… There is nothing to do other than to loaf around all day.

Rinne: It’s all because I believed Kanacchi to be the "god of gambling" the other day that I’ve become penniless. ^[2]

Hiyori: It’s all because of that, you say? Isn’t Rinne-senpai at fault here, for placing such an importance on Kanata-kun to the point of believing he would truly become lucky at gambling?

Rinne: That might be so, but. Hiyori-chan also holds part of the blame.

Rinne: Since you were the one who told me "Kanacchi seems to have good luck", isn’t that right?

Hiyori: I can’t deny it, when you put it that way.

Rinne: Right? So why don’t ya give me some money?

Hiyori: No, no way! I am not your wallet!

Rinne: Then at least lend me some? I’ll pay it back two-fold, ‘kay? Hmm? Okay?

Hiyori: I am not a bank either, and I can not believe that you will pay it back two-fold.

Rinne: Hiyori-chan’s so stingy~.

Hiyori: This isn’t being stingy. I just don’t want to hand over any money without getting anything in return!

Rinne: But if there's something in return? I’ll give you my thanks…☆

Hiyori: What is that good for!

Hiyori: …Mary, what’s wrong? You became sleepy because your stomach’s full now?

Hiyori: Good girl, good girl. Good night, sweet dreams ♪

Rinne: Dogs sure are living the life. They get called “good” just for eating and sleeping.

Hiyori: If Rinne-senpai was as lovely as Mary, I’d call him “good” many times too, but-

Hiyori: Since this is your one and only life, it’s a shame if you don’t enjoy it! If you lived all your life just eating and sleeping, I’d feel sorry for you.

Rinne: I gotta have money to enjoy my life though, y’know? Soo…?

Hiyori: Ugh, you’re so stubborn! I am not going to give you money.

Hiyori: But. I have a favor to ask of you, and if you do it, I’ll lend you some?

Rinne: For real? Alright, if it’s something I can do, I will!

Hiyori: I want you to pet-sit, in other words, take care of Bloody Mary.

Rinne: Blamery-chan?³

Hiyori: Mhm. Meaning, I want you to take her out for walks.

Hiyori: Both Jun-kun and I have been busy lately, so we’ve only been able to play with her within Starmony Hall.

Hiyori: Mary is physically weak, so I can not just take her anywhere I go. So it would be nice if you can make her walk just outside Starmony Hall. Can I ask you to do that?

Rinne: It would be good for me too, but. I wonder if Blamery-chan will like me?

Rinne: Doesn’t she get all scared and start trembling whenever someone other than you or Junjun touches her?

Hiyori: It’ll be fine. She only does that when a stranger touches her. She will be calm with Rinne-senpai, since we live in the same room.

Hiyori: Still, be careful when walking her. Like I said, she’s physically weak.

Rinne: I got it. Well then, I’ll give it my all.

Rinne: So, what about the payment? Up front? Or after? How much will you give?

Hiyori: Of course I will pay after the job is done. This is the norm, you know?

Hiyori: Oh, also, I want you to take a picture of Mary while on a walk and send it to me as proof, okay?

Rinne: So I’ll remain penniless for now. How sad.

Hiyori: No need to be sad. I’ll compensate you generously for taking care of my precious Mary.

Hiyori: Bloody Mary is like my child. Treat her like you would treat me!

Rinne: I’m looking forward to the compensation, Hiyori-chan.

Hiyori: Of course. Well then, I’ll be leaving for work now.

Rinne: See ya late~r.

Rinne: Walks, huh… He didn’t specify what time, but it’s not like we can go when Blamery-chan is asleep.

Rinne: Until Blamery-chan wakes up, I’ll go back to bed.