The morning of Wednesday, the first day of the Newborn Moon in the Year 1854 of the Common Calendar, began amid a family atmosphere that was somewhat awkward, yet inexplicably harmonious.
The awkwardness came from everyone being awakened early in the morning by Little Mia in the wardrobe, while the young ladies tacitly pretended to remain asleep. The harmony came when Shade returned to the living room after washing up and found the three young ladies humming as they prepared breakfast together.
This was the most important breakfast of the year, and the skillful mistresses of the house certainly would not hesitate to display their culinary talents.
While they made breakfast, Shade, deemed too much of a hindrance, sat on the living room sofa holding the cat, cradling a teacup, reading the newspaper as he waited.
"I thought that after I'd spent my first year in this world, you'd have something to say."
He sighed softly in his heart, and "she" answered beside his ear with a smile:
You have already found your own way to celebrate. Besides, the past is already past. You must face brand-new challenges, mustn't you?
"Yes, even more arduous challenges."
For the beginning of a year, this was truly an exceptionally leisurely and pleasant scene. Shade hoped his life could maintain this rhythm throughout the entire year, but last night's dream had already foretold that he would not be able to remain idle.
Fortunately, Doctor Schneider was indeed a professional. Though Shade had invaded the young ladies' dreams last night, neither Leisha, Dorothy, nor Luvia had noticed it. The embarrassed young ladies did not mention anything that had happened last night, as though everyone had simply rested in separate rooms.
Shade shifted his gaze from the newspaper and surveyed the house that belonged to him,