Making Dumplings for New Year (Please Vote)

Early the next morning, Carmine and Kieran came by again. To thank Mingyou for the apples yesterday, they brought some homemade Mochi in return.

"Our grandma made these. We wanted to buy some from the Momozawa Shop, but it wasn't open today. They're probably busy preparing for New Year."

"Then I'll gladly take them."

As he spoke, Mingyou deliberately picked up a purplish piece of Mochi and tried it. It was purple sweet potato flavored, delicious, and completely different from the one he'd eaten at the Momozawa Shop that day.

"Strange..."

Puzzled, he picked up another piece. This one had red bean filling, and he could taste it clearly. Only the purple Mochi he'd eaten a few days ago had tasted different.

He'd thought Akari's Mochi had simply spoiled him for all the others, but these tasted fine. So what had been wrong?

While he pondered that, Carmine folded her arms, looking annoyed. "Why'd you freeze up? Is my grandma's Mochi no good?"

"No, it's delicious. Just like my grandma's..."

"She's my grandma!"

"..."

Mingyou invited the siblings inside. Carmine glanced past the Pokémon playing video games, then spotted the pile of red lanterns on the floor nearby. Curious, she hurried over.

"What are these? They're so pretty. Lanterns for a festival?"

"It's a tradition where I'm from. We hang red lanterns for New Year. I made too many last night, though, so if you like them, you can take a few of the little ones I made."

"I'll grab some when I leave, then!"

Carmine had always been thick-skinned and never stood on ceremony.

Kieran liked the red lanterns too. Hearing that his sister would take a few, he felt too embarrassed to ask for more. Mingyou noticed his gaze, smiled, and asked, "Did you eat the apples yesterday?"