Chapter 1: New Year's Preparations Begin

Everyone, I appreciate all of your hard work this year.

This year is now coming to a close.

Now, I would like you to begin preparations to welcome the coming year in cooperation with each of your Zanpakuto.

With that, you are dismissed.

Preparations, huh? That would be the year-end cleaning, New Year's soba, the osechi spread, and the decorations.

What's osechi?

It's a celebratory meal that we eat for New Year's.

Like a feast?

That's right. It's really delicious.

We better start soon. I know we do this every year, but it's so much work.

But as Master Yamamoto mentioned, we have our Zanpakuto to help us.

Let's start by splitting up our roles.

Captain, what role were you assigned? I'm with the osechi preparation crew.

I'm with the New Year's soba group.

Hey, we're together then.

Captain! Soba's good too, but take a look at this New Year's Local Gourmet Set! I think we should use this as the main dish.

Isn't this a magazine from the world of the living? Are you telling us to go there and buy it?

We won't have enough time to make soba if we go there now.

We can help with that too!

As we were told, we all need to cooperate.

Just the other day, we were talking about what it was like.

There aren't many opportunities to try out local specialties of the world of the living.

I'm sure everyone would be delighted! Please, Captain?

Captain Hitsugaya, I think it'll be best if we give up and do as they say.

Fine. We'll gather at the Senkaimon as soon as we're all ready.

So, where can we buy this Local Gourmet Set?

Wait, you didn't get the information from Rangiku before we left?

She didn't tell me anything. I thought you guys would know.

We just assumed that you knew, Captain Hitsugaya.

Then, our best bet now is to start asking people who might know.

Well, well, Renji. What perfect timing for you to arrive.

Can you help us carry this mortar? And the mochi rice over there.

Wait! I'm not here to take care of random chores for you today!

I just wanted to ask a question.

A question, you say?

That's unfortunate. As you see, we're very busy trying to get ready for the New Year's events right now.

It won't take long. I just want to know where we can buy a New Year's Local Gourmet Set.

Hmm, I may have heard about this. Or maybe I haven't.

Hmmmm... I might be able to remember once things are more settled down around here.

Indeed. Perhaps we could concentrate on trying to remember, say, after we're done making mochi.

Yeah, I feel like I've seen it on TV before.

I'm sure we'll remember once we're done making mochi.

Alright, I get it! You want me to help? I'll help!

Oh, you're offering to help? Why, that's quite kind of you, Renji.

Ururu will be pounding the mochi, so your job is to turn the rice cake over.

Ready?

That's dangerous!

What the hell are you trying to do?!

Don't run away. I can't pound the mochi.

You were clearly aiming for me and not the mochi! Hey, stop that!

Thanks for the help, Renji. You made this a lot easier for us.

That was tiring. Anyway, so where can I find this Local Gourmet Set?

Yes, about that. I thought I'd heard of it, but I just can't seem to recall. I'm sorry.

You never even knew about it from the beginning, did you?! You just wanted me to help you pound mochi!

Oh, please. I would never do such a thing.

Here, take some. Enjoy it with the others.

Thanks for the mochi, but I really need to bring back the Local Gourmet Set!

And what is up with the amount of mochi! How am I supposed to carry all this?!

Thanks to you, we were able to make a lot more than we had initially planned.

No need to feel bad. Go on, take it.

Have a Happy New Year!

Wait, hey! Don't lock the door on me!

Were you able to find anything out, Renji?

No luck on my end. I went to ask Ichigo, but he wasn't even home.

Is that big bag you have there the New Year's Local Gourmet Set?

No, it's just freshly pounded mochi.

You've been pounding mochi?! What the hell are you doing?!

It's just how things turned out! Why don't we just go ask someone else!

We haven't tried asking Uryu yet, right?

Wait, Renji!