Weekly Short-Short: 'Osechi Bath'

I didn't make osechi this year either.
It's too much trouble to make for just one person.

Still, I wanted to do something for the New Year.
While looking for a service that would let me easily enjoy the New Year mood, I found something strange.

"Osechi Bath: Enjoy the New Year with your whole body"

I ordered it half-doubtingly, and it arrived the next day.
When I opened the cardboard box, there were toys shaped like spiny lobsters and kamaboko fish cakes inside.

The instruction manual said this:
"Please put them in the bathtub and soak slowly.
You can feel the brightness of the New Year along with the scent of premium dashi stock."

When I submerged them in the bath, a pleasant scent of dashi certainly rose up.
It wasn't bad. In fact, it was comforting.

After soaking for a while,
I started to feel like dashi was coming out of my own body too.
I suddenly looked at my fingertips and they were soggy like mochi rice cakes.
"At this rate, I'm more like Mom's ozoni soup than osechi."

The moment I thought that, I missed my parents' home.

I picked up my smartphone and typed a LINE message to my mother.
After much deliberation, I settled on the usual standard phrase.
"Happy New Year again this year."

The moment I tried to send it, my hand slipped.
The smartphone slowly sank into the bathtub.

"I wonder if this will turn into dashi too?"
Thinking that, I scooped up some hot water and licked it.

For some reason, it was terribly salty.

I participated in the following project this week as well.
I look forward to your continued support this year.