It's gotten really cold out!
I'm Suzume.
I'm a maid who serves at a mansion in the UK.
However...
Due to various circumstances, said mansion has collapsed.
EEK
Until it's repaired,
I'll be staying here in Japan for the next year!
Done!
What shall I have today?
It's delicious!
I've never heard of it before.
Really? It's got fruit...
No doubt about it. That's her.
It's really good!
We have them here in Japan?
It's so awkward running into a friend from behind like this.
Do I say hi?
I don't want to interrupt their conversation, though...
You're right!
Yeah.
All right. I'll take a detour.
Better than feeling awkward!
Oh, Komatsu-san!
Hey, isn't that...
Don't you live in our building too?
That's right! We've run into each other before.
I'm tickled you remember me.
The name's Anzu.
So you two already know each other.
Whenever I see you, I can't help admiring how tall and cool you are.
I'm glad we get to talk like this!
How do I respond to a compliment from a stylish social butterfly like her?
Why did you have to go and say you think I'm cool?
I just love what a straight shooter you are.
I know, Suzume-san!
Let's ask Komatsu-san if she knows that thing you just got!
You mean this?
Yup.
Komatsu-san, do you know about stollen?
It's a seasonal staple leading up to Christmas.
What? Sto... Stollen?
No, I have no clue what that is.
See?
Really?
I'm headed over to Suzume-san's right now to check it out.
Would you like to join us?
Well, you've got me curious, so if that's okay...
Woo-hoo! The more, the merrier!
Wow, you have a kotatsu!
Oh, my sleep-deprived body is loving this.
Yeah, this is heaven.
Thank you for waiting!
I'm sure you'll recognize it once you see it.
I present...
Stollen!
Bam!
BAM
What's this?
Is it edible? There's white powder all over it.
What gives?
Chyun!
Stollen is a traditional German treat
that's a must-have during the Christmas season.
THAT'S RIGHT
That's right.
Master loves it, so we have it every year back at the mansion.
Really?
That's nice.
They're also sold in Japan, but they don't seem to be familiar.
I know! Let's slice it.
It looks better on the inside.
I'll be right back!
She's so excited.
Wow! It looks like a pound cake.
It's got a complex, delightful aroma from all the fruit.
Looks delicious!
What a relief.
Please, give it a try!
Let's eat!
It's dense.
The fruits and nuts come together so nicely! It's delightful!
I'm into the bits of fig. They add a fun texture.
It's customary to cut it into thin slices...
But at home, when nobody's watching...
That's a really thick slice.
Thick enough to stand upright on the plate.
Wow, that was so good.
Oh, but isn't this supposed to be eaten on Christmas Day?
Not to worry!
It's traditionally eaten at the beginning of December.
You enjoy it slice by slice every day leading up to Christmas.
The sugar soaks in more and more,
so the flavor changes every day.
Really? I wonder how that last bite tastes!
I have that last bite I'm supposed to save until the very end right here.
Suzume-san?
It's just so good! I couldn't help but polish it off!
I had seconds, too.
Same here. I couldn't stop at one slice.
By the way, stollen isn't meant to be sliced from end to end.
You cut from the middle,
then push it back together to store it.
This helps keep it from drying out,
so you can enjoy it right to the very last bite!
Although it's all gone now.
Chyun!
That sure was tasty.
All right! I'm gonna go buy some for me and Suzume-san this instant.
It'll be fun!
I was thinking the same thing.
Otherwise, I'll never get out from under this kotatsu.
Why don't we all go together right now?
Yeah, sure. Let's do it.
Anzu-san! Komatsu-san!
The store is close by!
I bet the staff will be surprised to see you again today.
I'll establish myself as a regular.
I'll ask you how the flavor's changed next time I see you,
so don't eat it all at once!
That really was a thick slice.
No wonder it disappeared so quickly.
I know. So...
I'll buy more this time!
Is that the right strategy?
What is that?
Hello!
Happy-san!
You're as chipper as ever.
I'm here!
Oh, there you are, Suzume.
Hello, Grandpa.
Am I interrupting your work?
Oh, this? These are New Year's greeting cards to arrive in the new year.
New Year's?
NEW YEAR'S?
But it's not even Christmas yet.
You're right. It feels way too early, doesn't it?
If you want these to arrive on New Year's,
they have to be sent out by Christmas.
I see...
Care to write some yourself?
May I?
All right!
Grandpa, can they be delivered even if they don't have addresses?
You need the addresses, so make sure you ask next time.
Okay!
I'm trying to resist the urge to draw a Christmas tree...
I can understand that.
That's right.
I actually saw a Christmas tree on the way here.
A Christmas tree?
I don't remember one around here...
It had a single orange star on top. It was a classy one.
An orange star?
Ah, I think you saw a kimori-gaki, not a Christmas tree.
A kimori-gaki?
When harvesting persimmons,
you leave one behind to wish for another plentiful harvest next year.
PERSIMMON GOD
I see!
Chyun!
There's also a theory that the kimori-gaki is left
as the birds' share to help them through the winter.
Starlings in particular love persimmons.
STARLING
Chyun!
SHRIEK
Whoa, that scared me!
Speaking of...
Someone just gave us a load of persimmons.
Would you like some?
I should've known.
Can you peel them, Suzume?
I've never done it before, but I have a feeling I can!
Having confidence is a good thing.
What a brilliant orange color!
It really stands out against the sky, doesn't it?
Now then...
It smells so good!
Can I eat it?
Wait, not yet.
Oh, okay.
Okay, now help yourself.
Let's eat!
LET'S EAT!
SWOON
AHH
YOU'RE EATING SOMETHING WITHOUT ME AGAIN
You can give Happy a little bit.
Oh, really?
Just a tiny bit.
Here you go!
MORE
Oh, the pressure!
That's it for you.
Even Happy-san thinks it's good.
The birds must be enjoying the kimori-gaki by now.
It's got a rich sweetness that balances the melting-yet-firm texture.
It's amazing to think persimmons are something for all creatures to enjoy!
Yes, they truly are.
Do you think Happy-san could sniff out the recipients
and deliver the greeting cards to them?
That sounds like...
a little too much responsibility for Happy.
My fingers were cold, but now I can feel the warmth spreading.
It's like my body is melting into the hot water.
Since today is the winter solstice, I've put...
yuzu in the bath!
Splash!
Chyun!
The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year.
The cold weather sets in and really chills you!
Chyun!
On a night like this, a yuzu bath is perfect.
It's said to help improve circulation.
Take a soak in the hot bath with yuzu's uplifting aroma,
and wish for a healthy body and mind!
Chyun!
How pretty!
It smells so good.
It's almost a shame it's just a fragrance.
I just had a crazy idea.
But it's probably overkill...
No! Today is all about taking care of the body and mind!
Body and mind!
YUZU ICE CREAM
Yuzu ice cream!
In the bath!
There, I did it!
THERE, I DID IT!
Eating ice cream in the bath...
Now that I'm actually doing it, I feel so guilty.
I'm sure I'm being all sorts of unmannerly right now.
Suzume, you're too serious all the time.
Make sure you challenge yourself with new things when you're in Japan.
New things...
CHOMP
My whole body's warmed through, and my head feels light.
So this cool, sweet, refreshing treat is just...
After the sharp chill, warmth slowly starts to spread through me.
All these sensations...
I'm enjoying them with my whole being!
This is...
dangerously...
delicious!
There's no way I could get away with this at the mansion.
I can't tell anyone about it...
But it's nice to do something fun like this secretly from time to time.
THE NEXT DAY
Grandma! The yuzu bath and ice cream were both wonderful!
You ate ice cream in the bath, didn't you?
How did you know?!
Your face gives you away.
CAUGHT INSTANTLY
What? What?! Whaaat?!
Everything's just sparkling!
The Christmas season is in full swing.
I wonder if Ricotta-chan made it to the UK okay.
Chyun!
In the UK, it's common to spend Christmas with your family.
Mom and Dad are busy during this time.
And I hear things are fine at the mansion.
I'll be going to Grandma's tomorrow.
Both Anzu-san and Komatsu-san said they're busy, too.
So what should I do today?
GIFTS FOR YOURSELF
"Gifts for yourself"?
Sounds fun!
Postcards!
A teddy bear!
Clothes!
Ricotta-chan?!
Really? But how?!
Is that really you?!
Weren't you going to spend Christmas back home?
Well, there's a girl who would be lonely on their own.
Sorry, I couldn't hear you.
Could you say that again?
Forget it! Just let me in!
I'm freezing!
Hurry up already!
Okay!
I see. So you were out shopping.
Yeah, I was.
Everything's decked out for Christmas,
and there were people everywhere!
So? Did you find a gift for yourself?
Oh, of course! Speaking of...
Here you go!
You want me to open it for you?
No, this one's for you.
A gift... for me?
I got overwhelmed looking at so many things that I couldn't make up my mind.
But when I saw this, I knew I had to get it for you!
How are you able to choose something for me
when you can't choose anything for yourself?
I wonder why.
Come on, open it!
CUTE
Is this...
An obi clasp?
That's right! Since you always wear a kimono here.
An obi clasp is an accessory that attaches to the obi-jime
to help keep the obi in place.
Thank you. I love it.
I actually have a gift for you too.
CHYUN
Chyun!
BAM
It's a cake!
CA
CAK
CAKE
CAKE!!
What a reaction!
When I passed by the cake shop...
There were all of these cakes on display.
I knew it'd make the perfect gift for you, Suzume.
We were thinking of the same thing on the same day, weren't we?
Yes, it's true.
How shall we cut it? In half?
No, I'd like a normal slice.
Wow!
The sponge cake is so fluffy!
The not-too-sweet cream and the tart strawberries go so well together!
It's so good!
She's saving her strawberry.
Ricotta-chan, thank you for the best gift ever!
But maybe I should've gone for something that would endure as a keepsake.
The memory of us sharing it will last forever!
That's a nice way of putting it.
Yay! You praised me!
Christmas is nice here in Japan too.
Now, Ricotta-chan, how big of a slice would you like next?
Um... I'm okay with just one slice.
What?!
Don't you want to make more good memories?
No, I'd rather have one good one.
But I want more!
It's the end of the year!
I got to make many new friends and enjoy many delicious meals this year.
My heart's filled with warmth!