This one...!
No, it's the joker!

Yay!
Third place is mine this time!

Hehe. That makes Shiho the winner of this round.

*Sigh*...
Your poker face is way too good, Shiho.

No, you're just having a hard time hiding what you're thinking. To be fair, you've always been like this.

<Hey!!
You girls having a fun New Year's Eve?!>

<Rin...
You really shouldn't jump out and startle people like that.>

Hey, you guys came.
Welcome.

Hm? Where are Len and KAITO?

<Those two said that they didn't want to intrude on our all-girls party. They should be playing something together right now.>

<But they did say that they'd pop in for the shrine visit.>

That's understandable... It would be more fun with them here, but an all-girls party it is!

<Yeah☆>

Oh, but we won't really be able to play cards together... We may want to choose something better...

Sure, but is there anything that we can all play...

How about this?
“The Great Animal Race - Dog Edition”...

A board game?
Sounds fun! What are the rules?

Hehe. Alright, I'll start explaining!

We each play a dog that's trying to collect as many treats as it can. You'll work your way towards the goal by ideally landing on as many treat spaces as possible.

Normally, the person who gets there first wins, but the winner here is determined by which dog has the most treats.

<I think I get it!
So just collect as many treats as we can, right?>

That means it's best to roll ones and twos if we are going to try to land on all these treat spaces...

Yes, but reaching the goal before your opponents can also yield some bonus treats.

<Ah, that makes things interesting. We won't really know who wins until it's all over.>

<Yeah... Hm?
Is each piece designed differently...?>

Hehe. As it happens, each piece represents a different breed.

Oh, you're right.
I see a Corgi, a Beagle... And a Siberian Husky.

Whoa! They're so cute!

Which breed will also play an important role throughout the game. For instance, some spaces give certain breeds an advantage while disadvantaging others.

I see.
Whoever made this must've put a ton of thought into it.

But since this is our first time, why don't we all just pick a breed we like?

Yeah!

Hmm...
How are we all going for pieces?

Rin and I are the Corgi!
I love how its bottom looks like a fluffy loaf of bread♪

<And its big ears just add to its cuteness♪>

MEIKO and I will be the Siberian Husky.

<This one looks like it means business.>

<I'm having a hard time saying no to this Beagle. It looks so cute, but also very smart.>

I agree. I love how droopy its ears are too.

<How about the Shiba...?>

<Ah, an excellent choice...
The perfect mix of astuteness and affection.>

<I agree. Just like you, Miku.>

<A Shiba Miku for Miku-P☆>

<What in the world is a Shiba Miku...?>

Hehe. Aren't Shibas the cutest?
I own one, so I can't get enough of them.

We seem to be choosing breeds in pairs, so why don't we play in teams of two this time...? The team with the highest total will be the winner.

Okay!
Let's do our best, Rin!

<Yeah!
There's nowhere but the top for us, Sakki!>

Alright, let's get the dice out and... Hold on, I didn't realize how many different kinds of spaces are on this board.

Hm? What do the ones with dogs drawn on them mean?

Oh, those are lucky spaces.
You get two treats if you happen to be the right breed.

Also, if you land on one of these card squares, you'll have to draw a card and do whatever it says.

<Interesting. I'd like to see what these cards have in store for us!>

One second... Here you are!

<Let's see... “Look! A Tunnel! All breeds besides Huskies move forward two spaces”... Oh, because Huskies are too big!>

Was choosing a Husky a bad choice...?

No, not necessarily.
Some cards and spaces give bigger breeds an advantage.

Okay, that's good to know.

Oh, you should see this card.
“Bark like your dog's piece until your next turn.”

<Oh...
I'd rather not draw that one...>

Oh, I know! Since this game's all about treats, why don't we give ourselves some treats to eat each time we land on one of these spaces?

Sure. That means I'll have to eat everything you brought today, Saki.

What...?! No way! Not happening!

Hehe.
Alright, let's get started with those rules included!

Oh, it's a card space. Let's see... “There's a big fence that only Huskies can jump over. Move forward two spaces if you're a Husky.”

<Yay!
Nice draw, Shiho!>

Alright, we're up next... Oh, a dog space! We got a treat, Luka.

<That means it's our turn now.
We landed on a card space. Would you mind drawing for us, Honami?>

Sure... Huh?!
B-But...

<Oh no...!
“Bark like your dog's piece until your next turn”...!>

That means you two have to bark like a Shiba until your next turn...

<Awesome!
Alright, Miku, let's hear it♪>

Yay! We get to hear Hona and Miku bark like dogs!

<I-I'm so sorry, Honami...>

I-It's okay, Miku!
We'll get through this!