Hmm...

(What should I get for N25's New Year's countdown party?)

(I already bought those limited edition New Year's potato chips... But that alone won't make it feel any different from our usual snacking parties.)

(I want it to have a little more of a New Year's feel. Also...)

(A lot seems to be going through Mafuyu's mind right now...)

(I want this party to be fun and give her a chance to cheer up a bit!)

Huh? Mizuki?

Huh...? An! Li'l Bro! You're all here!

Talk about a coincidence!
Are you guys shopping together?! You're so close!

Not exactly shopping...
We're here to grab some things for our hot pot.

Hot pot?

Yes, we're having our last practice of the year on New Year's Eve and decided to have a hot pot party afterwards.

Hey, that sounds pretty nice.
Choosing what goes in should be fun!

I know, right?
We were just talking about what to put in!

Also, Mizuki, are you here to shop too?

Yup! I was just getting some stuff for our New Year's party, but I'm having trouble coming up with good ideas for it...

Good ideas?

Yeah. I got snacks to share, but I wanna do something to make our party feel more like New Year's, you know?

Wait, can I ask what you guys are gonna do for New Year's? That might give me the clue I need!

For New Year's...?
I mean, we're not doing anything all that special ourselves.

Yeah. I'm going to do a shrine visit with An, but we're back to practicing like usual right after...

What?! You guys are having practice over New Year's?! But you just said you're practicing on New Year's Eve!

Yeah, but you can lose your singing voice after a few days of not practicing.

Right... Man, you guys are something else.

(I knew they were busy based on how they usually are at school...)

(But it's clear that they're working really hard towards their goal.)

Good luck, you guys! I'll be rooting for you!

*Nod*
Thanks!

Oh, speaking of New Year's...

Normally, we'd place some decorative bamboo outside the cafe and hang a shimenawa on the door! Those make it feel like New Year's, right?

Yeah, seeing everyone put those kinds of decorations out really makes it feel like it's that time of year.

Decorations, huh...?

Yeah, that could work!

Especially since the decor shops should be carrying cute New Year's-themed stuff...

And I have some friends who might really enjoy seeing fun things like that.

Oh... Now that you mention it, we know people who are just like that.

One time, we brought them a Hanetsuki set and everyone got quite into it.

Hanetsuki? Yeah, that sounds like fun!

It was when we played!
We even made things interesting by letting the winners draw stuff on the losers' faces!

Remember how our faces were covered in ink afterwards, Kohane?

Haha... Yeah, I remember.

Aww, I would've loved to see that.
There's no way it wasn't funny!

No, that would've been way too embarrassing!

But maybe we should play again since we have a couple more joining us this year. I think it'll get really heated!

Haha. That sounds like the kind of people you know.

One or two might make themselves scarce if we start playing those sorts of games...

But I'll try suggesting it since we'll be spending time together♪

Thanks! I really appreciate the help.

I'm glad we could help!
I hope your party turns out fun.

Me too!

Alright!
I'll start looking for some nice New Year's decorations!

See you guys...

Oh, Mizuki, wait...!

Huh?

This might be the last time we see each other before the start of the new year, right? So, I figured I'd say this now.

Let's make next year another good one, Mizuki!

Right.
Since we're classmates now, let's make the most of it.

I hope we get to keep having fun, Akiyama!

Me too.

I'm looking forward to having another great year with you guys!