Alright, here's to another great year in the books!
Cheers!

Cheers.
Cheers!

It's not much, but we prepared a few dishes.
Please feel free to have as much as you all like.

Roast beef, gratin, sushi rolls and omelets... “Not much”, you say, but this is a pretty decadent spread.

We decided to roll up our sleeves after we heard that you'd all be throwing your party here.

We also helped!
For example, we plated this salad!

We've even prepared some ice cream for dessert. You have your choice of rum raisin and mocha!

Yes! Definitely rum raisin for me!

Then, I'll try the mocha.

Actually, I could really go for some of that rum raisin right now! Can I start with that...?!

Alright, hold your horses...

Hehe...
I'm guessing we're all hungry, since we just finished practicing.

You had practice on New Year's Eve? I guess we shouldn't have expected otherwise, but you all seem really motivated!

Motivated, huh...

I guess we are...
I mean, we can't waste any time just standing around.

I like the expressions on your faces, but do be careful not to push yourselves too hard. Make sure to take breaks when you can, okay?

We're doing just that!
Right, Kohane?!

Yes, we don't have practice tomorrow, so An and I are going to go see the New Year's show at Phoenix Wonderland!

They're doing a New Year's show?!
That sounds really fun!

Hehe. This time, only during New Year's, Kagami Mochi Phenny is going to appear! I can't wait to see him!

I see. That seems like a nice way to spend New Year's.

Hehe. Isn't it?!

Oh, while we're on the subject, how are you guys all gonna spend New Year's?

Heh heh heh. We're glad that you asked!

We're gonna play Hanetsuki! Right, Rin?!

Yeah!
We're gonna get revenge on Miku and MEIKO after losing to them last time!

Oh, Luka, KAITO, we're not letting you guys beat us either!

Haha. Challenge accepted!

We're not about to back down either.

Honestly, you guys are like the only people I know who take Hanetsuki this seriously.

However, Hanetsuki has been receiving quite a lot of attention in recent years...

As a competitive sport no less.

Wow... I just did a quick search, and it looks way more intense than I initially thought.

It feels a lot like competitive badminton.

The way these paddles are designed may have something to do with that. It seems easier to keep rallies going, which would certainly increase the stakes of each game.

Yeah, and they look really cool!
I wanna try using one!

Okay. Then, after we're done with our shrine visit, why don't we go visit a sporting goods store together?

Wait, you mean it?

Yes. Akito and I are both scheduled to be right near the mall tomorrow.

Yeah, it shouldn't take that long to go through all their Hanetsuki stuff.

Oh, you guys are going to the mall?
Any plans to check out the New Year's sales?

No, we're actually going to a cafe.
Akito's hoping to have some of their New Year's pancakes.

Wait, Toya, they don't need to know that part.

Haha!
You're going to have pancakes on New Year's, Akito?

But those pancakes are going to allow us to play competitive Hanetsuki.

Yeah! Thanks, Akito, Toya!

Hehe. I can't wait to play against you guys!

Yawn...
Still sleepy...

(I couldn't stay awake. I might've gone a little overboard during practice earlier this morning...)

(Hm? This smell...)

Oh, Akito, are you awake?
I just made some New Year's soba.

Yeah, I was wondering what that brothy smell was. It was this soba.

It's just about ready, so would you mind getting Ena? She should be in her room.

Alright, one second.

This still doesn't seem right...
I might be drawing the shadows wrong...

Ena, Mom made some soba and told me to come get you.

I'm guessing you're still drawing...
I'm coming in, okay?

Hey, Mom made some New Year's soba...

Huh?!
What's wrong with you, Akito?! Who said you could come in?!

It's your fault for not hearing me knock.
I'm here to tell you that Mom made some New Year's soba for us.

Soba...? Wait, it's already that late?

Anyway, I've done my job.
I'm gonna go have my soba before it gets soggy.

Alright, fine. But I was just starting to find my groove...

Oh...
Actually, Akito...

What is it?

You're going over to the United States soon, right?

Hm? Yeah, that's right.

Hmm...

You guys are gonna try to take over the world or something, right?

Does that mean you'll be going overseas a lot in the future?

Yeah, there's a good chance of that...

But we're only going over to see an event during this trip.

Okay...

What is it...?
If you have something to say, then say it.

No, nevermind...

Anyway, I've lost my concentration, so I think I'll take a break and have some soba.

A break? You still plan on drawing afterwards...? Aren't you going to hang out with Momoi tomorrow? You're gonna oversleep if you stay up too late.

I'm almost done, so I'll be fine.

Plus, I'm really looking forward to hanging out with Airi tomorrow since it's been so long since we last did. There's no way I'm gonna oversleep.

The words of a person who uses her own brother as an alarm clock don't really hold much weight.

Shut up!
Anyway, step aside! I don't want my soba to get soggy!

Wait, you were the one who...

Mom!
Do we still have some of that soba spice mix?