Unfading Wishing - 7: The End of New Year's Day

Several dozen minutes later

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Airi

Listen

I'm glad to see that you got the plushie you wanted, Ena.

Ena

Listen

Me too!
And thank you so much, Toya!

Ena

Listen

I was able to get it after I aimed right where you said I should. I honestly still can't believe it.

Toya

Listen

I'm glad that I could help.
I was also surprised by just how much you've improved, Ena.

Ena

Listen

Really?
Maybe you're rubbing off on me.

Ena

Listen

I might be able to get one of these all on my own next time.

Akito

Listen

It still took you a bunch of tries to get this one, so don't go getting ahead of yourself...

Airi

Listen

To be fair, that's all a part of who Ena is.

Airi

Listen

Oh, that reminds me. Do you guys have plans after this?

Toya

Listen

Us?

Airi

Listen

Yeah, I was wondering if we could try playing some competitive Hanetsuki using the equipment we just bought.

Toya

Listen

I see...

Toya

Listen

Certainly.
It would be interesting to find out how this differs from regular Hanetsuki.

Akito

Listen

I'm also interested.

Airi

Listen

Thanks, you guys.
Then, let's head over to the park!

A few minutes later

Nonogi Park

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Akito

Listen

Then, it'll be Momoi and me versus Ena and Toya.

Ena

Listen

Let's do our best to smash them into the ground, Toya!

Airi

Listen

That's pretty big talk.
We aren't about to go easy on you guys either!

Akito

Listen

Anyway, as for the rules... How about we start with the first to five wins?

Toya

Listen

Yes, that sounds good.

Ena

Listen

Oh, also.
We're not just playing around, surely? Let's make things interesting.

Airi

Listen

Alright, how?

Ena

Listen

Well...
We could make it so the losers have to buy the winners some cheesecake!

Akito

Listen

Wait, you're just saying that because you want some.

Airi

Listen

Still, having a prize should motivate each side to win!

Toya

Listen

I don't mind either way, Akito.

Akito

Listen

*Sigh*
Fine, we can play for that. But this means we're really not going easy on you guys.

Airi

Listen

Okay, let's get started.

Ena

Listen

Alright, we're gonna win and have ourselves some cheesecake.

Airi

Listen

We're not letting them walk away with this, are we, Akito?! Let's do this!

Akito

Listen

Right!

Toya

Listen

Ena, I've got this one...!

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

Sound Effect: Play

Airi

Listen

Akito, it's going your way!

Akito

Listen

Yeah! Alright, got it!

Sound Effect: Play

Ena

Listen

This is mine... Take that!

Sound Effect: Play

Ena

Listen

Oh... It came off my paddle a little funny, but...

Sound Effect: Play

Akito

Listen

Grr... How was I supposed to get that one?!

Sound Effect: Play

Ena

Listen

Yes! It just barely stayed in!

Toya

Listen

Oh, Akito's lost his balance!
That means the next one will...

Sound Effect: Play

Airi

Listen

Nice one, Akito!
That's hook, line and sinker!

Ena

Listen

Wait, when did Airi get out in front?!
She was way in the back a second ago...!

Airi

Listen

Try this on!
Happyyyyy smaaaaaaash!!

Sound Effect: Play

Akito

Listen

Nice shot, Momoi!

Ena

Listen

No! I thought we had that point in the bag!

Toya

Listen

You knew that I was going to lob it into the air like that...?!

Akito

Listen

We'd both lost our balance, so I figured it was our chance. Thankfully, Momoi was able to capitalize.

Airi

Listen

Hehe. You did a great job of acting, Akito!

Ena

Listen

No...!
This is so frustrating for some reason...!

Ena

Listen

Also, why are you two able to work in perfect sync like this?

A few hours later

Akito's Room

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Akito

Listen

Phew...

Akito

Listen

(I definitely wasn't expecting to play Hanetsuki with Momoi and the others today...)

Akito

Listen

(It's been such a strange New Year's Day.)

Sound Effect: Play

Ena's Voice

Listen

Akito, can I come in?

Akito

Listen

Yeah, sure.

Sound Effect: Play

Akito

Listen

What's up?

Ena

Listen

Nothing. But, here.

Akito

Listen

...?
A box? Why...?

Ena

Listen

Just open it, will you?

Sound Effect: Play

Akito

Listen

A leather passport case...?

Ena

Listen

Yeah.

Ena

Listen

I chose it with Airi's help today.
Call it a parting gift from me.

Akito

Listen

A parting gift...?
It's not like I'm going away forever or anything.

Ena

Listen

Hey, aren't you gonna thank me?
I got this for you because I thought you could use it.

Akito

Listen

It's not like I asked you to...

Akito

Listen

But still...

Akito

Listen

Thanks. I'll make good use of it.

Ena

Listen

*Nod*
That's what I like to hear.

Ena

Listen

So, good luck.
Go out there and do your thing.

Akito

Listen

Yeah. Thanks.

Sound Effect: Play

Akito

Listen

(I didn't realize that she'd gotten this for me.)

Akito

Listen

(A parting gift, huh...?)

Akito

Listen

(When we ran into them, I was worried it'd end up ruining my day...)

Akito

Listen

(But it actually ended up being a nice way to start off the new year.)

Next Chapter: Encouragement Taken to Heart