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

Me too!
And thank you so much, Toya!

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

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

Really?
Maybe you're rubbing off on me.

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

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

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

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

Us?

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

I see...

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

I'm also interested.

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

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

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

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

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

Yes, that sounds good.

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

Alright, how?

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

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

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

I don't mind either way, Akito.

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

Okay, let's get started.

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

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

Right!

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

Akito, it's going your way!

Yeah! Alright, got it!

This is mine... Take that!

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

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

Yes! It just barely stayed in!

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

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

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

Try this on!
Happyyyyy smaaaaaaash!!

Nice shot, Momoi!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Phew...

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

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

Akito, can I come in?

Yeah, sure.

What's up?

Nothing. But, here.

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

Just open it, will you?

A leather passport case...?

Yeah.

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

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

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

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

But still...

Thanks. I'll make good use of it.

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

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

Yeah. Thanks.

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

(A parting gift, huh...?)

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

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