The next day
Stage SEKAI
Rin
Wow!
Miku
That's amazing, KAITO!
KAITO
Yo... Ho...
Rin
You're so good at juggling, KAITO!
Minori
Yeah! It feels like magic for some reason!
KAITO
Thank you!
I was able to figure out how to do this after watching Airi and the others play.
I was able to figure out how to do this after watching Airi and the others play.
Luka
Hehe. Kendama, marbles, juggling...
All the toys you bought for us are so much fun, Airi.
All the toys you bought for us are so much fun, Airi.
Miku
Yeah, thank you so much for getting these for us!
Airi
Hehe. We made sure to test them out before buying, so your satisfaction is guaranteed!
Airi
We even got a chance to play some competitive Hanetsuki, and the four of us had a really fun match!
Haruka
The four of you?
I thought you went shopping with just Ena yesterday...
I thought you went shopping with just Ena yesterday...
Airi
Oh, we ran into Akito and Toya yesterday, and we decided to go to the mall together.
Shizuku
Wow, what are the odds?
Shizuku
Also, Akito and Ena going shopping together on New Year's Day must mean they're very close!
I'm actually a little jealous...
I'm actually a little jealous...
Minori
Wait, Akito...?
Minori
As in Shinonome...?!
Haruka
Huh?
Airi
Yeah, that's right...
Minori
Wait, I didn't know that Ena and Shinonome were siblings!!
Shizuku
Oh, were neither of you aware?
Airi
I thought you two already did...
Haruka
No. I've met both of them before, but I didn't know that they were brother and sister.
Haruka
But now that you mention it, their personalities are somewhat similar...
Airi
Yeah, they do have a lot in common.
Especially how they both hate to lose.
Especially how they both hate to lose.
Airi
You should've seen how competitive things got when we played Hanetsuki yesterday. Neither of them was willing to let the other win.
Shizuku
Hehe. They really do get along.
Haruka
Wait, that counts as getting along...?
Airi
Actually, she might be right. After all, they say that close friends get into arguments all the time.
Airi
Anyway, let's have ourselves a test Hanetsuki match before we do this live during our stream!
Airi
If we're gonna keep spreading hope to lots of people this year, then we gotta give it everything we've got!!
Minori, Haruka & Shizuku
Yeah!
Street SEKAI
Len
Darn it! We lost again!
Rin
This is so frustrating! We only managed to score two points!
KAITO
Haha. To be fair, that smash shot you hit did catch me off guard.
Luka
Heh heh heh.
If this is all you two have got, then you don't have any hope of defeating Miku and MEIKO.
If this is all you two have got, then you don't have any hope of defeating Miku and MEIKO.
Rin
Grrrr!
Len
Let's have a rematch!
We're not gonna lose this time!
We're not gonna lose this time!
Miku
They certainly sound motivated.
Toya
Yes, I'm glad that they're enjoying themselves.
Toya
We had quite a lot of fun during our match yesterday, so it's nice to be able to share that with all of you.
MEIKO
Speaking of which, Akito, you ended up playing with your sister and her friend, right?
An
Playing Hanetsuki together? You two are really close.
Akito
Hardly.
That's just what ended up happening.
That's just what ended up happening.
Akito
Still, I am glad that I had a chance to talk to Momoi.
Kohane
With Airi?
Akito
Yeah, she's been friends with Ena since junior high. So we've talked a few times.
An
Wait, really?!
She takes the time to talk to her friend's siblings? That's so kind of her.
She takes the time to talk to her friend's siblings? That's so kind of her.
Kohane
What did you two talk about yesterday?
Akito
I thanked her for being Ena's friend all this time.
Kohane
You thanked her...?
Hehe. It's so like you to do that, Shinonome.
Hehe. It's so like you to do that, Shinonome.
An
I know, right?! Akito's so old-fashioned when it comes to these sorts of things!
Akito
Huh?
If you ask me, it's pretty normal to thank those who've helped out your family.
If you ask me, it's pretty normal to thank those who've helped out your family.
An
That's what I'm talking about!
You're like... A chivalrous samurai or something!
You're like... A chivalrous samurai or something!
Akito
Alright, you keep believing whatever.
Akito
(Still, I'm glad that I got a chance to tell her how I felt.)
Akito
(Also...)
Akito
(It was nice to be reminded of how those around us are genuinely hoping that we make our dream a reality.)
Akito
(Which means we need to keep finding ways to move forward.)