Happy New Year!!!

Heh heh heh... Isn't it great to be able to face the sea and say that to bring in the new year?! It's like we're experiencing the peak of our youth!

<Yeah, totally!
This is gonna be so memorable☆>

Y-Yeah... But it's so cold...

Winter by the sea usually is...

<We can't really tell how cold it is. I hope you girls have a way to stay warm...>

We do. We made sure to bring hand warmers and hot tea, so we should be able to stay warm until the sun rises.

<Also, I was really surprised to hear that you were all going to the beach on New Year's Day.>

<You suggested it, right, Saki?>

Yup!
I watched this show where a group of friends went to the beach to see the first sunrise, and I thought it was such a beautiful scene!

Geez, you always get influenced by those kinds of things...

<At the same time, you only get one chance per year to do something like this, right?>

<I'm sure it'll be a nice experience...>

If only SEKAI had seas and oceans.
Then we'd be able to do this together.

<We're more than happy that we get to be with you like this. We can even hear the waves just fine.>

Eep... The wind's so cold...!
Let's see how much time is left until the sun's supposed to rise...

Looks like we'll still be waiting for a bit...

<I feel like you girls got there really early.>

Y-Yeah...!
We left the convenience store because we saw all these people gathering. We thought that meant we'd be in for an amazing sunrise, but...

<They all have fancy cameras set up, so I have to think that they came here early to claim a good spot.>

I think you're right.
Since we have some time, why don't we head back to the convenience store for a bit?

Sounds good.
Hm...?

Is something wrong, Shiho?

No, it's just... I thought I heard a familiar voice...

Oh, excellent!
The sun looks like it's going to come up at any moment!

...!
Th-That voice...!

Hm...?
Wait a second... That's Saki!

Which means... You must be here with Ichika and company!

Ts-Tsukasa...?!

What's he doing here...?!
Uh oh... Miku, you and the others need to hide.

<Okay, hiding!>

Hm? Hoshino...?

Oh, Kusanagi, you're here too...!
Hang on. Does that mean...?

Huh?! Hi, everyone!
Happy Newonderhoy Year!

Hah hah hah! What a happy coincidence! And a wonderful way to start the new year!

Is it really a happy coincidence, though...?

Shiho, shh!

We'll be performing in a show here later. It'd be nice if you all stopped by to watch.

A show?
H-Here?

Yeah! We wanted to do some shows in a bunch of different places during New Year's, and my big sis is driving us around♪

I see...
But a show by the beach isn't something you see every day.

Um so... Since it's going to be cold until the sun rises, we received permission to put on a performance while everybody waits.

Oh, okay.
The adults might be okay with waiting quietly, but the kids do seem pretty bored.

Hehe. It'd be great if you guys all joined in☆

Huh? Us?

Yes!
For this show to work, we'll need some members of the audience to volunteer...

Everyone! It's almost time!

Oh, already?
We'll see you all again very soon!

Hey, Tsukasa! Wait!

It's almost time...
But where are they going to perform...?

“Hah hah hah hah!”

Hey, look over there! It's Tsukasa!

“After ten years of toil, I, Tsukasanosuke Tenma, have at long last discovered the greatest treasure under the sun!”

“Heh heh heh. So, let us see what is inside!”

Now, Robo-Nene! Flash your lights!

Engaging.

Whoa...! I-It's so bright...!

It's as if the sun just rose!

“Ah, such a heavenly light...!
This must be a treasure of immeasurable wealth!”

I-Is that a dancing lion...?!

“Waaaaaaaaah!!!
Wh-What is this?!”

Haha...!
So much chaos! It definitely feels like one of their shows!

Yeah...
And it goes with the time of year.

Hehe. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of story they'll be presenting us!

“Ah, we have arrived at our first village! Now we must find a way to put smiles on the faces of its residents...”

“I know! A dance should do nicely!”

“However, some may not be particularly enthralled by that... If only we had some music to... Of course!”

“Can any of you here sing?!
We wish to perform a dance while you do!”

Oh, is this what they were talking about before? The part where they'll need volunteers from the audience...?

“You there, young lady!
How would you like to sing for us?!”

Sing? Sure!
♪~~~~

“Ah, how sublime!
We shall dance while you sing!”

“Yes! A wonderful dance to go with a wonderful singing performance! Everyone, let us give this young lady a round of applause!”

So this is how they wanted to interact with the audience. It's incredible how they're able to improvise a dance based on how their volunteer sings...

“Now, are there any others out there who would like to sing for us?! Aha...!”

Huh...?

I-Ichi, I think he's looking at you...!

“The young lady with the long hair. You seem like someone who can sing! What say you?!”

Wh-What...?! Me?!

Neat...
Break a leg, Ichika.

Shiho, just because he didn't pick you to sing...

“Will you not sing a song for us?
Any song will do!”

Th-That's easier said than done...

You can do it, Ichi! We believe in you! And if you don't feel great about doing this alone, I'll sing with you!

*Quiver*

Is she gonna sing next?

You can do it!

I-I'm really embarrassed about doing this... But my goal's to go pro, so this shouldn't be a problem for me...!

♪————!

Whoa...!
She's really good!

Yeah!
What if she goes pro someday?

(Ah, so she chose this sort of song...! It's very like her to, and she's singing with so much power!)

(So, we'll need to do our best to match that!)

♪————!

Hey, what's going on down by the beach?

I think it's a New Year's event.
Wanna go check it out?

Oh, look...!
More and more people are starting to gather!

Hehe. Ichi and Tsukasa look like they're having fun! We should sing along!

W-We...?

♪~~~~!
♪~~~~!

C'mon, Shiho, Hona! Don't be shy!

*Sigh*
Fine...

♪————!

“Ah, such wonderful singing voices!
And what a festive atmosphere!”

“Woof woof!
You guys sounded like you were having a lot of fun singing together!”

“Mr. Traveling Performer, can I join you on your journey!?”

“Hm? Ah, a Lion-Dog. You are quite a rare sight. Why not? The more the merrier I say.”

“So, let us travel together!”

“And let us spread smiles to all the people of this village!”

“Yeah!”

Thank you all very much!

Thank you!

Ichika, Saki, Honami, Shiho!
Thank you all for participating! We were able to put on a wonderful show because of all of you!

Oh, um...
We're glad that we could help.

Indeed you did!
I wish you the best of luck as you all try to move people's hearts with your music!

*Gasp*
Thank you!

Now, we need to get to our next stop! Until next time!

Okay, have fun!
And let's have some New Year's food together later tonight!

They came and went like a storm...
But it ended up being pretty fun.

Hehe. Yes, it did.
I'd completely forgotten about how cold it was.

Hehe. Same!
And the sun should be coming up at any moment... So we might as well wait here♪

(I popped out to see what was going on when I heard the four of them singing...)

<Hehe.
But they all have these beautiful smiles on their faces now.>