<A Countdown Party...?>

<Yeah! Won't it be fun, if it's just us?>

<Forget about me joining. I told you yesterday that I don't want to go out.>

<Heh heh heh... You won't have to!>

<No? Then how...>

<It's simple! Let's do it in SEKAI!>

<In SEKAI?>

<Yeah! We can meet up without having to go outside and we'll get to party together with Miku!>

<But there's nothing there.
It's not really a party place...>

<That's why we'll bring snacks and stuff!
I can take care of organizing it all so...>

<You'll take care of everything?
Then maybe I can drop by and...>

<Yay!
K, you coming?>

<Yeah. It'll be good to see Miku.
I haven't talked to her in a while.>

<And you, Yuki?>

<I'll be busy on New Year's Day since we'll be visiting relatives, but if it's just tonight, I can do it.>

<Woohoo! Thanks, guys!>

<I'll let you know on Nightcord when everything's ready, and then we can move over to SEKAI.>

...

No one's come here lately...

But...
Maybe that's for the best...

I hope they're all doing well...

Hey, Miku!

Oh...

It's you guys...

Are you okay, Miku...?

Cheer up, Miku.
We're here to party tonight!

Party...?

Yup! Miku, do you want to join our New Year's Eve Countdown Party?

Countdown... Party?

It's a party celebrating the end of the year and the start of a new one. It was Mizuki's idea.

It may get a bit rowdy, but is that okay?

Yes...

Great!
Let's get everything ready!

What did you bring, Mizuki?
That's a lot of bags...

Party snacks! I might've gone a bit overboard but we should be all set!

I brought something too, actually.
Here.

Oooh, juice from a department store!
Wait, it's from that really famous place!

It was an end-of-the-year gift from one of my parents' friends. I have no idea how much it's worth...

We got so many gifts that no one will miss it. We can all try it together.

Oh, I brought snacks too...
Roast chicken flavor chips.

Whoa, the limited edition Christmas flavor?!
I wanted to try them too...!

Mizuki...

Here are some disposable plates, cups and napkins.

You brought stuff for the party too?!
Hey, these napkins look really fancy!

My mom bought them a while ago but didn't use them in the end. I thought they might come in handy today...

Yeah, they sure will!
Thanks, guys!

You all seem happy...

I'm glad...

Mizuki, mind if I arrange these snacks on the plates Mafuyu brought?

Yeah, thanks!

Whew...! This should do it!

I'm finished here too.

With all these snacks laid out, it really does feel like a party's about to start.

Right? We've got the snacks I brought, Kanade's chips and Ena's fancy juice!

Mafuyu's napkins even add a touch of class to our awesome party...!

That might be a little much...

But... This is nice every once in a while.

Yeah.

...

Whoa, it's almost time to start the countdown!

Okay, okay. We got it.

I've never done anything like this before.
I'm getting this warm and fuzzy feeling...

Then let's get this show on the road! Get ready to count down together! You too, Mafuyu!

Yes...

Miku, you ready?

Yes, I am.

Good! So, on my cue...
Five! Four! Three! Two! One!

Happy New Year!
Woooo!

Happy New Year...

(This used to be such a lonely place that only Mafuyu visited sometimes, but now it's much livelier thanks to everyone here.)

(Anything can happen from here on out...)

(But I won't be pessimistic...)

(I'll be waiting for them. Always.)

Let's have a wonderful year, everyone.