Wow!

That's amazing, KAITO!

Yo... Ho...

You're so good at juggling, KAITO!

Yeah! It feels like magic for some reason!

Thank you!

I was able to figure out how to do this after watching Airi and the others play.

Hehe. Kendama, marbles, juggling...

All the toys you bought for us are so much fun, Airi.

Yeah, thank you so much for getting these for us!

Hehe. We made sure to test them out before buying, so your satisfaction is guaranteed!

We even got a chance to play some competitive Hanetsuki, and the four of us had a really fun match!

The four of you?

I thought you went shopping with just Ena yesterday...

Oh, we ran into Akito and Toya yesterday, and we decided to go to the mall together.

Wow, what are the odds?

Also, Akito and Ena going shopping together on New Year's Day must mean they're very close!

I'm actually a little jealous...

Wait, Akito...?

As in Shinonome...?!

Huh?

Yeah, that's right...

Wait, I didn't know that Ena and Shinonome were siblings!!

Oh, were neither of you aware?

I thought you two already did...

No. I've met both of them before, but I didn't know that they were brother and sister.

But now that you mention it, their personalities are somewhat similar...

Yeah, they do have a lot in common.

Especially how they both hate to lose.

You should've seen how competitive things got when we played Hanetsuki yesterday. Neither of them was willing to let the other win.

Hehe. They really do get along.

Wait, that counts as getting along...?

Actually, she might be right. After all, they say that close friends get into arguments all the time.

Anyway, let's have ourselves a test Hanetsuki match before we do this live during our stream!

If we're gonna keep spreading hope to lots of people this year, then we gotta give it everything we've got!!

Yeah!

Darn it! We lost again!

This is so frustrating! We only managed to score two points!

Haha. To be fair, that smash shot you hit did catch me off guard.

Heh heh heh.

If this is all you two have got, then you don't have any hope of defeating Miku and MEIKO.

Grrrr!

Let's have a rematch!

We're not gonna lose this time!

They certainly sound motivated.

Yes, I'm glad that they're enjoying themselves.

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.

Speaking of which, Akito, you ended up playing with your sister and her friend, right?

Playing Hanetsuki together? You two are really close.

Hardly.

That's just what ended up happening.

Still, I am glad that I had a chance to talk to Momoi.

With Airi?

Yeah, she's been friends with Ena since junior high. So we've talked a few times.

Wait, really?!

She takes the time to talk to her friend's siblings? That's so kind of her.

What did you two talk about yesterday?

I thanked her for being Ena's friend all this time.

You thanked her...?

Hehe. It's so like you to do that, Shinonome.

I know, right?! Akito's so old-fashioned when it comes to these sorts of things!

Huh?

If you ask me, it's pretty normal to thank those who've helped out your family.

That's what I'm talking about!

You're like... A chivalrous samurai or something!

Alright, you keep believing whatever.

(Still, I'm glad that I got a chance to tell her how I felt.)

(Also...)

(It was nice to be reminded of how those around us are genuinely hoping that we make our dream a reality.)

(Which means we need to keep finding ways to move forward.)