Things begin at home as the TV is on, and every channel is doing the standard New Years greeting. While that is going on, you take a stretch before commenting on how bored you are or how peaceful things are. Since things have been so hectic at work lately, now that you're on holiday you're at a loss as to what to do with yourself. In fact you were surprised to find out that even heroes get New Years off earlier.
Flashback kicks in back to the office, where Akashi suggests to Mokdai that the open up some box since he smells something weird coming from it. Mokdai has to take a moment to remember what it is, and when he does he remembers it's something Ryekie used at a sales trip a long time ago. He's reluctant to open it now, and he asks Akashi to open the top and quickly dump it into the washing machine. Akashi is shocked at both being asked to do so and at finding out that laundry is in the box as he asks why it was never washed before being put into it. Mokdai protests that everyone was busy back then, then begs Akashi to do it since his own nose is so sensitive the scent could knock him out.
Meanwhile, Ryekie is complaining to Huckle and pesters him to let him go to the other team. He says he's not cut out for this compact work that Huckle set him on. Huckle denies the request since he can't make someone with the injury that he has do physical labor. He then tells Ryekie to get back to itemizing those numbers onto the documents since he still has a box left to go. Ryekie sputters as he asks why these government paperwork forms haven't been digitalized.
You can either offer to take the smelly box for Akashi, offer to help Ryekie with his work, or comment on this being a pretty busy cleaning. A gets extra lines where Akashi is surprised but declines since he can't let you handle literal dirty work. B has different extra lines where Huckle tells you you can't and shouldn't spoil Ryekie. Since he keeps dumping all the paperwork onto him, Huckle feels he needs to understand how much work it is to manage an office from time to time. Ryekie then loudly cries about Huckle being too harsh on him.
Anyways, since it's close to the end of the year everyone in the office is getting together to clean the place up when the door bell rings. Mokdai sees on his phone that it's Sui, so he goes to let her in. Sui comments on having guessed that everyone was around when he came to open the door so quickly, which is good timing for her. Mokdai explains that everyone is here cleaning and talks about how noisy it is when Akashi yells from the back about how gross the old laundry is.
Sui asks about if something happened for Akashi to be screaming. Mokdai mumbles a yes but doesn't go into detail, and Huckle walks over to greet Sui. Sui says her teacher couldn't come today, so she came instead to do the New Years greetings. She thanks him for all the business they've done together this year, then says she has a gift for you guys her teacher sent her with. Huckle thanks her for her manners, then hopes they'll be working closely this year too. Sui nods and says she'll pass the message along. Huckle accepts the paper package Sui has, then suggests taking a break since there's a guest here. Akashi comes back at this point and pants about what a terrible experience he just went through.
With Sui here, you guys go over to the cleaned up reception area for a break as you guys start talking about things. Huckle asks what everyone's plans are for New Years, and you are surprised at this question as you ask about work. Huckle explains that the office has a New Years break set up, though it might be a little short. You'll be called if there's an emergency, but it'll be fine to spend it doing whatever you want. Mokdai and Ryekie will be on standby, but if things stay the same the assignment will rotate.
Mokdai explains that police patrols get strengthened at this time of year in case villains try to start something during the festivities. Depending on the case there might be an emergency request sent to the agency, so you guys will be on standby at the office. That said, Mokdai says hardly anything big ever happens. He tends to file and sort things out of boredom while watching whatever New Years stuff on TV. You are either shocked that they don't get a break or call the office a workplace from hell. B gets an extra bit where Huckle protests against you framing things in the worst possible light. They get compensatory holidays for doing this and their willingness to do this is taken into consideration.
Anyways Mokdai explains that they'll just get some other day off if they can agree on when. Mokdai plans to take that time to go back to Fukuoka and promises to bring back some tasty souvenirs. Ryekie says he takes this time to go see and greet the people he can only see this time of year with Huckle. Huckle adds that there are clients who have invited them to eat together somewhere, but this does mean that Huckle has the extra job of making sure Ryekie doesn't drink too much or eat too many kiwis.
Ryekie laughs and says he'll put up with being on standby, though he'll be happy if he can eat and drink afterwards. Huckle asks him to do so and says he'll have just a little bit for him after that's over. Ryekie is thrilled to hear this and says he'll give his all in the job. He then turns to you and tells you to call him if you're in trouble too. He'll come running if something's up, and he swears upon the name Zap the Justice that this New Years will be peaceful. Huckle gets a bit alarmed at this and tells Ryekie not to go overboard at it.
Ryekie asks if you have anything you do every year at New Years. You have to think on it and say you don't remember what you did last year. Akashi is taken aback at this, and Sui asks if Akashi goes home and spends time with someone. The question prods Akashi out of his thoughts for a second as he says Orient City is his home, but there's no where to go back to. He starts to talk about there being something he does every year, only to back away from that and say he doesn't have any special plans. Sui finds this confusing.
Akashi asks Sui what she does for New Years, which takes her by surprise as she says she eats with her teacher. She was just thinking that it was about time to go shopping for ingredients and start cleaning. They've also gotten commissions for special New Years clothes, so there's still a lot to do. Akashi comments that working adults sure have a lot to do. Once he turns in his report he'll be free of his responsibilities for the time being. Sui needs a moment to remember what he means by report, then says it'd be great if he can go through the year without getting chased by his teachers. Akashi blusters at that and says he's working hard to turn it in this time. Huckle laughs and says it is a break for him since the agency runs nonstop. You'll be called in an emergency, but Huckle says you should relax on break and recharge yourself.
Back to the present, you think on what Huckle said about recharging yourself before wondering what everyone else is doing. You space out for a while until the intercom rings, and when you scramble to see who it is you find Akashi there greeting you with a Happy New Years. You greet him back as you open the door for him, and his breath is visible as he comes in. Akashi starts talking about what you said back at the office about not remembering what you did for New Years last year, so he came Again This Year wondering if you were home. He looks a bit embarrassed as he scratches his cheek while you react in surprise, and you ask about the again bit as you figure what he means.
Akashi says it's nothing big. You guys often invite each other out to go visit the shrines first thing in the year as Japanese custom goes, and that's close to a regular thing you guys do every year. So if you've got nothing else to do and feel up for it, he figured he'd ask you to go with him. You either shrug and go since you do have nothing better to do, be excited to do something relevant to New Years, or ask if Akashi was feeling lonely. B gets an extra bit where Akashi agrees and says you guys should have your fill of New Years stuff since you're on break. C gets a different extra bit where he calls you a jerk and says he only asked because he thought you were bored. He does admit to thinking about spending time with someone but he denies feeling lonely. In any case, Akashi tells you he'll be waiting outside and asks you to call him once you're ready. He waves as he walks out, and you quickly get ready before heading out as well.
Time passes as Akashi takes you to a shrine where there are so many visitors that you'd call it a successful place even if it weren't New Years. Akashi is surprised by the turnout, noting that while this happens every year, New Years really does bring out the crowds. Furlong happens to be around as he comments on the crowds, then notices a cotton candy stall and considers getting some later. Victom mildly reproaches him and asks if he remembers why they're there. Furlong jumps back a little in response and answers they're here to patrol for villains.
Victom says it's fine as long as Furlong has that in mind, then reminds him not to get distracted. He does agree that having something to eat when things are peaceful is a meaningful use of time, so he tells Furlong to go buy something. Furlong is moved by this and thanks Victom, calling him Captain. Victom reminds Furlong in resignation that he's in a different department and therefore not actually his captain.
Shouen is also around, talking to himself about how offering thanks to the gods and celebrating the turning of points is such thing for the Japanese/harmonious mind. Kirsch is there hawking her red bean soup with whipped cream in it to anyone who'll listen. Shouen takes an interest, saying it looks strange but has a nice smell. Kirsch continues describing the item as warm and sweet, here as part of a special offer with a taste of happiness. Shouen composes a haiku about wanting some, though he notes he went over the syllable count. Kirsch thanks him for his purchase.
Akashi notes all the familiar faces, though with so many people around it doesn't look like you guys can go talk to them. He decides to leave it for later then and suggests going to the altar. The two of you wash your hands as per custom, then get in line. Once it's finally your turns, you two do the traditional prayer while Akashi has a serious expression on his face. For you, this somehow feels like both something you're doing for the first time and something you've seen before. You comment on being unable to remember, but you do remember seeing something like this.
Once Akashi is done with his prayer, he asks if you are too. He suggests pulling a fortune and leaving after that since he's getting cold. You quickly follow after him as he heads over to where the fortunes are. Akashi talks about hoping for a good fortune, though the excitement before picking one up is fun too. You either ask Akashi what he wished for or ask if he's that excited to pull a fortune. In A, Akashi says he wished to not get hurt on the hero job, that Ryekie's injury will heal soon, and for you to get your memories back. He's been in a lot more danger since becoming a hero, so he'd been thinking on how important his health is. He then tells you not to laugh at him since he thought he wasn't sounding like a college student either. In B, Akashi says fortune telling can be fun, and this is the first luck reading of the year. He then says it that it's normally you who suggests picking a fortune on New Years. He thinks out loud about which one to pull, then insists he's being serious.
Hitomi turns out to be around at the shrine too doing some sort of New Years show as she greets everyone. She starts talking about how there's so many people visiting today here in Orient City's biggest shrine, Orient Grand Shrine, then announces that she's here with the genius child actor Kouki and his beloved pet Sirius. Kouki greets the audience a Happy New Years and acts surprised at there being so many people around as he compares it to a festival. He talks to Sirius and says he's excited to do the shrine visit, and Hitomi suggests doing the fortune pulls.
Akashi is surprised to see entertainers and camera crews around and figures that's why there's so many people here. He then suggests you guys go pull a fortune now and says he won't lose this year. You either get excited at the challenge or ask if winning and losing is a thing when it comes to fortunes. B gets an extra bit where Akashi freaks out a little and asks you to stop looking at him like that since it's making him look like he's excited over this. He says you were the one to start this in the beginning, but he drops it and prompts you guys to just pull already.
You and Akashi both put your hands in the box with the fortunes in it, then count off together to draw one at the same time. Akashi cheers when his comes out as excellent luck, looking like a kid in his joy which gives you a sense of deja vu. A thought flashes through your head, and you say you do remember seeing something like this. Bits and pieces of a memory of you coming to the shrine to Akashi come back, and when you turn to tell Akashi about this he's in the middle of reading the details of his fortune.
Akashi reads aloud his details. It says that if he doesn't get cocky in fights he'll win, advises him to focus hard on his studies, and whatever it says about his romance chances is something he finds interesting as he hems and haws but doesn't say what. Akashi then asks you how your fortune turned out and says you guys often compared results. He starts saying something about what happens if one of you guys get a bad pull when you tell him yours said you used up all of your bad luck, which means this can't really be used for comparison. You also tell him you remember some things.
Akashi is glad to hear that you're remembering things, then asks if you'll hear him out even if it'll come out weird. His expression turns serious as he looks at you, and he starts talking about how your memories turning into a vague mess has made life hard for you. He can't deal with it in your place, and being forgotten at times has left him feeling sad and lonely. He's happy to make memories with you like this now of course, but he's come to the idea that if you've forgotten things, maybe it'll be fine to put new fun memories on top of them. If he's with you, he feels like he can make new memories like that again. Akashi then starts getting embarrassed by what he's saying as he scratches the back of his head, so you suggest coming again next year and hope this year will go great for you guys.
Akashi nods after a moment and suggests making a lot of memories this year. He laughs as he gives you a thumbs up, which you mirror back. A voice calling you newbies greets you guys a Happy New Years and says it's been a while. You turn around to see Crowne and Sui together, and Crowne comments on you two being together at the shrine on New Years, saying you guys sure are devoted. Sui greets you two next as the both of them wave while approaching. You either greet them a Happy New Years back or ask if they came together to visit the shrine too. A gets extra lines where Crowne exchanges formalities and Akashi is the one to ask if they came to visit. He notes that they seem to be coming from a different direction than the main shrine though.
Crowne answers that she just came to check out the stalls before heading over to the office. Sui brings up that Mokdai mentioned it before, but someone should be there so she figured she'd drop by and say hi. She then ran into Crowne on the way to the central district, so they decided to go together. Crowne says she finally got a vacation and got off that artificial island her workshop is at.
Akashi asks about Crowne having to do maintenance work up until New Years and asks if there's that much work for her. Crowne says it's because it's New Years since it's one of the busy times of year. All Earth businesses go on holiday around now, so with all the space flights going in and out, a lot of spaceship maintenance jobs come pouring in from people who don't normally use them. There's enough that they won't be able to finish in time unless they go all hands on deck. It's good for business, but the shifts get tough because of all that. She wasn't able to take a step out until it was all done.
Akashi is shocked by Crowne's account and sympathizes for her. Crowne laughs it off and says she chose to do this occupation. She's fine with it since she can enjoy it too. Crowne then says she won't become a bad maintenance worker and notes that her skin is looking rough. She thought about coming to greet you guys at the office, but she doesn't think she has that much time.
Sui asks if you guys are going home, so Akashi says that you guys are, then asks if you wanna go with them to the office. You either say you want to see everyone, say you'll go if Sui is going, or say you want to talk to Crowne since it's been a while. In B, Sui is fine with it but says she was only just going to say hi to people. In C, Crowne calls you whimsical, but she's fine with it since it's a change of pace from talking to machines all day. In any case, Akashi suggests you guys go now since you'll just get cold talking outside. Crowne suggests you all get in her car since it's a six-seater, and you accept the suggestion and head to the office.
Time passes to the point you guys reach the office building, but before you guys go in Crowne remembers something and talks to you. She says that if it's like every other year it'll be the same pattern as usual, then asks if you get what she means. You either ask her about the pattern or nod in understanding. A gets some extra lines where Akashi says he can hear some voices. One sounds like Mokdai's while the others sound like they're from the TV. Sui then asks you to open the door since Mokdai probably can't hear. Either way you proceed to open the door, and Mokdai sounds like he's enjoying himself.
Inside the office, the TV program is playing that same show Mokdai was watching earlier with the villain laughing about the Summoner Five being late as they have a hostage now, and one of the heroes responds by calling for their special formation. Mokdai is geeking out over the 3DCG effects being used, and said TV voices are coming out some headphones he's wearing so he doesn't notice you guys coming in. Mokdai cheers on the performance and says the realism of the battle is so exciting. You either sigh at this or note that he's watching the same show. B gets an extra line from Akashi who notes in surprise that Mokdai isn't tired of this show. He's so into it that it's actually kind of impressive.
Crowne sighs as she calls Mokdai a nerd then shrugs. She starts tiptoeing towards him, then just pats him on the shoulders and loosens the earphones as she greets him a Happy New Years. Mokdai is still shocked when he notices that everyone is here, and he asks everyone to wait a second as he greets you all back. He quickly dumps an empty bag of potato chips into the trash and starts getting things ready for you guys. You either give Mokdai an abbreviated New Years greeting, ask where Huckle and Ryekie are, or ask Crowne about not shouting boom into Mokdai's ears today.
In A, Mokdai mirrors back your abbreviated greeting, and you can tell he seems to have his hands full. He sighs when he's done and comes back, then gives a more standard greeting. In B, Mokdai comes back after a moment and asks if tea is fine with you guys. In C, Crowne says she did that last time as payback for being kept waiting and that she doesn't do it every time. She also sympathizes as a mechanic with Mokdai getting really into something he likes too. Mokdai then comes back with refreshments and comments on being surprised to find you guys behind him.
In any case, Mokdai mentions that Huckle and Ryekie are at a lunch meeting and should be back soon. He sets down tea at the meeting table, and everyone takes a seat around it. Sui decides she'll wait for them to come back, and Crowne says she'll relax here for a while since it's been some time since she's been there. The four of you relax as you sip the tea Mokdai made, and Akashi comments that he hoped there'd be something interesting here at the office. Mokdai laughs and says there hasn't been any emergency calls, so it's been quiet. He also reminds Akashi that this is a business place. Akashi says he knows, then jokes about whether Huckle will give you guys and New Years money.
You ask Mokdai for some New Years money, which shocks him as he actually looks for something to give you. He then remembers he has something fitting for the holidays and says it's a special anniversary commemorative extra for Summoner Five. Akashi notes that Mokdai sucks at changing the subject, and Sui asks why that thing is around given that Mokdai was the one to say this is a business place.
Mokdai flinches at the point made, then insists that he isn't always playing around. Mokdai then says he found some 200 year old reprinted karuta playing cards while cleaning the office the other day. Akashi notes that the cards are still sealed and asks if it's okay to open them. Mokdai insists that you guys treat them carefully since it's going to super hard to get more of them at this point.
You ask if it's okay to use something so valuable to him, so Mokdai laughs about having one more set saved in storage. Plus actually playing with them will leave more of an impression in your memories than just leaving them alone. You think on this memory idea, and Crowne takes an interest as she asks to see the manual. Sui is surprised to see Crowne interested in the game, so Crowne says playing something analog would be nice once in a while, not that she intends to lose. She then challenges you and Akashi to a team game with Sui as her partner and Mokdai adjudicating.
Sui is surprised to be wrapped up into the game and quickly reads the rules for karuta: be the first person to grab the card with the letter/kana that a phrase or line starts with. Akashi agrees to play and tells Crowne that he'll go all out with no regards to the senpai/kouhai relationship standards. You are either surprised that Akashi is agreeing to play or you ask if it's fine to play in the office. B gets an extra line where Akashi says it'll be fine if you guys finish before Huckle gets back, and it'd be nice to do another New Years activity.
Mokdai starts the game then, and once he reads out the first line (which is an attack call) Sui loudly grabs the card. Akashi is taken aback at how seriously Sui is taking this, so Sui says she won't let him say he was holding back if he loses. Mokdai compliments Sui and starts to explain the attack that the line was talking about, but Akashi interrupts to tell him to get to the next line and tells you to get serious too. Mokdai is shocked and disappointed since he wanted to talk about the show some more, so you either say he's talked about it loads already, ask him to tell you more later, or quote the Summoner Formation line at him. In A, Mokdai whines about wanting to talk about the show since he loves it. In B, Mokdai is happy about this and asks you to give him three hours later. In C, Mokdai thanks you for playing along. In any case, so begins the first round of the Parallel Flight Karuta Competition, and before you know it a considerable amount of time has passed.
By the time the third game is done, the door opens as Ryekie and Huckle walk in. Ryekie notes everyone is here and greets you all a Happy New Year, with Huckle following suit after asking if you all came. Mokdai starts trying to explain that you guys aren't playing around, but Huckle says that's what it clearly looks like. He's not reprimanding him, so he tells Mokdai to calm down. He also notes that it's all peace and quiet outside. You either greet Huckle, shout your greeting to Ryekie, or ask for New Years money. In A, Huckle is glad that you like the office and came to see him, then says he hopes you guys will work well together again. In B, Ryekie says your greeting sounds like a good sign and says he'll be counting on you this year. In C, Huckle says you already got an end of the year appreciation gift and comments on how mercenary you are to ask for money as the first thing you say to him rather than a greeting.
Crowne greets the two, asking them to call her if you guys need any maintenance done. Sui says she came to greet them in place of her teacher, then says they'll be waiting if you guys have any jobs regarding your suits. Huckle laughs and says they'll be sure to bring their business to them. When he sees the cards on the table he picks one up and comments on it in interest.
To the side, Akashi plops his head onto the table tired, then asks Mokdai if there's any food since he got hungry from focusing so hard on the games. Mokdai protests that this isn't Akashi's home before taking a look. He already ate through the mochi that was there, and he notes that the New Years osechi is gone too. Huckle is surprised to hear this since he says there was a lot of those things left when he and Ryekie went out. Mokdai recoils a little and says he started having a bit of them at first since he was told it was okay to have some. Sui sighs about needing to adjust the waist of his suit again.
Huckle suggests throwing a party in the office since everyone is here, then asks Mokdai to call for delivery. Both Akashi and Mokdai light up at this, and Mokdai cheers about having been on standby duty. Akashi treats this as New Years money and asks Mokdai to call for pizza. Huckle is amused at how quickly they turned around after he made his suggestion, then calls the two self-interested. Crowne asks to join in and asks Sui if she has plans. Sui wonders if it's okay and says she needs to call her teacher. Ryekie laughs and says he doesn't mind as he turns to Huckle. Huckle says it's okay to invite some other people if you want to, so you either wonder if the teachers are at work, say Procy and Gomeisa might bring snacks, or wonder if the police guys are busy.
Whichever choice you pick causes the game to flash back the relevant people on screen for a sec. Akashi thinks that sounds like a great idea and says to try calling them. Mokdai says you should check if they have plans, then asks you to wait as he starts a video call. Ryekie thanks Mokdai and suggests getting everything ready. As everyone excited gets ready, Huckle has a thought come to him as he goes to talk to you. You've only just joined but you've gotten some experience in the business, so now Huckle wanted to know how you'd like to spend this year. It could be about work, or it could be about something you're interested in and have hopes about.
You think about hope, and you think about how you can't remember what happened last year at this point. You do have one thing coming to mind though, and you tell Huckle you want to make a lot of unforgettable memories. In your thoughts you think about the shrine visit to the card games you were playing with everyone. You also start thinking about how you'd like to make memories with the people you'll be meeting from this day forward. Huckle says that's a nice goal, and he hopes you'll make these memories both at and off work. You want to remember everything that'll happen, and you hope that it'll be a great year that you'll enjoy with everyone over a laugh. Mokdai prompts everyone to get together, then leads a group cheer for a Happy New Years once again. The end.
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