Shining New Year Episode 2 (Abridged)

It's New Years celebration time!
Yig: Traditional Japanese customary shrine visit line starts here.
MC: Good job. Stop coiling around me? / HELP
Yig: Haha, I can't help it. Also did you know snakes are jealous? True story.
Some kids walk up to Yig.
Yig: Pictures? Very well. If you become my children, I will rain blessings upon you!
MC: Damn, you sure work fast.
Yig: I'll have you know Ritual Compartmentalization is a big skill of mine back home! But so much is different here. Though maybe I was always out of what's in, staying underground. Now I should get hip with it, snake joke!
MC: (polite laugh) / gotta catch up on slang, yo / sweet baby...
(A) Yig: No good?
(C) Yig: NO, CEASE THAT PITYING LOOK

Yig: Pop cultural shifts hit hard when you live long...
MC: ah yeah, the generation gap / Don't worry about it
Yig: I wake up and suddenly the kids are saying things I don't understand. Anyways, maybe you should take a break? ...wait why am I caring so much about you!? Weird. You feel different from my children...
Yig stares at MC.
Yig: It's like looking at the abyss... hmm, still no idea why. How can this be???
MC: So what do other people feel like? / tee hee you like me? / You're MY baby!
---
(A) Yig: Hmm...
(B) Yig: No.
(C) Yig: Never!
---
Yig: What does this mean...?
Girl: So how's the exorcism thing work?
MC: Work time.
Yig: Ah, yes.

Later, after noon hits
Yig: There's less people here now. (gasp!) Did someone just kidnap my children!?
MC: What children!? / They're just going to see that thing there.
---
(AB) Moritaka: There's a sumo event happening soon.
(C) Moritaka: Indeed.
---
Moritaka: Hougen sent me to tell you it's break time. I'd go, but waving my sword around gives Takeminakata PTSD. Are you two thinking of joining?
Yig: ...oh, so people aren't stealing my children from me again.
MC: Again? What happened?
Yig: I...just never knew what loss meant. So what is this sumo thing you speak of?
MC: Uhh...Moritaka!

Moritaka: It's a contest where you try to throw your opponent out of a ring. It used to be combat, now it's a sport. Anyone can try!
Yig: Violence!? Involving children!?
MC: Welp! / Takeminakata's cool / It's fun
Moritaka: N-nobody gets hurt here! There's also a good luck custom of having a sumo wrestler holding a baby so they grow big.
Yig: Oh, well okay then. I should see what that is all about.

Later
Ryouta: Hey guys, Kengo just went in.
Shirou: I'm not sure Kengo knows the rules...
MC: Ooh / it'll be okay / he's going out like that?
---
(AB) Moritaka: When did he take off his clothes?
(C) Yig: This seems violent...
---
Moritaka: Well he seems into this.
Sumo fight!
MC: Damn, Kengo lost? (claps)
Moritaka: Amazing! I don't think Takeminakata held back either. Kengo did well to get that level of effort from him.
Ryouta: Yeah, he didn't try half as hard when he and I wrestle.
Shirou: Welcome back Kengo. Put some clothes on.
Kengo: Goddammit, I'm winning next time!
MC: Good fight out there / You're just that good / I'll get him for you!
(A) Kengo: T-thanks partner.
(C) Kengo: Break a leg!

Moritaka: Japanese respect means never holding back.
Kengo: ...right. I'm gonna win sometime this year!
Yig: Oh, no negativity? Well it wasn't truly a battle. Hmm...
MC: Yig?
Yig: Just thinking, no need for worry... wait, NOT THAT I CARE IF YOU WORRY! Oh, are children joining in now?
Yig zooms his head forward when a gaggle of children run into the ring, some of which he was talking to earlier!
Takeminakata: Oh nooo I lost you guys~ (flop)
Lots of clapping! Everyone seems to be having fun.
Yig: ...MC, what was his name again?
MC: Takeminakata, a friend.
Yig: Oh. He lost but he's enjoying it so much. Like...
Yig has a PTSD moment!
Shirou: Um, Yig?
MC: Something up? / how about you try? / the kids are having fun
(B) Yig: oof, how sharp of you

Yig: I just felt like I got shown up by another snake. It's not like Takeminakata did this to get kids to like him, yes? But they go to him while I only knew how to trap them.
MC: what / so you knew / do you HAVE to be their parental figure?
Kengo: dude why you makin' such a big deal about kids being your kids anyways? Whatever happened to being friends or bros?
Yig: ...right, you might not understand me either.
Shirou: Oh! I'm sorry about our--
Yig: It's nothing so deep. I was once called Father, so I wanted to be so. That's all.
Yig (narrating): I was always a substitute. A substitute sun, a stand-in for otherworld snakes. I was made that way, except for the father figure thing. Other people gave me that, which gave my life meaning.
MC: Oh. So the lots of kids thing?

Moritaka: I doubt it was a casual thing, even if you were a stand-in.
Ryouta: They must've cared about you that much.
Yig: BE MY CHILDREN
Shirou: I'm sensing some regrets here.
Yig: Ah yes, no wonder you bear that book. My children betrayed me for some reason, so I followed this light...
MC: And then you came here wanting to be daddy and figuring out why.
Yig: Indeed. I must thank you for all you've taught me. Especially you MC, you seem different somehow...
Yig looks back at the ring. Takeminakata and the kids are still playing around.

Yig: Ah, memories. I still don't know why I was called Father but it was nice. Well, time to study up on being the perfect father here. How should I go about that, MC?
MC: jump into the deep end / join our guild / this must be fate
Mostly surprised gang minus Ryouta!
Kengo: Whoa, I thought you'd be bringing out all your dads and stuff.
MC: Not all of them are my dads! Though I wonder if HE'S available?
Ryouta: I'm in! Touji might be surprised though.
Moritaka: I can see it. No objections here.
Shirou: R-right, maybe I can get help with reading this book. I'm the only one doing housework this time of year, so if we're careful with contracts then...
Yig: MY CHILDREN!
MC: HELP! / WRAP HARDER DADDY
---
(C) Yig: Oh you, MC.
---
Yig: Let us contract! Is there a den for us?
Shirou: Aren't you going to study on the father thing first!?
MC: Whatever? And we have a safehouse anyways. Where is he anyways?
Elsewhere
Mononobe: I'm finally back from buying milk.
End of Episode 

Live A Hero New Years 2024 (Abridged)

One day in Orient City...
Phein, Galvo, and Hydoor: Happy New Years!
Citizen A: OMG it's this year's lucky heroes!
Citizen B: Woo!
The dragon heroes wave. Lots of cheering from the crowd! It's kind of weirding the guys out actually but oh well.
Host: That's them folks! Fan meeting at the shopping district later!
Stage hallway
Okay, back to a waiting room with everyone in Parallel Flight and the dragons.
MC: Happy New Years, guys!

Galvo: Indeed, good tidings to thee. Such excited crowds.
Hydoor: Yeah like damn what was that?
Phein: Agreed.
Sui: Welcome to Orient City, City of Heroes.
Mokdai: Yeah, my people!
Akashi: By which he means nerds.
Phein: O-oh.
Huckle: You're all popular heroes, but this is also a cultural thing with Chinese New Year.
Phein: What's that?
Sui: I only found out about it recently myself.
Crowne: Once Earth found out aliens were a thing, we started bringing in people who resembled that year's animal to celebrate. Like that time with Ryekie on the tiger's year.
Ryekie: Sooo many people were happy to see me! We made the big bucks in the office!
Sui: It's more an Asian custom on Earth.
Huckle: And this year is dragons, so people will come out of the woodwork to see dragon heroes.
Crowne: And the Japanese just love to party.
Hydoor: Weird but okay.

The dragon heroes seem uncomfortable. Then some event worker comes by.
Staff: The mochi is ready to go!
Mokdai: Our time has come! Okay, cameras are good to go.
Akashi: Right. Good luck with the crowds, MC, Sui!
Crowne: Ask them if you need anything. Akashi can tell you they got guts.
MC: HEY / I'm good at those! / welp
Huckle: Time to go. Ryekie, don't forget your gloves. And no hugs without notice.
Ryekie: I-I know, I didn't forget about what happened last month!
Crowne: What, did some fan just HAVE to know what his beans felt like?
Mokdai: Yeah. Electricity blew his hair out. He seemed to like it but still.
Huckle: True, but we still can't have that happening.
Ryekie: I-I know! Come on, let's go!
And so that half of the party heads out.

Hydoor: ...so Sui, what's all this about mochi?
Sui: Um, handing out mochi to people around the shopping district who couldn't directly participate in the New Years event. Or something.
MC: Publicity thing.
Sui: Handing it directly would also be more inspiring to people. It's Director Huckle's idea.
Galvo: Ah.
???: Yeah, bring on all the good luck!
Here comes the district manager!
Manager: Late, but happy New Years!
Hydoor: SOMEONE sure is happy.
Manager: Yep! I've been waiting for this day forever now! Got the plan?
Sui: The dragon heroes focus on the meet and greet while we support?
Manager: Right! Now let's GO!

Shopping District
Manager: Hey look everybody! We got a robot to give out mochi! Say hello to Mr. Mochizuki!
Big multi-armed droid.
Hydoor: Welp, this is gonna suck.
Bot: Hello, beep boop.
Manager: I paid a TON to import this from another planet!
Galvo: Is that how people make mochi these days? Hmm.
Manager: It's normally a cook anything bot, but we customized it to specialize in mochi. It even has a mini kitchen inside!
Phein: So...can it make kinako mochi and ankoro mochi too?
Manager: Yep! So Sui and MC can handle the robot and--
Galvo: We greet the fans, yes?
Manager: Yep! And just look at the crowds!

Hydoor: ...aren't they all kids?
Manager: Yep! Make those future customers happy!
Hydoor and Phein frown.
Phein: Can I do this...?
Hydoor: Too late now.
Galvo: Heh. I have researched just for this day.
Galvo smiles as he keeps his hand sleeved.
MC: w-why is there glowing?
Galvo: I'll show you later.
Sui: Sounds fun.
Hydoor: You're one of those born entertainers, ain'tcha?
Phein: Good. You can handle the children then.
Manager: Showtime, people!
The manager swans out.
Sui: ...alright, let's do this!

Title Card: Special Episode - New Years Mochi Toss Project

Staff: Thanks for coming everyone! Mochi and Hero Time will be coming right up!
People start crowding the dragon heroes!
Rando A: OMG it's you for real!
Rando B: Nice outfit! Can we take a selfie?
Busy times. Eventually...
Sui: Okay we're finally slowing down. How about we talk to the heroes and bring them some mochi?
MC: (talk to Galvo) / (talk to Phein) / (talk to Hydoor) / (go back) [available after picking someone]

[Galvo's Section]
Galvo: Oh, Sui and MC. Everything is fine thanks to you.
MC: Well you sure are popular / HOT KIMONO
---
(B) Galvo: Why thank you. I do look good in this.
---
Galvo: People like this outfit! Thank you truly, Sui.
Sui: It's my first time making something for someone with wings. I'm glad you like it.
Galvo: No need for modesty, you did amazing with it.
Sui: Oh, why thank you.
Galvo: New cultural experience!
MC: You worked hard on it, Sui! / I'm glad you're happy Galvo!

Some kids come up.
Kid: Dragon grandpa! You were so cool with the fire thing! Do it again!
Galvo: Aww, thank you. I can't do it here, but how about this instead? (pulls out stringed orb on a stick)
Kid: Wooow! A weapon?
Galvo: Behold!
The orb gets bumped up and shines like a rainbow!
Kid: Oh my god whaaaat!?
Galvo: The ancient Japanese toy, a kendama. Now back again in Space Age Japan. Would you like one?
And so people start coming up as Galvo hands out toys.

[Phein's Section]
Phein: Hello Sui, MC.
MC: Here's to a good year!
Phein: Right. I'm working hard, especially after this Sui made me this suit.
Sui: Thanks. How's it fit?
Phein: Fluttery, but not unpleasantly so. It's nice that it has lots of pocket space for canned food.
MC: It's cute! / dang, soldiers just built different
(A) Phein: MC. Stop teasing your elders...what's that look for?

High School Girl: Phein! Thanks for last Valentines! Come see us again sometime!
Phein: O-oh. Have some mochi.
High School Girl: OMG so cuuute!
Sui: Aww, you're so popular.
Phein hands out mochi to all the high school girls crowding him.
Phein: I see portable foods are popular everywhere.
High School Girl: Thanks, but we actually came to see you. Good luck on your job!
Phein: !? ...oh, well. Thank you.
And so Phein keeps handing out mochi. People still come even after he runs out.

[Hydoor's Section]
Hydoor: S'up Sui, MC. You two've been busy.
MC: You too! / Hydie!
---
(B) Hydoor: Bitch, stop calling me that!
---
Hydoor: I thought you were gonna put me in something stupid in the name of culture, but this ain't half bad actually. Not like back home, but still.
Sui: I'm glad. I thought really hard on the accessorizing.
Hydoor: ...well, thanks.
Some kids run up.
Girl A: Wow, it's Hydoor!
Boy B: Can I touch your fins?
Hydoor: (why)
Girl A: Oh my god, you can't just ask to touch someone's fins! Um, Hydoor we all look up to you at our swim school! Can I get an autograph?
Boy B: How do I swim fast like you?
Hydoor: ...heh. Alright alright, line up. Autographs here, swimming tips after this. I ain't sugarcoating shit though.
Girl A: Oh my god???
Boy B: Thanks, Hydoor!
Hydoor seems to like this.

[Moving on!]
Meanwhile
Giansar: I can't believe I have to wear this to blend in.
Flashback!
Giansar: So what's the job about?
Rando: Babysitting some other hacker we hired to cause problems in Orient City's shopping area. He's a decoy, honestly.
Giansar: what
Rando: Guy's a loose cannon too.
Giansar: Ohh, I see how it is now. I'm supposed to slap him down if he does get loose?
Rando: Yeah, we mainly care about whether he causes collateral damage there. Also we have a disguise for you.
Present
Giansar: does it look like I'm a hero or something, geez

Back to the party!
Sui: Oh it's getting busy again with the mochi stuff.
MC: Yep.
Rando: Oh wow, Sui? I watch your lives all the time!
Sui: Whoa, you recognize me out of the suit?
Rando: Yeah! Can we take a selfie?
Sui: Umm...I'm working right now but thanks.
MC: I'll take the pic! Say cheese!
click
High School Girl: OMG like HNY Phein! Anna's been showing us how to have a super lit party! Double V Selfie!
Phein: Um. Are you asking for a picture?
Galvo: She wants a selfie with you as you both make peace signs.
High School Girl: YAAAAS! Hey Galvo, get in on this!
Galvo: Very well. Phein, do this.

A little ways away from the event area is...
Hacker Purple: Bwahaha, the party ends here, sheeple! I see how that stupid cookbot works! Roll out, boys!
Mobs: Yes sir!
Hacker Purple clicks his phone! The cookbot freezes for a second, then starts back up.
Giansar: Oh goddammit. Well if the heroes have it covered I don't have to do shit. Guess I'll watch how it goes.
MC: Huh. What's up with the cookbot?
MC clicks on the cookbot Mr. Mochizuki's control panel.
Mr. Mochizuki: beep boop yOuR oRdEr Is ReAdY
Smells like smoke...
Hydoor: Is it burning shit? Make it stop.
Phein: Someone asked for kinako mochi. Is it ready?
MC: Uhhh, lemme see.
MC taps on the panel again. Mr. Mochizuki swings a knife at MC!
Phein: MC!

Phein tackles MC out of the way and gets his kimono cut!
MC: P-Phein, thanks! You okay?
Phein: I'm fine. But never mind that.
Galvo: The people are in danger.
Rando A: Oh my god what!?
Rando B: uh, is this a surprise show?
The cookbot is just swinging away.
Mr. Mochizuki: Beep boop, now activating Silent Killer mode. EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!
MC: WHAT / That isn't silent!
(B) Sui: Not important right now!

Phein: ...well we need to stop it.
Mobs: Can't let you do that, dragon stars!
Suddenly four villains show up!
Phein: ...we're starting the year busy already. Orient City's always in trouble.
Sui: It's true but you shouldn't say it.
Galvo: Being unfazed is commendable, but we should do something here.
MC: Welp.
Hydoor: Ugh. MC, your orders! I got shit to do after this!
MC: Right, keep the people safe! Wave battle, ride on!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Sui: Okay I tied up the villains.
Hydoor: Cool! Now smash the damn robo!
The party closes in on the cookbot!
Mr. Mochizuki: beep boop EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!
The cookbot throws mochi everywhere!
Hydoor: Oh goddammit!
MC: Defend the people! VP Charge!
Galvo: Time to burn it all.
Hydoor: MC, you owe me for this!
Galvo burns mochi with his fire aura while Hydoor creates a flood!
Rando A: Look at that fire!
Rando B: Wow, he's waterbending!
Mr. Mochizuki: Beep boop, changing tactics!
The cookbot goes back to swinging knives!
MC: Phein, can you stop it?

Phein: Right, Sui and I can handle that. Everyone else, get ready.
Phein closes in and blocks the bot's knives!
Phein: There!
The cookbot's arms stop for a moment!
Sui: I'll stop it!
Sui uses her strings to tie the bot's arms up!
Rando: OMG did they win!?
MC: No, not yet!
The cookbot's head is flashing!

Mr. Mochizuki: Beep boop engaging self-destruct sequence!
Phein: What!?
Galvo: My flames are too risky to use here!
Giansar: God you people are so underprepared.
Surprised party!
MC: WHAT
Giansar: Alright, that's enough of that nonsense. (slashes the cookbot)
Mr. Mochizuki: Beep boop shutting dooooown...
whirrrr
Giansar: It's not like I'm doing this for you or anything, MC.
Giansar slips off into the crowd!
MC: Oh no I lost him!
Rando A: Oh my god they won!
Rando B: So cool!
Rando C: who was that by the way
Phein: Damn, nobody seems fazed by that?
Galvo: Are they...enjoying this?
MC: welp / yeah they're tough

Elsewhere
Giansar: THERE you are, Twilight or whatever your handle is. You caused that little incident, huh?
Hacker Purple: WHOMST
Giansar: Surprised I found you? We're in the same business.
Hacker Purple: Ugh!
Hacker Purple runs off!
Giansar: Ooh, bad move. Think you're fast?
Giansar runs after and catches the hacker!
Hacker Purple: What is your DEAL!?
Giansar: I don't have to say shit. This your hacking tool?
Giansar looks through the hacker's phone before sticking it back.
Giansar: They know. The cops will be here soon.
Hacker Purple: But I was gonna be a super cool hacker!
Giansar: What kinda hacker flies off the handle from their client's jobs?
Hacker Purple: Wait, YOU stopped the cookbot!?
Giansar ties up the hacker and bails.

Later
Giansar is on his way out of the shopping area.
Guy A: Wait!
Giansar: What?
Guy A: I saw how you helped back at the mochi thing and wanted to thank you!
Giansar: That totally wasn't me.
Guy A is unconvinced.
Guy A: You were so cool! Just like a hero!
Giansar: w-what
Guy A: This was all I could grab on short notice, but please take it?
Giansar: What? What's in it for you?
Guy A: Because it feels wrong to let you go without even thanking you!
Giansar: (Taking it would be a bad idea...but I guess it might help me blend in.)
Giansar: ...fine, I'll take it.
Guy A: Thank you! Please come again!
Guy A hands Giansar mochi and a doll before running off.
Giansar: Wait shit this is heavy. Goddammit.
And so Giansar walks off smiling wryly.

Back to the party!
Meeting time about whether the mochi thing can start again.
Phein: The machine still works, but we're out of mochi now.
Hydoor: And it cut up my kimono.
Sui: Oh I can fix that.
Phein: This looks unfixable to me, but okay.
Hydoor: Whatever. We still can't do a mochi giveaway without mochi though.
MC: I could call someone, but I dunno if they'll make it.
Galvo: Heh, I have a solution prepared for just a situation like this.
Sui: What?
Galvo: I asked the manager to get a mortar and hammer, just in case.
Hydoor: what
Galvo: Old style Japanese tools for making mochi! I have done my research.
MC: Wow! Oh I see how it is.
Galvo: A-ahem. How about we make mochi for everyone!?

Later
Hydoor: Bam!
Swing!
Phein: Hmph!
Mochi flip!
Galvo: Keep going!
People are getting excited.
Rando: This is so cool!
Hydoor: Dammit, why am I doing manual labor!?
MC: now now / so strong, so cool! / you're so hot with those pulled up sleeves
---
(BC) Hydoor: Y-you're lucky I'm busy right now...!
---
Galvo: Come now, people are happy. Just a bit more!
And so the mochi handout finishes up without issue.

Later
Manager: Sorry about everything earlier!
Apology bow.
Manager: We're still checking on the cookbot. We'll call when we find out why it went crazy. Anyways, it's amazing nobody got hurt. Thank you all again!
Hydoor: Eh, just a normal day for heroes.
Phein: The culprit was caught and things ended safely. Best to think constructively.
Galvo: Ahh, cultural experiences. Call me again for next time, which would be in 12 years?
Manager: Of course! Thanks to you I think the shopping area will make it to Year 100!
Galvo nods before turning to the party.
Galvo: Today has been a good day. I've learned things and got to know you all.
Hydoor: Bitch, a robot turned slasher on us and I had to do hard labor! Today SUCKED!
Phein: Now now. That just means it can only get better.
Galvo: How optimistic!
Hydoor: Man, heroes gotta be crazy to do this...

The party leaves. The shopping district looks peaceful now.
Sui: Busiest New Years ever. Yet I feel weirdly accomplished.
MC: Damn, you're tough.
Sui: I've seen my share of battlefields, heh.
beep boop news alert
Sui: Looks like they caught the lead villain who caused what happened. He was caught with his phone and hacking proof tied up in some alley. No one knows who did that yet. Who could it be?
MC: Hmmmm...
MC has an idea.
Sui: Wait, that guy from earlier was a villain!?

MC briefs Sui on Giansar's backstory.
Sui: ...oh. That doesn't excuse villainy though. But I get how it feels not being able to do what you want to do. It's hard when everyone else wants to hold you back.
Sui looks conflicted.
Sui: But I have all of you supporting me. You all showed me I can believe in my dreams.
Sui looks MC in the eyes.
Sui: So Giansar found his own dream aside from being a hero. Which is valid. But I'm still stitching him up if he tries hurting anyone I care about.
Sui looks down a sec before looking up.
Sui: I guess I still want to thank him for now. He helped keep things safe.
So many happy people walking about.
Akashi: Hey MC! Sui!
It's the rest of the office!
MC: Hey guys! You done with your stuff too?

Akashi: Yep, we're good! You guys too apparently.
Crowne: Akashi was yelling and screaming until like five minutes ago.
Akashi: SHUT UP!
Mokdai: We were all worried. We heard about it all the way in the hospital.
Huckle: And then we saw you fighting villains and a slasher robot when we opened up our phones. But you stopped that quick.
Ryekie: We're all just trained different!
Crowne: Wow, way to sugarcoat it. We had to do or die to get here...but I guess that's still true.
Sui: Yeaaaah, a lot happened last year, huh?
Akashi: So an unforgettable year. Right, MC?
MC: I guess.

Mokdai: Wow. You guys sure got strong.
Huckle: You too Mokdai.
Ryekie: Yep! I think we can all go all out together this year too!
Huckle: But we need some downtime too, so how about an afterparty at the office?
Mokdai: Okay! MC, what are you thinking of getting?
Akashi: Ooh, think we can get Kirsch's special red bean soup again?
Sui: We better get going then. Come on MC.
And so everyone heads back to the office talking about their hopes for the next year and eating mochi. May the next be unforgettable as well.
The End