Part 112: December 31 - January 2: A White New Year's

There's another cute cutscene today, so have another video.





> It's from Yosuke...

Let's get everyone together and visit the shrine today! How about we meet up in front of the shrine in the shopping district? I hear they're gonna hand out amazake! I'll contact the others. See you there!

> You'll be taking a trip to the shrine with everyone. It looks pretty cold outside...You recall that you have midwinter clothes in the drawers. Obtained Midwinter Outfit.




...Wait, huh? Is it just you here, Senpai? Seriously!? This is the time we all decided on, isn't it?
I was watchin' TV at home, but it seems like I fell asleep...When I woke up that New Year's show, "Toshi-koshi Kuru-toshi" had already started, so I rushed out here...




I'm sorry, Sensei. It's all Yosuke's fault.
It's all right.
Aww, you're such a good bear.
Me!? It was 100% your fault!
But, I am sorry about making you wait. We had an emergency at work. Everyone had to refill all of the lucky draw bags. We just finished a second ago...Because a certain someone just crammed a buncha stuff into the bags without checking any of the prices.
*whistles* Doot-da-dooo...
I'm talking about you! You little...!
Moving on...Hey, Sensei. Where's Nana-chan and her dad?
You doofus. They can't come out on a cold night like this. Dojima-san and Nanako-chan just got temporarily released from the hospital for the holidays! They aren't healed yet.
Well, then, where's everyone else? Why are only the guys here?
D-Don't tell me...Is this going to be some lame "guy's night" celebration...N-No lovely girls...?
Hell no.
But man, they're late. They should've gotten here a while ago.
I wonder if they're all meeting up at Yukiko-senpai's house first...You know, like, to put on their kimonos...
K-Kimonos!? Did you hear that, S-S-Sensei!? Kimonos!
You're getting your hopes up too high.
Right. We don't know anything. Don't get all worked up for kimonos yet, Teddie.
Kimonos~! I might go into kodiak arrest!
Ugh...This guy...
Although, I must say, seeing Risette in a kimono would be quite a sight...Whoa...Maybe Naoto's in one, too? Okay, now I'm starting to get a little...








......
......
What's with the non-reaction?
Whaaaaat!? Where are your kimonos!?
Why would I be in a kimono...? We aren't going to be out long enough to bother with putting one on.
See, that's what I thought! I told you all that from the beginning!
Ack, my ears! You got your hopes up on your own, don't take it out on us!
A girl has to save her best outfits for the moments that count the most.
Huh? A kimono's one of a girls' best outfits?
...Wait, you're implying that you're out of our league.


My heart just froze over...
Um...Shouldn't we be more mindful of the time? If we don't hurry, we'll have to do the countdown here at the entrance.
Oh no! We're going to miss the two-year shrine visit!
This is my first time being with friends on midnight of New Year's Day!
I'd always just spent it with everyone at the inn until last year.
Actually...
I'm glad we were all able to celebrate today here peacefully.
Yeah. All right everyone, let's get going.




H-h-h-h...Staying still makes me cold!


They're handin' out amazake over there.
Uh-uh. Not 'til New Year's!
Hey...How long 'til next year?






Oh--it's almost time!


Oh-KAY! FIVE!


Four!


Three!


Two!


All: One...



All: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I'm glad we're here together.


Winter is here!
Finally, the new year's here!
Let's make this year a great one.


Happy New Year, both of you.
Thank you!
It's not your celebration...
*giggle* Amazake, amazake!
Nope! None for you, Rise!


Whaaat!?
And the same goes for you, Yukiko!
Aw come on, just let it go!




Oh! It's snowing!


Ohh...
I told you it was cold...


Do you think the snow will pile up?
This is what they call a White New Year's, huh?
...No one calls it that.


It's a new year, but you're still Moronji.
What.
Moronji...Oho!
Hey, what're you noddin' for!?
Moronji!
Shut up!




Live announcer: The runners for the next leg wait for their turn to don the sash and run. This relay point was changed in 2009...



-Like A Dream Come True-


Happy New Year!
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year to you too, big bro!
We'll probably still be a bit of a pain for ya, but may things go well this year.
In any case...you've changed over this past year. You've got a man's face now. I didn't see you while I was hospitalized and...that's what made me notice.
...I feel relieved since so much happened.
Leave it to me.
Haha, looks like you got your personality from my sister.
Dad, can we eat yet?
All right, let's dig in.
Man, I can't thank those guys working the holiday at Junes enough. I wandered over there and they even had New Year's food.
Thanks for the food!
Let's eat.
Nanako, what do you want to eat? I'll get it for you.
Umm, umm...Kobumaki!

> The time spent with your family passes by...

There is a strange and powerful force at work in this world.



Every time one of the other boys wishes, strives, plots, or begs for something, it will almost immediately fall into Sanzo's lap.

> You've received 1 message...

Happy New Year, Senpai! v(^O^)v We should do tons of stuff together this year, too! Let's pay our first visit to the shrine today! Of course, since it'll just be the two of us, I'll dress up! (*__-)

> Tatsuhime Shrine...It appears Rise hasn't arrived yet...




How about it? What are your impressions?
You look beautiful.
Aren't I breathtaking? I decided not to go with my usual cute look and went for a more elegant style instead...Yes! It worked!

> Rise is in high spirits...


I've worn all kinds of different outfits for my job...
Isn't it weird that I'm more nervous dressing up for you than I am dressing up for tons of people? I had thoughts like, "I wonder how Senpai will react," and "I'm leaving if he doesn't compliment me!"
So, in other words...she hoped Senpai would notice her this year?
All I was thinking about was you.


I've already made up my mind. I'm going to wish that both of us are happy forever!
I'll wish for that, too.
If we both wish for it, will the wishing power be double? If so, the spirits better get fired up and make sure they grant our wish. Well, let's make our wish together.




My grandma said that you can get bad results here even on New Year's.
So, let's see if we're lucky!

> There is a box holding omikuji, sealed fortunes, placed in front of the shrine...



> ...Your fortune says "Great Blessing!"
Meanwhile out in the shopping district, passersby are startled as a fox bursts out laughing.

You too, Senpai!? That's amazing! It looks like God's going to bless us! I know, I'll make this into a good luck charm!
Hey, Senpai...Let's come here next year too, okay? And the year after next, and the year after that, until forever!


...I want to stay with you longer.
Should we...go somewhere?
Want to come to my place?
Your place? Yeah, I want to go! I need to make a New Year's greeting to Nanako-chan too. Oh, and Dojima-san too, of course! Should I bring some New Year's food from my place? My grandma made it.
Oh...Actually, let's pass on going to your place. My grandma helped me wear this kimono...If it were to get undone, I wouldn't be able to put it back on correctly. You know what I mean, don't you?
Haha! Gotcha! I just made your heart skip a beat, didn't I? This is actually pretty hard to breathe in. I'll go change and we'll go somewhere afterwards!

> You spent a long time together with Rise...

There's no stag option today like there was on Christmas Eve. I guess the boys couldn't find time to do their hair. If you pass up all your invites, it just says "You decide to take it easy with the Dojimas today" and skips ahead to...right here.

-Signs of Love-


Happy New Year's.
Mmhm! *giggle* Watching TV in a kotatsu with everyone...New Year's is so much fun!
What's your New Year's resolution?
Reso...lution...? Is that like a goal?
Umm, then...I'm gonna get first place in running!


Here...Make sure you use it carefully.

> Dojima gave you a New Year's gift envelope. You find 30,000 yen inside it.

Haha, there's no need to hold back. Doing this is supposed to make the giver happy, too. I make Nanako save her money every year, but maybe I should let her use it as she wants pretty soon. Well, let's do our best this year, too.

> It's New Year's. You should return to your room and relax...



-Like A Dream Come True-




Hey, I want to make a snowman!
A snowman, huh...I'd help you make one, but the doctor told me to avoid bending over so that my back would heal up.
What about you, big bro?
Let's make one together.
Yay!
Nanako, don't get too worked up, all right? You'll get sick and have to stay at the doctor's for a long time.
Okay!
If you get cold, come right in. Can you promise that?
Uh-huh!




How did you get it so big?
You need guts.
I read about that in some manga when I was at the hospital! If you have "guts," then you can get a cool frog t-shirt, or become the best bancho!

> Nanako seems happy...

All right, I think you two have done enough...
Let me help now. I think I can take it home from here.
I'll leave it to you, then.
Yeah? Just watch and learn. Hehehe...You're not the master of snowmen in this house yet.
There...

> It's small, but it's come together well!


It still needs a face though. We should draw one for it.
We're going to draw a face?
Hey, big bro. I want it to look like Teddie!
Can you make the face look like Teddie?

> You decide to adapt the snowman in a Teddie-like way...


It's a Teddieman! It looks so cool!
You're pretty good. Good for you, Nanako.
Thanks, big bro!

> Nanako is very happy. You're glad that you put effort into it...

If we don't go in soon, you'll catch a cold.
Aww, already?
I'll make you something hot to drink. Well...it'll just be coffee.
Okay! Make it sweet for me!

-Signs of Love-


But I'll be a good girl there! When I come back, let's make another snowman!
Nanako and I are going to go back to the hospital for a while tomorrow...I'm sorry to keep relying on you, but I'll be counting on you. Hey, what are you going to do about your New Year's greetings? It's good to relax, but shouldn't you go say hello to all your friends?

> You feel that you're sure to run into someone if you go out...Will you go out?

-Snowflakes: Powder Mix-




Housewife in farming clothes: Bet this is something you don't see much in the big city. It may be cold, but don't you think it's soothing, too? I'm planning on taking the first three days of the new year off to recharge my batteries for the rest of the year. Hope to do business with you then, too, mister!



Let's do our best this year, little homies!


Man, New Year's already...this year went by way too fast. Well, that just shows how awesome we did last year. We solved the case, after all! All that's left is to have some fun with the time we have left! I've already thought up some plans for winter break! You're gonna be part of it, like it or not! Let's make this year a great one too, partner!


I got New Year's gifts! Yosuke's mom and dad gave them to me! Now I can buy tons of snacks...or so I thought, but I might save it for a while.
I'm gonna use it to buy presents for Nana-chan so we can all have fun together! May this year be as great as the last one!

> Inaba Municipal Hospital...You wonder where Sayoko went after quitting her job here...


Young nurse: Are you wondering about Sayoko-san? Who knows where she is now...Although a New Year's card did get delivered here to the hospital. Oh, it had a little note for you too. I think it was, "Let's both do our best."

> You wonder if Sayoko is ringing in the New Year somewhere...Though there seems to be little doubt that she's well. You decide to return to town...


Thank you for all your help last year. I hope this year will be wonderful for you.
...Well, I need to finish shopping and head back. My relatives are coming over to visit. I haven't met up with some of them in a while, so I'm feeling a little nervous.


The case is over and I have nothing left to accomplish here...
But I thought, well...I may as well enjoy a normal life with the rest of you. So, once again, may this year be fruitful for us both, Senpai.


I'm sorry. I'm currently in mourning, so I can't do a New Year's greeting with you. But I'm glad that we were able to meet. Let's talk together again sometime.


I love this time of year. You feel that in the air? That's the feeling of perfect relaxation!
But I think I'll go back home. There's so much New Year's food there, I feel like I'm bulking up! But, I'm starting to miss Aiya, y'know? I'm gonna have to drag Daisuke there one of these days.
You'd better come with us, too, all right? Anyway, let's make this a great year!




*yip*

> The fox seems happy...


*yip*

> It seems quite a lot of people left offerings on their first visit of the year. You part with the ecstatic fox and decide to leave.


Loud old man: All they show on TV is gibberish. I don't trust a damn word of it. Still, though! I'm impressed you came to greet me in this snow, boy. It's simple acts of kindness like that that make bonds between people! And that's good for everyone! What this town needs now is for people to come together. I should follow your example, boy!

> You gave him the Fine Coal.

Loud old man: Ooh...!? I've never seen such quality coal before...Just holding it makes me feel warmer! Thanks, youngin'. Now I can build the best sauna the world's ever seen! The coal is great...Hey, wait, hold out your hand!

> The old man forces 40,000 yen into your hand.

Loud old man: This might not be enough, but it's all an old man like me can give you...Boy...Thank you.


With the fog cleared, I'm feelin' pretty good about this next year. I was bored on New Year's Day, so I went out on my bike. Then I got lost and ended up in the mountains...But this kinda snow's no problem for me, so we should go somewhere again. I'll follow you wherever you want this year too, so let's make it a kickass year!


The town gets so quiet on New Year's. But for some reason, there's still this warm atmosphere about it...
I wonder if it's the warm aura of all the happy families spreading out from their homes into the streets.


I just came back from my first shrine visit of the year. Oh, it's technically not my first visit...I went with my family yesterday, but I forgot to pray for something. So I went back to make an extra offering. I made sure to pray a lot about you too, so you can feel secure! I'm sure those prayers will protect you this year!


So much happened last year...But I think I managed to get through it all because I had all of you with me. This is nothing new...but thank you. Let's make this a year to remember, too. That reminds me, have you spoken with Yosuke-kun? He asked me if I had any plans for the start of the year. It sounded like he was up to something...*chuckle* I can't wait to find out what!


We went through a ton of stuff last year, but I'm glad we're all safe and ready to ring in the new year together. Oh yeah! This year, instead of cutting the rice cake, let's cut and eat steak...It's practically the same thing, right? Yosuke seems to be planning something for winter break. He said we should all go out and have fun!


Yikes, I'm getting deja vu. I feel like I'm with you all the time now...
I may not be this relaxed come this time next year...
But I'll definitely make time for you! Hehe...you could say I'm planning ahead. In any case, may this year be awesome for us two!


It feels odd to run into each other like this in town. We always met in my room after all...I feel a little nervous right now.


...Oh, yeah. You live around here. Well, Happy New Year's. It's such a generic greeting, but I might as well say it. Wandering around like this isn't so bad every once in a while. Well, see you around sometime.

-How Much?-


I was thinking of taking New Year's off...but now that you've come around, my artistic ambition is waking up. I'm fired up and ready to create my first piece of the new year!
I have a feeling it'll turn out awesome. Look forward to it.


Did you get a lot of New Year's gifts, young man? Make sure you buy lots here this year, too.
Shiroku Store runs a 20% discount as long as it's snowy out.

-Aria of the Soul-


To say, "Happy New Year."
My...Quite formal of you. I did not realize that the year had passed. After all, this room is distanced from time. Ah...I remember now. I have something I must tell you. Marie has left this room. I suppose that means that her purpose here has come to an end.
When did she leave?
Not too long ago. This room is tightly bound to your fate. My master selects the scenery and even the other residents to match the fate of our occasional customers, and we always change...You may have already noticed, but it was you who ushered her here. She arrived in this place not long after you first visited this room. All we did was provide a name and a role for her. Your fate led Marie here, and you forged a bond with her.
Where did she go?
I do not know either. However...If you wish, I can locate Marie and take you to her...I must warn you, though: it may involve danger. What is your choice?
I don't care about danger. I'll go.
...Very well. Please give me some time. Once I am prepared, I will come for you. Please wait until then.

> Where did Marie go...? You decide to wait for Margaret to come for you...

-Signs of Love-


Hey, you don't look so great...You should get to bed for today.

> You feel a chill...Did you catch a cold? You should return to your room and rest...