New Year Under Starlit Trails · Chapter 5

Sparks Before the Launch

One afternoon, as the festival drew near...

To lift Asherah's spirits after days of nonstop dance practice, we wrapped up training a little early and took a stroll through town to see the festival preparations.

Anticipation hung in the air, mingling with laughter and celebration until the streets felt alive.

Luna

Mmm! The fried food here is amazing!

Asherah

This corn dog's pretty good too.

Captain, want a bite?

I leaned over and took a big bite of the corn dog she offered.

Luna

Come on, Smile. Here, try this fruit candy.

Smile

*Cough*...! Requesting... something spicy instead...

Luna

Then give it back.

Smile

...Never said I wouldn't eat it.

So, how's dance practice going?

Asherah

Hehe... No worries.

I've mastered it perfectly.

Now I just have to show everyone what I can do.

Smile

*Lick* Asherah. Claiming you have mastered dancing is factually inaccurate.

Epindel stated otherwise yesterday.

"It's far from perfect, but at least it's presentable."

Asherah

Th-That's only because her standards are ridiculously high!

It's gonna be fine, Captain.

Trust me. We'll take first place, and I promise we won't embarrass ourselves.

Yeah, I know you can do it.

Even so...

...Call it a bad feeling, but this kind of smooth sailing usually means trouble is coming.

It's a classic setup for something to go wrong.

Roberta

Huh...?

Roberta? With...

Lugh

Hello, Captain.

Naru

Hi!

Roberta

I had a feeling it was you.

Out checking the festival preparations with your members too?

Are you all here as well?

Roberta

I'd love to say we're sightseeing too... but we're on duty.

Just because it's festival season doesn't mean all of Lavistar suddenly becomes peaceful.

Naru

If anything, we're even busier!

Roberta

So many people gather that it's impossible to predict what might happen.

That's why we're patrolling the streets, and after this we've got another—

Naru

Which is why, if you had just given me two days...

I'd already have my Festival Equation ready to predict every possible incident!

Then you wouldn't have had to wear yourself out doing patrols—

Waaah?! Ms. Lugh?!

Lugh

...For everyone's safety, I'd appreciate it if you simply left everything alone.

Do I make myself clear?

Naru

Y-Yes, Ms. Lugh! Please let go already!

Roberta

Make sure you enjoy yourselves twice as much for my sake. I'll be happy with that.

...I'd love to leave it at that, but honestly? I'd rather be enjoying a cold beer.

Lugh

Ms. Roberta...?

Roberta

Hahaha! Relax. A girl can dream, can't she? We've still got work to do.

Anyway, I hear this year's rocket launch is going to be bigger than ever, so look forward to it.

Naru

Aww... I'm so jealous! I want to go too!

The rocket launch...?

The term had caught my attention the last time it was mentioned as well.

Roberta

Wait. You've never heard of it?

The rocket launch is the biggest event of the entire festival.

A rocket...? Could it really mean the kind of rocket I was thinking of?

Roberta

They say it's how people in the distant past used to get to space.

Trust me, you'll be hooked after seeing it once.

Seeing it disappear high into the sky surrounded by fire is unforgettable.

So it is an actual rocket...!

Roberta

It's tradition to wish upon the rocket as it soars into the sky.

But what do rockets have to do with the festival?

What's the connection?

Asherah

According to legend, the Star Savior and his companions set off in a rocket to fight the Void Star.

It all happened on New Year's Day!

The rocket launch is meant to commemorate that.

Luna

Huh? That's not the version I heard.

I thought the Star Savior fired the rocket at the Void Star and blew it up!

Smile

Neither version is correct.

Historical records indicate the Star Savior intended to send people to the moon using rockets.

A malfunction left him drifting through space for six days before he miraculously returned alive.

It is widely believed that he reported, "Alicia, we have a problem."

Which story am I supposed to believe?

Roberta

Well, there are plenty of theories about where the tradition came from.

But no one knows exactly when it started, or how.

Asherah

The only thing everyone agrees on is that the tradition dates back to the Star Savior and his companions.

Luna

C'mon, Captain. Does any of that really matter?

The rocket, fireworks, pretty lights... What more do you need?

Smile

The practice of wish-making lacks scientific basis...

However, I do have an interest in the engineering behind rockets.

For example, improved propellant compounds and structural engineering that increase—

Luna

Okay, okay! You're speaking another language now!

Asherah

Anyway, better think of your wish before the ceremony, Captain.

I read in the Travel Times that rockets are much faster than you'd think.

If you don't have one in mind, you'll miss your chance!

Roberta

Heh... It's nice seeing everyone having fun.

Well then, enjoy the rest of the festival.

Heading back to work?

Roberta

Mm-hm. I thought we'd at least get a little break...

But it looks like we've got another problem to deal with.

Naru

Aww... I wanted to enjoy the festival too!

Roberta

Well... It can't be helped. That's just the nature of our work.

A problem, you say?

Roberta

Oh, nothing too exciting. We're just doing a general inspection of everything related to the festival.

There's just one particular item we need to take a closer look at.

Naru

Ohoho! You see, it has something to do with the Star Savior—

Lugh

Naru? Didn't I say that was confidential?

Naru

G-Gah!

Ow, ow, ow! Ms. Lugh! I get it! Put me down! I-I'll be good!

Roberta

Heh. Well then, we'd better get going.

Have fun at the festival!

Time flew by, and soon the last day of the year was upon us.

With all our preparations complete, we gathered before the night's main event.

Is everyone ready?

Asherah

...Yeah!

Deep breath... In, and out...

Somehow...

I feel more nervous than I ever do before a battle.

Luna

You're way too worked up! Come on, loosen up a bit!

Besides, tonight's a celebration!

The important thing is to enjoy the gala, not stress over it.

Smile

Despite the source, I agree.

Luna

Excuse me?!

Smile

Excessive tension causes muscle stiffness and restricts blood circulation.

Asherah requires a more relaxed mindset before the ball.

Luna

See? Even Smile says so!

Your turn, Captain. Give us a pep talk!

Well then...

Everyone.

We've already done everything we could.

Results are important, but tonight isn't about winning or losing.

So let's just enjoy the gala!

Asherah

Okay! Let's do it!

Thank you, everyone.

Luna

That's the spirit! Now come on, it's time to party!