New Year Under Starlit Trails · Chapter 1

Before the New Year's Festival

Memories always have a way of quietly finding their way back.

Most flicker into view like passing light, only to fade away an instant later.

Yet every now and then...

Every memory inside comes back as vividly as the day it happened...

As if a box tucked away in the depths of your mind suddenly opens on its own.

This memory, too, must be one of these.

A story about something we experienced when the air was just as cold as it is now.

Had it already happened, or was it still somewhere in our future... That I don't know.

Fleeting memories always seem to find their way back in scattered pieces.

Epindel

On my count, again! One, two! One, two!

Asherah

O-One... and a two? You mean like this?

Epindel

No, no! You're off rhythm!

Asherah

ONE, TWO! ONE, TWO!

Epindel

Lady Stranis, this isn't martial arts.

You're supposed to be dancing, not just kicking in the air!

Asherah

Waaah... This is impossible!

Asherah's movements were less of a "dance" and more of a display of power, precision, and discipline.

She'd already been enduring an hour of dance training under Epindel's merciless coaching.

Even considering it was her first practice session, Asherah wasn't doing so well.

Luna

...She's got a long way to go.

Smile

...Asherah's dance steps are steadily being replaced with martial arts kicks.

Now, to explain how things had ended up like this...

It all began shortly after Asherah received a letter from home.

Asherah

...

It's about time Luna and Smile got here. They're running a little late.

Captain, did either of them say they'd be late today?

Not that I'm aware of.

Luna

Phew... I'm late. Really late.

Ugh... Figures. Looks like you were here right on time.

Asherah

You're thirty minutes late. We were supposed to meet ages ago.

Luna

I know, I know. Sorry...

The streets were packed shoulder to shoulder. It was a nightmare getting here.

I'm more curious how you got here so early. Found some secret shortcut with no crowds?

Asherah

Um, actually...

...I asked the Captain for some extra training first thing in the morning... so I've been here since then.

Luna

Good grief. That one's on me for asking.

So you started at dawn? Aren't you tired?

Asherah

Well, a little. But you can't become stronger without working hard.

Besides, I'm still kicking myself over what happened on our last quest.

Luna

You're such a goody-two-shoes, aren't you?

Anyway, where's Smile?

Smile

...Made it.

Confirmed arrival approximately thirty-five minutes and thirteen seconds behind schedule.

Beginning with an apology to demonstrate adherence to basic etiquette...

Followed by the excuse that a large crowd swept me onto the wrong route.

Tried to turn back, but the crowd was too dense. Was forced to take a significant detour.

Now that you mention it, the streets were unusually crowded today.

Asherah

The New Year's Festival is just around the corner.

It isn't New Year's Day just yet, but it already feels like the festivities have begun.

Caught up in the whirlwind of our Journey, we'd hardly noticed the year drawing to a close.

Lavistar was much the same. People found more and more reasons to gather as the end of the year drew near.

On top of that...

The New Year's Festival, huh...

As it turned out, NOA had its own large-scale celebration called the New Year's Festival.

Preparations had begun days earlier, with food stalls popping up across the streets while promoters called out upcoming special attractions.

More than any sadness over the passing year, the faces of everyone passing by were filled with excitement for the new year and the festival ahead.

Sounds like it's a pretty big festival.

Asherah & Luna & Smile

...?

An awkward silence suddenly fell over us.

Three pairs of eyes slowly turned toward me.

What's with those looks?

Smile

...Your question suggests an alarming lack of common knowledge, Captain.

Luna

No way.

You've seriously never heard of the New Year's Festival in NOA?

You're kidding, right?

Asherah

It's funny how you're oddly clueless about certain things.

Is it really that big of a deal?

Luna

Of course it is!

The New Year's Festival is, above all else...

It's heaven on earth! An inexhaustible source of pure bliss and dopamine!

Laughter rings out around the clock, like everyone's living as though there's no tomorrow!

A festival of indulgence where everyone blows the emergency savings they've spent all year building up—

Asherah

...Ahem. I think that's taking it a little too far.

I mean, people do take the chance to forget their worries and enjoy themselves during the festival, but... Yeah.

I see.

Asherah

She laid it on a bit thick, but it's true that the New Year's Festival here is known for its size and extravagance.

Smile

As Asherah stated, stores begin their annual New Year sales.

Luna

You can stuff yourself with amazing food from the stalls for under half the normal price!

Smile

Looking forward to the Super Chili Hot Sauce Challenge Chicken stall.

According to the flyer, the recipe contains generous amounts of capsaicin for an extra stimulating flavor.

Asherah

I'm looking forward to the special stage play, The Star Savior and the Void Beast.

What are you looking forward to most, Captain? I grabbed a brochure, so take a look!

Sounds good.

Luna

Hehe... Still, above everything else...

Asherah

Mm-hm. It just wouldn't be the New Year's Festival without...

Luna

The all-night New Year's casino!

Asherah

Yeah, the all-night—

Wh-What?! Since when was that a thing?

Smile

Luna's mention of dopamine foreshadowed this outcome.

Ignoring Luna's gambling obsession, the most anticipated event is...

Asherah

The rocket launch and the fireworks that follow!

Apparently, fireworks are a tradition here, too.

There was, however... one strangely familiar word that I never expected to hear in this world.

Didn't you just say—

Luna

Aww, I'd take the New Year's casino over that any day!

So, Captain? Want to give it a shot? I'll coach you through it.

Asherah

...Keep a close eye on your wallet during the festival, Captain.

Let your guard down for even a second, and you'll end up flat broke thanks to her.

Luna

H-Hey! That's not true...!

Smile

Analysis indicates Luna's betting success rate is below 3.7%.

Statistics have already proven that the house always wins.

...Maybe I'll save my question for another time.

Smile

Even so, Luna's win rate is exceptionally low by any reasonable standard.

A gambler so catastrophically unlucky that she insults statistics themselves. That is Luna.

Luna

I do win occasionally! Just not when you're around!

What do you know about the profound world of gambling? HUH?!

Smile

Some things are better left unknown, they say.

Luna

Ugh...!

Smile

Nngh... Request... Stop pulling my cheeks...!

Lisa

Here you are, everyone.

Luna

Huh? Oh, Lisa! What's going on?

Lisa

A letter arrived for you, Asherah.

Asherah

A letter? How come you're the one bringing it to me?

Lisa

Well... Maybe they simply didn't know your current address?

Asherah

Huh? Who's "they"?

Lisa

The sender appears to be House Stranis.

Asherah

...What?

From my family...?