Happy New Year! Michiru Otori/Bond Story

As if led by the warmth of early spring, Michiru discovers some flower buds. A genuine smile comes to her face at this good omen.

Michiru's First Scheme of the Year

Michiru:

Morning!

Michiru:

Huh? No one's here yet. And I even used Akira's name to get them here.

Michiru:

I wonder if they got soft and lazy because of New Year's.

Akira:

It was a last minute invitation. It's only natural they're running late. But more importantly...

Akira:

Why did you use MY name?

Michiru:

Why else? I wanted to make this a fun hatsumode!

Akira:

That doesn't make any sense. We already did hatsumode on New Year's Day.

Michiru:

*sigh* As clueless as ever, aren't you Akira?

Michiru:

Not everyone was able to go on the first, remember?

Michiru:

But Mei Fan is back, so now's our chance to all do hatsumode together!

Akira:

I see.

Akira:

A traditional Japanese New Year might be a good experience for Mei Fan.

Michiru:

Right?

Michiru:

I thought it would be nice to show her how we spend New Year's here.

Akira:

Hmmm.

Michiru:

First, I'd like to show her how much fun it is to play hanetsuki. Nothing's better than beating your opponent and brushing ink on their face.

Michiru:

Oh, but in Mei Fan's case, I bet she'd get fired up to take you down Akira.

Michiru:

We can ink up her face, then do the same to Yachiyo and Shiori, too. Hee hee hee!

Akira:

You're having fun.

Michiru:

Hey, what's with that amused look in your eyes?

Akira:

Oh, no, I didn't mean it.

Michiru:

Yeah, but acting like that without even realizing it? That's even worse.

Akira:

Sorry, I'll be more careful next time.

Michiru:

Don't lose focus just because it's the new year.

Michiru:

Then again, I can't deny that I'm having fun.

Michiru:

Mei Fan, Yachiyo, and Shiori...

Michiru:

With excellent talent like that, the possibilities are endless.

Michiru:

We have so much to do this year. And it's about time to start thinking about our next stage performance.

Michiru:

So we can't have you lose focus now, understand?

Akira:

Got it.

Yachiyo:

Happy New Year!

Michiru:

Ah, Yachiyo's the first one here!

Yachiyo:

Oh, I thought for sure Mei Fan would get here first.

Michiru:

Happy New Year! Let's hope it's a good one!

Yachiyo:

Yes, let's hope so.

Yachiyo:

By the way, Akira-senpai...

Akira:

Yes?

Yachiyo:

What's the post-holiday schedule looking like?

Akira:

What?

Yachiyo:

Isn't that why you had us come today?

Michiru:

Okay, I'll take over from here.

Michiru:

While the post-holiday schedule is important, something even more important came up.

Yachiyo:

Huh?

Michiru:

Mei Fan's back now, so we're doing another hatsumode! You weren't able to come either, Yachiyo, so you must've felt left out.

Yachiyo:

Oh, so that's the real reason we're here. You really pulled the wool over our eyes.

Michiru:

Hee hee! A little surprise is always fun right?

Michiru:

One down, Mei Fan to go! Stay tuned for more fun and excitement from Michiru Productions this year!

Omikuji Analysis

Mei Fan:

Michiru-san... It's so crowded here. Is this what hatsumode is like in Japan?

Michiru:

Yep, that's right!

Mei Fan:

Ooh, I could see Akira-san just a moment ago, but now I've lost track of her.

Mei Fan:

How could I be so careless!?

Michiru:

Relax, relax! We'll find her in the shrine grounds.

Michiru:

Are you keeping up okay, Shiori?

Shiori:

Yes! I'm fine!

Michiru:

If you have trouble keeping up, have Mei Fan carry you.

Shiori:

N-No, really, I'm fine!

Mei Fan:

Are you sure? I'm ready anytime. That goes for you too, Michiru-san!

Michiru:

Okay, I might take you up on that if I get tired of walking.

Mei Fan:

Okay!

Michiru:

By the way, what are your New Year's resolutions this year?

Mei Fan:

To overtake Akira-san!

Michiru:

Ahahaha, you answered that quick!

Michiru:

Still, I wonder if that would be possible this year.

Mei Fan:

Really!? I know it's a steep hill to climb, but I'll show you I can do it!

Michiru:

So that means you have a plan?

Mei Fan:

No! I can't think of any plan to defeat Akira-san!

Michiru:

...

Michiru:

There's more to it than brute force effort, you know.

Mei Fan:

I know! Leave it to me!

Shiori:

...

Michiru:

What about you, Shiori?

Shiori:

Huh!?

Shiori:

I-I'd like to come up with my very own performance--something different from everyone else.

Michiru:

You mentioned something like that before. I think that's a wonderful objective.

Michiru:

But is that really your New Year's resolution? And what exactly is your very own performance, anyway?

Shiori:

I...don't know.

Shiori:

But right now, that's all I can think about.

Mei Fan:

Me, too!

Michiru:

All right, it's good to have such passion.

Michiru:

But an objective that you can't even picture in your mind isn't going to help you get anywhere.

Mei Fan and Shiori:

...

Michiru:

It's my job to support your efforts. So let's think about what to aim for this year!

Mei Fan and Shiori:

Th-Thank you very much!

Michiru:

No problem! Don't be afraid to ask Akira and me for lots of help, okay?

Mei Fan and Shiori:

Okay!

Michiru:

Good, good! Oh, before I forget...

Michiru:

Let's get omikuji after we pray.

Mei Fan:

Oh, those Japanese fortune things!? Sounds like fun!

Shiori:

Um... I never have much luck with omikuji. And if I end up ruining your fun because of it..

Michiru:

Ahahaha! If you don't like your fortune, just draw another one!

Mei Fan:

But isn't drawing a "Bad Luck" fortune...well...bad luck?

Michiru:

Relax, relax, it's New Year's, after all. Besides, wouldn't you rather get a "Good Luck" fortune?

Mei Fan:

Hmm...So we keep drawing till we win!

Mei Fan:

Since it's New Year's, let's leave here with some auspicious kanji in our hands!

Michiru:

Exactly! Though I don't know exactly what "winning" means, here ♪

Michiru:

I think I've got a read on their intensity levels.

Michiru:

Akira is the same old Akira, Mei Fan is a silly girl, and Shiori is still holding back.

Michiru:

And Yachiyo...

Michiru:

Well, it looks like we've still got a long way to go.

Michiru:

This year's hatsumode snowballed into a lot more, and our schedule's a mess now! I could really use your help.

Michiru:

Heh heh, of course I'm in a good mood. I'm all fired up after working with such a diverse range of talent.

Michiru:

There's no way I'm missing out on a chance for us to shine even brighter.

Michiru:

I see you're interested, too. In that case, I'll give you a front-row seat to the legend I'm creating with Akira and company.