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Note: This side story was posted at midnight on January first, 2017. It has no relation to the main plot.

“”””””Happy New Year!!””””””

A group of six people, consisting of both boys and girls wearing hakamas and kimonos, bowed their heads to each other.

“Well… it’s 2017 now, isn’t it…”
“It sure is!”

Alim and Mika smiled as they chatted.

“Let’s chow down on some Osechi, then!”
“Woof, Osechi¹?”

Rir followed Shuu, who quickly made his way to the table loaded with food right after they had made their toast.

“We shall indulge, too. You agree, Sakura?”
“Yeah. Wha-, we’re already there…?”

Kanata had grabbed Sakura’s hand and then teleported to the table. Behind them, Alim and Mika followed.

“Is this a custom in all worlds? Celebrating the new year, I mean.”
“It is here, isn’t it?”
“Woof~. We don’t use such gaudy decorations, though.”

Alim had prepared a room solely for the new year’s celebration. To match the occasion, he had put traditional decorations made of pine wood and Kagami Mochi there². The only downside was that they had no television, seeing they were in another world, so they couldn’t watch the popular music shows.

“Osechi is all well and good, but eat some new year’s soba, too,” Mika told her sister.
“I’ll probably put on weight if I eat that…”
“Huh, didn’t you say yourself that your body doesn’t get fat, Sakura? Just keep it within reasonable amounts.”
“That… that is limited to sweets…” Sakura replied, before grabbing some mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts while puffing out her cheeks.

“By the way, what are everyone’s resolutions for the new year?” Alim suddenly inquired while peeling a shrimp.

Each of them gave their replies while eating.

“I’ll… right, as usual, I’ll work hard to get better at judo.”
“W-Woof! If there’s a custom to state your resolutions for the new year, then… I’ll… I’ll… woof, I’ll do my best, no matter what comes!”

Shuu replied the same way he always did, while Rir came up with an answer after thinking for a bit while wrinkling her brow.

“I’ll… no, I shall strive hard to bring joy and happiness to Sakura.”
“Eh… wha~~!? K-Kanata, don’t say such things… In that case, I-I’ll also work hard, to become someone… worthy of you, Kanata! Oh, also, I’ll keep studying, so I won’t fall behind…”

Kanata had deliberately taken his eyepatch from his sleeve and put it on, before stating his resolution with a smug look. Sakura, on the other hand, had to struggle hard to get out the words, with her face bright red.

“Hm. I’ll… uhm… I’ll put myself on a video game ban. And I’ll try not to get caught up in any more bothersome events!”
“I’ll stay together with Ayumu… Alim. Always… forever… eh-heh-heh-heh.”
“So, that isn’t limited to the new year, is it…?”
“Yeah! It’s for my whole life.” Mika strongly hugged Alim.

“…Would you look at the time. Everyone, could you stop eating for a moment? And look over here³.”

Alim put down her chopsticks and turned to look. The other five followed suit.

“Erm, I’m sure there will be a lot more to come this year, but…”
“”””””Please continue reading Levelmaker!””””””

TL notes:
There were some more author’s comments, mostly thanking people for their support and their plans to write additional novels (at this point, they were writing “Levelmaker” and “I used to be a pebble!/私は＜元＞小石です！”).

Also, here’s another illustration:

1. Osechi is an assortment of traditional Japanese foods in boxes similar to bento boxes.
2. The originals are 門松 and 鏡餅. The former is also known as Kadomatsu. The latter, Kagami Mochi (lit. “mirror rice cake”) consists of two mochi stacked on top of each other.
3. I think the idea here is that this is the narrator/author speaking.

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