Kathrina
Alright, let's go. The sparkler competition, middle school division. On your marks, get set...go!
Panda
Grrrr...
Chisa
Mmm...
Kokona
Wow...! They're both so serious...!
Shizuka
...Is this really something to get so worked up about?
Kathrina
Oh? Just a moment ago, you were upset about losing to me, weren't you?
Shizuka
That's because I was so close to beating you.
Shizuka
Don't you think, Kokona, that I definitely would have won if the wind hadn't blown at that moment?
Kokona
Fufu. Maybe? Both Shizuka-chan and Kathrina-chan hate losing.
Panda
Ah! Ah~, too bad, mine fell.
Panda
Sassu advances to the finals.
Chisa
...
Yae
Such amazing concentration...
Yae
But was it really okay? Giving only me a seeded position.
Panda
The youngest one shouldn't worry about that. Actually, I never expected everyone to take this so seriously.
Shizuka
Isn't Sasuga's sparkler lasting a long time?
Kokona
It is...it's been several minutes since it started, right?
Kathrina
She's not cheating somehow, is she?
Chisa
I wouldn't do that.
Chisa
...Oh, it fell when I talked.
Panda
Oh well. So Sassu is the winner.
Panda
Is this another one of your strange talents? Seriously, there's no end to your abilities...
Chisa
No, no, there's a secret technique to win this.
Yae
Eh! Really?
Chisa
Yeah. I'll teach it to you specially, Niizuma. Actually...
Yae
Yes, yes...eh! So that's how it works...!?
Panda
Oh, giving away secrets to the enemy? Feeling confident, Sassu?
Panda
Well then, let's proceed to the finals.
Kokona
Yeah! Kathrina-chan, Yae-chan, Sassu-chan, do your best!
Panda
Now then, are the three of you ready? On your marks, get set, go!
Yae
Alright, I'll do my best with the winning technique you taught me!
Kathrina
...
Chisa
Going for a world record...!
Kokona
Amazing, it's an even match...
Kokona
Ah!
Shizuka
Yae-chan's sparkler fell!
Yae
Ah...
Panda
H-Hey, Sassu, wasn't that supposed to be a winning technique? You so easily beat Niizumachii...
Yae
Fu-fufu...
Kathrina
Eh, Niizuma is laughing...?
Yae
Fufu, ahahaha!
Kokona
What's wrong!? Yae-chan.
Yae
No, fufu, I didn't expect it to fall so quickly. I'm sorry, even though Sasuga-san taught me the winning technique.
Chisa
No, no, I should apologise for teaching you a useless technique...oh, mine fell too.
Kokona
So, Kathrina-chan is the champion?
Panda
I guess that's how it works out?
Panda
Well, congratulations! Katorin!
Kathrina
This is the most underwhelming victory I've ever had...
Kokona
Fufu, congratulations, Kathrina-chan. Well, I think it's about time we wrapped up for today-
Yae
Um!
Panda
Whoa, what is it, Niizumachii?
Yae
Would you like to do sparklers one more time? We still have a few fireworks left, and I want to play with everyone more!
Shizuka
Yae-chan...!
Kathrina
It's unusual for Niizuma to make such a request.
Yae
Ah. I'm sorry for suddenly being selfish.
Yae
If it's troublesome, we can end for today...
Chisa
No, let's do it. It's a rare selfish request from Niizuma, after all.
Panda
That's right. It would be a waste to leave them, so let's call this an exhibition match!
Kokona
Yeah! Yae-chan, I won't lose~!
Yae
Fufu, yes! Thank you very much!
Panda
Ah, so hot. Summer vacation is almost over, but the heat isn't letting up at all...
Chisa
...
Panda
Hey, Sassu. What have you been writing so intently?
Chisa
I'm summarizing my summer research.
Panda
Ah, "Observing the Dai Star."
Panda
Are you really going to submit that...
Chisa
Yeah. I understand Niizuma much better after this summer vacation. I think it was very good research.
Panda
I see. Geez, don't cause too much trouble for Niizumachii.
Yae
No, it wasn't troublesome at all!
Panda
Ehhh!? Niizumachii!? Since when were you there...
Yae
I'm sorry, I went to thank Shamo-san and heard your voices...
Chisa
By the way, what did you decide for your summer research, Niizuma? Before the summer festival, you said you hadn't decided yet, right?
Panda
Did you find a good topic?
Yae
Yes! This year's summer research is "A Collection of Delicious Shaved Ice Arrangements."
Chisa
Oh, that's nice. The brown sugar vanilla was delicious.
Panda
No, that was just plain ice cream at that point.
Panda
But still, to turn that into such a fine research project...
Yae
Ehehe...after that, I tried various flavours at home with my parents.
Panda
Oh, that's so elementary school like...
Chisa
Hmm, hmm. I'm glad you had fun.
Chisa
Hey, Niizuma. Did you enjoy summer vacation?
Yae
Yes! It became a very, very fun summer vacation!
Chisa
I'm glad to hear that. Let's make more fun memories next year too.
Yae
Of course! I look forward to it!