New Year's Eve.
December 31st.
Late afternoon.
Winter sunlight stretched across the towering skyline of Tokyo, casting long shadows between the buildings as the final day of the year slowly slipped toward evening.
The streets were alive.
Hundreds of thousands of people moved through the city in anticipation of the coming night. Couples, families, tourists, and locals filled the sidewalks. Restaurants were packed. Street vendors called out to passing crowds. The glow of shop windows reflected off polished asphalt.
Traffic crawled through the avenues.
Taxi drivers leaned on their horns.
Engines idled in long lines.
New Year's celebrations were only hours away.
But not everywhere in the city shared that noise.
In an exclusive residential neighborhood in Yoyogi, things were very different.
Wide streets.
Tall gates.
Expensive homes.
Most of the residents had already left for downtown celebrations.
The quiet neighborhood streets were almost completely empty.
Almost.
One car slowly rolled down the silent road.
A bright red Lamborghini Countach LP5000QV.
Its wide body and aggressive angles stood out sharply against the peaceful suburban scenery.
Inside, Maruzensky sat alone behind the wheel.
The interior of the Countach was filled to the brim with paper bags.
The passenger seat.
The floorboard.
Even the small space behind the seats.
Groceries. Snacks. Bottled drinks. Chips. Small desserts.
Supplies.
A few days earlier she had volunteered—somewhat impulsively—to host a small New Year's Eve gathering.
Six days after the Tracen Academy Christmas party.
Maruzensky glanced sideways at the pile of bags occupying the passenger seat.
She smiled to herself.
"I hope I won't regret hosting a party…"
She lightly tapped the steering wheel.
"…in a house this quiet."
The Countach slowed as she turned left into her driveway.
She circled the small roundabout in front of the house—built around a neatly trimmed ornamental tree—before aligning the car toward the front entrance.
The V12 rumbled softly.
Maruzensky reached forward and twisted the ignition key counter-clockwise.
The massive 5.2-liter Lamborghini V12, fitted with twin turbochargers, fell silent.
The only remaining sounds were the ticking of cooling metal and the faint whistle of cold winter wind.
She removed the key and slid it neatly into the chest pocket of her denim jacket.
Her hand moved down to the center buckle of the four-point racing harness.
Twist.
Click.
The harness released.
The shoulder straps fell loose over the seat while the groin strap dropped down between the cushions.
She pulled the belts aside and reached toward the door latch.
The scissor door rose upward with a smooth hydraulic motion.
Cold winter air immediately flowed into the cockpit.
Maruzensky swung her legs out and stepped onto the driveway.
She reached up and pulled the scissor door closed with a solid thunk.
Then she walked around to the passenger side.
The second scissor door lifted upward.
Maruzensky leaned inside and stared at the mountain of grocery bags.
She sighed dramatically.
"…That's a lot of bags."
She grabbed four of them.
Two in each hand.
Carefully balancing their weight, she stepped away from the car and walked toward the front entrance.
Her house stood quietly at the end of the driveway.
A modest mid-size two-story mansion by Tokyo standards.
Large windows.
Dark wood paneling.
Modern architecture.
Despite its size, the house felt empty most days.
Maruzensky was rarely home.
She reached the front door and carefully lowered the bags onto the cold concrete.
Her hand slipped into her jeans pocket, retrieving a small set of house keys.
The key slid into the lock.
Twist.
The door unlocked.
She pushed the handle down and opened the door.
The moment she stepped inside, the house automatically came to life.
Lights illuminated the hallway.
Heating systems activated.
The quiet home awakened.
Maruzensky carried the bags through the entry hall, past the living room and staircase, heading straight toward the kitchen.
She placed the bags on the countertop and stretched her shoulders.
"And…"
She sighed again.
"…there's still more."
Turning around, she walked back toward the front door and stepped outside once again.
She had barely taken two steps into the driveway when she heard it.
A sound approaching from down the street.
A sharp mechanical downshift.
A high-revving European V8.
Then another downshift.
The sound grew louder.
Maruzensky smiled immediately.
Moments later a bright Ferrari 308 GTB in Rosso Scuderia slowly rolled into her driveway.
The car moved carefully over the pavement before stopping behind the Countach.
Its engine shut off with a soft mechanical rumble.
Maruzensky chuckled.
"Looks like Chiyono-chan took Café's advice about the 308."
The driver door opened.
Sakura Chiyono O stepped out, adjusting her coat slightly.
She waved cheerfully.
"Maruzen-san! Good afternoon!"
Maruzensky waved back.
"Good afternoon, Chiyono-chan."
Chiyono shut the door with a soft thud and walked over to her.
She slipped her hands into her coat pockets and stood beside Maruzensky, both of them looking toward the two cars parked in the driveway.
Chiyono tilted her head slightly.
"Well?"
She glanced at Maruzensky.
"What do you think?"
Maruzensky turned toward her.
"The car suits you perfectly."
The two of them walked toward the Ferrari.
Maruzensky looked over the classic wedge-shaped bodywork.
"So what version is it? A Quattrovalvole?"
Chiyono shook her head.
"Nope."
"Just a regular 308 GTB."
She paused.
"But…"
She smiled.
"…there are some modifications."
Maruzensky raised an eyebrow.
"Modifications?"
Chiyono walked ahead and opened the driver's door.
She leaned inside briefly and pulled the rear engine latch.
Click.
The latch popped open.
She closed the door again and walked toward the back of the car.
Maruzensky followed.
Chiyono grabbed the rear cover and lifted it.
The engine bay opened.
Maruzensky leaned forward to look inside.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"…Whoa."
She pointed at the engine.
"Wait…"
"Is that a Ferrari F355 engine?"
Chiyono nodded proudly.
"Yep!"
She gestured toward the engine bay.
"The previous owner swapped in the V8 from a wrecked F355."
She then pointed lower into the chassis.
"And the suspension's been upgraded too. New components so the chassis can actually handle the extra power."
Chiyono lowered the engine cover and closed it firmly.
Maruzensky blinked.
"That's actually incredible."
Chiyono puffed her chest proudly.
"I know right?"
"And I got a pretty sweet deal on it."
Maruzensky laughed.
"Well congratulations, Chiyono-chan."
She pointed toward the still-open passenger door of her Countach.
"Before the others arrive…"
"…mind helping me with the groceries?"
Chiyono shook her head quickly.
"Oh! Not at all!"
The two walked over to the Countach.
Between them they gathered the remaining bags.
After a couple of trips, the groceries were finally stacked neatly across the kitchen counter.
Chiyono leaned against the countertop and exhaled.
"So…"
She looked over at Maruzensky.
"Are we cooking tonight or is everyone bringing food?"
Maruzensky shook her head.
"I already cooked everything before lunch."
She pointed toward the oven.
"It's being kept warm."
She gestured toward the grocery bags.
"These are just snacks and extra supplies."
Chiyono nodded.
"And you invited everyone?"
Maruzensky shook her head.
"Only the ones I know who own cars like ours."
Chiyono snapped her fingers.
"Oh!"
"Speaking of that…"
"I forgot something in the car."
She pushed herself away from the counter.
"Give me a second."
Chiyono walked down the hallway and stepped back outside.
She opened the passenger door of the Ferrari and grabbed a paper bag filled with food.
The door closed with a firm thud.
As she turned around—
The quiet neighborhood street suddenly echoed with the distant sound of another high-performance engine approaching.
And it wasn't alone.
More guests were arriving.
As Chiyono O stepped back toward the entrance carrying the paper bag, she stopped beside Maruzensky near the front door.
Before either of them could say another word—
Two engines echoed down the quiet street.
Both were unmistakably Italian.
One high-strung and raw.
The other smoother but equally aggressive.
Moments later two cars turned into the driveway.
First came Ferrari F40, low, wide, and unmistakably purposeful. The red machine rolled slowly over the pavement, its engine burbling through the titanium exhaust as it approached the house.
Behind it followed a white Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, its higher-pitched flat-plane V8 echoing through the quiet neighborhood.
The two cars came to a stop behind Chiyono's 308.
For a moment—
The three Ferraris sat lined up in the driveway.
F40.
F355.
The engines shut down almost at the same time.
Silence returned.
Then the doors opened.
Symboli Rudolf stepped out of the F40's driver seat while Tokai Teio climbed out from the passenger side.
From the F355, Sirius Symboli stepped out carrying several boxes stacked in her arms.
Teio immediately raised her arm high and waved enthusiastically.
"Maruzen! Chiyono-chan!"
Maruzensky laughed softly and waved back.
"Good afternoon, Teio-chan."
The three walked over across the driveway.
Greetings were exchanged quickly—handshakes and smiles between old friends.
Sirius shifted the pizza boxes slightly in her arms while looking back toward the lineup of cars behind them.
She smirked.
"Four cars."
She gestured toward them.
"All Italian."
Her grin widened.
"Kinda makes me want to keep it that way."
Rudolf nodded calmly.
"I couldn't agree more."
Then she turned her attention to Chiyono.
"So you actually went through with buying the Ferrari 308 GTB that Café recommended?"
Chiyono nodded proudly.
"Yep."
She placed her hands on her hips.
"And the best part?"
"It's swapped with an Ferrari F355 engine."
She shrugged slightly.
"Still stock though."
Sirius froze mid-step.
"Wait."
She looked at the car again.
Then back at Chiyono.
"Your 308… has an F355 engine in it?"
Chiyono nodded again.
"And the transmission too."
Sirius looked back at the car, clearly impressed.
A low whistle escaped her.
"Well damn…"
"Didn't know that was even possible with a 308."
Rudolf folded her arms thoughtfully as she looked over the car.
"For a lightweight chassis like that…"
She nodded slightly.
"That must feel incredibly quick."
She glanced back at Chiyono.
"An Italian pocket rocket."
Chiyono raised an eyebrow.
"I wouldn't call it overpowered."
She shrugged.
"But it does run about as quick as a Ferrari 360 Modena."
Then she smiled.
"Honestly though?"
"It just feels like a really fast go-kart."
Sirius laughed.
"That might actually be the best description of a 308 I've ever heard."
Then she raised the pizza boxes slightly.
"I brought food by the way."
"Hope you don't mind."
Maruzensky shook her head immediately.
"Of course not."
She stepped aside and gestured toward the doorway.
"Bring it right in."
"We can wait for the others inside."
The group headed into the house together.
One by one they removed their shoes at the entrance before stepping inside.
Chiyono.
Teio.
Sirius.
Rudolf.
The warm air inside the house contrasted sharply with the winter cold outside.
But as Maruzensky stepped through the doorway—
Another sound reached her ears.
Engines.
More than one.
She turned around.
Down the street a small convoy of cars approached the driveway.
The first to arrive was Tachyon's deep midnight-blue Nissan Fairlady Z S30, its straight-six humming smoothly as it rolled toward the house.
Behind it came a white Ford Mustang Dark Horse, the aggressive V8 rumble announcing Mayano Top Gun's arrival long before the car fully appeared.
Next followed King Halo's Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, its turbocharged engine quietly spooling as it eased forward.
Then Narita Brian's unmistakable Lancia Rally 037 arrived, its rally-tuned engine crackling slightly as it rolled into place.
Behind it came Mr. C.B's elegant Porsche 911 Singer DLS, painted navy blue with gold striping.
Next was Silence Suzuka's red Honda NSX NA1, the mid-engine sports car gliding quietly into the driveway.
And finally—
Orfevre arrived in a white Porsche 911 GT3, the flat-six engine echoing sharply before shutting down.
Several passengers stepped out alongside the drivers.
Haru Urara.
Air Groove.
Special Week.
Jungle Pocket.
Maruzensky smiled warmly as she watched everyone gather around the entrance.
"Looks like they arrived just in time."
The seven cars filled nearly every available space in the driveway.
Engines cooled.
Doors shut.
Laughter filled the cold air.
One by one the group approached the front door, exchanging greetings and handshakes before removing their shoes.
Soon everyone stepped inside Maruzensky's warm, welcoming home—
Ready to spend the final hours of the year together.
Time passed.
The small New Year's Eve gathering inside Maruzensky's home had fully come alive.
Warm lighting from the living room ceiling lamps cast a soft glow over the space. The large windows reflected the faint shimmer of the winter evening outside, while the quiet neighborhood remained peaceful beyond the walls.
Inside, however, the house buzzed with energy.
Conversations overlapped.
Laughter echoed between rooms.
Plates of food were slowly emptied as people moved between the kitchen and the living room.
The atmosphere was relaxed—exactly what Maruzensky had hoped for when she decided to host the gathering.
On One Side of the Living Room
Orfevre and Air Groove sat on the far end of the couch.
Each held a glass of non-alcoholic wine.
The deep red liquid reflected softly against the glass as they talked.
Air Groove crossed one leg over the other and glanced toward Orfevre.
"So…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"You didn't bring Gold Ship?"
Orfevre shook her head slowly.
"Knowing what Gold Ship would do…"
She took a small sip from her glass.
"…it was in everyone's best interest that she stayed home."
Air Groove visibly relaxed.
She leaned back into the couch cushions and exhaled.
"That's honestly a relief."
She shook her head.
"Who knows how chaotic this party would become if she were here."
Orfevre nodded calmly.
"Agreed."
She lifted her glass again and took another sip before lowering it.
Then she looked back at Air Groove.
"Say…"
Her expression turned curious.
"What's this I keep hearing about Suzuka traveling to Monaco and the UK?"
Air Groove raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
Orfevre chuckled softly.
"Come on."
She leaned slightly toward Air Groove.
"The rumors have spread across campus like wildfire."
She continued casually.
"Silence Suzuka and McLaren."
"In March, she's supposed to appear at the Japanese Grand Prix."
"In May, the Monaco Historic Grand Prix."
"And in July, the Goodwood Festival of Speed."
Air Groove lowered her head slightly.
"Well…"
She swirled the wine gently in her glass.
"It's not really a surprise about Goodwood."
She looked up again.
"Suzuka was there last year."
Orfevre nodded.
"Yes."
Air Groove continued.
"As for the Japanese Grand Prix and Monaco…"
She shrugged slightly.
"I'm not sure about those."
Then she looked directly at Orfevre.
"I suppose we'll just have to wait."
"Maybe Suzuka will say something about it later tonight."
Orfevre smiled faintly.
She raised her glass.
"Well."
"Rumor or truth…"
"She's clearly moving up in the world."
Air Groove raised her own glass.
"Mhm."
"To Suzuka."
The glasses touched lightly.
Orfevre nodded.
"To Suzuka."
Across the Living Room
Near the kitchen entrance, three other figures stood talking.
Manhattan Café leaned quietly against the wall, her cup of coffee resting between both hands.
Next to her stood Agnes Tachyon, arms folded across her chest.
Across from them was Jungle Pocket.
And Jungle Pocket was laughing.
"You can't be serious!"
She pointed at Tachyon.
"You—Agnes Tachyon—got scared over a car?"
Café chuckled softly.
"You should have seen her face."
She took a sip of her drink.
"She was scared shitless."
Tachyon immediately shook her head.
"What exactly is funny about nearly getting hit by a truck?!"
Café waved a hand dismissively.
"It was a delivery van."
"And we were barely moving."
Tachyon scoffed loudly.
"If you were sitting where I was…"
She pointed toward Café.
"…you'd be scared shitless too."
Then Tachyon suddenly turned toward Café.
"Actually, let's talk about you."
She smirked.
"You were literally yelling 'TAKE IT EASY TACHYON!' when we drove up Mount Haruna months ago."
Jungle Pocket burst out laughing again.
Tachyon turned toward her.
"Cut it out, Pokke."
She poked Jungle Pocket lightly in the chest.
"You were gripping the grab handle like your life depended on it when we ran the Shuto Expressway a couple weeks ago."
Then Tachyon raised her voice and mimicked Jungle Pocket's tone perfectly.
"PLEASE! I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!"
Jungle Pocket froze.
Tachyon continued mercilessly.
"And I distinctly remember you whispering—"
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice.
"'Is this the same Agnes Tachyon that recorded footage of me running to study leg strength during training?'"
Jungle Pocket scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
"Uh…"
Tachyon nodded.
"Yeah."
"That was you."
Jungle Pocket quickly looked around the room.
"Okay."
She raised her hands defensively.
"Let's all just pretend that never happened."
Tachyon grinned.
"Why the hell would I do that?"
For a moment—
The three stared at each other.
Then all of them burst out laughing.
Even Café.
By the kitchen.
Symboli Rudolf, Maruzensky, Narita Brian, and Sirius Symboli stood by the kitchen counter.
"So… how's Forever Young?" Maruzensky asked.
Symboli Rudolf took a sip of her soda and gently placed the cup down.
"Oh. She's doing well so far. Four wins this year. Her lowest position was third at the Dubai World Cup."
Maruzensky nodded.
"Yeah! So I heard! She's doing pretty well so far!"
Rudolf nodded.
"Yep."
She slid a finger slowly around the ring of condensation on the cup.
"And she approached me during our Christmas party too."
Maruzensky looked at Rudolf.
"And?"
Rudolf met her gaze.
"She said she wants to return to Saudi and defend her victory."
Symboli bowed her head slightly.
"If she wins the Saudi Cup again… she would become the first Umamusume to win the Saudi Cup in consecutive years."
Sirius Symboli looked at Rudolf.
"So what's going to be her plan next year after Saudi?"
Rudolf tapped her chin, her ears twitching slightly.
"Well… she said there might not be any more plans to race after the Dubai World Cup."
She shrugged faintly.
"But who really knows."
Symboli bowed her head slightly again.
"Well, she's been racing for quite a while now. She deserves more breaks now and then."
Rudolf nodded.
"Mhm…"
Narita Brian took a sip of her drink and set the cup down on the countertop.
"So. How was your trip to Naruto, fellas?"
Sirius Symboli raised both hands immediately.
"Hey, don't look at me. I was here in Tokyo when they left."
Narita Brian chuckled.
"I know that, Symboli."
Rudolf set her drink down again.
"The scenery was great. Traffic was manageable."
She paused.
"Apart from Tachyon's near brush with a delivery van."
"I'd say it was a good trip."
Sirius Symboli swallowed her drink a little too quickly and set the glass down.
"What do you mean near brush?"
Maruzensky smirked slightly.
"A Tesla cut her off and nearly made her crash. Her rear wheels locked up and the car fishtailed."
She shook her head.
"The entire thing was messed up… but Tachyon pulled off one hell of a save."
Narita Brian sighed.
"You're bound to encounter bad drivers here and there."
She folded her arms.
"No surprise Tachyon ran into one."
Maruzensky nodded.
"Mhm…"
She smiled faintly.
"Especially driving the Devil Z on snow."
She whistled softly.
"That takes guts."
Near the stairway.
Mr. C.B. stood talking with Mayano Top Gun.
"So, Maya-chan. How's that Pantera project of yours?"
Mayano jumped slightly with excitement.
"She's nearing completion!"
She raised both hands enthusiastically.
"All it needs is some tuning and a few body panels to be painted!"
C.B blinked.
"Ooooh…"
She smiled.
"I'm looking forward to hearing that small-block V8, Maya-chan."
Mayano nodded rapidly.
"Yep! Yep!"
"It's gonna sound like it has a cross-pipe! You know, like those guys in America running the 302 small blocks!"
C.B crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.
"How's that Dark Horse treating you?"
Mayano shrugged.
"It's been good."
She tilted her head.
"Not the most ideal car in snow… but gentle driving does its charms."
C.B nodded.
"Yeah."
She smirked slightly.
"And considering its reputation…"
Mayano immediately raised a finger.
"Come on, C.B-san!"
"Don't mention the stereotype about Mustang drivers crashing into crowds!"
C.B chuckled.
"Alright, alright. I won't."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"But seriously, how is it?"
"I mean, you've got the Hennessey Super Venom package on it too."
Mayano smiled and crossed her arms, leaning against the wall.
"On dry roads?"
Her grin widened.
"The thing kicks hard."
"Especially with the manual transmission."
She laughed lightly.
"And surprisingly… it's been reliable."
C.B chuckled.
"Reliable?"
She smirked.
"You better not jinx yourself, Maya-chan."
Mayano mock-punched C.B's shoulder.
"I don't jinx myself, C.B!"
The two laughed.
Down in the hallway near the main entrance.
Haru Urara, King Halo, and Special Week stood near the door.
Special Week peeked through the small window.
She leaned closer to the glass, her ears slowly pressing against it as she tried to hear the conversation outside.
Her tail flicked behind her.
Haru Urara quietly joined in, pressing herself beside Special Week and trying to listen as well.
King Halo chuckled softly.
"Is this really necessary?"
Special Week didn't move.
"Yep."
Urara glanced back at Halo.
"Come on, Halo-san! Join in!"
Halo sighed.
"Alright, alright."
She stepped forward and leaned toward the window as well, her ears tilting toward the door.
But all they could hear was muffled noise.
Nothing clear.
Outside.
Silence Suzuka stood on the phone.
A man with an American accent spoke from the other end.
"Can't wait for what's planned next year, Suzuka! I'm looking forward to seeing you again!"
Suzuka nodded slightly, even though he couldn't see her.
"Yeah… I'm looking forward to it too."
The man spoke again.
"Alright, Suzuka. I'll leave you to it. I'll see you in March at Mobility Resort Motegi."
Suzuka nodded again.
"Alright. See you then."
She paused.
"And Happy New Year."
The man laughed softly.
"Happy New Year to you too, Suzuka. Send my regards to your friends and family."
The call ended.
Suzuka slipped her phone into her pocket and walked back toward the door.
Inside.
Urara, Halo, and Special Week quickly stepped away from the entrance and tried to act natural.
Suzuka opened the door and stepped inside, gently closing it behind her.
She sighed, shaking her head slightly.
"Come on. Don't pull that act on me."
She glanced at the three of them.
"I know you were listening."
Special Week immediately raised a fist.
"We were not!"
Suzuka shook her head again.
"Come on, Spe."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"I'm going to tell everyone my plans anyway."
Urara walked up to her, eyes shining with curiosity.
"What is your plan next year, Suzuka-san?"
Suzuka smiled down at her.
"All I can say for now…"
She glanced down the hallway toward the living room where the party continued.
"I'm going to do some great things overseas."
Right on cue—
The sound of someone tapping a glass echoed through the house.
"Gather around the living room, people!"
It was Maruzensky.
Conversations slowly quieted as everyone began moving toward the living room.
Silence Suzuka and the others joined the group as they gathered around.
Almost everyone held a drink.
Narita Brian approached Suzuka and handed her a glass, offering drinks to Mr. C.B, King Halo, and Special Week as well.
Haru Urara received a glass of soda instead.
Maruzensky looked around the room, smiling.
"Now that everyone's here, we can officially do our New Year's toast."
She paused for a moment.
"But before that…"
Her eyes moved across the group.
"Does anyone want to say something?"
There was a brief silence.
Suzuka glanced around the room.
Then she stepped forward.
"I do, Maruzen."
Maruzensky stepped aside with a grin.
"The room's all yours."
Suzuka faced the group.
"So… next year, I've made three commitments with a racing team."
She raised one finger.
"First, in March, I'll be doing a demonstration lap before the start of the Japanese Grand Prix."
The room erupted with murmurs and impressed whispers.
Suzuka raised a second finger.
"Then in May, I'll be racing in the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco."
She paused briefly.
"And I'll also be a guest at the McLaren hospitality during the Monaco Grand Prix."
The room burst into applause.
Suzuka raised a third finger.
"And for the second year in a row…"
"I'll be driving at the Goodwood Festival of Speed."
More applause filled the room.
From the back, Jungle Pocket raised a finger.
"So… if this is all with McLaren… what does that mean for Monaco and that Goodwood event thing?"
Suzuka chuckled softly.
"It means I'll be driving McLaren Formula One cars at those events."
The room instantly grew louder with excitement.
"For the Japanese Grand Prix demonstration lap, I'll be driving one of two ex-Ayrton Senna McLaren Formula One cars."
She continued.
"At Monaco, I'll be driving the ex-James Hunt McLaren M23D from the 1970s."
The applause grew even louder.
"And at Goodwood…"
"I'll be driving the McLaren MP4/4."
The room erupted again.
Symboli Rudolf nodded approvingly.
"Congratulations on this great opportunity, Suzuka."
She raised her glass slightly.
"We'll all be there to support you."
Suzuka nodded respectfully and lifted her glass toward her.
"Thank you, Kaichou."
She stepped back as Maruzensky moved forward again.
"Well then…"
Maruzensky looked around the room.
"Anyone else?"
Everyone glanced at one another.
No one spoke.
Maruzensky nodded.
"Alright then."
She raised her glass high.
"To the greatness of next year."
Everyone raised their glasses.
"Cheers, everyone!"
The group looked at one another, smiles spreading across their faces.
Glasses lifted.
"Cheers!"