"I know everyone's hungry, so I'll be succinct." He smiled, "Another year arrived, huh? Aurora and I cannot express how much your presence here this night means to us. For a while, it has been only the two of us, and having the house filled with people that we care about is the best gift you guys could give us. Thank you for sharing this moment with us."
Everyone felt their hearts warming up when they heard Theo's words.
"I wish that the sea and the universe bless us with a wonderful new year for each one of us." Theo added with a gesture of asking for the sea's blessing.
The others followed his example and did the same thing.
As it was already said before, it was the tradition to wish for the sea's blessing for the new year.
"Let's eat these amazing dishes!" Theo exclaimed when everyone finished their blessing gestures.
"Yeah!"
"Let's dig in!"
"I'm famished."
Everyone exclaimed excitedly back as they started serving their plates with the delicious dishes that Theo and the others cooked.
Paella, Bouillabaisse, Osechi, and various other delicious dishes were devoured by the group as they talked and laughed throughout the meal.
Just like was expected, the dishes that Theo planned awed every one, even the ones who helped Theo cook them. He had used techniques from his past life, so it wasn't a surprise the new taste.
But that did not stop everyone from being amazed by the unique and new taste of the delicious dishes.
This made the banquet become even more festive, as everyone enjoyed the amazing food while talking about all kinds of things.
"How are we going to do tomorrow?" Sam asked as she took a sip of the Bouillabaisse.
"How so?" Shoko asked.
"Well, Ryoko hadn't packed up her luggage, the bus that is going to take us will wait for her to pack up or not?" Sam asked.
Theo immediately replied, "The bus will drop Ryoko at her apartment first, then the bus will take us to pick up your bags at your houses, Ryoko can pack up her luggage while we pick up your bags. When we pick up the last luggage, we go back to Ryoko's apartment to pick up her."
"That's a good plan." Ryoko commented.
"Yeah, this way we won't waste too much time." Kumiko added.
"But we will have to wake up earlier tho." Sayuri commented.
"From what I heard, we should sleep as little as possible this night, this way we will be able to sleep throughout the flight. And we arrive at the Islands, we will be ready for the day there." Aurora commented as she ate a piece of her Osechi.
"Yeah, although we will leave Sakura City around noon, we will arrive at the islands in the morning because of the time zone changes." Sam added.
"Does that mean we're free to go crazy this night?" Max asked.
"No, of course, it doesn't mean that!" Lauren replied with a reproachful expression.
Everyone laughed when they saw this scene.
"What about Ayia-san and Shizuka-san?" Gwen asked.
"The two of them will meet us at Sakura City." Theo replied as he sipped his white wine.
Everyone continued having fun and talking as they ate the delicious food without many worries. It seemed like Theo had planned everything for 'tomorrow's trip, so they did not need to worry much.
They were almost finishing the banquet when Theo felt his phone vibrating inside his jeans pocket.
He wondered who could be calling him at this time, so he picked up the phone to see the caller. And when he saw the caller's name, he let out a wide smile.
He pressed the button to answer the call and the image of a stunningly beautiful girl appeared on his phone screen.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Ayia shouted excitedly.
"Happy New Year!" Theo replied with a wide smile.
Aurora and the others were confused at first, but when they heard Ayia's shout, they figured out exactly what was happening.
"It's Ayia!"
"I immediately recognized her shout."
"Who wouldn't?"
Everyone laughed and commented on Ayia's funny antics.
Theo saw that before turning his camera to show everyone to Ayia.
"Happy New Year, everyone!" Ayia said with an excited voice.
"Happy New Year, Ayia-san!"
"You look so pretty!"
"Where are Shizuka-san?"
Everyone wished her a happy new year and started asking her questions.
"Thank you, guys! Shizu-chan is with the family. I manage to escape their clutches to call you guys." Ayia giggled.
Everyone laughed out loud when they heard that, Ayia was funny as ever.
Only she would be able to run away from her family to call them at this time of the New Year Celebration.
"Wow! It seems like the banquet was sumptuous." Ayia exclaimed when she noticed the table filled with dishes.
"Oh, it was so delicious!"
"Theo surpassed himself this time."
"Yeah, I think this is the best meal that I had with Theo."
Everyone commented and complimented the food with relish.
"Ah, I'm so jealous of you guys!" Ayia exclaimed with a regretful voice.
"But I bet you had an even better banquet there." Theo laughed.
"No way! Your food is the best food in the world!" Ayia replied with a firm voice.
Everyone laughed when they heard that as they could relate to Ayia's feelings.
Ayia indeed had a bigger and more sumptuous banquet due to her family's requirements. But Ayia still firmly believed that Theo's food was the best she would ever have in her life.
"Oh, my big sister will come with us tomorrow, is that okay?" Ayia asked suddenly with a nervous voice.
"Oh, your big sister?"
"The one you said that you're afraid of?"
"That's great! I wanna know why you're so afraid of her."
Everyone agreed without any hesitation, for them, the more the merrier.
But Ayia only had eyes for Theo, and he did not disappoint.
He smiled before replying, "Of course, she is more than welcome to come to enjoy the islands with us. Ryoko will come along for a few days as well. The more the merrier."
Ayia heaved a sigh of relief when she heard that.
She knew that this trip was special for Theo and Aurora, so she didn't want to mess things up for them.
Ayia talked to them for a while longer, before she exclaimed, "Oh crap! It seems they are looking for me. I'll see you guys tomorrow!"
Those were her last words before hanging up the phone.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh out loud when they saw that.
Just like that, their New Year Banquet went by beautifully.
But even though they had just finished, the night still reserved great things for them.
The New Year had just arrived, and they planned to enjoy its first few hours!
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