[video]

[forgetbeam]

Is everybody ready for the new semester?! It's always difficult to readjust to school life after a long break like that, which is why I recommend keeping up with one's studies each day to keep prepared! But if you haven't done that, don't worry. You still have one day left to review the coursework and refresh your memory!

[Boy, that sounds... exciting...]

It looks like the mistletoe infestation has worn off just in time for us not to worry about missing class due to being stuck, too! I understand that it was particularly unpleasant this year. I'm sure many of us were reminded of... of things that we would much rather forget. The past should definitely be learned from, but not so heavily dwelt upon. Right then! It's a fresh new year, so let's all leave that behind us and remember to focus on the future! Let's hear some resolutions for self-improvement! You've all already made them, haven't you?

Here, I'll start. This year, I resolve to-- [Wait, simply maintaining perfect grades through to graduation isn't necessarily an improvement, uhhh]-- find at least three new activities to enjoy with friends!

...And to maintain high grades until graduation. [Just so we're clear.] But that should go without saying for all of us students!

Comments

[punchtheflute]

My resolutions are - Eat seventeen new foods that I've never tried before. Gain another one hundred pounds in my normal form! Get at least a few 'A's this year in classes that aren't Home Ecc or Smash Fundamentals! Learn four new Ukulele songs and be able to play them start to finish without messing up!

I can help you find new things to enjoy with friends, too!

[forgetbeam]

Oh... You listed all of them?! All right, me too! I have more than just one, of course!

[HE'S NOT GONNA BE OUTDONE...]

On top of what I've already listed, I also plan to train Magikarp to learn tackle, bench press ten more pounds than I can now, learn to cook one new meal, and study one new subject even after graduation! Let's both give it our all to reach our goals!

And... I would very much appreciate your help with that! After all, you're somebody I want to do those things with anyway! In exchange, I'll gladly give you advice on studying to help you get those A's!

[punchtheflute]

Yeah! Let's both try our best to do all that stuff! Hey, I can help you learn to cook a new meal, if you want? I'm always learning about how to make new stuff in the kitchen!

Awesome! I can use all the advice I can get, haha! And I want to do stuff with you too so it all works out really well! I'm glad we're friends.

[forgetbeam]

Of course! I admit, I don't know where to begin. I want to try something completely different from usual, but that means I can't base my meal around rice... more western cooking like that is a complete mystery to me, so any ideas would be more than welcome!

Ha ha... How about another one! This year, I resolve to bring light into the lives of all my friends here who have brought it into mine!

[How can anyone say something that cheesy completely unironically? JEEZ.]

[trustycrowbar]

Resolutions?

...Too tell the truth, I was harboring a resolution to get back into decathlon training. Maybe even forming a real track team here at the Academy.

[forgetbeam]

That's a wonderful idea! Any school should have a track team, and one that focuses on physical activity like this one has no excuse to have gone without one for so long! I'll gladly join you, Professor!

[trustycrowbar]

[Seems he can't back out now.]

Out of curiosity, how many extracurriculars have you picked up already?

[Not that he doesn't count on Kyotaka to keep up with it all, but he's just about everywhere in the school already. Unless he's pulling three extra hours a day out of his ass he may not be able to do it all.]

[forgetbeam]

Right now it's only boxing club, debate club, the cheer squad, and swordsmanship. Oh, and studying, of course!

["Only."]

I had a lot of spare time open up with the Disciplinary Committee was dissolved, so I've been trying to fill it in as best as I can!

[It's a huge void to fill, though. That was his life.]

[tempus_fixit]

Oh yeah, I've heard of this! I resolve tooooo... [She thinks.]

...Actually, I resolve to spend more time with friends, myself. Aaaaand build my most true-to-life humanoid robot ever. That too.

[forgetbeam]

True-to-life... But then that's like raising a child! Are you really ready for that?

[He has a lot of robot feelings okay. RUN LUCCA RUN.]

[tempus_fixit]

Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.

[Famous last words.]

No, really. I've helped a robot understand human emotion before, so it can only be easier if you've programmed them yourself, right?

[forgetbeam]

[He doesn't really know much about programming, so all he really has to go off of are the robots and AIs he's met. It's weird to hear this kind of thing being talked about like it's so simple...]

What are your plans once it's finished?

[inspirethefire]

Resolutions... I must confess, I never put a huge amount of stock into them. I generally thought goals are best pursued as they're thought of, rather than waiting for a date to begin.

[Way to shut down everyone's fun, bro.]

[forgetbeam]

Ah...! You're right! Of course there's no sense in putting off self-improvement if you think of a goal at any other time of the year!

[Aww now he feels dumb.]

But there's something more motivating about making and sharing these plans with everyone all around the same time, isn't it?

[inspirethefire]

Ah, you're right...! Voicing your desires where others can hear you promotes both support of each others' goals, as well as one's own determination to bring it to reality.

So, mine, I suppose... I... really want get good at cooking!

[shit]

[forgetbeam]

That's right! Saying it out puts it out there! All that's left is to chase after it!

[THAT RESOLUTION THOUGH... Ohhh he remembers the Great Salisbury Steak Disaster of '14.]

It also opens up the possibility of finding someone who will assist in your efforts... So... If you ever find yourself having difficulty in the kitchen, let me know! I'll be more than happy to help!

[He may not know how to make anything all that fancy but he at least knows how to avoid chaos...]

[birdlady]

Hmm! Both of your resolutions sound very worthwhile. I hope you don't mind if I follow your example?

[forgetbeam]

Do you really mean that?!

[GGGGASPPPP]

O-of course! Nothing would make me happier! I strive to set an example for my peers, so by all means, please follow it!

[birdlady]

I truly admire your enthusiasm! I feel as if I want to get started right away!

[awakeningwill]

Resolutions...

[Moving forward towards the future, that was a concept he embraced. He'd never made new year's resolutions before, but it seemed as good a goal as any. The problem was trying to come up with one outside of his job description.]

...

... ... ...To make friends, I suppose.

[forgetbeam]

Do you mean that?

[Ah... Kiyotaka knows what it's like to be entirely caught up in one's work and also entirely lonely. BOY DOES HE EVER. He may still be a little shaky and undecided about how much he can trust Zero after the mistletoe, but it would be hypocritical of him not to believe that he too wants to move forward. SO...]

I was in your shoes once, so I can give you advice based on my experiences!

[DON'T DO IT ZERO]

[awakeningwill]

...

[Experiences, huh. Zero stared with a significant measure of skepticism, but wasn't like he was adept enough at socialization that he could turn away advice without hearing it out first. Nothing was forcing him to actually follow it, though.]

I'm listening...

[fakespeech]

What's a resolution?

[Was Ecolo being serious? Maybe, maybe not... it's so hard to tell about that creepy smile of his.

...95% of the time he's not being serious though.]

[forgetbeam]

In this case, it's a personal goal that you intend to reach by the end of the year!

[fakespeech]

Eehhh... I don't really have any goals right now. I guess making friends and having fun, but I don't want to keep for just this year!