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Mission Hatsumoude (初詣 大作戦, lit. Hatsumoude Great Strategy) is a short story which was released as part of the first of the limited edition boxed sets of the anime's second season.

This short story takes part during Volume 9 of the main series, covering the interlude between Lina receiving her mission to go to Japan and investigate the Shiba siblings, and the fateful encounter between the three during the siblings first shrine visit in the January of 2096.

In line with this being a short story released as part of the limited edition version of the anime's second season, this short story follows the adjustment to the events of Volume 9 that were seen in anime, in which Lina's outfit has been changed to a mini-length one-piece kimono.

Synopsis[]

The leader of the USNA's elite Stars unit has been ordered on a special mission in Japan to identify the strategic-class magician responsible for Scorched Halloween. But this mission is far outside the scope of Angelina Kudou Shields' usual duties, so she is at a loss with the proposed plan to make contact with the target, titled ‘Induce the Target’s Sympathy as an Inexperienced Foreigner Visiting a Shrine for Hatsumoude, Then Use That as an Excuse to Form a Friendship.' To this end, Lina asks an old friend, Abigail Stuart, for advice.

Chapter 1: Beginning[]

Spoiler
The fifteenth of December, 2095AD.

The commanding officer of the Stars Magician Unit, Major Angelina Sirius, was granted a top-secret mission directly by the Secretary of Defence. This mission’s nature was far removed from the primary duties of the commanding officer of the Stars unit, and Angie was completely at a loss.

◇ ◇ ◇

In the dead of night at around the time after the date has changed to the twenty-fourth of December, Lina has just completed a depressing mission and is now lying down in her personal room in the Stars headquarters.

Major Benjamin Canopus visits to check on Lina. He notices that she has already packed for her next mission, and upon mentioning it the pair discuss her unusual upcoming mission which is to infiltrate a high school to see if one of her targets is the strategic-class magician they are targeting.

Lina is unenthused as the mission is outside of her field of expertise, having little training in intelligence operations, and the low chance of the targets being the one they are looking for.

Canopus pacifies Lina’s concerns by pointing out that she will not be alone and that due to the circumstances, they are prioritising combat power over a trained operative. Canopus goes on to say her role is likely to rattle the pair, so she should let loose a little, which in turn may make the targets open themselves up more.

Reassured, Lina apologises for leaving the matter of the deserters to Canopus to undertake this mission.

After Canopus has gone, Lina returns her attention to her orders, specifically the second page, which contains a plan a specialist has drawn up called, ‘Induce the Target’s Sympathy as an Inexperienced Foreigner Visiting a Shrine for Hatsumoude, Then Use That as an Excuse to Form a Friendship.’ The induce sympathy part of the plan, which just required her to play the part of a good but unlucky child, she was able to understand, however, it said, ‘as an Inexperienced Foreigner,’ which she didn’t understand, and it had her completely at a loss.

That she would be seen as an ‘inexperienced foreigner’ if she were to use her ordinary appearance was something Lina had not realised.

Chapter 2: Discussion[]

Spoiler
The night of Christmas Eve.

Lina is holding the fort at Stars Headquarters whilst the rest of the members are spending time with their families and lovers, something almost all of them have, though the other parties are heavily vetted for security.

Since Lina is estranged from her family and has no lover, it makes sense for her to have this duty since the base cannot be left empty.

Due to her magical power and position, Lina is quite isolated from those around her, and to take her mind off the loneliness, Lina’s mind quickly turns to her upcoming mission.

Just as she starts fretting over it again, Lina receives a video call. Thinking it might be a mission, she dons the Angie Sirius disguise, but it turned out to be a needless concern as the call is from one of her few friends, the scientist Abby Stuart.

The pair exchange pleasantries, with some tomfoolery added on to Lina’s transformation from Angie Sirius back to Lina.

Lina comments on how it is unusual for Abby to call, this being due to Lina’s erratic deployments making it easier for Abby to make time for the pair to meet up, and Abby brings up Lina’s trip to Japan, a high-level magician being deployed abroad is rare, and asks if it will be long.

Upon hearing that it will only be a few months at most, Abigail is visibly relieved. Touched by this, Lina opens up and discusses the issue she is having with the strategy to make contact with the targets during Hatsumoude.

Hearing of Lina’s plight ignites a mischievous spark in Abby, something Lina fails to notice.

Abby suggests changing the plan, saying it’s too much for this day and age, and tells Lina that simply getting him to remember her as she walks by will be enough. They discuss Lina wearing a kimono, and after coaxing Lina into it, Abby agrees to send a document with images to Lina later on, much to Lina’s delight.

The discussion ends with Lina thanking Abby for her input and agreeing to review the plan. Lina’s concerns abated, the pair then break into girl talk for the rest of the call.

◇ ◇ ◇

After the call, Lina peruses the document sent by Abby.

Unbeknown to Lina, the images Abby sent are from Abby’s cosplay collection.

Blissfully ignorant of the specific subculture she was seeing, Lina researches possible outfits for the operation, ideally wanting something flashy to match her colouration, and short so she can move around easily.

Chapter 3: Supplies[]

Spoiler

Lina arrives in Japan and heads straight to the store that Abigail had recommended. Arriving, Lina sees a holography of a blonde girl in a flashy kimono and becomes more confident this is the right place, before entering the store without noticing that the sign states it is a cosplay store. Inside, Lina is greeted by the staff and the store’s manager quickly comes to greet her whilst the shop assistant collects the outfit that has been ordered for Lina by Abby.

While they wait, Lina and the manager chat about how the manager knows Abby, the pair being online friends with similar tastes. The conversation moves on to topics such as how the manager used to work for the military as a magician before they had to retire, and her passionate views about Magical Girls, brought on by an old photo of Lina from when she joined Stars.

Once the kimono arrives, Lina tries it on but is concerned by her exposed thighs. They provide her with a petticoat, though it does little to protect her modesty in Lina’s opinion, the assistant and manager are elated by how cute Lina looks and excitedly discuss hair accessories while Lina can only resign herself to her fate.

Chapter 4: Performance[]

Spoiler
2096, New Year’s Day.

Lina heads back to the store to get ready for her mission. Upon hearing Lina was wearing the outfit for Hatsumoude, the store’s manager and assistant insisted she come to the store on the day for the hair and makeup set, and due to their enthusiasm, Lina had been unable to refuse.

Upon returning from the store, her escort say nothing, wearing perfect poker faces and set off. As Lina is acting as Angelina Shields the spy, rather than Angie Sirius, she is able to sit back and let the others handle everything as they make plans and track the target. But, while she is waiting, Lina finally has a moment to think and realises that she is heading to a battlefield where she will have to make decisions alone without support. This sudden self-awareness makes her anxious.

◇ ◇ ◇

By hacking the Traffic control System, the USNA team track the target and arrive five minutes earlier, giving time for Lina to get into position.

Lina and company arrive at the shrine first and she heads to her position. As per the revised plan, Lina intends to pass by the target, and make a lasting first impression. However, she needs to arrive first and quickly heads towards the main shrine.

Despite many young women being dressed up for the occasion, Lina’s attire is something that would only normally be seen either at an Idol’s New Year’s concert, or in an anime. As such, Lina attracts a lot of attention.

Reaching the plaza in front of the shrine, Lina hides behind a temporary booth selling talismans, while completely oblivious to the fact that everyone is watching her, even the shrine maiden running the booth.

Fortunately for her, this doesn’t last long because the targets (Tatsuya and Miyuki) arrive, and Miyuki draws all attention onto herself. Miyuki’s arrival leaves even Lina shocked due to the sheer impact of seeing her otherworldly beauty in person, despite having seen pictures beforehand. The shock nearly makes her miss her timing, and she has to move again as the targets pass, but she notices that she has been seen by the male target. Realizing she cannot hesitate, Lina walks towards Tatsuya and Miyuki, playing innocent. But as she passes, she sees a cold smile on Tatsuya’s face makes her wonder if she has been seen through, leaving her to escape the shrine almost mechanically.

Chapter 5: The Operation Ends[]

Spoiler

Lina is dropped off at her apartment building by her colleagues. The encounter has left her so anxious that she forgets the bag containing her change of clothes, leaving it in the car. The look Tatsuya gave her has left her truly rattled, and she mulls over the situation as she heads to her apartment.

There, she is greeted by Silvia Mercury First who is stunned into silence by Lina’s outfit. After taking a moment to recover, Silvia asks what Lina is wearing, and upon hearing Lina’s explanation, Silvia explains how ridiculous Lina looks and asks Lina if anyone else was dressed like that. As she reflects on her memory of the shrine visit, she realises Tatsuya’s smile hadn’t been scorn, but a bitter smile due to what she was wearing. Seeing that Lina has realised, Silvia proceeds to lecture Lina of Japanese fashion, while Lina curses Abby in her mind.

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