"Year's end is traditionally the time when students return home to ring in the new year with their families--the very last thing Hachiken wants to do! He'll be the only one staying in the dorms, but after all, on a farm, someone always has to stick around to care for the animals. Little does he know that when the students are away, the teachers have their own tradition: a year-end feast of the bounties of Ezo Ag! Happy New Year, indeed!!"--Page [4] of cover.

"Original Japanese edition published by SHOGAKUKAN."--Colophon. Reads from right to left.