Plot:Dancing with the Happy-Go-Lucky Lions

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	The contents within will contain major spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

This is a complete summary of the plot of Dancing with the Happy-Go-Lucky Lions, an event in Persona 5: The Phantom X. Each heading represents the title of the chapter that events occur in.

Main Story

Happy New Year

Lufel approaches Nagisa, concerned about the reduction in desire and hope among the populace compared to what they were during New Years as people have abandoned their New Years resolutions. He notes that because people's desires have waned, the Shadows in Mementos are becoming more active, and warns Nagisa to stay on his guard.

At that moment, Nagisa's doorbell rings, and he opens the door to greet Yaoling Li wishing him a happy new year to his confusion. Yaoling reacts with confusion, only to realize that in Japan, the new year is only celebrated at the beginning of the year, unlike in her home country of China. She goes on to explain the concept of Lunar New Year to Nagisa, who is unfamiliar with the concept. She explains that as part of her culture's tradition, she is visiting those who looked out for her to thank them, and offers to help him experience a Chinese-style New Year's celebration by accompanying him to do the same.

Lunar New Year Greetings

After deciding to visit Nagisa's friends, Yaoling and Nagisa explore Zoshigaya together, visiting his neighbors who had looked out for him. He suggests visiting Kayo Tomiyama, but mentions that they should make sure she is home first, leading to Yaoling becoming embarassed about arriving unannounced without considering that possibility. However, Kayo is currently away from home on a vacation with her husband.

As a result of Kayo being unavailable, Nagisa and Yaoling move on to meeting up with Minami Miyashita. Yaoling introduces herself to Minami, who seems flustered and confused at the sudden salutations until Yaoling explains Lunar New Years to her. Minami reflects on her own busy New Years and comments that a Lunar New Years festival sounds fun, only for Yaoling to realize she had meant to invite Nagisa to the New Year's festival in Yokohama Chinatown and forgotten, mentioning disappointment that Yukimi Fujikawa was unable to come with her. She then invites Minami to join the two of them, though Minami at first declines due to her busy shcedule. Just then, Minami's father appears and joins the conversation, encouraging her to go to the festival, and the three prepare to leave together.

While Minami returns home to get ready for the festival, Yaoling approaches Nagisa and admits, downcast, that this is her first New Years spent away from family and that she is feeling lonely. Nagisa comforts her as Yaoling goes on to explain that this is a different loneliness than when she first arrived at Japan, as it is no longer the loneliness of having no one she can rely on. Yaoling decides to give a phone call to her mother that night to tell her about her experiences in Japan and the Lunar New Years festival she went to with her friends.

Chinatown Celebrations

Nagisa, Yaoling and Minami arrive at Chinatown and marvel over the decorations and festive stalls. Nagisa points out a series of lanterns with hanging talismans, which Yaoling explains have riddles and trivia printed on them. Minami and Yaoling get into a spirited discussion about all the unfamiliar sights and their meanings; however, Nagisa notices that the mood in the area seems off and that the foot traffic is especially low for such a festive time. Lufel pokes his head out of Nagisa's bag and confirms that their desires have been stolen, but is unsure of the cause. Despite this, he is at least able to rule out the presence of a Palace or a Menace, and recommends further investigation.

Nagisa, Minami and Yaoling move on to exploring more street stalls, including a candied hawthorn stall, which the three of them try together. They then move on to a stall selling tangyuan, only to find that no one is running the stall. Nagisa suggests coming back later, though thinks to himself that it is possible that the stall owner is absent because of the stolen desires. Yaoling then runs off to another stall while Nagisa and Minami rush to keep up.

Hero Show

At a nearby park, the trio overhears noise from a close-by street performance. Yaoling, hoping they are performing the lion dance, suggests to go see, only for it to instead be a "hero show" featuring Featherman with children gathered around to watch the performers. Yaoling seems disappointed not only that it was not the lion dance, but that people seem to be more excited for this show than for the Lunar New Years festival. Nagisa spots Leo Kamiyama, who was in the crowd taking notes on how the show unfolded and how the crowd reacted, and approaches him.

Nagisa explains why the trio are there, and Leo offers him a happy New Years. The group discusses the show while Leo explains he has been watching numerous live performances recently to study for his career goals, with him mentioning he had also recently seen a live show for the Witch Detective series. Yaoling mentions her own excitement to see a live performance of the lion dance, intriguing Leo, who asks to join the trio in viewing it to study it as well.

Lufel pokes his head out of Nagisa's bag again to ask Nagisa for his opinion on the excitement surrounding the hero show compared to the apathy towards the festival. He mentions that just like how the Tangyuan stall earlier was closed, it is possible that the lion dance will also be cancelled if the Lunar New Years-related desires continue to be stolen. Nagisa's group then heads off to visit the stage where the lion dance is scheduled to be held.

City of Stolen Desire

Lufel notices a large crowd and suggests using it as cover to slip away. He suggests activating the Metaverse Navigator, allowing him and Nagisa to visit Mementos and scout out the situation. Lufel is unable to find anything anomalous immediately, and while he would like to investigate further, he knows that Nagisa cannot leave Yaoling waiting. The two are then ambushed by Shadows, and Lufel mentions that the Shadows seem strange.

Shiina's Testimony

After returning to the real world, Nagisa joins the group on their way back to Chinatown, having taken a look at the lion dance stage. Upon arriving, the group notices that Chinatown is mostly empty. Leo attempts to cheer the group up by suggesting that they find an open stall selling New Years food, which leads the group towards a stall managed by Yumi Shiina, who is selling her annual Lunar New Year-exclusive drink. After allowing them to sample her mocktail, she mentions that the group seems to be forgetting the traditional hongbao envelope containing New Year's money and hands them all an envelope. Inside of each envelope is a chocolate coin and a variety of coupons for stalls in the area.

However, Yumi seems upset by the lack of stalls this year. As a regular worker of Tokyo's Lunar New Year festival, the group decides she would be an appropriate person to ask if the current state of the festival is abnormal. Yumi admits that there does seem to be less people than usual, and mentions that the event organizers seem to be apathetic as well. Yumi also notes that she hadn't heard of any news that less stores were participating.

Nagisa asks Yumi if something seems amiss, reminding Yaoling about the story of the Nian Shou which arrives on Lunar New Year's Eve to feast on people. She explains that the color red and the loud noises of the fireworks are used as a ward against the beast, though dismisses the idea that the Nian Shou has involvement with the lack of energy surrounding the event. Yaoling asks Yumi if she believes the lion dance will go on as planned, and she confirms that she hasn't heard anything about a cancellation. Just then, however, a voice calls out to Yumi in a panic.

Save the Lion Dance

After the source of the voice arrives, it turns out to be a staff member for the event notifying Yumi that the lion dance performance has cancelled. She states that a large number of the production team has suddenly decided to quit, shocking Yaoling, who begs for the lion dance to continue and asks to fill in to ensure it is still held as planned. The staff member leaves to find out if Yaoling would be allowed to fill in, leaving Nagisa alone with Lufel, who asks him to investigate Mementos.

Enjoy Lunar New Year

After hearing back from event staff, Yaoling gets approval to perform in the lion dance, only to find that the costume is much larger than expected. Still determined to ensure that the lion dance goes on as planned, she tries on the costume and discovers that it's too heavy for her to hold. Leo then offers to try, arguing that his experience in training for costumed stunt acting makes a heavy costume suitable for him. He is able to wear the costume with ease, and the event staff agree to allow him to perform the lion dance.

He then asks Yaoling to give him pointers on what to do for the lion dance as they prepare to rehearse for the performance. While they watch, a staff member approaches Minami and Nagisa asking if they would also be able to contribute to the performance by playing simple instruments and attracting customers. Nagisa goes to ask Yaoling for her opinion, and she enthusiastically agrees. The staff member then asks that Yaoling and Nagisa wear costumes for the performance.

Minami, Yaoling, and Leo rehearse together while Nagisa watches. Lufel once again pops out of his bag, finding that while the idea seems good, it does not address the root of the problem; as such, Nagisa and Lufel decide to investigate Mementos together.

Nian Shou

After arriving in Mementos, Lufel and Nagisa see Besa, who recognizes them and apologizes, as he is experiencing an issue and unable to talk. He explains that a strange Shadow appeared and ran wild, making it impossible for him to put on his shows. He explains that the Shadow appeared a few days ago and that it has changed the atmosphere of Mementos since it arrived. Lufel and Nagisa speculate that it could be the cause of the disturbance in Chinatown and ask Besa to take them to where the Shadow was.

After some convincing that he will remain safe, he escorts them further into Mementos, where they encounter the Shadow. Wonder recognizes the Shadow as resembling the Nian Shou that Yaoling had told him about previously, leaving Lufel incredulous. He speculates that this Shadow is here to steal the desires of those who wish to enjoy Lunar New Years and two engage it in combat.

Reclaim Your Lunar Desire

The portions in this segment are told in short scenes split across the stages Pacify the Nian Shou, Defeat the Nian Shou and Reclaim Your Lunar Desire.

After attacking the Nian Shou for some time, it suddenly changes colors and gains an icy aura. After some time battling, Lufel attempts to attack it with Robroy, but is stopped by Wonder just in time to witness the Nian Shou transforming again. After defeating the Nian Shou, Wonder claims it as a Persona and Besa thanks him for taking care of the problem, exclaiming that he has decided on a Lunar New Years-themed show for his next production.

Clad in Crimson

Upon returning from Mementos, Yaoling meets up with Nagisa and tells him that they were looking for him. He turns around to find Yaoling dressed in a cheongsam that the event staff had prepared for her. She excitedly directs him to where his own costume is waiting, asking him to show her how he looks. After returning from putting on his costume, Yaoling informs Nagisa that Leo is done rehearsing and that Minami is helping at Yumi's stall. The two are then called over by festival staff to prepare.

Later that night, Minami approaches Wonder, asking if he's ready to start the performance. Yaoling comes by and tells him that it's time to begin, and Minami wishes them luck. After meeting up with Leo, the three of them hype themselves up for the performance. As they watch the crowd grow, they realize their efforts have been a success.

A Big Success

After finishing up the lion dance to a round of applause from a large crowd, the group get together and congratulate themselves on their hard work, while Lufel commends Nagisa on their efforts. Yaoling invites the group to drink tea at Yumi's stall. Once there, they eat the tangyuan they had missed out on earlier, as well as sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Yaoling explains further Lunar New Years traditions to the group while Yumi brings the group a special round of mocktails. Leo asks Yumi to teach him some of her flair bartending as yet more food is brought out. Yaoling asks the group, including Yumi, to do a toast together over the feast in celebration of their hard work, wishing everyone a happy New Year. After some prodding, Nagisa then shares some food with Lufel, and the group all enjoy a feast together.

The Way Back

Returning to Yaoling's home in Yongen-Jaya, she thanks Nagisa for the day, admitting that because she wasn't around family, she was feeling scared and alone before she had come to see him, and she may have decided to lay in bed depressed otherwise. Instead, however, she ended the day overjoyed and in high spirits. She says goodbye to Nagisa, who leaves the experience happy and awaiting good dreams.

Extra Story

Suddenly New Year's Eve

Yaoling sends Nagisa a text out of the blue, asking if she can come over to his house. Upon arriving, she explains that today is Chinese New Year's Eve, the last day of the lunar calendar. Traditionally, the day is spent with family; however, since she didn't return home for the holidays, she has no one to spend it with. After some pleading on Yaoling's part, Nagisa agrees to spend the day with her by visiting Yokohama Chinatown that night. The two discuss the historical overlap between Lunar New Year and Setsubun, with Yaoling explaining that the dates overlapped until Japan switched to the Gregorian calender and pointing out that both involve traditions meant to ward off evil. The two watch as the clock strikes midnight and a large number of firecrackers suddenly go off. The two then return home.

Lunar New Year Stroll

The next day, Yaoling sends another text asking if she can spend Chinese New Year's Day with Nagisa. The two discuss traditions again together at his house before once again visiting Chinatown for New Year's festivities. After a warm meal, Yaoling comments on the weather, mentioning that Lunar New Year's Eve and Day are often the coldest days of the year, and their passing marks the beginning of Spring. She mentions that this is likely why "Welcome Spring" is a common New Year's greeting in Japan, and lists off various other examples of unusual dates in Japanese culture that may line up closer to the lunar calendar. After some discussion, the two head off to enjoy street food from the festival stalls.

Night of the Lantern Festival

That night, the two are walking around Chinatown when Yaoling excitedly points out a series of lit hanging lanterns. Explaining that the lanterns are part of the Lantern Festival celebrating the first full moon of the year, espousing that riddles are often hung from the lanterns before realizing to her disappointment that there are none hanging from the lanterns in Chinatown. The two also discuss the way the moon lines up with the dates of the month in a lunar calendar, though Nagisa is confused at its practicality to Yaoling's embarassment. The two go to eat tangyuan together to celebrate the new year and they return home together.