When they received my gifts they looked happy. Something about their smiles made me feel satisfied.

I gave Harue the ikebana kit and upon receiving it he was elated. I was glad that he liked it, despite it symbolizing unwanted memories.

Fumiko blushed a bit and smiled. She wanted to wear her necklace on the spot.

Yamato looked surprised when he received the gloves. His expression went from confusion to acceptance, then gratitude.

They hadn't got me anything. They got harue a gift instead. I didn't really mind because, Harue's happiness was mine as well.

We ate and talked the night away. As promised, I didn't drink any alcohol. Now I just had to get through New Years...

Today is New Years day. The day before we had celebrated at home alone (Harue and I).We ate mochi and tried out Harue's new ikebana kit. It wasn't easy to make a pretty arrangement. I think even Harue had more potential than me. Every time I attempted to bend or move the branch my whole arrangement fell over. Meanwell Harue looked like he was a pro as he concentrated and carefully created a pretty piece.

I guess some people are better than others.

I brought over mochi for everyone. I carried it carefully as Harue and I walked over to Long Island.

"Happy New Year!" Haru and I greet joyfully as we come in through the door.

"Happy New Year!" they all greet me back turning their heads from the TV. They were watching some special that was announcing fortunes for the new year. It went off of astrological signs.

Mine came on next.

"....watch out for the biggest storm of your lifetime. You decide how much it damages you." the female announcer reads out loud.

"What if if the damage comes out to be bad?" the other comments.

"Well then you will have learned and will be prepared better next time."

Another storm?

We sit around and chat. Kuni offers me alchohol but of course as usual, I decline.

"It's the new year! Loosen up a bit!" Kunihiko pats my back teasingly.

"Yeah I'd like to see you drunk and crazy..." Saeki smirks slyly.

I laugh at their comments. "No thank you. I swore to myself that I wouldn't drink. And I'm sticking to it."

"Alright. We won't force you!" Yuta smiles.

"After all, she does have Harue to look after." Takao nods in approval.

We converse for a while about work and such. About new year resolutions, hopes and goals

After about 45 minutes Fumiko and Yamato also arrive.

"Happy New Year!"

They take a seat at the bar together with the rest of us.

"So what is everyone looking forward too this year?" Kunihiko asks everyone.

"Becoming famous!" Yuta shot up.

"Oh yeah you are a comedian." I nod in remembrance.

Fumiko who sat next to me wore the necklace I had gotten her. It looked nice and it truly did suit her.

Yamato wore his gloves also when he came in. Of course now they were beside him now.

I felt happy that my gifts were being put to use.

"I look forward to a safe and healthy year for my family, friends and I." Takao confesses as he takes another sip from his beer. Was he already drunk?

"....sleep." Ren mumbles as he nods off.

"I just hope that this year I get inspired without fail. I'd be bad if I got writers block." Saeki brushes his bangs back.

Everyone turns to Yamato, Fumiko, Harue and I.

"Um well..."Fumiko fidgets a bit. "I hope I can become more confident so that I can find a job..."

"I just hope that my students do well. Also looking forward to becoming a better teacher." Yamato stares off into space as he says this.

"Still thinking about work even on your days off huh? You're so admirable, Yamato!" Yuta slaps Yamato's back, hard.

"Well there's always room for improvement." Yamato runs his back.

"I think Takao is generous for thinking about his loved ones...."

The discussion goes on until they finally look over at Haru and I.

"Um well..."

"I want to become a gooder boy than I am already!" Harue announces proudly reminding me of Yamato for some reason.

"Oh no Harue, gooder isn't a word...you mean 'better'" I corrected him while taking a sip of my water.

"Yeah that..." He smiles clumsily.

"What do you look forward to Haruna?" Yamato turns his eyes towards me.

"Well..." I ponder on the spot. "Hmm..."

I looked forward to a lot of things. I looked forward to my job, my friendships, and Harue.

And as much as I hate to admit it, even that storm that was to occur.

"Honestly, there's a lot of things. The biggest thing though might be, Harue growing up, strong and healthy."

They all nod in agreement.

"Harue will grow up to be a fine man." Kunihiko reaches over and pets his head gently.

"Yeah I can picture it too." Yamato smiles.

The after noon flies by and before we know it it becomes midnight. By then, though everyone gets really drunk, except for me of course(and Harue). Harue fell asleep next to Yamato. I guess all the singing tired him out. Kunihiko's karaoke machine was pretty fun.

Fumiko was the only one still up. She sat rotating the remaining liquid in her glass silently.

A slight blush had crept on her cheeks.

"Haruna." She tuned towards me on her stool.

"Fumiko?" I call her, trying to figure out her emotions through her hazy looking eyes.

"Sorry~" her voice cracks. "Sorry I slapped you~" she starts bawling and she leaps into my arms.

What the fuck?

"Er..." I mumble.

"You think I like Yamato...but you're soooo- wrong."

"Um, Fumi-"

"Can you just hear me out...please?"

"Er..."

"Haruna...I don't want you to hate me..."

"There's no way I'd hate you for slapping me...besides, I think I kind of deserved that..."

"No! Not the slap!" Fumi cries.

"Then- why do you think I'd hate you?"

I was really confused. Me? Hate Fumiko? I have no reason to hate her.

I hug her I'm an attempt to comfort her. "It's ok Fumiko...there's no way I'd ever hate you!"

"Do you- do you mean that?"

"Of course."

"..." She looks down and her expression suddenly becomes serious.

"Haruna you...."

"Mhm?"

"You think I like Yamato..." She takes a breath. "But..."

Is this about Yamato now?

"But..." Fumi struggled to finish her sentence.

"Yeah? I urge her to continue. At this point she leans in close. So close, that I could pick up the scent of alcohol on her.

"But...the one I love is...you-" she hics up one last time before passing out.

.....
....
....

"Huh?"

A/N: And that concludes Arc 1! I hope you guys enjoyed it. What do you think of Fumiko? Were you expecting this?

I'm beginning the next arc on this same book next week. Or maybe even sooner since I'm really hyped and ready to write. XD

Also! Thank you all so much for the 3k+ reads and 200+ votes! You guys make me so happy! I'm so grateful to you all thanks so much for reading ;.;

Because I'm feeling good today, I'm going to gift you a preview of Arc 2; Spring. (Script style, each line is completely random) :

Haruna: I don't really know what to say...

Haruka: Nice to meet you, I'm Utsunomiya, Haruka.

Yamato: Haruna...I need to tell you something.

Harue: Haruna Oba? Why is your face red?

Fumiko: I think it's better for me to leave.

Harue: What are you afraid of Yamato oji?

Yamato: something almost everyone fears; being alone.

Arc 2 coming very, very soon!

Thanks for reading! And don't forget to:
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comment
...and look forward to Arc 2!