Life Made Anew

23: A New Year

Just a few days past and it was New Year's Eve (which to them meant fun times... And school coming back soon). Everyone couldn't wait for the new year, but they also didn't want to return to school, except for Kaname, but he didn't show it.

Everyone planned to go to the shrine, which is a tradition in Japan, to pray for a good year. Everyone was able to because most people didn't have work today. They were all going to go, but they intended to just get people over there to have a date night.

Until then, Maki and Kazama decided to go out for a date and spend the whole day out together.

"What a wonderful day this is!" Maki cheered. She was wearing a large jacket, her scarf and some jeans. It was -2°C out right now (28.4° F).

"I thought you'd be complaining about the cold," Kazama observed. "Aren't you always doing that?"

"Why would I complain when I'm with you?" Maki asked. "Yes, I'm freaking cold right now, but I'm able to spend the whole day with you."

"But where's the complaining Maki that I love?" Kazama laughed. He was wearing the same attire as Maki: large coat, jeans and the scarf that was made by Maki for him. "I'm joking."

"You're not joking; You're Kazama." Maki grinned.

Kazama placed a hand to her forehead. "Are you sick? I don't hear too much sarcasm from you, normally."

"No, I'm Maki, not sick."

"You're definitely sick. Two consecutive sarcastic comments. This isn't normal for you."

"Maki, calm down. I know you're joking right now." They paused for a second. So quiet that you could hear the slight wind. Then, they burst out laughing.

"I think I've rubbed off on you too much," Kazama finally said.

"It's fine. I like how open I can be with you." Maki smiled. They have been together for exactly seven months now.

They started dating the 31st of May, and it was now December 31st. This date was basically the seven month anniversary. It was luck that this happened to be that day.
—
They saw a movie at 10, which lasted two and a half hours, before going to lunch.

Kazama paid for lunch, even though Maki wanted to do it herself.

After that, Kazama went to a jewelry store and asked Maki to wait outside for a bit. It took him ten minutes before he walked outside. He gave her a necklace, but he had something else in a bag.

"What's in there?" Maki asked with a bit of wonder in her eyes.

"This? Oh, you won't get this yet. It's especially from you, but it's a surprise. You'll have to wait."

"Aw... But I want to know now," Maki whined.

"No amount of whining or pouting will help you, not even if you give me that adorable pouty face," Kazama confirmed. "Believe me, I want to give this to you now, but I have to wait. I want to wait to make it extra special."

Maki folded her arms and pouted. "Fine." She really wanted to know now, but she wondered what could be so important that she had to wait for it. She had a few ideas, but some seemed unrealistic, so she shrugged them off.
—
They continued their date until 9:30, when the shrine opened. Then, their real date began. The others were going to show up at around 10-10:30 pm.

The shrine was bustling (I don't know if I should give a definition. It's an easy word to figure out using context clues, but not all people may know it. Basically, it means that it's busy.) with people. The stalls had lines stretching for a while, and many people were lined up and the seemingly popular stalls. Many people came here with their boyfriends or girlfriends, such was expected on this day of tradition. And some people who were alone came to try to find people who were alone to possibly find a partner.