Project: Karma

S2 | 02 New Years

<Nakaru>
It was 30 minutes before the ball drop of the new year. Mari stayed up with me as Momma and Papa were in the living room with everyone else. Well, the grown ups or parents to be exact were convening. That meant Aoi, Riku, and Ichiro. Then us kids were in the large guest room.

With two beds on both sides, everyone split themselves up accordingly. I sat next to Mari, Daichi, and Nozomi. On the bed opposite was Haruki, and the Tomohito twins, Benjiro and Hinata.

"So? Any new year resolutions?" Haruki asked, "we've made so many in the past, I guess it would be different now?" He looked over at everyone who were pondering.

"Things are settled now, so I guess it would be great to have something circulate around us for once." Hinata spoke.

"Maybe less time indoors?" Benjiro brought up.

Mari started to look beyond the creak of the door and sigh. I placed my arm around her shoulder, trying to comfort her.
Of course, her eyes are only on Ichiro. With the grownups at the moment, it's obvious that they're drinking their fancy cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. Both Haruki and I suggested that it would be best not to join.
But for Daichi, it's a no brainer that he would stay with us. We're not letting him touch any of the alcohol. Not again.

"I know that Nozomi is going to grow out her hair. Long enough to donate it." Haruki said.

"Well, not once. As many times just as long as my hair grows out." She nudged Mari's arm. "You should do it with me."

"Well, I wouldn't mind." She looked over at her.

"Sounds good and all, but there's no excitement in your resolutions. Sounds too boring." Daichi snickered and stuck out his tongue at them.

"And what is it that you want to do?" Haruki sighed.

"Maybe studying for once." Nozomi spoke.

Both Haruki and Nozomi high-fived without making eye contact. It was like they just knew that a moment like that was going to surface.

"No, I'm going to save up and travel at least twice a month. Here in Japan and abroad." Daichi gleamed, "the world is huge and I'm going to explore it."

Even though it was outlandish for Daichi to stick to a job consistently to make enough money for these trips, it wasn't a bad idea at all. It would be fun actually to make it a routine to have adventures.

"You'll get kidnapped or scammed." Nozomi rolled her eyes. "Besides, you're too broke." She shook her head.

Both Haruki and Nozomi high-fived again.

"Maybe that should be your New Years resolution. To be kind to me. Respecting your older brother." He stood up from the bed and placed his hands on his hips, trying to assert his dominance.

"Now now, let's try to make our goals realistic." I chuckled and Mari even giggled a bit.

"My resolution is to be patient. No matter what it is, I'm going to have faith. I've been trying all this time but I always caved in. I want to respect people's choices." Her voice radiated as if they were trumpets of the heavens.

"Fat chance." Daichi reached out and pinched her cheeks, "you've been a go-getter from the start. Why back down now?" He spoke seriously as he was also aware of her situation. "Is it wrong to want something for yourself?"

For all of us, we were relatively shocked by how mature and relatable Daichi was being. In that moment, it really looked like he was giving Mari solid advice. Maybe the new year is really changing people.