I feel like my love for shoujo manga is pretty evident at this point. There's so many subtle references in this I feel like I've lost count. (Please recommend me some more.)

Week 2: New Year

"That was a really long line…"

She hadn't expected them to hold hands as they walked away from the shrine; in fact, she didn't even know why she was holding on so tightly. The mishap from earlier, which made it an embarrassing memory now, was probably to account for this. Haruka was the first to initiate such an action, and she followed silently (only because it was crowded and she didn't want to make a scene).

But I just slipped on some snow…! Why is Haruka so worried, anyway?

"Well, what did you expect?" She tried to stay calm, she really did. But that heart of hers began racing once again, going off in some unstable pace she's felt before, immeasurable and unique to her only. "It's the new year. Of course people would come to here. Besides, this one is the most popular."

"Hmm, I guess you're right." It's a quick movement, and Haruka pockets his and Takane's hands into his jacket. It's such a quick movement, and yet…even Takane's heart picked it up, and the fact that it skipped more than one beat worried her.

Her face was probably pink with embarrassment, huh? It's just like always. If she was around Haruka, of course she'd have these symptoms. Shouldn't she get used to them? Why isn't she used to them? Why does her chest tighten he's around, and why does her throat hurt every time she thinks of him?

Love was such a complicated feeling, and yet it piled up with each moment.

It was like snow.

"Takane, let's go pick a fortune!" Dragging Takane was easy enough – if one matched Haruka Kokonose, that is. (That in itself is a very far-off feat; his way of moving Takane, both literally and mentally, was pretty inimitable.) Her feet moved on his own accord rather than her own, and everything – everyone – didn't really matter.

The only thing she could think about was how she held his hand tightly. The snow crunched softly under her feet; once again, her love piled up like these timely, cold snowflakes.

It was a light, airy feeling.

His free hand dives into the pile of folded paper, and Takane pitched in the money required. Ah, this was business as usual, but it's not like Takane minded.

It's stupid, but…I hope to be with Haruka and the others this year, too.

Her prayer resonated in her mind.

There were people pushing and people in close proximity, but for some reason, Takane didn't mind them – or rather, she didn't feel them. She was so close to Haruka that they were practically – no, actually – shoulder-to-shoulder. Inches, centimeters, and millimeters…that didn't matter, and Takane didn't mind the closeness.

It was because he was warm.

"Middle blessing!" Haruka's eyes were no match for the night sky; they were bright, vibrant, and full of energy despite the time. He turned to Takane, holding the paper up for her to see. "Ah, I was worried I would get a curse! How about you, Takane?"

"Hm…" It was difficult to unravel the paper with one hand (after all this time, their hands remained in Haruka's pocket), but Takane was able to open it after a little fidgeting. Although there were lights scattered about, the dark made it a little difficult to read her fortune. Well, it was understandable.

For some reason, I don't want to get a curse, either.

"Blessing." She read her fortune out loud, and a small sigh of relief escaped her lips. (Was I really that concerned?) "Not bad, I guess."

Her eyes go the "love" section first.

"The one you're with is the one, but think about working harder."

The one you're with…

Haruka's the one?

"E – eh, what does yours say, Haruka…?!" The thought was way too embarrassing – what was she, her grandmother? She would get humiliated every time her grandmother talked about a wedding, but for such an image to cross through her own mind…maybe she was getting sick.

No, that wasn't it. Her face got warmer, a luxury (and a curse – turns out she got one after all) in the cold weather.

"Hm? Well, it's something like…'as long as you keep moving forward, you'll be okay'!" Haruka replied in an upbeat tone, and there was reason behind it despite his endearing optimism. With a fortune like that, and with a person like Haruka, it wouldn't be so hard.

Keep moving forward…can she do that?

A voice from the back of her mind reminds her of reality.

"It feels like the gods know that we're third years." She thought she'd muttered it under her breath, but in truth, she had said it out loud. It wasn't for the whole crowd to hear; they were too busy looking at their own fortunes, talking to others.

As always, her thoughts reached Haruka.

"Takane…" His hand squeezes hers, and puffs of clouds spew out of both of their mouths.

For a moment, there is silence in the populated shrine, and time stands still.

And what does hers say?

"Don't hesitate; run for what you want to achieve."

"Haruka, I definitely…" She takes a deep breath, trying to collect her mismatched thoughts. She doesn't look at him; it's too embarrassing, and she wouldn't be able to bear it. Instead, she looks at the tree in front of them.

It was covered with fortunes, both good and bad. It was covered with all sorts of blessings and curses, a tree covered with peoples' intentions and hopes and desires. It was a tree brimming with luck to the tips of its branches.

She hoped that she could receive some of that as she stood there.

"I want to stay with you."

She doesn't think about the people that will hear her; if her words reached Haruka, that was more than enough.

"Even if we go our separate ways, I want to stay by Haruka's side."

All that luck wills her to turn and look at Haruka.

He returned her gaze, those gentle eyes of his calming the nerves she didn't even know she had. Had her heart been pounding this crazily all this time? Was her face always this red and always this warm? Did her feelings get across in more than just facial expression? Was this "working harder"? Was this "running towards what she wanted to achieve"?

The snowflake that drifted past her vision – that, too, would be the "love" that she'd piled up.

"Will you let me?"

She didn't think she could hold his hand much tighter, but his soft hand tightens its grip.

"Of course, Takane!"