Disclaimer: I don't own Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui!

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As the winter months passed-by, Tomoko got treated to several activities with Alex, which usually left their feet and hands wet or more frozen than a tuna on ice. When they were at school, things passed as they usually did, albeit Tomoko wasn't the loner anymore as her social-time was usually filled by Alex: as they chatted away about new games and movies, videos and anime shows. Tomoko also got to play smart-ass once in awhile, explaining some aspects of Japanese culture, that Alex didn't know about.

In the weekends, it was a snowball-war or sled-diving down higher and more extreme hills; not that many snow-hills could be found around her city though, but they made due with what they had. Tomoko also learning the term and meaning of 'F &# rock!' or the feeling of getting knocked into the snow, when your sled hit something hard; it wasn't a pleasant feeling though. All in all, these winter-season would all culminate into New Years. She was curious, if Japanese New Years was the same as Alex's country. As well as Tomoko had the luck of being apart of his cultures 'Christmas' - a holiday in which people gave eachother gifts, singed christmas-songs, eat, laugh, celebrate and sing some-more.

She was suprised that her culture didn't have this kind of holiday, that would excuse the giving of free gifts. She herself got a funny green-red-white, tree-covered sweater that was supposed to symbolize holiday-joy. Tomoko didn't have a gift of her to give sadly, albeit having the chance to not be alone for Christmas was gift enough, according to Alex. Even she was suprised when she joined-in on some christmas-carols, they were kinda catchy and fun to sing do. The food itself wasn't half-bad, most being pre-made or bought from a supermarket; a new experience none-the-less.

But the happiest moment was when she got a small stuffed animal: a colorful, fur-covered fish. It seemed funny at first, yet it was, according to Alex ordered from abroad - expensive, and yet simple. Something that emphasized I care, in a single gift.

She would keep that stuffed-animal, she named it Myu, close to her bed-side and occasionally sleep with it from then on - her mother found it adorable and a bit funny, when she found Tomoko with it one night; like she was a little kid again. Although Tomoko was beyond embarrassed by the incident, she still kept Myu, because it was a gift. It wouldn't be the last one, this year either...

"Tomoko! Hurry! It's almost time," called her mother from downstairs - the New Year would arrive soon and the fireworks would be launched to celebrate the occasion.

"A minute!" replied Tomoko, getting dressed and then running downstairs to put on her winter-coat, boots and scarf as well.

"Lets go already," said Tomoki, being the first out the door, followed by their parents and taking up the rear was Tomoko. Their current destination was the park, which would give them a good view of the city and the fireworks - Tomoki looking his usual, moody self, their parents enjoying the night-sky and having the luxury of being together, with Tomoko behind them with a slight smile on her face.

"See you," came a voice and she was lifted up by a pair of hands.

"Put me down!" said Tomoko, with Tomoki being the first notice her sudden yelp.

"Hey! Yo-" started Tomoki, but lost his anger when he saw Tomoko laughing instead of screaming, like he thought he heard; a quick look of the person, answered his question.

"But I like hugging," said Alex, letting Tomoko down.

"Warn me next time, when your about to death-grip me" replied Tomoko, her cheeks pink from the sudden contact. Although I wouldn't mind another hug.

"Hurry! The fireworks start soon!" urged Alex, but instead of coming along, Tomoko though instead to use one of her 'ideas', to get them to the park. Which was a ride...on Alex' back.

"Woa!" yelped Alex, from the sudden extra-weight and almost falling down onto the snow; as Tomoko had just jumped onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. "What th-"

"HYA! Move it!" cheered Tomoko, urging to Alex to move it.

'Why not,' thought Alex with a laugh, she wasn't that heavy and it would be impolite to drop her into the snow. "Fine. Just lessen the choking."

"Wait!" said Tomoko, pulling them to a sudden stop infront of her parents, who were amused by their daughter' antics. "Mom, dad may I go?"

"Of course, dear," said her mom, chuckling at the sight - of acting like a regular teenage girl.

"Just be back home afterwards, and no funny business young man," added her father, a little more serious but still humouring the couple.

"Yes sir!" replied Alex with a salute, then getting a better hold on Tomoko. "Hang on!"

Alex then ran past a suprised/half-shocked with Tomoko holding on tight. Tomoki looking on in confusion - as Tomoko called 'race ya' to him.

'Since when did Tomoko, become so...cheery?' thought Tomoki, being so used to see a depressed/annoying Tomoko - now replaced by a cheery/happy/half-creepy Tomoko.

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Tomoko giggled the entire way, as she was rapidly carried by Alex to the park - which was filled by a handful of people, mostly young couples and a few senior citizens.

"We...made it!" panted Alex, letting Tomoko down. "And just in time."

No sooner, did the sky explode with red-blue-green, blue-white and yellow colored fireworks in the shapes of flowers, flares, explosions and even shapes of different kind. Tomoko watching with awe, as this time the fireworks seemed more spectacular than the previous years.

"Well...Happy New Year, Kuroki Tomoko-chan..." spoke Alex over the fireworks, hugging her.

"You too, Ikovich Alex-kun..." replied Tomoko, blushing throughout the ordeal. Is he going to!?

Alex soon gave Tomoko a kiss on her cheek, then the other one, then planted another one on her forehead. Causing the dark-haired otaku-girl's cheeks to go from pink to scarlet. Then he gave her a kiss on her lips, that sent her into paradise. Oh dear...Stay awake! Stay awake! Don't faint now!

Her own hands didn't stay idle either, as they, by their own will moved to his shoulders, his arms looped around her waist - and by that point, Tomoko knew what a 'French kiss' meant, as she was on the receiving end of one.

When it finally ended, Tomoko was in the middle of clearing the love-haze from her mind, breathing heavily with her entire face blushing red, and smiling like she did in her childhood. But this time, she wasn't a child anymore.

"You okay?" asked Alex.

"Never...better," replied Tomoko, half-dazed yet happier than ever, as the fireworks exploded in the sky and in her heart. So worth it...

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A/N: Alex and Tomoko, plus some snogging around. n_n - (awaiting results from afar)

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