Chapter by Maclilly

I used the terms Connection and Sharing in a very broad sense here. Also, the sappiness of this story is deliberate.

And my English has yet to improve. :D

When he reached the shrine, she was already waiting for him.

She stood by the stone lanterns, a gloved hand resting on the banister, and her breath fogging in the crisp air. Her head was tilted back, and her gaze was fixed upon the midnight blue sky as she took in the starry firmament, mouth hanging open in amazement, and bright starlight reflecting in her wide eyes.

He paused on the top step of a winding flight of stairs, awestruck by the sheer beauty of the scenery that laid ahead of him.

With a streak of pale moonlight streaming down from the sky and bathing her petite body in radiance, she looked like a saint — the personification of purity and perfection.

He felt a blush spreading over his cheeks, and his heated face burned hot against the coolness of the winter air. Suddenly, he didn't dare to move … or to breathe, for that matter. Because if he did, she would notice his presence. And he did not wish for this to happen. Not yet.

For now, all he wanted to do was to observe her. He wanted to savor this moment, fixing the image of her illuminated frame against the darkness of those sacred grounds in his memory forever.

Eventually, she sensed him. She tore her eyes away from the stars and, slowly, turned her head. And as she spotted him, her angelic face lit up. It broke into a smile that was so pure and radiant, it took his breath away.

"Happy New Year," Megumi Tadokoro said.

"Happy New Year," Akira Hayama replied.

He bowed to her, and together they strolled along the pathway that led towards the wooden pavilions.

Walking side by side, they approached the shrine's altar, closed their eyes, clapped their hands, and prayed.

I just love the image of those two praying as I consider both of them rather traditional.

Don't ask me why, though.

After finishing this, I realized that the names of the characters are completely interchangeable as this story would work with any ship.