[Shinichi's POV]

New Year's Eve. Firecrackers. Food. Bright lights. And bursts of enthusiasm.

I yawned.

People celebrate the birth of a new year as if it's physically beginning again, when in reality, time ebbs and flows without our marking it's passing. It is an estimate in and of itself. And New Years is no different. It's basically another day. Just noisier.

"Shinichi!" Keiko shouted as I stepped out the front door, her fingers fervently gripping the front gate.

Feet firmly on the ground, and hands fixed, she looked like she'd been there awhile. So I had to ask, "have you been waiting for me to... casually walk out?"

"No... maybe." She kicked the ground. "Why should I admit that to you?" Then pointed at the professors. "I was at Agasa's. He said we could have a New Year's party!" She bounced excitedly from foot to foot. "Wanna help set it up?"

"You've got to be joking..."

"Is this a joking matter?"

When I swung the gate open she scattered a handful of confetti before me.

"Come on, get psyched!" Keiko chirped in an attempt to incite. "We're gonna have fun! Look. I've already got party hats." Keiko strained her arms to get one of those silly cones onto my head, with a sigh I humored her, and leaned down to accept the gift. "There's enough for everyone."

I slipped it off, a flurry of sparkles raining down as I did. A rolled up slip of copy paper, splashed in differing shades of blue. Dripping with enough makeshift material to put preschoolers to shame. "Did you make these?"

"How'd you know?"

"The hurricane of glitter..."

Keiko patted the fallen specks from my shirt. "There. Now get these." She handed over two lists. "One's for Ran and Sonoko. Tell them the party starts in three hours. I'm gonna be decorating!"

Her pep elicited a grin from me. "Don't get too excited."

She flinched to a neutral expression. "I won't. And don't forget, three hours!" Keiko raced back to Agasa's, tripping violently in the process.

"...adding bandages to the list."

Lately, Keiko grabs any chance she can to get out, actively avoiding staying home at all costs. New Year's is no exception. Speaking of which, Megure promised he wouldn't call in to ask about cases for the holiday. "It can wait," he said, "relax, and have fun!" What a bummer. My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation. Then again, understanding a detective's nuances might be a job best left in Sherlock's hands.

I glanced at the list. Cups. Plates. Candy—how vague. Guess Keiko didn't feel like specifying. Although, she's never been picky on the topic of sweets. I laughed at the thought. Keiko's such a kid, easy to shop for, easy to figure out. Then how energetic she gets. Never a dull moment.

Ran stepped out of her home when I arrived.

"Morning, Shinichi," Ran greeted.

"Hey, Ran."

Kogoro's voice carried through the open door. "Is that your wannabe detective friend?"

Ran squeezed the doorknob. "Geez, Dad. Couldn't you try to use his name at least once?"

"Not until—"

Ran slammed the door, then instantly smiled once it quieted. "You know it's New Years Eve, right?"

Yes. And with the caseload I'd been given yesterday, I'd have liked to sleep in but, "I've been assigned a task. As have you." I handed her a list. "Keiko wants us to gather supplies for a get together at Agasa's in three hours."

Ran chuckled.

"What?"

"You? New Years?"

"What?" My eyebrow twitched impatiently. She's teasing. "It's a holiday, I know."

"No, if I'd asked you a year ago to attend a New Years party, you wouldn't even consider showing up."

"So? Your point?"

"Well, let's see. What could have changed your opinion? One thing different about this year than the last is a certain-" she smirked. "-girl. Who gives you laughs, and jokes, and secrets. The same you give to her."

"That—" I could feel my face overheating. "Have you been spying on us?"

Ran practically beamed at my reaction. "It doesn't take a spy to see the infection. An infection you two share that's bringing you closer and closer till—"

"Now it's an infection." I interrupted. "What are you getting at?"

She walked past me. "If you don't get it, I'm not going to force the answer into your head. Think about this though, what if she left tomorrow?"

"She is leaving tomorrow. The Track Tournament, remember?"

"For good," Ran reinstated. "If you could no longer see her after tomorrow, what would you do today?"

Imagining the scenario made me hesitate. "S-stupid, why would I even want to think about that?" So, I walked away, giving her a wave over my shoulder, saying, "don't forget to tell Sonoko."

[Meanwhile]

Sonoko exited the Agency once Shinichi left, sarcastically stating, "isn't he fun?"

"Infection. Affection." Ran shrugged. "What's the difference?"

"Something like the sky and ground to him."

"Ah, they're so slow! If they're going to spend so much time together, how hard is it to see the next step?!"

"Why try? I think it's better that she suffers the life of a single woman. The heartaches, the searching, where will my love lead me?!" Sonoko wavered dramatically. Then defaulted back to norm and said, "I'll be at Agasa's."

"No, you need to help me get food and drinks."

Sonoko continued down the sidewalk.

Ran hooked her arm. "Cooperate, or you're holding all the groceries."

"Yes ma'am..."

[Shinichi's POV]

The setting sun. Blue contrasting against pink, a mix of cotton candy in atmospheric color. As Keiko occasionally points out the hue of the sky, I can't help but notice it myself. A secondary habit. As she stares to keep track of her nightly curfew, which brings me to check for her when she forgets.

A crowd passed by, all in kimonos and smiles. Right. Isn't that where the New Years celebration is typically held? Temples full of attractions, activities, and tourists.

I lifted my bag of supplies. Keiko's attempt to mimic a New Years celebration, while enjoyable, is a shadow of what she truly wishes to do. After all the times she's spoken about how exciting it is to visit a temple during this time, she settles for this little party of her own.

Of course, the temple's New Years celebration takes place at midnight, and for her traveling about these darkened streets is taboo.

I wonder how it feels to be bound to daylight? I shook my head. Whatever the case, I doubt Keiko's in any real danger. A detective isn't required to see she's not even trying to hide, so why did Wendell threaten her family? Or is he aware that the FBI is attempting to lure him out with such obvious bait, and doesn't want to let on that he knows of their trap? In that case, it's a façade on both ends. However, façades aside, Wendell's endgame must be something else entirely or he would have found a way to take her by now, but what could that be?

After stepping inside, my eyes needed a moment to soak in the interior of Agasa's home. Really. One big colorful mess. Streamers twined in streamers hanging from any available edge and corner. Glitter, balloons in places they shouldn't be, and confetti. Everywhere.

The clean-up crew has my condolences.

"Shinichi!" Keiko herded me down the stairs. "Check it out!"

In the basement a shower of silly string greeted us. Along with laughs from Sonoko, Ran, and Agasa who seemed more than happy to douse us in it. Keiko giggled, enjoying their attack. But I had to retaliate, and aimed the nearest available can at them. However, the spray exploded at the nozzle, effectively leaving me defenceless.

Keiko grabbed a can near the entrance, like I did, and pointed it at me. Yet when she sprayed it recreated the same effect, covering her in a burst of silly string as it did me.

As she laughed, the meaning hit me. Oh? So she planned this? A smile crept across my face. "You must think you're clever."

Keiko innocently rolled the can in her hands. "I only think I'm clever if you think I'm clever. Do you think I'm clever?"

Although the others watched our interactions with knowing looks, I couldn't help but laugh and say, "naturally."

"Sonoko, truth or dare?" Ran asked after we settled in a circle on the living room floor.

"Dare."

"I dare you to-" She shuffled through her bag, producing a tube of lipstick. "-put makeup on anyone in the room. Blindfolded."

Sonoko narrowed her eyes. "You're gonna regret it."

Yep. Instant regret. Obviously Sonoko ruined it on purpose when she applied lipstick to Ran's forehead; vaguely spelling Oops.

"Okay, Ran," Sonoko said, stifling a laugh. "Truth or dare?"

With the last one backfiring, Ran's confident streak faded fast. "Truth?"

"What is one thing you have done which you never ever want to be caught doing?"

Ran twirled her hair in thought. "...I- I'm going to play it safe and say showering..."

Sonoko raised a brow. "Smooth."

"My turn." Keiko announced. "So, Shinichi, truth or dare?"

Ran shook her head from behind Sonoko's back. Yeah. I wasn't feeling daring anyway. "Truth."

That seemed to throw her. Keiko paused a second to think up, "what's the most embarrassing thing you've ever asked someone?"

As a detective, I'm sure her imagination is brimming with weird questions I've had to ask. However, what came to mind first was, "we were on a plane." Everyone leaned in, but really, there's a reason my voice hushed. "I asked Ran if I could see her bra."

"You did what?!" Keiko and Sonoko chorused between giggles.

"I remember!" Ran exclaimed. "Geez. You could have worded that better."

"It was for the case!" My cheeks felt scorched. "Besides, you're my childhood friend, wouldn't it be weirder to ask a stranger if bra's still had wires?!"

They laughed, all except Keiko, who appeared to be an odd mix of uncertainty and distress.

I elbowed her. "What?"

"Nothing," she responded.

Well, I shrugged, it was my turn. "Keiko, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

Wise choice. What else could she possibly tell me? "Who in this room would you rather be marooned on an island with?"

Keiko gave me a wry smile. "Everyone would give the same answer to that."

They each chimed, "Shinichi."

Keiko's answer I understood, but everyone else? "Me?"

"You know a ton of random skills." Keiko poked my forehead. "You wouldn't survive on an island, you'd flourish. Not to mention you would more than likely find a way to return to the mainland before anything even became an issue."

"Only for my knowledge?" I zeroed in on Keiko. "Nothing else?"

"Sure. Why not?"

The worst part is that she genuinely didn't understand. Then as if that wasn't bad enough, Ran chose me for the next turn, and my choice for a dare turned into me putting on cosmetics.

"You girls degrade me..." I muttered. "We need another man in this group."

Keiko rubbed my back. "I still believe you're a dude."

"You're not helping..."

"Keiko," Sonoko called after sharing a wink with Ran. Not a good sign. "Truth or dare?"

Keiko glanced at Ran then me, the makeup dares may have upped her confidence level. "Dare."

"I dare you to kiss a guy in this room!"

Keiko stared at my eyeshadow, and decorated lips while asking, "where do you see one?"

"Seriously!" I shouted. "Not helping!"

A reddish hue blossomed on her cheeks. "In this room?"

"In this room," Ran assured.

"Sonoko, could you be gender confused for a few seconds?"

"Nope." Sonoko scooted away. "One-hundred percent women, and it will never change!"

Keiko came back at me. I flushed. She inched forward till our knees touched. Sonoko and Ran leaned in for a better view. Oh, no. The closer she got, the clearer I could see it as reality. Her lips smudged with lipstick from a man's mouth, how humiliating.

Suddenly Keiko leapt up and urgently called, "Professor!"

Agasa stumbled up the stairs, blurting, "what is it?"

Keiko strode over and planted one right on his cheek. "That's it." She smiled. "Thank you, Professor."

He held his cheek, blushing. "You're, um, welcome?" With that Agasa returned down the stairs, but not before giving Ran and I a few questionable looks.

Sonoko scowled. "You cheated."

"Nope." Keiko confidently crossed her arms. "And don't go making up rules."

I inwardly laughed despite a pang of disappointment. Why didn't I think of that?

By Agasa's orders, and despite Sonoko's objections, we were all the clean up crew. No one had the heart to trash Keiko's handmade hats though, so we stored them in the cabinet.

Ran checked her watch when we finished. "It's almost midnight."

"Almost?" I squinted at the clock. "We've still got a few hours."

"Yeah, but I have to get dinner ready for my dad."

Sonoko went for the door, saying, "if Ran's not staying, I'm out."

Keiko caught ear of their leaving, and rushed over to tell them, "thanks for coming!"

Ran chuckled at her enthusiasm. "No problem, I had fun."

Sonoko nodded. "Ditto."

As they passed through the door I caught a glimpse of the night sky, predicted Keiko's next question, and said, "you can spend the night."

She leaned up to me, her hands behind her back. "What if I was gonna ask the Professor that?"

"You're not going to impose after a party."

She rolled her eyes. "Must you have a logical answer for everything?"

I smirked. "Should I answer that?"

Keiko paused, then muttered, "Bighead."

"Chibi."

She laughed, "hey!" while playfully pummeling me.

I grinned, catching her fists.

"Going to stay up for the countdown?" Professor Agasa asked as he approached us.

Keiko lit up. "Can we?!"

The caseload Megure had me do through the other night left a weariness that begged for sleep. But I guess a few hours wouldn't hurt, that is, "if you can last that long."

"Can you?" She retorted.

Of course she would ask...

With an "OK" from her parents, Keiko joyfully escorted me home. However, moments later, any trace of happiness withered as she said, "two hours left."

"Is that a bad thing?" I took her hand and tugged her toward the kitchen. "Make tea if you're sleepy."

"It's not that." She swung my hand. "It's... my tournament begins the same day you and Ran go to Tropical Land, and since I won't be here to go, I'd hoped we could go somewhere grand before I left..."

"Your bodyguard wouldn't approve of us going out at this time. Unless it's littered with cops like last time."

She dropped my hand. "Thought so..."

Keiko's hopes plunged so easy, my own began to fall as well. So, I proposed an alternative. "We could run away."

Her head shot up.

"Out the back door. Over the wall." With an extended hand my invitation became her decision. "Any efforts that bodyguard puts into protecting you, I promise to double them."

She hesitated, clenching her hands at the air between us.

So my own began to lower. "However my words are meaningless unless you trust me."

Keiko took the offer, and our fingers locked as she stood at my side. "You've never handed out empty promises. Of course I trust you. I trust you with my life... but…" She shook her head. "Who's to say you won't get in trouble if I'm caught?"

I tossed the idea in my head for a bit and said, "then we'll be in trouble together." A smile spread over her face as one found its way onto mine. "Besides, where's the fun in going down alone?"

With a bit more pep she asked, "we dig our own graves?"

"And crawl out together!"

We bent into ourselves laughing, then after semi-disguising Keiko with a hat and jacket, we cheerfully blundered into the night.

When we arrived Keiko's firecracker of euphoria proved this risky trip more than worth it. The New Years festival. Traditional food at every turn, toys, and games. Despite our pocket money she wanted to play them all.

Then our stomachs growled.

"We neglected dinner," I despaired, yet her gaze raked over the game stalls with growing anticipation. So, I added, "stand in line for something while I get us something to eat?"

She readily wandered off, saying, "get something we can share!"

[Author's POV]

Keiko stood before the first interesting game she found, patiently allowing others to pass in line as she waited for Shinichi.

"Give up already!" The only guy in line shouted to a boy playing Kingyo Sukui at the next stall over. The boy tensed, an empty bowl in one hand, and a partially broken poi in the other. "You're not going to get any, so let me play already!"

"Lay off him," Keiko commanded. "These games are meant to be enjoyed. Rushing doesn't help."

The guy scowled. "This is his third try, and he's got nothing. He should learn when to give up."

The boy flinched.

Keiko stepped into the space between them. Deciding that the target of his insults should be anything other than the child, and invaded his personal bubble to declare, "or maybe some junior high schooler should learn not to pick on a person half his age."

"What did you say?" The guy, while he appeared younger than Keiko, was definitely taller as he towered over. "Mind your own business. I'm in high school."

Keiko upturned her nose. "I was commenting on your emotional, not intellectual level."

He shoved her back, creating space between them. "The last thing I need right now is some shrimp talking down to me."

"How am I talking down to you?" She airily asked, purposefully ignoring his brutish conduct. "Nothing I've said is an insult; simply facts about your person. You're impatient, immature—" He threw a punch. Keiko countered with an open handed swipe along the inside of his wrist. Pushing the force of his attack out by scraping the inside of his arm away with her own in a swift fan-waving movement. Redirecting the momentum of his fist to rest in the open air beside her head. In the moment it took for him to grasp the situation, Keiko completed her sentence. "—and impetuous."

"You..." he gritted his teeth, throwing another punch, only to have it end in the same result. The guy roughly exhaled, veins popping, now thoroughly infuriated by her antics. Up, down, left, right, he tossed punches. Only to be deflected at every turn. Now relaxed in what to expect, Keiko easily went through the maneuvers. Till he decided to add an upwards kick. She saw it coming, yet couldn't switch stances fast enough, and braced herself for impact.

Suddenly, Shinichi hooked his leg over the guy's kick, blocking, and pulling it away. Immediately throwing the guy off balance, sending him tumbling to the ground.

Shinichi, irritated and holding a bowl of takoyaki, told him, "that's enough."

The guy stood and dusted himself off while glaring at Shinichi and Keiko. He jerked his head, muttering an insult below his breath, before walking away.

Keiko knelt down to ask the child, "need help?" once the guy left.

The boy timidly avoided her approach. "Maybe." His head fell. "Thank you for getting rid of that bully."

Keiko nodded and invitingly opened her palm. The boy handed over a new poi. Keiko rolled up her jacket sleeves and said, "let's see." She waved a hand over the water. "You wanna go for the lazy ones. Scare them a bit, see who's slower, and how late they react."

Shinichi watched over her shoulder, rolling his eyes over the fact that Keiko has 'skills' in such a game.

"Keep the bowl close to the water," and he did. "Then when you scoop a fish up, make sure it's close to the surface. Also don't go too fast or too slow. The poi will break. Go at a leisurely pace at a slanted angle and—" Keiko swept the poi under a goldfish. Pushed it into the bowl and, "—success!"

"Awesome!" The boy exclaimed.

"Here." Keiko returned the poi. "Try it. Might not be so hard now."

He enthusiastically nodded. "Yeah! Thanks!" Then gazed upon the fish with anxious hands.

Keiko guided Shinichi to a line at the neighboring stall she chose earlier, snatching a takoyaki with a toothpick from him as she did.

"So," Shinichi began.

Keiko gulped, nervously averting her eyes.

"What was that?"

"A... uhm." She forced a smile. "Thank you for intervening." Knowing how offtrack his mind goes when doused in praise she'd hoped he'd forget.

Yet he elbowed her, saying, "Wing Chun Kung Fu, right? Exactly when did you have the time to learn that?"

"Ran's got this friend." Keiko absently twirled her fingers around one another. "She noticed my stamina on the field, and asked if I wanted to do something with my extra energy. She taught me some defensive moves. We've practiced for a few weeks now, but I really only know how to deflect. Ya see, she's trying to figure out how to break a Wing Chun defence with Karate since she participates in mixed martial arts tournaments."

"That's all well and good." Shinichi narrowed his eyes. "But I meant the fight. I saw how it began. The way you spoke egged him on. You wanted him to hit you."

She crossed her arms. "He was picking on that child, what else was I supposed to do? Besides, Ran says it's important to have these skills. Ya never know when you'll need 'em."

He shook his head, sampling the takoyaki. "The difference between you and Ran is that she'll quell a fight, while you instigate it. There are better ways to handle these types of situations, Keiko."

Keiko huffed. "You do it your way, and I'll do it mine."

"Geez." He ruffled her hair out of frustration. "You're getting hard headed."

"Kinda like looking in the mirror?" She remarked.

"Next!" The man at the cork gun stall impatiently announced. "Two at a time," he said, handing out rifles as they sheepishly took their positions. "It's loaded with three corks. Whatever you manage to knock over, you keep."

"Right," they acknowledged, and fired simultaneously. Both missing in their haste.

Shinichi and Keiko exchanged amused glances before focusing on their next target. Keiko aimed for something small. A candle. And shot, only to have Shinichi's cork knock it over first. She rolled her eyes as he chuckled.

"Had to knock it over before I did?" Keiko asked, aiming high for a bigger prize.

"Why not?" Shinichi replied, mimicking her.

So she pulled right, yet he followed. Keiko shook her head, laughing. "Grow up!"

"Hey," inadvertently, he began cracking up as well, "I'm sixteen!"

Despite her spasmodic movements in the midst of a laughing fit he continued his game of follow the leader. Causing her to shout, "no, you're six!"

At which point Keiko accidently fired, bringing Shinichi to do the same and, "we have a winner!" The stall keeper declared.

Shinichi blinked. "What'd we win?"

As Keiko dissolved into a puddle of giggles.

"And how do we celebrate New Years Eve?" Keiko enthused as she applied a flower to Shinichi's nose. "With a child's sticker book!"

"Give me that." Shinichi reached, yet she jumped away. "I can't believe we shot that down. What kind of prize is this?"

"Dunno. But hey." Keiko pulled forth their other prize. "Got a candle."

The two settled on a hillside, a grassy area optimal for viewing the upcoming New Years fireworks, with the candle lit between them.

However, insecurity created a nest in Keiko's heart, building since their game of Truth or Dare. So, the question came all too easily.

"Shinichi?" Once she had his attention, she asked, "what am I to you?"

Shinichi drew a blank. "To me?"

"Yeah, I— I mean, you Ran and Sonoko. Y'all 'll got somethin' special. Childhood friends is... um..." She faced away, toward the sky. "I'm sorry. Nevermind, it's—"

Suddenly, the crowds broke into a disjointed cry of, "10!"

Shinichi watched her struggling through the noise. So, he halted her words with some of his own. "Our relationship isn't dictated by labels."

Keiko honed in on his ambiguous answer, willing him to elaborate as the people continued to chant, "9!"

Shinichi shrugged. "I'm not sure what you want me to say specifically. (8!) Putting a name on what we have doesn't feel right. (7!) I'm sure you know how I feel, but if you want an idea. (6!) As childhood friends, Ran and Sonoko catch details about me through our lives together. (5!) While you know about me because I want you to. And I feel safe doing so, (4!) because we don't judge each other based on our secrets."

Keiko softened, a smile lighting her features. "True, but it's not like I expect you not to judge me. That's inevitable. (3!) We form opinions despite ourselves. However, (2!) I can say that I trust you to know who I am, yet somehow accept me anyway."

Shinichi reached for Keiko's hand resting on her lap, and curled his pinky around hers. "Is that a promise?"

Keiko squeezed back, "yeah," and leapt forward on 1. Enveloping one another in an embrace as she shouted, "Happy New Year!"

[Shinichi's POV]

Keiko didn't bother showering when we returned. She simply collapsed on my bed, and refused to move. Now past the point of exhaustion, sleeping elsewhere for me wouldn't cut it. So, I pushed her aside and tried to make myself comfortable. Which proved to be impossible. For decency's sake I laid opposite, with my head resting at the foot of the bed, but that wasn't the problem.

She kept making noises, like breathing. The oil her skin produced naturally illuminated her features in the moonlight. In other words; she's practically glowing. Why is this so fascinating? I turned over, then turned back. Her presence begged my attention. But I don't care if she's unconscious, it's weird to just stare! I had to keep occupied.

I rolled out of bed to find the sticker book we won earlier. And took a few googly eyeballs then applied them to Keiko's eyelids. If I had to stare, I might as well have an excuse. And what better excuse than a good old fashion prank?

Except, she didn't wake up. Suppressed laughs racked my body at the sight.

Suddenly in too deep, I continued applying various stickers, yet got no more from her than a hitch of breath. So, after chuckling louder than I should have, I began removing them. Now scared she'd actually wake up and find out the entire sticker book went to her face. But before all that, I snapped a picture.

My phone's been needing a new background.

As Keiko's household did some last minute packing. I occupied myself with a newspaper in hand. Kaito Kid painted all over the headline immediately irked my thoughts. This marks the second time he's struck on a holiday, the first being Keiko's birthday. A jewelry store had been his target, very near the path that I had set Keiko on. Where she was also supposed to meet a mime named Tobi, not Terra. The first letter of his name did align with my plan, but a little too well, like this impostor knew he was toying with me. Therefore, if this Terra is who I'm imagining, then the proverbial stick he's poking me with is a childish tactic, yet sadly, very him.

"My face feels weird..." Keiko admitted.

"Really?" I asked. Stifling a laugh as she felt over her cheeks and nose.

Her parents slamming the car door jarred Keiko to attention. "Anyway I, um, guess this is goodbye."

"We won't be apart long enough for this to be goodbye." I worked up a smile. "It's: I'll see you later. You excelled in the preliminaries. So it won't take long for you to outrun the competition. Then I'll come see you win the finals."

Despite my words Keiko wavered, her eyes asking more questions than she could voice aloud. "Promise?"

"Promise."

A gentle pink painted itself across Keiko's features. She threw her arms around me and murmured, "see ya later then."

I returned the embrace. "Yeah."

Agasa cleared his throat, blushing. "Ahem."

"You two embarrass me," Sonoko scoffed, adorning pinkening cheeks alongside a flustered Ran.

When Keiko jumped into the car they shouted, "do your best!" As Sonoko added, "leave no survivors!"

"It's a race, not a fight," Keiko told her, laughing.

"Oh, yeah," Sonoko snapped her fingers. "I've gotten so used to seeing Ran's competitions. Still," she shot a thumbs-up, "I expect the same out of you."

"I'll see what I can do." Keiko rolled her eyes with a smirk. The car took off, then with a wave out the window Keiko shouted, "see you all later!"

They yelled, "see you!" as the car receded into the distance.

Leaving old troubles behind, and starting endeavors anew. "Happy New Year," I spoke aloud as the countdown for her return began.

Author's Note

Kingyo Sukui is goldfish scooping and a poi is the little bubble wand with paper in the middle that they use to scoop the fish into their bucket