Disclaimer: I do not own Persona or Fate or anything in the nasuverse, any resemblance to any other Persona 4/Fate fan fiction is coincidental and plagiarism is not intended. No flames please, constructive criticism only.

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[December 31st, Dojima Residence, Inaba]

When Yu woke on New Year's Eve the first thing he did was check his phone which had a message icon on it Checking the email it was a text from Yosuke.

Let's get everyone together and visit the shrine today! How about we meet up in front of the shrine in the shopping district? I hear they're gonna hand out amazake! I'll contact the others. See you there!

Yu got out of bed and rummaged through his wardrobe for clothes suitable for the cold weather outside.

"So it is the new year already," Gawain said looking out of the window.

"Yup, we're in the home stretch now." Cu Chulainn stated sitting on the sofa. "Best not to let down our guard, if there's one lesson my teacher beat into me it's that no matter how calm things seem always remain on guard."

"She sounds wise," Chiron commented leaning against a wall.

"Yeah, and scary in nearly every way you could imagine." Cu chuckled nervously.

Finally, Yu finished and found some thick winter clothing to wear, after getting it all on and doing more morning routine things he left to head to the shrine in the shopping district.

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[December 31st, North Shopping District, Tatsuhime Shrine, Inaba]

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Kanji said as he came rushing over to Yu who was waiting at the bottom fo the stairs which lead up to the shrine. "Wait, huh? Is it just you here, Senpai? Seriously!? This is the time we all decided on, isn't it?" Kanji asked. "I was watchin' TV at home, but it seems like I fell asleep...so when I woke up I rushed out here..."

"Sorry, we're late." Yosuke apologised as he arrived with Teddie.

"Hello" Teddie greeted "I'm sorry, Sensei. It's all Yosuke's fault.

"Me!? It was 100% your fault!" Yosuke yelled before calming down. "But, I am sorry about making you wait. We had an emergency at work. Everyone had to refill all of the lucky draw bags. We just finished a second ago...Because a certain someone just crammed buncha stuff into the bags without checking any of the prices."

Teddie whistled innocently.

"I'm talking about you! You little...!"

"Moving on...Hey, Sensei. Where's Nana-chan and her dad?" Teddie cutting off Yosuke and changing the subject.

"You doofus." Kanji sighed. "They can't come out on a cold night like this. Dojima and Nanako just got temporarily released from the hospital for the holidays! They aren't healed yet."

"Well, then, where's everyone else? Why are only the guys here? D-Don't tell me...Is this going to be some lame "guy's night" celebration...N-No lovely girls...?" Teddie whined.

"Hell no. But man, they're late. They should've gotten here a while ago." Yosuke commented.

"I wonder if they're all meeting up at Yukiko-senpai's house first...You know, like, to put on their kimonos..." Kanji wondered

"K-Kimonos!? Did you hear that, S-S-Sensei!? Kimonos!" Teddie asked with perverse excitement.

"You're getting your hopes up too high," Yu said shaking his head.

"Right. We don't know anything. Don't get all worked up for kimonos yet, Teddie." Yosuke said.

"Kimonos~! I might go into kodiak arrest!"

"Ugh...This guy..." Yosuke sighed shaking his head before perking up. "Although, I must say, seeing Risette in a kimono would be quite a sight...Whoa...Maybe Naoto's in one, too? Okay, now I'm starting to get a little..."

"Sorry about the wait" Yukiko called out as she arrived with the girls. "Olga decided to come too and so did Dr Roman."

"Hello," Olga said stiffly.

"Hi." Roman greeted with an awkward wave.

"Sorry," Chie apologised.

"We went to buy some heating packs and ended up running late." Rise explained.

"We're sorry." Naoto apologised politely.

The girls as it turned out were not in kimonos, but rather casual midwinter clothes. Yukiko was wearing a white half-coat over a maroon skirt, black stockings with white socks and black shoes.

Chie was wearing a cyan coat over a turtleneck shirt, which was covered by a white shirt with white stockings and brown and red boots.

Rise was wearing a pale green coat over a pink vest with a flower over a white turtleneck shirt, black stockings and black boots.

Naoto was wearing a shirt and ribbon tie with her usual cap, however, her dress shirt was covered by a sweater with a diamond pattern, the diamonds running mainly dark blue with alternating red and white diamonds accentuating the sweater with tan pants covered by burgundy boots.

Olga had not changed much except for a thick sweater atop her usual clothing, while Doctor Roman was wearing a large black overcoat instead of his usual white lab coat."

"Uhhh…What's with the non-reaction?" Chie asked.

"Whaaaaaaat?! Where are your kimonos?!" Teddie whined causing the girls to sweatdrop and Olga to give him a disgusted look clearly seeing through his perverted tendencies quickly.

"Why would I be in a kimono…?" Rise asked, "We aren't going to be out long enough to bother putting one on."

"See, that's what I thought! I told you all from the beginning!" Yosuke said, in a bid to try distance himself from the concept.

"Ack, my ears! You got your hopes up on your own, so don't take it out on us!" Chie said

"A girl has to save her best outfits for the moments that count the most." Rise stated.

"Huh?" Yosuke said. "A kimono's one of a girl's best outfits?" Then he thought of something. "…Wait, you're implying that you're out of our league."

"She wasn't implying," Yukiko said bluntly causing Drake to laugh

"My heart just froze over..." Kanji sighed.

"At least Olga and I are going to be married before we're twenty-five" Yu quipped.

"Hey!" Rise and Yukiko yelled in unison.

"Don't dish it out if you can't take it," Olga said with a huff as she stood next to Yu.

"Um...Shouldn't we be more mindful of the time?" Naoto cut in trying to keep the peace. "If we don't hurry, we'll have to do the countdown here at the entrance."

"We're going to miss the two-year shrine visit!" Yosuke cried.

"This is my first time being with friends on midnight of New Year's Day!" Rise stated.

"I'd always just spent it with everyone at the inn until last year."

"Actually...I'm glad we were all able to celebrate today here peacefully." Chie said.

"Yeah. All right everyone, let's get going." Yosuke said and everyone climbed up the stairs and headed to the shrine.

"H-h-h-h...Staying still makes me cold!" Rise complained as she breathed onto her hands

"They're handin' out amazake over there." Kanji pointed out.

"Uh-uh. Not 'til New Year's!" Chie insisted.

"Hey...How long 'til next year?" Teddie asked.

"Oh-it's almost time!" Naoto exclaimed.

"Oh-KAY! FIVE!" Chie began

"Four!" Rise and Yukiko said together.

"Three!" Yosuke counted.

"Two!" Teddie and Naoto counted together.

"One...HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Every cried together, even Olga joined in albeit quieter than everyone else.

"I'm glad we're here together," Naoto smiled.

"It's here!" Chie cried

"The New Year is finally here!" Yosuke

"Let's make this year a great year," Yukiko agreed

"Happy New Year, both of you," Naoto said to Teddie and Kanji.

"Thank you," Teddie said.

"It's not your celebration," Kanji told him.

"Amazake! Amazake!" Rise cried joyfully as she went to go and get some.

"Nope! None for you, Rise!" Yosuke said stopping her in her tracks.

"What!" Rise exclaimed,

"Can't you just let go, Yosuke-senpai?!" Rise grouched.

Suddenly it began to snow as flakes fell gently from the sky.

"It's snowing!" Chie pointed out.

"Whoa!" Teddie gasped.

"I told you it was cold!" Rise said.

"Do you think the snow will pile up?" Yukiko asked.

"This is what they call a White New Year's, huh?" Kanji wondered.

"No one calls it that," Yosuke said derisively.

"It's a New Year, but you're still Moronji…" Rise said teasingly.

"What, Rise-chan?" Kanji looked at her.

"'Moronji'…Oh…" Naoto said with a nod, getting it.

"Hey! What are you noddin' for?!" Kanji demanded.

Everyone laughed good-naturedly.

"Moronji!" Teddie repeated.

"Shut up!" Kanji demanded

Looking at everyone Yu decided to speak up and got everyone's attention by clearing his throat.

"Hey, after final exams are over, how does everyone feel about going skiing?" Yu suggested.

"There are a lot of mountains in the area, and it seems there are a lot of little ski resorts around here," Yosuke said. "It'll be a cheap trip because it's local, and the snow quality's supposed to be pretty good, too."

"Sounds great." "Yeah." "Alright" "Beary-good" "Awesome" "Count me in." "Very well." Everyone agreed.

"Have fun," Olga said before Yu put his hand on her shoulder causing her to look at him.

"Hey, you're coming too," Yu told her with a gentle smile. "Have some fun while you're here."

"Fine, but it's not like I wanted to come or anything," Olga said quickly looking away her cheeks reddening slightly.

Yu merely smiled and didn't say a thing. So she was a tsundere. That was fine.

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[January 1st, 2014, Dojima Residence, Inaba]

"The leading group has crossed the big Showa Bridge and they're using their final kick as they prepare to hand off," the announcer on the TV was saying. "The runners for the next leg wait for their turn to don the sash and run. This relay point was changed in 2009…"

"Ah, there you are," Dojima said turning off the TV as Yu walked downstairs and entered the living room fully dressed.

"Morning," Yu greeted Nanako and Dojima.

Soon everyone was gathered under the Kotatsu and a large breakfast was on the table with traditional dishes.

"All right, are we ready then?" Dojima said. "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year!" Nanako cheered.

"Happy New Year," Yu said to them both with a smile.

"We'll probably still be a pain for you both, but may things go well this year," Dojima said."In any case… you've changed over this past year. You've got a man's face now. I didn't see much of you while I was hospitalized to notice. But now, reflecting, that's what made me notice. To be honest, I feel relieved since so much happened."

"Dad, can we eat yet?" Nanako asked looking back and forth between Dojima and Yu.

"All right, let's dig in. Man, I can't thank those guys working the holiday at Junes enough. I wandered over there and they even had New Year's food."

"Thanks for the food!" Nanako had said as she picked up the chopsticks.

"Nanako, what do you want to eat? I'll get it for you," Dojima said as he and Yu got theirs.

"Umm, umm… Kobumaki!"

Time seemed to pass quickly and after dinner was finished Nanako got sleepy and went quickly to bed leaving Yu and Dojima in the living room together.

"So, how's Olga?" Dojima asked drinking some soda as the hospital had forbidden him from drinking until he was fully recovered.

"She's fine," Yu answered. "She's gonna come over and keep me company in a couple of days when you and Nanako go back to the hospital. Oh and I invited her to go with me and the other skiing after finals are over."

"That sounds like a great idea," Dojima said with a smile. "Look, I know this situation isn't ideal, but remember Olga's been forced into this too so..."

"It's alright, I don't blame her at all" Yu stated firmly glaring into the glass-paned doors which showed the pitch black outside. "I blame them and her father, I'll do right by her, that I swear."

"You're a good kid," Dojima said after a paused as he finished his soda off. "Ah, right. There was something I was going to give you."

Dojima handed Yu a New Year's gift envelope, opening it he found 30,000 yen inside it.

"Thank you," Yu said gratefully.

"Haha, there's no need to hold back. Doing this is supposed to make the giver happy, too. I make Nanako save her money every year, but maybe I should let her use it as she wants pretty soon. Well, let's do our best this year, too" Dojima said picking up a newspaper. "I'm just gonna finish reading this and go to bed. Goodnight."

"Goodnight uncle," Yu replied heading to bed.

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[January 2nd, Dojima Residence, Inaba]

The next morning Yu awoke and joined Nanako and Dojima outside. Everything was covered in a thick blanket of snow. Nanako had been dressed up warmly before had been allowed outside.

"Whoa! Look at all the snow!" She exclaimed,

"Looks like we got a lot of snowfall this year, huh," Dojima commented looking at all the snow.

"Hey, I want to make a snowman!" Nanako cried

"A snowman, huh...I'd help you make one, but the doctor told me to avoid bending over so that my back would heal up." Dojima said.

"What about you, big bro?" Nanako asked excitedly.

"Sure, Let's make one together." Yu agreed.

"Yay!" She cheered and began running to gather snow.

"Nanako, don't get too worked up, all right? You'll get sick and have to stay at the doctor's for a long time." Dojima warned her

"Okay!"

"If you get cold, come right in. Can you promise that?" Dojima asked still a bit worried.

"Uh-huh!" She agreed quickly.

Yu began to gather snow, quickly using his strength to make it larger quicker. The snow quickly

"That's amazing! How did you get it so big?!"

"There's no secret to it, Nanako. You just need guts," Yu said.

"Oh! I read about that in a manga when I was in the hospital!" Nanako saying, referring to having guts. "If you have 'guts', then you can get a cool frog t-shirt, or become the best bancho!"

"All right, I think you two have done enough…" Dojima said. "Let me help now. I think I can take it home from here."

"I leave it to you then, Uncle…" Yu said.

"Yeah? Just watch and learn. You're not the master of snowmen in this house yet. There."

"It's done!" Nanako exclaimed happily.

"It still needs a face. We should draw one for it."

"We're going to draw a face?" Nanako said before getting an idea "Hey. Big Bro! I want it to look like Teddie…Can you make the face look like Teddie?"

Yu looked got a thought look for a moment and pictured Teddie in his mind's eye before smiling as he got an idea.

"Yeah, I think I can," Yu said before getting to work.

It little while as Yu had to find some spare mittens, but Yu managed to get it to look like Teddie. It had buttons drawn on going down the middle, a smile, with the stick and mittens used for arms and hands and a pair of large drawn eyes.

"It's a Teddieman! It looks so cool!" Nanako grinned happily.

"You're pretty good." Dojima complimented Yu "Good for you, Nanako."

"Thanks, big bro!" Nanako thanked him gratefully making Yu feel good that he put effort into it.

"If we don't go in soon, you'll catch a cold," Dojima told her,

"Aww, already?" Nanako whined with disappointment.

"I'll make you something hot to drink. Well...it'll just be coffee." Dojima told her.

"Actually, I got some mix for hot chocolate when I went shopping last," Yu informed him.

"Really?" Dojima asked with surprise.

"Oh yay!" Nanako cheered.

"It's in the cupboard just next to the fridge," Yu said.

"Oh, thanks, it's been a while since we had any hot chocolate," Dojima stated with a smile on his lips.

The family went inside the house and Nanako after taking off her coat, gloves and shoes got under the Kotatsu to get warm. Dojima had found the mixture and had begun making three cups of hot chocolate for them all to get them warm.

"I'm going back to the hospital tomorrow, even though there's nothing wrong with me anymore," Nanako said unhappily. "But I'll be a good girl there! When I come back, let's make another snowman!"

"Then it's a promise." Yu smiled extending his pinky finger for Nanako to take and they shook on it.

"Nanako and I are going to go back to the hospital for a while tomorrow," Dojima said as he came to them with the mugs of hot chocolate, setting one in front of Nanako and one for Yu and kept the last for himself. "I'm sorry to keep relying on you, but I'll be counting on you. Hey, what are you going to do about your New Year's greetings? It's good to relax, but shouldn't you go say hello to all your friends?"

Yu nodded his head and after drinking his hot chocolate he stood up and put his coat and other winter clothing on to go outside and wish a happy new year to the rest of the people he'd met in Inaba.

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[January 2nd, Junes, Inaba]

"Yo, Happy New years," Yosuke said with a happy sigh as Yu walked through the doors into the entrance lobby of Junes. "Man, New Year's already...this year went by way too fast. Well, that just shows how awesome we did last year. We solved the case, after all! All that's left is to have some fun before make the wish and end-all of this. Let's make this year a great one too, partner!"

"Ooh, Sensei! Happy New Year!" Teddie greeted him. "I got New Year's gifts! Yosuke's mom and dad gave them to me! Now I can buy tons of snacks...or so I thought, but I might save it for a while. I'm gonna use it to buy presents for Nana-chan so we can all have fun together! May this year be as great as the last one!"

"Avenger!" Yu saw Diarmuid glaring at Angra Mainyu.

"What did I do now?" The weakest hero scoffed.

"Put the topsicles back," Diarmuid demanded sternly.

"What topsicles?" Angra Mainyu asked raised his hands in surrender, which caused three topsicles to fall onto the ground near his feet. "Oops." Looking up he saw that Yosuke, Teddie and Diarmuid now glaring at him. "Fine, fine, I'll put 'em back, yeesh."

With that, Avenger picked up the ice creams and grumbled as he went into the elevator and pushed a button to go into the store and put his stolen goods back.

"Don't let him do that stuff bear!" Yosuke yelled. "Oh and don't worry about the logistics and stuff, I'll get that all done." He called after Yu who began to leave to greet others around town.

"I didn't tell him to do it, I'm not a bad bear, I promise I'll keep a closer eye on him," Teddie yelled back.

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Yu's wanderings brought him to Inaba Municipal Hospital, he wondered where Sayoko went after quitting her job here

"Ah yes, we never did learn what happened to her did we?" Vlad Tepes said leaning against a wall still in spirit form.

Eventually, Yu came across a young nurse who recognised him

"Hm? Aren't you the boy who was working here part-time?" She asked. "Are you wondering about Sayoko-san? Who knows where she is now...Although a New Year's card did get delivered here to the hospital. Oh, it had a little note for you too. I think it was, "Let's both do our best."

"Well, it's better than not finding out anything at all I suppose." The ruler of Wallachia sighed.

Yu wondered if Sayoko was ringing in the New Year somewhere. Though he had little doubt that she was well. His business finished Yu decide to leave.

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"Oh, Hello there. Happy New Years." Eri said with a smile. "Thank you for all your help last year. I hope this year will be wonderful for you."

"Happy New years." Yu greeted her

"Well, I need to finish shopping and head back. My relatives are coming over to visit. I haven't met up with some of them in a while, so I'm feeling a little nervous. Goodbye"

Yu watched her walk off as Achilles appeared next to him.

"She's in a hurry, well life is a race after all." He chuckled before vanishing again.

A short ways away Yu spotted Naoto near the pavilion and went to greet her.

"Happy New Year's," Naoto said.

"Happy New Years," Yu said.

"I feel as though time has gone by faster since the new year began. The case is over and I have nothing left to accomplish here..." Naoto paused. "But I thought, well...I may as well enjoy a normal life with the rest of you. So, once again, may this year be fruitful for us both, Senpai."

"And may you stick to your new years' resolution," Archer said materialising with a stern look on his face. "Don't think for a moment that I'll let you go back to that microwaved junk food."

"Fine, but you'll have to keep cooking," Naoto warned him.

"Don't worry about that, cooking is like breathing to me," Archer told her.

Yu smiled and left the two behind and wandered down to near the riverside where Hisano was standing.

"Ah, Yu-chan." Hisano chuckled upon seeing him. "You always seem so energetic."

"Happy New Years." Yu greeted her respectfully.

"I'm sorry. I'm currently in mourning, so I can't do a New Year's greeting with you. But I'm glad that we were able to meet. Let's talk together again sometime."

Kiritsugu seemed to want to say something but ultimately he opted to remain silent and returned quietly to the Sea of Souls.

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"Yo, Narukami Happy New Years," Kou said to Yu as he made his way into the North Shopping District. "I love this time of year. You feel that in the air? That's the feeling of perfect relaxation!"

"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅!" Lancelot growled unseen by Kou.

"So, have you and Ebihara gotten together yet?" Yu asked bluntly causing Kou to stammer and blush.

"W-what me and?... You know I think I have to go back home, I'm starting to miss Aiya, y'know? Anyway, let's make this a great year! Bye!"

Kou then ran off stammering and red-faced, a chuckle echoing from Lancelot who vanished.

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Yu made his way up to the Tatsuhime shrine where he was greeted by the fox. The donations the shrine had accumulated had gotten the shrine some renovations that made parts of it seem to shine like gold.

"Happy New Year," Yu said to the fox that yipped back to him in return and seemed to be happy.

The fox motioned to follow with its head and Yu did so, following it to the offering box in the shrine. The fox looked at it rather gleefully prompting Yu to take a look inside.

"That is not a small number of offerings. They must have been left on their first visit of the year." Chiron commented, "No wonder she's happy."

"Wait, how can you tell it's a she?" Yu asked.

"It's one of the many skills I picked up in life."

Yu shrugged and decided to leave the happy Fox alone.

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"Yo, Senpai!" Yu looked down the stairs to see Kanji waiting for him. "Happy New Years.

"Happy New Years." Yu returned.

"With the fog cleared, I'm feelin' pretty good about this next year," Kanji said. "I was cold on New Year's Day, so I went out on my bike and Berserker decided to jog along with me."

"Wait, cold?" Yu asked.

"Oh yeah, our house is old so we don't have a modern heating system." Kanji explained dismissively. "I make sure mom stays under that kotatsu and is wrapped in blankets so she doesn't freeze."

"Are you ok? Do you need any help?" Yu asked with concern.

"Nah, it's fine." Kanji waved off his concern. "It's not usually a problem it was just colder this year. Anyway, we got lost and ended up in the mountains...But this kinda snow's no problem for me, so we got back safe and sound. Let's make it a kickass year!"

"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅!" Heracles growled with a nod.

"See you later," Yu said as he walked away wondering if there was anything he could do for Kanji.

Heading further north he spotted Naoki.

"..Hello. Uhh, I'm currently in mourning so I can't really..." Naoki trailed off, it seems he was finally beginning to grieve for his sister. "The town gets so quiet on New Year's. But for some reason, there's still this warm atmosphere about it...I wonder if it's the warm aura of all the happy families spreading out from their homes into the streets. Anyway, goodbye."

Without even giving Yu a chance to speak Naoki wandered off home, Yu didn't blame him, the guy was finally starting to move forward.

"We think he'll be ok, right mommy?" Jack the Ripper asked as she materialised.

"Yeah, he just needs some time." Yu nodded Jack watched after him before vanishing again.

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Making his way down to the south shopping district Yu found him near the gas station where he spotted Ayane looking bright and cheerful.

"Happy New Years Senpai!" She greeted him cheerfully. "Are you enjoying the New Year?"

"Yeah, it's been a pretty great start so far," Yu said.

"I just came back from my first shrine visit of the year," Ayane explained. "Oh, it's technically not my first visit...I went with my family yesterday, but I forgot to pray for something. So I went back to make an extra offering. I made sure to pray a lot about you too, so you can feel secure! I'm sure those prayers will protect you this year!"

"Your advice worked master." Karna commented appearing in spirit form as they walked away from Ayane. "She has changed and grown stronger as a result."

"Well, I certainly hope that she can keep moving forward," Yu replied as Karna disappeared.

"Narukami!" Yukiko called out to Yu as he passed the bookshop.

"Hi, Yukiko." Yu returned the greeting and approached her, he noted Drake standing nearby drinking some booze, and he idly wondered where she'd gotten it from.

"So much happened last year...But I think I managed to get through it all because I had all of you and Rider with me." Yukiko said "This is nothing new...but thank you. Let's make this a year to remember, too."

"Don't worry lass, with how far you've come I'm sure it'll be a year to remember alright." Rider chuckled.

"I can't wait to go on that ski trip you suggested I hear Yosuke is planning the logistics."

"Yeah, he promised to get it all done by himself." Yu said with a smile "Well I've got to go."

"See you later." Yukiko waved goodbye as did Rider.

Yu didn't have to go very far before encountering Chie, who seemed to be doing some exercises in an alleyway.

"Happy New Year's." Chie greeted without pausing her push-ups with Assassin watching nearby. "Let's make this a great year too."

"Happy New Years Chie."

"We went through a ton of stuff last year, but I'm glad we're all safe and ready to ring in the new year together. Oh yeah! This year, instead of cutting the rice cake, let's cut and eat steak...It's practically the same thing, right?" Chie asked with a chuckle as she paused her exercising.

"Don't think you'll get away with eating meat alone." Li Shuwen said. "You won't defeat me without a balanced diet."

"Just you wait, I don't care how many veggies I have to eat, I'll get strong enough to beat you." Chie declared before returning to her exercising with gusto.

"Happy New Year Senpai." Rise greeted him cheerfully. "I hope this year is great for you."

"Happy New Year, I hope the same for you as well."

"I hope to have tons of fun with you all the others this year too! Let's make this year even better than the last."

"Agreed." Yu smiled "Well see you."

With that Yu went on to find others. Caster appeared beside Rise as she watched him go.

"Are you ok Master?" Caster asked with some concern.

"Yeah, I am." Rise replied. "When I first heard about the Arranged Marriage I was hurt and confused. And not sure how to feel about Olga. But when I got to know her...Is it strange that I don't hate her?"

"I don't think it is. To me, it's a sign of how you've grown and how strong you are." Caster answered her tail swaying gently.

"My Grandma once told that if you really love someone, you'll think about their happiness no matter how much it might hurt to let them go." Rise said

"That's good advice." Caster said.

Yu after finishing with Rise saw Shu, the boy he'd tutored much further down the road.

"Happy New Year Shu." Yu greeted him,

"Oh, Happy New Year," Shu said nervously. "It feels odd to run into each other like this in town. We always met in my room after all...I feel a little nervous right now."

"Don't worry, Take things at your own pace," Yu advised him.

"I will, thanks, bye," Shu said before walking off.

"That little piggy still needs to toughen up, but he's getting there," Elisabeth said.

"Yeah, but he's on the right track," Yu replied

"Hey!" Yu snapped out of thoughts to see Ai glaring at him from nearby having spotted him.

"What are you doing here on New Year's?" She demanded before remembering some things about him. "...Oh, yeah. You live around here." She said calming down. "Well, Happy New Year's. It's such a generic greeting, but I might as well say it. Wandering around like this isn't so bad every once in a while. Well, see you around sometime."

It all happened so fast, Ai was gone before Yu could even return the greeting.

"Well, she's certainly grown hasn't she?" Medea said materialising beside Yu and watching Ai speed off. "Thanks to you becoming a true friend of hers and not just because of her appearance or wealth but because you could see the person underneath."

[-]-[-]-[-]-[-]-[-]

[January 2nd, Velvet Room]

He'd seen a familiar blue door and remembered that he hadn't wished two people a happy new year. So he entered the Velvet Room and had taken a seat in the limousine.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room." Margaret greeted him.

"To say, "Happy New Year to both of you," Yu said.

"My...Quite formal of you. I did not realize that the year had passed. After all, this room is distanced from time." Margaret stated "Ah...I remember now. I have something I must tell you. Marie has left this room. I suppose that means that her purpose here has come to an end."

"When did she leave?" Yu asked surprised.

"Not too long ago." Margaret told him casually "This room is tightly bound to your fate. My master selects the scenery and even the other residents to match the fate of our occasional customers, and we always change...You may have already noticed, but it was you who ushered her here. She arrived in this place not long after you first visited this room. All we did was provide a name and a role for her. Your fate led Marie here, and you forged a bond with her."

"But where did she go?" Yu asked with worry.

"I do not know either," Margaret told him sadly. "However...If you wish, I can locate Marie and take you to her...I must warn you, though: it may involve danger. What is your choice?"

"I don't care if it's dangerous I'll go," Yu said firmly.

"...Very well. Please give me some time. Once I am prepared, I will come for you. Please wait until then." Margret said.

[-]-[-]-[-]-[-]-[-]

[January 2nd, Dojima Residence]

Yu spent his time wandering back home wondering where Marie had gone. Ultimately he decided to wait for Margaret to come to him. When he finally entered the house he saw that Nanako had been put to bed and Dojima was sat at the table reading his newspaper again. The mugs of hot chocolate now finished, sat in the sink ready to be cleaned.

"Hey, you don't look so great...You should get to bed and get some rest." Dojima said observantly.

Yu noted that he did feel a chill. Did he catch a cold?

"You should return to your room and rest," Gawain told him.

Yu knew he was right, he didn't want to be sneezing and having to blow his nose all the time Olga was here. So he went upstairs to get ready to go to bed.