Hey everyone!

Sorry for the extremely late update. I'm starting to get a hold of my life, but ever since I graduated from college, nothing has been set or secure, so I had a hard time trying to get myself back into the writing mood. But now, it should get a little better. Maybe. Hopefully. I did complete a few of my stories recently, so perhaps I can get back my writing muse again. Perhaps…

If my MC acts like a Mary Sue in any way or if there are any mistakes (grammar, story plot holes, etc.), TELL ME IMMEDIATELY! Thank you!

"" - speech

italics - memory

[ ] - thoughts

Disclaimer: I do not own Diamond no Ace.

A New Year – A New Beginning

"Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu, Hinata-san. Suibara-san." Nami gave them an appropriate bow as she straightened the hems of her kimono sleeves. It was finally the New Year and they stood in front of a big shrine quietly.

"Let's go pray for the New Year, Tsukimukai-san." Arisu beautifully smiled, holding Nami's hand affectionately. "Hinata-san, join us."

"Aa…" Eiichirou awkwardly grinned and walked beside the two. Once they arrived at the praying area, they tossed their coins before clapping twice. Nami closed her eyes and savored the brief moment of her prayer.

[Help me protect my loved ones and keep them safe.]

Immediately, she opened her eyes and gazed at the large bell that they rung a moment ago.

"Suibara-ojousama." An older man approached them; his dark outfit was sleek and neat. His grey hair was slicked back and he wore white gloves. The clean cut of his grey beard gave a sophisticated air to the man. "It is time for us to go."

"Of course. I will be right there." She politely put her hands together and nodded in understanding to the older man. "If you will excuse me."

"Of course." He bowed to her before taking a few steps away from them.

"I will be leaving now. Perhaps we shall see each other again when school starts." Once Nami and Eiichirou gave their agreements, she curtsied and joined her butler to the car.

"Well, I gotta go too. I'll see you later, yeah?" Eiichirou faced Nami with a questioning look.

"Sounds good. See you!" The casual atmosphere in the shrine made her comfortably smile at the young boy. He nodded and then dashed out of the shrine in the direction of his place.

Before she could move, she heard a familiar voice call out her name. She turned around and grinned. "Kazuya, akemashite omedetou gozaimasu." In her proper form, she bowed impeccably as though she turned into the true lady of the house. From her expression to the air around her, she showed no sign of mistakes.

"Aa. Akemashite omedetou." Kazuya casually approached her as if her etiquette was completely normal.

"This is…?" A new older male's voice joined in their greetings to each other. However, to Nami, his voice sounded very familiar. When she glanced up, Kazuya's father stood stiffly next to his son. Whether he was unsure about what to make of the girl in front of him, he watched her with a questioning gaze.

"She's the person I meet with once a week." Kazuya explained in a simple curt manner.

"With that Sebastian person…?" He inquired.

Kazuya paused before nodding. "Yes."

"I see." His father's eyes softened a little.

Feeling relieved, Kazuya finally introduced his father to her. "Nami, this is my father."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kazuya no otousan." She gave a short but respectful bow, smiling pleasantly at the older man. She thought that she would feel a lot of emotions towards his father since it would be the first time seeing him in this life, but strangely, she did not feel much towards him. Perhaps, it was because they rarely interacted in her previous life. Nevertheless, she was still happy to see him again. Somehow, she felt that his gaze was warm, despite his stiff expression.

"Well, we should be leaving now." He motioned to Kazuya.

"Of course. I hope you enjoy the rest of your New Year." She bowed to them once again before swiftly grabbing Kazuya's sleeve and whispering in his ear softly. "I'll see you later?"

His hand ran through locks of her hair gently when he pulled her towards him to also whisper in her ear. "Yes."

Just as quickly, they parted and eventually they both left in opposite directions with their respective family. The snow covered up their tracks as though bringing about a new beginning.

Translations:

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu – Happy New Year

Ojousama – Lady (or Daughter of a High-Class Family)

Aa – Yeah

Kazuya no otousan – Kazuya's Father

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