You just gotta love that last chapter folks! Here's a new one! I'll be able to put up more soon! My cousins have finally gotten to sleep back in the guest room, so now I can finally type in peace... Koji and Karen is really getting to be the best of friends... I wonder how long their friendship will last? Stay tuned! Hope you enjoy the story! I destroy bad reviews with my flaming sword of doom!!!

Talking
Thinking/Memories
Important words/Emphasis

Chapter 11: The Moonlight of Love

It was a very chilly morning in Mineral Town. Koji just woke up and got ready for his usual daily routine. After work, he headed over to the river near the waterfall. He took some rocks and skipped them across the river. Then, he looked up into the clouds and smiled. Today was the day. It was a very important day for Koji. So important, that he didn't want to tell anyone about it. He walked into the inn and ordered a tall bottle of wine to relax. Koji has grown very fond of the wine and starts drinking it everyday. He kept drinking until he was met up by Cliff.

"Hey Koji! Nice day huh?"

"Yeah, it's a really nice day."

"Hmm? You seem happy today! Heheh… what's on your mind?"

He smiled.

"Not really much… Hey Cliff, do you think that Karen likes me?"

"Ohh… I see, you wanna see if Karen's got the hots for you is that it?"

"What?! No!! I mean… well…"

Meanwhile, Karen came by the inn and joined Koji for a drink. She ordered two more bottles and gave Koji her usual smile.

"Hey Koji!"

"Oh, hey Karen, it's a really nice day out isn't it?"

"Yeah… it is…"

Karen smiled at him and Koji smiled back. Koji still can't believe that Karen's staying in Mineral Town after what happened the other day.

"Hey Koji?"

"Um…"

"Go on…"

She blushed for a moment and then just shook it off.

"Well, what is it?"

"It's nothing… I gotta go Koji, I'll talk to you later."

She got off her stool and gave Koji a quick hug. She then was met up by Ann wearing her usual cheerful smile and happy tone of voice.

"Hey Karen! Guess what day it is!"

"Um… Oh! Today's Moon Viewing Day right?"

"Yup! Anyone in particular?"

"Well…"

She looked over her shoulder and saw that Koji and Cliff were having a little drinking contest.

"I don't know… should I ask him?"

"Of course you should! You two make a great couple!"

"Ann… I told you before, Koji and I are just great friends… we're not a couple…"

"Quit denying it Karen! I've seen the way you act around Koji! The way you just blush every time he smiles, the way your knees just get weak whenever he holds you close, face it Karen, you're lovesick."

She blushed and smiled a bit.

"I am not…"

"Yes you are…"

"…Well… yeah, I guess I am… but I don't wanna tell Koji! That might make him feel weird. After all we've been through, he probably thinks I'm just a crybaby."

"You are not a crybaby… just ask him and it's over! Simple!"

She gave Karen a nudge and then she accidentally bumped into Koji.

"Uh… hi?"

Karen's face turned hot and then she fainted… again. Later, she woke up inside Ann's bedroom. Ann was fanning her with a fan that Cliff gave her as a birthday present.

"Ann? Oh no… I did it again, didn't I?"

She nodded.

"Look Karen, you need to rack up the nerve of asking him. If you don't then he'll probably go with someone else, and you'll grow up all alone with no one."

"Yeah I guess you're right… I better go talk to him."

So then she got off her bed, headed straight outside and confronted Koji. Unfortunately, he left once she's gotten to him. So then she followed him home.

"Moon Viewing Day? Huh?"

"Um… yeah! It's a really great holiday where you just find a nice spot and look at the moon. I heard that the moon's really beautiful tonight. So what do you say?"

"………I'll think about it…"

He smiled and went back inside his home. Karen's face has turned red and ran straight on home.

"Mom, I need some help!"

"What is it Karen?"

"It's about… a guy…"

"I see, go on…"

"You see… there's this guy that I really, really, really like and I don't know what to say to him."

"Ahh… and now you've asked him to come watch the moon with you, is that it?"

She blushed.

"How did you know?"

"It's a woman's intuition. First of all, you need to make yourself look really pretty. Although you've already pulled it off quite nicely!"

She smiled and looked away from her mother.

"Second, you need to make sure that you like him. Give him some signs like sitting up close with him. And third, I'll need to help you with some Moon Dumplings."

"Thanks mom…"

So then they got started. Karen took out the wraps from her fridge and Sasha has already prepared the steamer. Then the two got to work. Meanwhile, Koji was busy talking with Cliff and the other guys.

"So Cliff, what do you usually do on Moon Viewing Day?"

"Oh, Ann always drags me to some clearing in a forest and makes us sit on top of a rock together."

"What about you Gray?"

"Not really much. We just watch the moon from at home."

"Rick?"

"Sis and I go up to the roof and watch it together. Then we eat Moon Dumplings. Hey, aren't you going with Karen tonight?"

"Umm… uh… well… you see… uh…"

His face turned red for a second and then Cliff imitated Karen for a bit, only to be met with Koji's fist. Koji walked around the town for a bit and stopped at Town Square. He looked up at the sky and smiled a bit. He kept thinking to himself about this very important day. This day, no one really knows. He never wanted to tell anyone, no matter who it was. Not even Karen. So then he got up and went over to the waterfall to watch the river flow by.

"Calm yourself down Koji… This is practically the first time that Karen has asked you on a real date…"

Meanwhile, Karen has just finished her Moon Dumplings. Normally, she can't cook to save her life, but with her mom's help, the dumplings actually look and smell great. She smiled and placed them on a plate and covered it in plastic wrap. She then put it inside a small basket and placed a bottle of wine for her and Koji to share. She blushed and couldn't help but get all giddy over the fact that she's going out with Koji. She went to talk to Ann about the great news.

"That's great Karen! Did you pack Moon Dumplings and wine?"

She smiled and held up the basket in front of her.

"Yup! It's all in here! I'm so excited!"

"I know! Koji and you on your first date!"

Karen blushed and placed her hand over Ann's mouth.

"Ann… it's not a date… it's more of a… um… okay, fine, it's a date… But it's Moon Viewing Day!"

"You should tell Koji to meet you at a secluded place that no one has ever dared to go to. Like maybe the top of Mother's Hill?"

"Mother's Hill? Well… Alright then! But why alone? Won't I feel awkward with just me and him sitting there? All by ourselves? I mean, what if I say something stupid or do something that could embarrass me in front of him! Or-"

Ann slapped her straight across the face.

"Pull yourself together woman! Don't worry! You'll do fine!"

"You're right… thanks Ann…"

That night, Karen left Koji a note at the front of his door that told him to meet him at the top of Mother's Hill. As he opened the door, he read the note.

"Koji, meet me at the top of Mother's Hill for Moon Viewing Day! I think I got a surprise that I know you'll love!

Karen."

He smiled and turned off all the lights in his house. He locked the door and he was on his way. Meanwhile, Karen was already at the top waiting for Koji to arrive. It was almost time for the festival to start and Karen was already getting worried. It was dark and the moon was about to show up any minute. Then, she looked at the bottom of the hill and saw a shadowy figure coming for her. She looked a bit closer and noticed that the figure was wearing a blue hat. She smiled and felt a warm feeling in her heart.

"Koji… you came!"

He smiled and ran up ahead towards her.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world. Especially with you."

She blushed and the two sat at a tree near the top of the hill. She pulled out the picnic basket and pulled out the dumplings. She blushed a bit and sat a bit closer to Koji.

"Here… I made these for the occasion…"

He took one and ate it.

"Wow, these are actually really good."

"You like it? Well then you'll like this more."

She pulled out the bottle and Koji was thrown back.

"Heh… it's like you have everything in there!"

she smiled and Koji sat near her. She waited for the moon to show up along with Koji. Koji looked over at her and smiled.

"Hey Karen?"

"Umm.. what is it?"

"I'm really glad that you're here with me…"

".Hmm… I'm glad too… the air feels so nice…"

The moon finally showed up and Karen smiled when the moonlight hits her face. Koji stared at her when he saw the moonlight making her emerald eyes sparkle even more. He blushed and put his arm around Karen. Karen was taken back when he puts his other arm around her.

"Koji…"

"Karen… I've been waiting for this for a while now…"

"What do you mean?"

He held her closer to him and stared deeply into her eyes. He smiled and held Karen again. He whispered into her ear with a gentle breath.

"Karen… I love you…"

She was taken back by Koji's words and then smiled at him. Then she gently placed her hand on his face and gently kissed him on the lips. She felt a nice and comfortable feeling in her. Finally she felt the spark that she was waiting for. She pulled away from the kiss and whispered back into his ear.

"I love you too Koji… I've been wanting to say that for a while now too…"

"Huh? Well why didn't you tell me before?"

"Because… I was confused and lost… I didn't know how to tell people… I was waiting for you to say that to me… I love you Koji and I've always loved you... More than you ever know…"

"Karen…"

"You were always there for me… you always held me every time I felt sad… you always make me smile when you smile… I didn't want to tell you until the right time came… Come here…"

She gently placed another kiss on his lips and held Koji as long as possible. After the kiss, Koji opened up the bottle and the both drank out of it in happiness. Karen gently put her arms around Koji and Koji placed his arms around her. They were finally a couple. They held each other as they watched the moon shining in the night sky. The moonlight was bright enough to represent on how much they loved each other. When the day was done, Koji took Karen back home and they both shared a long and passionate goodnight kiss. Karen smiled and Koji smiled back then they both went home for a good night's sleep, thinking about each other before they went to bed. Perhaps, Koji and Karen's relationship will possibly blossom into something more.