It's bigger! It's better! That's right people, ultimatemonkey32 is back and better than ever! Sorry for the long wait. I had too much drama myself than the one in the story. I also fell victim to the evil society known as, "school". So much homework, so little time to spend on my fanfics. Sorry for the delay. I haven't given up on this fanfic actually. In fact, it wasn't cancelled but more of on a hiatus. Well, I hope you enjoy this brand spanking new chapter of Harvest Moon: Back To Nature Drama! Rule numero uno! I WILL destroy bad reviews by cutting them up with a food processor! Oh and thank you for the pleasant reviews from Momo-chan! Thank you for being my number one fan Momo-chan! Keep those good reviews going!

Talking
Thinking/Memories
Important words/Emphasis

Chapter 15: A Mineral Town Christmas

It was yet another chilly day in Mineral Town. But this day wasn't like any other ordinary day. No, this day was a time full of happiness, love, joy, and miracles. That's right, it's Christmas time in Mineral Town. Houses decorated with lights, tinsel, and wreaths, smoke coming out of chimneys, and many I-love-you's and presents. Koji came out of the house and headed towards the inn to meet up with Karen.

"Hey Karen."

"Hey babe… "

She gave him a warm kiss and moved over for Koji to sit. Karen wrapped her arms around Koji's neck and kissed him gently.

"It's that time of year again…"

"Yeah… I always loved Christmas… The feeling of it just makes me feel all warm inside…"

Karen smiled and kissed him again. Then, Ann came out of her room with two huge boxes.

"Hey guys! Merry Christmas!!!"

"Wow, what are those boxes for?"

She handed one to Karen and one to Koji. Both of them opened it and a large smile appeared on their faces. Karen got a new skirt while Koji got a teddy bear with a Santa hat. Karen hugged Ann and gave her a present as well. Ann took the box and ripped it up like a mother grizzly protecting her children. She took out the present and was giddy with joy.

"Thanks Karen! I love my new spice rack!"

"Heh… You looked like you needed a new one, so I went out and bought it at Carol's Appliances and More. I'm glad you like it."

Ann gave Karen a huge hug and ran into the kitchen to set it up. Karen turned around and gave Koji a sly smile. Koji blushed as Karen dragged him to his place and shoved him onto his couch. She laid down next to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, stroked his chin, looked at him deeply, and whispered softly into his ear with a voice that could make any boy melt.

"We're finally alone tiger… What do you wanna do?"

"Well, there's something that I always wanna give you…"

He took the side of her face and brought it closer to his. Karen smiled and closed her eyes deeply and blushed.

"Oh you…"

"I love you so much…"

Suddenly, a knock on the door came and their mood instantly stopped. Karen reluctantly let go and pouted for a bit as Koji went to get the door. As he opened it, he was given a letter.

"Mom and dad?"

He read the letter and was completely surprised. His parents were coming over for Christmas.

"What is it Koji?"

"My… parents… they're coming over for Christmas…"

"That's wonderful! I can't wait to meet them."

"Yeah…"

"What's wrong?"

"Huh? Oh… it's… it's nothing."

Karen shrugged and sat with Koji on the couch.

"Hey Koji, can you tell me about your parents? I wanna meet them and I wanna know what they're like."

"Well…"

"Go on."

"My mom is a zoologist and my dad is a vet. Both of my parents are very great with animals, but I think I told you that before. My parents were almost never around. Only on certain days, that I ever get to see them. My dad always expects so much from me. My mom doesn't seem to care, as long as I'm happy. My dad always wants what's best for me. He just doesn't understand…"

"What do you mean?"

"This is my life… and he can't control it…"

"Koji, is that true?"

Koji nodded sadly and Karen wrapped her arms around him, kissed him, and whispered in his ear "It'll be alright…". The next day, Karen and Koji were standing at the pier, waiting for Koji's parents to come. When his parents got off the boat, Koji's mom gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek and his dad came off and gave him a big hug.

"Koji, it's so great to finally see the town you're living in!"

"Thanks mom. Hey dad."

"Hey bud! And who's this friend of yours?"

Karen smiled and shook Koji's dad's hand.

"My name is Karen… I'm uh… Koji's girlfriend…"

"Koji! You got a girlfriend and you didn't tell us about it? My boy's growing up now!"

His dad put him in a headlock and gave him a noogie. After the introductions, Karen went off with Koji's mom for Christmas shopping while Koji and his dad needed time for a father-son bond.

"So how's farm life Koji?"

"It's great dad."

"I can't wait to see you grow up to be just like MY dad…"

"Uh… yeah."

"Hey Koji, you know a place where we can get a drink around here?"

"Yeah, I'll show you."

Koji led his dad to the inn where they both got drunk. After drinking, he led his dad back to the square. His dad got up and was automatically sober.

"Thanks for the drink Koji. Now, I got some serious business with you first."

"Here we go…"

"Okay, shoot."

His dad looked into Koji's eyes and gave him a big sigh.

"Koji, I think it's time that you come home with us."

A harsh, cold wind blew. Koji's face remained unfazed and serious. Everything was silent. Koji hadn't said a word.

"You've been gone too long, son. It's time that we take you back to the city, where you belong."

"…"

"Starting tomorrow morning, we're going home."

Koji closed his eyes for a minute, took a deep breath, and opened his eyes, but not at his dad, but fixed to the ground. His voice was calm, yet unemotional.

"…I knew you would say that…"

"So you see it my way?"

"Actually dad… to be frank with you………"

The wind blew harder with snowflakes flying everywhere. Both Koji and his dad were silent. His dad's eyes fixed on Koji, but Koji's eyes were fixed onto the ground. Tension builds up as the wind kept blowing.

"What's your decision?"

"…No…"

"I see… and why not?"

"Because dad… I'm done…"

"Done? What are you talking about, done?"

"I'm just done with it dad… I'm done with the city… I'd rather stay here… where I should belong."

"Are you serious? I give you the offer of a lifetime, and you just shut your old man down like that? What kind of respect is that?! I want you to have the best in your life and you-"

"Maybe your life dad, but not mine!"

Koji was shaking and his face fixed onto a serious look. This was finally the first time that he had to confront his own father, the man who he looked up to when he was younger. The man who took care of him since childbirth. The man who he has to confront face-to-face so that he can finally speak his mind.

"You're giving up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! You're giving up the lifestyle you wanted!"

"No dad…"

His dad's face was shocked with expression. He has never heard his son talk like this to him before.

"I'm giving up the lifestyle you wanted. My life is here, in Mineral Town. With all my friends and people who love me dearly. The city life is great and all, but its just not my life… I'm sorry dad… but this is the truth and you just need to accept it…"

A little after, Koji left his dad in the center of the square. He headed back home where he met up with Karen. His mom has already gone to look for her husband. Koji and Karen went into the house to talk and Karen comforted him all the way.

"You did the right thing Koji… I know you did…"

"I don't know Karen…"

"Aww…"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him gently. Koji placed his hand onto Karen's and Karen rubbed his back gently. Meanwhile, Koji's dad and mom were walking over to Koji's house to talk with their son.

"I can't believe that he would say those things to me, Gwen."

"Carter, it's a phase… All adolescent boys go through these things you know… If I recall, haven't you talked to your father like that one time for him restricting you to go out on your own? And didn't you say those things exactly like Koji did?"

"I don't want to talk about it…"

They stopped by Koji's house and overheard Koji and Karen's conversation inside.

"I just don't know what I would do if I left Mineral Town. This whole place has treated me kindly, like I'm actually someone. Than a no one in the city."

"I think I'd be more devastated than you would if you did leave… I'd be losing the love of my life… I'm still a little confused on why you said those things... and to your own father…"

"Because Karen… I wanna make my own decisions when I grow up… and not have someone else do it for me… I had to talk that way to him because he has to realize that I'm not the same little boy that he once knew. Enough talk… let's head over to the Christmas party at the inn… we don't want to be late."

Koji and Karen walked out hand-in-hand with each other, while Koji's parents hid behind his house, listening to their whole conversation. Koji and Karen entered the inn with a lot more decorations than before and a humongous Christmas tree in the center. Koji shook hands with Cliff and Gray and received hugs from Ann, Popuri, Elli, and Mary. Karen and Koji grabbed one bottle and two champagne glasses, both making a toast to the Christmas holiday. Just before Koji drank his share, his father came in and gave him a gift.

"Dad…"

"Here son… Merry Christmas…"

He opened it and received a diary. It was old and he read the inside of it. It was empty.

"These pages are blank…"

"I think that if I had to start a new life and record it, I think you would too."

"Are you saying that I can stay?"

"Yes… I've realized that the one thing that a father would really want from his son for Christmas, would be that his son would have to stand up to his own father one day. I'm proud of you son."

Koji smiled and gave his dad a hug and gave his mother a hug as well. Karen came up and gave both his parents hugs.

"Thank you for letting Koji stay here… It means a lot to me and I know that it means a lot to him as well… I hope you have a Merry Christmas."

"You too Karen… Now remember Koji, you better play nice with this girl because I know you'll get something even nicer from her one day."

"I will dad… and again, thanks. Merry Christmas."

His parents left the inn to head out into the city outside of Mineral Town. Karen and Koji drank champagne and then went upstairs to get away from all the talking, merriment, and noise.

"I'm so glad that your dad would let you stay."

"Me too… But I still don't get by what he means by 'getting something even nicer one day'…"

Karen smiled and wrapped her arms around Koji.

"Baby, I think you would know what it would mean soon enough…"

She tilted Koji's head upwards and found a mistletoe underneath them. Koji blushed and Karen as well, combined with her smile and beautiful emerald eyes. She kissed Koji deeply and passionately. The feeling felt so good for both of them, that they did not ever want to let go of each other until the night was done. This feeling is how Christmas should really feel.