Hey peoples! Here's another new chapter of Harvest Moon! My cousins have been very stupid lately and tried to mess up my story whenever I take breaks. But I got rid of them. Anywho, I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Filled with love, passion, and romance. Enjoy! I WILL destroy bad reviews by launching them out into the stratosphere!!!

Talking
Thinking/Memories
Important Words/Emphasis

Chapter 16: New Year's Arrival

It's been a couple weeks after Christmas. Everyone took down their decorations and family members went home. Everything looked as it should be. It was a bit warmer this time outside because of Spring's arrival. Birds already migrating back and the snow was melting. Koji woke up and found a bright sunny day outside his window. He dragged himself across the floor to check his calendar. It was already New Year's Eve. He smiled and ran outside.

"I wonder how Karen's doing?"

He went over to her house to find out. He found her at the front desk. She looked extra beautiful today. He calmed himself down and went inside. Karen saw Koji coming in.

"Hi Koji!"

She ran towards him and kissed him.

"How are you this morning?"

"Could be a little better, but fine I guess… Hey let's go to the Inn. I think Doug may have a surprise for us."

She took his hand and headed out the door, while Jeff got stuck manning the front desk. They went into the inn and smelled so many aromas.

"Hey Doug, what's all this for?"

Doug flashed a smile.

"It's for tonight! The big New Year's Eve Party will be held at the base of Mother's Hill."

"Oh right! You said that every year, we would watch the sunrise of the New Year!"

"Yup! And today will be huge! Lots of food, lots of fun, and lots of fireworks!"

Doug went back into the kitchen as soon as he smelled something burning. He panicked and ran back. Karen and Koji were alone. They both sat down, grabbed their drinks, and left money at the cash register.

"Hey Koji?"

"Hmm?"

"What was your New Year's like?"

"Well… my parents showed up of course, but I usually spend it with some of my friends back in the city. We would always go out to parties on those days. But nothing ever felt the same after my summer vacation. I was a completely different man. I thought more and I was a little more quiet, so I had to spend New Year's alone… Wandering out on the streets…"

"I'm sorry…"

"It's alright. Because I have you with me now… I love you Karen…"

"I love you too…"

They kissed passionately until Cliff came over.

"Hey guys! Sorry I had to ruin your moment there Koji!"

"Hmm… Cliff… right on time like usual."

"Hey lighten up! It's the New Year's!"

He left and Karen and Koji headed towards the waterfall.

"Karen?"

"Yeah?"

"What about you?"

"Hm?"

"Your New Year's… what is it like?"

She rested her head on Koji's shoulders and placed one hand over his own. She smiled and gently stroked his back.

"Just like everyone else's Koji…"

"Oh…"

"Well… except…"

"What?"

"That one time…"

Karen looked into Koji's eyes and explained the whole situation. She was seven years old and it was the end of summer vacation. She had shorter hair and still had yellow highlights in her hair. She was looking outside the window dreamily.

"Hey Karen…"

"…"

"Karen."

"…"

"Karen!"

"Huh?"

She turned around and saw a younger Popuri and a younger Elli. Popuri still had the same hairstyle as she did now, but didn't have the black corset. Elli had her hair tied up in pigtails and wore a small blue dress.

"Oh, come on Karen! Weren't you listening?! I said, we're late! We volunteered to help Ann with her New Year's party!"

"Sorry…"

"(sigh) It's fine…"

All three ran back to the Inn and met up with a younger Ann. Her mother was still alive at the time. She looks so similar to Ann.

"Hey guys! What's going on?"

"Don't be silly Ann, you already know why we're here! You asked us to help you out with the cookies remember?"

"Oh right, right… Mom, can you help us?"

"Sure I can honey…(cough) I'll help…"

Doug came through the kitchen door. He had less wrinkles than before and he didn't have a mustache.

"Honey, are you sure you're to be helping them in your condition?"

"I'll be fine…(cough) I've been taking my medicine…"

"I don't know, I think you've done enough…"

"It'll be alright Doug… (cough) Jeez, you are always so worried…"

Karen looked out at the window again. She could never forget her summer vacation. She could never forget his eyes and his smile. She met the boy of her dreams and would always remember the way he held her.

"Please come back someday… K-"

"Karen! Don't you wanna bake some cookies or not?"

"Coming!"

She ran back towards her friends to bake the cookies. Hers turned out horrible of course, in contrast to Ann's professional recipe. After her fun, she walked around the village for a bit. Looking up into the sky. She accidentally bumped into Rick.

"Hey Karen!"

"Oh, hey Rick."

"What's up with you today?"

"…It's nothing…"

He smiled.

"Still thinking about him?"

"Yeah…"

"What's his name again? I know it starts with some kind of letter, but I forgot what it was... uh…"

"(giggle) It started with a K. I can never forget our summer together… All the fun we had…"

"Well, I'm not sure about you, but I'm going home. You just keep dreaming Karen! Later!"

"Alright… bye Rick…"

She walked out into the woods and saw Mother's Hill. The last time she saw him. She tried to picture the herself and the boy she met, but she couldn't make out the picture of him. All she remembers is he had brown hair, and that was just about it. She sat at the top and sung the same song that he sung with her. She sat on top until the party started. She looked out into the distance of the stars then suddenly, tears came out and she was slowly crying.

"I hope you come back soon…"

Karen finished telling her story to Koji. His eyes were bewildered with amazement. He was surprised because he felt the same way as she did. Karen looked into the river and slowly cried her eyes out, remembering the love of her life and how he didn't come back. Koji felt bad for her and wrapped his arms around her. He held her face and gently kissed her. Karen closed her eyes and felt the warm embrace of his love.

"Karen… I know how you feel exactly…"

"…Is it about that little girl?"

"…"

"Koji?"

"…Yes… I've met her when I was visiting here for summer vacation… I was only five… She… wasn't like all the other girls I knew… When I first came to Mineral Town, I thought that I was gonna be alone the whole summer… until she came… We had so much fun together, but it was short lived… I only stayed during the summer… and I had to go…"

Karen looked at Koji's eyes. The next thing she remembered about the boy were his eyes. Those big glowing brown eyes that always made her melt. Could Koji be the boy that she was thinking about? Or could it be another boy she met during summer vacation, who she felt the same way as she did with Koji? Night has fallen by the time they left the waterfall.

"Come on Karen… This place is depressing… We're gonna be late for the party…"

"Right…"

Koji took her hand and they both headed downstairs to the base of Mother's Hill. There, they met all of their friends and families. Ann and Popuri took a picture with Karen and Koji, posing as if they're all on top of Koji. Koji ate so much food while Karen and Ann talked about what they might do in the new year. Hours passed, food was almost gone, and people are so excited for the sunset of the new year.

"Hey Koji…"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sober now… Let's go somewhere where we can be… you know… alone."

Koji smiled, took Karen's hand and they both ran to the top of Mother's Hill. They sat next to each other on the summit and held each other close as they watched the sunrise.

"So many things have passed… I feel like I wanna forget all the bad things… and keep the good ones in my memories… what about you Koji?"

"I feel like that… even if it is a new year…"

"Go on…"

"I never wanna be separated from you Karen… ever…"

They both leaned towards each other and kissed passionately. As they kissed, the sun slowly rose. The sunlight hit Karen's beautiful emerald eyes and Koji's glowing brown eyes.

"Happy New Year baby… I love you so much…"

"I love you too Karen… I hope that nothing ever ruins this new year…"

A new year has finally begun. New beginnings, new love, and new miracles. But how long will those last? And who knows what's in store for them? Meanwhile, out at sea, a boat came was about to come to the shore of Mineral Beach. A man about 15 years old was on board. He had brown hair and shining brown eyes. He was about Koji's height and Koji's size. He had many similarities with Koji, but the only difference was that his skin was a bit darker and his arms were a bit bigger. He flashed a smile and breathed in the sea air.

"Mineral Town… It's been 10 years since I've been here… I'm coming back for you Karen…"

Who is this boy? How does he know Karen? It's not Kai, but who is he?