Ringing in the New Year With a Bang

December 31st, New Year's Eve: A time to celebrate the end of the current year and the beginning of a newer and (hopefully) more glorious one. Around this time every year, the Phantom Thieves and their friends like to gather under one roof to have a big New Year's Eve Blowout, and this year Sumire and Ichiro Tanaka offered their lake house as this year's venue.

When the big day came, everyone flocked towards Lake Motosu where the Tanaka Family Lake House was located. The Tanaka Family, The Amamiya Family, and the Sakamoto Family (Plus Ryuji's mom Nanami and her boyfriend Koji), decided to come early to get everything ready. Speaking of which, we start this tale with the group of 13 as they finish setting everything up.

"Okay, let's go down the list to make sure we have everything," Sumire said, "Snack table?"

"Check," said Minato, Kimiko, and Himari as they stood behind a table littered with snacks and beverages.

"Music?" Sumire asked.

"Check," replied Makoto and Ryuji, who just finished setting up a stereo system and a turntable for a DJ to use.

"Games?" Sumire asked. "Video and board?"

"Check," Nanami, Koji, Ichiro, and Kas said as the former two set up an area for board games and the latter two hooked up a video game console to the main T.V in the living room.

"Fireworks for midnight?" Sumire asked.

"Right here," Ren and Ann said as they were seen carrying crates of fireworks, with Morgana sitting next to one of them.

"And finally," Kas chimed in as she went over to a door, "Make out closet…check-a-rooni!"

Kas opened up the door to reveal an empty closet meant for the party guests if one of them wants to be alone with their main squeeze for a few minutes. Sumire and Ichiro just looked at their daughter quizzically as she showed off the make-out closet.

"Let's be real here for a second," Kas said to her parents, "At least one couple here is going to be looking to visit Smooch City tonight."

"Alright, guys, I think we're ready," Sumire said proudly, "Nothing left to do except wait for the guests to arrive."

"Cool," Ryuji said, "And I say we have some cocktails while we wait."

"Good call, Ryuji," Ren concurred as the adults gathered around in the kitchen to get their drink on.

"Hey, Minato, Kim, Himari," Kas said, "You guys want to play some Superb Shatter Dudes Ultimate while we wait for everyone to arrive."

"I'm down for a match or two," Minato said.

"Count me in," Kimiko chimed in.

"You guys go on ahead," Himari said, "I've got to talk to my mom real quick about something."

The three teens watch as Himari goes over to the adults to fetch Makoto.

"I wonder what Himari has to tell Auntie Makoto that she can't tell us?" Kas wondered.

"That time of the month?" Kimiko asked Minato, who just shrugged his shoulders.

"It can't be helped now," Kas said, "Come on, let's play some video games. Man, we are all going to get into some stuff tonight! Our lives are going to be like a movie!"

The three teens, along with Morgana, went over to the video game area so they could face off in Superb Shatter Dudes Ultimate while they wait for the guests to start pouring in.

Himari made it to the kitchen where she found Makoto chatting with Ann and Nanami, "Psst, mom," she whispered, catching Makoto's attention, "I need to talk to you in private."

"I'll be right back you two," Makoto said to her friend and mother-in-law as she followed her daughter outside to the deck, making sure to grab their coats on the way out.

The mother and daughter walk out onto the deck all by themselves as Makoto shuts the door behind them so no one can hear them.

"What's going on, Himari?" Makoto asked.

"Well," Himari began, "There's no easy way to say this so I'm just going to come right out with it."

Himari looked down and took a deep breath as a few nervous sweat drops fell from her forehead. Quickly, she then said, "Momithinkiamreadytohavesexwithhotaru."

"Uh, what?" Makoto asked befuddled.

Himari raised her head and looked at her mother in the eyes before calmly saying, "I think Hotaru and I are ready for our 'first time' together."

"Oh…oh…oh…" Makoto said as she let this revelation sink in, "Well…I sure am glad you chose to tell me instead of your father. He would've lost his mind, gone to therapy sessions to get himself back in order, and then lose it again."

"He nearly had an aneurysm when I told him about mine and Hotaru's first kiss," Himari recalled.

"Do you two know when you're going to do it?" Makoto asked.

"We've been talking about it for sometime now," Himari continued, "And we were thinking about doing it tonight before midnight so we can enter the New Year as non-virgins."

"I hope you realize that this is a huge step in your and Hotaru's relationship," Makoto said, "Are you absolutely sure you two are ready for something like this? There's no coming back from your first time, you know."

"I'm well aware of that, mom," Himari said, "But Hotaru and I have known each other since we were little babies playing around in the playpen. He's gotten to know me as well as I've known him and you said it yourself, he's pretty much like one of the family. I love and trust Hotaru, just like I'm sure he loves and trusts me."

"I understand," Makoto said, "But I also hope you know that all it takes is one time for a bun to be placed in your oven. Engaging in sexual intercourse is like playing with fire. One slip up and you've potentially ruined your life and Hotaru's life."

"I know, mom," Himari said before reaching into both of her pants pockets, "Which is why I went to the pharmacy sometime last week and bought these."

From her left pocket, Himari pulled out a bottle of birth control pills. And from her right, some condom packets.

"I've been taking these pills since I bought them in preparation for tonight," Himari explained, "And the pharmacist said these were the most durable condoms on the market."

"Well, it looks like you and Hotaru are all set," Makoto said.

"You're not going to tell dad, are you?" Himari asked nervously.

"I'll tell him in about a few months," Makoto said as Himari laughed, "But, can I offer some advice? Remember to listen to Hotaru's vocal and body language. If he's not ready, or if he's not into it, respect his wishes."

"Got it, mom," Himari said with a nod, "But one more thing. I heard that the first time can be painful for a woman. Is that true?"

"Sometimes, yes," Makoto said, "I know my first time hurt a little bit. But it goes away after a while."

"Good to know," Himari said.

"Come on," Makoto said as she opened the door back into the house, "Let's go back inside and rejoin everyone else."

Himari followed her mother back inside as they continued to chat with their friends while waiting for more guests to arrive.

Meanwhile, we see the Yajima Family Car driving towards the Tanaka Family Lake House. Hotaru was seen in the backseat of the car, looking out the window completely lost in thought. Meanwhile, Hayato had music blasting on the radio as he sang along while Hifumi bopped her head to the beat.

"Oh what a night!" Hayato sang, "Late December back in '63! What a very special time for me! As I remember, what a night!"

While Hayato and Hifumi continued jamming out to music, Hifumi looked in her rear view mirror to see her son looking out the window.

"Is something wrong, sweetie?" Hifumi asked as Hayato turned down the volume to the car radio.

"Hmm?" Hotaru went as his attention shifted to his parents.

"You've been awfully quiet," Hayato said, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, guys, I'm just thinking," Hotaru said.

"About what?" Hifumi asked.

"About…Himari," Hotaru said.

"Is everything going alright between you two?" Hayato asked his son.

"Oh, everything is going great dad, don't worry about that," Hotaru said, "It's just that a little over a month ago, she and I are working on a short film together, and I couldn't help but get this feeling from her that told me she'd rather be doing something else with me."

"And what happened next," Hayato asked, having an idea where this talk was going.

"So, Himari and I talked for a little bit…and that was when she asked when the first time we'd be having, ahem, relations would be," Hotaru said.

"Uh-huh," Hifumi said.

"She said that a lot of her classmates at Shujin Academy were losing their virginities, and she feels a little left out," Hotaru continued, "And I'm not going to lie, I can sympathize with her here, because I've heard about how some of my classmates at Kosei are losing their virginities, or have at least talked to their significant others about losing their virginities. So, Himari and I had a good talk about it and we've decided to do it tonight before midnight at the New Year's Eve Party."

Hayato and Hifumi were speechless. Their son, who they raised over the last 16 years, has just told them that he wants to lose his virginity to Himari Sakamoto. While they knew that Himari was a nice girl and they trusted her as much as Hotaru did, it still didn't change the fact that their little boy wasn't little anymore and he was slowly but surely maturing into a young man; A young man with needs that unfortunately needed to be satisfied.

"If only he could stay young forever," Hayato and Hifumi thought to themselves before focusing their attention back on their son.

"Now son," Hayato began, "I hope you know that while sex is good…like, really, really good…it's also potentially dangerous."

"I'm well aware of the risks, father," Hotaru said, "Pregnancies, STDS, and so on. Which is why I went to the pharmacy yesterday and bought these."

Hotaru reached into his coat pocket to pull out some condom packets, unaware that Himari had the same thing in her possession.

"I know what I'm doing, and I know the risks," Hotaru said, "Himari and I are ready to take the next step in our relationship, and we're going to enter the New Year feeling like brand new people."

"We can see that you've made up your mind, sweetie," Hifumi said, "Can I offer you some pieces of advice though?"

"Fire away," Hotaru said.

"First, there's a difference between 'Don't stop', and 'Don't, comma, stop'," Hifumi explained, "Pay attention to Himari's body and vocal language and make sure you two are on the same page."

"Alright," Hotaru said.

"Also, since this is Himari's first time, be aware that it might hurt a little for her," Hifumi said, remembering her own first time, "Be gentle with her at first, treat her like you would a delicate flower, and wait for her to give you the okay before 'picking up the pace'."

"Understood," Hotaru said with a nod, "I'll tell you, I'm excited for this, but I'm also kind of nervous. Something tells me it's probably not going to play out like in these dreams I've been having recently."

"Dare I ask, what kind of dreams?" Hayato asked, nervously.

"Nothing too insane," Hotaru said, "But most of them involve Himari and me. In the most recent one I'm walking home in a pretty bad rain storm, and I'm soaked to the bone when Himari comes out of nowhere and invites me back to her place. I accept the invitation and when we get there, we find that her parents aren't home and there's a roaring fire in the fireplace. We sit down in front of the fire and warm up, you know, we're talking and shooting the breeze, but then out of nowhere Himari asks, 'Do you want to make love, Hotaru?'."

"Oh God," Hifumi said.

"And I say, 'For real? Okay, let's go'," Hotaru continued, "And just like that the two of us go at it, and it's hot and it's passionate."

"Hotaru," Hayato said, trying to get his son to stop explaining his dream.

"And she and I just go at it like rabbits all night long," Hotaru continued as he closed his eyes and started blushing, "And I satisfy her so many times and she starts whispering my name in that cute voice of hers."

"Hotaru," Hifumi said.

"Hotaru she says, Hotaru she says," Hotaru continued.

"Hotaru," Hayato said.

"Hotaru she says," Hotaru continued.

"HOTARU!" Hayato and Hifumi yelled, snapping their son out of his fantasy.

"Jesus!" Hayato said, "We didn't need to know all of that. You could've just said the dreams were about you and Himari and left it at that."

"Heh, sorry about that," Hotaru said with an embarrassed blush, "I guess I got a little carried away."

"You think?" Hifumi asked.

The family of three continued driving towards the Tanaka Family Lake House, Hayato and Hifumi now fully aware of their son and Himari's intentions for the evening.

(BGM: Levitating by Dua Lipa)

Later that night, a little more than an hour until midnight to be specific, 10:45 P-M to be even more specific, the party was in full swing and everyone was in the middle of some kind of fun activity.

In front of the stereo and turntable, operated by Daisuke, the likes of Minato, Mana, Mitsu, Daisuke's cousin Kouki, Sadayo Kawakami and her boyfriend Yamato Hashimoto were seen cutting a rug.

In another part of the party, Daisuke's cousin Juri was taking a selfie with Shiho, Nariko, Riku, Daisuke's other cousins Wakaba and Ayami.

Elsewhere in the party, the likes of Ren, Ann, Sojiro, Yusuke, Haru, Daisuke's mother Himiko, and Chihaya Mifune, are seen having a conversation over cocktails and snacks.

Not far from them, Ryuji and Futaba were competing to see who could drink an entire liter of soda the fastest as Makoto, Zenkichi Hasegawa, Ichiro, and Tae Takemi watched.

In the corner with the board games, Hifumi was playing against Sumire in Shogi. While that was going on, Hayato was playing against Sae, and Daisuke's cousins Ryuta and Osamu in a Monopoly-like board game. And not far from them Hotaru was playing against Yuuki, Ohoya, and Eiko Takao in Sweatbanz (Headbanz).

Near the make-out closet, Mai and Kas were waiting for the closet to become available. Eventually, Nanami and Koji come out of the closet (Koji's face covered in kissing marks), allowing Mai and Kas to walk inside.

And then in front of the T.V, we see Shinya, Kimiko, Kaito, and Himari playing co-op mode in 'Hoover's Return to Wishworld' (Kirby's Return to Dreamland) as Morgana sat by and watched.

Everyone was truly having the time of their lives in the final hours of the current year.

We currently focus on Kimiko, Kaito, and Himari, who are up against a boss fight in their game. It took a few tries, but the trio managed to get the bosses health bar down to zero.

"Aw yeah!" Kaito shouted.

"We got him!" Kimiko said as she high-fived her boyfriend.

"Are you guys ready to do the next level?" Shinya asked.

"Count me in," Kaito said.

"How about you, Himari?" Kimiko asked as she looked over at her friend who was looking at the clock on the wall, "Himari?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, maybe later," Himari said as she got up from the couch, "Would you three excuse me."

With that, Himari left Kimiko, Kaito, and Shinya to play their game without her. Himari walked over to where Hotaru had just finished playing another round of Sweatbanz with Yuuki, Ohoya, and Eiko.

"Good game, everyone," Hotaru said as he noticed Himari walking up to him.

"Whenever you're ready, lover boy," Himari whispered in her ear.

Hotaru smiled and with a nod said to her, "Alright."

Hotaru then turned to the three he was playing with, "Will you excuse us, please," he said before getting up from his seat and going with Himari to one of the lake house's guest bedrooms.

"Looks like they're hoping to get lucky before the year's out, eh?" Yuuki asked the young couple.

"We'd better not tell their parents about this," Eiko said, "Especially Ryuji. You know how protective he gets with his daughter."

"Indeed," Yuuki said, "So, you girls up for another round of Sweatbanz?"

"Let's do it!" Ohoya said as they began another game.

(End BGM)

Meanwhile, in one of the guest bedrooms, Hotaru and Himari enter, making sure to close and lock the door behind them.

"There's only an hour left of this year," Himari said, "The way I see it, it's now or never if we want to lose our virginity before the new year begins."

"Yeah," Hotaru said with a nod, "But before we start, are you sure you want to do this?"

"I've never been more sure over anything in my entire life," Himari said, "We've known each other for so long, Hotaru, and our bond has grown so strong that I can't think of a person I'd rather be with but you."

"Thank you, Himari," Hotaru said, deeply moved by her words, "That means a lot. And if you're ready for this, then so am I. I just ask one thing. If I accidentally hurt you, will you let me know? It's just that a woman's first time may cause some discomfort."

"You could never hurt me, babe," Himari said as she walked up to face her boyfriend.

Hotaru lovingly stroked Himari's face before going in for a deep kiss on the lips. As they kissed, they removed each other's clothing until they were left completely exposed in front of each other. When there was no ounce of fabric between the two of them, they stopped kissing and took a step back to admire each other's primal states.

"Himari, you look so beautiful," Hotaru said.

"You too," Himari said as she reached down into her pants pocket to pull out a condom, which she handed to Hotaru so he could put it on.

Once Hotaru had his condom on, he reached to the floor for his pants and took his phone out of his pocket so he could play some mood music.

(BGM: I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith)

Once he found his phone and got the music playing, Hotaru placed the phone on the nightstand before gently guiding Himari to the bed.

The couple laid themselves down on the bed and they held each other close and made out for a few minutes, their hands traveling each other's bodies, before they decided they were ready for the main event. As the couple stared lovingly into each other's eyes, Hotaru gently slid himself into Himari's entrance. Once Hotaru got as much of himself into her as he could, he made sure to be slow with his movement so his girlfriend could get used to this new feeling. Once she did, however, Hotaru was free to pick up the speed somewhat as Himari wrapped her legs around his waist, the two of them continuing to stare into each other's eyes all the while.

It was quite the romantic first time for the two of them. On top of never breaking eye contact with each other, Himari's hands were still exploring her lover's body, just as his hands were cupping her breasts and lightly massaging them, to further make her feel loved and engaged.

"This is better than anything I could've dreamed of," Hotaru thought to himself.

"Good," Himari breathed out, "It feels so good!"

Hotaru smiled, knowing that he was making Himari not only feel good, but also feel loved. This was the best case scenario for him. The couple continued making love, listening to each other's soft moans and basking in each other's embrace until they both climaxed, at which point Hotaru got off from on top of Himari and threw his condom into a nearby wastebasket.

With their first time over and done with, Hotaru and Himari both cuddled each other, but not before Hotaru grabbed his phone and turned off the music.

(End BGM)

"That was wonderful," Himari purred as she nuzzled Hotaru's shoulder.

"I'm glad you liked it," Hotaru said, "And I'm very glad that you were my first."

"Back at you, babe," Himari said, "I'm also glad we did it before midnight."

"Me too," Hotaru said, "I feel like a new man."

"Speaking of which, did you happen to see how long we have until midnight?" Himari asked as Hotaru grabbed his phone from the nightstand to get a look at the time.

"15 minutes until midnight," Hotaru said.

"We've been here for almost an hour?" Himari asked, remembering that it was a few minutes past 10:45 when they first entered the room, "Time flies when you're spending it with the one you love."

"You can say that again," Hotaru said, "We'd better go back to the party. I have a feeling everyone is going to be wondering where we are."

"Yeah," Himari said as she gave her boyfriend one last kiss before they got out of bed, got dressed, and rejoined the party.

When they went back to the party area, they found Hifumi and Makoto talking over some cocktails, and the young couple walked up to them.

"Himari, Hotaru, there you two are," Makoto said.

"We were just talking about you two," Hifumi said.

"Sorry we disappeared for a bit, Hotaru and I had to duck out for a second and 'talk'," Himari said.

"I think we get the picture," Hifumi said.

"I'm going to grab us something to drink," Hotaru said.

"Okay, babe," Himari said as she gave her boyfriend a kiss on the cheek before went to get a beverage for him and her. Hifumi also left so she could socialize with more party guests, leaving Makoto and Himari alone

"So, did you two do it?" Makoto asked.

"Yup," Himari said with a nod.

"How was it?" Makoto asked, causing Himari to smile bashfully and blush.

"Well, you know," Himari said, twiddling her fingers, "It felt a little weird at first but then…bliss."

"You made sure Hotaru wore protection, right?" Makoto asked.

"Of course," Himari said.

"Atta girl," Makoto said as she patted Himari on the back.

"Just double checking, you said you're not going to tell dad, right?" Himari asked her mother.

"My lips are sealed," Makoto said, "But he's going to find out eventually."

"I know," Himari said, "Right now, I'm just glad he and I lost our virginities before midnight. I don't know why, but I feel more grown-up now."

"I remember that feeling," Makoto said as Hotaru returned with some soda for him and Himari.

"Thanks, babe," Himari said as she gave Hotaru another kiss.

"You're so welcome, love," Hotaru said with a smile, "To us."

The two 16 year olds do a 'cheers' with their red plastic cups full of soda before taking a big gulp.

"Alright everyone," Ichiro called out as all eyes were suddenly on him, "It's a few minutes before midnight! Let's get outside and light some fireworks!"

Everyone cheered as they followed the male gymnast outside to the lakeshore.

Once everyone made it to the lakeshore, the most sober adults at the party set the fireworks up. They were all aiming skyward and set to go off for when midnight came. Speaking of which…

"15 seconds until the new year, people!" Ichiro said as he approached the fireworks with a lighter. He lit the fuse that would set them all off before running back to the rest of the crowd, "Here we go!"

(BGM: Earth (Light it Up) by Tilden Parc)

Everyone started counting down.

"10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

As everyone shouted, 'Happy New Year', the first of the fireworks shot up like a bullet and exploded in the air, signifying the start of the New Year. While the fireworks went off, the party began hugging and high-fiving each other in celebration that they made it through the trials and tribulations of the previous year and have made it to a newer and presumably more prosperous one.

"Happy New Year, everyone!" Kas shouted.

"Happy New Year to you too, babe," Mai said as she kissed her girlfriend.

"Oh Minny, Mitsu, aren't fireworks just so lovely," Mana asked her boyfriend and twin sister.

"You can say that again," Mitsu said.

"The best," Minato replied as he wrapped an arm around his two lady loves.

"Here's to hoping I survive another year with you all," Sojiro said.

"I'm sure you will, grandpa," Riku said.

"Woo! Fireworks! Fireworks! Fireworks!" Ryuji chanted.

"Settle down," Makoto said.

Kimiko was looking at the fireworks through a pair of binoculars. She then looked down at her feet to find Morgana looking skyward at the display before him. She knelt down and put the binoculars in front of the cat so he could get a better look.

"Wow," Morgana thought to himself.

"I don't think I'm ever going to forget this New Years," Hotaru said before turning to his girlfriend, "How about you, Himari?"

"I'm going to treasure this night for as long as I live," Himari said as she and Hotaru shared another kiss before they continued to watch the colorful fireworks display, the two of them overjoyed that they entered the new year without their V-card.

END