Fast forward to near the end of the year, and it was already December 31st. By this time, the yard was snowed heavily, and the preparation for the new year should be done.

Yuri gathered the children, while they were still playing in the snow:

"Children, let's go back to the classroom, I have something to say."

They are still engrossed in the white cotton balls.

"If you don't come in, you won't be able to eat dumplings."

They only heard the sound of dumplings and ran in immediately, obediently sat down, listening to what she was going to say.

Kiyo was playing assembling with another child, but was also listening. Now Yuri said:

"We need to finish cooking the dumplings before the fireworks. We've finished decorating the room and the yard since yesterday, haven't we? Let's go down to the kitchen!"

A slightly big-looking kid complained:

"But we are so tired right now!!"

"You aren't. Haven't you just run out there? Tonight, when the cake is cooked, you can eat it, okay?"

Kiyo reluctantly stood up.

"Let's go, everyone.. No need to be afraid."

As soon as Kiyo said that, the whole class stood up and followed him, even though he did not like that kind of thing.

In the kitchen, Yuri brought a steamer and a tray full of flour, included rice flour with glutinous one, and small round banana leaves:

"Here you go, we'll shape this cake into a circle for you. Once done, place each piece on this banana leaf. Next, slowly place them on this steamer, be careful not to get burned."

They all sat down, shyly picking up the dough, as if they were afraid of breaking the cake or dropping it, because they wanted to eat thick cakes that were both hot and delicious, at this time of year-end.

As for Kiyo, although he had made a cake once with his mother before, and now he has done it again, why did he feel so strange? Not because he first made here, but due to his mother - who taught Kiyo to make dumplings, was gone forever. From his point of view, he did not fully understand the loss of his family, because he was still young.

Going back to the cake making, by evening most of them have finished at least five, and the cakes that come from little hands now lie obediently in the steamer. The dough ran out. The smoke from the other kitchen kept spreading throughout the room, floating in space.

Oh, the image of the kitchen steaming cakes reminding the smoke of the fire on early morning, in the remote countryside..

While the cake was boiling, the children ran outside to play with the snow, this time they didn't throw the snow anymore, but they were creating very strange pure white shapes, sometimes adults did not even get it. Kiyo was just dragged out by a kid to play with them, it seems that Kiyo was also very trusted by them, so he was favored to help them to build a snowy character.

What were the results? They did not expect Kiyo to be able to portray the character so accurately, even though he had only seen it briefly on TV. Yuri had just stepped out of the kitchen, and her eyes were met with a delicate snow figure, she didn't even think it was made by a five-year-old, so she asked in surprise:

"Wh-who made this work?"

The children, except for Kiyo, shouted:

"Kiyo did it!"

"You made it, Kiyo..?"

He nervously replied:

"Yes.."

"You're so good, Kiyo." - Yuri patted his head and he was rewarded with a cookie.

Admiring Kiyo's talent, he was trusted by his friends even more. Although he didn't like being the center of attention, he still felt very happy.

When they had gone to sleep, Yuri looked at the clock. Thirty minutes to go. And she would wait for another twenty to twenty-five minutes.

Ten minutes passed.

Fifteen minutes passed.

Twenty... twenty-one, twenty-two..

Three minutes later, she called her children up:

"Wake up kids, it's almost time."

The children slowly sat up lazily. When they came back from washing their faces, the Day cake was ready.

She gave one to each of them, and they all sat in front of the door, mouths full of chewy cake.

There are children who look very affectionate, leaning on each other's shoulders and sharing cakes. Oh, what a cozy scene despite the cold, and it was from the warmth of orphans, even without the protection of their parents. They never feel lonely, because every day they had each other.

Then, fireworks were fired. The sound is not very loud because the area is far away, and people can still see it. The snow stopped falling. Instead of that, rays of light rose into the sky, blooming with colorful flowers-like, not only flowers, but also circles, stars, and even fish. The crackling sound in the clear sky was pleasant to the ears, at this distance alone.

"It's so beautiful!" - A boy exclaimed.

"It's been a while since I've seen fireworks." - Another kid said.

Kiyo looked up at the sky that was full of shimmering colors, although he didn't say anything, he found it simply beautiful, he couldn't explain the beauty of the fireworks in the sky; and more than that, it was also difficult to describe an emotion that was welling up in Kiyo. A new feeling was emerging, and it is usually formed when a new year has come, and it is in his heart.

Perhaps them too, now they seem to share the same beat, with their eyes fixed on the free sky.

The whole country in general and this orphanage in particular, say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year.

* * *

A month later, snow fell less. The tree was still bare and dry, except for the sturdy
leaves that remained on the branches.

While the branches still had some leaves, Kiyo's class received a new orphan.

A girl with shoulder-length black hair, a yellow hat, a red jacket, black pants, and yellow shoes. She was still in its new place, so she looked around.

Yuri held the girl's hand and happily said:

"Children, today we welcome a new friend, her name is Tomoyo, the same age as you. Get to know and be nice to her! Tomoyo,
come in."

She quietly entered, and awkwardly said:

"H-hi everyone. Nice to meet you, I'm Tomoyo. I hope you guys would guide me here.."

While no one had time to say anything, Kiyo put down the toy, without smiling, held out his hand and said:

"Hi, I'm Kiyo."

Tomoyo shakes hands:

"Hi."

Yuri smiled happily and sighed softly. Luckily he said exactly what I taught...

When Kiyo put his hand down, the others followed suit.

"Don't follow me.." - Kiyo lowered his voice.