Nagisa's POV

I suddenly saw orange afterimages, and it made me shut my closed eyes even more.

The wind blew, making the leaves rustle. The splotches of sunlight passing through hit my eyes. I moved my head away, slightly opening my eyes.

"You awake?" A calm voice greeted my awakening.

A charming boy made way into my vision, smiling as he looked down at me. I suddenly remembered I was napping, and I moved my hands to see that I'm still clutching my small notebook.

A grunt escaped me, feeling his warmth shifting. "Five more minutes..." I slightly moved positions.

The red haired boy chuckled. "Does my sleeping beauty need more sleep? We've been here long enough, milady. Your nose is getting cold."

Karma leaned closer, caressing my hair near my forehead.

"But... your lap is so comfy," I argued.

"Well, we can go inside now where it's warmer and continue your sleep there. How's that sound?" He adjusted his scarf. The very same scarf I gave him for his brithday in middle school, the one where I went through several sleepless nights to make it. The fact that he still uses it and it's still in good condition makes me happy...

"Hmm..." I closed my eyes and gave it a hard thought. Surely, it would be more comfortable in his house. Plus, there's a kotatsu, and Mitsuru-san is making her famous salted caramel cookies.

"Okay," I agreed with him. I sat myself up. Huh, my nose was getting cold. Even though the sun was out, it didn't help that the layer of snow was getting deeper by the day. Then again, maybe it wasn't such a smart idea taking a nap outside when it's winter...

Anyway, Karma and I moved towards his house, and from where I'm standing, I can already smell the baked goods in the air which perked up my cravings. Maybe Karma would let me have a sip of his home-made hot chocolate too...

"Oh, Nagisa-chan!" The maroon haired woman greeted me just as we entered. "The cookies are just out of the oven. Don't take one yet, okay?"

I smiled at her. "I think that will be very difficult for me, Mitsuru-san."

"Still," Isaac-san looked up from the newspaper he's reading. "It's nice of you to visit us, Nagisa-chan. We don't get much visitors around Christmas."

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine," I quickly waved my hands at him. "But as much as I'd like to stay, I think I should go home soon." I sat beside the red head.

"Already?" Karma asked me as he played his DS.

Mitsuru-san came from the kitchen. "Already? But it's almost time!"

Her words made both Karma and I turn to her direction. "...Time for what?" I asked.

*Ding dong*

"Oh, speaking of." Mitsuru-san had an excited smile plastered on her face as she walked towards the big door. Me and Karma exchanged looks, and I peered curiously from the sofa.

Mitsuru-san opened the door, and we could instantly hear familiar chattering.

"Sorry for the intrusion!" I immediately recognize Arisa-chan's voice.

A group of people walked in the house, and my eyes widened. "What the— What are you guys doing here!?" I sweat dropped.

Arisa-chan was wearing a cute outfit topped with a Santa hat, Chiyuki following behind. Hitomi-san along with Nakano-san were holding paper bags. Sasahara-kun was chatting with Shougo-kun and his gang, while Iyo-chan was pestering Yamaguchi-kun to hold a giant cake in her stead.

"There goes my peaceful evening..." Karma looked away from the displeasingly.

"Oh, you two didn't know about it? Mitsuru-san covered her mouth with her fingertips. "I thought Nagisa-chan came because of the party you guys were having, but she came earlier."

"We were not informed of this at all!" I blurted out at her.

"Hehe, sorry guys!" Arisa-chan stuck her tongue out. "I knew Akabane-kun wouldn't allow us have it in his house, so I had direct permission from his parents!"

Sasahara-kun smiled at us. "And since you told Shiraishi you were at Karma's, it was even more perfect of a timing."

The atmosphere went from quiet to bursting at the seams quickly. I was still in the middle of processing the situation when he said that.

"Besides, it's the holidays, y'all!" Hitomi jumoed towards us. "And it's almost Christmas! What better time to have a party, am I right or am I right?" She nudged me with her elbow.

"Oi! Where do you want this giant-ass cake?" Yamaguchi growled angrily at them.

"Oh, Brother! Handle with care! It took the pattisieres a whole day to prepare!" Iyo told him.

They went and made a special cake? Wow, they're really getting in the mood.

"Set it over there on the table!" Shougo led him to a big table.

Karma eyed the people making themselves at home quickly. Narrowing his eyes, he sighed. "Guess we can't say no, huh?"

I gave him a smile. "I guess not?"

"Akabane! You have a sharp knife around?" They heard Nanashima-kun's voice.

"Yes, yes," Karma closed his DS and stood up.

"Nagisa-chan! Come help us out," Chiyuki called me.

Nakano-san looked at the decorations. "It wouldn't be a party without lively decorations!"

"Oh, okay!" I went towards them.

The rest of the day was filled with laughter and happy moments. Our friends gave away some sort of postive energy...

And I prayed that next year was going to be just as fun and filled with good luck.

-Time skip-

I took in the January morning air. It was a cold one, too.

I took the contents of the mailbox— which was much more than usual— and went inside my house. In my hands were a bunch of postcards, and I swiftly went through them one by one, sitting on my sofa.

Chiyuki-chan's had cute drawings on it. "Happy new year, Nagisa-chan! I hope we can be even better friends next year. Let's make more manga together!"

Arisa-chan's card was bright yellow, and it kinda does scream "Arisa". "Happy new year! I pray that Karmagisa will live on forever. And I pray that this card doesn't arrive at your house in the middle of April or anything. ^ ^"

I gave a small laugh.

I saw a drawing of a baseball on the next one. "Hey, Shiota! Thanks for all the things you did. Here's to next year!"

The next was Nakano-san's. It was an elegant one, and her handwriting was neatly done. "Thank you for all the good and bad times this year. Hopefully we can make new ones next year! I wish you a happy new year."

I saw one with a milk sticker on it. And I immediately thought of Hitomi-san. "Hopefully I can grow at least 20 cm taller next year! New year, new me. Happy new year, Nagisa-chan! Thanks for being friends with me, every day is a blast! (~^○^)~"

I chuckled. I don't know if growing 20 cm taller in a year is possible, but one can dream, right?

Iyo-chan's card was a neat pale blue. "Thank you for all of the fun memories this year, Nagisa-senpai. Although it saddens Iyo that Senpai and the others will graduate this year, Iyo will do her best! Iyo wishes you a happy new year."

To my surprise, even Yamaguchi-kun wrote me a card. "Happy new year, Shiota-san. Hopefully we can get good luck on our entrance exams this year. I'm always open if you don't understand a question or two."

Everyone's card gave me a warm feeling. I read each and every one of them, being careful as to not fold or bend them. My old classmates have also reached out to me, as I have with them.

I read the next one.

"Nagisa~ I bet you've recieved a bunch of cards already. As expected, Nagisa is a popular cinnamon roll. But you're a cinnamon roll that I hold so dear to me. Hopefully next year, we can make a bunch of memories too. And you have to promise me you won't sever your ties with me, okay? I think I'd lose it and throw Terasaka in a dumpster or something. Anyway, stay healthy, eat well, tell me anytime if anyone lays a finger on you and I'll make sure they have a taste of my wasabi and ghost peppers. You know, the usual stuff. Happy new year, Nagisa. I'll love you this year just as much as I have the past years, maybe even more."

I think we all know who that one is from.

"Karma... He can be so sweet..." I held the card close to me.

I eyed the card. I read it again. Putting the card down, I eventually grabbed my phone and made a call.

.
.
.

"Hello, Nagisa?"

Hearing his voice soothed me. "Hey, Karma."

"What's wrong? Did someone lay a finger on you already?" I could hear his playful tone of voice.

"No, nothing like that," I replied, closing my eyes as I smiled. "Thank you for your card."

"Oh, thanks for your card too. It was really cute. Did you mean it when you said that you love me and that you'll dress up for me more often?"

"Yes, of course I— Wait, I didn't write that last part!" I almost shouted, and I'm sure he had to inch away his phone from his ear.

I heard him let out a chuckle. "Aw, busted."

I narrowed my eyes and pouted at him.

"Oh, and, you sort of forgot your wallet in my house the night of the party."

I tilted my head. I was sure I had brought it home with me. "What? No, I didn't—" But then again, it's true I haven't seen it these past couple of days.

"And it's got a voucher for the cafe Angel Patissiere? Hey, don't mind if I do."

My eyes shot open and I stood up. "Wait—Karma! Don't touch that!"

"Aw, too late. Oh, and is this a picture of you when you were in elementary? You were so tiny and cute!"

I speed-walked to my door. Honestly... There'll be hell to pay if he so much as touches my limited edition voucher to get a slice of baked angel food cake at that cafe.

"I'm heading over there right now—" I put my hand on the doorknob and pushed it downwards, and swung open my door.

As I was about to go out, a familiar red head stood in front of my door. His right hand held his phone near his ear, while he had the other in the pocket of his jacket. A sly smirk was clearly seen on his face as he stuck his tongue out, winking at me.

"Gotcha."

-End-

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*drumroll*

Aaaand DONE!

Omg it's been so long since I've finished a book. It's been a long ride. Thank you for all the support you've given me, and and thank you so much for being patient!

Thank you all! :3

Thanks for reading this book~