Free Falling

Momo's New Years

Momo's POV
5 hours till the New year
It was New Years Eve and my mom was helping me with my Yukata "Okay turn around let me just tie your bow and then you're ready" As she tied the bow I got a text from Makoto.

From: Makoto
To: Momo
Hey I'm heading over to pick you up. Haru said he will meet us at the festival, he was in the bathtub too long and lost track of time"

Typical Haru. He's always in water.
"Alright you're all set and perfect timing I think Makotos here" she let go of me and gave me a big hug. "Have fun tonight sweetie and try not to be so motherly. Enjoy going into the New Years with your friends" I nodded and walked outside to meet Makoto.
"You look very pretty tonight Momo! Are you ready?" I looked. "Thank you Makoto, you don't look to bad yourself. And yup I'm ready let's go!" And the both of us set off.

As the two of us walked closer to the festival I could see Makoto had something on his mind. "Are you okay Makoto? You seem like you're thinking pretty hard about something" He let out a short laugh. "Okay don't freak out! I don't know if it's true but it's just stuff I've gathered from observing you two..." You two? Who could that...
"Do you have a crush on haru" he asked in an upfront tone. I felt my face start to turn red. I stayed quiet for a moment before answering him. "...yeah I do..." my voice got quiet. From the corner of my eyes I saw him smiling. "What?" I asked him. "Nothing... let's hurry up Haru should be there now"

3 hours till the New Year
When we finally arrived Makoto and I were looking for Haru within the crowd. "Where is he? He should be here by now-" Makoto was saying before he was cut off. "Hey Makoto is Momo-" It was Haru. He was in a hoodie with another jacket layered over" "Hi Haru you look nice!" I said complementing him. "Oh thank you! But you look really beautiful! My face started heating up a even though it was winter. "Thank you..." I said in a shy tone with a smile. Silence fell over us before Makoto spoke. "Well... are you guys ready to walk around?" He asked itching his head.
Haru and I both nodded.

The three of us walked around trying almost every booth with food. "Look guys a takoyaki stand I'll go get us some" Makoto offered grabbing his wallet.
Haru and I were left alone while he grabbed the food. "So do you have any New Years resolutions?" I scratched the back of my head. hmmm... "OH YES! I want Miko to teach me how to bake so I can bake for you!" He had a shocked look on his face. "What? Is it a weird New Years resolution?" He shook his head indicating that, that was not the reason. "No you just said that you wanted to learn to bake... so you could bake... for me" he gave me a sweet smile. "Oh my god did I say that? I MEANT TO SAY FOR OUR FRIENDS..." I started getting embarrassed. "It's okay haha. I thought it was cute! And when Miko starts teaching you to bake I will gladly try your treats" His response made me feel better about myself. "Here you guys go" Makoto said handing us the takoyaki. Lets keep going"

2 hours till the New Year
While we were walking I saw Rin and Mizuki playing a ring toss game. I couldn't hear what they were saying but they looked like they were having fun. I'm glad Mizuki is enjoying herself with Rin...
Somewhere behind us in the crowd I could hear someone calling Makotos name... "Makoto! Hey Makoto" it was from an unfamiliar voice. The three of us turned around to see who it was. It was a girl, she looked right around our age. Makotos face automatically lit up. Haru and I both looked at each other confused as to who she was.
"Do you know who she is" Haru whispered to me. I shook my head no, "I was going to ask you the same thing"
We focused our attention back to Makoto and the girl walking up to each other. "Oh you made it" He said, picking her up in a tight grip hug. Is this...
"Hey Momo, Haru, I wan't you to meet Yuki... this is the girl I've been talking too" Haru and I both looked at each other. So this is her... SHE'S SO ADORABLE...
"Hi nice to meet you I'm Momo and this is Haru! We are two of Makoto's childhood best friends!" The two of us waved at Yuki. "Hi nice to finally meet you! I'm Yuki Chinomo. I'm a second year at the same school you guys! Makoto has told me so much about you two and all your friends!" She had such a sweet and caring smile that Makoto looked at when it beamed over her face. "Hey are you and Haru okay if I hang out with Yuki until the fireworks and then I can meet up with all of you guys at the temple?" If Makoto leaves that means I'd be watching the fireworks with Haru by myself which I was not prepared for. "Yeah no problem I can stay with Momo. We can go and watch them together right?" Haru said looking at me. Our eyes were both connected and at that moment I felt happy. He wants to watch it with me?
"Yea that sounds perfect. You and Yuki have fun we will see you at 12!" "Nice to meet you see you soon!" Yuki and Makoto waved us goodbye.

30 minutes till the New Year
Haru and I spent almost an hour together walking around admiring all the friends and family together on New Years Eve. The fireworks will be going off soon we should look for a place to watch them.
"Haru do you know any good places where we can see the fireworks?" I asked. He looked around to scope the area we were currently in.
"Yes I do actually" He pointed over in the direction of where the beach was.
As I followed him I looked down to check the time... 20 minutes left...

15 minutes left till the New Year
The two of us finally made it to the beach where he said we should watch the fireworks.
"Come grab my hand the place where we should watch is right over those rocks over there. Be careful you're VERY clumsy" Haru said, his hand reaching out to me. When I grabbed it he brought me too a small enclosed area where you could see the city on the other side. The two of us sat down getting comfortable as we waited for the fireworks to go off. It was quiet and there was an awkward feeling that filled the air....10 minutes left time is going by really fast. I thought to myself.
"Hey can I ask you something?" Haru said, his voice in a shy tone.
"Yeah, what did you want to ask?" I replied bracing myself on the ground towards his direction. He stayed quiet for a moment before speaking.
"Do you... like someone?" He had his hair covering his eyes. I started to blush.
"Yeah... I like someone... what about you?" I don't really know why I asked... because I don't want to get hurt by his response if it's not what I want to hear.
"Me too..." He stopped speaking for a moment then continued.

"... It's you Momo"

I could feel my body start to shake in disbelief, my cheeks felt hot as I blushed, and my eyes were settled on him.
He likes... ME? I was so shocked that I didn't say anything. I kept looking at him when finally, he moved his head up looking right at me. Before I knew it I opened my mouth and said
"... I... I like you too Haru! I've liked you for awhile now" I couldn't believe that I said what I did and before I knew it you could here the sound of distant people counting down...

3...
Everything felt like it was slow motion.

2...
I felt a tug on my arm being pulled towards him...

1...
Before I could realize it Haru had pulled me into a hug.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
The fireworks set off as Haru and I sat on the beach in his hug.

I didn't know how to react... Haru is hugging me...

The two of us stayed like that even after the fireworks had ended.
Finally after what felt like 10 minutes he let go.
The two of us looked at each other before he spoke...
"I'm so happy you feel the same way about me" His smile was big and his eyes showed happiness in that moment. "I-... I want us to try to be something together... only if you're okay with it..." He looked away scratching the back of his head.

My heart was beating so fast. I'm so happy.

I grabbed his face making it look at mine. "I want to be with you too. Lets do it. Let me start my year off with you Haru" His face started getting red, he nodded agreeing with my response.

He got up and brushed the sand off of him before reaching his hand out to me again.
"You ready to go meet the others" I reached out mine to grab his. "Lets go"

This is it...
The boy I've liked since the summer before my second year.
I'm starting off the year with you...