#aLwnekwwkqk

[saerotonins]

— [self-ship post] ricanami's new year countdown. based from this fanart.

a party hosted by gojo satoru is not a party taken lightly. clearly, the man had prepared too much, even setting up an expensive fireworks show for everyone to watch from his mansion's open area.

the loud chatter fills the space, accompanied by excited laughter, eager to meet the new year with a bang.

ten, nine, eight!

everybody counts down in unison, sparklers and champagne flutes in hand, ready to toast, couples nearby getting ready to get their new year's kiss from their partners.

seven, six, five, four!

the party is lively and colorful. rica is surrounded by friends and colleagues but feels like something is missing. a longing feeling to celebrate around the arms of someone she loves sits in the pit of her stomach, and despite the company she has tonight, it feels a little bit empty.

rica just wishes she could welcome the new year with someone by her side, sweep her feet, and kiss her like they mean it. But to her dismay, the year-end had proved to her that finding someone wouldn't happen just yet.

when rica finally opted to stare at the sky, waiting for the fireworks show to happen, she felt a pair of eyes staring through her soul. it's not an uncomfortable feeling per se, but she knows someone is looking.

three, two, one!

the fireworks then color the sky with different colors, accompanying the stars that shine within the night sky. the loud booms of it synchronizing with the cheers, screams, and clinks of glasses surrounding her, together with the couples kissing their partners.

it was deafening, but rica didn't mind and proceeded to drink her champagne, having no one to toast to nearby. but when she remembers that someone is staring, she lowers her flute, head looking for the person with their eyes glued at her.

there she sees kento, a friend? a colleague? someone she constantly annoys? who cares.

when their eyes meet across the room, rica gives kento a smile, and he swears he feels his heart race and palms starting to sweat. that was one of the few times he gave her the sweetest smile, one without her eyes holding some mischief. just a gentle and charming smile. kento feels himself falling harder.

rica raises her flute to the air, mimicking a toast, then mouths a soft "happy new year" to him with a gentle nod.

kento gives it back to her with the same sentiment, slightly raising his glass of whiskey, acknowledging her greeting.

it was a short and silent interaction, but kento felt his heart burst like the fireworks in the sky as he felt the sparks all over him. his stomach somersaults as the butterflies kept creeping in.

when rica looks back at the sky, her smile stays and eventually gets wider, eyes reflecting the shiny outbursts against her dark orbs.

kento couldn't care less about the fireworks as he kept looking at her. her figure against the dark night painted with the sequence of neons is something he would rather watch as he listens to the loud beating of his own heart.

then, he catches himself staring at her lips.

kento wishes he had shared his new year's kiss with her.

that night, kento decided that tasting the remnants or the sweet champagne from her lips was something he would rather get drunk on.

but maybe he'll have the confidence to do it at the next new year's party, where he'll finally have you wrapped around his arms instead of being alone.