45. WINTER HOLIDAYS IN KOMOREBI

This year, the Drozd family went on a winter vacation to Mt. Komorebi to celebrate Froodage Lang Syne (New Year’s Eve). Maja wanted to visit a world with a cooler climate, so here they are. Unfortunately, Chen stayed back in Del Sol Valley, so she couldn’t show them around.

Jace: Now this, I like!

Bas: And by "this," you mean what exactly? What are we even supposed to do here for so many days?

Jace: Oh, I don’t know… maybe this! Watch out!

Bas: Haha, you missed!

…But I didn’t!

…Aaaa!

Jace: …

Maja: Gotta frame it just right… Done! Okay, it's posted on Simstagram, Sim Sky, SimTube, Trendi, Social Bunny… oh, SimTok is back, but we’re not posting there anymore. Did I forget anything? I don’t think so. Oh, and we need to delete that “S” account too. No way we’re supporting Melon Rusk. 

While Maja and Jace were discovering winter sports, Bastian preferred catching up on his reading. He brought along an entire series about The Vampire Slayer, written by his great-grandmother Klara, so he had plenty to do.

After an exciting day, they all had ramen together.

Bas: So what would you do if someone didn’t reply to your text, and it’s been over an hour? Send another one?

Maja: I’d wait. Better not to be too pushy.

Jace: Who are you texting? Laura?

Bas: Never mind, I’m not telling you anything.

Bas: Why I have to go? I’d rather read books.

Maja: Stop whining. You’ll see part of your great-grandfather’s history.

Bas: But I already know ALL of his history! I read all 6 books by great-grandma Klara about the Slayer and 2 biographies!

Maja: Then you can entertain us with fun facts.

Jace: What a view!

Maja: Wait, let me snap a pic for my followers.

Jace: I thought it was around here… at least that’s what the map says, but I don’t see the monkey statues anywhere. I think we might be a little lost.

Bas: We better find a way, cause it looks like a storm is coming. 

Luckily, they soon found the famous Three Wise Monkey statues, and the weather actually got better.

Maja: Grandpa Akito told me a legend. After a series of vampire attacks on the village, first Vampire Slayer prayed to the three monkey deities for help. They granted him extraordinary strength and the ability to sense vampires. That was probably our ancestor! At least, that’s what Grandpa believed.

They took several great shots of the monkey statues and the shrine.

Maja: Are these our footprints?

Jace: That’s what I’m wondering… Maybe it’s the Yeti?

Maja: A Yeti?? Is that even possible?

Bas: Those footprints are way too small for a Yeti.

Maja: Either way, let’s get out of here.

On the way back, they stopped by the ice skating rink (which Bastian did not think was a great idea) and visited the Yamachan statue in Wakaba (which Bastian had been looking forward to).

They celebrated Froodage Lang Syne with locals and tourists at a karaoke bar. Maja had a nostalgia trip about her uni days and karaoke contests. Meanwhile, Bas—who’s addicted to his phone—was busy sending out New Year’s messages to his friends and checking if Laura texted him back. She still didn’t.

The clock struck midnight, and Jace swept Maja into his arms—much to Bastian’s disgust. But he quickly got over it when a teenage tourist started a conversation with him. Her name was Mayumi, and she was also on a winter vacation here with her mom and younger brother.

Bastian set off fireworks he had bought at the last GeekCon. It was a perfect way to say goodbye to the old year. Welcome, New Year!

Next day, Bas decided to open up to his parents.

Bas: I know why Laura isn’t replying! Mary told me that Orion told her that Karmina said that Laura is mad at me cause the school held a New Year’s Ball… and I didn't invite her! I think I completely forgot to tell her we were going to Komorebi!

Bas: So what do I do now to fix this and make sure she still likes me?

Maja: Go big! Make a grand gesture!

Jace: Invite her to the Love Day Ball!

Maja: Yes! Perfect opportunity!

 

They still had one last day left, so Bas’s parents convinced him to try mountain climbing. Turned out, he was actually pretty good at it! He even enjoyed it! And at the top, he discovered they weren’t the only ones with the idea to climb today.

His conversation with Mayumi was short but really nice. It gave Bastian a big confidence boost. Enough that he finally found the courage to text Laura, explaining that he had no idea about the ball because he had been in Komorebi with his parents.

At the same time, he made a silent promise to himself: the moment he get back to school, he'll invite Laura to the Love Day Ball. And even though only a glitched black moon bore witness to that promise, we know Bastian won’t break it.

Meanwhile in San Sequoia, Laura was still stewing.

Laura: Seriously, I need to just give up on him. He didn’t even invite me to the ball! And I thought we had a spark! But nope, nothing! He totally ignored me! And that stupid text from a few days ago? "Can’t wait to see Yamachan." What even was that??

Laura: …Wait. He texted me! OMW! He’s in Komorebi with his parents and didn’t know about the ball. Riiiiight! He DID mention something about traveling for winter holiday, and I totally forgot… That’s why he was texting about Yamachan!

So… he was thinking about me.

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