Monthly Extra: New Year Rin Bonus Story (male Rin)

A little alternate-universe story where MC and Rin attend a new year's eve party in our world.

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It's a loud, busy night in the tavern. The band is playing, people are dancing, and the place is so packed I'm starting to wonder if we should just call it a night and ring in the new year somewhere with more breathing room. It's a nice venue, and the decorations are gorgeous - it's just so crowded.

I bet Rin's just loving it, I think as I look vainly into the crowd for him. He said he was going to find a quieter spot an hour ago. I just laughed and wished him luck - a sentiment I can see didn't go far when he pushes his way through a tightly-packed group. His black jacket now sports a long rip, and Rin himself looks practically winded by the short walk from the counter back to where I'm standing near the door.

"Oh, thank gods," he says as he finds me.

"Rough night?" I ask, raising a brow as I take in his disheveled state. "It's definitely not the best one for your clothing, anyway."

"It's my favorite jacket," he sighs.

"My condolences." 

"No, it's fine," he shakes his head. "It's just stuff; I'll patch it. Been meaning to do something more interesting with it for awhile, anyway."

"I'm glad to see you're starting off the new year with a positive attitude," I chuckle. "How charmingly out of character."

"I'm plenty positive," he protests, shooting someone an annoyed look as they accidentally bump into him. "I'm just also a realist."

"How many times have you said we're going to die on our jobs?"

"Realistically we were going to."

"So you admit your realism gives inaccurate predictions."

"You-" he stops, clearly biting his tongue. "Look, if you're done messing with me-"

"Done with you? Never," I tease.

"You're lucky you're hot," he mutters under his breath. "If you're done, then do me a favor and stick around until midnight. We just have to get through till then and we can go, right?"

​"That should satisfy Kina," I nod. "She wanted us to stop by, but she's going to be too busy running the place to talk to us any more tonight."

"Good."

"Why'd you come find me all of the sudden, anyway?"

"Someone started telling me about that weird tradition you have here. I thought they were messing with me but a few other people said it was true," he shrugs. "Figured I'd better find you."

"And you need me for that?" I reply, not totally following what he means by 'weird.' Is he talking about the fireworks? Maybe they don't set them off where he's from. Or the tradition where everyone jumps into the freezing-cold pool outside? Because I am not doing that this year...

"Well I'm not going to kiss anyone else at midnight, am I?"