With less than 2 hours until the New Year arrived, the whole country was in a festive mood.
In the part of the world with advanced time zones, it was already the new year.
Just like the Britain Empire in Theo's last life (With the Greenwich Treaty), the Sakura Sea Empire with its mighty dominance over the whole world established that the Ground Zero Time Zone would be placed in Sakura City.
This meant that there were 12 time zones to the east of Sakura City, and 12 time zones to the west of the capital.
Even though the Azure Star had double Earth's size, it still followed the calendar and time of Earth. That's why Theo was surprised to see such a big planet with the same characteristics as Earth. He could not understand how could that happen, but he did not question it.
Elffire City was in the same time zone as Sakura City, so they commemorated the New Year together with the country's capital.
Living Room, Pedrarruna Manor, Elffire City.
After the girls took all the pictures they wanted, everyone filled their glasses with a drink and sat down to relax.
"Sylph, bring the snacks that we prepared." Theo asked as he sat down.
"Yes, Sylph! Bring it. I'm so hungry!" Sayuri exclaimed as she sipped her white wine.
"To be honest, I'm hungry as well." Ryoko commented.
"The last time I ate it was before I left my apartment." June added.
"I think you'll like what we prepared." Lauren smiled.
She had helped Max prepare the snacks, so she knew they were extremely delicious.
"Oh, really?" Sam said curiously.
At that moment, they all saw a drone driving a cart filled with dishes.
"Let's put the dishes on the center table. This way we can pick up any time we want." Theo said as he stood up.
"Let me help you." Max and Kin said at the same time.
Just like that, the three of them placed all the dishes on the center table, where everyone that was seated on the couches would be able to get the snacks anytime they wanted.
"Oh, the smell!"
"Why my mouth is drolling non-stop!"
"Give me a taste!"
They joked and laughed as they looked at the tasty dishes in front of them.
When Theo finished placing the last dish on the table, there were all kinds of snacks from all over the world for everyone to see.
They did not hold back and attacked the food without much reservation.
As they started tasting the food, their eyes shone in delight.
'It is so yummy!' They all had the same thought as they ate.
"This potato bread with shrimp is so tasty!" Sam exclaimed.
"I never knew fried bananas with fish toppings could be so delicious."
They all started exclaiming how tasty the food.
Theo just smiled as he took a bite off his sweet tapioca, "It was Max and Lauren who cooked these dishes."
Max couldn't take the compliment and said embarrassedly, "I just followed the recipes the boss passed to me."
"Even then, you had enough skill to follow perfectly." Kumiko shook her head.
"Yeah, you did a great job, Max." Sam said with a smile as she continued eating.
The others also agreed as they continued enjoying the delicious snacks.
Just like that, they drank fine wine and food surrounded by friends.
Theo had finished eating for the moment and was sipping his wine as he observed everyone enjoying the food and drinks.
"We should start the Secret Atlanta." Theo suggested with a smile.
Everyone's eyes lit up when they heard that, they wanted to receive their presents!
"Yes!"
"I wanna know who got me."
"You will know in a bit."
"It was you, wasn't it? Just be honest and give my present already."
"Of course.... it wasn't me!"
"Grrr... I'll fight you for my present!"
They all exploded in excitement as they started discussing who the other might have got.
Theo observed the chaotic scene with a happy smile.
He was happy that he was able to find this group of friends.
"You all should fetch the presents you bought so that we can start with it already." Theo suggested with a loud voice to win over their chaotic mess.
It was only then that they realized that they were wasting time, they didn't even reply to Theo before they hurried towards the bags they brought when they came earlier. The presents were inside their bags.
Only Theo and Aurora stayed in their seats, they laughed as they observed the others' funny actions.
"Big brother, did you buy what I asked you to buy?" Aurora asked.
"Sylph did it." Theo smiled.
"Sylph, bring over the two presents I asked you to arrange." He added.
"Yes, master." Sylph replied.
Her speed was even faster than the other others who also left for their presents, as a drone flew into the room carrying two boxes shortly after Theo gave the order.
"Sweet! I hope my Secret Atlanta likes it." Aurora said with a hopeful voice.
"I'm sure she will." Theo smiled as he also received the present he prepared.
Aurora and Theo looked at each other and smiled happily.
"Are you enjoying celebrating the New Year with the others?" Theo asked with a doting smile.
"Yes! For the past few years, it has been only the two of us. I feel so happy to share this date with you and our new friends." Aurora replied with a sweet smile.
Due to their past financial situation, they barely celebrated the new year.
Theo would try to save up money to do something nice, but their conditions were never allowed even as he worked his ass off.
They would usually eat some cheap food and wait for the fireworks at midnight.
Nothing fancy, but their eyes still sparkled as they watched the beginning of a new year through the fireworks in the night sky.
Both of them would always miss their parents, but they found comfort in each other.
Their family was still alive with the two of them.
This year their lives changed so much, it seemed like their wishes all became true. They received things they never thought they would be able to.
They were not poor anymore, they lived in a castle, they met wonderful friends and many other amazing things.
Theo and Aurora wanted to say their thanks to the universe and the sea when the New Year arrived.
They finally could commemorate the way they wanted!
Surrounded by people they loved.
The siblings shared a look as they smiled at each other, they knew what the other was feeling.
They were happy to not have given up midway through their difficult journey!
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦