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Shioriko's red eyes watch how the snow fell through the hall's glass window. She didn't know how long she was standing on the very same spot until it started snowing. It truly bored her.
It's been three days since Shioriko and her family went to Kyoto to celebrate Christmas and other business matters her parents are invited to. The party wasn't that bad but it took all her energy at every business party they attend, also she doesn't know anyone in there. It was also really frustrating since it's her first Christmas without her now-girlfriend— Uehara Ayumu. She could've been planning their first Christmas date, she could've been picking now what to wear on the said date.
Shioriko sighed and put a palm in the glass as she tried to look upon the night sky, white particles continued to fall. All the could-have-been still plays inside her head. Even though they exchanged messages and calls during their family trip, there's no lie that she misses her Ayumu badly. It is still not the same how she would hear her voice in person and through phone calls, or see her smile during one of their video calls, even on the pictures Ayumu would send to her.
If the salmon-pink-haired school idol would say she wanted to see Shioriko, she would immediately go book a train ride to Tokyo as soon as possible. Despite that, Ayumu would assure her that it'll be a few days, and time flew fast and the day would come she'll be back in Tokyo again and they will be able to see each other again.
"You're getting lonely again." A voice coming from Shioriko's back said.
"I'm not used to big crowds." Shioriko frowned.
"Says the school idol." Kaoruko teased which made the black-haired girl frown.
"What brings you here, by the way?"
"Hmmm... I'm not used to big crowds." the woman with the red hair highlights repeated. When Shioriko gave her the sharp look, she laugh. "I'm just kidding. I wanted to check up on my little sister since she's been having her Ayumu withdrawal ever since the trip started."
"Nee-san!" Shioriko scowled which made her big sister laugh again.
Well, it's true she indeed misses Ayumu but she won't admit something like that in the open. Not in front of her sister that would tease her there and there.
Shioriko averted her eyes as she tried to hide the growing embarrassment showing in her cheeks. Another thing that crosses her mind that bugs her throughout the whole party, she doesn't receive a reply from Ayumu this afternoon.
The side of her lips turned down and Kaoruko's observant eyes saw the sudden change of mood on her sister. With a big sigh, Kaoruko carefully approached Shioriko and put a hand on her head.
"There, there." she patted. "Don't wear that frown or Santa won't write you down on the nice list and bring you your Christmas gift."
"That's a bit childish." She replied.
"What part? The Santa or how Santa won't write you on the nice list?" Kaoruko grinned showing her two fangs and when Shioriko didn't answer, she let out a chuckle.
Kaoruko finally stop patting her head before putting both hands on her jacket pockets. "But I guess, you're being too nice and Santa might let this frown pass."
Shioriko huffed and thought how childish the statement is. She still doesn't know why Kaoruko would say such things. Maybe it was being bored talking to grown-ups about business and she's here to tease Shioriko.
Whatever it is, she doesn't have a clue.
"I'll be back inside to report to Mom and Dad that you're fine and just missing your girlfriend." Kaoruko teased again while she started to walk.
"Nee-san!" the warning fall on deaf ears, seeing her big sister fade to view.
Shioriko shook her head and with a final look outside, she made her way to the hotel's garden. She needed another place to distract her from the bad thought surrounding Ayumu's reply.
Ayumu could've been with Yuu and Setsuna, strolling in Odaiba and maybe helping Setsuna find another update on the light novel she's been reading. Though, Shioriko knew Ayumu would update her on such simple things.
When she finally reached the garden, Shioriko's eyes fixated on the Christmas tree. The different colors of lights reflected on her red eyes. She and Ayumu could've been staring at a similar Christmas tree and yet she shake off the thoughts again before it will get through her.
"Do you know why Santa gives gifts to those who are on his nice list?" the familiar sound of the voice made Shioriko slowly turn her head on her side.
A familiar salmon-colored hair and the familiar olive eyes came into view. Ayumu smiled at her. "Because nice people deserve rewards for just being nice."
"A-Ayumu-san?"
"You have been nice, right, Shioriko-chan?" Ayumu flashes a big smile and Shioriko didn't waste any time and pulled her girlfriend into a bone-crushing hug.
"How did you even..."
"Kaoruko-sensei and I planned a surprise two days ago since you've been down during your trip." Ayumu returned the hug while patting Shioriko's head in the process.
Ah, that's why she's been saying those things. She thought.
"Hey, Shioriko-chan."
"Hmmm?"
"Look up." As soon as Ayumu said that, green leaves with white berries attached to them came to Shioriko's view and a hand was holding it over the two of them.
Shioriko looks at Ayumu, still not letting go of her hold from her.
"Was that another plan you and Nee-san thought of?" She asked with suspecting eyes.
Her red eyes meet her olive eyes, reflecting the lights and she could fall all over again at the beautiful view. Ayumu didn't respond while running her fingertips on Shioriko's bangs.
"Did you know that if you're under a mistletoe with someone, you need to kiss them?" Ayumu, still flashing the same smile she's wearing ever since she came, said not answering Shioriko's question, and for the first time during the whole trip, Shioriko didn't mind and smiled.
"That's too childish," Shioriko replied, leaning towards Ayumu as their lips met.