Snowflakes are falling.

At first, it was just a small flurry.

But soon it turned into a heavy snow like goose feathers.

Drifting down endlessly.

"Wow, it's snowing!"

"It's a white Christmas night."

"How beautiful~!"

Passersby around were looking up in amazement.

Reaching out to catch the snowflakes.

Snow on Christmas night.

It can't be called anything but romantic.

However, the mood of the three people meeting in front of the love hotel was completely different.

"Sorry, Kagura, for disturbing you at a time like this."

Karen Ai Cheng wore a wry smile

But strangely, there was a sense of determination.

A look he had never seen before.

A hint of bewilderment flashed across Kagura Hikaru's face.

However, Motoyo seemed to realize something, her gaze becoming heavy.

She clenched Kagura Hikaru's arm with both hands.

"A girl's feelings, you'd better listen to them, Kagura."

Ayakoji Chiyoko walked over from behind.

Looking at Motoyo with a hint of provocation.

"Although I don't want to admit it, this time she's right."

Next came Hina.

She appeared from behind Karen Ai Cheng.

Walking with her hands in her pockets, looking relaxed.

She glanced at the love hotel not far away with a mocking smile:

"Here again, you've chosen a good place, Kohinata Motoyo."

"You guys... are you stalking us?"

Motoyo looked surprised.

With the appearance of Hina Kiryu, Ayakoji Chiyoko, and Karen Ai Cheng.

A premonition of impending chaos floated in Motoyo's heart.

Her right eyelid twitched twice.

Back then, she and Kagura Hikaru had been caught by Hina in front of this hotel.

And today, such a scene was playing out again.

Moreover, the number had increased to three.

Looking around.

All troubles brought by her boyfriend's flirtations!

"Ha, that expression!

Yes, that's the expression I wanted to see!"

Hina noticed Motoyo's slight change in color.

Immediately she became arrogant, pointing at her face and laughing.

"Hina~ don't be like this."

But she was met with Motoyo's playful complaint.

Her eyes still appeared pitiful.

Hina Kiryu was so disgusted that she shivered.

She averted her gaze.

Covered her mouth, retreating behind the group, unable to say anything harsh.

Afraid that if she opened her mouth, something might accidentally slip out.

"None of you have answered my question yet."

Motoyo turned to look at Ayakoji Chiyoko.

This time her gaze was much more serious.

"How did you know about my and Kagura's whereabouts?"

Ayakoji Chiyoko had no intention of explaining.

Instead, she tilted her head to signal to Karen Ai Cheng:

"Finish your business, Ai Cheng.

We all support you."

"That's right. Don't mind that woman, just say what you have to say."

Hina also chimed in timely.

Unlike the confused Kagura Hikaru and Motoyo.

Karen Ai Cheng, who knew what they were talking about, suddenly blushed.

Like an apple on the promotional poster for Red Fuji.

Being able to find Kagura and Little Hinata on Christmas night.

Wouldn't have been possible without Hina's help.

Holding onto the idea of not letting down the two Presidents,

And the thought of truly conveying her feelings.

She steeled her resolve.

"Ka-Kagura!"

"?"

She took a deep breath.

Karen Ai Cheng, with a flushed face, took a step closer.

Her hands nervously gripping the hem of her clothes.

Kagura Hikaru looked at her.

Today, she was wearing a white down jacket and jeans.

The outfit wasn't trendy.

The loose fit covered up her somewhat decent figure.

So even with Karen Ai Cheng's pretty face, it was easy to ignore her.

But different from Motoyo's delicacy.

Different from Chiyoko's assertiveness.

Different from Hina's cleverness.

Karen Ai Cheng had a charm all her own.

She had a gentle, sunny strength.

Kagura Hikaru always drew motivation from it.

Many times when he was feeling low.

She intentionally or unintentionally pulled him forward.

Having such a friend was his fortune.

Kagura Hikaru's gaze unconsciously softened.

"I like you, Kagura."

Then, he heard those words.

"I... like you!"

Karen Ai Cheng repeated with added emphasis.

Shy, with a hint of trepidation.

Obviously because Kohinata Motoyo was watching from the side.

Even so, she did not hesitate.

As if she had thrown caution to the wind.

She widened her cat-like eyes and locked gazes with the astonished Kagura Hikaru.

Her eyes sparkled with sincere emotions.

Making Kagura Hikaru feel a sense of harsh brightness.

"Today, I came to talk about this."

"..."

"I know, this will make Kagura very troubled.

This includes Little Hinata as well."

Ai Cheng Hua Lian looked at them with an apologetic gaze.

"But if I don't say it now, I'm afraid there won't be another chance in the future.

By spring, we'll be graduating.

I've decided to continue my studies.

Then, there'll be few chances to meet.

Maybe, these two years of high school are the last interactions in our lives.....

So, it has to be now."

Ai Cheng Hua Lian took another step closer.

Her chest almost touching Kagura Hikaru's clothes.

Then she tilted her head up to look at him.

"You know, Kagura.

I've known you longer than you think.

We take the same train to school every day.

It was then that I started secretly observing you.

But truly liking you was during Red Pepper Band's first live, on our way home together.

I still remember the sunset that day."

Kagura Hikaru's fingers trembled.

He fell into reminiscence.

He also remembered that day.

The two of them in the sunset, marshmallows, the smile of the girl walking ahead.

To Kagura Hikaru, it was also a special day.

After that,

he became friends with Ai Cheng Hua Lian.

Friends... was it?

Now, looking back.

Ai Cheng Hua Lian's attitude towards him, sure enough, couldn't be summed up in a simple word like friends.

Even for himself.....

Why didn't he realize Ai Cheng Hua Lian's feelings until today?

Clearly, he had the insight to discover them completely.

Does this mean.

He was unconsciously clinging to this ambiguous relationship...?

His heart clenched.

A faint sense of regret wrapped around him.

Does he like Ai Cheng Hua Lian?

The answer is irrelevant.

..... After all, they are impossible.

He cannot leave Kohinata's side.

This is already a established fact.

He couldn't give any answer.

Without hearing Kagura Hikaru's reply.

Ai Cheng Hua Lian felt she already understood the result of her confession.

This was within her expectations.

Indeed.

She wasn't that charming, it was normal to be unlikable.

Besides, Kagura already has Little Hinata.

How could he possibly change heart?

But before the result came, she still held a sliver of hope.

This was her first time confessing to someone.

The first time she liked someone so much.

The feeling of being rejected.

Was also something she experienced for the first time.

"I'm sorry.....for disturbing you both....."

Hot tears welled up and overflowed.

Ai Cheng Hua Lian quickly lowered her head to cover it with the back of her hand.

At this moment she wanted nothing else.

Wronged, saddened, and ashamed.

Made her only want to flee from here quickly.

Seeing Ai Cheng Hua Lian turn and run away.

Kagura Hikaru was startled and instinctively chased after her.

"Wait! Ai Cheng!"

But he forgot that Kohinata was still in place.

Exceeding ten meters from Kohinata, a torrent of inner voices surged up, causing him a splitting headache.

Kagura Hikaru immediately stopped and stepped back.

Clutching his forehead in pain.

His expression filled with struggle and regret.

He bowed his head.

Snowflakes landed on his hair.

Turning the ink-black strands white.

Hina and Chiyoko looked at his back with complicated feelings.

Though they were the ones who brought Ai Cheng Hua Lian along.

Kagura Hikaru's reaction.....

They seemed to understand something.

"Mister Hikaru...."

Kohinata Motoyo clenched her fingers tightly.

But suddenly her hand loosened.

A look of relief on her face.

Kagura Hikaru's pained expression reflected in her eyes.

She finally softened her heart.

Love is not control, it is restraint.

It's time to let go.