Kahoko looked longingly at the big Christmas tree in the park.

The year had come and gone by so fast. She had just finished the interschool concours, and knew of Tsukimori-kun's leaving. The questions that he left unanswered at the Spring Dance were still fresh on her mind.

He wanted the last dance with me. The things he tried to say across to me when we headed to the balcony for that brief moment... wanting me to continue the violin, keep in touch, and all sorts of others... I mean, I would do those without hesitation, but... why was he so insistent?

She continued looking at the big Christmas tree, hoping some answers would pop out disguised as gifts.

It's foolish, I know, just sitting here and watching it... what am I waiting for, I wonder...

Kids raced around in the park, throwing snowballs and laughing. In her warm clothes, winter jacket, boots and scarf, she was just sitting in the park, watching everything around her.

She had, of course, received numerous offers for Christmas. Yunoki-senpai had offered to take her out for dinner; Hihara-senpai had offered to spend the day before Christmas with her; and Tsuchiura-kun offered an all-expenses-paid trip to the amusement park on Christmas Eve. Even Nao and Mio wanted to drag her Christmas shopping, but she said no to them all.

Instead, she sat alone, getting colder every second. She told herself she wasn't waiting for anything, and stood up. She was about to walk towards the exit when she bumped into someone.

"Gomennasai!"

She bowed to the stranger.

"Hino, what are you doing by yourself?"

She blinked, and looked up to see cerulean blue hair and golden eyes. She stood upright immediately.

"Tsukimori-kun! I'm... I'm..."

She looked around quickly.

"I wanted to admire the Christmas tree!"

She pointed towards it, and smiled at him.

"What are you doing here, Tsukimori-kun?"

"Looking for you."

She paused for a moment, unsure if she had heard that correctly. She looked at him, waiting for a further explanation. It didn't come.

She bit her lip for a few moments, wondering if she should ask him or not. Eventually, she decided she should.

"Tsukimori-kun..."

"Hino, I like you."

She blinked at him, before smiling.

It was just that...

"I like you too Tsukimori-kun..."

"Not in that way."

She blinked again.

What way did he mean, then? Although, didn't he leave for Vienna already? So why is he even here standing in front of me...

Her answer began to shape as he embraced her tightly. In shock, she froze for a few moments, before awkwardly embracing him back.

"Tsukimori-kun..."

"Hino, shut up for a moment."

She looked at him, and blinked.

Her heart beat sped up furiously as she realised the close proximity which she was to Tsukimori-kun.

I had never been able to control this 'doki-doki' feeling with Tsukimori-kun... nande?!

In those short moments, he had cupped her chin and drew her towards him. He kissed her, in front of the large Christmas tree.

Her eyes shot wide open.

Tsukimori-kun?!?

She heard the cheer of everyone around, and realised that the lights on the Christmas tree had been turned on. He broke the kiss slowly, and looked at her.

"Now do you understand?"

She nodded numbly. Her heartbeat was still speeding furiously, and to add to that her cheeks had turned a visible shade of red.

She could see him survey her, and hear his sigh. She looked at him.

"You don't understand, do you..."

He kissed her once more, making her even more dizzy and numb than she was before.

"I'll continue doing this –"

He kissed her cheek.

"Until you understand –"

He kissed her other cheek. He whispered the last to her ear.

"My feelings for you."

He nibbled her ear, and faced her once more.

She blushed even more visibly, but smiled at him.

"Then I'll never understand"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss him, more than glad that he was here tonight.