"Don't worry, Izumi. No matter what happens or how far we're away from each other, we'll still be the best of friends."

"Really? You promise?"

"Promise."

Izumi looked outside of her window and sighed. It's been three years since the Digital World. For some reason, she was unable to forget all that had happen. For some reason, she couldn't let it go. For some reason, she was still in love with him.

It was unfortunate that she lived in Italy while Takuya lived in Japan. They occasionally talked to each other through the phone, the Internet, and photos, but she wanted to actually be next to him.

Every year, she wished that he would come visit her. Every night, she dreamt of him. And every second of her life, he was in her mind. After the first and a half-year that they finished their digital adventure, she stopped asking him whether he was going to come and visit her. She gave up after realizing that his family would always have something planned for his breaks.

It would be Christmas in twelve days and she would once again spend it all by herself She lived too far away from her parents and she didn't make enough money to support her and pay for a ticket back to Japan. Her roommate already left for her family. Even all of her friends had something planned for their winter break.

She gave another long sigh and proceeded to get ready for the day. She took her bathroom utilities and a new pair of clothes and walked into her bathroom. She took off her pajamas and turned on the faucet. What am I going to do this year? I don't want to stay alone without anything to do again.

She contemplated on what to do with her time. She got several plans to keep her schedule occupied like decorating her room and working longer shifts so she could save up money for next year. She thought of going shopping too. But these plans couldn't possibly keep her whole break occupied. She got out of the shower and dried herself. She put on her undergarments, a skin-tight pair of jeans, and a sleeveless pink shirt. She walked back into her room and put on a pink pair of mittens and a fluffy white sweatshirt. She grabbed a white scarf with green and black stripes and a red beanie.

She walked outside into the snowy weather and shivered. She walked aimlessly through the city thinking of what to do. After what seemed like an hour or so, she found herself staring at a mall. She walked inside thinking that any place would be better than outside. She rubbed her hands together and used her breath to keep them warm. She was relieved to find that the mall was warm.

She looked for a fast food stand that sold any sort of breakfast. Eventually, she bought a hotdog and soda.

Her cell phone rang. She looked at the caller id and saw that it was Takuya calling. She sighed, "Hello?"

"Did I call at the wrong time?"

"Somewhat."

"What's wrong, Izumi?"

"It's nothing, Takuya."

"Are you doing anything this Christmas?"

"No. I'm staying here, like always. What about you?"

"Well, my family's going to go and visit my grandparents. They don't live forever you know?"

Izumi gave a weak chuckle. "I guess."

"Are you really okay? Do you want to talk?"

"Sorry Takuya, not right now."

"Okay, are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah. Bye."

"Bye."

As they hung up, tears started to stream down her eyes. She walked aimlessly through the city again. Stupid Takuya. Stupid grandparents. Stupid Digital World. I would have been better off not making any friends. "It's better to have gained and lost then to never have gained at all." What a lie!

Night finally came and she opened the door to her house. She walked inside and threw snow off her clothes. She grabbed a new pair of clothes, walked to the bathroom, got inside, removed her clothes and turned on the faucet. She lied in the tub filled with hot water. She heard her phone ring. She sighed and got up. She wrapped a towel around herself and walked to the phone. Takuya was calling.

She grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey, are you okay?"

"I guess."

She took off the towel and put on her pajamas. "I think I know what will brighten you up. Did you get my present?"

"Present? No, I didn't."

"Really? It should have arrived by now."

"What should have arrived?"

"Your present. Can you go check if it's there?"

She went downstairs and looked around. "I don't see anything."

"Really? I heard that it's snowing in Italy. Check if it's under all the snow."

She looked out the window. "It's snowing out side right now. I think I'll do it tomorrow."

"Are you sure you want to dig a lot more of snow tomorrow?"

"Okay. I'll go check."

She walked over to the door and opened it. She widened her eyes. Takuya stood there smiling. "Hey."

Tears rolled her eyes. "Hey," she cried.

"Can I come in? I'm freezing my butt off."

She nodded. Takuya walked in and closed the door after him. He wiped her tears. "Why are you crying?"

She suddenly hugged him. "I thought I was going to spend another Christmas all alone."

"Izumi, if it hurt you so much that being alone, then you should have told me."

She continued crying. "I couldn't make you leave you family, even if it means me being alone for Christmas."

Takuya whispered, "It's okay. It's okay. I'm here now. We'll talk in the morning."

He carried her to the couch and sat down. Izumi fell asleep on his shoulders.