Tonight was the first snow fall. Good thing Tsubasa decided to go straight home after work, since the snow wasn't thick yet. She hated this season, not because it becomes harder for her to go outside, but because seeing the snow makes her remember someone she wanted to forget.

She walked the streets of Akihabara, thinking about that moment when they were defeated by a group of 9 girls. It took a long time for it to sink in to her, but eventually, she was able to accept their defeat. Despite not being able to win the Love Live competition that year, A-RISE continued thriving in the idol world. The three of them pursued a being an idol even after graduating from UTX. She considered those years with her former group were as best years in her life.

After 5 years in the showbiz industry, they disbanded and went separate ways. Tsubasa is now working as an Associate Manager in a famous business firm. It was hard at first, but she did her best to adjust in a new environment. She's happy with her new work and she's financially stable. She wonders why even having almost everything, she still feels like something is missing.

As she was walking home, she heard a familiar voice.

"Please, don't anymore, okay?

You pretend you want to be alone

Because you don't want to be hurt, isn't that right?"

She can't believe what she's hearing. Was the voice she heard just a product of her imagination? Could it be...her?

Tsubasa followed the voice and it led her to a crowd. She tried to fit herself in to reach the front.

Much to her surprise, she saw someone that made her heart pound hard after a very long time.

"Yes, I know what you mean...

Whenever you bottle up your feelings,

You end up torn up on the inside, don't you?

Why not try talking about how you feel?"

Tsubasa felt her heart throb with immense pain and joy, as she looked at the orange haired girl who's singing in front of her.

"Woah, a lot of people came today!" Honoka giggled in glee. "Thank you for listening to my last song! Everyone, take care on your way home!" she said as she waved her hand to the dispersing crowd of people.

Everybody left after her performance, except for one.

"Tsubasa! Is that you?" she asked, and the brunette nodded in response.

Honoka enveloped the other into a hug. The wind was indeed chilly, but her embrace kept Tsubasa warm.

After a few seconds, Honoka pulled away.

"What are you doing here?" Tsubasa questioned the orangehead.

"Well..." Honoka looked away before replying. "Whenever I have free time, I sing here. I just feel like doing this." she said in a calm voice.

Tsubasa found herself smiling. She felt relieved at the thought that she isn't the only one who misses the life of being an idol.

Honoka suggested that they should go to a coffee shop to catch up with everything. The brunette thought that it was a terrible idea to go with Honoka, given the situation that she's currently in. Nonetheless, she ended up giving in to her request.

They talked about random things during their time together. Honoka told her that she's already working as a chef in a hotel and that she inherited her family's sweets shop. Tsubasa wasn't able to keep track of the time, for she enjoyed the company of the person she missed the most. Honoka didn't change a bit, except that her hair is much longer than before. She still looked exceptionally beautiful in Tsubasa's eyes.

"So, I bet you got yourself a boyfriend already!" Honoka teased the other.

Tsubasa just gave her a cold shoulder. "Oohh, maybe you're still in love with the person you were talking about in highschool!"

The brunette felt like she was slapped by a in the face. She was dumbfounded and didn't know what to respond.

The orangehead noticed that the atmosphere became awkward between them. "I-I'm sorry.. I might've crossed the line." she apologetically said. "It's okay. And yes, the reason why I'm not in a relationship is because I'm still in love with that person." Tsubasa have her a reasuring smile, making Honoka sigh in relief.

Tsubasa took a deep breath then held Honoka's hand, the same way she did before. Fear and uncertainty is slowly consuming her but she paid no attention to it. She thought that she was recreating the failed confession she had back then. The only difference is that this time, she's not scared anymore. It doesn't matter what Honoka will think, for she had nothing to lose.

"I have always..." she looked at Honoka's blue orbs intensely, with seriousness evident in her gaze. "Always, always, loved you."

The orange haired girl's face turned red upon hearing Tsubasa's confession. The brunette cupped Honoka's cheeks then placed a swift kiss on her lips.

"I love you, Honoka. All this time, my heart has always been yours."