"It's a shame that Nico couldn't come with us.", said Eli who was sitting on a train with Maki. They were heading to one of Maki's vacation homes for a training camp trip for their mini-unit, BiBi, but Nico got sick (or at least that was the excuse she made) so she didn't go.

"I'm glad she's not coming. I hate her guts right now."

"Ah, sorry... I forgot... You two broke up not that long ago, right?", asked Eli cautiously, hoping that Maki wouldn't blow up on her for bringing up Nico.

"Yeah, it was pretty messy. We can discuss it in detail when we get there. Then you can talk about what happened with Nozomi too, that is, if you're ready to talk about it."

"H-how did you know about us!?"

"We're a close knit group of girls who care about each other so we pretty much know what everyone else is going through. We were concerned because you and Nozomi were acting sort of strange around each other. Like, you were avoiding eye contact with her and you guys seemed pre-occupied with something and it effected your ability to concentrate during practice. Also, you two haven't gone out for parfaits in a while. After witnessing your behavior, we assumed that you and Nozomi either got into a fight or broke up. We're leaning towards the latter."

"Harasho... you're all so observant. You assumed correctly. We broke up. I'll tell you why later but for now I just want to relax and enjoy this trip."

"We'll be arriving in a few minutes. Do you have your suitcase and stuff?"

"Yes I do. Um, can I ask you something Maki?"

"What is it?"

"What exactly are we suppose to do while we're here?"

"I planned on writing some new music, practicing vocal techniques, and having a mock performance of our upcoming concert. The last one might be hard to do without Nico though, but we can improvise."

"Sounds good, but will we have time to do some recreational things?"

"Of course. What's the point of going to a snowy area if we can't ski or snowboard?"

"That makes sense. I used to ski all the time when I lived in Russia because we always had a lot of snow."

"That's a relief. Now I won't have to teach you anything so we'll have more time to play. I personally prefer snowboarding but I'm not very good at it. Anyway, since you asked me a question, can I ask you one?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"When you and Nozomi went to 'get parfaits', did you actually go get parfaits or...?"

"Eheheh, sometimes... but we always stopped at her apartment first to um... well..."

"I get it. I figured as much. You don't have to say anything else."

The train started to slow down as it approached a snowcapped station that had a cable car beside it. When it came to a complete halt, Eli and Maki hopped out of the train with their luggage in tow. There were a couple of steps leading up to the entrance of the cable car along with a wooden railing. When Maki grabbed onto it Eli accidentally touched Maki's hand while trying to hold the railing herself.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"

"Don't worry about it. I'm more worried about how cold your hand was. Do you want me to get you a pair of gloves out of my backpack?"

"No thanks, I'm alright."

"If you say so." Maki shrugged her shoulders.

While they were riding the cable car, Eli and Maki sat next to each other. Maki was insistent on making sure Eli's hands were warm and since Eli refused to wear gloves, Maki went and cupped her hands around Eli's to share her body heat. Maki didn't have to do that for very long because Eli's internal temperature instantly went up just like the cable car they were in.

"Looks like you don't need gloves after all.", said Maki with a wink.

Eli didn't respond. She was much too flustered.

They finally reached the top.

"Here we are. This is the Nishikino Lodge.", said Maki like she was a tour guide.

"Harasho!"

"Eh, it's not all that impressive. It's just like any other log cabin. C'mon, let's go inside."

When they went in, Eli marveled at the spacious interior of the cabin. It had antlers from various animals hung up on the wall alongside of some winter sporting gear. There was also a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace that had a good sized flat screen TV on it, a kitchenette, a sofa with a wooden frame, and much more. The place had a nice, cozy feel to it.

"You can put your stuff wherever. There's one bedroom, a bathroom, and an outdoor bath. I can sleep on the couch."

"No, I'll sleep on the couch."

"You're my guest so you have the privilege of having the bed."

"I'd feel bad then..."

"Geez, you're almost as stubborn as Nico-chan, but it a good way. How about we both sleep in the bed? It might be a little cramped though. Would that be okay?"

"That's fine."

"Great. It's getting kinda late so let's make dinner and then take a bath."

"Okay, what are we eating for dinner?"

"Well, I was hoping that you'd make something. I hate to admit it but I'm horrible at cooking..."

"Haha! You're cute Maki."

"I'm cute?"

"N-no! I didn't mean it like that! Well, you are cute... but no! I was saying that the fact that you can't cook is cute."

"I see... Thanks, I guess? I don't see how being unskilled at something is cute but whatever. Anyway, there are some ingredients in the fridge. You don't have to cook if you don't want to. I could just order a pizza or something."

Eli pictured a pizza delivery guy trudging through a blizzard with snow that went all the way up to his waist, forcing him to carry the pizza box over his head all the while having hail pelting his face.

"...poor guy."

"What are you talking about Eli? What guy?"

"Sorry, I was just daydreaming. I'll cook so you don't have to order anything."

"So you were daydreaming about a guy Eli? Huh... I can see you dating one. What's his name?"

"You're mistaken! I only like women! I was just thinking about how hard it would be for someone to deliver a pizza at this altitude."

"Oh, okay then. Um, I can help you in the kitchen now. I'll hand you the utensils and ingredients as you go along."

"Thanks Maki, that's very kind of you."

"It's the least I can do."

Eli and Maki successfully prepared the food and shared a nice hot-pot meal together. After doing the dishes they decided to take a dip in the outdoor bath.

"Ahh, this is so soothing!" said Maki as she submerged herself deeper into the hot water. When Eli removed her towel to enter in next, Maki got a rare glimpse of Eli that she was not suppose to see. Now she felt like a pervert for peaking and Eli picked up on that.

"Hey Maki, what's the matter? You look like you're feeling guilty about something."

"It's nothing..."

"It's something. No need to hide anything from me. We're a unit, remember? Now, tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing is wrong except for the fact that you think something is wrong!"

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

"Maki, I already know what you did and I'm not mad."

"You're not?"

"No way. You were just curious. I'd probably do the same thing if I was in your position."

Maki dunked most of her head underwater and starting blowing bubbles with her mouth to avoid continuing this awkward conversation. When she came back up for air Eli said, "Didn't you want to talk about how you and Nico broke up?"

"Yeah, I forgot about that. I'll tell you about it. Okay, so, Nico and I used to fight all the time. You know that."

"All too well." Eli reflected on the annoying bickering the two used to engage in several times a day.

"It got to the point where we couldn't have a civil moment together. One day she hit me in the face and I hit her back. This continued until we were both bleeding pretty badly. I threatened to call the police on her and she left me alone."

"Ouch... That's awful Maki." Eli proceeded to give Maki a hug to comfort her but she didn't realize that they weren't wearing any clothes until after she gave the hug. Maki didn't care but Eli backed off right away.

"Wow, I totally forgot that we were in a bath!"

"It's alright. I actually liked it..."

"What did you say?"

"I said, 'It's alright'."

"You said something else too."

"I did not."

"So my ears deceived me then!? I swear I heard you say, 'I actually liked it' but alas, that wasn't the case." Eli said this with an emphasized dramatic tone.

"Fine, I said it! Please leave me alone now."

"I can do that but I was hoping I could talk about what went down with me and Nozomi."

"Go ahead then. I'm listening."

"We split up for a rather silly reason. She simply came up to me and said, 'The cards told me that it's time for us to see other people.'"

"Seriously!?", said Maki in disbelief.

"I know right! I wonder if that's really true or not. Either way, if her cards are more important to her than I am then it was probably for the best that we broke up."

"Yeah... This is kinda random but I wonder what Nico is up to."

"You still have feelings for her, don't you Maki."

"Not really. Sure, it was hard to get over her and I'm still not fully over it yet but it makes me feel better when I think about how terribly she treated me."

"That must be tough to deal with. Nozomi was never mean to me. She teased me sometimes but she was only kidding around. I thought we had a good relationship but then she threw this huge curve ball at me and left me in the dust. I don't understand it at all."

"I bet her and Nico hooked up.", said Maki as a joke.

"Wouldn't put it past her."

"I can't imagine them two as a couple though. Can you, Eli?"

"Absolutely. Nozomi and Nico are very close friends and I can see them crossing the line between friendship and romantic relationship."

"I didn't know a line like that existed. Maybe they think we're the same way."

"I don't know."

"Do you think that would ever happen with us?"

"Maki, I think the heat from this bath is making you delusional. We should get out." suggested Eli who tried to change the subject.

"My thinking is perfectly clear, but I'll get out anyway. The sky looks like it wants to snow too so going inside would be a good idea."

Maki the meteorologist's forecast prediction was accurate. A few hours after their bath, it snowed, and it snowed hard. The wind was picking up speed, creating a blizzard effect that caused a power outage in the cabin. This meant that all the lights were out. Since Eli was afraid of the dark, she clung onto Maki tightly while they were in the bed.

"Okay, I understand that you're scared Eli, but you're kinda hurting me.", wheezed Maki who was struggling to take her next breath.

"S-sorry Maki... I can't help it."

"I know, I'll start a fire in the fireplace and we can sleep out in the living room. How does that sound?"

"Good idea."

Maki held two pillows and 2 large blankets with one arm while the other one was around Eli's waist as they walked into the biggest room in the cabin.

A fire was now kindling. The crackling of the burning wood created a white noise that could help put someone to sleep.

"This is perfect! The heater isn't working but the fire will keep us warm." said Maki like she just made world peace. Even though she didn't, she gave Eli peace of mind and that was enough of an accomplishment for her.

"Here Eli, you can sleep right in front of the fire on the rug. I put a pillow and a blanket down for you. I'll be right behind you on the couch."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"What? Sleeping behind you?"

"No, sleeping in front of a fireplace!"

"It's safe. This one is specially designed to keep the flames in a one specific place.

"I'll trust you on this one but if I wake up with burn holes on my clothes, you're going to have to buy me new ones."

"Haha, it's a deal!"

Maki got comfortable on the couch and Eli got situated on the floor. They said their "good nights" and tried to fall asleep but neither of them could because they had so much on their minds.

Eli was the first to address her bout of insomnia.

"Maki, are you still awake?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I can't sleep..."

"How ironic. I'm having the same problem."

"Can you come lay next to me then?"

"I suppose so. Are you still scared?"

"Just a bit..."

"Aw, it's quite a treat to see the oh so mature former student council president act like a cowardly little girl."

"That's mean! You can just stay on the couch now. I don't want you by me if you're going to be rude."

Maki ignored Eli and slipped under the blanket on the floor.

"Quit acting like a tsundere, Eli. It doesn't suit your character at all."

"Tsundere?"

"Shh, forget about it. It's just some stupid word that means-"

"I know what it means. Nozomi calls you one on a regular basis."

"Does she now..."

"Yeah." Eli snuggled up against Maki endearingly and put one arm around her. The only noise that could be heard was the wind blowing and the fire burning. It stayed this way for a few minutes until Eli asked, "Maki-chan, do you remember that line we were talking about earlier?"

Maki was confused as to why Eli suddenly added "chan" after her name.

"The one between friendship and romance?"

"Yes, that one."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Do you think we could cross it together...?"

"I don't know how to respond to that Eli. Are you joking or do you actually mean it?"

"I'm being serious." , said Eli quietly while embracing Maki tighter.

Maki didn't say anything. She had a lot of conflicting feelings, mostly about Nico and the possibility of ruining her friendship with Eli if things didn't work out, but Eli was a lot different than Nico. She was someone who'd still respect the other person and continue being friends with them if something like that happened. (For example: her and Nozomi would patch things up sooner or later.)

"I wouldn't mind it I guess. I do like you and I find you to be very attractive but something is holding me back and I don't know what it is."

"That 'something' is the remains of the relationship you had with Nico. Those emotions may or may not go away but you're going to have to move on regardless."

"You're right, Eli-chan."

"You called me 'Eli-chan'. Does that mean...?"

"It does. I'll cross that line with you."

Maki turned over to face Eli and smiled and Eli smiled back. Now that everything was settled, Maki and Eli were able to fall asleep soundly in the warmth the their new found love.

Afterword

Who knew that Maki and Eli could be so flirty with each other? (I didn't) I thought doing a MakiEli one-shot would be difficult but I wrote this whole thing in one night. Bring on the next couple! My body is ready! Oh, also, sorry for making Nico and Nozomi sound like huge jerks in this. I love them too but I needed to use them in a negative way as a plot device. Anyway, here are the rules for voting again in case you still don't know them yet: [Rules: 1. The first person to put their desired pairing in their review wins the vote for the next chapter 2. The term, "non-popular pairing" will apply to any shipping besides NicoMaki, RinPana, NozoEli, HonoKoto, HonoUmi, KotoUmi, and HonoKotoUmi. 3. If your ship already has a chapter about them, I won't make another one about them. 4. If I already wrote a chapter about a ship you suggested then I won't write about another one about a different pairing that you suggested if you happen to be first again. 5. Guest reviews don't count.]

Ships already covered: HonoEli, MakiEli