A month has passed since Kotori had Thanksgiving with Honoka. Now it was December and Christmas was right around the corner. It was snowing outside and Kotori was staring out of her window. She was wondering what Honoka was gonna do for Christmas. Kotori was the only one home right now. Kotori heard her doorbell and wondered who it was. She went downstairs and opened the door to see who it was. She was surprised to see that it was Honoka who was at her door.

"Honoka, what are you doing here?" Kotori asked

"I was wondering if I could spend some Christmas time with one of my best friends" Honoka said

"Honoka wants to spend her Christmas with me? This must be a dream!" Kotori thought

Kotori invited her inside her house.

"Would like something to drink?" Kotori asked

"No, thank you" Honoka said

So what's this about wanting to spend Christmas with me?" Kotori asked

"Well, I wanted to spend Christmas with some friends this year. I tried asking Maki and Umi but they said they were going to travel somewhere else this year" Honoka said

Kotori was really happy right now she could barely contain it. She wanted to tackle Honoka into a hug but she had to restrain herself from doing that because she didn't want to scare Honoka away. Kotori decided that she wanted to spend time with Honoka this year.

"I would love to spend Christmas with you Honoka" Kotori said

Honoka had a big smile on her face and embraced Kotori into a hug. Honoka was laughing and every time Kotori heard that laugh she felt her heart pump. Honoka let go and looked at Kotori and gave her a smile.

Would like to go downtown with me?" Honoka asked

"Is Honoka asking me on a date?" Kotori thought to herself

"Sure I'd love to!" Kotori said

Both girls were now walking downtown and Kotori was wondering where Honoka was taking her. Honoka told her that it was something that she really wanted to show her.

"We're here!" Honoka said

Kotori looked around and saw that they were in the town square. Kotori looked around and saw a giant Christmas tree. It was decorated with lights but they weren't on. The tree also had snow on it.

"Why are we here, Honoka?" Kotori asked

"You'll see" Honoka said

Kotori was confused why Honoka wouldn't just tell her. She got her answer when the lights of the giant Christmas tree turned on. When she turned back towards the tree she was speechless at what she saw. The tree was sparkling not only from the lights but it was also sparkling from the snow as well. Kotori was looking at the tree in awe. She never thought that she would see something so beautiful in her life.

"Pretty" Kotori said

"Really pretty" Honoka said

"Is this why you wanted to bring me here?" Kotori said

"Yes, this is my early Christmas present to you" Honoka said

Kotori was really happy that she got to see this sight with Honoka. This is definitely a moment that she wouldn't forget. Seeing this sight with her crush made it even more special.

"Honoka, thank you for bringing me here" Kotori said

"It's no problem Kotori" Honoka said

Kotori wanted to ask Honoka what made her want to spend time with her.

"Honoka" Kotori said

"Yes?" Honoka said

"What made you want to spend time with me on Christmas?" Kotori asked

"Well, my family had to go off somewhere else and both Umi and Maki had to off somewhere else too. I was about to give up on looking for someone to spend Christmas with but then I thought of you and I thought that maybe you would want to spend time with me on Christmas" Honoka said

Kotori was a little sad that she wasn't Honoka's first choice but that was understandable since she hasn't known Honoka as long as Umi and Maki had. But it made her really her really happy that Honoka thought of her as someone she wanted to spend time with when no one else was available.

"Do you want to take a look around town before we head back to your house?" Honoka asked

"Sure I would love to look around town" Kotori said

"Especially if it's with you" Kotori mumbled

"I'm glad you like to spend time with me" Honoka said

Kotori was taken aback by what Honoka said. Kotori purposely mumbled those last words so Honoka couldn't hear her but somehow Honoka heard what she said anyway.

"How good is her hearing?" Kotori thought

They walked around town for a little bit and when they were done walking around town they started to head back towards Kotori's house. When they made it back Kotori went to her mom to ask her if Honoka could stay over at her house for Christmas.

"Hey, mom" Kotori said

"Hi, Kotori" Mom said

"Can I ask you something?" Kotori asked

"Sure, you can ask me anything" Mom said

"Well, do you remember Honoka?" Kotori asked

"Yes I do remember her, why do you ask?" Mom asked

"Well, she doesn't have anyone to spend time with on Christmas because everyone went off to different places so I was wondering if it was ok if Honoka spent Christmas with us" Kotori said

Kotori's mom raised an eyebrow but she soon gave her daughter a smile.

"Of course she can stay here, you two seem to be really close" Mom said

Kotori was happy to hear that her mom said yes. She gave her mother a hug and told her thank you.

"Thanks mom! You're the best!" Kotori said

When that was done and over with Kotori ran back to the living room where Honoka was waiting for her. Honoka turned and saw Kotori coming back to the living room.

"My mom says that you can stay here for Christmas" Kotori said excitedly

"That's great!" Honoka said excitedly

Honoka was looking around the house and saw all sorts of decorations. She saw one decoration hanging on the ceiling. It looked a mini reef. It even had bells on it. Honoka had never seen anything like this before. She wanted to know what it was so she asked Kotori what it was.

"Kotori" Honoka said

"What is it Honoka?" Kotori asked

Kotori came over towards Honoka but she didn't know that she was standing under the decoration that Honoka was curious about.

"What's this thing?" Honoka asked

Honoka pointed up. Kotori looked to see what she was pointing at and when she saw what she was asking about she blushed.

"That's a mistletoe, Honoka" Kotori said

"What's a mistletoe?" Honoka asked

"Well, a mistletoe is a Christmas decoration but it's more than just a decoration" Kotori said

"Really?" Honoka asked

"Yes, It's said that when two people stand under a mistletoe then they're supposed to kiss each other" Kotori said

Kotori was blushing even more now.

"Kiss? Why do they have to kiss each other if they're standing under a mistletoe?" Honoka asked

"A mistletoe is a language that stands for love so that's why" Kotori said

"Well, in that case I'll follow that tradition as well" Honoka said

Kotori was confused by Honoka's words but she saw Honoka was leaning in.

"I love you Kotori" Honoka said

Kotori felt Honoka's lips press against hers. Kotori's brain fried when she felt the kiss that Honoka just gave her. When Honoka separated from her she looked at Kotori and saw that she was staring off into space.

"Kotori? Are you okay?" Honoka asked

Kotori was brought back to reality when she heard Honoka's voice.

"O-oh don't worry I'm fine" Kotori said

Both girls were now in bed. Honoka was fast asleep but Kotori was wide awake. She was still thinking back on the kiss that Honoka gave her.

"Honoka kissed me, she kissed me" Kotori thought

Kotori was so happy that her first kiss was stolen by Honoka. Kotori was able to finally go to asleep. Kotori hoped that Honoka would be in her dreams as well.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: THE ROMANCE HASN'T STATRED YET BUT IT'S GETTING PRETTY CLOSE. THE KISS THAT HONOKA GAVE TO KOTORI WAS NOT THE ROMANTIC TYPE OF KISS. HONOKA WAS JUST FOLLOWING THE TRADITION OF THE MISTLETOE.