The two girls would awaken the next morning, side by side in the bed, still nude after their night of lewd escapades. The fact that both of them had slept rather well was such a relief, especially after something that had started out so poorly. As Matsuri stared at the white ceiling, the only noise being that of the breath of the girl beside her, she'd grin. The mischievous girl finally understood something: she knew how Mei and Yuzu must feel all the time, after all, in her mind the two must go at it like rabbits.
Rolling to her right, she was met by the smirk of Harumin, who faced her. "Well… good morning." the older student said to her peer, gazing softly upon her. "Did you sleep well?" Matsuri returned the smile. "I did… something tells me you slept well too." she let out a small giggle as she spoke, reminiscing on the night before. Nodding, Harumin moved her hand up to Matsuri's face and brushed a loose strand of hair to the girl's side. "Mhm… like a baby. Who wouldn't after that?" Harumin would too, let out a small chuckle.
As the pair looked at each other in the bed, it would seem like time had come to a halt for Matsuri. She had never truly felt this way for anyone other than Yuzu, who she lost to Mei. This was a game she was determined to win though. "So, about that date?" The brat's confidence had seemingly returned to her, a jarring difference from the night before to anyone other than her friends who were used to her cocky nature.
A small snicker came from Harumin, who nodded. "I was wondering when you'd ask." a hint of curiosity coming from her tone. "Well, I was thinking, maybe we could just hang around the park a little bit?" the underclassman suggested, trying to gauge the reaction of her senpai. "The park sounds nice." Harumin replied, approving of the idea with a smile. "Alright, let's maybe go when it's dark then?" Matsuri added on to her plan, trying to seem nonchalant. While her confidence had returned for the most part, the girl was still rather nervous.
"Oh? When it's dark so we can see all the Christmas lights? Well… I didn't think you were the romantic type, Matsuri." Harumin teased as the Kohai went slightly red. "Oh, well… I mean… it's just…" suddenly the girl would become flustered, causing Harumin to snort while she laughed, leading Matsuri to become ever more flushed. It was certainly not the look Matsuri wanted, but at the same time, if anyone was to be, she didn't believe Harumin would be thrown off by such things. "Don't worry Matsuri. I think it sounds like a great idea and I can't wait." the Upperclassman assured her, smiling.
The girls continued to laze side-by-side in the bed for some time, before getting up and dressed for the day ahead. Harumin returned home leaving Matsuri home alone. Her little brother, Inori, was away with the girl's mother for a week, leaving her all by her lonesome. It was something Matsuri was somewhat used to. Afterall, it's how she had met Yuzu and grew so close to her. Right now though, she felt different. She actually felt slightly alone without Harumin here. If it was Yuzu saying this, Matsuri would surely tease and make fun of her, but now she had some sympathy for her friend.
The day was long and gruelling, but now the sun had fallen and the moon arose as darkness encased the city. Matsuri waited at the park's entrance for her date to arrive. The girl wore a similar outfit to the one the day previously, with a dark gray skirt, a slightly baggy black parka, some dark tights, and her headphones. Growing ever nervous and impatient, the girl scrolled her phone, fearing each notification would be a text message from Harumi, cancelling their plans. Luckily for the pink haired brat, said text never came and she looked up from her phone, being greeted by a face smiling back at her.
"Oh, so you finally noticed I was here?" Harumi teased as she laughed a little at Matsuri's inattentiveness. She had become so wrapped up awaiting a text that wouldn't come that she didn't notice the sender was right there. Matsuri took a moment to admire the older girl. Harumi wore the same tweed jacket as before, along with black leggings,boots, and a nice checkered scarf which covered her neck. She was, however, missing her handbag. "Well, don't just stand there, are we gonna go in?" Nodding, Matsuri led the way as the pair entered the park, side by side.
Snow dotted the ground and covered the trees as the duo made their way through the park, the multicolored assortment of lights adorning the trees and lamp posts along with holiday wreaths. A small, sharp breeze clawed through the icy air, the girl's breathing creating small clouds in front of their faces as they let in the cool air and out the hot, which would soon dissipate before their very eyes. Matsuri kept close to the girl as they strolled without much thought or even words, admiring the scenery, which only lasts a brief time every year.
"It's beautiful… isn't it?" Harumin said, breaking the silence between the two as they gandered at the wonderland around them. The crunch of the snow beneath their feet sounded loud through the still air as it cut through the conversations of the other park goers around them. "It is… although… I have seen better…" Matsuri answers with a slight smile to herself. Harumi, glancing down at her as they walked before realizing what was implied and rolling her eyes with a slight chortle. "Of everyone to use a line like that, I didn't expect it to be you." The girl jeered, causing the other to shake her head. "I was talking about myself, I looked in the Mirror this morning."
Harumi stared at the girl for a moment before the pair laughed in unison. "I suppose I did look at you too." Matsuri added as they calmed down. Idly following the path, the girls made it to the center of the park,where a large spruce tree stood, adorned with an array of red, green, blue, yellow, and orange lights along with silver and gold streams of tinsel, and a shining golden star topping it off. The girl's had failed to notice before, but now that they took the time to stop and observe, they could hear holiday music softly playing through speakers which were attached to the lamp posts. Behind the large spruce was an Ice Rink. Matsuri nodded towards it as she grabbed Harumin's attention. "You wanna try it?"
Nodding, Harumin and Matsuri slowly walked to the rink and stood in line, awaiting their turn, paying the fee. Matsuri led her date to get the proper footwear before they both embarked onto the ice. Gliding along the thick layers, the pair meandered around as the Christmas music set the stage. Soon, the DJ began to speak, calling all couples to be ready for the slow song. The pair looked at each other, slightly unsure of what to do, before Harumin grabbed her underclassman's hand and smiled. "I suppose that includes us, at least for today." she spoke with a sincere smile, leaving Matsuri awestruck for a moment, before a smile too formed on the girl.
The lights dimmed around the rink as it began to be illuminated with a slew of colors and the slow music began to play. Harumin took the lead, seeing herself to be the more accomplished skater, guiding the girl slowly around, hand in hand. Time slowed for Matsuri as they slid around the oval of Ice, the beating of her heart overpowering all her thoughts and senses, save for her sight, which gazed upon Harumi, who's auburn hair fluttered as her figure was illuminated in pink. It seemed an eternity, but really, they hadn't even gone half-way around before the girl came back to her senses. She had been being pulled by Harumin, but now had slowly begun to skate by herself again. A gleeful smirk, plastered upon her face for the remainder of their skating. Few words were exchanged thereafter as the two just savored each other's company.
As they departed the rink, Harumin had let go of the girl's hand and they returned to just walking side by side. "So Matsuri... You haven't skated before, have you?" the older of the two asked, glancing at the other. "How'd you know?" Harumi smirked at the girl's answer. "Well, all your confidence was gone the moment we stepped on the ice, I could tell you were just putting on a brave face." Harumi spoke softly, the air in front being painted white as she spoke. "You notice a lot more than you're given credit for… y'know that?" Matsuri answered back with a chuckle. "Well of course, Momma Harumin always knows these things."
The pair had walked ever deeper into the park and up an incline, before stopping as they reached the end of the road. A wonderful sight lay ahead of them as they peered at the lights of the city from the vantage point. The pair strutted to the safety barrier, leaning against it as they gazed out, the twinkle of the stars above making a picturesque sight for the pair. "I really enjoyed tonight Matsuri…" Harumin said, sincerity leaking out along with her words. "I did as well… Harumin…" The older girl chuckled a little before looking at the shorter girl. "So, is this the end of the date you planned?" Matsuri looked on at the sea of light ahead of them, nodding slightly. "I suppose it is the end of it… I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"Well then…" Harumin said as she faced Matsuri properly. "If you don't mind, I'd like to add one small little thing." the curious being that she was, Matsuri turned to look at Harumin. "Oh? And what's tha~" the girl's words were cut off as their lips locked and eyes closed. Silence fell around them as they embraced one another. Flakes of snow slowly began to float down upon the couple as their faces were illuminated by the distant stars and moon. This kiss was different. It wasn't sloppy, it wasn't just a turn on. It had passion within it. It had a feeling. It had love.