Sorry for the late update! My internet was down all day, and is just now finally coming back on! I've been having some trouble getting my stuff to upload, but i think i finally got it. So again, sorry for the late update, but here's the next part! Oh, and just to clear up any confusion, this chapter will be from Kirino's point of view after her and Kyousuke get separated. Last chapter was Kyousuke's, this chapter is Kirino's.

"Kirino, are you ready yet?" Ayase asked annoyed. She had come back to where Kirino was, and was standing outside the changing room. Kirino had slipped on the snow gear and was almost ready. She was a little sad that Kyousuke didn't reply to her text, but that was usual. He usually didn't reply unless he had too. That was one thing that not even Kirino could change. Kyousuke would always be lazy to some degree. Kirino secured her phone in her pants pocket, just in case Kyousuke decided to respond, and then she stepped outside of the room. She was wearing her hat still, and her gloves. She also had on long black baggy snow pants over her regular pants, and had on a bulky white jacket. Ayase was pretty much wearing the same things as the two reunited.

"Finally! Kanako is waiting! Let's go!" Ayase shouted happily as she grabbed Kirino by the hand. She turned around and started to run with Kirino.

"Where are we going?" Kirino asked. Sadness was apparent in her voice, even though she tried to hide it.

"Kanako is over by the skiing hill, she said that she was going to try and go down the hill there a few times while she waits. We'll have to take the ski lift to get there, but it's not very long, and plus you get a great view of the city," Ayase replied. Ayase dragged Kirino out to the vast outside of the building, where there were tons of people playing in the snow, getting ready for tubing or snowboarding, waiting for the ski lift, all sorts of things.

"This place is huge," Kirino mumbled impressed.

"Sure is! Why do you think I chose this place?" Ayase laughed. Kirino looked to her and faked a smile.

"That reminds me…I thought that you were planning on doing this next weekend?" Ayase looked to her a little confused.

"Didn't you get my email saying that I was switching it to today since they were offering discounts on tickets with it being Christmas Eve and all. And plus they're open later than usual, even though I don't plan on staying all night, they're open till midnight!" Kirino shook her head as she listened to Ayase.

"Oh yeah, now that you mention it I did get your email," Kirino regretted lying to her best friend, but she couldn't help it. She might've gotten the email, but she didn't read it. She had no idea that it was getting changed to this weekend. "But unfortunately dad want's me and Kyousuke back by 10, so I can't stay that long anyways." Ayase shuttered in disgust as she said his name.

"Speaking of that creep, you couldn't have found anybody else to bring you here?" Ayase asked, a little angry. Kirino stumbled over her words as she replied.

"I- it was convenient for me! He knew how to get here and there wasn't anybody else around." There she goes again with the lies.

"At least you got here alright…I don't trust him. He's been hanging around you pretty close the last few weeks, it's kind of really creepy." Kirino blushed a little.

"H- he's just been helping me with some stuff is all!" Kirino shouted back defensively. Ayase looked at her confused again.

"Stuff that I can't help you with?"

"Well…you see, uh, we were…..looking for presents for mom and dad!" Kirino laughed awkwardly as she thought of the quick excuse. "We wanted it to be a total surprise so we didn't tell anybody." Ayase smiled as she grabbed Kirino's hands.

"That's so like you Kirino! Can you tell me what you got them?" Ayase sounded excited. Kirino slipped her hands out of Ayase's, as she smiled awkwardly.

"Not yet, it's not Christmas yet." Ayase frowned in disappointment, but soon let it pass over as she turned back to the giant snowy park.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it's perfect. We should get going though, Kanako probably thinks we're not coming." Ayase walked towards the ski lift, Kirino followed close behind her. Even though she hated lying to her best friend, she was glad that she bought into it.

The line for the lift wasn't as long as it could've been, but there were a few people ahead of them. It was moving pretty fast though, and soon they were able to claim one.

"Hand's up," The staff member said as the two girls sat down into the seats. The raised up their hands as the attendant moved the safety bar down over their laps. "No rocking or swaying, and don't drop anything while you're on the lift." The attendant told them as their cart began to lift off the ground.

"I always like riding these things!" Ayase said happily. "I find them relaxing and enjoyable."

"You find everything that's not work relaxing and enjoyable," Kirino laughed.

"That's true," Ayase laughed as well. As the lift began to make its way across the park, Kirino looked out into the distance. She could see people walking in the streets, and in the far distance she spotted the café that her and Kyosuke would often go to.

"Hey Ayase, do you think after we get done here we could go to the café that's uptown for dinner?" Kirino asked as she began to let her mind wander about food.

"We'll have to ask Kanako but I don't have a problem with it. I don't think I've ever been there, but I've heard its good."

"It's amazing! I go there all the time with Kyo-" she stopped herself. "I mean, I make Kyousuke bring me food from there all the time!" Ayase raised an eyebrow in suspicion as Kirino quickly corrected herself. Kirino looked away from her as they continued to rind the lift. A few minutes past with neither of them saying anything, but then the lift soon came to a stop. As it approached the ground, the attendants on the other side raised their safety bar.

"Watch your step," One of them said, offering out his hand. He helped them both off the lift, and escorted them to the exit. "Skiing is just up ahead, and snowboarding will be on your left," He said pointing.

"Thank you," Ayase said bowing her head. Kirino did the same, and then the two set off to find Kanako.

"So where's Kanako at?" Kirino asked as they started walking.

"At the skiing hill remember? She said she was going to try it a few times while she waited. It's not very far from here, just walk this way a little and-" Ayase stopped talking when she heard the voice of somebody screaming.

"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" the voice shouted.

"Speaking of Kanako…" Ayase mumbled.

"That voice could only belong to one person," Kirino laughed as they approached their destination. As the ski hills became visible, a familiar face stood out to them. Kanako was grasping some boy by the collar around his neck and was inches from his face.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" The boy was pleading. He looked like he was their age, maybe a little younger, but was definitely in middle school. Kanako was growling at him as she tightened her grip.

"Kanako, what are you doing?!" Ayase yelled rushing up next to her.

"This little pervert touched my butt!" She snapped.

"It was an accident!" The boy continued to plead.

"Just let him go, there's no need to make a big deal out of this," Ayase sighed.

"Not a big deal?! What if this is just the beginning! He could be harassing all the girls at this park!" Kanako glared back to him, not letting up one bit.

"Look at him Kanako! He's like twelve, and he looks like he's about ready to wet himself!" Kanako continued to glare at him until one of the ski attendants walked up to them.

"Hey! What's going on here?" The attendant yelled. He was a man that looked to be in his forties. He had a scruffy beard, and was quite physically toned.

"This little pervert touched my butt!"

"On accident! It was an accident!"

"I understand that you might be angry, but please let him go. We do not tolerate violence here, and you may be asked to leave." Kanako looked to him, very much agitated.

"Violence?! I'll show you violence!" She let go of the boy and made an approach towards the attendant. She only took two steps before he had his arms around her body, locking her in place.

"Kanako!" Ayase yelled running up to her. "I'm really sorry about her, she can be a bit stubborn at times." Ayase said bowing her head in apology. Kirino felt awkward as she stood behind Ayase.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you and your friends to leave miss," the attendant said trying to keep Kanako from squirming out of his grip.

"What?! Leave?!"

"There are too many people here for us to keep track of. Please just get back on the lift, and head towards the entrance, or I can have security come and take you out. It's your choice lady," the attendant scowled at her. Kirino walked up next to Ayase.

"We just got here though!" Kirino yelled.

"Take it to the front desk," the attendant replied. He let Kanako go, and she stumbled over to Ayase and Kirino.

"Let's go," Kanako grunted angrily.

"But Kanako!" Kirino said.

"This place is stupid. Waste of time," Kanako walked away from them and started towards the lift. Kirino sighed as her and Ayase began to follow her. Kirino was kind of bummed out that she didn't' get to do anything but ride the ski lift, but at the same time it would make the experience better should she ever come back here with Kyousuke. The three girls got back on the lift, and began to head back.

"I'm sorry Kirino," Ayase said softly. Kirino looked to her. "Kanako and I have been here for an hour at least while waiting on you, but you weren't even here a half hour before we had to leave."

"Don't worry about it, at least now we can go and get something to eat. I'm starving!" Kirino let out a smile.

"Oh yeah, we need to as Kanako." Ayase turned her attention towards her. "Do you care if we go to the café that's uptown for dinner?"

"I don't care. Anywhere is better than here," She replied still mad. Ayase and Kirino let out a sigh.

"You're never coming here again are you?" Ayase asked as she chuckled.

"Nope," Kanako replied boldly. The rest of the way back was silent as Kirino let her mind wander off. She was thinking about Kyousuke surprisingly. She was upset that she didn't get to spend time with him, because it's not very often that she does something for him and when she does she's really bad at trying to be affectionate. It usually ends up with her yelling at him, or hitting him, or anything besides being nice. She's been trying to get better, but it's hard for her. She's hated him for so long, that it's making it difficult for her to feel anything beyond hate. Of course she has some kind of feelings for him, but she could never come out and show them. If she does, she does it in her own way. It's what made her Kirino.

As the lift came to a stop back where they came from, the three got off, and made their way back to the front.

"I'll tell them we're leaving if you want to go get changed," Ayase said talking to Kirino. Kirino nodded her head.

"Okay, I'll meet you up at the front desk then." As they walked into the building, Kirino and Kanako headed towards the changing room, and Ayase headed to the front desk. It took her a lot less time to take everything off than it did to put it on, she was in and out in under five minutes. She bundled up everything that belonged to the place, and headed back to the front desk. Ayase was waiting patiently up at the counter.

"All done," Kirino said, placing the gear on the counter.
"That was fast," Ayase replied. "You're turn to wait. I'm going to take my stuff off now; I'll be back in a few minutes." Ayase walked away from Kirino and into the changing room. Kirino waited at the front desk for a few minutes, but was soon approached by the same lady that had greeted her when they first arrived.

"Sorry about that, how may I help you?" The lady asked smiling.

"We're just dropping off our equipment," Kirino said, pushing her gear towards her.

"Leaving already?"

"Unfortunately," Kirino laughed a little.

"Well I hope you have a nice rest of Christmas Eve, and a very wonderful Christmas. Come back again sometime!" The lady behind the desk gave her another smile, and then grabbed the gear that Kirino had turned in. It wasn't too much longer before Kanako and Ayase both appeared with their gear as well. The lady got all of them accounted for, and then they left the building.

"This café isn't very far right Kirino?" Ayase asked. Kirino shook her head.

"Nope. It's a few blocks this way, it should take us about ten minute's tops to get there." Kirino replied. Kirino led the way as they walked down the sidewalk. Nobody said much on the way, occasionally Ayase would point out something in the windows of stores they passed, but other than that it was pretty quiet. After about ten minutes of walking, they approached the café. They stepped inside, and made their way to the front counter.

"Before we do anything, I need to go to the bathroom," Ayase said, cringing a little.

"Me too," Kanako replied. The two looked around for the bathroom, but had no idea where it was. Kirino sighed as she motioned them to follow her.

"I'll show you where they're at," Kirino said walking away. As she led them to the bathroom she thought she heard a familiar voice coming from the front counter, but she just brushed it off, thinking nothing of it.

"Here they are," Kirino said stopping in front of the restroom sign. "Girls is on the left." Kirino stood outside the doors as Kanako and Ayase stepped inside. Kirino rested her head on the wall, and was thinking about the voice she heard earlier. She knew she recognized it, but she couldn't put a face to the voice. It was a girls voice for sure, but she couldn't think of who. Her thought process was broken when Ayase and Kanako came out of the bathroom laughing.

"What's so funny?" Kirino asked them.

"Nothing!"

"Nothing at all!" The two laughed.

"Seriously! Tell me!" Kirino yelled.

"It's nothing!"

"Don't worry about it!" They walked away from Kirino and started back towards the front counter. Kirino followed them very curious as to what they were laughing about. When they got to the counter they were greeted by a women that was working the register.

"Hello, how may I help you?" the woman asked.

"Table for 3 please!" Ayase said smiling. As Ayase spoke to the women, something caught Kirino's attention. She looked outside at a girl that was standing out there, and she definitely knew this girl.

"Neighbor girl..?" She mumbled to herself. A few seconds passed before the girl was joined by a boy. A boy she knew quite well. As they walked away, the boy turned his head and looked inside the café, and locked eyes with Kirino.