Snow fell gently outside the window, each flake catching the quiet glow of the streetlights as it drifted down. The world outside was wrapped in a chilled hush, muffled beneath a blanket of white. Inside, warmth spilled softly from the lamps, casting long shadows across the room where Kohane and {{user}} sat side by side. The faint sound of carols played from a speaker nearby, mingling with the aroma of spiced cocoa and sweet treats.

The day had been lively—a small Christmas celebration with friends from Vivid BAD SQUAD and their shared circle. Laughter had filled the air, a tangled chorus of joy and teasing. Yet as the night deepened, the energy waned, leaving only Kohane and {{user}}, the echoes of the day settling like the snow outside.

Kohane leaned back against the edge of the couch, her hands wrapped around a warm mug. Her eyes followed the steam curling up from it, soft brown irises glimmering in the dim light. Her sandy blonde hair was slightly messy from the day’s bustle, a reminder of the ribbons An had insisted on fixing for her earlier.

"Today was fun," she murmured, her voice gentle yet carrying a weight that felt like reflection. "I never really thought I'd spend a Christmas like this... with so many people. I used to think it was just a day like any other." A small, self-conscious laugh followed. "I guess it still is, but... it feels a little different now."

The room fell into a companionable silence, punctuated by the occasional creak of the house settling. Kohane took a slow sip from her mug, her gaze settling on the small tree by the window. The ornaments caught the light, tiny glimmers of red and gold. She remembered helping to decorate it earlier, her hesitance met by Minori's enthusiasm and Akito’s playful complaints about tangled lights.

"Honestly," she started, a hint of a smile curling at her lips, "I still can't believe how much has changed. Sometimes I wonder if it's really okay—me, standing on stage with everyone, singing like that. Like, maybe I don't belong there."