Meanwhile, the winter break has started one week later. Izumi and the rest prepared their things and went to the airport. After they boarded, the airplane left Japan and is now headed overseas. Izumi and the rest temporarily left the land of the rising sun that is currently wrapped by the powdery, white snow. Three hours later, they arrived at their destination. Then, they were fetched by a familiar person.

"Izumi!" A beautiful woman excitedly jumped at Izumi and hugged him. She has a curvy figure and is a little bit shorter than Izumi. Her body is almost like a feather, her hair is silky straight and smooth, she speaks with manners, and she has a voice of an angel. Her eyes are daring black, her eyebrows are thick and sexy, she also has long eyelashes. She is a perfect fit for Izumi since he is a bit distant and hot-headed, while the woman is gleeful and brings a soothing atmosphere.

"I missed you so much! Wait, who are these guys? Have you hitting on them?" she added.

"Dumbass. This is Yuuji, our junior. And this is Haruki, your cousin. Wait, you can't remember him?" Izumi asked. "Oh, it's Haruki? Fine, I don't care. It's been a while since I visited Japan and hang out with you guys! Wait, where's Mits--" Haruki interrupted her when she was about to ask the whereabouts of Mitsuru.

"That hurts, Megumi. You didn't remember me? I am so sad, I might cry."

"Stop it, Haruki. You're creeping me out!" the woman laughed. Her identity was Fuchigami Megumi, the cousin of Haruki.

"Why don't we buy some food first before we depart? Izumi and Yuuji will wait here. It's about time to catch the moments we lost, isn't it?" asked Haruki. "Yeah, sure!" responded Megumi

As Haruki and Megumi walked away, Izumi looked at the ground with a lethargic face. Yuuji saw the sadness in his eyes. He then approached his beloved senpai and hugged him. Izumi was shocked, and he let Yuuji hug him.

"You don't have to put a facade up and act tough regarding these situations. Remember, Haruki-senpai and I are here with you." with a sweet tenor voice, Yuuji heartened his senpai. "Ok...," said Izumi.

He tried to hold his tears back. But still, a few droplets of his tears, filled with bitter loneliness, escaped from his beautiful yet intimidating eyes. Then, Yuuji finally got the strength to ask Izumi. "Is it true that you don't like Mitsuru-senpai?" asked Yuuji. Izumi didn't say something and just moved his head sidewards. "Figures out. Well, time will heal us all. Let's just wait for a while," said Yuuji.

Haruki and Megumi went to a resto to order food. While they were at it, Haruki explained to Megumi why Mitsuru was not around.

"Whaa?! So that's what happened? Poor Izumi. He must've been hurt a lot." said Megumi with a heart-breaking tone.

"Yeah. I can't imagine how much sadness he tries to hide behind that tough face." appended Haruki.

"I made up my mind!" While waiting for their food, Megumi said things to Haruki that he himself could not comprehend.

"HAAAAHHH?! You're going to be Izumi's Lover?!"

"Shhhh!! Not so loud! Yeah. I will not date him officially though. Even Izumi doesn't want it, I am going to do it to hurt Mitsuru even more," said Megumi as she giggled. "Such a psycho. I don't remember this side of you, Megumi. You've changed a lot." remarked Haruki. "We all change though. But only for two reasons. For better or for worse." wisdom came out of Megumi's mouth in the form of words.

As they talked, their orders arrived, and they finally left the resto. The four meets at the bus station going to their destination. They rode a bus and ate their meal. Soon after they finished their meal, they went to sleep since they would arrive at their destination after 6-7 hours of travel. As soon as the three fell asleep, Izumi wore his headset and listened to the radio. As he listens to the radio, he talks to himself.

"Lonely, the path you have chosen

A restless road, no turning back

One day you will find your light again."

"Yes, the path that I have chosen is indeed lonely and forsaken. Is it my fault that I am like this? Is it my fault that I have become the person that I am now? It felt like I have been venturing on a restless road. Is there a way for me to come back? Will I find my light again just like what the song said? I do not know. I feel so lost." thought Izumi.

Izumi listened to the radio for the first three hours of the trip. When they stopped over by the designated stopover of the bus they rode, he went out to buy hot choco. When the travel resumed, he went to sleep. After a long, six-and-a-half trip, they finally arrived. The four went off the bus and waited for a taxi. They rode the cab. As they travel, the sun starts to conquer the dark indigo sky, dying it slowly with an orange hue coming from the east. Since it is December, the temperature in Megumi's hometown is colder than usual. Izumi, Haruki, and Yuuji will spend Christmas at her place.

After the fifteen-minute voyage, they finally reached Megumi's place. The three were astonished because the neighborhood was quiet. The houses are enormous, with a ten-meter distance from each other. What's more surprising is that they are built on the top of the mountains. The air scatters the refreshing scent of pine trees. They went inside and immediately made coffee. As usual, Izumi made a hot chocolate since he hates coffee. The four went to the rooftop garden and had their breakfast there.

"Izumi!! From now on, I will be your most B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L girlfriend," Izumi and Yuuji almost got choked on what Megumi said. Haruki was holding his laughter. "Wh-what?! What are you saying, Megumi?" exclaimed Izumi as he heard those unbelievable words from Megumi. "I said, I will be your girlfriend from now on. I heard from Haruki what happened!" insisted Megumi. "I refuse. If you will be my girlfriend, then my pride will be hurt," said Izumi. "What a bummer. But I will be your girlfriend just in case of an emergency," insisted Megumi with a giggle. "Fine. But don't act like one in front of Mitsuru," said Izumi. "Ehhhh? But that was my plan!!! To make him suffer and that bit**!!" strongly insisted Megumi.

"Will you guys stop it? I came out with no problem. Dad accepted me," said Izumi. Megumi was surprised by what she had heard. She found it intriguing. So, she asked him a series of questions. Izumi then told the story to Megumi as the other two sipped their drinks peacefully. Megumi burst into tears and hugged Izumi. "What a development!! Let's celebrate! There's a new attraction in town, let's go there later!" said the thrilled Megumi.

The four laughed, and as they finished their breakfast, the sun had completely risen. They went to rest after their breakfast. Later at noon, Megumi woke them up and told them to prepare as they would depart to their destination. The four rode the jeepney. Megumi doesn't want to use her car since the three didn't ride the jeepney for a long time. They stopped at each designated drop-off point. And as they walk, they talk about their daily lives. While they had their conversation, they reached their destination.

"Why are you taking us to the back of this church?" asked Haruki.

"Shh shh, you will know when we get there," replied Megumi.

The three were astonished when they saw the tall bamboos dancing with the wind. It is just like a sanctuary. The surroundings were quiet and peaceful, the skies were clear, and the sun gave off a warm caress followed by the lullaby of the wind. Izumi never felt so calm. There are also places like this in Japan, but Izumi never went there.

"I think when we return, we'll visit a place like this in there," said Izumi

"Of course!" commended Haruki. As they explored around, they bumped into strangers.

"Ouch! I am so-- Wait, IZUMI!?"

"Kenzo-senpai?! What are you doing here?!" exclaimed Izumi as he encountered his senpai.