the next morning, izumi went where her mother said sakura would most likely be : the town hall.

there she was, hanging up christmas decorations all by herself. since she had her arms stretched, her fitted, untucked shirt rose, exposing a bit of her abdomen. izumi could not help but marvel at the sight.

that's a little creepy though.

"kkur--- sakura!"

"izumi?" she quickly went down the ladder, pulling the blonde into a big hug. "i didn't know you'd be back!"

unlike what her mother thought, izumi did in fact not write to sakura about being back. she hasn't written for almost a year, even.

how could she when sakura wouldn't even bother to write back to the first batch of letters she sent?

nevertheless, she missed the hug of those arms covered by layers of jacket sleeves.

grudges could never be held against you when you had a face like that.

suppressing that funny feeling brought by that one thing she craved for so long, izumi said, "well, i made sure not to announce it. you know how crazy the paparazzis get."

"no paparazzi here though?"

"i hope not. can i help you with that by the way?"

sakura handed her a stapler and christmas banderitas to put up using the extra ladder beside hers. she made sure to give her classic detailed instructions.

(as if one needed a guide to put up banderitas on a wall.)

(...izumi would've asked for it either way though.)

despite a tinge of awkwardness in the air, both lingered in the cold air of their sweet moment alone. for the first time in years, izumi and sakura went back to their high school selves, as young and as smitten as ever.

then the whole town of course had to stop by, hearing the news of return from one ear to another. there was no paparazzi in the community, but there sure were a hell lot of nosy neighbors.

a hell lot of grannies who watched izumi grow too.

"you've grown so big! i used to change you diapers for you!"

???????