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The third day of their stay at the vacation house began.
It was their last day in those rooms, as the next day they would go to stay with Hinagiku’s family. So it was also their last chance to enjoy the ski slopes to their fullest.

This time Hinagiku managed to be there, as Kikyo told her she did not have to help that day, and instead to go play outside.

“We’re always busy at home during winter, so I never got to do this a lot.”

Hinagiku turned out to also be a beginner, so she borrowed a ski set while Ryunosuke and Reiji taught her.

“I’ll take it easy and stay down here with Hinagiku and Julia, so just go and have fun up there, Kou and Subaru.”
“Ryunosuke is going to train us newbies today, so don’t worry about us, okay?”

It was a bit difficult to leave Hijiri and Kasumi behind, but at their insistence, the most experienced students, Kou, Subaru, Miyuki and Reo, went all the way to the peak to ski down.

…And then they all reached the rest lodge at the bottom.

“Phew…I finally managed to get down without losing sight of Miyuki, but it was still rough.”
“I’m…I’m so sorry…”
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it. If anything, it was impressive.”

Miyuki quickly apologized, bowing profusely as she realized she kept speeding ahead of everyone, and Kou gently patted her head.
Once she calmed down, Kou took off her hat and loosened her sleeves, wanting to cool down a bit after all that movement.
Subaru was also next to them, who had tried just as hard as Kou, sitting down and completely out of energy.
While Kou’s physical abilities and mobility had increased dramatically, that did not translate directly to more precise skills like skiing. What mattered there was always practice and experience, which Kou became painfully aware of now.

“Reo…you didn’t have any trouble keeping up with Miyuki?”
“Hahah… Honestly I had to try my best to stay in control when going at that speed.”

Other than Miyuki, the only other person there who did not seem exhausted from skiing all the way down was Reo, who was also taking his hat and ski goggles off.
The moment he revealed his face, there were many distant shrieks from women, which irked Kou, and she had to try her best to ignore.

“I come from…a place that is covered in snow for most of the year. Skiing is one of the few outdoor activities we have, but also a daily necessity.”
“You’re from a snowy country?”
“Yes, so if anything I’m the most used to cross-country…but going full speed was surprisingly fun too.”

He turned around, looking a bit up the slope.
There, on the beginner’s course with a gentle slope, were Hijiri and Kasumi…as well as Julia and Hinagiku, all trying their best while being coached by Ryunosuke and Reiji.

“Meanwhile I guess July didn’t get to see snow nearly as often as me.”
“She lived far away from you?”
“Yes, but I would end up staying at her home because of my father’s job, so I got to see her pretty often instead.”
“I see…at least she’s having fun so that’s good, right?”
“Yes, definitely.”

He smiled watching them, while…

Ryunosuke = Reiji >>> Miyuki > Reo > Kou = Subaru > Hijiri, Kasumi, Hinagiku, Julia

Kou put together a ranking of everyone in her mind, and secretly became frustrated that she had fallen below the middle point.

***

Kou and the rest ended up taking the lift back up many times through the morning, getting all the enjoyment they could out of the ski slope, and then entered the rest lodge for lunch…

“Oh, it seems everyone has returned.”
“Ah, hello Master! And everyone else!”

Not many people were in there, as most had already eaten and left again. But Yukina and Iris were there, sitting next to a window facing the ski slope. Iris was reading a book, and they greeted Kou’s group as they entered.

“Yukina, you shouldn’t call me that in real life…”
“Ah, I’m sorryyy!”

Kou’s face went red as Yukina’s loud “Master” could be heard everywhere, and when brought up, Yukina quickly apologized.
Iris seemed entertained watching that unfold, as she closed her book and properly faced the group.

“Heheh, it looked like you were working pretty hard up there, did you have a lot of fun?”
“Ah, yes!”

Kou replied absentmindedly, completely lost in her smile…when a small figure brushed past at high speed.

“Mother!”
“Oh…July, you’re feeling clingy today, huh?”
“Eheheh…”

Julia had made a dash for her mother, hugging her tightly. Looking at her, there was no trace left of that somber look she showed the night before…so Kou and Hijiri looked at each other and sighed with relief.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Iris. Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet. It’s always better to eat with more company..”
“That’s true, let’s get something then. What do you all want?”

Reiji asked what everyone wanted to eat…and then ordered it all through his NLD.

“Oh right, Reiji, I think they said that all of your friends will finally be here tonight?”

Subaru asked him that.
Before they left, Kou’s mother Amari had mentioned something about a party that night, and to return early for it.
…And even during such a trip, Principal Aureo, Hayato, and Kou’s parents were always talking about some complicated things, which was nothing new for Kou.

“Yeah, I think everyone should be there around the time we get back.”
“They can all be a rather eccentric bunch, I’m sure they’ll leave a strong impression.”

Reiji and Iris both mentioned that with amused smiles…while Kou and the rest became terrified of the prospect of having to deal with even more eccentric people.