The cold sea breeze brushed against their faces as the group, eager and primed for adventure, gathered at the port, awaiting entry onto the grand cruise ship. Reo had pulled some strings, ensuring they all secured VIP rooms, adding an extra touch of opulence to their upcoming voyage.

"Hey, Ohara, over here!" Hyoma beamed, waving excitedly as Ohara approached. His eyes lit up as she drew nearer. "Hey!" He enveloped her in a warm hug, relishing her presence. Hyoma took a deep breath, savoring her delicate fragrance that always enticed him.

"Getting used to sniffing me now, huh?" Ohara teased, a playful smirk gracing her lips as she pulled back slightly from the embrace.

"Can't resist, darling." Hyoma leaned closer to her ear, a mischievous glint in his eyes, causing Ohara to blush at the nickname. "It's just invigorating."

He planted a kiss on her lips and together they queued up for the check-in. Hyoma placed a reassuring hand on her waist, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "I'm relieved Ego-san allowed you to join."

"Yeah, I didn't expect that." She sighed softly, turning her head to meet her boyfriend's gaze. "He agreed because your sister is coming, by the way, where is she?"

Hyoma scanned the crowd. "Don't worry, she'll be here soon!" He assured Ohara, planting a quick kiss on her cheek.

Ohara had grown accustomed to these small yet affectionate gestures, appreciating Hyoma's attentive nature. She cherished the way he always looked out for her, cared for her. It was a stark contrast to her time with Sae. Hyoma was different—kind-hearted and solicitous, always ensuring her well-being. Ohara was fully invested in their relationship and never regretted not giving Sae a chance. What she shared with Chigiri Hyoma was beyond words, too perfect to articulate.

Soon, Elder Chigiri arrived, dragging a suitcase almost her size. "Sorry for the delay! Had to pack extra snacks for this lot." She offered a warm smile, relieved to see her brother and Ohara.

Once aboard, they were greeted by extravagance at every turn. The VIP rooms exuded luxury. Each friend received their room key, finding single rooms assigned, except for Ohara, who opted to stay with Hyoma's sister, reluctant to be alone.

As the ship embarked on its journey, the group wasted no time exploring its amenities. They lounged by the pool, relished gourmet meals, and relished the onboard entertainment. Laughter reverberated through the corridors as they exchanged stories and engaged in games, relishing the liberty of their sea-bound escapade.

Anticipation for Hokkaido surged as the ship sailed on. The prospect of skiing and snowboarding excited them all. When the vessel finally anchored in Hokkaido, the sight of the snow-covered landscape delighted them.

"Time to hit the slopes!" Reo exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. The group made their way to the renowned ski resort, eager to partake in winter sports. They laughed, stumbled, and encouraged each other, creating cherished memories with every turn down the snow-laden slopes.

As night descended, they checked into Hokkaido's premier resort. Accommodations were arranged in triple rooms, Isagi choosing to room with Bachira and Gagamaru, while Aryu opted to share with Rin despite the latter's dismay, seeking peace amid Aryu's glam talks. Barou joined Rin to revel in the quietness. Reo and Nagi naturally paired up, leaving Raichi with Kunigami and Hyoma. Ohara and Hyoma's sister were assigned separate rooms, ensuring comfort and privacy for both.

The night draped peace over the Hokkaido resort, a calmness settling in after a day of travel. Ohara perched on the bed's edge, listening to the gentle whispers of the ocean outside her window. Elder Chigiri sat beside her who visited her earlier, fidgeting with her phone, engaged in conversation.

"They've all hit the hay pretty quickly," Chigiri remarked, casting a knowing glance at Ohara. "So, how's everything with you and Hyoma?"

Ohara felt a warmth rise to her cheeks, but she grinned. "Things are good. He's sweet. Sometimes too shy for his own good," she chuckled.

Chigiri chuckled softly. "He's always been that way, even with me. Don't worry, you're doing great."

The night unfurled in serene discussions and shared tales. The next morning arrived, the landscape adorned in a fresh, pristine blanket of snow. The friends were up early, brimming with excitement for their adventure-packed day.

"Ready to conquer the slopes?" Bachira rallied, donning his ski gear with enthusiasm.

They embarked, the air crisp and invigorating. Ohara, elder Chigiri, and Hyoma joined the skiing group, while the others opted for snowboarding. The snowy mountains' scenic beauty was breathtaking, and the friends enthusiastically embraced the exhilaration of winter sports.

"Ohara, watch out for that bump!" Hyoma's voice echoed as he elegantly skied down, with Ohara following suit, trying to mirror his movements.

"I'm trying! But why are you so skilled at this?" Ohara chuckled, maneuvering down carefully.

Meanwhile, Isagi, Barou, and Rin ventured daring stunts on their snowboards, resulting in laughter and a few tumbles. Gagamaru, Aryu, and Bachira engaged in an impromptu snowball fight, their laughter ringing through the snow-covered valley.

As they regrouped for a break, Raichi attempted to showcase a new skiing technique. Kunigami observed, shaking his head. "I'll stick to the classics, thanks."

Reo and Nagi, brimming with competitiveness, challenged each other to a race down the mountain. "You're on!" Nagi exclaimed, already gearing up for the friendly competition.

The day unfolded with shared laughter, playful banter, and endless enjoyment. Conversations flowed effortlessly, blending humor and companionship in the crisp winter atmosphere. They captured moments through photos, swapped stories, and relished each instant of their Hokkaido adventure.

"Ohara, you were a natural out there!" Chigiri teased, nudging her playfully.

"Oh, come on! I nearly face-planted at least three times," Ohara giggled, brushing off the snow from her gear.

Evening descended, painting the sky in vibrant hues as the group gathered in the resort's lounge, their spirits buoyant from the day's exploits.

"Who knew falling face-first into the snow could be this entertaining?" Isagi chuckled, rubbing his arms for warmth.

Gagamaru grinned. "It's all part of the thrill!"

"Great moves out there, Ohara," Rin complimented, a rare praise coming from him.

"Thanks! But honestly, Hyoma had to give me a few pointers," Ohara admitted with a smile, glancing at Hyoma, who blushed at the attention.

"It's all about balance," Hyoma replied humbly, trying to play down his assistance.

"Balance, huh? I guess I missed that memo," Reo joked, rubbing his sore backside after a tumble.

Aryu smirked mischievously. "Maybe we should give Reo some 'balance' lessons before he challenges Nagi to another race."

Nagi feigned offense. "Hey, my win wasn't just about balance! It was skill!"

"Absolutely, the skill of not falling like me!" Reo quipped, prompting laughter from the group.

Meanwhile, Kunigami observed the banter, sipping on a warm drink. "A day well spent, don't you think?"

"Yeah, definitely," Aryu agreed, nodding. "It's good to escape the hustle and bustle."

As night descended on the second day, they gathered around a crackling firepit, exchanging stories from their day of adventures. Ohara and Chigiri leaned in, engrossed in a lively conversation.

"Tell me about Hyoma when he was younger, sis. Was he always this shy?" Ohara asked, curious about her boyfriend's past.

Chigiri chuckled softly. "He was quieter back then, but he's always been kind-hearted. He'd spend hours tinkering with things, always curious."

"That sounds just like him," Ohara mused, a warm smile on her lips.

Elsewhere, Isagi, Bachira, and Gagamaru delved into their clumsiest moments on the slopes, each trying to one-up the other with their tales.

"Remember when you crashed into the snowman, Isagi?" Bachira laughed, nudging Isagi.

"And you managed a full 360-degree spin before landing on your backside!" Gagamaru added with a grin.

Isagi chuckled. "Those were some unforgettable times."

Reo and Nagi joined in, contributing their skiing mishaps, filling the air with laughter in their cozy spot.

The night unfolded with effortless conversation, enveloped in the warmth of camaraderie and the crackle of the fire. Hyoma observed Ohara engrossed in a discussion with his sister. Deciding to join in, he approached them with a warm smile.

"Everything alright here?" Hyoma asked casually, joining their conversation.

"We were just talking about your younger days," Ohara replied, a playful glint in her eye.

"Ah, the good ol' days," Hyoma chuckled, sharing a glance with his sister.

"Actually, Ohara was curious about your habits back then," Chigiri teased with a mischievous sparkle.

"Oh? What kind of habits?" Hyoma feigned innocence, playing along.

"She's curious if you always had the habit of losing your socks everywhere," Ego teased, prompting a giggle from Ohara.

Hyoma scratched his head sheepishly. "You know how it is. Socks have a mind of their own sometimes."

"Oh, don't worry. I've got my ways of keeping his socks in line now," Ohara teased playfully, earning a mock glare from Hyoma.

Their banter continued, creating a jovial atmosphere among the trio. Chigiri shared more anecdotes about Hyoma's childhood antics, eliciting laughter from Ohara and Hyoma.

The conversation eventually shifted to lighter topics, discussing plans for the next day's Hokkaido adventures. Ohara and Chigiri were eager to explore the snow-covered landscapes together, heightening the anticipation for the rest of the trip.

After a while, Hyoma excused himself, leaving the two engrossed in conversation, observing the newfound bond between Ohara and his sister with a contented smile.

Later, when everyone retired to their shared triple rooms, laughter reverberated through the corridors as friends recounted their cherished moments from the day's skiing and snowboarding. Inside their rooms, the trio settled down, snug and content, sharing stories and mapping out their escapades for the upcoming day.