Hiro sighed as he trudged through the snow as he headed over to the Blue Cats Café. As to celebrate the beginning of the last month of the year, Ban decided to hold a get together there and a LBX tournament later (of course). He did not mind the cold, but he was a little annoyed at the fact that the snow was soaking his shoes, making it uncomfortable for him.

"Oi, Hiro!"

Hiro jerked his head up in surprise and spun around. "Ran-san!"

"Mou, I have been calling you for a few minutes but you did not hear me." She pouted as she fell in pace with him.

Hiro chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about that. I was daydreaming back there."

Ran's glare softened and she grinned at him. "Are you pumped up? We're going to see everyone again! I mean, I know that we often see Ban and some of the rest but Jin, Jessica, Asuka live far away from here, so it'll be exciting to see them again and battle with them again!"

"You bet I am!" Hiro said enthusiastically. He paused in front of the pet shop and tugged at her shoulder. "Ran-san, look at this!"

Ran paused and glanced at what Hiro was looking at. What she saw made her squeal. "Kya! They're so cute!"

"I know." Hiro nodded in agreement as he bent down to have a better look at the five Labrador puppies which were wearing cute red and green outfits displayed at the window.

"They really remind you that Christmas is around the corner, don't they?" Ran asked absentmindedly as she played with one of them through the window.

It was then Hiro remembered that December was Christmas month and he took a better look at the shops around. Sure enough, they had various Christmas themed decorations ranging from simple cut out snowflakes to Christmas trees decorated with colorful ornaments and lights.

He smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Come on, we should get going or we'll be late."

"Aw, but I still want to play with them." Ran pouted.

"We can come back here and play with them again when we're heading back. Maybe we can even bring Jessica-san or Ami-san to see them too. I'm sure that they'll like to." Hiro suggested with a grin.

Ran grinned and nodded. "That sounds like a great idea."

And so, we see the two teens walking side by side to the Blue Cats café, chatting about Ran's karate tournaments and the new strategies that Hiro came up with all the way there.