“............”
“...Hey, Akito. You’re staring at my face way too much.”
“Ah, sorry.”
A few days had passed since then.
The air was gradually getting colder, and while the feeling of winter set in, preparations for the Christmas party were also progressing little by little.
However, I was still thinking about a present for Riran.
Ryūya and Neika had said that anything I gave her would be fine.
But I didn't want to decide for such a half-hearted reason.
Because she’s precious, because I like her, and because I love her, I want to give Riran a proper present.
But... hmmm, it’s a struggle.
I thought something would come to mind if I looked at Riran’s face... but I don't know. What would be good?
“Um, Akito...? R-Really, don't stare like that. It’s making me embarrassed...”
“You’re cute.”
“Wh-What are you saying all of a sudden! Hmph!”
I got scolded. Even though I just spoke my honest thoughts.
I sipped my morning miso soup and ate some grilled salmon. A purely Japanese-style breakfast is delicious.
“Hey. You’ve been acting weird lately, Akito.”
“I’m always weird, aren't I?”
“I guess that’s true.”
“Hey, wait, deny it there.”
“Do you think I can?”
“...I guess not.”
Certainly, I’m relatively on the weird side.
But right now, I’m being perfectly serious. I’m seriously thinking about Riran’s Christmas present.
In the end, Riran ended up locking herself in her room because she was too embarrassed, so I had to apologize with a full-powered dogeza to get her to forgive me.
◆
“I’m struggling. Help me.”
“You’re indecisive about the strangest things.”
After arriving at school, I gathered Ryūya, Neika, and Rio.
By the way, Riran was taken away by Sanzenin-sensei. I’m sorry for bothering you when there wasn't even an errand, Sensei.
I had already explained the situation to Rio, and she was nodding along.
“I see, so you’re worried about choosing a present for Riran-chan. You have an unexpectedly cute side, Akito-kun.”
“How so?”
“Eh? Aki-tan is cute, you know?”
“Well, in a sense, Akito is cute,” Ryūya and Neika agreed with Rio’s words.
Ugh, geez... I don't really like this. I’m not the kind of guy who gets happy being called cute.
“But let’s see. Like Kurashiki-kun and the others said, I think Riran-chan would be happy with anything.”
“That’s why I said that’s not good enough.”
“Listen until the end.”
“Ah, yes.”
Rio’s pressure is a bit scary. I’m sorry.
“The point is, anything is fine as long as Akito-kun chooses it with all his effort. Something half-hearted is no good. It has to be something that Akito-kun wants to give Riran-chan from the bottom of his heart.”
“From the bottom of my heart...?”
Not what Riran wants, but what I want to give from the bottom of my heart, huh...?
“A-ki-taaaaannn!”
“Hoge!?”
My—my crown! That huuuuuurts...!
With teary eyes, I looked at the culprit who struck the top of my head.
A girl who looks like the embodiment of energy, with her beautiful fluffy pink hair today as well. It’s Hiyori.
“Aki-tan, yaho. Why do you have such a gloomy face?”
“Hiyori. First, what do you have to say to me?”
“Good morning!”
“Yeah, good morning. And where's the apology?”
“My bad!”
“Good.”
Hiyori took off the bag she was carrying, grabbed a nearby chair, and sat down.
“So, what kind of strategy meeting are you having? Or is it a wicked plot?”
“Akito-kun is going to give Riran-chan a Christmas present, but he’s lost on what to give.”
“Why? Isn't anything Aki-tan gives fine?”
What do these people think my relationship with Riran is exactly?
“But let’s see— if it were Hiyori, maybe matching items would make me happy.”
“Matching items?”
“Yeah, matching items.”
Hmm, matching items, huh.
But we already have those birthday mugs. Although those were just a coincidence.
But, something I choose with all my effort, and a pair of items...
“I don't know yet, but I feel like I see the direction now.”
“Oh—? Is it thanks to Hiyori?”
“Yeah, it helped. Thanks.”
“Nuhehe~, I got praised.”
I still have time. I’ll take my time to choose.
“Hou, I see, I see...”
“Oh, Neika-san. Did you notice?”
“Yes, yes. Of course.”
“Fufu. Riran-chan is a lucky girl.”
Ryūya and the others looked at me with smirks. No, what’s with those faces? Why are these guys smirking?