When Mahiru finished eating, Amane timed his move and headed to the bedroom where he had a gift prepared. He knew that if he left it conspicuously wrapped in the brightly lit living room, it would be far too easy to guess what was inside. However, Mahiru seemed to miss him while he left the room, following him with her eyes as he left. Amane returned with the gift in his hand, and she blinked several times in surprise when.
Amane felt delighted as he realized he’d seen many of Mahiru’s expressions just like that one today. He knelt down at Mahiru’s feet while she sat on the sofa in bewilderment, he gently placed the gift on her hands, which rested atop her neatly aligned thighs.
“Here’s your birthday present. Experiences and memories are important, but I also wanted to give you something tangible that you can hold onto.”
The bouquet was nothing more than the opening act, with the cake and this gift following right after, and then one final item serving as the main event.
Though he called it a present, it wasn’t anything particularly extravagant. As a high school student, his options were limited to what he could afford and what he thought Mahiru would like. However, Amane believed that the thought and reasoning behind his choice were what mattered most. After much deliberation, he had decided to give Mahiru this gift in his own way.
“To be honest, Mahiru, you always buy things that you need, and you wouldn’t be too happy if I gave you something that was just expensive. You’d probably feel guilty about it. So, I really struggled to pick something.”
He had talked with Chitose before, and they both agreed that Mahiru wasn’t a materialistic person. She was someone who bought what she needed without hesitation, making her quite a challenging person to buy for.
Amane knew that Mahiru would be happy with anything he gave her, but that only made it harder for him to choose. In the end, he selected a present based on his own observations and imagination of Mahiru.
When he gently whispered, “Go ahead and open it,” Mahiru seemed to snap out of her stiffened state. The way she glanced at him as if asking for permission amused Amane, and he couldn’t help but laugh. Mahiru pouted a little at his reaction, but with a mix of nervousness and anticipation, she began to carefully untie the ribbon wrapped around the box. Amane noticed her fingers trembling slightly, but decided it was best not to mention it.
Mahiru untied the glossy red ribbon, something many people associated with presents. She then meticulously removed the wrapping paper, finally revealing the box that contained the gift itself.
When Mahiru looked at him for his stamp of approval again, Amane laughed and encouraged her, “Go ahead, you can open it.” Holding her breath, she gently lifted the lid of the box. Inside, nestled in cushioning material, was yet another box, one that fit snugly in both of Mahiru’s palms. Well, calling it just a “box” was not entirely accurate. It wasn’t a matryoshka-like situation where the gift was merely a series of plain boxes. Amane would never give such a bland gift.
What Mahiru held in her hands now was a wooden, antique-style jewelry box. Its tasteful color and the elegant design featuring her favorite flowers made it a refined and beautiful item, more sophisticated and graceful than simply cute.
“Um, I got you a jewelry box that I thought you might like,” Amane said.
Normally, giving jewelry or cosmetics would be a safe choice for a girlfriend’s birthday present, but after considering various opinions, Amane decided on this.
Partly due to her personality, Mahiru was known for taking great care of her possessions, especially items given to her by others, which she tended to preserve meticulously. Amane had heard that she carefully maintained and stored each thing he had given her to prevent any deterioration, and he deeply respected her for that. Therefore, he wanted to give her a special place to keep those cherished items—something that would hold and protect her treasured memories.
“Mahiru, I know that you always take such great care of everything I give you. That’s why I thought it might be nice for you to have a special place to store them all. Although I do realize you probably already have something similar already, so it’s not like I’m forcing you to use it or anything!”
Amane emphasized that while he had given it to her, she was under no obligation to use it, saying that it was an important distinction. After that, he cleared his throat.
“I thought it would be nice to have a place where you could store the things I’ll be giving you in the future,” he added, albeit a bit awkwardly. He found it embarrassing to say it so directly, which made his words hard to form. But slowly, Amane voiced the wish he held in his heart. “I was just thinking that it would be nice if that box eventually became full with only the things I’ve given you… Sorry. That’s just my own selfish wish.”
“…It’s not selfish,” Mahiru replied softly.
Amane was about to flash a self-deprecating smile, thinking it was selfish of him to pack his own wishes into the gift he chose. However, Mahiru, with her head bowed, shook her head. Her voice trembled slightly, and a large teardrop akin to a gemstone fell from her eye, splashing on the back of her hand as it rested on the box.
He didn’t need to be told. Amane already knew that they were not tears born from sadness.
“…Just how many times do you want to make me cry today, Amane-kun?”
“If it’s out of happiness, then as many times as it takes.”
“…Oh, you,” she whispered, the slightly sulky, yet affectionate tone in her voice a testament to the deep trust she had in Amane.
When Mahiru finally lifted her head, she gave Amane the sweetest, most dazzling smile, one so satisfied that it seemed to soothe the redness around her eyes from crying.
“When I get home, I’ll have to store everything in here. My bracelet, my hairpins. All my treasures,” Mahiru giggled. “Everytime I open it, I’ll be filled with happiness.”
Mahiru gently lifted the lid as if handling something fragile. Inside was a simple, spacious interior with no partitions for compartments, and three layers of storage. It wasn’t particularly large, but it seemed just right for holding accessories or thin items. Mahiru couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice as she admired the box.
“I want to keep filling your box with more and more treasures,” Amane said.
“There appears to be plenty of space not just for accessories, so I’ll have to store other important items here too,” replied Mahiru.
“Like what?”
“Hehe, mementos of the memories I’ve experienced with you, Amane-kun. They’re really just little things, so I shall keep them a secret.”
Amane clearly remembered the gifts he had given her, but from the way Mahiru spoke, it seemed that she also cherished other items that weren’t exactly meant as presents.
He felt slightly guilty as he realized he couldn’t quite recall what those items might be. However, Mahiru, noticing his unease, simply smiled at him, showing that she wasn’t bothered by it at all.
“You’re keeping them a secret, huh?”
“Yes… They’re items that you probably gave to me without much thought, or things that we came by when we were out together. So it’s natural that you won’t remember them all. Please look forward to it when the time comes. Once the box is full, I’ll show you everything stashed inside. That way, we can look back and reminisce together.”
“Sure.”
Surely, they would continue to create many more memories together. No, they will create them—Amane was certain that they would.
I hope that, one day, this box will be full to the brim with our happiness, Amane wished, silently conveying this hope to Mahiru with his eyes. She smiled tenderly, sharing the same sentiment. Their looks softened, both of them looking forward to the future they would build together.
✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧
Seeing Mahiru quietly close her eyes, basking in the afterglow of her birthday celebration, Amane couldn’t help but feel a bit proud, thinking that things had gone well so far. However, with the final piece of the plan still left, Amane was unsure of how Mahiru would react. He pressed his lips together, reminding himself not to let his guard down just yet.
A quick glance at the wall revealed the hands of the wall clock, subtly hidden by the decorations, steadily approaching the promised time.
…It’s nearly time.
The time had come for the final—and likely the biggest—surprise of Mahiru’s birthday.
Mahiru, believing that all the celebrations for today were over and all that was left was to bask in the sweet warmth of happiness, was sitting on the sofa, gently pressing the soft paw pads of the cat plushie. She seemed completely at ease.
Amane felt genuinely sorry for disrupting her when she was so relaxed, but they had already reached the point of no return, leaving him no choice but to steel himself for what was to come.
“…Umm, Mahiru, well, the thing is…”
“Yes?”
Mahiru looked up at Amane without a sliver of wariness. Her expression was even softer and more relaxed than usual, colored with a joyful glow. Her dreamy gaze, brimming with affection for him, was so unbearably cute that Amane felt as if it could cause five canker sores to sprout on the inside of his cheek from the sheer sweetness of the sight alone.
Amane bit the inside of his cheek to suppress the overwhelming urge to shower her with affection, then forced himself to maintain a calm exterior as he continued.
“Actually, there’s one more surprise in store for you.”
“You’ve already done enough, but there’s still more? Haven’t you prepared a few too many things?”
“If anything, it’s still not enough to make up for all the birthdays you should’ve had until now. It wouldn’t hurt to be a little more greedy and ask for more, you know?”
“N-No, that’s not… I mean, um, I might get overwhelmed, like, it might be too much for me to take all at once.”
“Well, if that happens, I’m sorry.”
“Huh?”
In fact, Amane had prepared the final surprise fully aware that it might overwhelm her.
Mahiru gazed at Amane with a puzzled expression, clearly not understanding what he meant. Daring not to explain further, Amane quietly stood up, ready to open the curtains for the final and greatest gift he could give—the surprise of all surprises.
“Everything’s ready, so just sit tight while I finish the final touches.”
Leaving a confused Mahiru behind, Amane returned to his room to bring back the laptop he had readied in advance. The sudden appearance of what, to her, seemed like an unrelated laptop only intensified Mahiru’s curious gaze, but Amane remained steadfast and chose not to elaborate. He simply placed the laptop on the low table, keeping up an air of mystery and anticipation.
The screen he opened displayed the waiting room of a video conferencing app, ready for a call.
“Well, I might be…meddling far too much with this, but…”
The biggest surprise of the day, decided entirely by Amane’s own judgment and perhaps a bit of self-righteousness, was something that he couldn’t achieve on his own. While his heart swelled with anticipation, hoping Mahiru would be happy, a nagging fear lingered—anxiety that his presumptuous act might be unwelcome. For Amane, it was almost like taking a risky gamble.
Of course, he knew that Mahiru would have been more than happy without this final surprise—she had already cried tears of joy earlier. So perhaps, this wasn’t something he should have done. But now that the gears were set in motion, there was no turning back.
He needed to steel himself and see it through.
“You might think this was an unwelcome favor or that I’m overstepping my bounds, but I’m not the only person who wants to congratulate you. There is someone else who has cared for and always thought about you.”
Today, many people celebrated the day that marked Mahiru’s birth, and congratulated her. Her closest and most cherished friends had all gathered to help and celebrate her birthday. Surely, she must have been overjoyed, with nothing to complain about. Yet, Amane couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. It wasn’t enough for her to be celebrated by her current friends and those who had taken on a parental role in her life. He wondered if there wasn’t someone from her past, someone Mahiru once admired and loved deeply, who had been left out. Someone who would want to celebrate her birth from the bottom of their heart.
After sending a message in the chat to confirm that everything was ready, Amane took slow, deep breaths to calm his racing heartbeat. Then, he clicked the button with the phone icon.
The screen shifted from a blank, dark void to a display glowing with vibrant hues.
“Ojou-sama.”
A gentle voice emanated softly from the computer’s speakers.
The voice, neither loud nor quiet, carried a soft and calm tone. It wasn’t a voice that Amane recognized, but for Mahiru, it was likely a different story.
A surprised “Huh?” escaped Mahiru’s lips, her voice slightly trembling.
In an instant, Mahiru sprung. She leapt off the sofa, landing on the floor with a sense of urgency. She leaned in close to the laptop on the low table, staring intently at the screen. Her face, usually so composed, was now filled with shock and disbelief.
Mahiru’s eyes jumped wide open. Unable to believe what she was seeing, her slightly agape mouth gave her an almost dazed appearance. It was clear that she was completely bewildered, perhaps even flummoxed. The woman on the screen, appearing to be about a decade older than Amane’s own parents, seemed to notice Mahiru’s disbelief. With an elegant smile that carried a hint of surprise and amusement, the woman looked directly at Mahiru.
“I’ve since stepped down from my duties, so perhaps this way of addressing you is no longer appropriate. Let’s see…”
Mahiru remained frozen, her body tense as she stared at the screen, while the woman—Koyuki—met her gaze through the screen and smiled gently.
“…Mahiru-san, long time no see.”
Gracefully placing one hand over her chest, Koyuki called Mahiru’s name with a refined smile. Unfazed by Mahiru’s apparent state of shock, Koyuki continued speaking.
“I’m sorry for calling your name so suddenly, but since I’m no longer employed, would you allow me to call you by your given name?”
“Wh-Why— How… I-Is this real?”
“Was our little surprise a success?” Koyuki teased, giggling a little.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it was a resounding success—so much so that Amane worried it might have shocked Mahiru to the point where her heart might stop. The surprise had caught her completely off guard.
Even from a short distance away, Amane could see how Mahiru was further thrown into confusion by the playful yet refined tone of Koyuki’s voice. It wasn’t crude but carried an air of mature elegance, making the situation just that more overwhelming for Mahiru.
“H-Huh? What? H-How are we…”
“Ah, you must be confused as to how I’m here on this video call. As for how, I think the gentleman sitting next to you would be better suited to answer.”
Realizing that the spotlight had now been turned on him, Amane couldn’t help but chuckle softly. As Mahiru quickly turned to face him, he knew he had no choice but to explain. Gently guiding her to sit back down on the sofa, he looked up at her, bracing himself to provide the explanation she was clearly waiting for.
“Uh…firstly, let me apologize. I’m sorry.”
“Huh?”
“I did something bad.”
“B-Bad…?”
“Aren’t you curious how I managed to get in contact?”
Koyuki was Mahiru’s housekeeper and tutor, responsible for looking after her before Mahiru met Amane. Amane had no direct connection with Koyuki and had never spoken to her or even heard her voice before. Naturally, Mahiru would quickly realize that there was no way Amane could have known her contact information on his own.
As soon as Mahiru let out a small “Ah,” instantly realizing what he meant, a feeling of guilt rose in Amane’s mind. He took a deep breath, organizing the explanation he had prepared in his mind, and then slowly began to speak, ready to explain how everything had come to pass.
“Remember when, um, we talked about how I wanted to greet Koyu— Kujigawa-san?”
“Y-Yes?”
“When you showed me her picture, I kind of…caught a glimpse of a note. And I, uh, actually memorized the address and number on it.”
That was how Amane came across Koyuki’s personal information.
It turned out that, although they usually communicated through letters, Koyuki had left several methods of contact available. On a note that had been stored with other important documents, her email address, mailing address, and phone number were all listed. When Amane caught a glimpse of that note, the email address stood out—it was distinctive and easy to remember. Even though he hadn’t stared at it intently, the address stuck in his mind almost instantly.
To be honest, Amane spent several days questioning whether it was really okay to send that email, repeatedly asking himself if he was crossing a line—not just breaching etiquette, but morality itself. The knot in his stomach after hitting SEND was something he could vividly recall even now.
Amane had always intended to introduce himself properly someday, but he knew that doing so in this manner, without permission, wasn’t the right way to go about it.
He was fully aware that involving Koyuki in this was driven by his own selfish desires. Yet, despite knowing this, Amane couldn’t help but feel that he needed her help, no matter what.
“Mahiru, Kujikawa-san. I really, truly apologize for obtaining and then using your personal information without permission. I deeply regret my actions.”
Knowing that his image was being broadcast on the other end, Amane moved in front of the camera and bowed deeply, his head lowered in sincere apology. Koyuki’s expression turned to a wry smile, as if to say, “It can’t be helped.” When he had first contacted her, he had also apologized profusely, and even now, he felt it wasn’t enough, so he kept his head bowed. After a moment, he heard Koyuki’s slightly exasperated voice reach the back of his head.
“Dear me, please raise your head. At first, I had suspected it was a scam email, and I even consulted my son and his wife about it.”
“I am truly sorry.”
“I’ll let you off this time out of consideration of your desperation. Your determination to do whatever it took for her, along with the guilt you felt, was plain to see. But please, be more careful next time, okay?”
“Yes. It won’t happen again.” Amane had no intention of ever doing something so blatantly disrespectful and overstepping boundaries like this again.
From Koyuki’s perspective, Amane was essentially a complete stranger, practically no different from a suspicious individual. The fact that she not only listened to him but also agreed to help filled him with overwhelming gratitude and, at the same time, guilt.
“Could you also forgive him on my behalf, Mahiru-san? He explained everything to me so earnestly, bowing his head the entire time. He knew that it was a rude and perhaps presumptuous request, yet he still asked if I could help him.”
“I–I’m not angry at all! Amane-kun always tries so hard for my sake, and I know he did this for me too. I just feel so, so happy, grateful, yet also guilty.”
“If you’re happy, then there’s nothing more I can ask for as your boyfriend.”
“He was incredibly passionate when he spoke to me, you know? He told me he wanted you to have the happiest birthday of your life, and that my involvement played a crucial part in making that happen. When he asked me so sincerely, how could I refuse to help? Besides, if I can be a part of your happiness, Mahiru-san, what better honor is there?”
As Koyuki’s soft-spoken words reached her, another tear slipped from Mahiru’s eyes, coursing quietly down her lightly blushing cheeks. Amane instinctively understood the nature of the emotions that had overflowed and manifested as tears. Aware that he’d been the one softening Mahiru’s heart throughout the day, he handed her the handkerchief he had kept nearby. Mahiru accepted it with a small, grateful smile.
“Once again, long time no see, Mahiru-san.”
After waiting for Mahiru’s overflowing emotions to be wiped away with the handkerchief, Koyuki tenderly greeted her one more time.
Watching their interaction, Amane thought it might be best to leave them to their long-awaited reunion in private. However, just as he began to step away, Mahiru’s fingertips gently grasped his sleeve, a small gesture of resistance that naturally kept him rooted in place. Even though Mahiru might be okay with it, Amane worried that his presence might interfere with their reunion. But when he glanced at Koyuki, she smiled warmly and, with a look, encouraged him to stay.
It seemed that Koyuki didn’t view him as an intruder on their reunion after all.
Mahiru patted the space next to her on the sofa, gently urging Amane to come sit beside her.
When Amane looked at the laptop screen, Koyuki’s ever-cheerful yet inscrutable smile greeted him. Though he hesitated for a moment, he trusted that he wasn’t unwelcome and quietly took a seat next to Mahiru.
“We have exchanged letters on a few occasions, but I never— …I wonder if it’s appropriate of me to tally our meetings, but I never had the opportunity to see how much you’ve grown…until this moment. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.”
“It—It has been a while, Koyuki-san…”
“My, please show me your smile instead of those tears. After all, you’ve given me the precious opportunity to see your face.”
“Okay.”
Mahiru, finally catching the large tears that kept spilling from her eyes with the handkerchief, managed to show a bright smile. Seeing this, Koyuki’s expression softened into a relieved smile.
“But, now that I think about it, the fact that you can cry so openly now is a cause for celebration. It shows that you have gained the strength to show yourself to others in times of vulnerability.”
As a child, Mahiru had been strong but also fragile, never willing to reveal her weaknesses, not even to Koyuki. She rarely showed her tears, holding everything inside and unable to rely on anyone, no matter how much she was hurting. She had no choice but to bear it all by herself. But now, Mahiru had shed that rigid shell. She had become softer, more open, yet at the same time, she had grown stronger and more resilient.
“You have grown up beautifully, Mahiru-san.”
“…Thank you.”
“You look so much brighter compared to the last time I saw you. There is a different light in your eyes. You must have been blessed with a wonderful environment. I am truly glad.”
“Yes…”
Koyuki’s voice, one of deep relief, was unmistakably from someone who genuinely cared for Mahiru.
Her gentle smile carried both concern and relief, revealing just how much she had worried for Mahiru at the time.
Although Mahiru had finally stopped crying, she had adopted an exceptionally good posture, her back straight and body slightly tense, as if she were trying to shrink herself. Seeing this, Koyuki brought a hand to her mouth and smiled gracefully, amused by Mahiru’s reaction.
Giggling, Koyuki said, “There’s no need to be so formal—I’m no longer one of your employees. I’m simply an ordinary old lady now.”
“I–It’s just…been so long, and, um, I’m a bit nervous!” Mahiru stammered.
“Oh my. Hehe, I suppose the feeling is mutual then, as my happiness has made me act a bit too familiar as well.”
Seeing Mahiru easily get embarrassed from her reply, Koyuki’s smile grew slightly wider.
“Forgive me for asking something so ordinary, but have you been well? Although I have read through the letters you sent from time to time, I would like to hear it directly from you.”
“Yes, I’ve been well. Quite…”
“How stiff. There’s no need to be so nervous—I’m not going to get angry or disappear on you.”
“Understood…”
“There you go, acting formal again.”
“Uuu…”
“This is something you’ll just have to get used to, Mahiru-san.”
Even after it was pointed out again, Mahiru’s tension didn’t seem to ease. She continued to sit with her back unusually straight, showing how nervous she still was during this long-awaited reunion. However, the way she looked at the screen with eyes full of trust and affection meant that it was only a matter of time before she grew comfortable again.
“But truly, I’m glad to hear you’re well. Although, I could already tell just from the look on your face… You’ve met someone wonderful, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
Taken aback by the unexpected compliment, Amane sat up and readjusted the posture. The fact that Mahiru immediately affirmed it left him feeling embarrassed, causing his gaze to wander uncomfortably.
“If you say so, then I suppose I have nothing to worry about. Mind you, I already knew that he has been running around and working hard all for his sweet girlfriend, so I never doubted that he is a good person.”
Koyuki let out a soft, refined laugh, saying, “Live long enough, and you can easily tell the good people from the bad.” Though Amane felt a slight pang in his stomach, he maintained a polite smile, knowing full well that it was his own decision to contact her without permission that led to this situation. He kept his discomfort to himself.
Whether Koyuki noticed Amane’s mixed feelings or not, she maintained her elegant expression, showing no sign of change.
“…I truly can’t thank Amane-kun enough,” Mahiru said. “He did so much to prepare all of this for me, even going as far as to reconnect me with you, Koyuki-san.”
“Mahiru, you don’t need to worry about it. I only did it because I wanted to.”
In truth, Amane felt like he should be the one constantly apologizing, yet the fact that Mahiru was so happy made him feel both proud and relieved. While his methods were somewhat questionable, making it hard for him to celebrate as much as he’d usually like.
“Since it’s your birthday, I wanted you to be overflowing with happiness. Though to be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would work out—it was a fifty-fifty chance.”
Amane had taken on the risk of being seen as a nuisance, getting scolded, or even disliked for his actions. So, it was a great relief that both Koyuki and Mahiru had forgiven him so easily.
“If a little running around on my part can make you happy, then it’s worth every second I spent… I know you have been working hard everyday for me too, so I wanted to give something back. I wanted to see you smile more. Though I did end up making you cry just now.”
As Amane spoke, tears continued to spill from the corners of Mahiru’s eyes, each one a clear, beautiful droplet. He quickly grabbed the handkerchief again, gently dabbing at her tears. The sheer number of emotions she was expressing, something unimaginable from the Mahiru he used to know, made him feel as if the handkerchief itself might start crying soon. Yet, this overwhelming response reassured him that he had moved Mahiru’s heart in a truly meaningful way.
“So, um, did it make you happy?”
“Yes, of course.”
When Mahiru broke into a bright, carefree smile befitting her age, as if to say she couldn’t just keep crying, both Amane and Koyuki felt a wave of relief wash over them.
“I’d love to hear more about the young man next to you, Mahiru-san. You two are dating, yes?”
“…We are. He is the first person I’ve ever truly loved. When I’m with him, I feel at ease, and my heart feels warm. He’s the first person to love me for who I am, both my facade and my true self. He’s someone who knows everything about me, yet still cherishes me. He sees a future with me and is ready to walk that path together.”
Amane wasn’t looking directly at Mahiru, but rather at the screen in front of him. Despite that, the situation of having someone Mahiru cherished like a parent nearby made him feel incredibly embarrassed. The way she sincerely, joyfully, and lovingly spoke about him, praising his character and expressing how much she wanted to be with him, was overwhelming. Yet, the joy of knowing Mahiru felt so deeply for him was even stronger. Without taking his eyes off the screen, his hand instinctively sought hers. At the same time, Mahiru seemed to be reaching out as well, and their fingertips met gently between them.
As their fingers naturally slid together from the tips to their palms, intertwining, Amane felt the warmth of Mahiru’s hand, much warmer than usual, melt into his own.
“Really? I’m glad you seem to have found yourself a wonderful partner. Really, I’m so happy for you.”
The warmth and trust radiating from Mahiru’s hand brought a smile to Amane’s face, which Koyuki was quick to catch onto. Her expression, while gentle, carried a hint of amused warmth, one even warmer than their intertwined hands. This realization brought a wave of embarrassment flooding back to Amane, who suddenly felt a little—no, quite—self-conscious as the boyfriend being introduced.
It was a relief that Koyuki, unlike a certain teasing mother, had no intention of making fun of him. She maintained her calm and gentle exterior, simply watching over them with a cozy, approving smile.
“Ever since she was young, Mahiru-san has been sharper than most, so I was worried that she might become disinterested in other people. But it seems as though my worries were unfounded.”
The concern that arose from having watched Mahiru since she was young was something Amane could understand and agree with. He couldn’t help but think that it was a miracle Mahiru had chosen someone like him—a thought that Mahiru would likely scold him for if she knew.
“By the way, have you grabbed him by the stomach?” Koyuki asked, remembering what she had told Mahiru all those years ago.
“…Have I grabbed him…?” Mahiru parroted, puzzled.
“Yeah, with an iron grip,” Amane declared.
“Oh my.”
Amane nodded emphatically, without a shadow of a doubt in his mind that he was right. He was met with Koyuki’s knowing smile, as if she had expected nothing less. Having often heard that Mahiru’s cooking skills were honed under Koyuki’s guidance, Amane, who regularly enjoyed those delicious meals, felt he ought to bow in deep gratitude to the source of Mahiru’s culinary prowess.
Just as Amane was about to bow his head in gratitude from a different angle, he noticed Mahiru waving her free hand in a flustered manner, as if trying to stop him.
“Ah! But it’s not as if he leaves everything to me! Amane-kun cooks too! He always helps me in the kitchen, and he even prepared meals on his own! It’s more like we take turns or swap shifts… He really does his part in, um, living together with me!”
Mahiru didn’t want Koyuki to mistakenly believe that Amane left everything to her and leeched off her effort. However, it couldn’t be denied that Mahiru carried a significant part of the responsibility. So Amane added, “But truth is, Mahiru’s cooking is the best, and I do genuinely prefer her meals,” which caused Mahiru’s eyes to well up with tears once again.
Although she didn’t actually cry, Amane could feel a slight tremble and a stronger grip than usual coming from Mahiru’s hand.
“I know, I know. You don’t need to panic, Mahiru-san. I understand perfectly. He’s your ideal partner, isn’t he?”
“Yes!” Even with her eyes shimmering with emotion, Mahiru nodded firmly and continued without hesitation. “After all, you were the one who told me to choose someone who would truly make me happy, Koyuki-san.”
“Yes, I certainly did.”
“You were definitely right, Koyuki-san. Even when you were with me, but especially after you were gone, I interacted with so many different people. It was then that I came to realize…the person who would make me happy is someone who doesn’t try to fit me into a mold, who doesn’t judge me just by what they see on the surface, and who never disregards my feelings.”
Because Mahiru had been surrounded by so many different people throughout her life, the bar for her relationships was likely whether or not the other party could respect her as an individual. It was a simple yet profoundly important criterion—something essential, yet often difficult to find in others.
“Amane-kun always puts my feelings first and makes an effort to understand me. He fell in love with who I am on the inside, and he accepted me despite my childhood experiences. He respects me, and that makes me incredibly happy… Although he can be a little too respectful, which makes him reserved instead.”
“It’s for your own good, Mahiru!”
“I—I know it is! …I understand very well that you’re just being careful because you respect me so much.”
Amane couldn’t help but feel like Mahiru had just subtly called him a coward, though he knew this “carefulness” was something they had both agreed upon. Still, he wondered if there was some underlying dissatisfaction on her part that he hadn’t caught onto.
As Amane stared at her, Mahiru hastily added, “I-It’s not that I’m unhappy or anything! I just mean that maybe you don’t always have to be so concerned about how I’m feeling—you could prioritize your own feelings a bit more.” She seemed embarrassed and somewhat unsure of what she was saying, leaving Amane, as her boyfriend, with yet another thing to puzzle over.
But if I did that, you’re the one that’s going to overheat.
He had no intention of breaking the vow he made back then, but hearing Mahiru’s words made him wonder…
As long as I don’t break our promise, maybe we can do stuff I wanna do?
Amane seriously considered whether pampering Mahiru in the way she was suggesting was a good idea, given her limited tolerance for such things. He gazed at her with a serious look, but Mahiru, likely embarrassed by her own bold words, merely blushed and seemed oblivious to the thoughts running through his mind.
“I’m glad to see that you two are close. That said, I am curious about how you mentioned living together.”
Though Koyuki wasn’t scolding them, there was an undertone of disbelief in her voice that made Mahiru’s cheeks twitch with embarrassment. She realized that discussing such matters in front of someone she admired like a parent might not have been the best idea.
“A-Ah! N-No, it’s not like that! Amane-kun is actually my neighbor—I mean, we live in the same apartment building! There’s absolutely nothing going on that would cause you to worry, Koyuki-san!” Mahiru hurried to explain things clearly.
“I swear, I haven’t done anything that would hurt Mahiru in any way.”
From Koyuki’s perspective, it would be natural to worry that someone she considered her beloved daughter might be taken advantage of by an unfamiliar man. Realizing how careless their words might have sounded, both Mahiru and Amane lamented their poor phrasing. However, Koyuki, after letting out a soft sigh that conveyed a mix of concern and mild exasperation, turned a gentle gaze toward Mahiru.
“I’m not in any place to criticize, but at least if you’re spending so much time together and still get along so well, that’s a good sign. The more time you spend together, the more you will see each other’s less desirable traits.”
“I-I don’t think there are any… Um, and even if there were, we could always talk it out and work on improving together.”
It’s often said that living together can reveal differences in habits, financial habits, hygiene, common sense, and ethics, which can be frustrating. However, despite spending so much time together, Amane had yet to encounter any major issues with Mahiru that bothered him. If he had to point out anything, it would be her tendency to hold back too much and her occasional bold actions spurred on by Chitose’s influence. The former was something Mahiru had been improving as she became more honest, and the latter was more of an issue with Chitose herself—something that might just warrant a serious talk with her.
This led Amane to consider whether Mahiru had any complaints about him. She hadn’t pointed out many issues lately, though when they had first started to interact, she had been quite frank about things she didn’t like. It was possible that he had already addressed most of the things she wanted him to change. However, Amane was still concerned that there might still be things she hadn’t mentioned, so he put on a serious face and told her, “If there’s anything you don’t like, don’t hesitate to tell me, okay? I don’t want to cause you any trouble. I want us both to be comfortable, and if I can change something, I will.”
In response, Mahiru quickly shook her head, clearly flustered by the suggestion. “If anything, you’re too considerate towards me! You’re an incredibly wonderful person to me, okay!?”
“You don’t have to flatter me.”
“…Then that is something I want you to work on. Please learn to accept compliments properly when I give them.”
Seeing Mahiru pout so clearly, her lips adorably pursed as she lightly patted Amane’s thigh, he knew he couldn’t let her sulk any further. With a smile, he quickly responded, “Got it, thank you,” successfully preventing her cheeks from puffing out even more.
“Mahiru-san has completely opened her heart to you, hasn’t she?”
When Amane looked back at the screen after hearing those heartfelt words, he noticed that Koyuki, who had been quietly watching their interaction, was looking at the spot where their hands had been playfully interacting. It was clear that she had seen right through them.
Mahiru, naturally embarrassed, hunched her shoulders and blushed deeply, which left Amane struggling to suppress the rising tide of his own embarrassment, trying his best not to let it show on his face.
Koyuki let out a soft, amused chuckle. Still smiling, she gently turned her gaze towards Amane.
“And you, Fujimiya-san? What do you think about her?”
“What do I…?”
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