The Angel Next Door

Spoils Me Rotten
Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken

Blu-Ray Exclusive Special Stories: Fan

Translation

Author: Saeki-san, Illustrator: Hanekoto

Saeki-san: 佐伯さん (@saeki_narou) / Twitter
Hanekoto: はねこと🌻 (@hanekoto2424) / Twitter

Buy the Blu-Ray Bundles

of the anime in Japanese here:
Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4

Go join our discord server! —— discord.gg/otonari

 Table of Contents
Last Edited: 29th August 2023

Anime Blu-Ray Vol. 1 Exclusive Special Story: Cherry Blossom

Viewing with the Angel
Anime Blu-Ray Vol. 2 Exclusive Special Story: Strolling on the
Beach with the Angel
Anime Blu-Ray Vol. 3 Exclusive Special Story: Dreaming of a
Promised Future with the Angel
Anime Blu-Ray Vol. 4 Exclusive Special Story: The Future to Walk
with the Angel

Glossary
 Reading Order: After the Light Novel Volume 2 Bonus Chapter: You Are Not Alone,
but before Light Novel Volume 3.

As spring arrived, the bone-chilling cold began to fade away, replaced by a gentle
warmth that enveloped the surroundings. The sun’s rays softened with the pleasant
climate, enough to bring a smile to one’s face. The temperature was just right, and
allowed for strolls outside without wearing heavy clothing—it was truly the perfect
season for going out.
At this time of year, people naturally had more opportunities to venture outside.
And the most prominent of these activities was, of course, sakura viewing.

✧₊✦₊✧

“Whoa, look at all the people,” Amane commented.

With April’s arrival, a wave of full-bloom sakuras had finally reached the area
where Amane and Mahiru lived. The TV screen depicted countless light-colored
petals swaying to and fro, blooming as if declaring their presence, but even more
striking was the imposing crowd of people beneath, all dressed up in colorful attire.
Amane happened to stumble upon a news program covering the sakuras, but
even if it was an annual event, he found the sheer number of people attending to be a
little overwhelming.
Broadcasted on screen was the Tokyo area, so it was only natural there would
be such a large crowd, but as someone looking from the outside in, he wondered
whether the people were actually there to gaze at the sakuras, or just to see the number
of people.
 “I… can only say that it all looks very impressive. While this is par for the
course during holiday season, I can see myself quickly being overwhelmed if I were
actually there.”
Also beside Amane was Mahiru, who had come over to his house and was now
watching along with a look of indifference. They finished their lunch earlier than
usual and had been relaxing leisurely up until this program came on, and having not
properly looked at the sakura trees this year, they found themselves engrossed in the
broadcast.
“Especially since people appear to flock to areas with even a few sakura trees,”
Mahiru continued. “There’s bound to be a struggle for sitting spaces, and the cramped
crowds stand out more than the sakura trees do.”
“Yet another hallmark of spring, I guess.”
“I’m not too sure we should be calling it that…”
Though responding partly in disbelief, Mahiru didn’t appear to object to the
topic, either. Since she didn’t seem to have many fond memories of spring, Amane
was concerned about showing her such videos, but upon seeing that she wasn’t
particularly bothered, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Oblivious to Amane’s feelings, Mahiru watched the boisterous sakura-viewers
eating and drinking while maintaining her usual expression.
“But even so, it does look… lively,” she said.
“Sure does. Really makes you realize that everyone, regardless of age, can
enjoy looking at the sakuras, huh.”
“Well, it is the season for it, after all. Remember when we briefly saw the
sakuras the other day? There were other visitors there too, if you recall.”
Just the other day, they had gone for what was more of a stroll than a walk
down a sakura-lined path, and even then there had already been visitors sightseeing.
The crowd wasn’t as large as the one currently shown on TV, but the sight was still
fresh in Amane’s mind. “True, there were quite a few of them.”
Not only did they see groups of friends, lovers, and family, but also regular
members of society. The sight of them all enjoying the sakura trees with alcohol in
hand was hard to miss.
Mahiru, however, appeared to not be fond of the festive atmosphere of drinking
and singing, as she muttered, “Do people really find doing such things enjoyable?”
She sounded both confused and in disbelief.
 “Well, plenty would say they enjoy eating and drinking as they like without a
care in the world. Those who put practicality before aesthetics are more than happy to
use it as a reason to party.”
“Is that how it is?”
“That’s how I see it, anyway. Personally, I’d much rather take it easy and enjoy
the view since I’m not big on making so much noise. Though I haven’t gone for a
proper look at the sakura trees this year yet, just like the last.”
If Amane considered their stroll the other day to be sakura viewing, then he’d
leave it at that, but that wasn’t enough in his books. He believed that sakura viewing
wasn’t about the food and drink-laden ruckus shown on-screen, but instead about
peacefully appreciating their beauty over a picnic or snacks.
Last year, he’d been too consumed with the chaos that ensued from living alone
for the first time, having been busy unpacking and dealing with various formalities.
And this year, he had prioritized spending his time with Mahiru, so he hadn’t done
anything like view the sakuras.
Sure, he had taken that casual stroll, which was fine by him, but he still felt a
twinge of loneliness in missing out on a tradition he usually kept.
“Did you often go sakura viewing when you were in middle school?” Mahiru
asked.
“I wouldn’t say I went ‘often,’ but my family tends to go all-out when it comes
to seasonal events like this. We used to go pretty much every year, as a family.”
Shuuto and Shihoko’s approach to parenting was all about enriching oneself
through a myriad of different experiences, so they often took him to different places
and let him participate in various activities.
Naturally, they also actively participated in seasonal events such as this, and
sakura viewing had become one of the staple events they enjoyed doing each year.
As a family, they would go to parks blooming with plenty of sakura trees,
having a picnic and some drinks in tranquility while gazing at the flowers. Even
something as simple as that brought them satisfaction, and such was the essence of
sakura viewing. Recognizing and admiring the beauty of the flowers was in itself what
they considered a kind of education.
Two years had passed since they last admired the sakura trees as a family
together, and the thought left Amane slightly nostalgic, as he hadn’t had the chance to
do it since graduating from middle school.
That said, as he was concerned about Mahiru’s family environment, Amane
refrained from continuing the conversation and instead kept things brief. But it
seemed that Mahiru was neither hurt nor displeased. She simply smiled, her eyes
revealing her slight loneliness and envy.
“I see.” While Mahiru’s response was terse, Amane wasn’t so dull as to miss
the feelings behind it.
But, would me trying to act on her feelings really come to benefit her? Amane
was worried about that specifically. For all he knew, it could be a topic she wanted to
keep buried, or one that could bring her pain. But if… if by some possibility, Mahiru’s
eyes were gazing upon a dream she thought would never come true… Then it wouldn’t
be wrong for me to give her a taste of what she is longing for, right?
“…Hey, uh…” Once Amane spoke out, albeit hesitantly, the glint in Mahiru’s
eyes faded away and returned to their usual, mysterious color.
“Yes?” she responded.
“Do you have any plans after this?”
“Eh? N–Nothing in particular, if you must know…”
Before inviting her, it was essential to find out whether she had an open
schedule. Amane didn’t have the guts to have Mahiru cancel her plans to go along
with his invitation, and above all, he didn’t wish to become such a self-centered
person. But, faced with his sudden question, Mahiru had frozen in place momentarily
before shaking her head loosely, causing waves of her beautiful flaxen hair to ripple
through the air.
“Got it,” Amane replied. “Then, um, would you mind if I… take that time?”
“Huh?”
This time, Mahiru’s eyes fully portrayed her confusion. She looked as if she
had no idea what he was talking about, like she hadn’t yet grasped what Amane was
asking of her.
Amane was plenty aware of his abruptness, scratching his cheek as he groaned.
“How should I explain this?” He slowly opened his mouth, intending to complete his
invitation one way or another.
“Well, uh—the other day, we only… went for a quick stroll under the sakura
trees, right? I just thought it would be nice if we went to enjoy the sakuras properly.
O-Of course, if you don’t like the idea, then it’s fine, but…”
While his voice trailed off toward the end, it was all but inevitable.
At this very moment, Amane was acutely aware that he was essentially asking
her out on a date—and completely of his own accord, to boot. If she were to reject
him here, he would only end up causing her unneeded distress. Now, his presumption
that she would accept his invitation seemed arrogant to a fault.
 He timidly tried to gauge her reaction, but after blinking away several times,
Mahiru showed an expression that was neither exasperated nor annoyed, but instead
somewhat troubled… Yet simultaneously, her face hinted at a mixture of joy and
confusion.
“…Aren’t you supposed to plan something like that ahead of time? There may
be no spaces available for us now.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Amane readily admitted.
It was all but clear that he’d invited her out in the heat of the moment, and
faced with her remark about his lack of planning, Amane could only shrink in
response. Mind you, he knew that Mahiru hadn’t intended her words to be malicious.
As proof of this, she wore a gentle smile as she looked at Amane, who, after
shrinking in his seat, had corrected his posture.
“Fufu,” Mahiru giggled. “…But, I also enjoy going with the flow too.”
And with that, Amane had gotten her consent.
“…You’ll actually come with me?”
Amused, Mahiru chuckled at Amane’s timid and uncertain question.
“Amane-kun, you’re the one who invited me,” she responded in a teasing tone.
Amane was relieved to see that he hadn’t upset her, yet Mahiru still watched
him with amusement and let out a soft giggle.
“Well, yeah—I did, but there’s still a chance you didn’t wanna go there with
me.”
“If that’s what I thought, I would have turned you down on the spot. Plus, I
wouldn’t have walked with you the other day.”
“I suppose you have a point there, but…”
Mahiru may be sharp-tongued at times, but at her core she was a sincere and
honest person. If she didn’t want to do something, she would refuse it upfront, and
absolutely wouldn’t spend time with him reluctantly. And precisely because he knew
that, Amane’s confusion and rapidly pounding heart showed no signs of settling.
“Do I have any reason to refuse an outing with you, Amane-kun? You rarely
invite me out, so I am happy, you know?”
“I’ve hardly ever invited girls to hang out with me before. I always get nervous
thinking I’ll get turned down.”
After a significant pause, “…I see.” Mahiru replied.
“I feel like you just casually laughed at me.”
To Amane, who had never once been in a romantic relationship before, let
alone invited a girl to hang out with him after hitting puberty, inviting a girl of
Mahiru’s caliber would naturally be an arduous task for him. He had already hesitated
quite a lot when he invited her over for Christmas, but this time, having since realized
his feelings for her, Amane was even more nervous than before.
He felt as though Mahiru’s lips had broken into a different kind of smile, so
Amane focused his gaze on her. However, her demeanor seemed the same as it always
was, with an endlessly serene and gentle expression—she held a smile devoid of any
ulterior motives.
“My, whatever gave you that idea?” teased Mahiru. “It’s all in your head,
Amane-kun. All in your head.”
“Is it really?”
“Yes, really,” she insisted. “…Well then, I shall quickly get ready now. I’m
certain you would like to get ready as well.”
“Well, yeah. I do.”
By ‘preparation,’ she was likely referring to the disguise Amane applied when
they went out together. Of course, given that he was currently at home during a day
off, Amane hadn’t used any products to style his hair, and on top of that, he even had a
bedhead, and was wearing a loose, visibly frayed sweatshirt.
No matter how he sliced it, there was no way he could go out with Mahiru in
such unkempt attire, and if seen together in that state, Amane was sure he’d die of
embarrassment. Moreover, he had to make preparations in advance such that he
couldn’t be identified even if they were spotted together, so he couldn’t just leave the
house unprepared.
Mahiru understood this, and with an encouraging “See you later,” she rose from
the sofa, heading for the front door. Strangely, Amane felt as if he’d been left in the
dust, but as he had no words to stop her, all he could do was watch her leave, looking
a little giddy as she did so.

✧₊✦₊✧

Just over an hour later, Mahiru returned to Amane’s apartment, apparently having
finished her preparations. She had seemingly gone out of her way to change attire for
the outing, now wearing a denim jacket and flare skirt, which when combined, created
a balanced look that wasn’t too girly, but still incorporated both an air of femininity
and casualness.
Her hair was also styled differently, no longer simply let loose down her back.
Mahiru styled it half-up with braids, further adding to her prim and proper demeanor.
All in all, she appeared both elegant and endearing, despite picking her attire to be
easy to move around in.
Amane had also somewhat styled himself up for going outside, and wore
clothes to match, but the thought of standing next to her was a tad daunting, and he
could feel a slight pain brewing in his stomach. As Mahiru turned her gaze towards
him, he suspected he should offer his opinion, so he looked straight at her, now feeling
a little embarrassed.
“That outfit suits you super well—you look cute in it. I’m surprised you
managed to get ready so quickly.”
“Thank you very much,” Mahiru voiced her appreciation. “You look wonderful
too, Amane-kun.”
“Well, thanks for that. I’ve gotta do this much to stand next to you, Mahiru.”
“Ara—I don’t mind such things, though?”
“But I do, and you’ll be the one in hot water if people find out.”
Well aware of his dull appearance, Amane was concerned about any possible
schoolmates seeing him, in his usual getup, standing next to Mahiru, an angel
renowned for her talent and beauty. If that happened, neither Amane nor Mahiru
would get away scot-free. Especially Amane, in fact.
He had no doubt that it’d result in unwelcome jealousy and suspicion, and it
may even put Mahiru’s reputation on the line. So, as much as possible, Amane wanted
to avoid making any mistakes that could expose them. If he could avoid such risks
through effort, then he’d spare none of it.
Although, oddly, Mahiru seemed to be enjoying herself. Noticing this, Amane
looked back at her in slight disbelief as he laid eyes on her appearance once more.
While he could say without a shadow of a doubt that she looked adorable in such
attire, and that they suited her very well, it was all-in-all a rather light outfit to be
wearing at this time. It was beginning to get warmer now that spring had come
around, but to say that the signs of winter had completely vanished would be untrue.
She may very well feel chilly if the wind ended up blowing a little too hard.
“Mahiru, it certainly suits you, but will you be fine in the cold?”
“I’m wearing an inner layer of clothing designed to protect against cold
temperatures, so I should be okay.” With one hand covering her mouth, Mahiru
giggled elegantly. “You can be such a worrywart at times, Amane-kun.”
Amane returned her a small smile before glancing at his phone.
Sure, their plans to view the sakuras may have been sudden, but he couldn’t
just go ahead and set off without any sort of plan in mind. During the time Mahiru had
given him to prepare, he had found a spot not too far away from his apartment, and
after checking how prominent the crowds were through social media, Amane had
decided on that as their destination.
Although he figured it wouldn’t be too crowded, and that the place seemed
easily accessible, he wouldn’t know for certain until they actually arrived, which
made his stomach churn with anxiety.
“There’s a chance that our schoolmates might also be out admiring the sakura
trees nearby, so we’ll hop on the train for a bit. Is that okay?”
“Yes. I shall leave it to you, Amane-kun.”
Clearly excited for their outing, Mahiru’s delight showed on her face. Relieved
at this, Amane went over the schedule several times in his head.
“Let’s grab something to eat on the way,” he suggested. “We’re probably better
off buying something light, though, since I have no clue whether we’ll be able to find
a place to sit down while we eat.”
“If only you had made plans yesterday, I would have been able to make us a
bento each…”
“Ugh, I’m sorry about that. It’s all because that TV program sparked my
interest that it ended up like this…”
“There’s nothing inherently wrong with making quick decisions, and besides, I
am glad that you invited me out like this.”
“…Glad to hear that. Let’s get going, then.”
Having received Mahiru’s seal of approval, Amane made sure not to blush as
she smoothly took the bag she was holding. She peered up at him in surprise, looking
as if she had never intended for him to carry it for her. But, Amane felt that it was
only right for him to do so. He heard a notable sloshing sound as he shook the bag, but
refrained from prying into its contents.
After a while of continued attempts to recover her bag, Mahiru finally relented
once Amane said, “Let me carry it at least while we’re out,” and headbutted his arm
with a slight pout. Having given up, she then grabbed onto the hem of Amane’s jacket.
That gesture of hers was so endearing that he found the corners of his lips
curving into a smile. But knowing that if she noticed, Mahiru might accuse him with
“You’re making fun of me, right?” and sulk even more, Amane quickly composed
himself. With her by his side, they left his apartment.

✧₊✦₊✧
Having bought food on the way, they rode the train and arrived at their destination just
over an hour later. Quite a few people had already arrived before them, which was to
be expected.
The sakura trees were in full bloom, and it was a holiday at that, so there were
bound to be plenty of people wanting to check them out. After all, Amane and Mahiru
were prime examples of that.
“As I thought, there’s quite a few people here,” Amane noted.
“Though, it’s completely different from what we saw on TV,” replied Mahiru.
“Well, of course. Compared to the bigger cities, anyway. Those places are
overcrowded to say the least.”
“I don’t think this will turn out like what we saw on TV, considering how many
live here. I’m glad that there’s just the right number of people here, if not still a little
too much.”
Despite their comments about the people, it wasn’t as crowded as they had seen
on TV. Enough to make one take note of the number of people, but nothing
more—somewhat filled, certainly, but not completely packed. Needless to say, the
best spots had already been taken, but looking further out, there were some emptier
spots with fewer occupants.
As far as Amane and Mahiru were concerned, all they needed was a place
where they could take a breather while taking in the spectacular view. With a little
searching, they would surely find a suitable spot.
“There’s plenty of space, that’s for sure. A decently-sized plot of land like this
one is great for sakura viewing,” Amane said.
Mahiru giggled. “That’s true… I wonder if there is somewhere we can relax.”
“If we can, I’d like to avoid places that might have drunks.”
“…If we cannot avoid that, then I believe you will save me, Amane-kun.”
“Well, I’ll stay as close to you as I can. With how beautiful you are, we have to
keep an eye out for any weird men trying to approach you.”
Even during their stroll the other day, Mahiru had gotten hassled by a drunkard
causing trouble. Naturally, Amane couldn’t make the same mistake twice. She was
here because Amane had suddenly invited her out, so he intended to assume the
responsibility of staying by her side and guarding her.
While looking at Mahiru, being such a beauty isn’t all sunshine and rainbows,
huh… Amane came to a painful realization. However, Mahiru herself seemed to be
slightly taken aback, her body frozen in place.
 Upon seeing her face, Amane regretted reminding her of the previous incident,
but before long, Mahiru snapped out of her daze and gripped the hem of his jacket
even more tightly.
Now that I’ve ended up making her feel uneasy, I gotta get a grip. Amane
glanced around, searching for a place they could sit without being disturbed by any
rowdy visitors. Soon enough, he spotted a free bench while walking, one that wasn’t
too far from the area’s entrance.
Granted, it was only a small bench, fit for two people, but it was conveniently
unoccupied—as if the last person had just left. Amane, setting it in his sights, gently
escorted Mahiru over to it.
“Um, Amane-kun, just then, you—”
“Th-That spot’s open over there. Should we head over?”
“…Yes, that seems fine.” Mahiru’s face stiffened as Amane interrupted her
mid-sentence as she spoke. But even when he asked her what she was going to say,
she’d simply replied that it was “nothing.”
She wouldn’t give him a definitive answer even with his head tilted to one side,
so Amane, although troubled, escorted her over to the vacant bench and pulled a large
handkerchief out from his bag.
Sorry for what I’m about to do… Petals had fallen from the sakura trees and
decorated the bench, and Amane brushed them away with a tinge of guilt. He then
spread out the handkerchief to secure a space for Mahiru to sit down.
As he did so, Mahiru simply murmured, “Oh, right. That’s very like you,
Amane-kun,” as she watched him do so, her stiff expression from earlier vanishing as
she said so. But after thanking him meekly, she settled down onto the bench.
Seeing that, Amane too sat down next to her and slowly lifted his gaze upward.
The bench they had chosen was a little way off from the sakura trees, but close
enough for them to enjoy the view. In fact, it was the perfect distance to see the sakura
in full bloom as they casted their petals into the wind.
Mahiru, as if influenced by Amane, also gazed upon the sakura trees from
beside him. Her lips naturally relaxed, and she slipped a soft sigh. Amane found
himself relieved, noticing that she didn’t seem to dislike the sakura themselves. He
basked in the soft, mellow spring sunshine, which although modest, offered him a
pleasant warming sensation.
Amane couldn’t help squinting his eyes. “Mm, today’s quite warm, perfect for
going outside. Are you okay, though, Mahiru? Not feeling cold?”
 “Not at all, both the temperature and sunshine are comfortable,” Mahiru noted.
“It’s quite pleasant, don’t you think? The cheerfulness of spring.”
“True that. But lemme know if you feel cold, alright?”
“And what’ll you do if I say I am?”
“I have my jacket at the ready, you see.” Amane wasn’t feeling particularly
cold, so he wouldn’t hesitate to lend Mahiru his jacket if she felt at all chilly.
It was only natural that Amane wanted to make her feel as comfortable as he
could, seeing as he was the one who had invited her out to begin with. Mahiru
appeared unconvinced by his reply, however, causing her to look at him in protest
with a dubious expression.
“I fail to understand why you would subject yourself to the cold like that…”
“Because girls have a harder time if they get cold. Don’t mind me—I’m
resilient.”
“...I am still not convinced.”
“C’mon now…”
“It’s not actually cold, though, so there’s no need for you to worry. Look,”
Mahiru urged, taking Amane’s hand to prove that she was fine. “It’s warm to the
touch, right?”
Her small, delicate fingers gently brushed Amane’s palm, and were so slender
that they seemed about to break. Much to Amane’s surprise, her hand was warmer
than usual—just as she had declared. With him having expected them to be cold from
walking outside, Amane couldn’t help staring at her in response.
“…Oh, you’re right. Typically you’re colder than me, but you feel warmer than
usual today.”
“That is why I said I’m fine,” she replied. “…Plus, I have you as my hand
warmer, right, Amane-kun?”
“Oh, so that’s how you’re playing this? Well, if you ever feel cold, I’ll happily
lend you a hand though.”
“…So if I do not feel cold, I take it that you won’t lend me your hand?”
“I will when escorting you, of course.”
“Then, I shall ask for your help on our way home.”
“As you wish.” Amane replied in an overly respectful manner, intentionally
exaggerating his response as he bit his inner cheek discreetly.
I get that we’re not complete strangers to holding hands anymore, but hasn’t
she realized that she’s practically telling me she wants to hold hands willingly?
 Amane did say he would act as her escort, but hadn’t at all expected Mahiru to
request such a thing of her own volition. How should he feel? Embarrassed? Happy?
Panicked? Unable to put a label on the emotions swirling inside him, Amane couldn’t
do a single thing except purse his lips.
“You’re making a show out of this. Geez.” Blissfully unaware of Amane’s
inner turmoil, Mahiru giggled as she continued to touch his hand.
Her smooth, slim fingertips gently tickled Amane’s knotted fingers, tracing
over them as if relishing their touch. The sensation of her skin—which was so
different from his own—toyed with his senses, causing him to experience a strange
mix of frustration and embarrassment.
“Ah— Th-That reminds me.” Finding the situation more embarrassing than
simply holding hands, Amane spoke up in a cheery voice in efforts to escape. “We
should eat the dango we bought earlier.” Then, he picked up the bags they’d set down
beside him.
Mahiru watched him for a moment before sighing softly. “…Right.”
“What?” Amane picked up on her bland response.
“Nothing.” Despite her reply, Mahiru’s voice was imbued with hints of
dissatisfaction and complaint. But Amane was still grateful that she had given in.
While only conjecture on his part, Amane suspected that Mahiru was beginning to
view him as someone she could rely on, someone that she could let herself be spoiled
by.
Ever since the day he learned of her weak side, Mahiru had begun to retract the
walls that she had erected between them, accepting him without feeling the need to
enforce her own barriers. She had begun to trust him on a deeper level, even taking on
a pampered attitude around him. Their physical contact had also leveled up.
Amane took this as proof that she was beginning to open up her heart to him.
After all, Mahiru, who rarely touched others and preferred to keep them at
arm’s length, was touching him.
Of course, knowing this made Amane happy. But it was still hard to bear when
the person he loved touched him so freely. Thinking that Mahiru was becoming less
wary of him, and thus, would only act so innocently in front of him, Amane felt like
writhing in agony.
It was precisely because Mahiru was—in all likelihood—not aware of it herself
that she tended to touch him from time to time. However, Amane’s reason would start
to falter if such contact continued, so he’d prefer to avoid excessive physical contact
for the time being.
 Mahiru, who looked ever so slightly unhappy, said nothing more and placed her
bag on her lap. “I brought some warm tea and cups, so let’s drink it together. Dango
and tea are best served together.”
“Whoa, you really came prepared. Though I did get the feeling there was some
kind of drink in there.”
“Why do you think I wanted some time to prepare…?”
“Sorry, sorry,” Amane apologized once again. For him, that time was mostly
spent styling himself in a way that he had actually not gotten used to yet. But Mahiru,
who would usually require more time to prepare, had gotten changed quickly and
thoughtfully made preparations to enhance their enjoyment as they viewed the sakura
trees.
While expressing his gratitude for Mahiru’s consideration and kindness, Amane
accepted the paper cup she’d poured for him and slowly brought it close to his mouth.
He took a deep breath after taking in its comforting warmth and nostalgic taste before
reaching for the dango he’d bought and taking a bite.
The dango, with its moderately soft, sweet, and smooth texture, had a certain
luxury to it, offering a refined, satisfying taste noticeably different from the usual
three-stick, hundred-yen ones.
“……Mm, delicious.” Mahiru, too, seemed to be enjoying them, her cheeks
softening as she took a bite.
“Yep, it’s great. Had my eyes on that store for a while now but never found the
chance to go. I’m glad we stopped by today.”
Mahiru giggled. “If it became a new discovery for you, then I’m glad.”
As Amane watched Mahiru happily munching on her cutely-shaped dango, he
noticed that her subtle displeasure from earlier had all but vanished, a satisfied smile
appearing in its place. He then shifted his gaze to the sakura trees in the distance,
which were shedding large petals from afar.
Now in full bloom, those sakura trees were soaking in the sunlight, with soft
traces of its rays spilling faintly through the gaps. The sight of their small petals
dancing in the slightly hazy, azure sky was, to them, incredibly calming to the senses.
It was a scene that could be classed as both ordinary and fantastical.
Moreover, the clamor of people echoing around them felt oddly distant, making
it feel as though they were in a world of their own. It was truly a strange feeling.
“This… is nice.”
Having heard Amane’s mutterings, Mahiru turned to face him. “What is?”
 “Hmm… It’s kinda hard to describe,” Amane replied. “But it’s this feeling of…
peacefulness, maybe. Like, taking in the warm sunlight on a nice and clear day,
relaxing peacefully while surrounded by beauty—it’s nice to be able to spend time
like this. Making a racket while watching the sakura trees isn’t really my thing, so I
find that sitting here, quietly talking to each other like we are is super relaxing.”
Amane had never been fond of making a lot of noise. Sure, he could enjoy
lively events, but above all else, he much preferred to spend time at his own pace,
calmly. Honestly, I can see my future self spending his days sitting on his house’s
engawa basking in the sun, cat on lap, sipping on some tea, Amane vaguely thought
to himself. [1]
Thus, he enjoyed spending tranquil, peaceful moments with someone he liked
to be with. After all, the slow, warm time shared between the two of them was
something he valued as precious. Such moments offered him a feeling of fluffiness,
one not unlike that of when sleeping, yet it carried a definite sense of fulfillment. And
that—was, most definitely, happiness.
“Do you dislike spending time like this, Mahiru?” Amane asked.
“…Not at all. Peacefully gazing at the flowers together as we are now is rather
comforting.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Having time to relax like this is wonderful. Don’t you agree?”
“Definitely,” Amane nodded thoughtfully, sipping more of his tea. “This is
bliss.”
Doing the same, Mahiru wore a calm smile before taking a sip of hers. The
warmth that seeped into their bodies was likely not from tea alone.
“…I must say,” Mahiru added. “I just realized that I am a simple person.”
Their bodies were immersed in a gentle happiness, not one that left them
feeling overwhelmed, but one that softly permeated every corner of their beings. But
then, Amane’s attention shifted toward Mahiru as she mumbled something under her
breath.
“Why the sudden self-deprecation?”
“It’s not that. …Honestly, I’m not sure if I should call myself shallow, simple,
or honest to a fault, but at this rate, I think I might come to like spring.”
Amane couldn’t help laughing at Mahiru, who struggled with her words like it
was something hard to say. “Oh, isn’t that a good thing?”
“A-A ‘good thing’?”
 “Of course. The more things you like, the more enjoyment you get out of life,
after all. Plus, you’ll get even more opportunities to enrich yourself by doing the
things that you enjoy. Smile, and the world smiles with you, as they say.”
“Th–The reason is the issue,” Mahiru began to explain. “Merely experiencing
something somewhat positive managed to rid me of my bad memories. I am shocked
with myself… It has made me realize how simple of a person I really am.”
“If you’ve managed to overwrite your bad memories or feelings in the end,
isn’t it fine? Trivial or not, if something small became the trigger in changing your
mind, Mahiru, then that’s a win. Even better, it saves you excess energy in the long
run.”
“Geez, Amane-kun…”
Although there were hints of reproach in her speech, there was no trace of
anger or stiffness in her voice. Instead, she spoke in a gentle, playful tone. Amane too
relaxed his expression, knowing that she could only voice those words because she
was calm and at ease.
…Is this a sign that she has healed?
Mahiru’s wounds may not have fully healed, but Amane still wanted to believe
that the pain no longer haunted her mind. Watching Mahiru, with her ever bright, yet
relaxed smile, he could definitely feel that she was here, accepting everything, and
smiling away.
The fragile Mahiru, who seemed as if she would disappear any moment, was no
more.
“…Is something the matter?” Mahiru asked.
“No, it’s just… The other day, you looked so fragile, as though you were going
to vanish. But now, you look like you’re here for real.”
“Yes. I am here, and right before your eyes.”
“Yeah, that’s good. A massive relief.”
Precisely because the Mahiru he saw that day had seemed so frail she might
shatter and disappear, Amane understood that the current Mahiru was strong at heart.
“…I apologize if I worried you that much.”
“No, it’s just that, you know… It’s not just mentally, right? You look physically
pale, too. You even lean toward pastel colors over primary ones when choosing your
clothes. That’s why, when you’re… standing there so quietly, perhaps I could say?
You seem so fragile, almost as though you could melt into your surroundings and
disappear.”
 “And what about the current me?” With a slightly mischievous tone in her
voice, Mahiru asked, clearly indicating that there was no need to worry anymore.
“The Mahiru I see today seems lively and oddly more excited than usual, so
instead of blending in with the sakuras, you’re actually standing out.”
“D–Do I really look that excited…?”
Apparently, Mahiru had thought she was acting as she usually would, so she
repeatedly touched her cheek with her hands in a hurry before inadvertently raising
her voice. “Eh?”
I’ll be glad if Mahiru found this outing enjoyable, even if only a little bit,
Amane sincerely hoped as he sat next to her.
“Sure do, you look like you’re having fun. I’m glad you enjoy it.”
“B–Because… you invited me, Amane-kun…”
“It made you that happy?”
“W-Well, yes, it did. Is that an issue?”
Faced with her slightly stubborn yet sulky reply, Amane couldn’t help but
laugh, to which Mahiru responded by playfully slapping his thigh. It was a clear sign
that the distance between them was decreasing, and that the walls between them were
beginning to crumble, which, naturally, left Amane feeling a little embarrassed.
After arriving at that realization, Amane answered her question. “Nah, it’s not
an issue. In fact, knowing that makes me happy. I was honestly kinda worried whether
you would like it or not, given what happened the other day.”
“To a certain extent, I have already come to terms with my feelings regarding
that. …You don’t need to worry, Amane-kun, because thanks to you, I have found
more things that I love.”
“That’s great. If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.” Being told it was thanks to
him made him feel shy, but knowing that Mahiru had come to trust him and open up
to him, Amane also felt proud.
If his actions had relieved Mahiru of even a little of her bitter feelings, then that
was enough for him. Amane was satisfied just seeing her smile and enjoying herself.
He felt at peace knowing the woman he loved was fulfilled and at peace, and it
brought a smile to his face. He was acutely aware of how deeply he had fallen for her.
Subsequently, Amane didn’t realize that simply seeing her happily smiling away could
bring him such satisfaction. The old him would never have known.
As he squinted, feeling both exhilarated and calm, he let his contended feelings
play on his face with a gentle smile. Meanwhile, Mahiru was watching him with a
serene look in her eyes.
 The hint of warmth within her eyes was unexpected.
“Something up?” Amane asked.
“…No, nothing really. I was merely reaffirming your good points,” Mahiru
replied.
“Not sure what you mean, but I’ll just take it as a compliment.”
“Indeed, I am complimenting you. But I think that is a bad habit of yours.”
“You mean I shouldn’t let it get to my head, right? I understand.”
“That’s not it, but if you do not understand what I mean, then I don’t think you
need to—for now, atleast.”
“So it’s one of those things that require improvement from now on?” Amane,
not quite understanding, voiced his confusion, prompting Mahiru to let out a quiet,
amused giggle.
“…It’s not so much about you improving, moreso about me needing to work
harder.”
Amane sighed. “…Is that so?”
“Yes, so please don’t worry about it.” Mahiru smiled, deciding not to say
anything else.
Thus, Amane, knowing that she wouldn’t take questions, avoided pursuing the
topic and showed a stance of understanding. “I see.”
Amane knew from experience that persistently probing for answers would only
lead to Mahiru dodging the question and erecting a wall between them, so he figured
that it would be best for the both of them if he accepted Mahiru’s decision. After all, if
she wanted to speak, she would do so when she was ready. And if she didn’t want to,
that was fine too.
Amane took her words to heart, hoping she’d let him hear them someday. He
turned his gaze toward Mahiru, who was still enraptured by the sakura blossoms.
Sensing his gaze, she responded with a shy smile.
“I see you looking over here. What’s the matter?” Mahiru asked, but an
adorable smile soon played on her face. “Weird Amane-kun,” she added. Mahiru was
undoubtedly, in some ways, much like a flower herself, and there was something
about her existence that was many times more enchanting than even the sakura trees
themselves. It would be no exaggeration to say that her figure, embellished by those
very same sakura trees, was far more stunning than anything else.
But, of course, saying that outright would invite her to laugh at him again, and
Amane understandably found it difficult to express his thoughts as they were, so he
chose to keep them to himself. Instead, he replied honestly and simply. “Just admiring
the view.” A faint blush colored Mahiru’s cheeks as she playfully scolded him,
“Specify! You should specify what you’re admiring.”
Amane had purposely left the subject ambiguous, and he was unsure which
way Mahiru had taken it. But judging by the faint blush on her cheeks, she seemed to
have understood both of his meanings. As for which of those meanings he meant,
Amane let Mahiru decide. He turned his gaze from the blushing Mahiru to the petals
making their short journey through the breeze, falling from tree to unfamiliar ground.
He watched as the delicate petals met their fleeting end, releasing a soft sigh as
a result. At the same time, Mahiru, from beside him, gently touched the tips of his
fingers with her own. Softly, Amane pulled back, thinking she hadn’t meant to, but he
then sensed a hint of disappointment emanating from her, which left him bewildered.
When he moved his hand back where it was, Mahiru beamed once again in a satisfied
smile.
Mahiru’s fingertips were warmer than when he’d touched them earlier, and this,
in all likelihood, was not merely a product of his imagination. Amane felt a warmth
spread within him upon seeing Mahiru’s relieved expression, but didn’t let it show on
his face.
“…Let’s look at the sakuras together again next year, shall we?” she suggested.
“Yeah, let’s.”
“Next year, I shall prepare you a proper bento full of all your favorite foods,
Amane-kun,” added Mahiru cheekily. “I will be sure to sweep you off your feet.”
“If so, then you shouldn’t have told me in advance, right?”
Mahiru paused. “…Please forget everything I just said.”
“Don’t wanna.”
“You meanie.”
With a playful shrug of his shoulders, Amane joked, “You were just careless,
Mahiru!” and Mahiru, feigning dissatisfaction, playfully hit his thigh as though
reproaching him.
That gesture of hers appeared somewhat affectionate, but that was solely due to
Amane’s self-serving interpretation. Nevertheless, it was clear that Mahiru had only
touched him because of the trust she placed in him, so Amane decided to maintain this
convenient perception of her actions.
“…Next time, we will plan our outing more carefully,” Mahiru claimed
excitedly. “It will be my turn to surprise you.”
 Oddly, Amane felt an indescribable sense of embarrassment and comfort from
Mahiru’s enthusiastic declaration. His lips curled into a gentle smile, which Mahiru
noticed and cast him a sharp glance. “Why are you smiling?”
“I’m not. You’re imagining things.”
“I have a feeling I’m not imagining anything. I saw you make a warm smile.”
“You just think that it was a warm smile, Mahiru. It was just a regular one, you
know? A regular one.”
“So you do admit that you were smiling.”
“Darn it.”
“Geez.” Mahiru, who had scolded him clearly this time, looked at Amane with
narrowed eyes. Upon seeing the expression he showed, her eyes then widened in
surprise.
What was reflecting in her caramel eyes? Amane, under the impression that he
wore the same usual expression, tilted his head in confusion, while Mahiru continued
to stare at him intensely before looking away. She had a faint blush on her cheeks,
which from Amane’s point of view, made her seem like she had something to say.
However, perhaps having no intention of telling him, Mahiru’s usually soft and pliable
lips were firmly pressed together.
“Mahiru?” Despite calling out her name, no answer slipped from Mahiru’s lips.
Instead, she muttered something softly and then averted her gaze to look at the
sakura trees. The color on her cheeks was far deeper than that of the cherry blossoms,
but Amane swallowed his comment, suspecting she might stop talking to him for a
while if he pointed it out.
And so, without turning back to him, Mahiru squinted her eyes at the bright
sunlight and showering petals. Her gaze, sweet yet slightly bitter, caressed the petals
as they continued to fall. As she quietly admired the scene before her, an expression of
adoration appeared on her face, as though she found the fleeting dispersal of petals
endearing.
Shortly after, while also gazing at the scene before him, Amane felt Mahiru’s
slender fingers intertwining with his. “I can’t wait for next spring to arrive,” she
murmured.
Hearing her delicate, melting voice akin to a whisper intricately woven from
sugar, Amane nonchalantly tightened his grip around her delicate fingers, “Yeah, me
neither,” and quietly agreed.
 Reading Order: After Light Novel Volume 3 and its respective Short Stories,
but before Light Novel Volume 4.

Sunlight spilled through the gaps in the clouds, gently illuminating the surroundings.
Amane, squinting beneath the beaming summer sunshine, slowly exhaled as he gazed
at the expansive landscape before him.
Mahiru had been demurely snuggling up next to him, clutching the hem of his
clothes. But upon witnessing the spectacle of white and blue glistening in the sunlight,
her amber eyes shot wide open.
“…It’s the sea.”
The words that quietly slipped out from between her lips were likely heard by
Amane alone. Her voice faded all but immediately, and the scenery, which seemed to
be composed almost entirely of white and blue, was infused with a hint of flaxen hue.
In higher spirits than usual, Mahiru slipped past Amane with light steps, almost
skipping as she stepped onto the sandy beach. Seeing this, a soft smile naturally
formed on Amane’s lips.

✧₊✦₊✧

The start of it all was an old photograph that his parents had sent him. While there
were plenty of things he wanted to say to his parents, who had, for some reason, sent
the pictures to Mahiru instead of their own son, Amane settled for a compromise in
his mind after seeing how delighted Mahiru was after getting to his childhood self.
Well, whatever, he thought.
 Mahiru, unaware of Amane’s mixed feelings, had been engrossed in looking at
the pictures when she suddenly stumbled upon a family photo of one of their trips to
the sea, murmuring something softly.
“I have never actually been to the sea before.”
Hearing her, Amane felt a faint sense of discomfort, realizing she was looking
at photos depicting his family trips. However, Mahiru’s expression didn’t change,
implying that she had no particular feelings about the concept of a family trip.
“I am unable to swim, so naturally I would not be able to do that even if I went,
but I would still like to see the sea with my own eyes. It must be vastly different from
an aquarium or pool, after all…,” Mahiru said, her voice trailing off.
However, it was clear from her voice, imbued with a subtle hint of envy and
longing, that she held a keen wish. Recognizing this, Amane reached out without
hesitation to fulfill that hope seemingly locked away in her heart.
“——In that case, shall we go?”

✧₊✦₊✧

It was a sudden invitation and Amane was well aware that it was impromptu, but
Mahiru had still nodded in agreement. After a long journey, they arrived at the closest
beach to where they lived.
Since it wasn’t the swimming season, there were only a few people scattered
around, mostly just those who had come for a walk. This allowed Mahiru to run
around as she liked without worrying about others. She stepped onto the sandy beach
with a light and somewhat cautious gait, fluttering the hem of her white one-piece
dress, and looked back at Amane—her expression indicating that sand had gotten into
her sandals.
Her crystal-clear eyes, as beautiful as any jewel, seemed to ask, “Aren’t you
coming over?” so Amane stepped onto the beach, smiling faintly.
The sound of the sand shifting under his feet. The crunch as he stepped down.
Amane found both of these sounds pleasant to the ears. From just a short distance
away, he could hear the sound of waves colliding with and sweeping away the sand,
filling the peaceful seaside with a gentle melody.
“Like I had thought, there doesn’t appear to be many people around.” Mahiru,
deliberately murmuring such that her voice blended in with the sounds of the lapping
waves, surveyed the area with calm eyes.
 Amane had already checked beforehand, finding out that it wasn’t that popular
as a tourist spot. Instead of tourists, it seemed as though a few local residents had
merely come out for a stroll.
“Yeah,” he agreed, “it’s not quite summer vacation or anything yet, after all.
While cold, we should be fine playing around the edge of the water.”
“Considering that, wouldn’t you say we are lucky to have fewer people
around?”
“Yep, I would. Opportunities like this don’t come all that often. And besides,
the only times I ever came to the beach was specifically to swim.” There was no sea
where Amane’s family lived, so unless they had a specific reason, they wouldn’t
usually visit the beach.
“…You are able to swim, after all,” Mahiru added.
“As well as anyone else, anyway. Both my parents enjoy doing marine sports,
you see.”
“I must say, both of them possess incredible vitality.”
“Even as their son, I find the way they try out anything they’re interested in
amazing. Thanks to them dragging me around, I naturally learned how to swim
because I couldn’t do anything else until I was able to.”
While they wouldn’t usually go to the beach unless there was a reason, his
parents, Shuuto and Shihoko, created those reasons. They tried their hands at many
different activities, and marine sports was one such example. Additionally, when
playing, they tended not to do so on a serious level, instead preferring to play purely
for enjoyment.
Naturally, Amane, who was often taken along with them to the beach, also
participated. That said, since there was a limited number of things a child could do,
swimming was the main activity when Amane was around. Thanks to that, or perhaps
because of that, Amane had acquired a decent level of swimming skills.
But today was strictly a sightseeing day. It would be inconceivable to leave
Mahiru, who couldn’t swim, alone, and since it was also a period when swimming
was prohibited, they had to settle for only admiring the view.
“I say that, but we’re not here to swim today. We’ll just take a walk along the
shore. Are you okay with that, Mahiru?”
“Yes,” she affirmed. “…I am unable to swim, after all.”
Mahiru looked slightly awkward, her gaze shifting away. This was likely
because it was rare for Mahiru, who usually handled everything flawlessly, to have a
weakness, and that was swimming. She was so bad at it in fact, that besides from the
school’s reputation and standard score, she based her high school choice on the point
that swimming classes were not mandatory. Mahiru, being very self-aware of this fact,
shrunk even more than usual.
“I know, I know. …Now, be careful not to fall over,” Amane told her. He
shrugged and took Mahiru’s small hand as she fidgeted, perhaps embarrassed to be
reminded that she was bad at swimming.
The sandy beach was tricky to walk on, and seeing as Mahiru appeared to be
rather excited, there was a chance she’d accidentally trip and fall. While it wasn’t as
dangerous as tripping on concrete, nobody wanted to trip if they could help it.
Amane took her hand, mostly to act as an escort, but also to support her.
Although Mahiru blushed faintly, the subtle color on her cheeks showing her
embarrassment, she ultimately entrusted her hand to Amane.
And just like that, they walked slowly and steadily along the sandy beach, a
gentle breeze brushing against their faces as they did so.
Mahiru adjusted the position of her straw hat, which she wore to protect herself
against ultraviolet rays, and squinted her eyes as the gentle breeze brushed against her.
“This is the first time I have laid eyes on the sea. Of course, I have seen it
countless times on television or in photos, but… this is the first time I have seen it
with my own eyes.”
Inhaling the sea breeze while looking around, Mahiru’s eyes sparkled excitedly
as if no matter where she looked, everything she saw was new to her.
“What are your thoughts after coming here, by the way?”
“It is a brand new experience for me. The feel of the sand, the sound of the
waves, the dazzling sunlight reflecting off the water, the smell of the sea… these are
all things I wouldn’t have been able to experience without actually coming here in
person.”
Amane had brought her here based on his own interpretation of her wishes, but
Mahiru seemed to be enjoying herself, so he was relieved. If she had looked bored, he
probably wouldn’t have been able to recover for a while.
“In that case, I’m glad. Makes my insistence on bringing you here worthwhile.”
“‘Insistence’…” Mahiru parroted. “You say that, but you brought me here
because I looked as though I wanted to go.”
“Yeah, that was a selfish interpretation on my end. The way I went about it was
pushy.”
“Ara, didn’t you realize? I was delighted to see you being unusually assertive,
Amane-kun. Usually, you’re much more reserved—or, more precisely, you act out of
respect for my feelings, and considering that, tend not to drag me around too much
like you did here.” Mahiru took Amane’s hand and lifted it up with a squeeze. “But
I’m happy that you did so today.”
There’s no chance I can be assertive all the time, you know, Amane retorted
inwardly.
Amane was aware that he was quite reserved, and that he didn’t want to make
Mahiru uncomfortable, so inviting her like this took a lot of courage. He had invited
her this time because he couldn’t stand to see Mahiru’s mix of envy and loneliness,
but normally, he wouldn’t have been able to do so.
Her small hand was happily holding onto his, and she was indeed having fun
since they arrived at the beach, but there was no doubt he was nervous.
“…Normally, I wouldn’t be able to just invite you out on a whim like this,
Mahiru.”
“Oh, is that so? But you invited me to view the sakura trees, didn’t you?”
“Th–That was just because the mood happened to be right…”
“Oh, I see now. So, to put it simply, if the mood is right, you will take the
initiative and invite me out?”
“You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
“No, not at all.” Even as she said this, there was a mischievous smile playing
on her lips, suggesting she was at least half teasing him.
While it was not amusing to feel as if he was being called a coward, the fact
that she used the phrase ‘invite me’ indicated that she wouldn’t mind if he did invite
her out. Amane felt a little embarrassed thinking about it. At the very least, she didn’t
seem to be against the idea of going out with him, but whether or not he would
actually take the initiative would depend on his courage. Leaving that aside for now,
he shifted his gaze away from the still-smiling Mahiru to the sea.
Summer had only just begun, and the sun wasn’t yet glaring, so the reflection
of the sea was somewhat subdued, creating a calm and serene atmosphere rather than
a refreshing one. It was quiet, with few people around, and the vast sea, which took up
most of his field of vision, felt very spacious.
“…The sea really does feel liberating. Wow,” Amane added, in awe.
“That’s likely because there are no buildings in sight, and all we can see is the
sea. It’s much more beautiful than I was expecting.”
“The sea here has always been pretty as is, you see. When combined with the
sunlight, it’s very sparkly.”
 “…While I can’t claim we have the place all to ourselves, it’s nice to be able to
enjoy this scenery without needing to worry about others.”
“Indeed. We’re a little early for the season, but it turned out well in the end.
Come, let’s walk a little closer to the water.”
They had been walking so as not to get hit by the waves, but since they’d come
all the way to the beach, it would be nice to walk along the edge of the beach and play
in the water a little. They both wore sandals for that purpose.
Mahiru, whose sandals had slight heels, took a step towards the sea while
matching Amane’s pace. She was walking a bit slower, either because she was
hesitant due to her inability to swim, or because she was wary of tripping on the sand.
However, she did not seem to dislike it, and when Amane dipped his toes into
the incoming wave, she too cautiously let her feet touch the wave, letting out a cute
squeal of “Hyah! ...It’s cold.”
Compared to the water temperature in the middle of summer, the sea was
cooler, providing more than enough relief from the gentle warmth of the sun. This was
likely the reason why Mahiru had shivered slightly.
“If the water was just a little hotter, then it would’ve been perfect. Well, not like
I have any intention of coming here during the peak of summer, though.”
“After all, you dislike going out of your way to visit crowded places, don’t you,
Amane-kun?”
“Mm-hmm. I have a distinguished background as an indoor aficionado, you
see.”
“You say that with such conviction… It appears you used to go out quite often
with your family for having such a ‘distinguished’ background.”
“Well, then let’s say I am one presently.”
Amane laughed lightly as he was reminded by Mahiru’s words, and she too
smiled gently.
“Fufu,” Mahiru giggled, “if anything, I’m more of an indoor person, too, so I
have no right to comment on you, Amane-kun.”
“Hm, is part of that because people start to bother you whenever you go
outside, Mahiru?”
“Well, yes.” Not denying it, Mahiru nodded as if used to it. “People do
approach me quite often.”
While it could be said that Mahiru had grown accustomed to it given its
frequent occurrence, she was, at the end of the day, a girl of such exceptional beauty
that nine out of ten people would consider her stunning. Her beauty was undeniable
even from a general aesthetic perspective. There would always be some subjectivity
when evaluating attractiveness, but objectively speaking, Mahiru was undeniably a
stunning young girl.
She naturally stood out as a result of that, and it was understandable that men
would be charmed by her. It wasn’t at all strange that some individuals wanted to have
some kind of relationship with her in one way or another.
Showing a troubled expression, the annoyance of such interactions was clearly
visible on her face as she furrowed her brows, “When I’m out and about alone simply
running errands, some men misunderstand and take it as an opportunity to ask me out
on a date. For example, they would ask ‘If you’re free, how about we get a little
something to drink?’ which is such a cookie-cutter invitation that I’m surprised how
often I hear it. I wonder if, in this day and age, there are still people who would accept
an invitation like that.”
“As an indoor person, I only go outside when I’m specifically doing something
I need to do, and not because I have nothing better to do. Put simply, I’m not free
enough to just go ‘have a drink’.”
“Moreover,” Mahiru continued, “I’m not so naive as to follow a complete
stranger so easily in the first place. It screams danger no matter which way you think
about it.”
It was unlikely that Mahiru, who was well aware of her own value, would
casually go along with a pickup attempt.
Mahiru seemed to find such pickup attempts quite bothersome, and with an
exasperated look on her face, she gave a harsh assessment, “I suppose those men must
have a lot of confidence in their ability to make a valuable impression, enough so to
warrant taking up a stranger’s time,” but the look on her face suggested that she
inwardly added, ‘But that’s hardly likely.’
Mahiru appeared to have been troubled quite a lot in the past. Her
caramel-colored eyes even revealed her irritation ever so slightly, nearly making
Amane feel the need to smile wryly. Yet, seeing Mahiru like this, he suddenly realized
something. She seemed to dislike being casually invited out, but except for when she
had any prior engagements, she almost never declined when he was the one to invite
her.
“…And yet, you come along with me just like normal.” These words slipped
out before Amane realized, causing Mahiru to stop in her tracks.
 Then, she cast her eyes downward in an awkward motion. “Th–That’s because,
um… you are someone that I know very well, Amane-kun. You wouldn’t do anything
I find unpleasant.”
“Well, sure, I’m not twisted enough to get a kick out of doing unpleasant things
to other people. But you never know what men are really thinking, you know?”
Even if someone appeared friendly on the surface, you never know what they
might be thinking. This was especially true when it comes to the opposite sex.
There were plenty of selfish men in the world who acted on their desires
however they pleased without considering the feelings of others, so even if the other
party was Amane, he himself wished that Mahiru would continue to err on the side of
caution.
Don’t forget, I’m a man, too, was the message Amane had been trying to
convey, but Mahiru looked at him with a blank expression.
“But Amane-kun, I don’t think you have even a fraction of the guts needed to
do that though…?”
Her words spun naturally with absolutely zero doubt in her mind that there was
a chance he’d force anything onto her. In response, Amane reached out and silently
touched her cheek.
As he watched her large eyes blink, he gently pinched her soft cheek between
his thumb and index finger, trying to maintain a calm expression on his face.
“Wh–Whau awe you pwaying at?” Her smooth, supple cheeks stretched easily
with just a slight pinch.
“I just suddenly became a mean person and as such, am doing something bad.”
As Amane enjoyed the sensation of her soft, mochi-like cheeks between his
fingers, being careful not to hurt her, Mahiru let out a “Geez!” in protest. Amane then
let go, releasing her now slightly flushed cheeks.
Even though he had only lightly pulled at them, a faint flush had spread across
Mahiru’s porcelain-like skin. Amane stroked her cheek, asking, “Did it hurt?” but she
shook her head and quickly put some distance between them, as if trying to escape.
“I-In any case, I have no reason to decline if you invite me, and I would never
bother going out of my way to come here with anyone other than you, Amane-kun.”
Mahiru asserted herself clearly, albeit in a bit of a huff.
“…That so?” Hearing the way she replied, Amane wondered whether he should
be happy or lament the fact that she considered him harmless. But at the very least, he
took satisfaction in earning her trust.
Amane was aware that he was the one Mahiru trusted the most among the
opposite sex, but it still felt different to have that fact be reaffirmed by her. If instead,
Mahiru had said that she would have been fine with anyone else, even the little
confidence Amane had might have been shattered.
…I won’t deny that I have mixed feelings about her seeing me as harmless, but
I’m still genuinely happy that she said I was the only one.
Although an atypical one, Amane was a man. He had his own fair share of
desire to monopolize her. The thought of Mahiru going to the beach with other men
was something he didn’t want to imagine. Letting down her defenses, she delightedly
splashed her feet amidst the water—this side of her was one she showed to Amane
alone. Realizing this, he was able to accept being seen as a wimp.
Yup, yup. As Amane convinced himself as such, he suddenly felt a cool
sensation on his cheek.
He unintentionally blurted out, “That’s cold!” and at the same time, heard a
mischievous laugh from right beside him.
When he looked, there was Mahiru, her hand wet, touching his neck
inexplicably. She smiled sweetly the moment their eyes met.
“Payback for earlier,” she said, stretching out her arm to cool his neck the best
she could. A chuckle rose within Amane, but fearing that she might start sulking if he
laughed, he stifled it.
Instead, Amane, allowing Mahiru to retaliate playfully, squinted and raised
both his hands lightly. “I surrender, I surrender. That was my bad.” At this, Mahiru
smiled, saying, “As long as you understand,” satisfied with Amane’s meek
acceptance.
Afterwards, she softly kicked the waves at her feet, and her expression was one
of pure joy.
“Oh, Amane-kun. Here, look at this—I found a lovely seashell!” Mahiru, who,
for a while now, had been enjoying the sensation of her sandals passing through the
waves and sand, suddenly looked down to her feet and raised her voice.
Beyond the tip of her white fingers, Amane saw a small, pale-colored seashell
the size of a pinky finger. They had been walking around an area where there was no
dangerous debris, but they hadn’t noticed any seashells like this one.
As long as we don’t step on the fragments with our bare feet, we should be fine.
Following Mahiru’s urging, Amane crouched down and looked at the small
treasures scattered about the sandy beach.
The beach hadn’t officially opened yet, so there weren’t that many visitors. In
turn, this made the seashells and sea glass strewn about stand out all the more. Across
the beach, there were some as small as a fingernail and others as long as an entire
finger, making it quite a sight to behold when you looked closely.
“Wow, wasn’t expecting to see some this big lying around.”
“If you crouch down and look closely, you can see all sorts of objects scattered
around,” replied Mahiru, “There are also things like sea glass lying around here and
there, and judging by the smoothness of their surfaces, they must have traveled here
from afar.”
Rounded, colorful pieces of glass dotted the white, sandy beach. The
faintly-colored fragments, polished in a yet different way from artificial means, had a
mysterious charm that made it easy to understand why some people would collect
them.
Naturally, neither Amane nor Mahiru had any intention of beachcombing
considering the legal implications, but simply admiring them as they were shouldn’t
be a problem.
“It’s impressive how round they become after getting worn down,” Amane
muttered, admiring the sea glass with his eyes. Having been tossed about by the
stormy seas over the course of their long journey before finally arriving at this beach,
the sea glass emitted a dim, glassy, luster that gave one the impression of that very
same voyage.
Mahiru, crouching next to him while hugging her knees, heartily nodded in
agreement. “It’s amazing, don’t you think? After tumbling and being tossed about by
the waves and against the seabed, they become like this. The power of nature is
incredible. To think that given time, discarded glass from so far a distance can travel
all the way here while becoming round.”
“People could easily be swept away with waves that powerful,” Amane pointed
out. “After all, it’s not uncommon to hear news about people drowning offshore after
being snatched away by the waves.”
“Please don’t say such ominous things just as I was admiring them.”
“Sorry, sorry. Must be scary for you to think about since you can’t swim,
Mahiru.”
A hushed silence fell. “…Amane-kun.”
“I really am sorry. But you wouldn’t even consider swimming in the sea to
begin with, right? You’d be satisfied just dipping your feet in the shallow water.”
Upon apologizing to Mahiru, who gave him a slightly resentful look at the
words ‘can’t swim,’ Amane looked back to gauge her reaction, and she truly was
sullenly pouting her lips.
 “You are correct, but I feel as though I am being laughed at.”
“My bad. …I’ll have to make sure our legs don’t get scooped up by the waves.”
“It would be a disaster if we fell, after all.”
“I shall be sure to support you so long as you’re next to me,” assured Amane.
They hadn’t brought a spare change of clothes with them, so if they happened
to fall over, Amane had no doubt that their clothes, underwear included, would
become sopping wet. Luckily for them, the higher summer temperatures would likely
allow them to dry their clothes naturally in the sun. But even so, it would prove
unpleasant to spend an hour or two walking around with soaked underwear.
“And what if we both fell together, Amane-kun?”
“At that point, I guess I’ll just roll around laughing while getting absolutely
drenched,” he joked. He was right beside her, so he’d support her in case anything
were to happen. However, that in itself wouldn’t serve as a perfect measure to prevent
her from falling. So, if they were to actually fall over, they would have an easier time
accepting the situation if they laughed it off, made the most of what happened to get
completely drenched, and turned it into a funny story to tell.
“…I shall try my very best not to fall.”
“Mm-hmm, do be careful. Same goes for me, but still.” While they exchanged
words of warning, Amane and Mahiru knew that accidents could still happen even if
they were careful.
After getting up from their crouched positions and resuming their stroll along
the sandy beach, Mahiru’s sandal got caught on something, causing Mahiru to fall
toward Amane. As he was right next to her as she fell, Mahiru didn’t hit the ground
directly, but Amane, having been caught off guard, collapsed along with her, landing
on the beach with his backside.
Although there was an impact, it didn’t hurt Amane’s buttocks too much since
they were on the sandy beach. More than that, with Mahiru in his arms as she’d fallen
on top of him, Amane felt as though his heart would hurt more instead.
“Haha,” Amane chuckled, “I didn’t think we’d actually fall over.”
“I-I’m so sorry!” Mahiru replied with a weak-sounding, apologetic cry as
she leaned against Amane’s body.
To prevent her from becoming downhearted at the situation, Amane gently
patted Mahiru on the back to comfort her, as if tending to a crying child. Given the
remorseful expression showing on her face, Amane figured she wouldn’t mind the
gesture.
 “It’s okay, it’s okay; accidents happen to everyone. Are you alright? You didn’t
twist your ankle or anything, right? Does it hurt anywhere?”
“My foot is fine, and I’m unharmed thanks to you cushioning my fall… But,
Amane-kun, you landed on your buttocks, didn’t you?”
“I did, but I’m fine because it was sand. I might’ve been in tears if it was
concrete, though.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“No, it really is fine. I’m more relieved to see that you aren’t injured. At most,
it’s just a little sand on our clothes,” he said, further reassuring her. “Don’t worry too
much about it, really.” In the first place, it was Amane’s responsibility to help her. He
had brought her to the beach, which had unreliable footing, so there was no reason for
Mahiru to feel guilty for what happened.
However, since it was clear that she was still worried about him, Amane
gently stroked her back to comfort her, making a conscious effort not to focus too
much on the softness and warmth of her body. “It’s nice to see you being a klutz
sometimes, Mahiru. It just means you’re getting more relaxed.”
“I–If you say that, aren’t you implying that I’m consistently a klutz?”
Seeing Mahiru directing her focus away from her guilt, Amane couldn’t help
but chuckle as a fire lit in her eyes. “How come? You’re always cautious,
bolstering defenses in every direction around you. But I feel that, when it comes to
me, you seem to relax a little. You usually don’t show any openings at all.”
“…E-Erm, well that’s… because there is no point in being wary of you,
Amane-kun.”
“I’d very much prefer if you were, though,” he retorted gently.
“Does that not contradict what you said earlier?”
“It does, but at the same time, it doesn’t.”
While he appreciated seeing Mahiru the way she truly was—her unmasked,
authentic, side—as opposed to the persona she presented to most people, Amane
wished she’d do something to recover some of her prior caution. Especially since she,
her true self, had begun to accept Amane on a much closer level.
That was what Amane had meant when he said he’d prefer her to stay wary, but
it seemed she hadn’t truly understood that meaning.
In a sense, being too pure has its own set of issues.
While Amane wasn’t so cowardly as to take advantage of someone that trusts
him, he was, in fact, hungry. Therefore, he wished that Mahiru would refrain from
dangling too enticing a bait in front of him.
 “What do you mean by that?”
“Who knows.” Amane evaded the question, earning him a stern look from
Mahiru, who moved her face closer to his. Faced with this proximity, all Amane
could do was look away.
“Why are you averting your eyes?” she asked.
“Well, I mean…”
“Let’s look each other in the eye when we talk, okay? It’s important, you
know?” Mahiru smiled cheerfully, but she was the one who failed to understand what
was important here.
“…Uh, well—consider the position we’re in, and then the distance between our
faces.
“Huh?”
“We’re too close, and this angle is troubling in many more ways than one. Do
you understand?” Since it was Mahiru, Amane probably didn’t have to go into detail
for her to catch on.
Mahiru was sitting up, sure, but she was positioned between his legs, her
body leaning against his chest, and looking up at him. That alone was already
precarious enough, but her attire, an off-shoulder dress, further added to that.
While her puff sleeves may have covered her upper arms, the key part of her
décolleté was fully exposed. Plus, they—something that Amane left
unspoken—were currently pressed against him as he bore witness to the depths of
her divine canyon, which, due to his angle, served as an extremely stimulating
sight indeed.
The straps on her dress meant to provide some support had also slid down
her shoulders, all but entirely—and unreliably—abandoning their duties. For
Amane, this situation came more as a shock than any kind of perceived benefit.
“Dangerous, don’t you think?”
“Y… You’re… right.” Even Mahiru appeared to understand the position she
was in, as she curled up in shame and tightly closed her small lips.
Due to her shrinking shoulders, the strap of her dress was even more at risk of
slipping off. To rectify this, Amane gently pulled Mahiru up and adjusted the strap,
moving it back into its proper place.
Her slender shoulders trembled faintly upon even the slightest of touches, and
her pale skin flushed over with a subtle change in hue. However, there was, of course,
nothing Amane could do about such a response.
 …Not like I’m one to talk, though.
Mahiru was blushing, but seen from her perspective, Amane was most likely
blushing, too. While he tried to keep his cool, Amane was currently in very close
proximity to the woman he loved. Accident or not, it was both embarrassing and a
little exciting.
Amane, knowing that it wouldn’t be appropriate to voice those feelings,
made an attempt to keep his composure as he whispered, “Your face is all red.”
Despite feeling that he was in no position to say that about her, he noticed
Mahiru lifting her face upon hearing his murmur. She showed an expression that
screamed she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the right words as she
lightly thumped Amane’s chest.
“…And whose fault do you think that is?”
“That’d be yours, Mahiru.” It wasn’t because she had tripped, but Mahiru had
unwittingly brought her face close to Amane’s. Even I don’t think I should be held
responsible for that, he thought. “Come on, let’s get ourselves up. If you get even
redder than this, you’ll collapse from heatstroke, you know?”
“…Yes.” Given the heat, not just her face but her body may overheat as well,
so it would be best for Mahiru to cool herself down as soon as possible.
After supporting her slender body, which, despite them sharing meals almost
every night, made him worry whether she was eating properly, Amane then picked up
the straw hat that had fallen off Mahiru’s head when she tripped. He dusted off the
sand, gently placing the hat back on her head. Mahiru seemed to appreciate the
shade it provided, for she pulled the hat down further, effectively hiding her face.
She seemed utterly embarrassed, her reddened face hidden by the brim of
her hat and the way she hung her head. Amane was well aware that Mahiru
wouldn’t speak until she cooled down, so he turned his back, deciding to give her
some space to allow her to calm down to her heart’s content.
But right as he did so, he felt a light impact on his back.
Still, Amane couldn’t turn around completely. Mahiru held her straw hat
against her chest with one hand, while the other was grabbing a hold of his shirt.
She buried her face in his back.
By turning his neck, Amane barely managed to look over his shoulder. But he
was at a loss as to why she was clinging to him so suddenly.
“Wh–What’s wrong?” he asked tentatively.
“P-Please do not leave me behind.”
 “What makes you think that’s what I was trying to do?”
“Um, because… you were about to walk away.”
“I did that since I figured you needed some time to cool down, Mahiru. Looks
like you don’t wanna be seen right now, so you might find it hard to calm down with
me so close.”
“I–I do not want to be seen, but I also don’t want you to leave me behind,
either.”
Depending on who you asked, they may claim that Mahiru had just said
something rather ridiculous, but Amane was able to understand what she was trying to
tell him. She didn’t want her embarrassing face to be seen, yet she felt anxious
being alone and wanted him to stay by her side.
‘Please don’t leave me on my own,’ must have been what she meant.
Honestly, I wasn’t intending to stray that far from her to begin with, Amane
mused. But seeing that she was still anxious, he cleared his throat, then smiled
lightly and reassured that he’d stay beside her.
“Well, if someone found a beautiful girl like you roaming about on your own,
they might try their luck hitting on you. And besides, I’m sure it’s scary being alone in
a place you don’t know.”
“…That wasn’t what I was thinking, but this will do for the time being.” For
some reason, Mahiru began hitting his back as she responded.
“Okay, okay. I won’t leave. I’ll stay right here, next to you. Fine with that?”
After some thought, Mahiru replied, “…That’s not enough.” She let go of
Amane’s back, her slightly sulky voice conveying her dissatisfaction. The next
moment, Mahiru moved to his side. The hand that was grabbing his shirt was now
entwined with his, as though to prevent him from running away.
They weren’t simply holding hands, either—they did so in such a way that their
fingers intertwined. While this could, in fact, be taken as both a sign of anxiety or
dissatisfaction, there was instead a hint of sweetness and trust in her expression.
Whatever the case, Amane could tell with certainty that Mahiru had no intention of
letting his hand go anytime soon.
With her hand securely clasped in his, all he could do was laugh. “I won’t be
going anywhere even without being tethered like this, you know.”
“…Even so.”
“Alright, I get it. I was thinking of holding hands anyways.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, you’re so woozy you look like you’re about to stumble.”
 This time, Mahiru squeezed his hand more firmly, but with her strength, it
was hardly enough to hurt him. It wasn’t as if she was doing it to cause him pain,
so Amane lightly brushed it off, but now Mahiru was wearing her dissatisfaction on
her sleeve.
“You’re being pretty aggressive today, Mahiru.”
“Wh–Whose fault do you think that is…”
“Mine, this time.”
“…Baka.” Mahiru pouted in response. If expressed using words, it’d be best
described as the tsun sort.
Naturally, Mahiru hadn’t seemed to realize that her doing so only served to
amplify her cuteness even further. Amane almost chuckled at this, but quickly stifled
his laugh, suspecting that Mahiru’s mood, if visualized as a graph, would switch from
a gentle oscillation to a steep, plummeting trough. Not wanting to trigger such a
disaster, he tried to maintain a neutral expression, even while meekly gripping
Mahiru’s hand and slowly walking by her side along the sandy beach.
This time around, Amane matched Mahiru’s slow pace to make sure she
didn’t trip, taking one step at a time.
“…Aren’t you angry with me?” A small voice spoke up as Amane leisurely
strolled the sandy beach, calming himself while observing the far-off waves. The
voice was delicate, tinged with obvious anxiety.
Amane shrugged, asking, “Why do you think so?” deliberately keeping his
tone light before adding, “Did anything happen today that gave you the impression I
was angry?”
“No—it’s just that, well… I acted out and hit you a lot today. Despite you
bringing me all the way out here, I had started sulking on my own.”
“Hmm, I think you only got carried away because you were a little excited.
Probably, anyway. I know you’re having a whale of a time, so there’s no way I’d get
angry at you for that, Mahiru. Besides, I’m half the reason you started sulking.”
“But…”
“Honestly, I’d rather see you smile and enjoy yourself instead of feeling down
about it. I’d feel happier that way.” Amane wasn’t angry. He too had enjoyed their
day out, so it would be far better for Mahiru not to fret it too much. He had brought
her here because he wanted to see her enjoy herself. If she didn’t have fun, that’s
when Amane would be disappointed and troubled.
 Gently patting her head over her straw hat, he reassured her, “It’s okay.”
Mahiru, who had been slightly downcast, lifted her face and met Amane’s gaze
squarely. There was no heart-pounding shock this time due to the difference in
their heights. But nevertheless, upon realizing that her clear eyes had indeed caught
sight of him, Amane’s heart fluttered slightly.
“I-I am… having fun. Anything will be, if it’s with you, Amane-kun.”
“Wouldn’t that lower your standards of fun?”
“Not in the least,” Mahiru responded forwardly. “When we’re together, I
always feel warm. I’ve come to realize that this is what happiness is all about. Now, I
have begun to feel this way whenever we are together. And it’s all thanks to you,
Amane-kun.”
“…That so?” He felt an indescribable embarrassment and had the urge to
avert his gaze, but Mahiru’s captivating eyes drew him in and thwarted his escape.
“Today was fun, too. You paid close attention to me and invited me here,
saying it would be enjoyable. You played in the water with me. You even cared for
me. …Every day, I’m happy to be with you.” Mahiru whispered in a clear,
unwavering voice tinged with a hint of hesitation and shyness. “So, Amane-kun,
please stay with me from now on, too.”
Even the most composed person would be shaken when hearing these words
whispered in such a distinct and articulate voice. The request for a future promise
alone made Amane’s heart throb uncontrollably, and while feeling somewhat
apologetic for it, he couldn’t help but harbor sweet expectations that he was being
thought of in such a way. However, he couldn’t fathom what Mahiru’s intentions
were in saying those words—even after gauging her expression, he was at a total
loss. All he could tell was that she trusted, relied on, and showed him her affection.
“…Mahiru, I think you’d be better off not saying things that could easily spark
misunderstandings.” The words Amane managed to squeeze out, truthfully, might not
have been the best choice.
Nevertheless, he chose those words because he was afraid to confirm the
uncertain feelings. He chose to keep the ambiguity because he was scared of being
rejected. As long as he didn’t confirm it, it could be both right and wrong. This
cowardice of indulging in such ambiguity was detestable, even to himself.
“‘M-Misunderstandings’?” Mahiru parroted.
“It really is dangerous, you know. Honestly,” replied Amane, a hint of disbelief
in his tone.
 “…I think the one who doesn’t understand at all is you.”
“What’re you talking about? Dummy.”
“If I am a dummy, then so are you, Amane-kun.”
“I know that all too well.”
“…Dummy.”
Amane was well aware that he was a fool.
He was still afraid to give a name to this closeness, this relationship that was
floating in the air without a label or a clear name. To be afraid to name this ambiguous
and nameless state was nothing but foolish.
Mahiru, seemingly sulking for certain this time, had leaked out a small voice.
Slowly, Amane opened his mouth to respond.
At the very least, I have to tell her this.
“I enjoy being with you too, Mahiru. I’ll be sure to remember what you said
earlier—until you take it back.”
Sly, I know. While he acknowledged that, Amane still wished to be sincere and
earnest with his feelings.
Understanding that, Mahiru lowered her eyebrows at his declaration, “…I
won’t ever take it back.” A whisper escaped from her soft-looking lips, stirring his
eardrums.
Amane dared not respond to her words with his own, but his lips naturally
formed a loose arc as his heart swelled with a mix of itchiness and comfort. He
averted his gaze from Mahiru, who was next to him.
“Let’s come back again next year. Together.”
“Yes.”
They pretended not to hear the loud beating of their hearts; they pretended
not to see the matching blush mirrored on each other’s faces; and they pretended
not to notice the strengthened bond shown by their intertwined hands, clasped
together as though they longed for one another.
As they each made their little deceits, they made a solid promise to spend
their future together, and Amane and Mahiru strolled leisurely down the quiet
sandy beach for as long as time allowed.
 Reading Order: This Special Story appears to take place during Volume 4.

When it comes to weddings, the term “June bride” might make people think of June,
but due to Japan’s climate, they’re actually often held in the autumn.
At present, amidst the fluttering autumn leaves, weddings were taking place left
and right, and Amane was experiencing firsthand why this season could be described
as a wedding rush.

✧₊✦₊✧

“Mahiru, I hate to say it, but I won’t be home starting Sunday morning—well, I’ll
actually be leaving Saturday night. But I should make it back for Sunday’s dinner, I
think.” Choosing the moment after they finished their usual dinner and settled down
on the sofa, Amane brought up the subject.
“Oh? Do you have some business to attend to?” Mahiru asked in return.
“Yeah, I do. I kinda forgot to tell you before, but… there’s a wedding.”
“Come again?”
Mahiru froze in her tracks upon hearing the word ‘wedding,’ her wide round
eyes turning toward him.
It’s only natural to get confused if someone suddenly told you about a wedding,
Amane thought, reflecting on the fact he’d dropped the topic on her so suddenly. He
then showed Mahiru the message he had received from his parents.
On the screen, along with a picture of the invitation, the date and time of the
ceremony were written, and the conversation related to whether or not Amane would
also attend. This had happened about a month ago, and Amane had confirmed his
plans to attend, but he had forgotten to tell Mahiru about it.
“My cousin’s getting married. We used to play together a lot when I was little
and he took great care of me, so I plan to attend his ceremony.”
“I see.” Mahiru looked visibly convinced by the mention of the word ‘cousin’.
Amane had several cousins, all older than him, but the cousin who was getting
married this time was one who played with him a lot when he was little. Because he
was so much older than Amane was, he doted on Amane like a younger brother.
His cousin’s fiancée, now his soon-to-be wife, would occasionally come and
play with Amane too, and because they had known each other since they were little,
Amane planned to participate in their celebration.
“We have school the next day, though, so I won’t have much time to spare,”
Amane began explaining. “I’ll probably head home immediately after the ceremony
without attending the after-party. Mom and Dad will stay behind for it, though. It’s
likely I’ll be coming home alone.”
“I understand. …I do wish you had told me earlier, though.”
“Really sorry for that. I should’ve just told you when Mom mentioned it.” In
response to Mahiru’s reply, which was more akin to teasing than criticizing, Amane
apologized sincerely.
As a matter of fact, he had regretted not telling Mahiru even before he told her,
and since it was sudden, there’s nothing he could say in response to her remarks.
Mahiru herself, however, seemed more chiding than angry, and when Amane
apologized, she responded with a light laugh, saying, “I suppose it can’t be helped.”
“So I take it you won’t need dinner on Saturday, right? You will return to stay
at your parents’ house the day before, I assume?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan. It’s less of a ‘return’… and more of a temporary visit
home. I’m only going to stay the one night.”
Mahiru giggled. “But it is still a return of sorts, so it’s a good chance for you to
interact with your parents after a long time. Isn’t that right?”
“You could say that. I can already see Mom asking ‘Where’s Mahiru-chan?’
while pouting.”
Needless to say, he was only briefly returning for the wedding
preparations—there was no need for Amane to bring Mahiru along. In fact, his parents
already treated her as though she was their real daughter, and if anything, Amane
suspected they doted on her even more than on him, their actual son. So he was
expecting his mother to be disappointed by Mahiru’s absence.
 Also aware of this, Mahiru lowered her eyebrows in a slightly troubled manner.
However, underneath that troubled look, a touch of embarrassment showed. “Please
give my regards to Shihoko-san and Shuuto-san.”
“I’ll do just that. …Though I’m sure they’ll ask for a photo of you or
something.”
“Amane-kun, do you have photos of me?”
“…I do have that picture of you with foam around your mouth.”
“I–I will get angry if you show them that one, okay?”
“I wooon’t. That one’s just for me.” The photo in question was the one taken at
the cat café, but Amane had no intention of showing that photo to anyone else. Amane
had taken that picture of her—a Mahiru that only he knew.
If requested, the most he’d show would be a casual picture of Mahiru hanging
out with Chitose, her close friend. Shihoko would probably be reassured by seeing
Mahiru having fun with a friend, so it would be a perfect choice. As Amane mentally
simulated Shihoko’s reaction, he realized Mahiru was staring at him intently, a faint
blush on her pale cheeks.
“…Whether you have faith in me or not, I’ll only show them normal photos,
you know?”
“I–It’s not about that, but… nevermind. Just, please keep that photo to yourself,
okay?”
“I’d do that even if you hadn’t asked.”
More or less having gotten her permission, Amane had made sure not to
accidentally delete that particular photo. He had carefully stored it deep within a
folder to keep it away from prying eyes, like his friend Itsuki. After hearing his
explanation, Mahiru lowered her eyes, looking slightly shy.

✧₊✦₊✧

The day of the wedding was a hectic occasion for Amane.

He had returned home the day before to prepare, but on the morning of the
ceremony, his parents’ meticulousness showed through, and they had dolled him up
perfectly. Truth be told, he’d thought that attending in a school uniform would have
been acceptable, but they had prepared a formal suit for him, saying, “There might
come a time you’ll wear it in the future anyway.”
Amane was slightly scared at how perfectly it fit him as if they had arranged
for it beforehand, but… With their keen insight, I suppose it’s not all that surprising…
Amane resigned himself to it, knowing that his parents, Shihoko and Shuuto, would
have no problem sizing it just right.
His hair was neatly set in a center part, removing any hint of tackiness and
creating a soft aura.
It had been styled correctly, but perhaps paired with the suit, the combination
made him appear more mature than usual.
“My, oh my—just look at you! You’ve turned into quite the handsome young
man. I so wish Mahiru-chan could see this too!”
“Show her for what…?”
“To blow her socks off, of course.”
“Why’s that the first thing you think of…? Anyway, I’m heading straight back
home from the venue, so she’ll see it either way.”
“Oh—now that you mention it, true. That being the case, I’ll hold back from
sending her a photo in advance.”
“Don’t go out of your way to send one in the first place.”
His pictures, for some reason, kept making their way over to Mahiru without
his permission. Amane wished Shuuto would reprimand Shihoko, but Shuuto only
looked on with a gentle smile. He was lenient with his wife, and since it seemed he
noticed that Amane didn’t actually mind all that much, it was unlikely he’d stop her.
“Really…” Sighing, Amane carefully touched his forehead so as not to mess up
his styled hair. Both Shuuto and Shihoko looked at him, their lips curling in
amusement.
Having attended relatives’ weddings several times before, Amane didn’t feel
nervous about the ceremony as a guest. But this time, it wasn’t distant relatives but a
cousin he knew well getting married. He was filled with sincere joy, and could offer
sincere smiles and greetings to the cousin he hadn’t seen in a while.
During their conversation, his cousin asked him about this and that, like how
life was going or whether there was someone he was interested in. Amane answered
his questions vaguely, but the cousin seemed to catch on quickly, giving him a
knowing grin.
“Oh? So you’ve got someone like that too now, huh?” Amane’s cousin
remarked.
Although it was spoken softly so that his parents, who were talking with his
uncle and aunt, couldn’t hear, his cousin’s vibrant voice and thoughtful nodding left
Amane with nothing but a bitter smile.
 “Don’t tease too much, okay?” The soon-to-be wife lightly chided her fiancé
before turning toward Amane, “Now, do tell us more.”
“Please spare me. And please, definitely don’t tell anyone else,” Amane urged.
“I get it, I get it—you want this kept a secret, right?”
Amane looked at their facial expressions, thinking, I wonder if they really
understand…, but he felt that he wouldn’t do anything that’d genuinely upset him.
Well, Amane could also see that they were, most likely, imagining various
possibilities in their heads.
They haven’t changed at all in that regard, huh.
It was their special day, and yet, the couple seemed to enjoy discussing his
personal life. Something about that notion intrigued Amane. He also felt a little
embarrassed seeing the affection his cousin and fiancée still held for him.

✧₊✦₊✧

The time for the ceremony arrived. After the couple exchanged their vows, the
reception began. Perhaps an effect of the couple’s personality, the atmosphere
remained calm and pleasant throughout. They had been dating since their student
days, and there were many familiar faces among the relatives. The two were both
outgoing and sincere, and it seemed that they were well-liked even in their
workplaces, given the sheer number of attendees showering them with blessings.
The Master of Ceremonies recounted the story of how they met. Seeing the
couple exchange shy smiles, Amane couldn’t help but feel a heartwarming sensation,
as if a piece of their happiness was being shared with him. Having observed their
close relationship since he was young, witnessing them unite like this put him at ease.
But at the same time, a different emotion welled up within him.
…How wonderful.
Heart and soul, Amane believed this.
To be blessed by family and friends, to love and support each other as they
journeyed forward together; a commitment where they only had eyes for each other,
without distraction, for a lifetime.
Amane, who was self-aware of his inexperience regarding such matters, found
the path the couple walked since their student days to be incredibly radiant. Right
before him was an embodiment of an ideal he desired. Given the heavy feelings he
carried for Mahiru, feelings he wasn’t even sure he should hold toward her, the
couple’s relationship felt deeply enviable to Amane.
 “My, what’s the matter, dear?” Shihoko, who had been happily watching the
bride and groom, suddenly turned to him.
Her clear eyes, as if seeing right through him, made Amane feel strangely
awkward, and he shifted his gaze to the newlyweds, who seemed to exist in their own
world despite the large gathering of guests.
“Nothing much. I was just thinking about how they’ve been close for so long.”
“That’s true,” Shuuto chimed in. “They used to hang out at our house, always
together. They’ve always been a devoted pair.”
“Oh, but it’s a good thing!” a relative added. “Didn’t your siblings share this
mindset, too? It must be in the blood. It’s the Fujimiya family’s legacy.”
Laughing, Shuuto replied, “Well, I can’t comment about others either… But
yes,” then turned to face his son. “The Fujimiya family has been like this for
generations, Amane.”
Amane turned away from Shuuto, his words laden with hidden implications,
and desperately suppressed the intense heat within him from surfacing.

✧₊✦₊✧

“I’m home.”
As planned, Amane didn’t attend the after-party and quickly returned home by
bullet train. Upon opening the door to his home, he was greeted by an apron-clad
Mahiru.
Amane had messaged her that he’d be returning soon, and since it also
happened to be dinner time, seeing Mahiru in her apron wasn’t all that strange of a
sight. However, since he’d returned home wearing a suit, he found the situation to be
oddly embarrassing.
While he may have gotten accustomed to their arrangement, Amane couldn’t
help feeling as though they were a newlywed couple. Although in reality, they weren’t
even dating—it was all in Amane’s imagination.
Upon seeing Amane, “Welc…ome back,” Mahiru began, trailing off as she
took in his appearance. Her caramel-colored eyes looked at him from top to bottom,
then her gaze darted around, clearly somewhat flustered.
“Huh? Something wrong?”
“N-No, it’s just… you aren’t wearing your uniform.”
“Actually, I would have preferred my uniform, but Mom and Dad insisted on
preparing it since it was a special occasion. Well, experiences like this are important,”
Amane reasoned. Events like these require a certain level of experience, and in a few
years, Amane would be an adult needing to dress appropriately for various occasions.
While he didn’t think much of his current attire in light of that, it was undoubtedly
unfamiliar to Mahiru.
Given that his attire had a distinct level of formality compared to his uniform,
perhaps it felt out of place when Amane, who was usually a little sloppy, wore them.
“…You look very mature when you wear a formal suit like that, Amane-kun.”
After a while of glancing at him, then looking away, Mahiru muttered under her
breath.
“So you’re saying I’m usually not mature? Can I interpret it that way?”
“N-No! That’s not what I meant! Erm... It’s like... um...”
“Like in a ‘the clothes make the man’ sorta way?”
“Why would you think that! Wh-What I actually mean is, erm… you look…
sexier, or cooler, than usual.”
Her praise, spoken in a tiny, almost cracking voice, caught him off guard.
Amane was taken aback. Sex appeal—was something he had never considered
himself to possess. If anything, Amane felt as though he lacked any and all semblance
of sex appeal. However, it seemed Mahiru thought differently.
Almost certainly, no, without a doubt, this must be an effect of the suit.
Unsure of what to do, Amane scratched his cheek. Rather, he had to cover up
the fact that, after being praised so directly, he was beginning to blush.
“…I–I see. Um, thank you…”
“I–It was nothing.”
The way Mahiru shrunk back slightly, shyly lowering her gaze was utterly
adorable. But if Amane were to hug her right now, he’d just come off a total creep. He
restrained his desire to embrace and caress her, instead awkwardly shifting his gaze
down the hallway.
“U–Um, can I… uh, take a bath first?”
“Y–You can. I have already filled the bath with hot water for you. Dinner is
also ready, but if you prefer, you can bathe first.”
“Will do. Thanks a lot.”
Seeing the perfectly prepared Mahiru, he wanted to quip, “What are you, a
newlywed?” but refrained, as making such a remark would be akin to self-sabotage.
He then hesitated as Mahiru, noticing his belongings, reached out to accept them from
him.
 In his hands were a pair of shoes and a bag containing only the essentials. He
would’ve felt slightly guilty if he’d handed them over to her, so he had decided to
carry them himself. Mahiru briefly glanced at its contents from above, easily noticing
what was inside, and looked up at Amane with curiosity.
“…What’s this?”
“Ah, some sort of bouquet I received. My cousin’s wife gave it to us, it seems.”
“Huh?”
“Sorry about this, really. They kinda just handed it over to me. It wasn’t passed
along in Pass the Bouquet; they specifically had the staff at the venue make an
additional one. They, uh, seem to have mistaken you for my girlfriend or something...
so they gave me it, saying, ‘please take it if you’d like’.”
Sometimes, wedding plans included preparing bouquets for each attendee.
Amane’s cousin and his wife had chosen such a plan, which resulted in Amane
receiving a bouquet too.
Upon hearing about Mahiru, they insisted on giving her one, which for some
reason seemed to have slightly more extravagance than the ones given to other guests
(though it was still on the smaller side).
While Amane wanted to commend the wedding staff for accommodating such a
last-minute request, he also felt that they had made quite a few misunderstandings and
had been fast to jump to conclusions. However, he had no such chance to discuss it
given his tight schedule.
I can’t help feeling that they’re trying to set things up without my say.
Amane hadn’t even told his parents how much he liked Mahiru, let alone that
he was considering building a future with her. Yet Shihoko already seemed willing to
welcome her as a daughter, and Shuuto showed no signs of stopping her. As such,
Amane suspected they had already caught onto his feelings for her. Even Amane’s
cousin and his wife, while keeping the story to themselves for now, seemed intent on
giving him a push.
Mahiru’s face turned red at the mention of “girlfriend,” and as Amane felt the
warmth concentrating on his face, he handed her the bouquet he had received.
The bouquet, not overly flashy and predominantly white, seemed to perfectly
complement Mahiru’s pure appearance and aura. It could even be said it was made for
her.
Mahiru looked down at the bouquet she held in her hands.
“…Um, is it a bother?” asked Amane.
 “Oh, not at all. I’m happy to receive them. …Erm, I do like flowers, and… It
makes me feel like I have received a share of today’s happiness.”
Mahiru gently hugged the bouquet to her chest, smiling shyly. Amane
momentarily held his breath, then smiled back as naturally he could, trying to hide his
surprise.
“I’m glad you don’t find it a bother,” Amane replied. “…If you like flowers,
I’ll go buy some for one of our anniversaries. This time, it’ll be one I prepared
myself.”
“Ara, Amane-kun—do you really remember our anniversaries?”
“H-How rude. I do, actually. Like the day we met, and the day we started
having dinner together. I remember them.”
The day Amane met Mahiru in the rain—the first time he properly conversed
with her. The day they had their first meal together. Both of these days were deeply
ingrained in his memory. While, yes, Amane did make it a point to remember these
days because Mahiru was special to him, he was also the type to remember
anniversaries in general.
He’d never brought it up, fearing it might make him sound presumptuous. Yet,
Mahiru’s large eyes blinked repeatedly, as if she were on the verge of tears.
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“That’s not it.” Mahiru denied, starting to giggle. “…It’s just that I realized you
consider those occasions special.”
“…What, is that bad of me?”
“No, it made me happy.” Showing a soft, heartwarming expression, Mahiru
smiled. Amane felt his breath get caught in his throat but managed to avoid revealing
his feelings as Mahiru turned her back, saying, “I shall go ahead and arrange the
bouquet. This way it will last longer.”
With the cause of his racing heart gone, Amane took a deep breath, exhaling
slowly several times to calm his racing heart and the anticipation, taking quite some
time to do so.

✧₊✦₊✧

Entering the living room after a refreshing bath, Amane found Mahiru staring intently
at him again. This time, he had properly dried his hair with a hairdryer before coming,
so he assumed there wouldn’t be anything for Mahiru to chide him about. However,
she continued to observe him with an inspecting gaze.
 “Is something off about me?” asked Amane.
“There isn’t… I just wanted to look a little while longer,” Mahiru replied. It
seemed that she was rather fond of the hairstyle Amane had set.
“You liked it that much?”
“I—I mean, typically you don’t… style your hair in a way that clearly shows
your face, do you? And I rarely see you looking so neat and sharp.”
“Well, sorry for usually being so careless then.”
“…Geez. If—If you saw me with a different hairstyle, you would take a good
look and compliment me, right? I’m simply saying that you seem different, and
different can be good. I’m not criticizing how you normally look.”
“A-Alright. That makes sense.” When he thought about it, he would genuinely
compliment Mahiru if she made an effort with her fashion or hairstyle.
He didn’t think she was trying to be stylish because she wanted to be
complimented, but he believed that recognizing and appreciating someone’s efforts
was a sign of respect. If Mahiru felt the same way, then he had no reason to argue
against it.
“I’m glad you think it looks good, Mahiru… Though, to be honest, my parents
did it for me.”
“Your parents are incredibly attentive in regards to appearance, after all. They
have a refined fashion sense.”
“So true. I’m sort of indifferent when it comes to that stuff, so I’m always
amazed.”
“But Amane-kun, you’re the type who, if practiced, can quickly and easily pick
up on such things.”
“Well, maybe to some extent if I watched first.”
“That’s just like you,” Mahiru shrugged, “not realizing how adept you actually
are.” She sighed, looked momentarily troubled, but soon reverted to her usual
expression and went back to the kitchen to lay out the dinner.
Most of the dishes had already been prepared. All that remained was to set
them out on the table, and with Amane’s help, the dinner setup was quickly
completed.
Today’s lunch at the venue had been quite luxurious, but Amane still felt that
Mahiru’s cooking was the most delicious and comforting. Just looking at it made him
feel at ease. Of course, professionally made food was delicious, but it was a matter of
personal preference.
 Amane, after expressing his gratitude for the meal, took a sip from the soup
bowl. The deeply flavorful taste of the miso soup carefully made with a rich stock
made him let out a contented sigh, and Mahiru smiled mischievously at his reaction.
“How was the wedding ceremony?” As they began to eat, Mahiru inquired
about the wedding.
“It went great, I suppose. It’s hard to convey the feeling it gave with words, but
the two of them truly looked happy together… Yeah, ‘wonderful’ would sum it up
nicely. They really are made for each other, those two. A perfect match. I was relieved
to see they’re still as close as ever.”
Amane had known the couple since childhood. He was deeply moved by the
fact that their relationship had lasted until now, knowing very well that not all
relationships stand the test of time. Amane’s feelings and line of thinking were heavy,
and he was, in fact, acutely aware of that himself.
“The ceremony was held for your cousin, correct? Were you already
well-acquainted with the bride?”
“Yep, I was. We lived not too far from each other, after all. You see, Mom and
Dad were on good terms with my cousin’s parents—my uncle and his wife—and the
whole family knew my cousin’s girlfriend… well, now wife, pretty well on top of
that. There were times when my cousin came over to play with me and she’d join him.
They doted on me quite a bit. Because I was the younger one, they played… cared
for… and looked after me. Like a younger brother of sorts.”
“I see. Amane-kun, your relatives all appear to get along well.”
“Pretty much. My cousin was head over heels for her. It almost felt like destiny.
They dated through high school and university, and as planned, they tied the knot a
few years after they started working. They’ve been an item for such a long time,
planning everything together. Their relationship has remained strong the whole time.
Some relatives on my mother’s side even joked about how bizarre the Fujimiya
family’s genes are.”
“Genes, you say?”
“My family, especially on my father’s side, is filled with incredibly affectionate
people. There’s my parents, yeah, but there’s also my uncle and his wife, my
grandparents, and my great-uncle and his wife. They’re all utterly devoted to their
respective partners. Well, I’m not too sure whether it’s the way they were brought up
or just genetics, but whatever the case, once they decide on someone, they only ever
have eyes for that person…”
 As far as Amane knew, the Fujimiya family lineage was filled with deeply
loving individuals. They had a tendency to love just one partner for life. Their
dedication was evident in his own parents, his cousin and his wife, and his uncle and
aunt. They all harbored feelings that never faded as they aged. To put it simply, they
were committed. Or to see it in a less flattering light, their feelings were intense. Once
they decided, ‘this person is the one,’ they would persistently keep feeling that way.
Of course, doing something against the wishes of the other person was out of
the question. They would understand and accept a breakup. But once they became a
couple, they tended to dash straight to the finishing line—marriage.
Amane, being a part of this lineage, was aware of this nature and accepted that
he probably was, or would become, the same. Most of those who married into the
Fujimiya family could handle this type of intense love, so it wasn’t at all a pressing
concern. But their unwavering nature also meant they weren’t the type for casual
relationships, making them a rather inflexible family.
“Having dated for a very long time, my cousin and his wife got married without
ever looking elsewhere. At the very least, I think it’s safe to say that being devoted is
a consistent trait in my family… Uh, is something wrong?”
As Amane was explaining his family’s devotion, Mahiru had been staring at
him intently. “No, I was simply wondering whether you would inevitably turn out the
same way, Amane-kun.”
“…I probably will. I think so, anyway. At the very least, I’m confident I’d
never cheat, and I’d cherish my partner.”
“You say that with great confidence.”
“Well, yeah. Normally speaking, you don’t just cheat on your partner… How
could anyone deliberately hurt someone they once loved without a second thought? I
don’t remember ever becoming a man without morals, obligation, or common sense.”
While it might seem obvious, Amane had no intentions of ever being so disloyal.
Infidelity was recognized as a despicably low act that ruthlessly tore apart one’s
partner’s heart. If one had common sense and moral integrity, they wouldn’t commit
such an act in the first place. Amane neither had a penchant for hurting people
willingly nor any desire to become the kind of depraved individual who deceived, had
affairs, and relished only the convenient parts of relationships.
Even leaving common sense aside, considering the risks and benefits, one
shouldn’t engage in adultery. If the truth of the affair came to light, they could be sued
for damages, and in some cases, face social exile, making future life unmanageable.
 Moreover, there’s a notion that those who cheat once will always be cheaters,
so next time, the cheater may be the one being cheated on.
If someone was willing to take such risks just for fleeting love, it would be
better to just part ways with their real partner from the beginning. Trying to only
indulge in the pleasurable parts of a relationship would be, fundamentally, unrealistic.
Seeing Amane with a disgusted and incredulous expression about cheating,
Mahiru gave a very relieved smile.
“I think that aspect of yours is a virtue, Amane-kun.”
“Well, thank you for that. I mean, I do think this way of thinking is the standard
to be honest.”
“If that truly was the standard, then there would be no cheating, nor any
unhappy children born.”
Faced with Mahiru’s somewhat monotonous remark, Amane realized he had
spoken out of turn. “I apologize. That was inconsiderate of me.” Considering
Mahiru’s upbringing, it probably wasn’t wise for Amane to delve into such topics.
“I will be put on the spot if you apologize for that,” Mahiru responded.
“…Besides, my parents had never loved me from the beginning—it’s not exactly that
kind of issue.”
“……Sorry.”
“N–No, you don’t need to get that upset… I’m the one who should apologize. I
may have overreacted a little.”
“Nah, I’m the one at fault.”
“Geez… I’m happy with how things are now, okay? And, in response to my
parents’ bad example, I shall choose someone who thinks of me first and treats me
preciously.”
“…That’s good. I hope you will find that person.”
It would be lovely if that person was me, Amane thought, but if it meant
making her truly happy, he couldn’t help feeling that he’d be okay with it even if it
was someone else. If possible, he wanted to be the one to make her happy, to protect
her smile. Still, Mahiru’s feelings were what mattered the most, even though he hoped
she’d choose him.
As these thoughts occupied his mind, he nodded, only to be nudged in the leg
by her slipper.
“What?”
“No, think nothing of it.” Mahiru looked away, seemingly pouting. But soon,
she returned to her usual expression with a sigh. “Anyway, I’m in no way dissatisfied
with my current lifestyle, and it’s precisely because of the actions my parents took that
I am able to spend time with people I get along with. Even if I had the ability to alter
the past, I wouldn’t do anything to remedy my relationship with my parents.”
“…I see.”
“You see, I will lose my current life if I redo everything now.”
“Even if you could become a happy family?”
“Absolutely… My parents, for better or worse, shaped who I am now. It’s not
as if I dislike who I am now. While I may not be the most endearing… there are
people who accept me as I am now.”
“…Yeah. There are.”
“Amane-kun, you’re looking at me, right?”
“…I sure am.”
Whether he promised to or not, Amane always had his eyes on Mahiru, and if
allowed, he would like to continue watching over her.
Slightly sarcastic, yet mature. Not overtly transparent, yet honest. Childlike
and, occasionally, lonely. Mahiru was just a single ordinary girl.
Hearing Amane’s reply, a contented smile spread across Mahiru’s face, and she
gently shook her head.
“In that case, I will be just fine. I shall remain the person I am now. I prefer my
current self. What I desire is someone who loves this current me.”
With her concluding words, it was evident that Mahiru had accepted,
recognized, and embraced her own existence.
The Mahiru of the past used to deny herself, but now, she affirmed her way of
being. She desired someone who would accept her for who she was, not as an angel.
And she felt ready to accept that kind of love.
Now, having heard Mahiru’s true feelings, Amane felt warmth swelling in his
chest.
“So, returning to the topic at hand, were you able to converse with your
cousin?”
As Amane listened to Mahiru’s story, trying to ensure the warmth in his chest
didn’t reach his eyes, Mahiru asked as if she’d remembered something.
“I was able to, yeah. We talked a bit beforehand in the waiting room,” he
answered. “…And thanks to that, things got super noisy.”
“‘Noisy’?”
“Well, uh, y’know… ‘It’ll be your turn next,’ stuff like that.”
“Your turn? For which?”
 “Yeah, well, uh… Just, don’t worry about it. I’ve long since known I intended
to carve out a path similar to his.”
Amane hadn’t expected that his cousin would walk the same path as him. Well,
to be more precise, Amane hadn’t even confessed yet, so he wasn’t even standing at
the starting point
“I–Is that so? I can’t say I understand, but for now, I am glad you two seem to
be on good terms.”
“…You know, I get the feeling I’ll be teased in the future.”
Mahiru giggled. “Is that not a sign that you two are close?”
“Sure, if I was the only one being teased.”
“Huh?” Mahiru tilted her head.
If Amane’s wish came true, Mahiru would likely be teased or made fun of
alongside him.
“Nah, it’s nothing. For starters, my cousin’s just jumping the gun. Nothing’s set
in stone yet.”
If Amane was dating Mahiru, it would all add up. But with them just being
friends, there wasn’t much Amane could say. If anything, he’d prefer not to be rushed
in that regard.
Honestly… Amane sighed in exasperation, recalling the wedding. A hint of a
smile crossed his face as he recalled the joyous couple, his cousin and his bride.
Seeing them pledge their happiness and love to each other made him feel a mix
of envy and admiration.
“…By the way, uh…”
“Yes?”
“Do girls typically dream of having weddings and the like?”
Amane regretted the question almost as soon as he’d asked, but Mahiru took it
in stride, pausing for a moment in thought. “Hmm… While it’s questionable to
generalize, I think if they had the financial means and time, many may want to have
one.”
“That’s a realistic perspective.”
“Not many would hold a ceremony if they don’t have any financial breathing
room.”
“True. People can’t just live on dreams, after all.”
As it were, hearing from his cousin about the cost of the ceremony had made
Amane’s face tighten, so Mahiru’s practical thinking was likely spot on. After all, you
can’t survive comfortably without money.
 “Putting that aside, many indeed do dream about wearing a wedding dress or a
white bridal kimono. It’s essentially a declaration in front of everyone that ‘I will now
become yours’, and it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. There’s definitely an allure to
bridal attire.” [2]
“…I see.”
“Is that what you want to do, Amane-kun? There seem to be more men who find it
bothersome compared to women.”
“What man wouldn’t want to see their bride dressed up to the nines…?”
While Amane understood that wedding preparations could be time-consuming
and costly, and they could be quite exhausting, most people get only one chance to see
their life partner dressed as a bride. The venue stands as the grandest stage, and for
many, the wedding becomes the day in which they shine the brightest in their life.
Amane couldn’t understand why anyone would pass up such an opportunity simply
because they found it ‘bothersome’.
Seeing his confusion, Mahiru chuckled and graced him with a hearty smile.
“That’s so like you, Amane-kun.”
“What are you laughing at me for?”
“Oh, I was just thinking that the woman who becomes your wife would be a
very happy lady.”
“But of course I’d make her happy. She’d be the one I love enough to make her
my life partner. You don’t marry someone with the intention of making them
unhappy—you become a family together. Isn’t that right?”
That much should be obvious… Or so Amane thought, but when he looked at
Mahiru, she murmured, “Y–Yes, that’s… right,” her face red and her voice faltering.
Amane, feeling it seemed as though he had spoken those words for her, felt the
heat rushing to his cheeks as he tried to correct himself. “I–I mean, not like I have
anyone in mind right now. It’s just a thought for the future…”
“I know that much.”
Mahiru’s immediate rebuttal left Amane a little peeved. The blush on her
cheeks seemed to have subsided just a tad, but her ears remained a clear red as she
giggled at him. “Hehe, did you know? That’s also just like you, Amane-kun.”
“What is?”
“Everything.”
Mahiru, once again having no intention of elaborating, playfully poked and
nudged him with her slippers, as though tickling him.
 This time, she wasn’t sulking. In fact, she appeared to be in rather high spirits,
enjoying herself as she continued to prod Amane’s feet, watching his reactions.
Amane was, of course, at a loss for what to do. Meanwhile, Mahiru’s face remained
flushed, showing no signs of noticing his confusion.
With a red tinge like that of the autumn leaves adorning her ears, Mahiru let out
a genuine, satisfied laugh after a short while of watching him. Then, with a spring in
her step, she gracefully whisked the tableware away to the kitchen.
 Reading Order: After Volume 8/9. This SS takes place during what will be Volume 9,
and is currently the furthest point in the story to date.

It was sometime after December had begun.

Amane, who had just finished his final exams and was taking it easy, was at a
hamburger shop at the invitation of Itsuki, who was also on a break from his part-time
job. However, for some reason, Itsuki had a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
His expression had softened a little since they’d entered the store. But by the
time they sat down, it seemed like he was no longer trying to hide it.
Unable to understand the reason behind that expression, Amane gave him a
look that said, What's up with this guy? but Itsuki seemed unfazed.
“You know, maybe we shouldn’t go this year, huh?” Itsuki began, picking up a
french fry.
Amane narrowed his eyes. “Oi, the subject of your sentence. Where’d it go?”
he responded, not understanding what Itsuki was trying to say.
“For reaaal? You’re makin’ me say it?”
“What a pain.”
Amane preferred clear and direct speech over Itsuki's roundabout way of
talking—things would progress faster that way. But he could tell that Itsuki was doing
that deliberately, to try and prompt him into asking more questions.
What’s he up to? Amane thought, narrowing his eyes further, and fixing his
gaze on Itsuki. However, Itsuki, with his trademark casual expression, evaluated
Amane’s attitude with a slightly shaky voice that sounded almost like a laugh. “Quite
blunt today, aren’t we?”
 Really, what are you after? Amane asked with his eyes, and Itsuki kept his
playful expression for a while, watching Amane before finally speaking up
straightforwardly.
“Oh, come on. Christmas—I’m talkin’ about Christmas. It’s December already,
so you need to make plans.”
“Ah… Christmas, huh? I still don’t get why you’re grinning, though.”
“Well, it’ll be your first Christmas together since you started dating, right? Just
thought there must be all sorts of things happening on your end.”
Now that he understood the reason for Itsuki’s smugness, Amane’s cheeks
almost twitched. But now wasn’t the time, so he quickly managed to ease them.
Meanwhile, Itsuki’s smile remained unchanged. “Last year I barged into your
place, remember? This year you’ve got a girlfriend named Shiina-san, so I thought it
wouldn’t be right of me to barge in again.”
“So you were aware that you’d barged in?”
“…Tee-hee?”
“It’s not cute when you try to do it.”
“Whaddya just say?” Fine, then I’ll call Chi over and have her act all cute
instead.”
“She may be cute, yeah, but she’s also annoying… And don’t call her over for
something so trivial. She’s shopping with Mahiru right now, you know.”
It would probably be impossible to call Chitose over. Right now, she was out
with Mahiru, and Amane had vaguely heard where they were headed. They’d gone to
a commercial facility by train, so it would be difficult for them to come to the
hamburger shop near the school right away. And to begin with, it would be wrong to
call them over when they were enjoying shopping together. Amane hadn’t said he
wanted them to come, nor did he think so.
When he glared at Itsuki as if to say, Don’t you get in their way, Itsuki smiled
back, resting his chin on his hand, clearly not intending to call them.
“Well, they seem busy now, so I hadn’t actually planned on calling her
anyways,” Itsuki admitted. “They’re almost certainly prepping Christmas gifts. She
said so herself.”
“…I suppose Mahiru is doing the same, then.”
Amane and Mahiru were both the type to place emphasis on their anniversaries,
and they had exchanged presents on their birthdays. They’d even exchanged presents
last Christmas before they started dating, so it was likely that Mahiru would prepare
something too.
 Amane had been thinking about securing his present too, and was considering
going shopping after parting with Itsuki. Though of course, he definitely wasn’t
planning on joining Mahiru and Chitose.
Wanting to please Mahiru as much as he could, Amane thought about
consulting Chitose separately, covering his mouth with his hand pensively as he made
plans. However, he noticed Itsuki’s oddly lukewarm gaze and in a slightly lower
voice, asked, “What is it?”
“Maaan, it’s just, too bad she probably won’t go down the ‘your present… is
me’ route.”
What on Earth is this guy on about? Amane didn’t voice this thought, aware
that he had become more patient himself. He didn’t understand how Itsuki had arrived
at that conclusion of all things. Mahiru, especially, would never have that kind of idea.
Well, there had been a day when she’d done whatever he’d asked, but she wouldn’t
have thought of doing something like Itsuki suggested.
“Listen up,” Amane responded, “you really believe Mahiru would do
something like that?”
“If Chi, uh… gives her some clever encouragement, then maybe?”
“You’d better stop her immediately if she tries, dude.”
“Well, I don’t think Chi’s the type to stir things up that much.”
“You sure? Can you say that for certain?”
“…No comment.”
“Oi, come on.”
It’s not like Chitose would be unable to if she tried.
While she was most likely trying to deepen the relationship between Amane
and Mahiru in her own way, such a suggestion would be none of her concern. Since
Mahiru would, in fact, actually do something embarrassing if she believed it to be for
Amane’s sake, Chitose’s influence was significant.
Therefore, she had been warned as much as possible not to instill Mahiru with
any strange ideas, but she hadn’t seemed to have learned her lesson. While she
wouldn’t introduce truly disastrous ideas, she always seemed to suggest things that would
make Amane groan in embarrassment.
Because of her, Mahiru had been taken by surprise many times.
“L–Look, I don’t even know what Chi is thinking myself, ya know! I hadn’t
urged her to do anything, nor had I told her about what we just discussed!”
“……Uh-huh.” Amane eyed him suspiciously.
 “Aw, doesn’t look like you trust me at all, huh… It all started with Chi making
a joke, so it’s not like I came up with it.”
“Yet I now know that Mahiru could get influenced by said ‘joke’. And it’s scaring
me.”
“It’s alright! It’s alright! Even Chi wouldn’t tell her something too extreme…
probably…”
“Do you really think I’ll believe what you say when you don’t even fully trust
her yourself?”
“Seriously, it’ll be alright! I keep telling her not to meddle too much in other
people’s love affairs! After all, you’re doing your best despite being a late bloomer, so
I told her not to rush you too much!”
“Mind your own business!”
While Amane was aware that he was somewhat reserved, he didn’t want others
criticizing him for it. Moreover, Mahiru was innocent and pure, so he wanted to refrain
from rushing things.
If he presses me any further, I might just shove a french fry up his nose.
Amane held a fry in his hand and eyed Itsuki’s nostrils. Sensing something
unpleasant, Itsuki quickly pulled his chair back, physically distancing himself.
Damn, he’s perceptive.
Amane then tossed the french fry, which had escaped becoming a weapon, into
his mouth, much to Itsuki’s relief.
“…Anyway, back on topic. You’ll be spending time with Shiina-san this year,
right? So maybe it’s best if Chi and I kept some distance?”
“We plan to spend either Christmas Day or Christmas Eve together, but
wouldn’t everything else be for Mahiru and Chitose to decide? The rest depends on
them.”
Frankly, it wasn’t as though Amane was fixated on spending both Christmas Eve
and Christmas Day alone with Mahiru. He was with Mahiru every day, and that had
become the norm. So, truth be told, he didn’t consider being alone with her once again to
be special in itself.
While he regarded Christmas as special and, of course, planned to spend the day
together with Mahiru, Amane also thought it might be fun to spend time with friends, just
like they had the previous year. Though the fact he’d overheard Mahiru and Chitose
discussing a potential double date was part of it, too.
“Oh my.”
“What?”
 “Nah, I totally assumed you two were after some romantic time… But no, turns
out you’re always like that together.”
“…We’re not that clingy.”
“Who can say? I just figured you might not wanna show off your shy and flirty
side, so you wouldn’t want to hang out with us.”
“You know there’s no chance we’d act all lovey-dovey in front of you guys.”
While Amane and Mahiru do speak to each other intimately, they never flaunted
their relationship by openly flirting with one another. It would be more accurate to say
that they couldn’t, as both of them felt embarrassed about being watched by others.
“Oh, reaally?”
“What is it with you?”
“Don’t tell me you aren’t aware?”
“Of what?”
“You know, like, ever since you two started dating and went public with it,
you’ve been pretty close, haven’t ya?”
“Well, I mean…”
Before they started dating, they had maintained their distance as just friends, so
naturally, once they began dating, it was only reasonable for them to grow closer than
before.
He acknowledged that they now stood by each other without reservation as lovers,
so if someone were to say they had become closer, Amane had to agree. But that was
it. They didn’t hug or kiss in public, believing that they maintained a pure and proper
relationship. At the very least, they didn’t act as physically affectionate in public as Itsuki
and Chitose did.
And yet, Amane was met with a pitiful look.
“Aight, what I mean is… You openly hold hands without a second thought, and
the more comfortable you get, the more honest you become, so you end up singing
Shiina-san’s praises, right? And you do these things in front of everyone else. Point is,
even if you don’t intend it as a declaration of your love, it’s super embarrassing for the
listeners around you. If that ain’t being lovey-dovey, then what is?”
“…It’s unintentional.” Amane couldn’t do anything but look away.
Certainly, put that way, they may very well have been flirting. But as far as
Amane was concerned, it wasn’t intentional, and Mahiru accepted it as normal
behavior, so they thought it was just a regular thing to do.
“Ugh. Unintentional, eh?” Itsuki teased. “Which means you’re flirting without
even realizing it, huh, Mister?”
 “I–I’m not doing it as much as you are!” Amane retorted.
“But Chi and I do it intentionally.”
“I doubt that’s any better, you know.”
“We tone it down on purpose, ya know? So we never say anything
embarrassing!”
“…You’re embarrassing enough as it is.”
“We ain’t as bad as you two, dude,” Itsuki grinned, biting into his hamburger.
Amane’s cheeks visibly tightened at this, but Itsuki swiftly quelled Amane’s
emotions with a casual “Well, it’s okay even if you aren’t aware of it, I think.”
Instead, Amane shot an intense glare at Itsuki, who, either accustomed to it or
simply not noticing, wiped ketchup from his mouth with a napkin and laughed. “It’s
more of a platonic sort of flirting, I’d say. It’s not like the teachers would reprimand
you for disrupting public morals or anything. Not to mention, both you and Shiina-san
are well-liked honor students. They’d probs just turn a blind eye.”
“There’s no way I have the guts to flirt in front of teachers in the first place,
man.”
Would there be anyone who would flirt excessively in front of a teacher?
Mahiru, for one, was naturally conscientious, and Amane was also considered an
honor student.
Though his grades were initially average, hard work had brought him to the top
ranks, and he maintained an earnest attitude in the classroom. He actively participated
in class and showed appropriate respect to the teachers, so he was unlikely to be
disapproved of.
Especially since he worked hard such that Mahiru, who was often likened to an
angel for her studiousness and exemplary behavior, wouldn’t be associated with someone
who’d pull her down. Even disregarding whether he was smart or not, he could
confidently claim he was a diligent student.
Thanks to their efforts, the teachers seemed to regard them as a serious and
sincere model-student couple, despite the spectacle they may have made at the sports
festival.
“Reaaally now?”
“You really grind my gears, dude.”
“Well thanks to you two and your wholesome flirting, some of our classmates
have also become couples. Some are grateful in that sense.”
“Huh?” Stunned by the sudden revelation, Amane listened as Itsuki continued,
unbothered.
 “Yeah? They must’ve gotten all fired up seeing a couple so genuinely in love.
Plus, with the Angel, a big rival for many girls, taken off the table, this is more
convenient for them. In fact, the girls are cheering you two on pretty hard because of
that. They want you to keep a hold on the Angel.”
“Hold on,” Amane interjected. “don’t pile on information I wasn’t aware of.”
Amane understood the implication.
Mahiru had occupied a large portion of the male students’ affections, which,
naturally, the other female students weren’t exactly appreciative of. Now that Mahiru
had chosen one man, and an unremarkable one at that, the situation must be a
welcome one for any female students who wanted a boyfriend.
Sure, Amane knew they were favorably received by other female students, but
he hadn’t realized they were being supported so openly. He could feel his face stiffen.
Itsuki laughed. “You two only have eyes for each other, so you don’t notice
what goes on around you. But anyways, about Christmas, is it alright if we decide
what to do based on what the girls think?”
“…I plan to prioritize whatever Mahiru decides.”
“I’m asking if that’s okay with you, Amane. It might interfere with your
romantic rendezvous.”
“A ‘rendezvous’? Come on, now. If we want to be alone, we can always do so
back home, and I’ve never considered you a nuisance in the first place.”
Amane did find Itsuki’s antics and teasing annoying at times, but he never
considered his presence to be a bother. Somehow or other, Amane trusted Itsuki and
allowed him into his space. Amane was grateful to have him around, and he found his
lively presence comforting.
With that said, there were undeniably times when Itsuki was truly irritating.
Amane had shown a willingness to go along with it, saying, “If Mahiru wants
to, why not go on a double date or something?” but Itsuki seemed to freeze in place.
“What? You’re not going to say no after suggesting it, right?”
“No way—that ain’t it. That’s just like you, is all.”
“Huh, what is?”
“Forget it, it’s nuthin’.”
While Amane aimed a skeptical look at Itsuki, who’s attitude seemed to imply
anything but ‘nuthin’,’ he didn’t respond. Well, he looked back, but his eyes were
filled with bewilderment, which left Amane even more confused.
“Well, as long as you aren’t against it, then we’re set,” Itsuki concluded. “Let’s
have Shiina-san and Chi share what they decide later on.”
 “Sounds good.”
In the end, Amane was left without understanding what Itsuki had been
thinking and could only nod in confusion.

✧₊✦₊✧

After parting with Itsuki, Amane returned home to find Mahiru already sitting on the
sofa, seemingly having finished her errands earlier.
Amane had assumed that Mahiru wouldn’t be home yet, and since she hadn’t
come to the entrance, he concluded that she wasn’t there as he entered the living
room, but strands of familiar flaxen hair fluttered softly in response to Amane’s
presence.
She was holding a smartphone in her hand, so her attention was probably
diverted by that, and she hadn’t noticed Amane’s return.
“Ah! Welcome home, Amane-kun.” Mahiru stood up in a panic. “I’m sorry for
not greeting you.”
“Don’t sweat it. I know you have things to do as well, Mahiru.”
Amane gently stroked Mahiru’s head, and her eyes narrowed in what appeared to
be satisfaction, and she beamed with happiness. Ever since they began dating, physical
touch had become a regular routine for them, and Mahiru too had grown accustomed to
it. The closeness between them felt even more palpable as a couple than before. But
then—
“You openly hold hands without a second thought, and the more comfortable
you get, the more honest you become, so you end up singing Shiina-san’s praises,
right? And you do these things in front of everyone else. Point is, even if you don’t
intend it as a declaration of your love, it’s super embarrassing for the listeners
around you. If that ain’t being lovey-dovey, then what is?”
—Itsuki’s words echoed in Amane’s mind, causing his hand to freeze mid-head
pat.
Amane couldn’t deny that he had caressed Mahiru’s head at school. He’d done so
unintentionally a few times, prompting all sorts of responses from his classmates. He’d
even received teasing comments after openly praising her cuteness.
He couldn’t refute that being labeled ‘flirting’. Now seeing how naturally he
touched and complimented her on a regular basis, a wave of embarrassment washed over
Amane as he recalled how they behaved during school.
 Noticing the sudden awkwardness and hesitation in his touch, Mahiru’s large eyes
widened in confusion. “…Amane-kun?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Feeling embarrassed by the realization of their public displays of affection, Amane
tried to play it off as he took a seat on the sofa. Then, as if it were the most natural thing
in the world, Mahiru sat right next to him. Their distance, now that he’d thought about it,
was incredibly close.
…If we’re this close at school, wouldn’t it be completely natural for our classmates
to notice and comment on it?
As Amane’s gaze darted around the room, Mahiru’s hand grabbed the hem of
her own clothes, looking somewhat dejected. “Erm, did I… do something wrong…?”
Realizing that he’d unintentionally created a misunderstanding, Amane
hurriedly wrapped his finger’s around Mahiru’s dispel her lonesome concerns. “It’s not
that I’ve started to dislike you or anything, okay? It’s just, uh, something Itsuki said. He
told me about how we’re always acting so lovey-dovey, even at school, and I hadn’t
realized we were being so… flirty in front of everyone. It made me feel a bit
embarrassed.”
“Huh? Did you only just notice?”
“…You were aware of it?”
“Well, yes, I was.” Mahiru nodded readily.
Amane almost buried his head in his hands. In other words, Mahiru had been
aware all along, leaving Amane the only one in the dark.
Having faced the realization that he’d been the only one unaware, Amane was left
with a perturbed feeling bubbling up inside. But since Mahiru’s disheartened expression
had changed to that of a wry smile, it appeared she had recovered from feeling down.
“Everyone always made a fuss when you would inadvertently behave like
usual, so I was aware to some extent, yes. Though it appears you assumed it was an
effect of us starting to date, Amane-kun.”
“You could’ve told me sooner…”
“Why?”
“Huh? ‘Why’?”
Had she pointed it out earlier, Amane would have been more careful about
maintaining some distance. Especially in terms of touching her more appropriately. But
Mahiru’s innocent, questioning gaze left him tongue-tied.
“It actually, erm… made me happy, and I believed showing off a little would
keep others at bay,” she said.
 “‘Keep others at bay’…? Oh, in a ‘We’re dating, so there’s no point trying to
steal him’ kind of way?”
“There’s that too, but that wasn’t my main reason… Erm, Amane-kun, while
this may be a terrible comparison, you are sort of like… dried squid.”
“You mean I’m dried up?”
“N–No, not in that way, okay!? What I’m trying to say is, you are, in a sense,
an acquired taste. The more one gets to know you, the more they can perceive and
appreciate your strengths. I suspect that people can’t understand how good you are
until you get on really close terms—aspects like your kindness, your consideration,
and your loyalty.”
“All of that seems pretty normal to me.”
“Please relearn what ‘normal’ means, Amane-kun.”
“Huuhh…?”
For some reason, her words were said in a slightly forceful tone that seemed to
imply blame, leaving Amane with no choice but to be puzzled. To him, about half of
what was said sounded like nothing more than Mahiru seeing him through some sort
of love filter.
Being kind to one’s lover was, frankly, a given; one should naturally adopt a gentle
attitude out of the desire to cherish them. Being considerate toward your partner was also
something that naturally comes when you look at your lover.
And if we’re talking about how I treat others, I think anyone would be
considerate to people they don’t particularly dislike. So long as it doesn’t
inconvenience themselves, anyway.
Sure, I might hesitate helping someone if doing so would disadvantage me, but
if not, I’d offer help within my means. By being kind to others, I can keep my
conscience from hurting.
And, well, by ‘loyalty’, Mahiru was probably talking about how I treat her. But
what else could anyone do but be loyal to the one they love?
Amane had worked hard to win Mahiru’s heart because he loved her, and it
wasn’t as if he was satisfied with just making her his girlfriend. They had a future
ahead of them, and he wanted to walk it together with her. Amane hated the type who
wouldn’t feed a fish once they’d caught it, and he didn’t want to become like that. If
that was called being loyal, then maybe he was, but he believed that one should
always be devoted to their lover.
So, yeah. This much is normal, Amane concluded, only to be met with a sharp
glare from Mahiru.
 “You’re completely unaware of it, aren’t you? Honestly,” Mahiru commented,
grasping Amane’s thoughts. “A–At any rate, Amane-kun, you have a certain charm
that isn’t immediately obvious at first glance. And now, there are people who are
gradually noticing that charm as they observe you. It’s just, erm, you… l-love me,
don’t you, Amane-kun?”
“Yes, I love you. I wouldn’t want anyone but you, Mahiru.”
Even if Mahiru could understand this from his usual behavior, he firmly
affirmed it, believing that sometimes there were things you couldn’t convey without
saying them out loud. In such cases, it was far better to express and affirm them. He
stared directly into her eyes, taking her hand and telling her clearly, only for Mahiru to
obviously look away, flustered.
Amane knew she was getting embarrassed and was trying to escape, so he just
gazed at her blushing face, which was reminiscent of a slowly reddening porcelain.
“You’re the one who brought it up; don’t get shy now.”
“A–And whose fault do you think that is? Though, your unexpected
straightforwardness is also something I appreciate about you.”
Mahiru puffed out her cheeks in a way that made her sound both displeased and
pleased. She then glanced up at Amane.
“Amane-kun, I know that you love me the most, and that your feelings are
unwavering. Putting that aside, however, if someone tried their luck approaching you,
it wouldn’t be amusing from my perspective now, would it?”
“I don’t recall anyone approaching me like that though…”
“…While it is embarrassing to say this myself, wouldn’t that be because you
only have eyes for me?”
“Well, yeah.”
You think there’s anyone else I should be looking at? Amane implied as he
looked at Mahiru. She trembled slightly and let out a small groan, but looked back at
Amane determined, her embarrassment shaken off.
“F-From my point of view, Amane-kun, you’ve been, sort of… becoming more
popular lately. Like, I have seen and heard of people calling you a great catch. I want
them to know that, no matter what happens, you are my boyfriend, Amane-kun.”
“I can assure you I only have eyes for you, y’know?”
“I know. But, erm, that’s a different matter from, well… you could call it my
self-satisfaction, the foolish jealousy I feel, or my possessive nature.”
Because she loved Amane to such an extent, she wanted him to stay by her
side. She didn’t want to give him any chance to look at someone else; she wanted him to
only see her… All those feelings were conveyed, and Amane’s lips naturally curled into a
smile.
“I really am loved, aren’t I?” he said.
“Did you only just realize?”
“Well, I knew, but… it just makes me happy.”
Hearing her affection put in such terms left him oddly embarrassed, and with a
smile and lowered eyebrows, Amane was met with a whisper from Mahiru.
“…Baka.”
This was something Amane was accustomed to. When she got embarrassed, she
would often throw out such endearing words that they weren’t even close to insults or
curses.
Her cheeks, still flushed red, reminded Amane of ripe apples, and though he
was tempted to bite, he resisted and stopped squeezing her hand for a moment to
gently caress her warm cheek. “I’ll be careful, too. After all, I can’t make you worry
too much now, can I?”
“I—I wasn’t particularly worried, though.”
“But it’s not exactly fun for you, right? So as much as possible, I want to rid
any anxieties you might have, and I want to work hard so that you can live
comfortably.”
“…Yes,” Mahiru nodded and reached her hand out to Amane. He accepted it
readily.
Mahiru leaned closer, seeking comfort, and Amane hugged her gently, feeling her
contentedly nuzzle against his chest.
Despite the inevitable uncertainties she might have felt, Mahiru usually hid her
vulnerability. Her charm and resilience were adorable, but Amane hoped she’d voice her
concerns without hesitation. He intended to reassure her, to shower her with love so
profound that she’d never have a moment of worry.
For now, to let her lean comfortably against him, he released her body for a
moment.
Seeing the surprise in Mahiru’s eyes, he chuckled and gently lifted her, placing his
hands around her back and letting her sit sideways between his legs. Her eyes widened in
astonishment, blinking away.
Before that astonishment faded from her face, he embraced her, and her face
changed gradually into a soft smile of happiness.
Seeing her make an innocent, soft, and sweet smile that nobody else could lay
eyes on as she snuggled and rubbed her cheek against his chest, Amane couldn’t help
feeling an inexplicable love for her.
 He nearly hugged her tightly without thinking, but he didn’t wish to be rough
or cause her discomfort, so he only gently wrapped her in his arms.
“O-Oh, right. Come to think of it, you went out with Chitose yesterday, didn’t
you?” Mahiru was so overwhelmingly cute that Amane felt like he was losing it, so to
distract himself, he asked her a question, and Mahiru looked up at him with an
innocent smile.
“Ah, yes I did. I bought you a Christmas present too, so please look forward to
it, okay?”
“Since you’re giving me a heads-up, should I have high expectations?”
Mahiru chuckled. “Perhaps so.”
“You aren’t going to like, offer yourself as the present, right?” Amane joked,
recalling what Itsuki had mentioned earlier. But for some reason, Mahiru’s eyes began
to wander. “Now look here…”
“I–It did come up jokingly in conversation with Chitose-san, but I don’t plan on
actually doing it!”
“Very well.” If that situation came to pass, even Amane would be at a loss for
what to do. He’d understandably have a hard time resisting if his girlfriend initiated
something like that, and he could quite possibly end up accepting it without
reservation.
Well, I am planning on taking responsibility for her future. But even so…
Amane was aware that he was a serious person. He intuitively knew that his
love for her would never fade, and he wanted to be close to Mahiru’s life and walk
together with her. If Mahiru accepted him, he intended to spend the rest of his life
making her happy.
“……Somehow, I have mixed feelings hearing you agree with me on that.”
“What, would you rather I wanted it?”
“Eh? Uhm…”
The talk Mahiru and Chitose had about the present being ‘themselves’ was,
most likely, the kind of subject that would result in Mahiru ending up doing
something that would be embarrassing for her. Teasing her a bit, Amane noticed her
cheeks bloom a clear red, so he was confident his interpretation wasn’t wrong.
“See? Don’t suggest things like that without being prepared for what comes
next.” Amane warned. “…Just knowing that you’re thinking of me is enough. For me,
it’s not the gift itself that makes me happy. It’s the thought and time that you put into
it for my sake that I’m most delighted about.”
 While they did discuss presents, Amane felt that even if he didn’t receive one,
it would be fine. He wasn’t particularly materialistic, nor was he attached to things.
He loved the time Mahiru spent thinking about him and what would make him happy.
It went to show how much she was thinking about him.
Feeling content and happy merely from being thought of, Amane didn’t desire
anything more. He would, of course, be happy to receive something from her, but
Mahiru’s feelings were what he treasured the most.
With the implication, There’s no need to strain yourself thinking up a plan,
Amane’s words had come from the bottom of his heart, but Mahiru was visibly
trembling. Her face had reddened even more than before.
“Th–That’s so unfair…”
“What is?”
“That part of you.”
“Just how many of these baffling ‘parts of me’ do I have……?”
“A lot!”
“Huh?”
Amane often found himself being chided, with mention of ‘that part’ of him or
others saying it was ‘just like’ him, but he hadn’t the faintest idea as to why he’d be
blamed for such things. For him, it was the normal way to act.
“This is why you’re so…”
“Isn’t it way too unreasonable to blame me for this?”
“I’m complimenting you!”
“Huh…?”
Amane looked utterly perplexed as he was praised as though he was being
scolded, almost to the point where a question mark would float above his head.
Mahiru said nothing more and merely pressed her head against his chest with a twirl.
Although he could tell she was hiding her embarrassment, Amane didn’t know
what to do, so he just hugged her and stroked her back to soothe her.
A soft mumble saying, “You are thinking this is enough to cheer me up, aren’t
you?” reached his ears, causing his body to shake slightly. But Mahiru didn’t follow
up with any words of reprimand, instead leaning heavily against Amane with an
exasperated air.
“…What’ll we do for Christmas?” Amane asked after waiting for Mahiru to
regain her composure. She finally looked up at him, her cheeks having lost their flush.
“We have the option of spending both Christmas Day and Christmas Eve together if
you’d like. Or, as you might’ve planned with Chitose, we could spend one with her
and Itsuki, and then have the other day for ourselves.”
“About that, I think it would be best to spend Christmas Eve afternoon with
Chitose-san and Akazawa-san, and then from Christmas Eve night through the
entirety of Christmas Day, I would like to be with you.”
“You’re okay with Christmas Eve not being the day we spend the whole time
together?”
Typically, Christmas Eve was the day recognized as the true main event for
couples.
Amane didn’t mind doing whatever Mahiru wanted since he wasn’t particular
about it, but… Is she okay with that? As he glanced at her, Mahiru seemed awkwardly
embarrassed, fidgeting and dropping her gaze.
“Yes, I don’t mind. But, erm, it’s just…”
“Yeah?”
“Chitose-san pointed out that, erm… Even if we all decided to hang out on
Christmas Day, it would be impossible to move around freely considering the day
before, so it’s better to do it earlier.”
Amane slowly digested Mahiru’s words, processing their meaning. Now
understanding the reason for both her hesitant delivery, and her ears turning red, he
also felt like groaning in belated embarrassment.
In essence, Christmas Eve was reserved for couples to be affectionate, it
seemed. It wasn’t odd for high school students, and he vaguely knew that he was
beginning to reach that stage himself, so he didn’t intend to complain. However, being
told about it directly proved to be somewhat unbearable.
Thanks to that, an awkward atmosphere befell them.
“…R-Right, I… see. G-Gotcha.”
“Y-Yes.”
“…Well, uh—don’t… worry about it too much.”
“I–I am aware.”
Mahiru embodied innocence and purity, meaning that she’d likely be
embarrassed to discuss such topics with a friend. Amane was acutely aware of this,
and told her not to worry, but her body language suggested she was still quite conscious
of the matter.
Amane didn’t intend to demand such things from Mahiru, and he would be
troubled if she became extremely conscious and tense about their physical closeness
from now on. No, some resistance was preferable for Amane’s sensibility, but Mahiru
could be extremely conscious, so he would rather prefer things to remain as they were.
“……Are you okay with that, Amane-kun? Do you have any plans like theirs?”
“*cough*”
Amane coughed violently, feeling as though he’d just been asked something
rather outrageous, and Mahiru held him in her arms and rubbed his back, clearly
flustered. But that only made him feel her soft touch more keenly as he heard an
indescribable murmur brush against the back of his head.
“A–Are you okay?”
“All good,” Amane said, but the lingering sensation of his racing heart remained.
Calming his rapidly beating heart with slow breaths, he gazed at Mahiru, who was
looking at him with concerned eyes. “…Chitose might’ve tried to put that idea in your
head, but I don’t think we need to rush into that kind of relationship. You know that,
right?”
“I do.”
Considering their fellow high schoolers, the relationship they had was quite
platonic. And they were aware of this themselves. They kissed occasionally, but mainly,
they expressed their affection through words, holding hands, and hugging. They did
spend considerably more time together than the average couple, but that was about it.
Their hesitation to go further was due to a myriad of reasons, but the primary
reason was Amane’s concerns about Mahiru’s physical and environmental circumstances.
Mahiru too must have considered the ‘what if’ situation that could arise upon taking that
next step—the potential consequences involved if they did go further. It was out of love
for Mahiru, out of the desire to cherish her, that Amane refrained from initiating the next
stage in their relationship.
“I don’t think it’s something we should let ourselves be swept up in. We should
take things step-by-step,” Amane urged. “…Please. Let me cherish you, Mahiru.”
If that mindset made him a wimp, then so be it. Amane would accept being
ridiculed to that extent. If it meant protecting Mahiru’s well-being, he’d bear any mud
flung on his reputation.
When he earnestly conveyed his feelings, looking straight into her eyes, Mahiru
nodded shyly, her cheeks still tinged red. “Yes.” She must have clearly understood
Amane’s feelings.
“And besides, we’ll be by each other’s sides for a long time to come, so we
don’t need to hurry. We only need to take things at our own pace. Right?”
Amane believed that as long as Mahiru didn’t leave him, he’d never let her go. He
wanted to walk the long journey of life with her and support each other. So, if Mahiru
allowed, he intended to stay by her side. In that case, assuming his self-control lasted,
it might be best to prioritize Mahiru above all else, and wait until he could take
responsibility for his actions. After all, she would be the one in hot water if anything
happened.
If anything, Amane had a knack for endurance, so he’d decided in his heart to
wait until they were both ready.
Amane looked into Mahiru’s eyes with an air of determination, to which Mahiru
responded by diving into his chest, as though unable to bear the situation any longer.
Her headbutt, with a little more force and twist than before, didn’t hurt at all.
Rather, since he knew that this was Mahiru’s way of showing her agreement, it even
felt pleasant.
“Hiding your embarrassment, are we?”
“…Yes.”
“I see.” After Mahiru admitted it with a small smile, Amane gently stroked the
clearly still-embarrassed Mahiru in his arms until she calmed down and stopped
head-butting.
“…Can I… look forward to it?” Mahiru whispered, albeit timidly, in a voice ever
so sweet and tinged with excitement.
“…Yeah, please do. I will make you happy.”
There’s no way he would remain spineless forever.
Amane had worked hard to stand by Mahiru’s side, and he was determined to
cherish her.
He no longer intended to give Mahiru’s side to anyone else. He wanted to make
Mahiru happy. No, this was an unshakable vow—one in which he would absolutely
ensure Mahiru’s happiness.
With Amane’s clear determination declared, Mahiru looked up at him.
Her eyes were slightly moist—out of embarrassment, perhaps? Amane was
unsure. All that was certain was that her expression was of genuine happiness; an
innocent, tender smile that was both youthful and mature.
“…I’m looking forward to it. Please make me happy.”
“I will,” Amane assured. “…Wait for me.”
The day he could make a formal vow was not so far off. But there was no doubt
he would have to make her wait, so Amane vowed to treasure her even more and
redouble his efforts, bestowing a kiss upon his beloved, who was smiling contentedly.
Glossary

1. (Return)
a. Engawa (縁側)—Japanese-Style Porch: “In traditional Japanese
architecture, an engawa is a covered corridor which runs around the
outside perimeter of a building. It’s an extension of the indoor space to
the outdoors that creates an important transitory space between the
interior and exterior of the structure. Typically constructed out of wood,
and raised above the level of the exterior so that the individual must
“step up” into the building.” — EYRC

2. (Return)
a. Shiromuku (白無垢)—White Bridal Kimono: “Shiromuku woven in solid
white is the most prestigious formal attire that has been worn at
weddings since ancient times. It features a uniform white outfit that
covers everything from the Wataboshi (綿帽子 cotton hat) or
Tsunokakushi (角隠し horn-hiding hat) worn on the head, to the
embroidery of kimonos, and even small decoration items. is is a
wedding garment that is mainly worn at weddings, which means that
you can get rid of evil and attend a sacred wedding ceremony.” —fun-
japan.jp