And so, the Important Day Arrived - 1

What lay beyond their exams was, of course, Mahiru's birthday.

Having managed to balance his part-time job, test studies, and birthday preparations, Amane finished his exams with most of his plans already set in place. Incidentally, his classroom had been reduced to a mere bestrew of corpses, which served as proof of just how hellish this round of exams had been. Chitose was so genuinely exhausted that she had Mahiru worried for her well-being, but all Amane could do was hope that the test results wouldn't cause a wave of panic to spread among the rest of the class.

The week-long break immediately after said hellish exams coincided with Mahiru's birthday.

It was currently the day just before the break—in other words, the day before Mahiru's birthday—and Amane's busy schedule had begun to reach its peak. However, there was one thing he had to convey to Mahiru, something that could potentially hurt her if left unsaid. Amane straightened his posture and turned to face Mahiru, who was sitting next to him.

During their slow time after dinner, Mahiru now often worked on textbook exercises. Today was no different, as she diligently engaged in what had become her usual self-study routine. Having finished grading her own answers for the exams, she seemed to be already thinking about the upcoming mock tests. It appeared she had no awareness that tomorrow was her birthday, acting just as she always did.

"Mahiru-san."

"Yes?"

When he called her name, Mahiru closed her reference book without hesitation and looked up. Sensing that Amane was acting differently than usual, she straightened her posture and turned to face him. However, she didn't seem to have any idea what he was about to say, for a curious and puzzled expression could be seen from her every feature.

"May I ask you not to come into my house tomorrow until I call you?" "Why?— …Oh, yes, I see. That would be okay."

Although she hadn't been consciously aware of it up until now, Mahiru immediately understood from Amane's actions and readily agreed, her expression changing as if to say, 'Oh, right. I forgot about that.' It wasn't that she wasn't looking forward to her own birthday, but she mustn't have been particularly conscious of it either. This was something rooted in Mahiru's own awareness, and there was nothing Amane could do about it, nor did he want to force her to think otherwise.

For now, relieved that he could secure enough time for tomorrow's activities without causing any misunderstandings, Amane looked deeply into Mahiru's eyes, which still seemed somewhat detached from the present.

"It would pose a slight problem if you came over before I managed to finish my preparations. I want to welcome you with everything set perfectly, so I hope you understand."

Mahiru giggled. "I understand. But still, I see you are asking me this very directly."

"I did say from the very beginning that I would prepare something, so there's no surprises here. I ask you openly and sincerely: please, give me some of your time."

On the day itself, he had so many things to do that he would be swamped. If Mahiru came over to his house, it would be utterly impossible to prepare without her noticing. Besides, it was a given that he would want to spend time with Mahiru on her birthday. Since he intended to properly celebrate and give her the surprise of her life, he needed to eliminate any chance, even a tiny one, of prioritizing his immediate desires over the preparations.

As if seeing the enthusiasm brimming within him, Mahiru widened her eyes before letting out a gentle breath and giving a soft, amused smile. "Then, all I need to do tomorrow is wait eagerly, right?"

"Yeah. I can't say for sure that it will meet your expectations, but I want to celebrate your birthday in my own special way."

"Honestly, celebrating my birthday already makes me more than happy." "I know that, but even so…."

No one understood better than Amane just how much Mahiru cared about him. He knew that simply being by his side was enough to bring her happiness. However, while the happiness she felt with him was also significant, it was her birthday, an occasion that came only once a year.

Amane wanted to make it a birthday that Mahiru herself would truly enjoy. "Even so, I still want to make you feel like you're on cloud nine, Mahiru.

Let me give it my best shot."

"…In that case, I will keep my expectations high." "Ah— …I'll try my best."

Of course, he felt delighted and excited for Mahiru to have grand expectations of him, but at the same time, the question of whether he could fully meet those expectations slowly gnawed at him from the inside.

"The way you lose confidence this far in is very typical of you, Amane-kun."

"Having no confidence was my default state."

"Goodness. But you have updated since then, haven't you, Amane-kun?

You've learned to have more confidence in yourself now, right?" "When it comes to you, Mahiru, I'm always extra, extra careful."

Amane had spent a month preparing for Mahiru's birthday and had left no stone unturned, but he still couldn't say for sure that it would make her happy.

His desire to make her happy and his wish for Mahiru to experience the culmination of his preparations were both sincere and unwavering. His lack of confidence was solely a result of him not wanting to disappoint Mahiru's expectations. On top of that, there was a certain plan he had, one that blew the very concept of caution out of the water, which further added to his anxiety.

"…I'll try my very best to make you happy, Mahiru. So…"

"So?"

"May I recharge a bit first?"

Amane's day tomorrow was packed to the brim with work, but he couldn't see Mahiru until all the preparations were complete. He needed energy beforehand, but he wouldn't be able to recharge until everything was over. Thus, hoping for a chance to recharge now, he asked her for permission to cuddle. Mahiru blinked cutely and then laughed, clearly amused.

"You don't need to ask for permission, you know? You may do it whenever you would like."

"Well, um, this time I thought I should ask you properly."

"So earnest… All right, you can recharge as much as you want. In return—"

"In return?"

"Tomorrow, it will be my turn, right?" As Mahiru gently reached out and pulled him closer by the back of his head, Amane nodded and followed her lead, burying his face in her shoulder.

Tomorrow morning, I'll wrap up what I need to do in the kitchen, prepare the room, and then check my emails to reconfirm my schedule for the day.

Whether everything went smoothly depended on Amane's efforts and how well Mahiru received them.

I'll have to prepare as best I can tomorrow, Amane vowed. He nuzzled his cheeks against Mahiru, enjoying her sweet scent, and closed his eyes for a bit of recharging.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

This day was one of the top three busiest in Amane's life so far.

First thing in the morning, he stood in the kitchen, putting the skills he had honed through his special training to the test. In the afternoon, he called in reinforcements to help decorate the room and held a meeting with the person involved with the biggest surprise of the day. Amidst all this, he continued to stay in touch with Mahiru to ensure that she never felt lonely while he worked on the preparations.

Juggling so many tasks simultaneously, Amane was on the verge of feeling overwhelmed. However, compared to what Mahiru usually managed, it was nothing. Silently praising Mahiru for her multitasking prowess, he diligently continued to set things up.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

After such an intense and hectic time, the sun had completely set.

By the time he finally felt satisfied with what he'd done and glanced at the clock, it was already around the time when he would usually be having dinner. Outside the window, the sky reflected a myriad of colors shifting from crimson to a gradient of deep indigo and dusky blue.

He had been worried about what he would do if he didn't make it in time, but he was deeply relieved to have finished his preparations—albeit just in the nick of time. Amane rang the doorbell of the house next door to call Mahiru, who had been waiting for his signal.

Mahiru, who opened the door immediately after the doorbell rang, looked to be fully prepared in her own way.

When he glanced through the crack in the door, Amane noticed a vase with flowers placed on the shoe cabinet. This sight put one of his worries to rest, giving way to another sense of relief.

"I-I've been waiting for you," she said.

Mahiru came out of the door in a slight hurry and spoke nervously.

Seeing this, Amane couldn't help but chuckle. Mahiru's cheeks promptly turned a faint shade of pink upon realizing what he was laughing at and awkwardly looked away.

"…P-Please pretend you didn't see that." "Why's that?"

"W-Well, um, because…don't you think it's embarrassing if I'm all excited and giddy about it?"

"Huh? Doesn't that just mean you were really looking forward to it? That makes me happy, you know."

If it had turned out to just be a one-sided celebration, it would have come as a big shock to Amane, and he would likely be quite embarrassed.

However, just knowing that Mahiru was excited and eagerly waiting for it made him extremely satisfied. He wasn't sure if he could meet her expectations, given how eagerly she had been anticipating his visit, but he was confident that he had prepared everything as flawlessly as he could.

All that remained was to show her the fruits of his labor.

It seemed that Mahiru had also prepared herself thoroughly, as her outfit was particularly cute and much more elaborate than the loungewear she would typically wear. Taking her hand, Amane asked, "Are you all set on your end, Mahiru?" She squinted her eyes shyly and quietly replied, "Yes."

Leading Mahiru, who was carrying only a small purse, back to his house, Amane noticed her blink in surprise once she realized that all the lights were turned off, except for the ones by the entrance.

"…Huh? It's pitch black," Mahiru said.

"It would be no fun if you could see everything from the entrance, right?"

Even though there was a door separating the entrance hallway from the living and dining room, it had glass panels fitted, so you could still see inside. Since he had gone to all the trouble of planning and executing everything in secret for Mahiru, slacking off on the final touches was, of course, out of the question. To deliver a proper surprise, the magic of contrast was essential.

"So, if it's all right, could I cover your eyes for a bit? It might be a bit scary when you can't see, but I'll be right here. Don't worry and let me guide you."

Mahiru replied with a giggle, "If that's the case, then I trust you completely, Amane-kun." Her quick nod was surely a sign of her strong trust in Amane.

Without any hesitation, and even before Amane could cover her vision with his hand, Mahiru immediately closed her eyes.

She could at least be a little cautious… Amane thought. He then slipped his hands around her back and under her knees and lifted her up into the air. As always, the light weight of her body made him seriously worry whether she was really getting enough to eat. With one hand still free, he opened the door to the living room and turned on the lights.

Mahiru still kept her eyes closed, apparently intending to wait until Amane told her it was okay to open them. Relieved by her trust, he carefully guided her to the birthday seat he had prepared on the sofa, ensuring she wouldn't get hurt as he gently lowered her onto it. It seemed she knew where she was from the distance walked and the feel of the seat, as she sat up straight with practiced ease.

"Ah, please sit still and don't open your eyes just yet. Can you promise me you can wait just a little longer?"

"Hehe, don't treat me like a child. I understand that you want to show off what you have prepared in all its glory. I can wait in anticipation for a little while longer."

"Sorry, sorry. I appreciate having such an understanding girlfriend."

While he thought she might actually be a bit too understanding, her intelligent and perceptive side was also very characteristic of Mahiru. Smiling wryly, Amane stood up and gave a quick glance at the paper bag next to the sofa as his last step of preparation, which contained the items he wanted to give to Mahiru, ensuring that nothing was missing.

"Everything is in place. You can open your eyes now," Amane said gently. Mahiru immediately yet slowly opened her eyes, as if she had been waiting keenly for this moment.

Her eyes, slightly squinting as if not yet adjusted to the light, gradually revealed themselves.

What did she think of the decorations in this room, which she had just entered for the first time today?

"This is…" Her quiet voice trembled slightly.

Without needing to ask, Amane could tell what she was referring to from where she was looking and the way in which her eyes sparkled.

"Itsuki, Chitose, Kadowaki and Kido all helped me decorate the room.

Um, you did say it would be fine if they found out about your birthday, right? I couldn't have made such stunning decorations all by myself, so I asked them for help and they happily agreed. They all have way better taste for this kind of stuff than I do, so I'm incredibly grateful for their help. What do you think? Isn't it cute?"

"Wow… It's so adorable."

"I asked them to go wild with the decorations, and this is what they came up with."

With the help of the few friends Mahiru trusted, Amane had transformed the living room into a birthday-themed setting within just one day.

The theme was: a fun birthday party, just like the ones she had longed for as a child.

The walls were adorned with numerous bundled balloons and paper flowers with matching colors. Additionally, a large LED light spelling out HAPPY BIRTHDAY was affixed to the wall, further adding to the festivity. From the ceiling hung crystal glass ornaments, swaying in the warm air and occasionally scattering soft, dazzling light when illuminated. On the sofa where Mahiru was seated, her favorite stuffed animals were adorned with ribbons, cutely dressed up and eagerly awaiting the star of the day.

One might believe that with this many decorations, it may have resulted in the room looking gaudy or uncoordinated, but that could not have been further from the truth. The decorations were done in soft warm colors to avoid clashing, and thanks to the thoughtful arrangement and color scheme, the room had a calm yet distinctly pop atmosphere.

Even Amane, who considered himself to be fairly indifferent to such decorations and had even seen them being prepared, couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration upon seeing the finished room. For Mahiru, it must have been an even bigger surprise.

Seeing the room's decorations glitter and diffuse in her wide-open eyes, Amane immediately broke out into a smile, knowing he had evoked the reaction he was so hoping for. However, he still had many birthday surprises in store, so it wouldn't do for her to think that this was all.

"And this here is your birthday bouquet. I asked Itsuki to arrange the flowers."

Their living room had been completely transformed to suit her tastes, and Mahiru was curiously looking around in awe. Still smiling, Amane picked up the bouquet that he had placed out of sight earlier. He gently handed it to Mahiru, who was momentarily taken aback by the sudden gesture.

Since he aimed to create a birthday that would delight Mahiru as much as possible, the bouquet was naturally stuffed with her favorite flowers and colors. Though he had a general idea of her preferences, he enlisted the help of Chitose and Ayaka to pinpoint her exact tastes. Thanks to their cooperation, he was able to prepare a birthday bouquet that was likely close to perfect in her eyes, for which he was deeply grateful to both of them.

"Is that why Chitose-san and Kido-san were…?"

"You figured it out, huh. Yeah, Chitose and Kido were trying to secretly research your tastes… They were really enthusiastic about making you happy."

Especially Chitose, whose enthusiasm was off the charts.

In her words, in order to "make Mahirun happy~," Chitose had subtly and naturally gathered all sorts of information. Even knowing that Amane was preparing something, Mahiru hadn't been suspicious or felt that anything about their conversations were out of place. It made Amane think that Chitose might actually have a knack for being a detective or something similar.

This ability to slip past someone's guard and get close to them was one of Chitose's greatest skills and strengths. It was something Amane admired and wished he could emulate, even though it seemed impossible.

"I don't think everyone appreciates fresh flowers, but you have a vase in your entrance hallway, don't you, Mahiru? I happened to notice it whenever I came to get you, so I figured you must like them."

"I see you have been paying close attention to me." "Well, you are my girlfriend, after all."

Amane was half-expecting her to say, "In that case, you should have already known my favorite flowers," but he hoped that Mahiru would cut him some slack in that regard.

Since he wanted to give her a bouquet full of only the flowers she loved, it was essential to research and check the range of flowers that was available in the current season.

Does she like it? Amane glanced at Mahiru. Ever so gently, she was cradling the bouquet close to her chest, careful not to let it fall apart. Her eyebrows were relaxed in a tender expression.

"…It's so beautiful, it would be a shame to see it eventually wither away," Mahiru said.

"Milady, I have also prepared some silica gel so you may preserve it as a dried flower."

"Hehe, how thoughtful."

"Well, of course. I want you to enjoy them until the very end. Even dried flowers may crumble one day, I want them to make you happy for as long as possible."

"Thank you. I will enjoy its beauty both while it's fresh and while it's preserved… Every time I see them, I will think of you, Amane-kun."

"Hearing you say that makes me really happy."

"…It will remind me that you're always with me, even at my own apartment," Mahiru whispered in a voice so sweet.

Faced with her endearing response, Amane couldn't help but force his lips together and hold his now rapidly beating heart by gripping his shirt. While it was gratifying as a boyfriend to know that she would think of him when she looked at his gift, hearing it directly from her made him feel a bit embarrassed. Unable to help himself, he scratched his cheek awkwardly.

Mahiru held the bouquet with a dreamy expression dearly, gazing at it as if it were something truly precious. Amane's lips twitch with a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

"…I'm happy you like it. Well then, I, uh…kinda need to finish preparing dinner, so I'll get to that now!"

Mahiru, still holding the bouquet and smiling shyly, watched as Amane stood up, using the continuation of the birthday celebrations as an excuse to step away.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

Amane putting a few meters between himself and Mahiru seemed to have done the trick in calming his racing heart. He began plating the dishes he had prepared in advance and setting them on the dining table.

Since Mahiru most likely had a vague idea of what he was making from the smell, there would be little surprise or novelty in his choice of dish.

However, since this was meant to celebrate and honor Mahiru, a familiar taste would probably be the way to go.

Focusing on Japanese cuisine with a hint of Western seasoning was a choice made specifically because Mahiru was one to prefer milder, less extravagant flavors in her food.

"You put so much effort into preparing delicious food for my birthday, so now it's my turn," Amane declared. He smiled at Mahiru as she took her usual seat at the table before doing the same.

Although his skills were still a far cry from Mahiru's, he had done his best to prepare a meal crammed with her favorite dishes, hoping to please her as much as he could.

Mahiru was by no means a picky eater, but while she could eat any kind of food, she did have a preference for certain flavors. Generally, she preferred dishes with gentle and refined seasoning, leaning more toward those that brought out the natural taste of the ingredients and the flavor of the broth using a minimal amount of salt. Bringing out those flavors proved to be more challenging than preparing dishes with strong flavors.

Strong flavors could often be adjusted and, in the worst case, masked with seasonings. However, with milder flavors, that wasn't an option. Making the most of the natural taste of the ingredients and actually enjoying the taste of the ingredients themselves were two different things, and each required distinct cooking methods and seasonings.

Therefore, mastering the style of seasoning that Mahiru preferred was a long and challenging journey.

Even so, I want to master the art in the future.

Not being able to make the favorite dishes of the person he loved made Amane feel ashamed as a boyfriend, and this feeling only grew due to the fact that Mahiru could prepare dishes tailored to his own tastes perfectly.

Though he believed the food turned out well, Amane quietly felt ashamed of his own incompetence, thinking that he still had a lot of room to improve. Mahiru intently observed his expression.

"…It's delicious," she said. Mahiru gracefully brought the bowl to her lips and quietly sipped the soup. A gentle smile spread across her face, and then she let out a soft sigh.

Even the broth was intricately prepared from scratch, following the method Mahiru had thoroughly taught him, so it should have been seasoned exactly to her liking.

His expectations were not disappointed, for Mahiru continued to eat her meal with a gentle expression on her face.

"I'm glad it suits your taste. Honestly, I was really nervous."

"I have critiqued your cooking before, but I have never had any complaints."

"Yeah, you aren't wrong, but like, worrying about whether you'll enjoy it or not is a different thing entirely, don't you think?" As he muttered this while breaking apart his simmered daikon radish filled with shrimp paste with his chopsticks, he heard a somewhat troubled voice respond from across the table.

"That's true, but… You know, Amane-kun, your cooking skills have improved at a remarkable pace, haven't they?"

"As for my skills, it's just that they went from the negatives to around fifty points. Your skills would be more like one or two hundred points. I could never catch up."

"I would be at a loss if you managed to catch up so easily."

"I doubt I could even if I spent my whole life trying. To begin with, your cooking will always be number one for me, so it doesn't matter how good my cooking becomes. But that aside, I'll keep working hard to make the best dishes for you that I can."

"…There you go again." "Geez."

That "Geez" was meant not to reprimand him but was rather a sign that she acknowledged it was just part of Amane's nature. It also implied that she was not at all displeased—in fact, it meant that she was quite pleased. This was something he had come to understand well over their time together.

Amane flashed her a broad grin, prompting Mahiru to widen her eyes in surprise. She quickly looked away with a dazzled expression, and with a wriggle of her lips, muttered, "Honestly, Amane-kun…" under her breath.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Thank you for the meal." "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

They quickly finished their modestly portioned dinner in no time at all.

Mahiru wasn't exactly a super light eater, but considering what awaited them next, it was clear that she wouldn't be able to finish everything if he served her too much too early. So, without her noticing, he had prepared a slightly smaller portion for her.

Amane had decided to make a Japanese meal partly because it was Mahiru's favorite cuisine, but also because the traditionally small bowls and colorful presentation helped him adjust the overall impression of the meal and have smaller portion sizes. However, it seemed that Mahiru hadn't caught on.

"…I never thought you would do so much for me," Mahiru admitted.

After insisting that he would handle all the cleanup, Amane guided the guest of honor—Mahiru—to the sofa. She had seemed a bit displeased by it, likely wanting to offer her help, but when Amane returned from washing the dishes, she murmured these words with a deep sense of emotion. "Well, you pour your heart and soul into something for your lover too,

don't you, Mahiru?"

"Hmph. Th-That may be true, but…"

"If anything, you could say that I've done all this because I wanted to, not so much just for your sake."

In the end, everything he did was driven solely by his own self-satisfaction. This made him hesitant to use such a convenient and perfect-sounding phrase as "for Mahiru's sake."

"So yeah, this is something I'm doing on my own initiative." "…You really do have a habit of doing that, Amane-kun."

As if to chide him, Mahiru playfully slapped Amane's upper arm. Upon realizing that he still wouldn't yield, she then showed him a complicated smile—one that perfectly reflected her feelings of helplessness, resignation, and happiness.

"…But, today, you've made me really happy. Everything is just so…" "Ah, sorry. Could you just wait a moment?"

"Huh?" Mahiru's eyes widened at being interrupted, but this was something he couldn't turn a blind eye to.

"It feels like I'm about to wrap things up, but this isn't all I have planned.

Your birthday isn't quite over yet, is it now?"

Mahiru blurted out a confused "Huh?" but for Amane, this was just the start of today's main event. He wouldn't have spent nearly a month preparing just for the decorations, bouquet, and a homemade dinner. He wanted to make Mahiru happy, and had been running around with the help of the kind people around him. He had yet to show her the true fruits of his labor.

As Mahiru was quite a modest person, she already looked completely satisfied. But today, Amane wanted to bring her so much joy that even that modesty of hers would be blown out of the water.

"Could you close your eyes one more time?"

Since the surprise would be spoiled if she kept her eyes open, Amane made this request for the second time today. Mahiru tightly shut her eyes and lifted her face upward. It was less that she was obediently complying, and more that she was anticipating something special to happen. Tension lingered in the air.

Mahiru, undoubtedly expecting something, looked so incredibly adorable that Amane inadvertently covered his mouth with his hand in an effort to hide his grin. Even though she still couldn't see him, he felt the urge to hide it nonetheless. The sight of his girlfriend waiting for him expectantly was just too endearing to bear.

"…Sorry, this time I wasn't going in for a kiss." Not wanting to shatter her expectations in their entirety, he whispered this softly in her ear.

Mahiru's caramel-colored eyes flew open, focusing only on Amane.

Then, her face turned a striking shade of red as she pouted cutely, murmuring "You. Big. Dum. My," in a rhythm that matched the light thumps she also subjected to his chest.

Being treated like some kind of drum, Amane almost started grinning again at just how cute she was acting. However, he knew that if he showed it on his face, Mahiru's playful hits might become stronger, so he bit the inside of his cheek to hold back his smile.

"Ow, ow, ow. I'm sorry… I still have something else I want to show you, so I needed you to close your eyes again."

"…You should have said that sooner." "Again, I am sorry."

Now pouting even more than before, Mahiru turned away and closed her eyes again. Taking the opportunity, Amane leaned in and lightly pressed his lips against the slightly flushed, tasty peach-like cheek offered in front of him.

Mahiru seemed to recognize the touch and warmth of his body, having experienced it several times before. She opened her eyes and immediately froze in place. Amane laughed softly and said, "Keep your eyes closed, okay?" Her slender throat trembled, and a soft growl of frustration escaped her lips.

"That was another surprise." Satisfied with the impromptu surprise he had added, Amane headed to the kitchen, feeling pleased with himself.

Amane preparing their entire dinner and insisting on doing all the cleanup himself, despite Mahiru wanting to help, was all part of his plan to keep her away from the refrigerator. He retrieved the culmination of his weeks of preparation from the fridge, carefully taking the box out and holding the plate carefully with both hands.

Amane carefully carried the plate to the table, taking his time. He saw Mahiru's face turn towards him, sensing through the sound and his presence that he had returned.

Silently, he smiled to himself.

I can't wait to see her reaction when she opens her eyes.

"Keep them closed a bit longer for me, okay?"

As Amane wasn't quite ready yet, he had whispered that to her while carefully pressing birthday candles that he had hidden into the white cream base. The candles he used were thinner and more colorful than the typical candles.

One… Two… As he silently inserted the candles one by one, he began to feel that seventeen of them just might have been a bit too many. The cake was now dominated by the pastel colors of the candles. Reflecting on his miscalculation, Amane lit the candles with a lighter, deciding to simply roll with it despite the cake becoming a lot more colorful than he had imagined.

The downside was that lighting this many candles took a bit of time, but once Amane had successfully lit all of them, he dimmed the room's lights using the remote control. While the surroundings grew dim, it still wasn't completely dark. The soft glow from the candles, one for each year of Mahiru's age, cast a gentle veil over the decorated room, illuminating it.

"You can open your eyes now, Mahiru," he whispered gently to her, who had followed his instructions until the very end. Mahiru slowly and cautiously lifted her eyelids, and—

"…Ah," A trembling whisper—one of either lament or astonishment—accidentally escaped her lips.

The soft light brightened Mahiru's face, revealing an almost dazed expression that threw her usual composure out of the window. Her eyes reflected clearly the flickering flames of the candles before her.

Amane cleared his throat once before slowly parting his lips to speak.

While truthfully, this made him feel a bit embarrassed, his desire to convey and share his feelings with Mahiru was much stronger. Although he didn't consider himself skilled at it, he sang the short happy birthday song that his parents used to sing to him as a child just for her, putting his heart and soul into every word.

"Happy seventeenth birthday, Mahiru."

Deliberately saving the words he had wanted to say since they met earlier today, Amane finally expressed his joy and celebration for the birth of his beloved girlfriend. When he looked at Mahiru, she was completely frozen, taken aback.

Amane understood that she was likely overwhelmed by the unexpected shock and gave her a small smile as she stood there, frozen, undoubtedly trying to process and make sense of what had just happened.

"I did wonder if this might be a bit too childish," Amane said softly. He had decorated the room lavishly, prepared a special birthday seat, brought out a whole cake with plenty of candles, and even sang the happy birthday song. Despite being a high schooler, the celebration was the spitting image of a child's party. But that was exactly what Amane was going for, and he had prepared everything just for this moment.

"At the end of the day, we're still kids too, so I thought a party like this would be nice. I have fond and happy memories of my birthday being celebrated just like this when I was younger. The memories of what they did for me as a child have always stayed with me, even now."

Even though his memories of his childhood were a bit vague, he still remembered those events clearly to this day.

His parents had decorated the room exactly to his tastes, placed his favorite stuffed animals and toys at the table, put candles on his favorite cake, and given him the privilege of blowing them out. They had showered him with countless "happy birthdays" and an abundance of love. Those fond childhood memories remained deeply embedded in his heart, giving him the pride of being loved. It was this assurance that had helped him overcome even the most difficult of hardships.

"It may be presumptuous of me, but I wanted to share my happiness with you. I think a party like this is something we all dreamed of as kids," Amane added.

To a certain extent, birthday parties were something that most children had either experienced or longed for. While it wasn't good to base everything on his own experiences, there was no denying that for Amane as a child, no day was more exhilarating than his birthday.

"I wondered if, just maybe, you had once dreamed of something like this," Amane continued. While he felt a bit guilty for making such assumptions on his own, seeing Mahiru's reaction assured him that he hadn't been wrong. "That's why I wanted you to experience it too. I know it might be selfish of me, but even so…"

Seventeen candles on a cake with a fifteen centimeter diameter might have been overkill, but after considering the birthdays Mahiru hadn't—or couldn't—celebrate before, it didn't seem overkill at all. As the flames of the candles gently swayed in the warm air, a silent shimmer appeared in Mahiru's eyes and began to fall like a sparkling tear.

Just a moment later, Mahiru's body immediately melted like jelly. Amane panicked—her face crumpled, and countless clear droplets of tears began to fall.

"D-Did you not like it?" Amane asked, alarmed.

"No, it's not that—it's just, um, I'm so, so happy…and my heart is overflowing… Do I really deserve something so…wonderful?" Through her sobs, Mahiru, now having experienced something she had never experienced before in its entirety, tried her best to weave her overwhelming feelings into words.

Amane crouched down beside Mahiru as she desperately tried to articulate her emotions, showing her true, unvarnished appearance. Feeling tears well up in his own eyes, he gently enveloped her trembling hand with his.

"I'm glad you liked it. I put a lot of thought into it, asking myself, 'What can I do here to make Mahiru happy?' I thought a lot about different ideas for your birthday and consulted many people. In the end, it was all worthwhile," Amane said softly.

This was different from the first time he had celebrated Mahiru's birthday. This time, when Itsuki and Chitose lended a hand, they knew that it was all for Mahiru. His parents also offered their advice for Mahiru's sake, and friends like Yuuta and Ayaka, as well as seniors and even the owner at his part-time job, all contributed to make the day possible in their own ways.

"It wasn't just me—a lot of people came together to help out today. That just goes to show that there are many people wanting to celebrate your birthday and are willing to lend me a hand."

"…Yes."

"Now, blow the candles out before they melt. That's your special privilege as the birthday girl."

After wiping Mahiru's tears with a handkerchief, Amane gave her a playful smile. Her tear-streaked cheeks relaxed slightly, as if she was amused. Not wanting to cry any longer, her eyes—though still wet—regained their bright sparkle as she broke out into a shy yet joyful smile.

Mahiru got down from the sofa and knelt in front of the table. As the candles' flames glowed softly yet mightily amidst the darkness, she blew them out gently. The flames merely flickered, trying to resist her gentle breath, and after a few attempts, Mahiru turned back to Amane with a troubled look. That initial confusion of hers was more endearing to Amane than anything else.

Seeing Mahiru struggle, unsure of how to proceed, Amane gently encouraged her with pats on the back. "Since there's seventeen candles, you'll have to blow a bit harder." He continued to watch over her, wanting her to blow out all the candles herself. After all, blowing out the birthday cake candles was a ritual meant only for the star of the show.

Backed by Amane's encouragement, Mahiru took a deep breath and blew on the candles as if to snuff out each and every one of her worries. As each candle went out, the room grew dimmer and dimmer, but Mahiru continued to extinguish the flames one by one. The moment she blew out the last candle, Amane turned the living room lights back on.

The cake could now be seen in all its glory.

Amane had gone for a simple shortcake. It was decorated mainly with strawberries and whipped cream to honor the first shortcake Amane had given to Mahiru last year. However, at the same time, Amane couldn't say that it was an exact reproduction.

The decorations was one thing, but sat in the center of the cake was a chocolate plaque with the words "Happy Birthday" written on it clumsily by Amane. That, paired with the candles nestled between the chocolate and the strawberries, made it a completely different cake than the one he had bought all that time ago. Even so, he had specifically chosen this cake to add last year's memories on top of the brand new ones they were creating today.

"Now that the lights are on, the cake looks even more rough around the edges, huh…" Amane trailed off before assuring, "W-Well, even so, the taste should be just fine! The shop owner watched me make it, so I can guarantee that much! I practiced it a lot!"

"Huh? Wh–When did you do that? Where…?"

"At work. I asked the owner to teach me the ropes while I helped her test a new recipe." As he served her taste-tester, Amane had earnestly asked Fumika for help, to which she agreed on the spot. She agreed so quickly, in fact, that it left Amane utterly dumbfounded—and he was the one asking. "That's how I managed to do it without coming home too late. Otherwise, you would have caught on. I'm really grateful to the owner."

Despite her busy schedule, Fumika took the time out of her day to personally teach Amane. She had said, "It lightens the load on everyone else if more people can make cakes," but Amane knew that she was just trying to put him at ease, which made him feel a bit guilty.

Under Fumika's kind guidance, Amane managed to learn a foolproof recipe for baking a sponge cake. Naturally, when making a cake, being able to reproduce the recipe was essential. Fumika gave him thorough instructions of the steps and precautions so that he would be able to bake it himself using the equipment he had at home. Thanks to this, Amane had gotten the hang of baking sponge cakes. Though his frosting skills still left much to be desired, Fumika assured him that it wasn't something he could master so easily. He had at least learned how to make a cake presentable before moving on to tackle the real thing.

I'm glad that Mahiru is happy with it nonetheless.

Feeling relieved, Amane looked at the cake he had prepared for her. "Well, it comes with a price."

"A–A price…? You did all this for me and—"

"'Let me know if your darling girlfriend likes it,' she said… So, what do you think?"

From the very beginning, Fumika didn't want to ask for anything in return. But to fulfill her request and satiate his own curiosity, Amane gently yet intently stared at Mahiru. Looking as if she were about to cry again, she nodded.

"I'm so happy, I can't even find the right words. Truly, thank you very much," Mahiru said, giving him a smile of pure joy despite being on the verge of tears.

Relieved, Amane thanked Fumika in his mind and went to get the plates and cake knife. However, Mahiru then looked up at him with a worried look.

"…Is it really okay for me to experience such happiness?" "Nnnope."

Amane accidentally replied reflexively, and Mahiru froze in place.

Quickly realizing that saying too few words could be misunderstood, Amane hurriedly continued.

"Oh— Just to clarify, by 'nope', I mean that the happiness you are feeling right now is nowhere near enough. I'll make you even happier than this, so you can't be satisfied just yet."

"…Okay." Mahiru nodded slightly, a faint blush tinging her cheeks.

Having managed to clear up the misunderstanding, Amane was relieved yet again. He got everything needed to eat the cake and then sat down on the floor next to Mahiru.

"Let's cut the cake now, shall we? Just please excuse how uneven all the candles are."

Amane had tried to place the candles in a way that would look pretty, but the chocolate plaque and strawberries blocked some of the spots he was going for, so it didn't turn out exactly as planned. Despite his efforts, some areas had more candles clustered together than others, showing that he still had room for improvement. He made a mental note to avoid such issues next time, but for now, Amane pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and focused on the task at hand, contemplating how to cut the cake.

After mulling it over for a moment, Amane concluded, "In fact, we should probably remove the candles for now," and began to pull them out. Noticing the forlorn expression on Mahiru's face, he carefully placed the candles on a separate plate to reassure her.

As it was fifteen centimeters across, he decided to cut the cake into four pieces, making it both easy to cut and easy to eat. He handed the plate with the main slice, which had the chocolate plaque on it, to Mahiru. "Here you go."

Mahiru accepted the plate with great care. Her cheeks softened and her eyes sparkled as if she were gazing upon the figure of a treasured possession. Although Amane thought she was exaggerating a bit, it was also proof of how much joy Mahiru felt. Feeling a bit ticklish inside, he handed her a fork.

"Enjoy."

"Th-Thank you for the meal."

Mahiru seemed a bit hesitant, for she couldn't eat the slice without disturbing the carefully balanced chocolate on top.

Mahiru hesitated for quite some time, at a loss for what to do. Then, with an apologetic look, she gently removed the chocolate from its white stage.

She took her time slowly cutting the cake into bite-sized pieces, but once she started eating them, it was all gone in an instant.

With a quiet "nom", the beautiful contrast of white and red disappeared into her petite lips. Her wide caramel-colored eyes blinked open, then slowly softened and narrowed with delight.

Seeing the previously hesitant expression on her face now replaced with a gentle and pleased look, Amane was certain that his efforts over the past two weeks had paid off beautifully.

"…How is it?" Amane finally asked. "It's delicious."

After chewing thoroughly and swallowing, Mahiru nodded to Amane with a shy smile. Seeing this, Amane finally allowed himself to relax. He released the heavy breath he had been holding and took in a fresh one, now feeling much lighter.

"Thank goodness. You made a cake for my birthday, so I wanted to return the favor," Amane said.

As someone who wanted to return happiness in kind, Amane wanted Mahiru to experience the same joy she had given him on his special day. Since he was a complete novice and had not much time to prepare, he realized he needed to give it his best effort. Rather than fumbling about on his own, he decided to seek guidance from an expert. This approach was so successful that Amane realized it was indeed wise to rely on others when truly in a moment of need.

"But with my skills, there's no way I could make something on your level, Mahiru. Relying on others really is the way to go."

"…The kind owner taught you, right?"

"Yeah, I went to her for help. When I said, 'I want to make a birthday cake for my girlfriend,' she just beamed at me. That's very much a her thing to do. Anyway, I'm really grateful to her," Amane said.

Fumika had explained, "The simpler the dish, the more the flavor of the ingredients and skill of the maker affect the final taste." Since Amane was a complete amateur when it came to baking—despite now being a fairly good cook—she made sure to teach him from the ground up.

Fumika had him taste various cakes to demonstrate how different sponge textures could be achieved by altering the way eggs were beaten. She also showed him how the fat content of the cream changed the whipping time and technique, letting him work with different ingredients to understand their properties. Additionally, she even told him where to buy the best ingredients for baking, directing him to a specialty confectionery shop. Fumika provided him with a wide range of support to help him improve.

After receiving so much help on top of being hired by her as a part-timer, Amane felt incredibly indebted to her. He couldn't help but hold her in high regard.

"I would also like to thank her in person for her help with your birthday, but…you don't want me to go, right?" Mahiru said hesitantly.

"I-It's not that I don't want you to," Amane quickly replied. "I would just prefer if you came after I've gotten better at the job… You know, it'd be embarrassing if I wasn't doing a proper job and stuff."

Amane had now been working for over a month, so he was confident that he'd gotten used to the job itself. But at the same time, he wasn't confident that his skills were polished enough to show to Mahiru.

He believed that most people felt a bit uneasy about being watched by their friends or significant other while they're working, and showing Mahiru how he performed at customer service would only worsen that feeling for Amane. If he were to show Mahiru, he wanted her to see him handling everything with confidence. He felt sorry for making Mahiru wait, but this wasn't something Amane could compromise on.

Amane wanted to show her his best self whenever possible, even though Mahiru had already seen plenty of his weaknesses and awkward moments. To him, this was at the top of his priorities.

"But to me, you're cute even when you're flustered, Amane-kun." "Well, that's no good… I want you to think I look cool."

"I understand. In that case, I will be waiting."

Despite being willing to forgive Amane for making her wait, Mahiru smiled with glee. Amane bowed in his mind, thanking her for her generosity as he brought a piece of cake to his mouth.

Thanks to Fumika's guidance, the cake itself came together beautifully. The sponge, brushed with syrup, was moist without being too heavy and had a fine, delicate texture that melted softly in the mouth alongside the strawberries sandwiched within. The cream had been measured such that it wouldn't be too sweet, allowing the strawberries' tartness and sweetness to really shine through. While Mahiru appreciated intricate and stylish desserts, she ultimately gravitated toward classic flavors like this one.

Amane thought he had successfully recreated a taste that suited Mahiru's preferences.

Amane glanced at Mahiru, seeing her savor the cake with a gentle, soothed expression, as if she were treasuring each bite. She seemed even more content than she usually did when enjoying dessert, her eyebrows relaxed in genuine satisfaction.

"It truly is delicious," Mahiru said softly. "…I'm glad."

If Mahiru liked it, then that was the greatest win for Amane.

Making cakes for Mahiru isn't a bad idea every now and then, he then thought, slowly enjoying the sweet yet not-too-sweet cake that was topped with Mahiru's smile.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

When Mahiru finished eating, Amane timed his move and headed to the bedroom where he had a gift prepared. He knew that if he left it conspicuously wrapped in the brightly lit living room, it would be far too easy to guess what was inside. However, Mahiru seemed to miss him while he left the room, following him with her eyes as he left. Amane returned with the gift in his hand, and she blinked several times in surprise when.

Amane felt delighted as he realized he'd seen many of Mahiru's expressions just like that one today. He knelt down at Mahiru's feet while she sat on the sofa in bewilderment, he gently placed the gift on her hands, which rested atop her neatly aligned thighs.

"Here's your birthday present. Experiences and memories are important, but I also wanted to give you something tangible that you can hold onto."

The bouquet was nothing more than the opening act, with the cake and this gift following right after, and then one final item serving as the main event.

Though he called it a present, it wasn't anything particularly extravagant. As a high school student, his options were limited to what he could afford and what he thought Mahiru would like. However, Amane believed that the thought and reasoning behind his choice were what mattered most. After much deliberation, he had decided to give Mahiru this gift in his own way.

"To be honest, Mahiru, you always buy things that you need, and you wouldn't be too happy if I gave you something that was just expensive. You'd probably feel guilty about it. So, I really struggled to pick something."

He had talked with Chitose before, and they both agreed that Mahiru wasn't a materialistic person. She was someone who bought what she needed without hesitation, making her quite a challenging person to buy for.

Amane knew that Mahiru would be happy with anything he gave her, but that only made it harder for him to choose. In the end, he selected a present based on his own observations and imagination of Mahiru.

When he gently whispered, "Go ahead and open it," Mahiru seemed to snap out of her stiffened state. The way she glanced at him as if asking for permission amused Amane, and he couldn't help but laugh. Mahiru pouted a little at his reaction, but with a mix of nervousness and anticipation, she began to carefully untie the ribbon wrapped around the box. Amane noticed her fingers trembling slightly, but decided it was best not to mention it.

Mahiru untied the glossy red ribbon, something many people associated with presents. She then meticulously removed the wrapping paper, finally revealing the box that contained the gift itself.

When Mahiru looked at him for his stamp of approval again, Amane laughed and encouraged her, "Go ahead, you can open it." Holding her breath, she gently lifted the lid of the box. Inside, nestled in cushioning material, was yet another box, one that fit snugly in both of Mahiru's palms. Well, calling it just a "box" was not entirely accurate. It wasn't a matryoshka-like situation where the gift was merely a series of plain boxes. Amane would never give such a bland gift.

What Mahiru held in her hands now was a wooden, antique-style jewelry box. Its tasteful color and the elegant design featuring her favorite flowers made it a refined and beautiful item, more sophisticated and graceful than simply cute.

"Um, I got you a jewelry box that I thought you might like," Amane said.

Normally, giving jewelry or cosmetics would be a safe choice for a girlfriend's birthday present, but after considering various opinions, Amane decided on this.

Partly due to her personality, Mahiru was known for taking great care of her possessions, especially items given to her by others, which she tended to preserve meticulously. Amane had heard that she carefully maintained and stored each thing he had given her to prevent any deterioration, and he deeply respected her for that. Therefore, he wanted to give her a special place to keep those cherished items—something that would hold and protect her treasured memories.

"Mahiru, I know that you always take such great care of everything I give you. That's why I thought it might be nice for you to have a special place to store them all. Although I do realize you probably already have something similar already, so it's not like I'm forcing you to use it or anything!"

Amane emphasized that while he had given it to her, she was under no obligation to use it, saying that it was an important distinction. After that, he cleared his throat.

"I thought it would be nice to have a place where you could store the things I'll be giving you in the future," he added, albeit a bit awkwardly. He found it embarrassing to say it so directly, which made his words hard to form. But slowly, Amane voiced the wish he held in his heart. "I was just thinking that it would be nice if that box eventually became full with only the things I've given you… Sorry. That's just my own selfish wish."

"…It's not selfish," Mahiru replied softly.

Amane was about to flash a self-deprecating smile, thinking it was selfish of him to pack his own wishes into the gift he chose. However, Mahiru, with her head bowed, shook her head. Her voice trembled slightly, and a large teardrop akin to a gemstone fell from her eye, splashing on the back of her hand as it rested on the box.

He didn't need to be told. Amane already knew that they were not tears born from sadness.

"…Just how many times do you want to make me cry today, Amane-kun?"

"If it's out of happiness, then as many times as it takes."

"…Oh, you," she whispered, the slightly sulky, yet affectionate tone in her voice a testament to the deep trust she had in Amane.

When Mahiru finally lifted her head, she gave Amane the sweetest, most dazzling smile, one so satisfied that it seemed to soothe the redness around her eyes from crying.

"When I get home, I'll have to store everything in here. My bracelet, my hairpins. All my treasures," Mahiru giggled. "Everytime I open it, I'll be filled with happiness."

Mahiru gently lifted the lid as if handling something fragile. Inside was a simple, spacious interior with no partitions for compartments, and three layers of storage. It wasn't particularly large, but it seemed just right for holding accessories or thin items. Mahiru couldn't hide the excitement in her voice as she admired the box.

"I want to keep filling your box with more and more treasures," Amane said.

"There appears to be plenty of space not just for accessories, so I'll have to store other important items here too," replied Mahiru.

"Like what?"

"Hehe, mementos of the memories I've experienced with you,

Amane-kun. They're really just little things, so I shall keep them a secret." Amane clearly remembered the gifts he had given her, but from the way

Mahiru spoke, it seemed that she also cherished other items that weren't exactly meant as presents.

He felt slightly guilty as he realized he couldn't quite recall what those items might be. However, Mahiru, noticing his unease, simply smiled at him, showing that she wasn't bothered by it at all.

"You're keeping them a secret, huh?"

"Yes… They're items that you probably gave to me without much thought, or things that we came by when we were out together. So it's natural that you won't remember them all. Please look forward to it when the time comes. Once the box is full, I'll show you everything stashed inside. That way, we can look back and reminisce together."

"Sure."

Surely, they would continue to create many more memories together.

No, they will create them—Amane was certain that they would.

I hope that, one day, this box will be full to the brim with our happiness, Amane wished, silently conveying this hope to Mahiru with his eyes. She smiled tenderly, sharing the same sentiment. Their looks softened, both of them looking forward to the future they would build together.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

Seeing Mahiru quietly close her eyes, basking in the afterglow of her birthday celebration, Amane couldn't help but feel a bit proud, thinking that things had gone well so far. However, with the final piece of the plan still left, Amane was unsure of how Mahiru would react. He pressed his lips together, reminding himself not to let his guard down just yet.

A quick glance at the wall revealed the hands of the wall clock, subtly hidden by the decorations, steadily approaching the promised time.

…It's nearly time.

The time had come for the final—and likely the biggest—surprise of Mahiru's birthday.

Mahiru, believing that all the celebrations for today were over and all that was left was to bask in the sweet warmth of happiness, was sitting on the sofa, gently pressing the soft paw pads of the cat plushie. She seemed completely at ease.

Amane felt genuinely sorry for disrupting her when she was so relaxed, but they had already reached the point of no return, leaving him no choice but to steel himself for what was to come.

"…Umm, Mahiru, well, the thing is…" "Yes?"

Mahiru looked up at Amane without a sliver of wariness. Her expression was even softer and more relaxed than usual, colored with a joyful glow.

Her dreamy gaze, brimming with affection for him, was so unbearably cute that Amane felt as if it could cause five canker sores to sprout on the inside of his cheek from the sheer sweetness of the sight alone.

Amane bit the inside of his cheek to suppress the overwhelming urge to shower her with affection, then forced himself to maintain a calm exterior as he continued.

"Actually, there's one more surprise in store for you."

"You've already done enough, but there's still more? Haven't you prepared a few too many things?"

"If anything, it's still not enough to make up for all the birthdays you should've had until now. It wouldn't hurt to be a little more greedy and ask for more, you know?"

"N-No, that's not… I mean, um, I might get overwhelmed, like, it might be too much for me to take all at once."

"Well, if that happens, I'm sorry." "Huh?"

In fact, Amane had prepared the final surprise fully aware that it might overwhelm her.

Mahiru gazed at Amane with a puzzled expression, clearly not understanding what he meant. Daring not to explain further, Amane quietly stood up, ready to open the curtains for the final and greatest gift he could give—the surprise of all surprises.

"Everything's ready, so just sit tight while I finish the final touches."

Leaving a confused Mahiru behind, Amane returned to his room to bring back the laptop he had readied in advance. The sudden appearance of what, to her, seemed like an unrelated laptop only intensified Mahiru's curious gaze, but Amane remained steadfast and chose not to elaborate. He simply placed the laptop on the low table, keeping up an air of mystery and anticipation.

The screen he opened displayed the waiting room of a video conferencing app, ready for a call.

"Well, I might be…meddling far too much with this, but…"

The biggest surprise of the day, decided entirely by Amane's own judgment and perhaps a bit of self-righteousness, was something that he couldn't achieve on his own. While his heart swelled with anticipation, hoping Mahiru would be happy, a nagging fear lingered—anxiety that his presumptuous act might be unwelcome. For Amane, it was almost like taking a risky gamble.

Of course, he knew that Mahiru would have been more than happy without this final surprise—she had already cried tears of joy earlier. So perhaps, this wasn't something he should have done. But now that the gears were set in motion, there was no turning back.

He needed to steel himself and see it through.

"You might think this was an unwelcome favor or that I'm overstepping my bounds, but I'm not the only person who wants to congratulate you.

There is someone else who has cared for and always thought about you."

Today, many people celebrated the day that marked Mahiru's birth, and congratulated her. Her closest and most cherished friends had all gathered to help and celebrate her birthday. Surely, she must have been overjoyed, with nothing to complain about. Yet, Amane couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. It wasn't enough for her to be celebrated by her current friends and those who had taken on a parental role in her life. He wondered if there wasn't someone from her past, someone Mahiru once admired and loved deeply, who had been left out. Someone who would want to celebrate her birth from the bottom of their heart.

After sending a message in the chat to confirm that everything was ready, Amane took slow, deep breaths to calm his racing heartbeat. Then, he clicked the button with the phone icon.

The screen shifted from a blank, dark void to a display glowing with vibrant hues.

"Ojou-sama."

A gentle voice emanated softly from the computer's speakers.

The voice, neither loud nor quiet, carried a soft and calm tone. It wasn't a voice that Amane recognized, but for Mahiru, it was likely a different story.

A surprised "Huh?" escaped Mahiru's lips, her voice slightly trembling.

In an instant, Mahiru sprung. She leapt off the sofa, landing on the floor with a sense of urgency. She leaned in close to the laptop on the low table, staring intently at the screen. Her face, usually so composed, was now filled with shock and disbelief.

Mahiru's eyes jumped wide open. Unable to believe what she was seeing, her slightly agape mouth gave her an almost dazed appearance. It was clear that she was completely bewildered, perhaps even flummoxed. The woman on the screen, appearing to be about a decade older than Amane's own parents, seemed to notice Mahiru's disbelief. With an elegant smile that carried a hint of surprise and amusement, the woman looked directly at Mahiru.

"I've since stepped down from my duties, so perhaps this way of addressing you is no longer appropriate. Let's see…"

Mahiru remained frozen, her body tense as she stared at the screen, while the woman—Koyuki—met her gaze through the screen and smiled gently.

"…Mahiru-san, long time no see."

Gracefully placing one hand over her chest, Koyuki called Mahiru's name with a refined smile. Unfazed by Mahiru's apparent state of shock, Koyuki continued speaking.

"I'm sorry for calling your name so suddenly, but since I'm no longer employed, would you allow me to call you by your given name?"

"Wh-Why— How… I-Is this real?"

"Was our little surprise a success?" Koyuki teased, giggling a little.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was a resounding success—so much so that Amane worried it might have shocked Mahiru to the point where her heart might stop. The surprise had caught her completely off guard.

Even from a short distance away, Amane could see how Mahiru was further thrown into confusion by the playful yet refined tone of Koyuki's voice. It wasn't crude but carried an air of mature elegance, making the situation just that more overwhelming for Mahiru.

"H-Huh? What? H-How are we…"

"Ah, you must be confused as to how I'm here on this video call. As for how, I think the gentleman sitting next to you would be better suited to answer."

Realizing that the spotlight had now been turned on him, Amane couldn't help but chuckle softly. As Mahiru quickly turned to face him, he knew he had no choice but to explain. Gently guiding her to sit back down on the sofa, he looked up at her, bracing himself to provide the explanation she was clearly waiting for.

"Uh…firstly, let me apologize. I'm sorry." "Huh?"

"I did something bad." "B-Bad…?"

"Aren't you curious how I managed to get in contact?"

Koyuki was Mahiru's housekeeper and tutor, responsible for looking after her before Mahiru met Amane. Amane had no direct connection with Koyuki and had never spoken to her or even heard her voice before.

Naturally, Mahiru would quickly realize that there was no way Amane could have known her contact information on his own.

As soon as Mahiru let out a small "Ah," instantly realizing what he meant, a feeling of guilt rose in Amane's mind. He took a deep breath, organizing the explanation he had prepared in his mind, and then slowly began to speak, ready to explain how everything had come to pass.

"Remember when, um, we talked about how I wanted to greet Koyu— Kujigawa-san?"

"Y-Yes?"

"When you showed me her picture, I kind of…caught a glimpse of a note. And I, uh, actually memorized the address and number on it."

That was how Amane came across Koyuki's personal information.

It turned out that, although they usually communicated through letters, Koyuki had left several methods of contact available. On a note that had been stored with other important documents, her email address, mailing address, and phone number were all listed. When Amane caught a glimpse of that note, the email address stood out—it was distinctive and easy to remember. Even though he hadn't stared at it intently, the address stuck in his mind almost instantly.

To be honest, Amane spent several days questioning whether it was really okay to send that email, repeatedly asking himself if he was crossing a line—not just breaching etiquette, but morality itself. The knot in his stomach after hitting SEND was something he could vividly recall even now.

Amane had always intended to introduce himself properly someday, but he knew that doing so in this manner, without permission, wasn't the right way to go about it.

He was fully aware that involving Koyuki in this was driven by his own selfish desires. Yet, despite knowing this, Amane couldn't help but feel that he needed her help, no matter what.

"Mahiru, Kujikawa-san. I really, truly apologize for obtaining and then using your personal information without permission. I deeply regret my actions."

Knowing that his image was being broadcast on the other end, Amane moved in front of the camera and bowed deeply, his head lowered in sincere apology. Koyuki's expression turned to a wry smile, as if to say, "It can't be helped." When he had first contacted her, he had also apologized profusely, and even now, he felt it wasn't enough, so he kept his head bowed. After a moment, he heard Koyuki's slightly exasperated voice reach the back of his head.

"Dear me, please raise your head. At first, I had suspected it was a scam email, and I even consulted my son and his wife about it."

"I am truly sorry."

"I'll let you off this time out of consideration of your desperation. Your determination to do whatever it took for her, along with the guilt you felt, was plain to see. But please, be more careful next time, okay?"

"Yes. It won't happen again." Amane had no intention of ever doing something so blatantly disrespectful and overstepping boundaries like this again.

From Koyuki's perspective, Amane was essentially a complete stranger, practically no different from a suspicious individual. The fact that she not only listened to him but also agreed to help filled him with overwhelming gratitude and, at the same time, guilt.

"Could you also forgive him on my behalf, Mahiru-san? He explained everything to me so earnestly, bowing his head the entire time. He knew that it was a rude and perhaps presumptuous request, yet he still asked if I could help him."

"I–I'm not angry at all! Amane-kun always tries so hard for my sake, and I know he did this for me too. I just feel so, so happy, grateful, yet also guilty."

"If you're happy, then there's nothing more I can ask for as your boyfriend."

"He was incredibly passionate when he spoke to me, you know? He told me he wanted you to have the happiest birthday of your life, and that my involvement played a crucial part in making that happen. When he asked me so sincerely, how could I refuse to help? Besides, if I can be a part of your happiness, Mahiru-san, what better honor is there?"

As Koyuki's soft-spoken words reached her, another tear slipped from Mahiru's eyes, coursing quietly down her lightly blushing cheeks. Amane instinctively understood the nature of the emotions that had overflowed and manifested as tears. Aware that he'd been the one softening Mahiru's heart throughout the day, he handed her the handkerchief he had kept nearby. Mahiru accepted it with a small, grateful smile.

"Once again, long time no see, Mahiru-san."

After waiting for Mahiru's overflowing emotions to be wiped away with the handkerchief, Koyuki tenderly greeted her one more time.

Watching their interaction, Amane thought it might be best to leave them to their long-awaited reunion in private. However, just as he began to step away, Mahiru's fingertips gently grasped his sleeve, a small gesture of resistance that naturally kept him rooted in place. Even though Mahiru might be okay with it, Amane worried that his presence might interfere with their reunion. But when he glanced at Koyuki, she smiled warmly and, with a look, encouraged him to stay.

It seemed that Koyuki didn't view him as an intruder on their reunion after all.

Mahiru patted the space next to her on the sofa, gently urging Amane to come sit beside her.

When Amane looked at the laptop screen, Koyuki's ever-cheerful yet inscrutable smile greeted him. Though he hesitated for a moment, he trusted that he wasn't unwelcome and quietly took a seat next to Mahiru.

"We have exchanged letters on a few occasions, but I never— …I wonder if it's appropriate of me to tally our meetings, but I never had the opportunity to see how much you've grown…until this moment. I am truly grateful for this opportunity."

"It—It has been a while, Koyuki-san…"

"My, please show me your smile instead of those tears. After all, you've given me the precious opportunity to see your face."

"Okay."

Mahiru, finally catching the large tears that kept spilling from her eyes with the handkerchief, managed to show a bright smile. Seeing this, Koyuki's expression softened into a relieved smile.

"But, now that I think about it, the fact that you can cry so openly now is a cause for celebration. It shows that you have gained the strength to show yourself to others in times of vulnerability."

As a child, Mahiru had been strong but also fragile, never willing to reveal her weaknesses, not even to Koyuki. She rarely showed her tears, holding everything inside and unable to rely on anyone, no matter how much she was hurting. She had no choice but to bear it all by herself. But now, Mahiru had shed that rigid shell. She had become softer, more open, yet at the same time, she had grown stronger and more resilient.

"You have grown up beautifully, Mahiru-san."

"…Thank you."

"You look so much brighter compared to the last time I saw you. There is a different light in your eyes. You must have been blessed with a wonderful environment. I am truly glad."

"Yes…"

Koyuki's voice, one of deep relief, was unmistakably from someone who genuinely cared for Mahiru.

Her gentle smile carried both concern and relief, revealing just how much she had worried for Mahiru at the time.

Although Mahiru had finally stopped crying, she had adopted an exceptionally good posture, her back straight and body slightly tense, as if she were trying to shrink herself. Seeing this, Koyuki brought a hand to her mouth and smiled gracefully, amused by Mahiru's reaction.

Giggling, Koyuki said, "There's no need to be so formal—I'm no longer one of your employees. I'm simply an ordinary old lady now."

"I–It's just…been so long, and, um, I'm a bit nervous!" Mahiru stammered.

"Oh my. Hehe, I suppose the feeling is mutual then, as my happiness has made me act a bit too familiar as well."

Seeing Mahiru easily get embarrassed from her reply, Koyuki's smile grew slightly wider.

"Forgive me for asking something so ordinary, but have you been well? Although I have read through the letters you sent from time to time, I would like to hear it directly from you."

"Yes, I've been well. Quite…"

"How stiff. There's no need to be so nervous—I'm not going to get angry or disappear on you."

"Understood…"

"There you go, acting formal again."

"Uuu…"

"This is something you'll just have to get used to, Mahiru-san."

Even after it was pointed out again, Mahiru's tension didn't seem to ease. She continued to sit with her back unusually straight, showing how nervous she still was during this long-awaited reunion. However, the way she looked at the screen with eyes full of trust and affection meant that it was only a matter of time before she grew comfortable again.

"But truly, I'm glad to hear you're well. Although, I could already tell just from the look on your face… You've met someone wonderful, haven't you?"

"Yes."

Taken aback by the unexpected compliment, Amane sat up and readjusted the posture. The fact that Mahiru immediately affirmed it left him feeling embarrassed, causing his gaze to wander uncomfortably.

"If you say so, then I suppose I have nothing to worry about. Mind you, I already knew that he has been running around and working hard all for his sweet girlfriend, so I never doubted that he is a good person."

Koyuki let out a soft, refined laugh, saying, "Live long enough, and you can easily tell the good people from the bad." Though Amane felt a slight pang in his stomach, he maintained a polite smile, knowing full well that it was his own decision to contact her without permission that led to this situation. He kept his discomfort to himself.

Whether Koyuki noticed Amane's mixed feelings or not, she maintained her elegant expression, showing no sign of change.

"…I truly can't thank Amane-kun enough," Mahiru said. "He did so much to prepare all of this for me, even going as far as to reconnect me with you, Koyuki-san."

"Mahiru, you don't need to worry about it. I only did it because I wanted to."

In truth, Amane felt like he should be the one constantly apologizing, yet the fact that Mahiru was so happy made him feel both proud and relieved. While his methods were somewhat questionable, making it hard for him to celebrate as much as he'd usually like.

"Since it's your birthday, I wanted you to be overflowing with happiness.

Though to be honest, I wasn't sure if it would work out—it was a fifty-fifty chance."

Amane had taken on the risk of being seen as a nuisance, getting scolded, or even disliked for his actions. So, it was a great relief that both Koyuki and Mahiru had forgiven him so easily.

"If a little running around on my part can make you happy, then it's worth every second I spent… I know you have been working hard everyday for me too, so I wanted to give something back. I wanted to see you smile more. Though I did end up making you cry just now."

As Amane spoke, tears continued to spill from the corners of Mahiru's eyes, each one a clear, beautiful droplet. He quickly grabbed the handkerchief again, gently dabbing at her tears. The sheer number of emotions she was expressing, something unimaginable from the Mahiru he used to know, made him feel as if the handkerchief itself might start crying soon. Yet, this overwhelming response reassured him that he had moved Mahiru's heart in a truly meaningful way.

"So, um, did it make you happy?" "Yes, of course."

When Mahiru broke into a bright, carefree smile befitting her age, as if to say she couldn't just keep crying, both Amane and Koyuki felt a wave of relief wash over them.

"I'd love to hear more about the young man next to you, Mahiru-san. You two are dating, yes?"

"…We are. He is the first person I've ever truly loved. When I'm with him, I feel at ease, and my heart feels warm. He's the first person to love me for who I am, both my facade and my true self. He's someone who knows everything about me, yet still cherishes me. He sees a future with me and is ready to walk that path together."

Amane wasn't looking directly at Mahiru, but rather at the screen in front of him. Despite that, the situation of having someone Mahiru cherished like a parent nearby made him feel incredibly embarrassed. The way she sincerely, joyfully, and lovingly spoke about him, praising his character and expressing how much she wanted to be with him, was overwhelming. Yet, the joy of knowing Mahiru felt so deeply for him was even stronger. Without taking his eyes off the screen, his hand instinctively sought hers. At the same time, Mahiru seemed to be reaching out as well, and their fingertips met gently between them.

As their fingers naturally slid together from the tips to their palms, intertwining, Amane felt the warmth of Mahiru's hand, much warmer than usual, melt into his own.

"Really? I'm glad you seem to have found yourself a wonderful partner. Really, I'm so happy for you."

The warmth and trust radiating from Mahiru's hand brought a smile to Amane's face, which Koyuki was quick to catch onto. Her expression, while gentle, carried a hint of amused warmth, one even warmer than their intertwined hands. This realization brought a wave of embarrassment flooding back to Amane, who suddenly felt a little—no,

quite—self-conscious as the boyfriend being introduced.

It was a relief that Koyuki, unlike a certain teasing mother, had no intention of making fun of him. She maintained her calm and gentle exterior, simply watching over them with a cozy, approving smile.

"Ever since she was young, Mahiru-san has been sharper than most, so I was worried that she might become disinterested in other people. But it seems as though my worries were unfounded."

The concern that arose from having watched Mahiru since she was young was something Amane could understand and agree with. He couldn't help but think that it was a miracle Mahiru had chosen someone like him—a thought that Mahiru would likely scold him for if she knew.

"By the way, have you grabbed him by the stomach?" Koyuki asked, remembering what she had told Mahiru all those years ago.

"…Have I grabbed him…?" Mahiru parroted, puzzled. "Yeah, with an iron grip," Amane declared.

"Oh my."

Amane nodded emphatically, without a shadow of a doubt in his mind that he was right. He was met with Koyuki's knowing smile, as if she had expected nothing less. Having often heard that Mahiru's cooking skills were honed under Koyuki's guidance, Amane, who regularly enjoyed those delicious meals, felt he ought to bow in deep gratitude to the source of Mahiru's culinary prowess.

Just as Amane was about to bow his head in gratitude from a different angle, he noticed Mahiru waving her free hand in a flustered manner, as if trying to stop him.

"Ah! But it's not as if he leaves everything to me! Amane-kun cooks too! He always helps me in the kitchen, and he even prepared meals on his own!

It's more like we take turns or swap shifts… He really does his part in, um, living together with me!"

Mahiru didn't want Koyuki to mistakenly believe that Amane left everything to her and leeched off her effort. However, it couldn't be denied that Mahiru carried a significant part of the responsibility. So Amane added, "But truth is, Mahiru's cooking is the best, and I do genuinely prefer her meals," which caused Mahiru's eyes to well up with tears once again.

Although she didn't actually cry, Amane could feel a slight tremble and a stronger grip than usual coming from Mahiru's hand.

"I know, I know. You don't need to panic, Mahiru-san. I understand perfectly. He's your ideal partner, isn't he?"

"Yes!" Even with her eyes shimmering with emotion, Mahiru nodded firmly and continued without hesitation. "After all, you were the one who told me to choose someone who would truly make me happy, Koyuki-san."

"Yes, I certainly did."

"You were definitely right, Koyuki-san. Even when you were with me, but especially after you were gone, I interacted with so many different people. It was then that I came to realize…the person who would make me happy is someone who doesn't try to fit me into a mold, who doesn't judge me just by what they see on the surface, and who never disregards my feelings."

Because Mahiru had been surrounded by so many different people throughout her life, the bar for her relationships was likely whether or not the other party could respect her as an individual. It was a simple yet profoundly important criterion—something essential, yet often difficult to find in others.

"Amane-kun always puts my feelings first and makes an effort to understand me. He fell in love with who I am on the inside, and he accepted me despite my childhood experiences. He respects me, and that makes me incredibly happy… Although he can be a little too respectful, which makes him reserved instead."

"It's for your own good, Mahiru!"

"I—I know it is! …I understand very well that you're just being careful because you respect me so much."

Amane couldn't help but feel like Mahiru had just subtly called him a coward, though he knew this "carefulness" was something they had both agreed upon. Still, he wondered if there was some underlying dissatisfaction on her part that he hadn't caught onto.

As Amane stared at her, Mahiru hastily added, "I-It's not that I'm unhappy or anything! I just mean that maybe you don't always have to be so concerned about how I'm feeling—you could prioritize your own feelings a bit more." She seemed embarrassed and somewhat unsure of what she was saying, leaving Amane, as her boyfriend, with yet another thing to puzzle over.

But if I did that, you're the one that's going to overheat.

He had no intention of breaking the vow he made back then, but hearing Mahiru's words made him wonder…

As long as I don't break our promise, maybe we can do stuff I wanna do?

Amane seriously considered whether pampering Mahiru in the way she was suggesting was a good idea, given her limited tolerance for such things. He gazed at her with a serious look, but Mahiru, likely embarrassed by her own bold words, merely blushed and seemed oblivious to the thoughts running through his mind.

"I'm glad to see that you two are close. That said, I am curious about how you mentioned living together."

Though Koyuki wasn't scolding them, there was an undertone of disbelief in her voice that made Mahiru's cheeks twitch with embarrassment. She realized that discussing such matters in front of someone she admired like a parent might not have been the best idea.

"A-Ah! N-No, it's not like that! Amane-kun is actually my neighbor—I mean, we live in the same apartment building! There's absolutely nothing going on that would cause you to worry, Koyuki-san!" Mahiru hurried to explain things clearly.

"I swear, I haven't done anything that would hurt Mahiru in any way."

From Koyuki's perspective, it would be natural to worry that someone she considered her beloved daughter might be taken advantage of by an unfamiliar man. Realizing how careless their words might have sounded, both Mahiru and Amane lamented their poor phrasing. However, Koyuki, after letting out a soft sigh that conveyed a mix of concern and mild exasperation, turned a gentle gaze toward Mahiru.

"I'm not in any place to criticize, but at least if you're spending so much time together and still get along so well, that's a good sign. The more time you spend together, the more you will see each other's less desirable traits."

"I-I don't think there are any… Um, and even if there were, we could always talk it out and work on improving together."

It's often said that living together can reveal differences in habits, financial habits, hygiene, common sense, and ethics, which can be frustrating. However, despite spending so much time together, Amane had yet to encounter any major issues with Mahiru that bothered him. If he had to point out anything, it would be her tendency to hold back too much and her occasional bold actions spurred on by Chitose's influence. The former was something Mahiru had been improving as she became more honest, and the latter was more of an issue with Chitose herself—something that might just warrant a serious talk with her.

This led Amane to consider whether Mahiru had any complaints about him. She hadn't pointed out many issues lately, though when they had first started to interact, she had been quite frank about things she didn't like. It was possible that he had already addressed most of the things she wanted him to change. However, Amane was still concerned that there might still be things she hadn't mentioned, so he put on a serious face and told her, "If there's anything you don't like, don't hesitate to tell me, okay? I don't want to cause you any trouble. I want us both to be comfortable, and if I can change something, I will."

In response, Mahiru quickly shook her head, clearly flustered by the suggestion. "If anything, you're too considerate towards me! You're an incredibly wonderful person to me, okay!?"

"You don't have to flatter me."

"…Then that is something I want you to work on. Please learn to accept compliments properly when I give them."

Seeing Mahiru pout so clearly, her lips adorably pursed as she lightly patted Amane's thigh, he knew he couldn't let her sulk any further. With a smile, he quickly responded, "Got it, thank you," successfully preventing her cheeks from puffing out even more.

"Mahiru-san has completely opened her heart to you, hasn't she?"

When Amane looked back at the screen after hearing those heartfelt words, he noticed that Koyuki, who had been quietly watching their interaction, was looking at the spot where their hands had been playfully interacting. It was clear that she had seen right through them.

Mahiru, naturally embarrassed, hunched her shoulders and blushed deeply, which left Amane struggling to suppress the rising tide of his own embarrassment, trying his best not to let it show on his face.

Koyuki let out a soft, amused chuckle. Still smiling, she gently turned her gaze towards Amane.

"And you, Fujimiya-san? What do you think about her?"

"What do I…?"

"Oh, ignore me. That makes it sound like an interview, doesn't it?

That's not what I meant…" Koyuki faced Amane with a gentle yet discerning gaze. "I want to know how you see Mahiru-san, how she appears from your perspective."

Rather than give a prompt answer, Amane decided to take his time, thinking carefully before responding.

—How Amane saw Mahiru.

In other words, Koyuki was asking what kind of person Mahiru appeared to be in Amane's eyes. It felt like she was trying to confirm whether Amane, who Mahiru said had chosen her for who she truly was, genuinely understood her.

Amane could tell from Koyuki's attitude that she asked out of concern for Mahiru's well-being.

Understanding her intent, Amane found himself carefully considering how best to answer her question.