And so, the Important Day Arrived - 2

How I see Mahiru…

As Amane quietly looked over to Mahiru sitting next him, their eyes met. A mix of hope and anxiety reflected in her eyes, showing that she was eager to hear how he truly felt. Seeing that, Amane decided to be completely honest, expressing his feelings without any pretense.

"…She tends to put on a brave face and bottle things up, but deep down, she's just a lonely girl who wants to be spoiled."

That was how Amane saw Mahiru. "Amane-kun!?"

"Well, I mean, don't you enjoy it when I spoil you?"

"I do! But please, don't say that so casually in front of Koyuki-san!"

Suddenly having her private, hidden side exposed, Mahiru's face turned even redder as she lightly thumped Amane's arm in protest. However, Amane had no intention of taking back his words.

"Mahiru can basically do just about anything on her own. She prefers to keep others at a distance, trying to handle everything herself. Unable to rely on others, she, in a way, shot herself in the foot, so to speak, getting trapped by the limits she set for herself."

Mahiru was always humble and reserved, rarely putting herself first. It seemed that, perhaps unconsciously, she avoided completely leaning on even Amane out of a fear of being a burden or being abandoned. This tendency was even stronger with others, as her inability to fully trust people led to an unconscious compulsion to become the "ideal person." As a result, she avoided showing her vulnerable side, choosing instead to wear a mask and present herself as the perfect girl to the outside world, making that facade appear completely natural.

That was the "Angel" everyone saw. But now, Mahiru was different. "Now, she's learned how to rely on others, to lean on the people around

her. She's chosen to let me stay by her side. She trusts me enough to show me her true self. It must have been a difficult and significant decision for Mahiru, and to me, that's a sign of her immense trust and love."

Because Mahiru believed she didn't have to put on a facade, that it was okay to rely on someone, and that she could be vulnerable, the Mahiru who was now emotionally expressive, a little wistful, and genuinely sought out Amane with an open heart existed today. Amane took pride in that as his greatest treasure.

"I told her that when she's with me, she doesn't have to act like the perfect girl. She doesn't have to try so hard. She can just be herself and rely on me. And when she's like that, she's incredibly adorable… It makes me want to spoil her like crazy."

Having seen the transformation in Mahiru—from someone who maintained a polite, almost imperceptible barrier, always holding back, to someone who now, though still modest, openly leaned on him and revealed her true feelings—only made her even more endearing to Amane. Of course, her usual, composed, and independent self, as well as the mischievous side that sometimes tried to spoil him rotten, were undeniably adorable too. But this was a different kind of sweet altogether.

At times, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming urge to completely indulge her, to the point of letting her melt into a state of pure bliss.

However, he knew that doing so might go against Mahiru's own feelings. So, he set a limit, choosing to pamper her only as much as she desired. He wondered if Mahiru realized this delicate balance he was trying to maintain.

Mahiru's face had turned a deep shade of red. Trembling slightly, her embarrassment meter filled up as Amane's words continued to sink in. She looked as though she might burst into tears, but in this case, Amane hoped that this about-to-cry face of hers was still within the safe zone.

"Ah, but it's not just because you're cute that I want to spoil you. I really admire and respect how hardworking, dedicated, and self-disciplined you are, Mahiru. Because of that, I want to be a place of comfort for you. I don't spoil you when you don't want it!"

No matter how much Amane loved Mahiru, excessively spoiling her against her wishes wouldn't do either of them any good. He was careful not to let his own desires override what was best for her. His top priority was ensuring that Mahiru could live each day happily and peacefully, so even when he did indulge her, he never pulled out all the stops.

"Um, I swear that I would never do anything like robbing her of something precious, making one-sided demands, or hurting her—anything that you might be worried about, Kujikawa-san. I know my words right now might not hold much weight, but I have no intention of breaking this promise."

Koyuki widened her eyes slightly in surprise before letting out a soft, approving breath. Amane realized that he had understood the meaning of her question correctly. It seemed that the answer he gave was exactly what she had been hoping to hear.

"To me, Mahiru is the girl I love and cherish, the girl I want to make happy, but she's also my equal. I don't want to burden her or ignore her opinions. I want us to talk things through and work as a team to make our time together as comfortable as possible. It's my hope that we can become each other's safe and happy place. And I truly believe that Mahiru and I can achieve that together."

Amane enjoyed spoiling Mahiru and wanted to dedicate himself to her, but he knew that Mahiru didn't want to simply be on the receiving end of that care. What Mahiru wanted was for both of them to accept each other's strengths and flaws, to grow together in a way that felt right, and to live a peaceful life filled with mutual care and understanding. It wouldn't work if it was only one-sided. They both needed to share the load, support each other, and live together as equals. This was what Mahiru desired, and it was exactly how Amane felt as well.

"So, please don't worry. I will make Mahiru happy. Together, we will become happy."

Even though it might have sounded a bit cheesy to anyone listening, Amane knew that these words were his genuine feelings, an unchanging belief, and a promise of continued effort. Living together meant holding mutual respect, trust, and understanding, accepting each other's differences, sharing burdens, and supporting one another. That was the path to happiness. Amane was certain that he could walk this path and strive for happiness together with Mahiru.

Although Amane felt a bit embarrassed, this was the one thing he wanted to convey with complete honesty and accuracy. Looking directly into Koyuki's eyes with sincerity, he expressed his feelings. Koyuki slowly took a deep breath, as if taking in the weight of his words.

Amane paid no mind to his quickening heartbeat as he waited for Koyuki's response. After a moment, she gave him a warm, gentle smile carrying her deepest heartfelt feelings, as if a flower had just bloomed. It was as if the tension in the room had suddenly dissipated. The subtle pressure from Koyuki that had compelled him to maintain his composure vanished without a trace.

"Once again, I am convinced that Mahiru-san has picked the right person."

Were those words meant to reassure Amane or to reaffirm her own thoughts? The answer was unclear. However, what was certain was that he had earned her acknowledgment.

"I trusted Mahiru-san's judgment, of course, but I wanted to be certain… I apologize for putting you on the spot. If I had any concerns about your character, I was ready to do whatever it took, even in my old age, to pull you away from her."

Amane realized that things could have easily escalated into quite the situation had he misstepped, and he was thoroughly relieved—though he kept this to himself—that he had met Koyuki's standards. The thought of being pulled away from Mahiru, whom he was fully committed to making happy for the rest of their lives, was unbearable. However, what would have been even more difficult to accept was the idea that he might have fallen short of Koyuki's expectations, highlighting his own shortcomings.

"Th-There would be absolutely no need for that! Amane-kun is a great person, and his parents are lovely too…!"

"Oh my, I see you have already introduced yourself to his parents."

Kujikawa-san might actually be similar to my mom. They zone in on the details that spark their curiosity, Amane thought for a moment. While their personalities were certainly different, there was a subtle strength in Koyuki that made her feel formidable.

"Very clever. Securing a partner who values you and then ensuring to cover all your bases is certainly an important move to make. People like that are rare these days."

"U—Uuu… Koyuki-san, that might be a bit too blunt—wording it that way makes it sound bad. That's not what I was trying to do…" Mahiru explained.

"Sorry," Amane interjected. "If anything, it was me who covered all the bases."

"Amane-kun!?"

"Though, actually, my mom might have done half of the work for us… She was so fired up, like she was all 'There's no way I'm missing my chance to have such a cute, polite, and wonderful daughter!'"

Looking back, Amane couldn't shake the feeling that Shihoko had been enthusiastically laying the groundwork even before he himself had fully fallen for Mahiru. Whether it was her uncanny intuition and awareness or her single-minded determination, it was clear that she had been on a mission.

There had been times when Amane had thought Shihoko's persistence was a bit much, but he couldn't deny that his parents had played a role in bringing him and Mahiru together. So, while he couldn't fully resent their involvement, as someone who wanted to handle things on his own, he sometimes wished he could tell them it was unnecessary meddling.

"…If you put it that way, I feel as though the baton was handed over to me for the second half…"

"Huh?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Mahiru had murmured something quietly, perhaps to add to what Amane was saying, but caught up in his internal grumbling about Shihoko, he didn't catch it and asked her what she'd said. However, Mahiru, now seeming unwilling to continue, turned away with a small huff. This was a gesture she often used when trying to hide something, but Amane decided not to press her. He would just have to wait until she was ready to share it with him someday.

It seemed that the microphone had picked up Mahiru's words, and Koyuki, who had clearly heard them, responded with an amused "Well, well, well," accompanied by a smile that was both playful and undeniably refined. She let the matter drop with a gentle nod of her head.

"It seems I was worrying over nothing after all. Perhaps with old age comes too much caution… I apologize for my unnecessary meddling and concern," Koyuki said, lowering her gaze to reflect on her actions. When Mahiru looked as though she might protest, Koyuki gently stopped her with a glance "With this, I have finally put a long-standing worry of mine to rest. Though I am no longer in any position to interfere, I couldn't help but agonize over where Mahiru-san's path would lead."

Barely audible, Amane heard a quiet "Ah—" from beside him.

"But now, I see that everything will be all right. After seeing how things are now, I feel confident in leaving her in your care. I know it might seem presumptuous of me to say, as an outsider who has already been separated from her once before, but as an adult who has looked after Mahiru-san in the past, those are my honest feelings."

Koyuki had been testing Amane, all with Mahiru's best interests in mind.

Amane understood this well. From Mahiru's early years, Koyuki had been by her side to protect her from loneliness, to ensure she was properly educated so she wouldn't be harmed by others, and to help her grow into someone who wouldn't face difficulties in the future. She had nurtured Mahiru with abundant love, ensuring that she wouldn't lose all hope in people and that she could one day open her heart to someone.

And now, after all the love and care she had poured into Mahiru, Koyuki had decided that it was safe to pass the torch to Amane.

"Next time, please come visit me together. I would very much love to introduce you to my son and his wife as well. I will tell them about my other adorable child and her boyfriend. Oh, and don't worry, my son won't get jealous just because I've gained one or two more children."

After hearing Koyuki call her her child, Mahiru seemed unable to hold back any longer. The tears that had once subsided now flowed freely again, as if she were making up for all the tears she hadn't shed throughout her life. The fragile layers of the defenses she built seemed to peel away, and with faint sobs, Mahiru let herself cry without restraint.

Seeing Mahiru cry so openly, Koyuki's expression softened into one of pure, maternal love, her smile warm and enveloping. Together with Amane, she quietly waited for Mahiru to navigate the waves of her emotions on her own.

"Ufufu, but I haven't given my blessing for marriage just yet. I need to see with my own eyes what kind of gentleman he is, not just through a video call."

As Mahiru began to calm down, Koyuki playfully and deliberately announced her intentions, causing Amane to nearly choke on his breath. He tried to respond, his lips trembling slightly, but the knowing look Koyuki gave him—one that implied she understood exactly what Amane had planned—left him speechless. All he could do was let his lips quiver in silence.

I knew it! At her core, she's just like my mom!

The idea of Koyuki and Shihoko teaming up sent shivers down his spine. They had the potential to become the second most lethal people to Amane (first was Chitose). However, the fact that Koyuki didn't immediately follow up with more teasing showed she was a bit more forgiving compared to Shihoko or Chitose.

Sensing that Amane wasn't able to respond strongly, Koyuki let out a small laugh. Then, she straightened her posture and turned back to face Mahiru. Her expression softened into one that radiated pure maternal love, the kind of look only a mother would give her beloved child.

"Remember, don't hesitate to come visit us. We'll greet you two with open arms."

"…Okay!" exclaimed Mahiru, excited. "Thank you so much," Amane replied.

It felt almost as if they had just promised to give their greetings to Mahiru's parent's family, bringing with it a mix of both a gentle warmth and a rising sense of joy and relief. Amane's mouth softened into a smile, and Mahiru, overwhelmed with happiness, let a single tear fall from her eyes, one she thought had already dried up. Koyuki welcomed them both with a beautiful, warm smile.

"Oh, and if you ever make Mahiru-san cry, I will show you no mercy."

"…Though I wasn't the one who made her cry just now, was I?"

"Oh, that's…" Koyuki giggled, "Let's let it slide just this once then, shall we?"

Seeing Koyuki's playful smile, both Amane and Mahiru exchanged glances, unable to hold back their own laughter, their faces breaking into amused smiles.

"If it's tears of joy, then by all means, make her cry as much as you like. Mahiru-san isn't very used to experiencing happiness, so please make up for all the joy she has missed out on."

"Then I won't hold back. I'll do my best to keep making her cry tears of happiness."

"Wai— Amane-kun!?"

Mahiru, flustered by what Amane had said, looked like she wanted to protest, but Amane had no intention of taking back his words.

Making her cry from sadness or anger was, of course, out of the question. But tears of joy were something entirely different. Tears were the overflow of emotions from the heart, and if those emotions were positive, if they stemmed from happiness, then there's no reason to shy away from them. Considering all the chances for such joy that Mahiru missed in the past, no one could fault Amane for wanting to bring her as much happiness as possible now. And if he were the only one to witness and share in those joyful tears, no one could criticize him for that either.

"Then I will leave it to you," said Koyuki. "… Mahiru-san, let him bring you lots of happiness. The next time we meet, you can share all those stories with me. I'll be looking forward to the opportunity."

Amane's response seemed to satisfy Koyuki, as she smiled warmly, her bright expression full of affection as she gazed softly at the two of them. It was a look that reminded him of the way Shihoko had once looked at him.

"Well then, until next time. May Mahiru-san continue to live happily and healthily."

With a clear, unwavering voice, Koyuki wished for Mahiru's future health and happiness. Her words carried no hint of doubt, and with a gentle, wistful glance at the emotionally moved Mahiru, she ended the call, leaving the screen to fade into darkness. The now-blank screen reflected only their own images and the room's decorations. Though the farewell had been brief, Amane's heart was filled with a warm, lingering sense of contentment that remained long after the call ended.

That warmth was surely felt by Mahiru as well. She continued to stare at the blank screen as if still absorbing the lingering emotions, her gaze reflecting the happiness she had just experienced… After a moment, she slowly leaned toward Amane, resting her head against his shoulder and arm in a fawning gesture. Mahiru then took a deep, calming breath, settling into the moment.

As Mahiru's silky hair gently flowed over her shoulders, rising and falling with her breaths, Amane quietly waited, giving her the space and time she needed to organize her thoughts.

"…Amane-kun."

"Yeah?"

A quiet, soft call.

"I…am not quite sure what to say. I'm so happy that I feel like my head has gotten all messed up… Not once in my life did I imagine that a day like this would come."

Surely, deep down, Mahiru had longed for this—to connect with Koyuki like family.

But, she never had the resolve to make it happen on her own.

Mahiru had always tended to prioritize others. And more than that, she was hesitant, perhaps even a bit fearful.

Even though Mahiru could have easily found ways to contact Koyuki—through a call, a letter, or even a visit—she hadn't done so. Amane suspected it was because, deep down, Mahiru had been afraid of being rejected by even her caretaker, unconsciously holding herself back.

While he still reflected on the fact that he had stirred up those fears and anxieties, Amane had no regrets about reaching out to Koyuki. After all, the look of fulfillment on Mahiru's face now, after everything had come to an end, made it clear that it had been the right decision.

"…Did that bring a bit more joy to your heart?"

Amane knew it was bad of him to ask a question when he already knew the answer. But he couldn't help it—he wanted to hear it from her, no matter what. Even if it was just for his own satisfaction, he needed to know if he had truly brought happiness to his sweet beloved girlfriend.

"Of course. Um, I'm so happy I can't keep it all inside—my head feels all fuzzy, and my heart is racing… But when I think about it ending, it makes me feel a little sad. My emotions are all over the place right now."

"Yeah, you went through a lot today. Let's take it in little by little, okay?"

Mahiru spoke in a voice softer and more childlike than usual, her words more like an attempt to sort through the emotions swirling within her than an effort to convey them to Amane. He responded with gentle nods, not rushing her, letting her take her time.

Still struggling to navigate the waves of emotion that had swept over her, Mahiru shifted from leaning on his shoulder to wrapping her arm around his, pressing her face against his upper arm. She rubbed her forehead against him, as if trying to release the pent-up emotions within her. Amane couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, extending his free hand to gently smooth the strands of her tousled, flaxen hair.

"…Don't worry, this happiness is here to stay. Just take your time and savor it. Together, let's make sure we never forget all the good things that happened today."

"…Okay."

"I hope that someday, when we look back on today, you can smile and remember it as a day of true happiness."

I want this day to become one of many happy memories we will share together.

Amane wanted to create countless happy memories with Mahiru in the days to come, and he was determined to make her happy. He hoped that today would be remembered not just as a singular day of happiness, but as one of many moments of joy they would share.

"…Hey, your birthday isn't over yet, you know?"

"I'm already satisfied—I'm so full I feel like I might burst."

"Is that so? Well I can't have that… We still have some cake left."

Amane knew exactly what Mahiru meant by feeling "full," but he deliberately played along, making a mock-disappointed face as he lamented about the leftover cake. In response, Mahiru shyly pressed her forehead against his arm, as if seeking comfort and affection.

"…If you feed me, maybe I can eat a little more."

"Sure. If that's what you'd like, then I'll do it as many times as you want."

Mahiru looked up at Amane with a hint of expectation in her eyes, a sign that she was trying to rely on him and express her needs in her own way.

Amane, knowing he had the capacity to accept her feelings, gently patted her head, as if to say he would fulfill anything she desired.

Mahiru's eyes narrowed in contentment. "Well, I can't eat all of it, so I'll feed you too, Amane-kun."

"Thanks… Next year, I'll make a smaller cake. That way, we can finish it together without feeling stuffed."

"So next year, too…"

Hearing the words "next year," Mahiru softly repeated them, as if embracing the thought. She was likely picturing a future not far off, where she would still be by Amane's side. Her cheeks flushed gently yet strikingly, like a soft glow of light in the dark, and she looked up at him with a gaze that carried a hint of expectancy she couldn't hide.

Amane was overjoyed seeing Mahiru look forward to the future so eagerly, showing no signs of dread toward her birthday and instead feeling only anticipation. He could feel this happiness welling up from within, and it naturally spread across his face, reflecting the warmth in his heart.

"Of course, next year too. Are you looking forward to it?" he asked. "Yes."

"I'm glad. I'm looking forward to it too."

The days ahead spent with Mahiru, the joy of being able to make her happy, the exhilaration of knowing she trusted and believed in him—all of these things were Amane's source of happiness, his joy, and his excitement for the future.

And now, Amane knew with complete confidence that Mahiru felt the same way.

" …Thank you so much for being born, and for falling in love with me. I promise to make you happy."

Those words had tumbled out of Amane's mouth, not necessarily meant for Mahiru to hear, but it seemed they reached her loud and clear. Her glossy amber eyes opened wide in surprise, then she softened her face to show a sweet, almost melting smile. With that, she relaxed, leaning into Amane, fully trusting and surrendering herself to his embrace.