A Secret Gift

Itsuki and Chitose left Amane's house before the sun had set completely. Apparently, they were stopping by a light show on their way home, and if they didn't set off early, they'd get scolded by their parents.

Despite all their teasing, they're doing more couple things than we are.

After they had left, Amane and Mahiru went about their evening as usual, preparing dinner together, enjoying a slightly more lavish meal than normal, and then relaxing side by side afterward. It was a routine thoroughly lacking in Christmas spirit. If there were any differences, they would be that the decorations were still up, dinner was a little more extravagant, and Christmas specials were airing on TV.

"There's nothing but Christmas stuff on TV, huh?"

As usual, Amane and Mahiru sat next to each other on the sofa, their eyes glued to the TV. A special segment airing played Christmas songs in the background while showing a variety of gifts chosen for different age groups and genders. It was a variety show where participants predicted the ranking of gifts based on street surveys, earning points if they guessed correctly. They could see the contestants debating back and forth, unsure of their choices.

"Seasonal topics are easy to work with and appeal to the average viewer. Especially Christmas. It's a major commercial event, so I suppose promoting it helps encourage people to buy more?"

"We really shouldn't be talking about commercial stuff on Christmas Eve."

"Hehe… What conversations do you think would be fitting for Christmas, Amane-kun?"

"Maybe like, 'When's Santa coming?' or 'What presents will Santa bring?'"

"That's a rather cute thought."

"If we're talking Christmas, isn't that what comes to mind?"

Amane only made a general comment, but Mahiru seemed to find it adorable. She smiled at him warmly, her eyes soft and affectionate. From her expression, it was clear she genuinely thought that his ideas were cute. Scratching his head in mild embarrassment, Amane could easily guess what Mahiru might be imagining, so he spoke up to continue the conversation.

"…I should probably mention that I did figure out late into elementary school that it was my mom and dad who put my presents by my pillow."

"So you believed in Santa until then?"

"Uhh, I…guess, yeah. I mean, I had my doubts, but my dad would answer everything with a smile and without missing a beat. Their clever lies fooled me."

They would be correct if someone said he was slow to catch on, but there were reasons for it. Shuuto's way with words was far too clever.

"Doubts?"

"Like, 'How can Santa deliver presents to every kid in the world on his own?' or 'What does he get out of it?' and 'Where does he get all the money from?' That kinda stuff."

"What troublesome questions to answer. The fact that you had your doubts even as a child says a lot about you, Amane-kun… And how did Shuuto-san reply?"

"He told me that Santa doesn't deliver the presents all by himself. He said there's a large non-profit organization based in Finland known as 'Santa Claus' that has branches worldwide. And those branches handle logistics. They give presents to make children happy on a global scale, regardless of wealth, and by protecting the hearts of the next generation, it contributes to world peace in the long run. Apparently, the funding comes from donations by adults and companies worldwide who wish for children's healthy growth and happiness."

"It's just a bit too complicated for children to understand, but also a little too convenient for the adults to believe. It's a well-crafted tale that almost sounds believable."

"Thinking about it now, it'd be pretty alarming to have your personal information out in the open like that—this company would track your address, family details, and even your preferences."

Looking back on Shuuto's explanation now as an adult, Amane could easily spot the sheer absurdity of it all. However, Shuuto was an honest and straightforward man who never lied or broke promises. When he calmly and smoothly explained everything, the young and impressionable Amane had simply taken it as the truth. Not everything had been a complete lie either—while there wasn't a non-profit Santa Claus organization or an army of Santas, there was a Santa Claus Village in Finland. That mix of truth with fiction gave the story an odd feeling of credibility, making it easy for Amane to be fooled at the time.

"And that's how it went. Instead of carelessly dodging my questions or brushing them off, he answered them as if he were telling the complete truth. Back then, when I was a lot more naive and, well, dumber than I am now…I believed every word."

"How adora—"

"It's not adorable. Also, don't make such a sad face." "You could've at least let me finish what I was saying."

Since Amane knew exactly how Mahiru would respond, he cut her off ahead of time. In return, she puffed her cheeks in an adorably obvious way. Finding her childish reaction too cute to resist, he patted her head. She mumbled, "But you call me that all the time…" under her breath in protest, but he managed to make peace by letting her pat his head in return, just as she seemed to want.

"My parents never lied to me… That one must've been special." "Did you get angry with them?"

"Nope."

Realizing that his parents had lied to him was a big deal for Amane as a child, but he didn't feel inclined to blame them for it. By the time he became aware of the lie, he had grown enough in both thought and emotion to look beyond the fact that it was a lie and consider why they had told it in the first place.

"Sure, I was shocked when I connected the dots, but I think my parents just wanted me to have that dream. They didn't want me to feel left out of the dream that everyone else was having. Even if there comes a time when you wake up from that dream, it's better to come to that realization on your own rather than being forced to wake up by someone else. It helps you make peace with it in your heart."

Amane didn't like lies. He believed they weren't something to be told lightly. But at the same time, he had learned that mindlessly throwing the truth at someone wasn't always the best thing either. Was it really in a child's best interest to know from the start that Santa Claus didn't exist and that their parents were providing the presents? Should parents be the ones to shatter the existence and ideals of Santa Claus, the figure from picture books, with their own hands? Even if the day would eventually come when the child understood it was all a fantasy, should that really be revealed by someone else against their will? Amane was confident that his parents hadn't thought so.

That was precisely why when the time came for Amane to learn the truth, Shuuto and Shihoko had allowed him to hold onto the fantasy. He could come to terms with it and process it in his own way.

"Besides, there's no denying that they still thought of me when they put those presents by my pillow. I couldn't bring myself to be angry about it."

Even though they were the ones who had prepared the presents, they never let on, simply celebrating with him as he rejoiced over receiving them from "Santa Claus." That genuine kindness and love they showed, sharing in his happiness, was real and undeniable.

Knowing that, Amane couldn't bring himself to be angry about being lied to. He did feel a bit embarrassed, though, realizing how his parents had watched over him, believing the lie for all those years with loving smiles, which he was a little upset about. But that, in itself, was just part of the charm.

"You have wonderful parents."

"Yeah. I'm proud of them and wouldn't be embarrassed to be with them no matter where I go… Well, actually, when they're together, I feel like things could get a little embarrassing."

To Mahiru, Shihoko and Shuuto seemed like the ideal parents, but from Amane's view as their child, he honestly wished they would tone down the flirting just a little.

"Hehe, they really are a close couple, aren't they? Just watching them makes my face feel hot."

"If it bothers you, you can always call them out on it, you know."

"I don't want to interfere during a loving couple's moment. It's a good thing, isn't it?"

"But still…"

"Amane-kun, do you not like that kind of thing?"

Hesitantly, cautiously. As if probing for an answer, Mahiru looked up at him with worry in her eyes. Amane quietly shook his head.

"It's not that I don't like it. It's more like, as their kid, I just wish they wouldn't do it out in public."

"I believe it's good for parents to show affection, as long as it's not excessive. Seeing parents constantly fight isn't good for a child's emotional development. Showing mutual respect and care for one another is important."

"Yeah, I agree."

What was Mahiru thinking? How did she feel at this moment? What memories were she remembering? What was she comparing them to? Amane didn't need to ask these questions—he already knew the answers. However, if he showed that he'd caught on, Mahiru would only become more self-conscious and try to be considerate of him. So, keeping a straight face, Amane shrugged his shoulders.

Right now, Mahiru was looking at things objectively and rationally, viewing things exactly how they were. There was no sign of fear or despair in her expression. It was clear that she was simply feeling envious of Amane's parents, and because of that, he avoided making his concerns known for the time being.

"Well, as long as they don't go overboard with it, I don't mind. Actually, it's usually my dad doing it without even realizing it. Knowing him, though, maybe he knows exactly what he's doing."

"Ah, yes…"

"Wait, why did you agree there?"

"Oh, nothing." Mahiru averted her gaze, feigning ignorance.

"…Anyway, what do you think of my parents, Mahiru?" "In what way, specifically?"

"I mean, you know, you seem to really like my parents, right? I was just wondering how they looked to you."

"They look like a wonderful, loving couple to me."

This must be her genuine, honest opinion. Mahiru often admired Shihoko and Shuuto. To her, they represented the perfect couple and perhaps even the ideal family.

"It is said, neurologically, that romantic feelings tend to cool off after a few years because of hormonal changes, right?"

"Yeah, I've heard that."

"However, your parents still seem to, um, love each other very much. I like to think that's because their fleeting feelings have matured into something bigger. There are many forms of love, but I admire the kind of love they share dearly."

The words Mahiru spun longingly stemmed from a deep, heartfelt wish. "I hope we can be like that too," Amane said. "Well, minus the PDA, of course."

"…Yes, I hope so too."

As Amane watched Mahiru's pale cheeks suddenly flush a deep red, he realized that he had said something outrageous without thinking. Even so—he had no intention of taking it back. Mahiru seemed to fully grasp the implication of him saying they should be like that someday. She pressed her palms against her burning cheeks, trying to cool the heat that flared up inside her, but her slightly chilled hands were no match for the warmth spreading through her. Amane, too, felt the heat rising, and it showed no signs of subsiding anytime soon.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧ 

After blushing over and over, meeting each other's eyes only to look away quickly, time had passed before they knew it. It was now the time when Mahiru would typically be going home.

Though the heat and awkwardness had long since faded, what Amane felt now was reluctance. Reluctance to part with her. They hadn't planned anything special for Christmas, but the desire to stay close, to remain by her side, was so strong that it overflowed from within.

"It's getting late." "Yes…it is."

Mahiru surely knew it was about time for her to get up and leave, as she usually would, yet she showed no sign of standing.

Amane understood what she was trying to tell him. He wasn't that dense, nor was he overthinking things. Mahiru simply wanted to stay by his side a little longer and spend this cold night with him.

"Um, you know…" His throat felt dry.

Considering that they had spent countless nights together in a perfectly healthy way, this invitation shouldn't have made him this nervous. Yet, he never expected that the mere fact it was Christmas night would raise the stakes so much.

Mahiru flinched slightly at Amane's nervous remark, and she glanced at him demurely.

"…It might be Christmas, but, well…we're always together, so nothing's really different, but…"

"Yes…"

"How about…we sleep together tonight?"

"…O-Okay." After a few moments of silence, Mahiru stammered.

Mahiru's cheeks flushed red all at once. Seeing this, Amane quickly realized she had severely misunderstood his words. He frantically waved his hands in a panic. Since their last sleepover, they had hardly shared intimate moments like that, primarily due to being busy, apologetic, and, above all, awkward. But now it was Christmas—a time when couples tend to get closer. He must have inadvertently sent her mind racing in that direction.

"I–I didn't mean it that way, okay? Just a normal sleepover! Nothing unhealthy, I swear!"

"You don't need to panic so much! It's okay, I understand!"

Amane seemed so desperate that even Mahiru started flailing her hands about frantically. With both of them red-faced and acting awkwardly, they felt even more embarrassed than before. As they regained their composure, the sheer absurdity of the situation suddenly struck them, and they burst into laughter.

"…Mahiru."

After they had laughed and settled down, Amane gently took her hand. "Would that be okay?"

He wasn't about to force Mahiru into anything, and if she felt uncomfortable, he was ready to back off. Mahiru understood this too, for she gave a faint, gentle smile before shaking her head.

"Y-Yes, that would be fine. I'm happy." "Your voice sounds super stiff, though."

"Th-That's because, between us, everything has been, you know, flat, so to speak…like nothing has happened, right? So, I didn't expect you to invite me like this…"

"Really? Not even a little?" "Dummy."

"Sorry."

If he teased Mahiru too much, she would surely find a way to get back at him, so Amane apologized sincerely as he gently released her hand. In response, Mahiru pouted slightly, her lips forming a tiny, adorable pout.

"Would you have preferred if I had been expecting it all along?"

"Either way works for me… I was going to invite you to stay regardless." "Geez."

Mahiru lightly tapped his upper arm with a gentle pat. Rather than an attack meant to scold him, it was an affectionate gesture. It was as if she were saying, "It can't be helped." Finding the whole thing endearing, Amane curled his lips into a playful smile, prompting a soft "Dummy" from Mahiru—a truly adorable insult indeed.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"I really won't do anything."

Facing Mahiru as they sat on top of the bed, Amane lifted his hands up slightly, with his palms facing her, to show his healthy intentions.

It was time for bed, and they had both taken a bath and changed into their sleepwear. However, Amane could tell that Mahiru was still feeling tense about sitting on the same bed in such light clothing. He wanted to reassure her, so he did his best to insist she had nothing to worry about.

Since it was winter, Mahiru was wearing a nightgown made of somewhat thicker fabric. Despite that, it was still much thinner than her usual clothes. Dressed in such fine material, she shot Amane a look of slight disbelief.

"I absolutely won't break my vow. I swear. If you're still worried, should we tie my hands?"

"Why are you being so hard on yourself? I do trust you, you know." "I wouldn't place too much faith in me if I were you."

"Why not!?"

Of course, Amane would be as careful as possible and never intended to break his promise with Mahiru. However, that didn't mean he wanted Mahiru to let her guard down entirely.

He was allowed to touch her within the limits of their promise. In other words, as long as it stayed within those boundaries, he could scout the uncharted depths of Mahiru's body whenever he felt like it. However, that was something to be done only when Mahiru desired it and not something Amane should ever force upon her. Just because they were in a relationship didn't mean she had to accept everything he wanted to do, and if Mahiru didn't like something, she had every right to refuse.

Amane insisted on this because he felt it was necessary not to get carried away by the Christmas atmosphere and end up doing something he might regret. Yet, Mahiru's gaze remained one of mild exasperation.

"…How long do you plan to keep that mindset?" she then asked. "Until you feel safe?"

"I already feel safe, so there's nothing to worry about… In fact, it makes me more anxious when you refuse to touch me at all."

As Amane stood there with raised hands, Mahiru reached out toward him. Caught off guard in the middle of his surrendering pose, he couldn't react in time and found himself easily captured by her arms. Rather than being captured, it was better to say she had gone in for a hug. Upset with his behavior, Mahiru looked down slightly, pouting, and rested her forehead against his chest.

"You say you won't do anything…but a kiss wouldn't hurt, right?" "…You're quite the tease, aren't you, Ojou-sama?"

Amane wondered what he would do if each piece of his self-restraint started to break one by one under her teasing. But since he didn't want to give Mahiru any unwanted trouble, he quickly settled down and pushed the thought aside before wrapping his arms around her back. As he felt her body's soft, unique sensations, he looked into her caramel-colored eyes, which were laced with a hint of upset and unease, gazing at him from up close.

As her eyes, now hidden beneath her pale eyelids, disappeared from view, Amane couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. Slowly, he leaned in and sealed her lips, silencing the sweet words she had just uttered.

A faint, sweet "Mmm" rang out weakly, directly reaching his ears.

Her lips, so soft and delicate that it was hard to believe they were anything like his own, felt tender and moist. Just by touching them, they seemed to grow warmer and warmer, as if they were melting under the gentle touch of his body.

I wonder if the sweetness is coming from here… As Amane slowly touched her lips with his tongue, they softened, melting under his touch. Even her body, which had tensed up ever so slightly, began to relax, the warmth and softness he felt growing and spreading further.

Feeling that if he indulged in this sweet fruit any further, he might not be able to stop, Amane kept his kiss light, barely brushing her lips before pulling away. Her eyelids slowly lifted, revealing caramel-colored eyes filled with a syrupy gloss. Amane felt genuine relief that he had stopped when he did.

If he had seen such eyes in the middle of the kiss, he wasn't sure he could have stopped.

The breaths that fell from her now slightly moist lips were damper than before, and the voice that escaped along with them was tinged with a sweetness that lingered in the air. As Amane bit his lip, using the pain to steady himself, Mahiru looked up with eyes that had lost some of their earlier glimmer. Her innocent gesture of tilting her head slightly, as if curious, was so adorable that Amane felt a strong urge to hold her tight and kiss her deeply once more. However, the calm part of his mind that knew what would happen if he gave in warned him to stop, allowing him to barely keep himself anchored.

"…I feel like I've been getting a lot of training in lately…" Amane muttered.

Mahiru, who put up an impenetrable defense with others, was soft and affectionate around those she was close to—especially with Amane, her boyfriend. She loved to be doted on and cherished physical closeness above all. Dating someone like her, Amane couldn't help but feel that his self-control and ability to guard the more primal instincts of his lower half were being constantly trained. It wasn't something he could ever admit to her, though.

"I think the results of your training have been showing for a while now," Mahiru remarked casually as she innocently, defenselessly, pressed her palm against his body.

Amane bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to show how shaken up he was, and shook his head. "I didn't mean that. I was talking more about, you know, my self-control and all that."

"…Do you think it might crumble?"

"I won't go against our promise or cross any lines. But it's still hard not to feel conflicted and a bit restless… Even with all that, I still love you, which makes me want to cherish you even more."

Whether she did it on purpose or not, Amane often couldn't tell, but Mahiru had a way of fueling his urges. Regardless, he wasn't about to act on them—it was more like a form of training for him, so in a way, it was a non-issue. But she was so precious to him that the desire to touch her more and hold her closer steadily grew inside him.

Loving someone a bit too much isn't exactly smooth sailing either…

Amane reflected.

At his reply, Mahiru blinked at him repeatedly. "…I'm loved dearly, aren't I?"

"Why are you saying that like it's someone else's business?" "P-Pwease ron't puww my yeeks!"

"How come you lose confidence when you realize you're loved?"

Recently, Mahiru had been proudly asserting that she was loved by Amane, fully aware of the affection she received. Yet, for some reason, her comment was far too detached this time. She spoke as if observing herself from the outside looking in. Amane gently pinched her soft cheeks, feeling that his expressions of love might still be lacking despite his best efforts.

After thoroughly enjoying the soft, stretchy feeling of her mochi-like pale cheeks, Amane let go with a quick motion. His eyes met Mahiru's as she pressed her now slightly flushed cheeks with her hands.

"I-It's not that I've lost confidence, okay? …It just occurred to me that, during moments like these, no matter how much you try to curb your feelings, you always put me first."

The words "curb your feelings" made Amane realize that Mahiru had caught on to the fact that he was struggling with his self-control, which made him want to bury his face in his hands. However, Mahiru didn't seem uncomfortable; instead, she looked a little embarrassed, her gaze wandering slightly.

Amane and Mahiru had once bared everything to each other, revealing their true selves. Because of that, Mahiru seemed to be aware of the situation in her own way. For Amane, the reason he chose not to reach out carelessly was simple—the difference in what lay at the end of their passion was too significant. He didn't want to risk something that could have severe consequences for her, so he moderated himself.

"I can handle things on my end, but in your case, Mahiru, things are a bit more complicated… You mean the world to me, and I don't want to disrupt the path you're carving out for yourself. Please, let me take care of you."

"…Okay," Mahiru responded softly.

As long as Mahiru truly understood how much she meant to Amane, that was enough for him.

Mahiru's expression softened with a light blush as she shyly but sincerely accepted his words. Amane couldn't help but think that perhaps he could show his affection just a little more, enough for her to truly feel it.

Leaning in slightly, he looked down at her from a distance so short it could close with just a tiny movement. "Well, if you want to feel even more loved, I can shower you with plenty of affection right now—just barely without breaking our promise, of course."

"Fweh!?" Mahiru squeaked in surprise. It was a proposition she never expected, as in a single moment, she went from blushing to a look of utter bewilderment.

This time, Amane wasn't taking anything back. He had already considered all the ways Mahiru could have misinterpreted. He reached out again, wrapping his arm around Mahiru's slender back. He could feel the tensing of her body and the warmth rising between them. Yet, she didn't try to pull away. Instead, she closed her eyes, leaving what came next to him.

Amane gently brought his lips close to her ear and whispered.

"Here, a hug." As he wrapped his arms around her small frame with gentle affection, Mahiru's expression shifted noticeably. After a brief moment of confusion, a clear look of disappointment appeared on her face, making her feelings unmistakable.

"Why do you look disappointed?" Amane then asked. "N-No reason at all."

"…You know, you really are an open book, Mahiru." "Th-That's only with you, Amane-kun!"

"I know… So go ahead—show me even more of your feelings. Just me." "…Dummy," she whispered, her voice soft.

"Yep."

"Hug me even tighter."

"If I do it any more, you'll get squished."

Mahiru's slender frame, though not fragile, seemed so delicate compared to his own. Amane couldn't help but feel nervous that if he hugged her too tightly, she might break. She was that petite.

"I'm not that fragile, you know." "Really? You're so thin, though."

"I actually gained a bit of weight recently…from the, um, c-cake taste testing. Though I did make sure to lose it right away!"

"You're a little bundle of hard work, you know that…"

Mahiru had occupied slightly more "space in the world" due to her numerous test cakes for Amane's birthday. Though, Amane hadn't noticed a single difference. Even if there had been some fluctuation in her figure, Mahiru had most likely kept everything in balance through careful dieting and exercise.

"You don't have to force yourself to lose weight, okay? Your health—both physical and mental—should always come first."

"I want to be proud of myself, so I'd like to maintain a figure I am satisfied with. Of course, I always keep things within healthy limits."

As her boyfriend, Amane thought she was too thin and wouldn't mind if she gained a little weight. However, he knew it would be unwise to interfere with a woman's relentless pursuit of beauty. There was bound to be a healthy, ideal body shape for her, and it wasn't his place to comment carelessly on it. All he could say was that he didn't want her to push herself too hard when managing her weight.

"Gotcha. If that's how it is, I won't say anything else. Just don't push yourself too hard… If you end up suffering, then I will, too."

"Right."

Amane felt happy that Mahiru accepted his concern. Carefully, he avoided touching the part of her abdomen she seemed self-conscious about. Instead, he hugged her gently, thinking only of the parts of her body that pressed against him—yet, no matter how he thought about it, she still felt as slender as ever.

"…Then again, you're really slim. I've bulked up a bit, so comparing us now…"

"That's only because you were all skin and bones before, Amane-kun." "Can't deny that."

"Instead of gaining weight, you've built muscle from working out. Your posture has improved too, which, in turn, has given you a more defined physique. I don't feel any excess fat at all."

Back then, when he was always hunched over and looking at the floor, Amane knew he'd been thin and frail. So it only stood to reason that he had bulked up after training compared to those days, and he fully understood what Mahiru was saying. Despite that…

"You aren't afraid to touch me wherever you want, huh."

Amane was surprised by how bold Mahiru was. She casually let her hands glide over his body, albeit over his pajamas. It didn't bother him, and he had nothing to lose from it, but he couldn't help but think about how much more comfortable she had become with his body compared to the past. However, if she ever found out what he was thinking, she'd probably turn bright red and start sulking.

"Should I not have?"

"Oh no, it's fine. I just didn't see the fun in touching me." "I love touching you, Amane-kun."

"You really shouldn't word it like that. It could be taken the wrong way."

The way she phrased it could easily be taken out of context, but Amane knew Mahiru meant nothing more by it, so he merely offered a light reprimand. However, Mahiru, dissatisfied with his comment, let out a small "Hmph," clearly not pleased with being corrected.

"It's only us here, so there's no room for misunderstanding." "Yeah, that's true, but…"

"And you love touching me too, don't you, Amane-kun?" "…Yeah, that's true," Amane admitted.

Did she really think there were people who disliked touching their significant other? Amane couldn't imagine anyone feeling that way.

Of course, Amane loved touching Mahiru. This went without saying. If it were allowed, he'd want to touch her even more, to know everything about her, deeply and fully. He wanted all of her. However, it still wasn't quite the time to act on the feelings simmering inside him yet, especially when he wanted to avoid potentially hurting her. He carried these feelings within, almost appalled at himself for how strongly he felt about her while trying his best to keep them hidden from Mahiru. Whether she knew it or not, Mahiru innocently and unintentionally fanned the flames, making things a little harder for Amane.

As Mahiru, nestled in his arms, whispered, "Would you like to touch me?" her naturally seductive yet innocent nature made Amane's head spin momentarily. Fortunately, it wasn't enough for him to lose his cool, and for that, he was grateful.

Amane couldn't simply let himself be toyed with. He couldn't let himself dance in the palm of an oblivious Mahiru's hand without doing anything in return. In a playful act of payback, he gently stroked the area around her stomach, where she'd been a little self-conscious, and traced the slender lines of her body with his fingertips. As his hand caressed her waist, which was far too slim to show any sign of the weight she once mentioned, Mahiru squirmed in surprise, clearly caught off guard.

"Didn't you ask me to touch you?"

"I-I don't think that's quite the point here!" "Then where did you want me to touch, Mahiru?"

"…It's not about where I want you to touch me, Amane-kun. It's where you want to touch me."

"But I want to touch the places you want me to… I want to hear it from your lips," Amane whispered into her ear. As the words sank in, Mahiru's face gradually flushed even more as the heat spread across her cheeks.

Whatever Mahiru had imagined, her face turned bright red as she quickly lay on the bed, turning her back to Amane as if to escape. Realizing he'd teased her too much, Amane decided not to press her further about her imagination. Instead, he gently touched the space beside her and settled quietly.

Mahiru's body gave an unmistakable shudder, likely because she expected Amane to do something. Amane suppressed his laughter so she wouldn't notice and smiled. He was amused by how his girlfriend, who was so weak to being teased, had reacted. Careful not to lie on any of her scattered strands of flaxen hair, he gently shifted closer to her and lay down beside her.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything you don't like… But, at least let me hold you like this."

It would be a lie to say he didn't want to touch her, and there was no way he could ever claim he didn't want to repeat what happened on the night of the cultural festival. But Amane had enough sense to tuck those feelings deep inside his heart temporarily. Honestly, Amane was pretty sure Mahiru wouldn't stop him from doing it again, but he tried to refrain from pushing for such activities unless she actively wanted it. And besides—if they stayed up too late, it might interfere with his plans for later.

"Are you really sure?" Mahiru asked in a whisper.

"Of course. I wasn't going to do anything tonight from the start. I was actually thinking we should get to bed early. After all, tonight's the night when Santa visits good kids."

"…Oh, you." Mahiru let out a soft laugh, likely recalling their earlier conversation.

Amane smiled warmly at her. Her embarrassment must have subsided, for she returned his smile with a shy one of her own. Gently, Amane wrapped his arm around her back, pulling her closer, and without any resistance, Mahiru settled comfortably into his embrace.

Tonight, Amane couldn't offer her his arm as a pillow, so they would have to settle for simply staying close. Mahiru, however, seemed to have no complaints at all—in fact, it was quite the opposite. She nestled her face contentedly against his chest, perfectly satisfied with the arrangement.

"…Santa didn't come for me, but I've received so many presents from you in return, Amane-kun. I'm more than happy already."

"It won't do if that's enough to satisfy you. This is only the beginning, isn't it?"

Amane couldn't change the lack of fond memories of Mahiru's childhood, but it was well within his power to satisfy her heart now. Just as he'd been showered with love from his parents, he wanted to give Mahiru that same warmth and care—love not as a parent but as her boyfriend.

"…Please don't take things too far, okay? You're, um, a lot more passionate than you might believe, Amane-kun."

"I'll take things easy so you don't overheat. Just simmering at the right level. That's perfect."

"Please don't make me simmer!" "…Is that a no, then?"

As Amane gazed into Mahiru's eyes, noticing that she was already warming up, he smiled at her. Unable to respond further, Mahiru's soft, pink lips quivered silently. She was at a loss for words.

After a soft, almost melting whisper of "I didn't say it was a no…" escaped Mahiru's lips, Amane couldn't help himself. He leaned in closer, wanting to feel her endearing warmth, which seemed slightly hotter than usual. Embarrassed, Mahiru buried her face in his chest to escape his gaze, unaware that her adorable reaction only made Amane's smile grow wider.

As promised, Amane gently patted her back soothingly. Mahiru slowly lifted her face and glanced up at him. It seemed she wasn't sulking after all—her eyes held a hint of embarrassment, but she looked him directly in the eyes for a moment before closing them.

"Good night, Amane-kun."

Her voice was but a whisper—quiet, sweet, and content.

Without waiting for Amane's response, Mahiru buried her face back into his chest, settling into a comfortable position to sleep. Amane let out a soft breath, relaxing his body and adjusting his hold, gently clutching her in a way that would make it easier for her to fall asleep comfortably.

"…Good night, Mahiru." He whispered softly, encouraging her to drift into sleep.

Mahiru relaxed completely, leaning into him and fully easing into his embrace. As her breathing became steady, Amane could feel the last bit of tension leave her body. With a tender expression, he continued to hold her gently, cradling her warmth, until she was fully immersed in the world of dreams.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Now then…"

Amane waited patiently for Mahiru to fall into a deep sleep. Once he was sure she was resting soundly, he whispered to himself in a barely audible voice and carefully, with extreme caution, began to rise from the bed.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

Between the two of them, Mahiru was usually the early riser. But today, Amane woke up first. Whether because he wanted to see Mahiru's sleeping face or was eager to see her reaction, his body had naturally woken up without him meaning to.

If Mahiru had woken up first, he would have been disappointed at missing her reaction, but it seemed to be a waste of worry. Beside him was his girlfriend, whose unguarded, serene sleeping face was on display.

Her adorable, innocent sleeping face—perhaps a reflection of the comfort she felt by Amane's side—was the very picture of purity. It was an expression so peaceful and free from even the slightest worry or anxiety.

Even in the dimly lit room, where the only light was the morning sun peeking through the curtains, Mahiru's sleeping face seemed to shine brighter than anything else—no doubt because Amane was utterly smitten with her.

After a few minutes of watching over her, which he never got tired of, Amane noticed a slight twitch. Perhaps because he had moved, the gentle movement seemed to awaken her. Mahiru's long lashes shook, and with slow, deliberate movements, her eyelids fluttered open.

Her caramel-colored eyes, still unfocused and hazy, were not fully awake. Her eyelids drooped, nearly closing once more. Then, she seemed to sense Amane's presence, and after a few moments of grogginess, she slowly lifted herself, rubbing her eyes and lazily glancing around—until she froze.

Her only half-awake eyes instantly flew open in surprise. "Huh—?"

"Good morning."

Amane knew very well that his presence wasn't what surprised her. As proof, Mahiru's gaze wasn't fixed on him, who was lying beside her, but rather on a certain something that lay beside her pillow. "…Something the matter?"

Amane knew that it was a bit naughty of him, but he couldn't help but feign ignorance and ask despite already knowing the reason. Still, he wanted to see Mahiru's reaction no matter what. As he sat up, he leaned in to get a good look at her face, which now looked flustered and slightly unsettled.

"Huh? B-Boxes?"

"Yeah, there's definitely some boxes."

Even though Mahiru was so surprised that she could only manage single words, Amane perfectly understood what she was trying to say. Two small, carefully wrapped boxes were on her side of the bed, resting neatly by the pillow.

"B-But how?"

"Well, a jolly old man with a big white beard did…n't drop these off—they're actually from your grumpy-looking boyfriend. I hope you'll forgive me for that."

"W-We agreed there wouldn't be any presents…" Mahiru pouted softly.

With a weak, shaky voice full of complaint, she softly pounded Amane's chest. Her eyes were a swirl of confusion, frustration, and joy, leaving her unsure which emotion was strongest.

A few weeks ago, during Mahiru's birthday, they agreed not to exchange Christmas presents at this time. Mahiru didn't want Amane to go through the trouble of picking out another set of gifts when he was already busy.

Instead, they had decided to spend plenty of time together on Christmas as a substitute. However…

Honestly, I had long since figured out that Mahiru secretly wished for Santa to visit her, even before we had that talk about it.

According to Mahiru, Santa had never once visited her, and she didn't believe in him either. So, Amane secretly planned to surprise her this time by letting her experience the shock of finding presents by her pillow while she slept.

"We did. Sorry."

"That's not fair!" Mahiru exclaimed.

Amane genuinely felt bad about going back on his word, and all he could do was apologize for that. However, he didn't regret his actions in the slightest. Besides, this wasn't something he had done entirely of his own accord.

"But this wasn't all just me." "Huh?"

"Mom and Dad sent you a gift, too."

Yes, there were two wrapped boxes. One was from Amane, and the other had arrived along with the Christmas tree his parents had sent over.

At first, Amane had wondered what it was, but then he received a message from Shihoko saying, "One's a Christmas present for Mahiru-chan! While you're at it, pretend to be Santa for her!" So, he'd placed it alongside his gift by her pillow. He had no idea how his mother had predicted he'd have the chance to put it there in the middle of the night, which was a little unsettling, but if it made Mahiru happier, there was no reason for him not to.

"…Shihoko-san, Shuuto-san…"

"For the record, I don't know what they put inside. I was merely contracted by the Fujimiya Branch of the Santa Claus organization to handle logistics."

"Hehe," Mahiru chuckled softly.

Mahiru recalled their conversation from the night before and laughed gently, her earlier frustration and confusion wholly replaced by a gentle happiness. Holding the two boxes close to her chest, she looked at them with care. Seeing her like that, Amane reached out and gently patted her head, smoothing her slightly tousled hair.

"I doubt my parents would send you anything strange, but I've no idea what they picked out for you."

Knowing how much Shihoko doted on her, it wouldn't be surprising if she gave Mahiru just about anything. But with Shuuto there to talk some sense into her, it was bound to be at least a somewhat conventional gift.

The box was rectangular and thin, just a little larger than what would fit in the palm of his hand. It seemed light as Mahiru held it, and there was no sound when it moved, so Amane guessed there was some kind of small item inside. He didn't think Shihoko would put anything high schoolers might find uncomfortable, but Amane couldn't help but have doubts, given her nature… Then, he noticed Mahiru glancing at him as if asking if she could open the box.

Naturally, since it was Mahiru's gift, Amane nodded, signaling she was free to do as she liked. A little nervous, Mahiru carefully untied the ribbon and peeled away the wrapping paper, making sure not to tear it.

She must be taking care not to rip the paper so she can reuse it. Amane smiled, remembering how Mahiru had always been so meticulous. Soon, the box could be seen from beneath the carefully peeled wrapping paper.

At that point, Amane recognized the box and could already guess what was inside. However, the last thing he wanted was to spoil Mahiru's excitement, so he kept his lips sealed and watched as her careful hands opened it.

Timidly, Mahiru slowly lifted the lid of the box. Inside were two writing instruments.

"A ballpoint pen and a mechanical pencil, it seems," Mahiru said delicately.

The wooden mechanical pencil and ballpoint pen were neatly nestled in their designated spaces. Adorned with brass accents that glimmered as they caught the morning sunlight, the warm tones of the wood complemented Mahiru's pale fingers beautifully.

"They must have decided on these together. They're really practical. No wobbling, writes smoothly, and feels great in the hand," Amane explained.

"I thought I recognized these," Mahiru remarked with a smile. "They have the same design as the ones in your pencil case, don't they?"

Amane knew what was inside before Mahiru even opened the box because his parents had given him the same set of stationery and a watch when he first started high school.

His parents had keen judgment. Though they presented themselves stylishly, they prioritized practicality when choosing gifts. That's why they had picked something useful and durable for Amane's high school entrance gift. While the wood used in Mahiru's set differed from Amane's, the brand and series were the same. Amane could personally vouch for their comfort and durability, as he had used them for a long time.

"They probably spent a while deciding what to get. I'm guessing they hesitated to give you something you wouldn't use. They didn't go with a fountain pen, probably because, well, high schoolers don't really get many chances to use one properly."

"I'm already more than touched to simply receive a gift…" "That's just how parents are. They wanted to give you something practical that would stick with you, and you could use for a long time."

In Shihoko and Shuuto's eyes, Mahiru was already their daughter. They wanted to step into that parental role in her life, and their choice of gifts reflected something they would have picked for their own child.

Though Amane felt a mix of admiration and a tiny bit of jealousy at how well his parents understood what would make Mahiru happy, those feelings quickly vanished. Mahiru, blushing and beaming with joy, shyly said, "I'm so happy. I'll have to thank them later."

Her genuine excitement filled the room, and any complicated emotions Amane had were swept away. After all, the most important thing was seeing Mahiru happy. His trivial jealousy didn't matter at all—it was ridiculous to even hold onto it. Instead, Amane was grateful to his parents for bringing Mahiru such joy.

Mahiru gently closed the lid with a careful motion, handling it like a treasured item.

As Mahiru's stand-in parents, Mom and Dad would love to see her looking so happy.

Had Mahiru not been in her sleepwear, Amane could have recorded the moment she opened the gift and sent it to them—but Amane quickly dismissed the thought. What mattered more was giving Mahiru the experience of waking up to find a present waiting for her, something she had never experienced before.

After carefully closing the box and neatly folding the wrapping paper and ribbon, Mahiru placed Shihoko and Shuuto's gift on the bedside table. Then, she turned her gaze back toward Amane. What remained in her hands was the present Amane had prepared for her.

"May I…open it?"

"I'd feel sad if you just tucked it away without opening it," Amane replied jokingly.

"I–I wouldn't do that! It's just that some people don't like having their gift opened in front of them."

"I picked out something I thought was nice for you, so I'd love for you to open it. I just hope it suits your tastes."

Amane didn't mistrust his taste, but he still wasn't entirely confident whether his choice would meet Mahiru's standards. Just like when he picked out her birthday present, he had agonized over the decision precisely because he knew Mahiru would appreciate anything, which made it all the more important to get it right. This time, he hadn't consulted anyone, so he was unsure whether Mahiru would genuinely like what he had chosen.

Without letting the unease show on his face, Amane quietly watched as Mahiru's slender fingers carefully untied the ribbon. The box revealed a matching set of earrings and a necklace.

Mahiru wasn't partial to flashy accessories, so Amane had chosen a relatively simple design. The earrings and necklace were crafted to resemble delicate flowers, with small sparkling stones scattered throughout. Despite their understated elegance, they wouldn't pale in comparison to Mahiru's gorgeous looks. Though giving her jewelry wasn't unusual, gifting it on Christmas—the biggest cliché ever—made Amane feel a bit embarrassed, as it felt a bit out of place for him.

"I gave you a jewelry box for your birthday, remember? So, um, I thought it'd be nice to give you something you could put in it, something that I hadn't gifted you before," Amane explained, feeling a bit bashful.

For White Day, Amane had given her a bracelet, and at the summer festival, a hairpin. Wanting to avoid giving her the same gift twice, he carefully chose something that would suit Mahiru and hopefully complement her style.

Typically, the other places people wore accessories were the ears, neck, and fingers—but the fingers were reserved for something else he already had planned for the future and not for today. So, Amane had decided to adorn Mahiru's ears and neck with carefully chosen pieces. It was a simple, perhaps even indulgent, thought.

Now, what does she think?

Amane almost felt like scoffing at himself, realizing that his possessiveness really came into the light during moments like these. Still, he didn't pull away and instead watched closely for Mahiru's reaction.

"How…is it?" he asked, his voice a little tentative.

Ultimately, what mattered most was whether Mahiru liked it or not.

With a hint of nervousness, Amane continued to watch her closely. Mahiru had been staring in awe at the sparkling flowers in the box for a while before finally noticing his gaze and slowly lifting her head to meet his eyes.

Seeing the expression on her face, Amane let out a relieved sigh.

Seems I was worried for nothing.

"It's…adorable. Really, it's so stunning."

"Thank goodness. I was worried it might not be your style."

"Of course, I'm happy with anything you give me, Amane-kun. But aside from that, this perfectly supplements my style. It's lovely."

"If it made you happy, then there's nothing more I could ask for as Santa— I mean, your boyfriend."

Based on Mahiru's taste in clothing and the type of accessories she usually wore, Amane had narrowed it down to this design, thinking it would suit her. It seemed he'd hit the nail on the head, and his racing heart finally began to calm down.

"Amane-kun, you often choose jewelry with flower designs, don't you?" "Was it the wrong choice?" Amane asked, slightly concerned.

"No, I just thought there might be a reason why."

"There's no particular reason, to be honest… I thought it'd suit you and match the clothes you usually wear. Something too plain wouldn't complement your style."

Mahiru liked simple designs, but not ones that were overly plain or had basic shapes. She preferred graceful designs that used curves well or had a dash of cuteness. Considering that, Amane had chosen this floral design, believing it would suit her preferences perfectly.

Mahiru wasn't the kind of girl to give false compliments, so Amane felt relieved. There was no doubt in his mind that she genuinely liked the gift. Mahiru gently closed the lid, carefully holding the box as if it were a precious treasure, a soft smile appearing on her lips.

To put it bluntly, she wore an expression that looked like she was holding back a grin.

"…I'll treasure it," Mahiru said softly.

"Thanks. But show me when you wear it sometime—I'll compliment you like there's no tomorrow."

"P-Please don't start announcing in advance that you'll compliment me.

Besides, you shouldn't force yourself to do so."

"Why not? I bought it because I thought it'd look good on you, and I'm sure it will. If it suits you, then of course I'll compliment you. Is it so bad for me to tell my girlfriend she's a cutie?"

Just imagining Mahiru wearing something he had given her made Amane incredibly happy, and it would most certainly be a treat for his eyes, too. Besides, Mahiru wouldn't feel bad being complimented either—there was nothing but positives. Praising the good aspects of your partner was the secret to maintaining a healthy, loving relationship. After all, if he didn't express his feelings, they couldn't be conveyed properly, so there was no harm in saying them out loud.

When Amane tilted his head, thinking there was nothing strange about what he said, Mahiru murmured, "This is how Shuuto-san shaped you…" as if he'd been shaped like dough ready to be baked in the oven. Amane couldn't help but chuckle. In truth, Shuuto had indeed instilled in him the idea that openly praising the good in others made both people feel better, so in that sense, he had been "shaped." Watching his parents interact over the years had only reinforced that belief, making it a guiding principle for Amane.

When Amane straightforwardly said, "You're adorable when you act like this too," Mahiru responded with a soft, embarrassed groan. Not wanting to increase the time it took for her to recover, Amane stopped the teasing there. With a slight chuckle, he patiently waited for Mahiru to calm down. A few deep breaths later, she finally managed to reduce the redness in her cheeks and looked up at him again.

For some reason, Mahiru wore a slightly pouty expression.

"…I wanted to give you a present too. It's not fair that only you had one." After seeing her upset over something so unexpected, it was now Amane's turn to smile warmly.

Mahiru was unhappy about being the only one to receive a gift and adorably puffed out her cheeks in a small show of frustration. Amane found this incredibly cute, but he knew that if he said so, she'd steal the blanket out of embarrassment. Anticipating this, he swallowed the words he was about to say.

"Don't worry, I've already received a gift," he declared. "…You aren't going to say that it's 'me,' are you?"

"Close, but no. I've already got a pre-order on your future, you see." "That's not fair! I've reserved yours, too!"

"Ha ha ha."

Though she didn't snatch the blanket, Mahiru's fists gently pummeled Amane's thigh. Even though he was being attacked, the sight only jump-started his protective instincts. "Ow, ow," he muttered, though he couldn't help but find the light taps more comforting than painful. It was almost worrying how much he enjoyed it—perhaps, in a way, it was a bit hopeless of him, too.

Amane gave yet another smile. Maybe it was the lingering morning fog, but Mahiru's emotions were much easier to read than usual. Sensing his thoughts, she playfully muttered, "You're such a dummy, Amane-kun," teasing him with a cute little insult. This only widened his smile, making it even harder to keep a straight face.