CH 23

Chp 23

With the advice of Hiiragi-san from my part time job, I finally chose a gift for Saito. On the day of her birthday, I was sitting nervously, waiting for Saito to come.

Normally, I would stay at the library until closing time, and leave as soon as she left, but I’m not sure at what point would be a good time to give her the present.

After some time, she arrived. She glanced at me and our eyes met, but she quickly looked away and sat down on a chair.

It was her birthday, and yet she was reading as usual. She didn’t seem to be conscious of it and spent her time naturally.

I couldn’t help but sigh, not knowing when to give the present to her.

However, momentum is important for this kind of thing, and there’s no point in hesitating. I clenched my fist and made up my mind to go and give the present to her.

I looked away from the book I was reading.

She must’ve noticed my presence and the scraping sound of the presents in the paper bag as I walked towards her.

Her beautiful and clear eyes looked at me and then moved to the paper bag in my hand.

[Here, take it. It’s your birthday present]

After all, it’s nerve-wracking to give someone a gift, and a bit embarrassing to give it to the opposite sex, even if you’re not conscious of it.

I put the paper bag in front of her, though it was a blunt way to keep her silent.

[Well, Thank you… Did you find out from my student handbook by any chance?]

[Yeah, I happen to remember]

I thought she would be surprised if I suddenly handed it to her, but she seemed to have figured it out and didn’t seem surprised.

On the contrary, I was somewhat fidgety.

She seemed interested in the paper bag I gave her, and kept on glancing at it.

[….. Can I open it?]

[Yeah, of course]

I nodded, and she slowly opened the paper bag.

Somehow, it was uncomfortable and nerve-wracking to have the gift I gave her opened in front of me.

The book I got her was exactly the one she wanted. It’s a new book, so it was easy to find in a bookstore, where it would be displayed.

I don’t know much about the book, but from what I’ve read on the internet, it’s well received. So I guess it’s fine.

[This is the one you wanted right?]

[Yes, it looks like it…. I look forward reading it]

When she saw the book, she smiled and received it happily. So I relaxed my shoulders.

I was relieved to see how happy she was, and patted my chest.

In addition to the book, I had put another item as Hiiragi-san suggested, but it was somewhat embarrassing to have it open in front of me, so I wanted her to notice it later.

But my hopes were betrayed, and she began to rummage further in the bag.

She seemed to have found the other present I put in there, and took out the small package.

I had it wrapped as a gift, so the package was a pink based sachet with white lines and a ribbon attached to it.

Watching her carefully open it made me feel more uneasy, and I had the urge to run away.

I’ve seen enough, I’m going home, I thought as she took out the content of the package.

[…. A bookmark?]

「……しおり？」

She blinked and stared at the bookmark in her hand.

The bookmark she held was made of metal and was covered with colorful glass that sparkled and shimmered.

Hiiragi-san advised me to get some accessories, but you would have to go out to buy them.

When I think about it, I realized it wasn’t something I would give to someone of the opposite sex who I’m not close to.

I consider her to be my friend, but I’m not sure if I’m close enough to give her ornamental accessories.

At first I wasn’t sure if I should only give her the book, but I still wanted to give her something pretty to make her happy.

I spent my time trying to find something, and I came across this.

I bought it in a store where only girls were inside, so while I was ordering the wrapping, people kept glancing at me, which was uncomfortable and embarrassing.

By the time I finished shopping, I felt twice the amount of tiredness compared to normal grocery shopping.

[I haven’t seen many people using bookmarks…]

I was so embarrassed that I muttered the reason why I bought a bookmark to no one in particular.

I’m not used to this kind of thing. When was the last time I had given a gift to the opposite sex? I don’t know if I’ve ever given one myself.

I was unsure about the gift I chose and asked her if she liked it or not.

Her eyes blinked in surprise and she froze, but her mouth relaxed after some time and her expression became gentle.

A gentle, soft, and warm smile appeared on her face.

[…. It’s so pretty. I’ll take good care of it]

She said in a calm, caring voice and clasped the bookmark in her hand to her chest.

It’s a gesture that signals protecting something important and precious.

Her eyes were fixated on the bookmark in her hand. The glass-colored light reflected on her eyes as she gazed at it with great care.

It made her look more charming, and I gulped unintentionally.

The usual cold, blank expression was gone and a gentle smile that was warmer than the smiles I’ve seen so far replaced it.

She looks much more mature and beautiful when she’s looking at the bookmark, more than that, her innocent and pure smile is adorable.

(Crap…)

If she showed such an expression, I can’t help but be conscious of her. I feel somewhat excited by the fact she only shows these expressions in front of me.

Her eyes were warm and she smiled so cutely that it could charm anyone. I was no exception, and I couldn’t help but stare at her.

I could feel heat building up in my face. When I touched my cheeks with my fingers, it’s obvious it was hotter than normal.

I couldn’t look at her any longer and quickly looked away.

It didn’t look like she noticed my strange behaviour, and she kept her eyes on the bookmark.

She seemed to enjoy the way light reflected off the bookmark and her smile loosened.

The way she squinted her eyes in delight as she looked at it is also adorable, and made me face even hotter.

[…… I’m relieved you like it. I was afraid you might deny it]

I managed to get those words out of my mouth as a way to calm myself down.

Considering her usual attitude, I thought she might refuse any gifts apart from books.

But in the end,she looks very happy to accept my present, so I’d call it a great success.

[I won’t do that. I’m afraid of strangers… so I’ll refuse it from them… but you’re a… special friend…]

[Yes]

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she muttered to herself while looking down.

She turned her head away from me, as if she was conscious of saying something embarrassing.

Even though I knew she didn’t say that as a means of someone of the opposite sex, but the word “special” made my heart race.

[…. Thanks for that]

That was all I could say as I was stunned and my mind went blank.