Amane returned from the supermarket with the requested ingredients, and found Mahiru already waiting for him on his sofa.
It was a usual scene, but the only difference was that Mahiru was hugging the cushion, her arms wrapped around her knees as she sat on the sofa.
She was pouting like a child in this posture, but she seemed more embarrassed instead, and wasso adorable that he did not know where to look.
Thank goodness for the long skirt,Amane averted his eyes awkwardly, went to the fridge and put the ingredients in. He returned to the living room, and found Mahiru peeking at him.
He sat next to Mahiru, and saw her stare averting elsewhere.
"Mahiru, thanks for yesterday. It's delicious."
"...Thank goodness."
He knew she was still concerned about the previous day, but he thanked her as he was really grateful. Upon hearing that, her eyes looked towards Amane, her face still half buried in the cushion.
"What do you want as a return gift?"
"I did not give you that just for a return gift."
"I get that, but I should at least respond to your earnest thoughts with my own, right? It's embarrassing for a guy to accept without giving back."
Amane firmly believed in the concept of returning what he received, and to him, since she had made such a delicious thing for him, he had to repay her in some way, and he was not going to compromise on that.
After all, it appeared she never once did so to the others, but she made some for Amane's personal tastes, and that would have taken some effort.
"...I have received lots from you, Amane-kun."
"Actually, you've been offering so much for me. You've been cooking for me, and I've been causing you trouble."
"I am doing this because I like it...you may not have noticed, Amane-kun, but you have given me lots. That is sufficient."
Amane felt he never gave anything to Mahiru, and that he was the receiving side, so he wanted to repay Mahiru, but the latter did not seem to think so.
"But that's different...well, I'll think of something you'll like."
Even if Amane had unwittingly given her something, it was different from a White Day's gift.
Since he received chocolates on Valentine's Day, he should repay her on White Day. It was a form of basic courtesy.
I am not going to compromise,he gave her such a look, "...Yes" and once Mahiru saw it, her eyes faltered strangely as she nodded.
"Anyway, there's still about a month or so to think of something. Will be great if I can think of something you'll like."
"...Do you have that much free time? We are starting our end of year exams next week. After that will be the closing ceremony."
Mahiru pointed out in surprise. It was true that their end of year exams would begin the following week.
"Why did you not mention it back then?"
"You never asked. You never mentioned your own birthday. I only knew when I saw your student ID."
"Uu."
"And anyway, our relationship wasn't as good as it is now. If I mentioned my birthday, you would be wondering what I'm talking about."
It's my birthday,even if he said that to Mahiru, she would have answered "I see" and left it at that.
For Amane, that would be akin to begging for a present, which he hated, and he did not have such shame.
There was no need to mention, and they were not so trusting of each other, which was simply why he did not mention it.
"...But."
"You don't have to worry about that, you know?"
"...Then, I shall celebrate your birthday this year."
It seemed Mahiru was still not satisfied as she turned towards Amane, tugging firmly at his sleeve as she declared this.
Well, she probably was displeased that only she got to celebrate. Her eyes were implying that she would celebrate his more seriously than her own, so Amane gave a wry smile at that.
For some reason, he was delighted to hear her say that...a smile of ordinary joy unwittingly appeared on his face.
Thus, Mahiru and Amane had the same thoughts...she wanted to be next to him, and that thought made him happier than anything else.
"So we're promising to stay together until then?"
He nonchalantly quipped, and Mahiru widened her clear caramel-colored eyes--her cheeks instantly blushing as she moved her hand away from his sleeve, slapping the cushion.
It seemed she was embarrassed to have this pointed out to her.
Anxious to hide her embarrassment, she vented her tantrum on Amane, who nearly smiled again after seeing such an adorable scene.
"...I do not, dislike you, Amane-kun ...I feel calm, being with you. That is fine."
"I see. Thanks."
"I do not, mean anything else though."
"I know that at least."
She hastily added, and he nodded understandingly, but for some reason, she looked a little displeased.
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