"…Present?"
Amano was standing in front of me, giving me a confused look. I understand her pretty well, even I would be confused if something like this happened to me. As if something like that would happen, though.
"Y-yeah… It's for your birthday, Iwasaki-san told me about it, back when we went to that store."
I didn't manage to think of anything as an excuse, so I sold the culprit out. Sorry, Iwasaki-san, I guess I'm not that good at excuses, after all.
"I see…that girl." Amano muttered something to herself.
Silence filled the place for a while. My eyes are everywhere except on Amano, my palms are starting to sweat, and I can't even make eye contact. I knew it. It's weird, right? Getting a present for your birthday from a weird classmate.
"…It's still a little too early for my birthday, though."
"Huh?" I unconsciously blurted out. It was not the answer I was expecting at all.
"Did Rini-san perhaps told you the wrong date? I mean, it's not far from the actual—"
So, she's thinking that Iwasaki's dumb. I guess I can agree with that.
"–No, actually, she told me that your birthday is tomorrow, but we don't have school then, so I figured I might as well give it to you today."
"…I see."
"I thought that it might be weird if I gave a present to you after your birthday. Not that I think that giving a present to you, without you even telling me when your birthday is, is not weird..." My voice trailed off.
"No, no, I don't think that it's weird at all."
My eyes widened a bit at her response. Hearing her say that somehow removed half of my worries.
"Hmm." Amano pointed her gaze at the two neatly wrapped boxes that I've been holding, alternating between them.
"Oh, this one's from Haru."
"T-Takahashi-kun?"
Amano looked quite shocked, she must've not expected to receive any gift from him. Not like she expected to get something from me, either.
"Yeah. Actually, Haru also told me to go give you a present, Iwasaki-san was just a little early."
"Is that so…" Amano hesitated for a moment. "But, why would— Can I open it…?"
"Eh? Ah, I mean, s-sure, go ahead."
I handed Haru's present first, since I'm also curious as to what it is. It's small and light, maybe it's a type of clothing, or a book?
The sound of paper getting torn ensued. Is there any chance that Amano is actually excited right now? 'Cause the way she's ripping these wrappers apart is kinda barbaric, but I can't tell for sure…
"Ah."
What kind of reaction is that? I mean, I'm not expecting her to yell or anything, but I can't tell if she's happy or disappointed. Wait? What if she finds my gift gross? What would I do then? Certain thoughts filled my mind and I instantly wanted to run at that moment.
"W-what is it?"
"It's a sketchbook."
"A sketchbook?"
Come to think of it, I remember Haru telling me that Amano liked to draw back then. I thought it was useless information, but he actually decided to go with this, huh? Well, I think that it's a pretty safe pick.
Amano pointed at the last box that I was holding. "…Is that yours, Taneki-kun?" she said in a small voice.
"A-ah, yes. It's not some kind of an expensive jewelry, though."
"I'm happy with anything." Amano gave me a subtle smile. It almost took my breath away.
"Okay… don't get your hopes up, though." I handed Amano my present.
"Why are you being so nervous right now, Taneki-kun." Amano chuckled.
I could only scratch my cheek in response.
"Y-you can tell, huh."
"I'll be opening this, then."
"Please do."
Amano proceeded to unwrap the present I got her. I can feel my heart beating harder at her every hand movement. I feel like I'm going to pass out any time soon, and the warm breeze is the only thing that's calming me right now.
"A dress?" I can't actually tell what she's feeling by that response. Is she weirded out? She's weirded out, right? Cause, who in their right mind would actually give someone a dress as a present. God, please kill me now.
"Um... yeah. Remember when we went to that clothing store? I see you took quite some time with that particular dress, so I figured that you might like it, and uhh… you can throw it away if you don't want it." I feel like my speech gradually got faster towards the end.
Amano suddenly tightened her eyes and said with a determined voice. "I'll treasure it."
I was so shocked by her reaction that my mouth actually hung low and my eyes almost dropped a tear. All the tension and negative thoughts disappeared at once, and I didn't even noticed that a smile appeared on my face.
"Thanks..."
"No, I should be the one thanking you. And also Takahashi-kun, tell him that I'm thankful for his gift."
"I will. I'm just happy that you weren't grossed out or anything."
"Why would I be grossed out?" Amano pouted.
Whaaat? Amano pouting? A rare sight descended upon us, and I've been the only one blessed to witness it. My eyes widened a bit, along with my heart skipping a beat. I wasted no time and engraved the picture deep into my mind. I'll never forget it as long as I'm alive.
"I don't mean it in a bad way."
"I know, I know, I'm not being serious here."
Amano and I shared a laugh after that.
So, everything went well in the end. I guess it's just me overthinking things and expecting the worst possible outcome. I need to make sure to avoid doing that in the future, it's certainly not good for my mental health. None of that matters now, though, since I also got to see a rare sight today, meaning that my plan is a massive success. I can feel that Amano is starting to open up a bit more towards me, but I'm still not sure if Amano and I can be categorized as friends. Well, it's not like I'm rushing or anything, who cares about labels anyway? I decided to part ways with Amano and headed back to the classroom.
"How did it go?"
A certain someone jumped on me while I'm on my way back to the class. Are you all that excited that you can't help but ambush me here, in the hallway? How can you even be so sure that I gave it already?
"Let's talk inside the classroom, it's a little bit crowded in here."
"Okay, but I need some explanation about this so called plan of yours... but judging from your appearance, it looks like the plan was a massive success."
"You can say that again," I cracked a smug grin.
About my plan, I'll just tell him that I waited for Amano in the hallway when no one can see us. I still need to respect Amano's privacy, after all. I know Haru can be trusted when it comes to these kinds of things, but I'm sure Amano would be bothered if I didn't consult her first.
After telling Haru everything which he seemed to only half-believe, our fifth period started. We've only been given a few home works, which I couldn't care less to do since Haru will be doing it for me. It was the same for our last period, then we were dismissed.
While I was packing my things, I received a text message from someone.
Iwasaki: You coming tomorrow?
So it was Iwasaki. By tomorrow, she couldn't actually mean Amano's birthday, right?
: Where?
Iwasaki: Where else? To Kei-chan's house, of course.
So you expect me to come there like it's the most obvious thing to do?
: I can't come if I'm not invited.
Iwasaki: Huh? She didn't invite you yet?
: What do you mean yet?
I did not receive a response after that. I continued to pack my things and took my leave. Haru left a little earlier, saying he has something to do.
After leaving the classroom, I saw a familiar figure, leaning against a wall. The contrast between her god-like presence and the dimming light of the horizon created a breathtaking sight. Her otherworldly beauty and the effortless coolness of her pose looked like something straight out of a novel. It was none other than Amano— and it seemed like she was waiting for someone. There is almost no student in the area, so I decided to approach her.
"You're not going home yet?"
"!" Amano's body literally jolted. We made eye contact, but she quickly averted her eyes.
"Um, do you have any plans tomorrow, Taneki-kun?"
"Tomorrow? Hmm, let me think... nope, not one." Why did I even think? It's as clear as day that someone like me wouldn't have any plans.
Amano lightly chuckled. See? She gets it.
"Then…" For reasons I don't know, Amano started fidgeting her hair. "Do you want to come to my house tomorrow? Rini-san told me to invite you."
So, this is what Iwasaki was talking about. But, why do I feel like she forced Amano into this.
"She probably only wants someone to tease. Don't worry about her, she'll most likely just brush it off if you refuse."
"It's not that…"
"Hmm?"
Amano was looking down, and I couldn't guess what she's thinking.
"…I-I also want you to come, Taneki-kun."
"Huh?" Wait, did I hear that right? I must've misheard it, right? 'Cause there's actually no way.
"What?" Amano was looking at me with narrow eyes. "I won't force you If you don't want to." Somehow, her tone has something off to it that I can't pinpoint exactly.
"It's not that I don't want to... it's just, are you sure Iwasaki-san isn't forcing you to do any of this?"
"Do I look like someone that can be forced into these type of things?"
"Fair point."
"So… you'll come, right?"
If she puts it that way, what kind of a stupid person am I to refuse? I need to know about one thing, though.
"About that… I don't know where your house is."
"No problem, I'll just text you the address..." Her voice got awfully quiet towards that last part and she hesitated for a bit, grabbing the hem of her dress.
"So... uhm... Taneki-kun..."
"Hm?"
"L-Let's exchange phone numbers."
"Huh?"