Chapter 296: A Gift for My Girlfriend
"I like you, I like Hikki the most!"
Emboldened, Yui boldly declared her feelings.
Hearing her words, Hachiman immediately kissed her on the lips, expressing his feelings through actions.
However, the kiss didn't last too long, and Hachiman released her.
"How about that? Can you feel my sincerity?"
Yui, kissed unexpectedly in the midst of the bustling shopping center, blushed and felt a bit shy.
"Well... yeah."
"But, Hikki, what were you doing with Yukinon today?" The girl asked the question again.
"Just as you said, we were on a date." Hachiman shrugged.
Upon hearing his words, Yui pouted, clearly not believing such an explanation.
"Yukinon wouldn't go on a date with you."
Seeing her reaction, Hachiman couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek.
"Ugh..."
The girl naturally resisted, swatting away his teasing hand.
"Spill it."
"Alright, I'll tell you." Hachiman didn't mind and continued to speak with a smile.
"Actually, the date was just a part of it; we were choosing a gift."
"A gift?" Yui looked puzzled.
"That's right." Hachiman extended his hand and gently tapped her forehead.
"Let me ask you, what day is June 18th, which is next Monday."
Upon hearing his question, Yui couldn't help but think, "Um... June 18th... ah, I know, it's my birthday."
After saying this, she seemed to understand something.
"Could it be that you and Yukinon were helping me choose a birthday gift?"
Hachiman nodded in satisfaction, "Exactly, didn't expect you're not too dull."
"You're the one who's dull, smelly Hikki." Yui wrinkled her nose in discontent, then her face lit up with excitement.
"What gifts did you and Yukinon buy?"
"I can't tell you that." Hachiman shook his finger.
"Since it's a gift, it should be a bit mysterious. You'll find out tomorrow after school, remember to come to the Service Club."
"Okay." Yui nodded, agreeing with his words.
"That's settled then. I'll go back to find Yukino; we haven't finished buying the gifts." Saying this, Hachiman waved and walked towards the direction he came from.
Watching his gradually disappearing figure, Yui's face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Birthday gifts! I can't wait for Monday, right, Sable?"
"Woof, woof!"
...
By the time Hachiman returned to the original spot, Yukino hurriedly approached.
"How is it? What about Yui?"
There was a hint of anxiety in the girl's tone; she cherished her friendship with Yui.
"Don't worry; everything is fine now. I've explained things to Yui. She'll come to the Service Club on Monday, and we'll give her the gifts together." Hachiman smiled faintly.
"That's good." Yukino breathed a sigh of relief; she didn't doubt Hachiman's words.
"Let's continue buying gifts then. Next, it's your turn. Any ideas for your gift?"
"I didn't have any initially, but I suddenly got an idea." Hachiman smirked.
"In that case, let's go." Yukino nodded.
"Yeah, let's go."
Saying this, Hachiman casually took the girl's hand.
Having her hand held by him, Yukino made a slight struggle but soon let him proceed.
Before long, the two arrived at a pet supply store.
"Are you planning to buy pet supplies?" Yukino inquired.
"That's right." Hachiman nodded. "After seeing Yui's Sable, it suddenly came to me."
"That sounds like a good idea." Yukino also remembered the dachshund that startled her.
Guiding the girl, they reached the section with collars.
Seeing a particularly fancy collar, Hachiman's eyes lit up as he picked it up.
"What do you think about this one? I think Yui would like something like this."
Observing the collar in Hachiman's hand, Yukino nodded involuntarily.
In her impression, Yui did indeed have a liking for such flashy items.
"Then let's go with this one." Hachiman nodded, but he seemed to think of something and suddenly burst into laughter.
Yukino couldn't help but feel puzzled. "What's so funny? Why are you laughing all of a sudden?"
"I just thought that if we give this dog collar to that silly Yui, she might think it's a gift for her and wear it herself."
Uh.
Hearing this, the girl was momentarily stunned and hesitated before saying, "She probably won't. Yui isn't that foolish."
Although she said this, she wasn't entirely sure.
"I think it's quite possible. Let's watch and see." Hachiman chuckled.
"Let's go, time to check out."
"Sure."
....
....
After settling the bill, the two walked out of the pet store.
"Should we continue shopping? Do you want to buy something for yourself?" Holding the leash of the gentle dog, Yui, Hachiman smiled.
Since it wasn't too late, he wanted to spend a bit more time with Yukino.
Unfortunately, Yukino shook her head. "Not today. I need to go home and prepare some things for the celebration."
"Okay, let's head back then." Hachiman nodded without insistence.
"Yeah, let's go."
As they walked together toward the exit, Yukino stopped when they passed by an entertainment area.
There were token-operated arcade machines, claw crane games, shooting games, racing games, and photo sticker machines.
"What's wrong?" Hachiman asked.
"Is there anything you'd like to play?"
"I'm not interested in arcade machines." Yukino shook her head.
Even though she said that, her eyes were fixed on the claw crane machine.
Following her gaze, Hachiman saw a Mr. Pantaro plush toy in the claw crane machine. It was evident that Yukino was captivated by it.
Seeing Yukino's eager expression, Hachiman found it amusing. "Do you want it?"
"I want..." She quickly corrected herself. "I don't want it."
"I suddenly feel like playing the claw crane machine. Let's give it a try." Hachiman smiled.
"Okay, since you want to play, let's go." Yukino nodded with an air of indifference.
Approaching the claw crane machine, Hachiman inserted a 100-yen coin.
"Let me try first."
Controlling the claw, he effortlessly grabbed the Mr. Pantaro plush toy.
Seeing Hachiman successfully catch the plush toy, Yukino's eyes showed a trace of excitement.
Retrieving the plush toy from the bottom of the claw crane machine, Hachiman naturally presented it to the girl.
"For you."
"Huh?"
Yukino was somewhat surprised that he would give her the plush toy.
"Don't forget, you're my girlfriend today. Consider it a gift for the girlfriend."