After school.
Finishing my class duties early, I passed by Miyajima’s still-noisy desk and left the classroom, only for Kiritsuki to catch up a bit later, falling into step beside me.
“If you’re heading out, at least give me a heads-up.”
I figured I’d drop off the class log at the staff room and be down at the entrance by then, but she called me out for being thoughtless, leaving me a little exasperated.
“Kiritsuki-san, while we’re at it, I wanted to ask—”
“What? My contact info?”
“…That too, but I meant about what to get Kaori for a present. Got any ideas in mind?”
“I’m drawing a blank, so I’m counting on you, childhood friend-kun.”
I had a hunch that was the case, so it’s no surprise. Having known Kaori for so long, I get it.
Gifting something to Kaori somehow turns into a tricky puzzle the better you know her.
“When it comes to girls gifting each other, I’d usually think of beauty products or cosmetics first.”
“But for Kaori, who doesn’t use any of that, it’s kinda pointless, right?”
“Exactly, that’s the problem.”
She’s the kind of girl who says about skincare, “It’s a hassle, costs money, I can’t keep up with it, I don’t feel any difference, and I just hate putting stuff on my skin.”
On top of that, she’s sensitive to smells and doesn’t seem to like makeup either.
“She even hates sunscreen, doesn’t she? Anything you put on her skin is probably a no-go.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m Kaori’s closest friend in this school, but I absolutely cannot wrap my head around how she has such flawless skin with zero care.”
“She’s the type who keeps her hair short because styling or fussing with it is too much trouble…”
When it comes to her appearance, Nanami Kaori genuinely couldn’t care less. She dismisses self-care with a single word: “Hassle.”
And yet, she has the kind of looks that make everyone around her accept it without question.
“So, hair ties or ribbons are out too… Instead of ruling things out, what’s something Kaori would actually like?”
“It wasn’t for her birthday, but the thing she reacted to most when I gave it to her was a fountain pen during our school trip.”
“…A fountain pen?”
“She’s super diligent, you know. She uses it every year when writing New Year’s cards. But it’s not exactly the kind of thing friends gift each other…”
“Yeah, true. But stationery might be a good option to consider.”
After that conversation, we parted ways for a bit.
I stopped by the staff room to finish my class duties, changed my shoes at the entrance, and rejoined Kiritsuki, who was waiting at the school gate.
Standing by the gate, she was checking her smartphone, looking up the average price range for gifts high school girls give their friends.
“Any luck?”
“Not at all. Kaori might just be too unique.”
“…What about sweets?”
“That’s a no-go for me. I got a handmade misanga from her, so I want something at least a little practical.”
Setting aside the wish-making aspect, as an accessory, it’s something a student can wear with their uniform without it looking out of place.
Plus, being handmade, it’s one-of-a-kind, which shows how much thought went into it.
For a friend you want to grow closer to, it feels like a really thoughtful gift.
Since it’s almost like a return gift, she’s thinking of giving something heartfelt too.
I can’t say I don’t get where she’s coming from.
“By the way, Himura-kun, are you getting her anything?”
“A mug. I already bought it.”
A while back, she was bummed out because the one I gave her before broke.
Since she hadn’t replaced it yet, I got one ready for her birthday during spring break.
“…This is kinda out of the blue, but do you guys, like, go to each other’s houses?”
“Not really. It’s mostly Kaori coming over to my place. I’m worried about leaving my little sister home alone, so I only go to her place every now and then.”
“Does Kaori ever complain that you’re being distant or anything?”
Compared to when we were together 24/7, it’s probably less than half now. Living like some kind of live-in boyfriend was the weird part. That’s why I got teased.
“It’s not like the ‘drifting apart’ vibe I was imagining…”
I’ve done my best to keep my distance, and this is the result.
At school, she’s got tons of people flocking to her, so I can keep my distance, but it’s not the same when we’re at home.
“Kaori shows up at my place the second something’s up, or she’ll come over in person to talk about stuff that could’ve just been a Line message.”
“I kinda get that. She’s always quick to jump on a call, isn’t she?”
“She’s an only child and gets lonely easily, so I guess it’s just how she is.”
“That’s what makes her so charming, you know? It’s like, ‘Oh, she’s so cute,’ and you can’t help but go easy on her.”
As expected, or maybe not, Kiritsuki’s just as caring as her appearance suggests.
On top of that, Kaori’s a bit sloppy and clingy at home, so as peers, she sometimes gets way too close for comfort in a physical sense.
She’s a brilliant girl but not some perfect superhuman. That’s part of what makes Nanami Kaori so likable.
It’s exactly what Kiritsuki calls her “charm.”
Kiritsuki and I are headed to the shopping mall.
Going to a mall after school with a female classmate is undeniably a date-like situation, but honestly, I’m so used to this with Kaori that I don’t feel a shred of nervousness.
Being alone with a beautiful girl is basically an everyday occurrence, so my senses are totally numb to it.
“Oh, can we check out some general goods first?”
“Sure.”
On the way to the mall, we spontaneously stopped at a general goods store.
Since I rarely come to places like this alone, it feels fresh as I wander through the modern, stylish interior.
“Being in a place like this makes time just melt away while you’re browsing…”
“Really? I thought guys just find what they need, buy it, and leave.”
“I tend to get distracted. I might actually like window shopping.”
When I come to stores like this to buy birthday presents for Kaori or my sister, like today, I end up looking at all sorts of random stuff and almost forget what I came for.
“Huh… A date with you sounds like it could be fun, Himura-kun.”
“So, are you having fun now?”
“Since our only common topic is Kaori, I’ll hold off on that judgment for now.”
“Fair enough.”
“Oh, this hairpin’s cute.”
A hairpin, huh? Even Kaori might use one if a friend gave it to her. It could work for a small styling touch, even with short hair.
But—
“Giving something like that to a girl who doesn’t usually use it might feel like you’re pushing her to, right?”
“Knew you’d say that.”
“So you feel the same way, Himura-kun. Guess I’d buy it for myself then. But side-swept bangs don’t really suit me.”
Talking like that, I couldn’t help but glance at Kiritsuki’s face. Her bangs, neatly parted in the middle and mostly tucked behind her ears, reach just above her nose.
Her features are so striking that anything would suit her, but unlike a certain carefree best friend, her slightly long, mature face gives her a clear sense of what works for her and what doesn’t.
“…Staring a bit too much, aren’t you?”
“Oh, sorry. I was just thinking you’re seriously gorgeous. Ever thought about being a fashion model?”
“I got scouted once and tried it. The vibe at the shoot was so not my thing that I was like, ‘Absolutely never again.’”
We chatted like that while browsing the store for about an hour.
In the end, we left without buying anything and headed to the shopping mall as planned.
On the way, we made another detour into a convenience store, and I waited by the entrance.
“Yo, Aoi. Fancy meeting you here.”
A sudden voice made me look up from my smartphone.
A male student in the same uniform.
Looking up at a face a head taller than mine, I furrowed my brow.
“There’s nothing ‘fancy’ about running into a classmate after school.”
“As cold as ever, huh?”
His wry smile somehow seemed to sparkle unnecessarily. This was Tomiya Rikuto, who’s in my class this year.
He’s been the ace of the baseball team since freshman year, and after dominating at the spring tournament, he became a school celebrity. I even saw his face on the front page of a sports paper, dubbed “The Prince of the Mound.”
Rumor has it multiple pro team scouts have come to check him out.
“You’re the one who looks out of place in a spot like this.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, a face that doesn’t suit a convenience store?”
With his refreshing, handsome vibe, he doesn’t exactly scream “convenience store.” Not that I know what that vibe even is.
“A needlessly dazzling pretty boy.”
“Are you complimenting me or dissing me? Pick one.”
Just then, the automatic door slid open, and Kiritsuki handed me a pack of café au lait.
“Sorry for the wait. Café au lait’s fine, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Tomiya-kun, you heading home now?”
“Yeah, my little sister told me to pick up some mechanical pencil lead, so I stopped by. By the way, you’re out here on an after-school date with Kiritsuki-san instead of Nanami-san? Living the high life, huh?”
Knowing my childhood friend dynamic, he probably meant it as he said. Though this time, calling it a date feels a tad off.
“It’s actually for that Nanami-san.”
Not that I’m denying the “date” part.
“Her birthday’s coming up, so I’m getting Kiritsuki to help me pick out a present.”
“…Oh, right, it is that time, isn’t it? Mind if I tag along? I should probably get her something too.”
At that, I glanced over at Kiritsuki.
“I’m fine with it.”
“Thanks. Mind waiting just a bit longer, then?”
With that, Tomiya headed into the convenience store.
Watching him go, Kiritsuki leaned in and whispered.
“You and Tomiya-kun are friends? That’s kinda surprising.”
“Our little sisters go to the same private middle school and get along, so that’s the connection.”
“I went to the same middle school as Tomiya-kun, so I know his sister, but your sister too?”
“My sister’s pretty low-key and doesn’t like standing out, so it’s no surprise you wouldn’t know her.”
“I can kinda picture her just knowing she’s your sister.”
“We’re not blood-related, so we don’t look alike.”
“Huh?”
“When she was about ten, her parents passed away, and my family took her in.”
So, technically, I’m an only child too.
Otherwise, there’s no way a girl like Kaori and I, even with our parents being close neighbors, would’ve ended up as childhood friends.
After that, I told Kiritsuki a bit about my friendship with Tomiya until he came back from the convenience store and rejoined us.
