"Huff... That was delicious, thank you for the meal." Miyanoshita finished the gratin and looked extremely content. It's good to see her so pleased. Once again, I'm thankful to senpai and the master who recommended this place. "Eating delicious food with Yuuki-san and getting celebrated, today seems like it's going to be the best birthday ever!♪" "You're exaggerating. Besides, aren't you going to celebrate with your family later? Can you still say it's the best despite that?" "That is that and this is this. The feeling of 'the best' changes with the moment." "You sure are convenient." "Girls are supposed to be convenient, fufufu♪" They are also sneaky. While thinking that i chuckle to myselve, just like Miyanoshita. "Yuuki-san, where to next? You're escorting me today, aren't you? Ehehe" She looks so excited she can hardly wait. If she had a tail, it would surely be wagging furiously. She really does seem like a loyal dog. I bet if I patted her on the head, she'd wag it even more. She'd probably look cute in dog ears cosplay. Imagining her in that... Wait what am I doing!? "What happened, Yuuki-san? Did you just hit your head on the table?" "No, it's just... I guess I'm more affected than I thought... like I've been poisoned or something." "???" "Don't mind me. More importantly, about what we're doing next..." "Yes! About the date.♪" "... yeah the date too, but before that" I wonder if she'll like it? It'd be pretty awkward if I got a wry smile. As I mulled over various thoughts, I took out the wrapped gift. "Happy Birthday." "..." When I held out the present, Miyanoshita's eyes went wide with surprise. "Miyanoshita?" "..." "What's the matter?" "..." "Hey, you there?" "...Huh!?" After a moment, Miyanoshita seemed to reboot. "Yuuki-san, you're...giving me a present?" "Yeah." "Is this a dream? An Illusion?" "It's reality. You're being a bit dramatic, aren't you?" "Reality?"

She seems to be quite confused. With a slight grin, I flick Miyanoshita's forehead lightly. "Ouch!" "Now, you realize this is reality, right?" "..." Miyanoshita accepts the present and hugs it tightly to her chest. And finally she smiles gently and happily. "Ehehe" "..." It's not an exaggeration to say Miyanoshita's smile is like that of an angel... I find myself captivated by it. No! Hey! Wait a second. This is Miyanoshita. And she's a grade-schooler. It's not like I was enchanted or anything. That's just not possible. "What's the matter, Yuuki-san?" "No... it's nothing." "......Hmmm." Miyanoshita gives me a suggestive grin. "That reaction... perhaps you were enchanted by me?" "It's not like... that..." "Eh? Wait, was i possibly right?" "......" "......" It seemed even Miyanoshita was caught off guard by this turn of events, looking dumbfounded. In the next moment, her expression turned happy, yet she cheecks were flushed and she looked embarrased. "Is that so... um... thank you?" "Yo, you're welcome?" "I'm happy... thank you?" "Yo, you're welcome?" "......haww." "......mhm." What are we even doing? "Um... Oh, that's right! The present, the present! Can I see what's inside now? I can’t wait to take home the present filled with Yuuki-san's love!" "Are you a dog?" "Woof!" Don't bark. "Because you have been patient, please go ahead." "Yay!" Miyanoshita opened the package with a smile. "A shoulder bag?"

"I considered a lot of options, but I thought something practical would be best." The recipient is a grade-schooler who also happens to have a crush on me. Giving jewelry to Miyanoshita could potentially lead to a misunderstanding. Besides, giving jewelry when we're not even dating seems too serious. It's her birthday, so I wanted to give something lasting. The ideal gift would be something she could wear every day without a second thought. The shoulder bag I chose is currently popular with the youth. It's an adorable yet practical item. ... That beeing said, I got this information from Mashiro, which is why I went for the shoulder bag. "Thank you so much! I'm really, really, really, really, overwhelmingly happy!!!" Miyanoshita, beaming with joy, hugged the shoulder bag tightly. Good, it looks like she's really pleased. "I'll treasure it like a family heirloom on the household altar." "No, I'd actually prefer you to use it normally..." "Eh? But I'm worried it might get dirty or broken." "Then you can just get it repaired?" "I don't like the idea of someone else's hands on it." "Then, when the time comes, I'll buy you a new one." "Really? Is that okay? But then, for my birthday next year..." "I'll think of a different present for next year. Just use this one without any worries." "...You'll celebrate with me next year too?" "Eh? Of course, I'll celebrate." "...In your mind, Yuuki-san, it's natural that we'll still be together next year, isn't it?" It dawned on me after she said it. Whether we'll be friends or more than that. I have no idea about that... But I never even thought about being apart from Miyanoshita. The confession might mean our relationship will change next year. Maybe it'll take a turn for the worse, and we'll drift apart. Yet, I never pictured that future. I just took it for granted that Miyanoshita would be by my side. "Is that weird?" "No, it's not weird at all. After all, I want to be with you next year too, Yuuki-san♪" Miyanoshita gives a bright smile. "No, I want us to be together not only next year but the year after, and beyond... forever, always together♪" "That kinda sounds like a proposal..." "That is my plan, indeed.♪" Isn't this skipping too many steps? "Well anyways... let's spend next year together." "Mmm, you dodged me." "But my desire to be with you is genuine." "Then it's settled! Ehehe♪ Make sure to celebrate with me next year, too, okay?" Saying this, Miyanoshita sported an exceptionally bright smile.