Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818023212795389552/episodes/16818093076426033690
Kusunoki put her phone away with a satisfied look. I took advantage of this and spoke to her.
“Kusunoki. Actually, I have one more present for you.”
“……There’s another one?”
“That was a ‘gift as a fan’. However, compared to the current one, it’s not a big deal at all.”
I can’t raise the standard, so I add that.
I really got the order wrong. The current one was only possible because of the rallying of various fans, and compared to that, there was only so much I could do on my own……
“…..I think I’ll stop.”
“Eh !? Why !?”
“If you eat a mandarin orange after eating chocolate, you’ll feel a sour taste. It’s the same thing.”
“I understand what you mean, but I’m not sure I understand the analogy.”
I don’t want her to be disappointed though. …However.
I wanna think about one thing.
This gift is heavy, isn’t it?
No, I know. I totally get it. By far, the one I just got is heavier.
Besides, I’m feeling heavy now.
But you know what? I don’t think I should do it. I feel like I’m gonna ruin the afterglow.
“…I was looking forward to it.”
“If you wish, Kusunoki, I can give you a hundred and eight of these souls.”
“I don’t think I’ll need that.”
“Your remark is very touching.”
…It was really nice to feel like she was back to normal Kusunoki. I want her to. Because it makes me happy.
“I’m also curious if you’re being that extravagant.”
“Me too !”
“The standards are going up in vain. Should I have at least prepared the land….?”
“There’s no way a high school student could have prepared it, but when you say it like that, I get the feeling that you’re really gonna do it.”
As expected, it would be a nuisance if it was just land. If I were to do it, I would like to open a store specializing in [Sunlight Hope].
……I’ve been escaping reality a little too much. It’s time to face it.
“I’ll say it one more time, but please don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’m happy with anything.”
“I’m so glad you said that, I feel like giving you all my money.”
I took out a wrapped box from my bag.
“Well, once again, Kusunoki. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Yukito kun. …It’s pretty big, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know how big it is. There are several pieces in it.”
The size of the bag is a little big, but the weight is not that heavy.
Kusunoki was fidgety like a child on Christmas morning.
“I can open it, right? …Also, I’d like you to come next to me.”
“Of course you can open it, but next to you?
“Yeah, next to me.”
I thought it would be okay, and sat down next to her on the edge of the bed.
Kusunoki nodded in satisfaction and carefully opened the box.
Finally, she opened it, wrapped in thin white paper–and froze.
“—This is.”
–Not. It’s not just Kusunoki. Kasumi chan and Tsumiki also froze.
Eh?
What is it?
Wait, eh?
Did I do something wrong? Was the stuffed animal a bad idea?
–I had a stuffed animal that was a deformed version of the three members of [Sunlight Hope], based on the advice given to me by ‘seven’.
The three of them were frozen in place, but for some reason……Kifune san was smiling at me. As if to say, [Don;t worry].
“……Can I ask you one question?”
“Hm, yeah? Of course.”
Her eyes that were staring at the stuffed animal moved to me. I wonder what it is. Kifune san seemed okay though.
“Why did you decide to make it into a stuffed animal?”
“T-that’s…erm. I’ve never given a gift to a girl before, so I asked about ‘presents for friends of the opposite sex’ on social media. Oh, of course I haven’t given any information about Kusunoki.”
“…..”
Then Kusunoki fell silent again.
Kasumi chan and Tsumiki chan were…..staring at me, looking stunned.
As I wondered what was going on—-Kusunoki’s eyes turned in a certain direction.
There was Kusunoki’s….study desk.
I didn’t notice it, because I don’t often stare at other people’s rooms, even girls’ rooms.
–I was not aware that there was a very familiar stuffed animal on the desk.
“……Ah, uh. Someone else had similar thoughts as me.”
–Oh no. I didn’t expect it to be on display. I thought it was already put away or something.
They don’t know…..don’t worry, they shouldn’t. I’ve improved a lot since then.
The stuffed animals I made back then really had a tremendous handmade feel to them. And you could tell that I had just started to make handicrafts.
I wouldn’t say that the stuffed animal I gave Kusunoki today is a commercial product, but it’s made quite well. She won’t find out…I’m sure. Perhaps. Please don’t find out.
“E-erm. Was that stuffed animal a gift from a fan?”
“…..”
“B-but I never thought you’d wear it.”
“Yukito kun.”
My words are interrupted. Then, Kusunoki held my hand while holding the three stuffed animals. My hands !
“……Yukito kun.”
“……What is it?”
She called my name once more and I responded maturely.
A thin film forms over her eyes. Her voice trembled a little, as if she mustered up his courage..
“–Yukito kun, you’re [Pyonpyon san], right?”
I closed my eyes and looked up.
Why?
How?
I had such a question, but at the same time, I knew it was probably because of those tweets. It was spread quite a bit, huh? No wonder she saw it.
……I guess I don’t have to hide it anymore.
◆◇◆ side.Kusunoki Nanami
My heart is beating louder, faster, and stronger than I’ve ever heard it beat before.
My breathing becomes shallow and the vision blurs. Still, I knew I had to ask this.
“–Yukito kun, you’re [Pyonpyon san], right?”
The moment I said this, he closed his eyes and looked up.
A short pause of silence ensues.
I don’t know why, but something inside me overflowed and I felt like I was gonna start crying.
His hand was cold as he squeezed it tightly. As if he was nervous.
And then–a short, long time passed.
“—-Yes.”
The word was returned.
The sound of my heart, which was already loud, became louder and echoed in my head.
A hot flush runs down my cheeks, and my vision is squishy.
Still, he is right in front of me. He is right here, at the end of my hand.
I can’t even ruminate over his words in my mouth, so I end up saying them out loud.
“Yukito un.”
Many times. As if to confirm.
“So Yukito kun is….Pyonpyon san.”
I felt as if something in my heart had been connected to him.
I wanted to see his face more closely.
“Yukito kun.”
“K-Kusunoki. You’re too close—.”
“No.”
I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and brought my face closer.
He was supposed to be using the same shampoo and body wash that I used, but it was completely different…it smelled fresh and nice.
Yukito kun tried to distance himself a little, but I closed in on him.
Eventually, he lost his position and I covered him up so he wouldn’t run away.
“……Yukito kun was the one who supported me the whole time. As Pyonpyon san.”
“Well, even if it doesn’t turn out like that–wait, Kusunoki, this position is dangerous, and more than this–“
I was a little wrong about the distance.
…No. I made a mistake on purpose.
The bottom of my heart is boiling hot, and something is popping.
–With the emotion burning my body, before I knew it, I was kissing Yukito kun’s lips.
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !