Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093083511177921/episodes/16818093089167777573
Saturday morning.
Like a child looking forward to a field trip, I was restless and heading to the meeting place early when my mobile rang.
I check the person on the screen and see the words Hina, so I hastily pick up the phone.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Hikaru? Sorry, even though it’s a date today. ……”
“What’s wrong?”
“Sakine, you know, she suddenly got a fever and I have to take …… care of her, so I can’t go ….. …… today. ……”
The unfortunate news is conveyed to my ears.
However, I think it can’t be helped, so I tell Hina of my concern.
“I see, I can’t help it in that case. Please take a good look at Sakine-chan. Shall I go buy something instead?”
“No, I’m fine. It’s not good if you get sick, so I’ll just take your feelings.”
“Okay, don’t strain yourself too much, Hina.”
“Yeah. I’m really sorry. I was looking forward to it. ……”
“I was looking forward to it too, but it’s nothing for you to apologise for. Good luck taking care of Sakune-chan.”
Saying that, I hang up the call with Hina.
“What am I going to do now, ……?”
I’ve walked quite a bit from home, so I’m not prepared to go home immediately
Since I can’t visit her for her fever, I haven’t had anything for a long time, but I think this is also a good opportunity and I hope I can find something nice for Hina’s birthday present. I decided to head to a nearby shopping mall.
While walking through the spacious floor of the shopping mall, I looked down at my mobile phone.
“It’s Hina’s birthday, …… I wonder what would make her happy.”
In a few days, Hina’s birthday will be here.
As for me, I want to prepare a present that she will be happy with.
But honestly, I’m not used to choosing gifts for girls.
“I can’t find anything that looks like it at all. ……”
I looked around at general stores, accessory shops, apparel stores, but none of them seemed right to me.
I’m supposed to be thinking of Hina’s happy face as I search for her, but I feel like nothing suits her and I’m getting more and more lost.
At that time, a bright voice stopped me from behind.
“Oi, Hikaru!”
When I turned around, there stood Nishihara Natsuki.
She had just transferred to school like a standard romantic comedy transfer student, but her cheerful personality had made her completely popular in class, and she was waving at me near the escalator in the shopping mall.
“Nishihara?”
“Yes! I never thought I’d meet you here~. What are you doing?”
Natsuki runs up to me and asks with a smiling expression.
“Well, …… I’m doing a bit of shopping.”
“Shopping? What are you buying?”
I hesitated for a moment as to what to say, but there was no need to hide it.
“I’m looking for a present. but I can’t decide at all.”
“Hee~, a present ……?”
with a curious look.
“It’s Hina-chan’s birthday soon~ By any chance, Hina-chan?”
“How do you know?!”
I couldn’t help but cry out as I was hit
Natsuki let out a small laugh, “fufu.”
“Because when I look at Hikaru, it’s obvious that you cares about Hina-chan!”
“T-That’s not true!”
Natsuki crosses her arms as she looks at me, who is clearly acting suspiciously, and begins to think about something.
“I see,……, but a present for Hana-chan? If that’s the case, I’ll help you!”
“Eh, are you sure?”
“Of course! If it’s a present for a girl, it’s best to talk to a girl about it!”
Pushed by Natsuki’s momentum, I decided to go around the mall with her.
“How about this? It seems to match Hina-chan’s atmosphere!”
Natsuki picked up a small silver pendant.
The heart motif is elegant and would certainly suit Hina.
“It’s certainly not bad, but …… I kind of want something more special.”
“Mmm-hmm, a special feeling~. Then how about something with name or initials on it?”
I was a little impressed by Natsuki’s suggestion.
If I had been working on my own, I wouldn’t have come up with such an idea.
“That might be a good idea!”
At the next shop, I found several options, including bracelets with initials and phone cases.
“But does Hina-chan already have a phone case or something like that?”
“I think she said before that it’s the one she likes.”
“I see. Then maybe a bracelet~?’”
Natsuki is looking at the products with sparkling eyes as she says this.
Her brightness made my mood a little clearer as well.
What I finally chose was a key case.
It fits Hina’s atmosphere perfectly, and I like the design that can be used for everyday use.
“Hina chan will definitely be happy with this one!”
Hearing Natsuki give me such approval, I finally felt at ease.
“Thank you, Nishihara. Thanks to you, I found something good.”
“That’s okay! In fact, I had fun too!”
Natsuki laughed and shrugged her shoulders lightly.
After we finished shopping, we decided to have a light drink at the food court.
“But, you know, Hikaru is a surprisingly romantic person.”
“Ha? What is it about?”
“I mean, you were thinking of Hina-chan’s happy face when you made your selection, right? Girls notice things like that surprisingly.”
Natsuki said with a bit of pride while holding a straw in her mouth.
“…… well, I’d be happy if she is pleased.”
“Yeah, don’t worry! She’ll definitely be pleased!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her confident words.
That night, after I went home, Natsuki’s bright smile kept coming back to my mind.
“What a relief …….”
I’m looking forward to Hina’s birthday coming up a bit now.
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