Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093083511177921/episodes/16818093089992855388
Friday, the day of Hina’s birthday.
The after-school chime rings and the classroom begins to buzz.
The students had started to get ready for club activities and going home, each with their own bag in hand.
“Matsumura-san, today is your birthday, right?”
A classmate’s voice is heard, and Hina nods ‘yes’, a little embarrassed.
Her friends naturally gathered around her, and bright voices were exchanged in celebration of her birthday.
Hikaru, who was watching the situation from a seat a little further away, was somehow watching for the right moment.
(…… Okay, now.)
Muttering in his heart, Hikaru stood up from his seat.
When the people around her had finished talking and disappeared, he walked up to her and called out to Hina.
“Hina, can I have a word?”
The moment I called her by name, Hina’s eyes looked at me.
Her face was mixed with a little surprise.
“Eh? What?”
“After school today, come to my place at around 6 o’clock like I said before”
Seeing my serious eyes, Hina blushed a little and nodded slightly.
“Well then, see you later.”
“…… yeah. Then see you later.”
And so I hurriedly returned home.
The faint orange light of the setting evening was shining through the window of my room.
When I finished getting ready and looked at the clock, it was almost 6 o’clock as promised.
“Is this going to be all right ……?”
I fidgeted and looked around the room, the sofa with its cushions, the flower-patterned paper napkins that Hina had said she liked, the indirect lighting with a little less brightness so she could relax – it was all for her.
Ding-dong.
My heart jumps at the sound of the doorbell ringing.
“Okay …… calm down me.”
I whisper to myself and head for the front door.
When I opened the door, there stood Hina, dressed in a pale pink one-piece dress.
She has a slight blush on her cheeks and a small bouquet of flowers in her hand.
Furthermore, she was holding a slightly larger bag in her hand.
“Hikarui-kun, I’m sorry to disturb you. I thought these …… would go with your room. ……’
The bouquet that Hina presented was a lovely arrangement of small white roses and pink carnations.
“Thank you, Hina. It looks really nice.”
Hikaru invited Hina into the room as he accepted the bouquet. The moment she sat down, the whole room felt a little more festive.
“Wow, it’s kind of calming.”
Hina smiled as she looked around the room.
It’s a simple but cosy space.
“Sit down, I’ll have your food ready in a minute.”
Hikaru went to the kitchen and began to bring the evening meal to the table.
Omelette rice, salad and consommé soup. thought I had prepared a menu that Hina would like.
“Happy birthday, Hina!”
“Thank you! Did you make this ……?”
“Yeah. I’ve been practicing a little lately. I can’t guarantee the taste, but…try it.”
Hina picked up a spoon and took a bite.
And she said with a smile.
“It’s really good! Hikaru, you really are a good cook.”
To these words, he only replied, a little embarrassed, ‘Well, it’s your birthday.”
As they ate, they talked and laughed about school and preparations for the festival.
Hikaru was a little relieved to see Hina’s smile, which was the same as usual.
We then laughed about casual topics.
Things that happened at school, episodes during the preparation for the festival.
Hina’s smile attracted Hikaru’s gaze and didn’t let go.
“Thank you for the food! It was very tasty!”
“Thank you!
Then, Hina, please close your eyes for a moment.”
When I said that, Hina closed her eyes with an excited look on her face.
After confirming that, I carried the homemade cake I had kept in the refrigerator onto the table and hid the birthday present behind me.
I light the cake candles with a lighter and turn off the lights in the room.
“You can open your eyes.”
At my words, Hina opens her eyes and says, ‘Wow!’ Her voice echoes.
“It’s amazing! It’s a cake!”
“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday Dear Hina~! Happy birthday to you!”
After I sang, Hina put out the candles with a puff of smoke.
I turn on the light while saying ‘Congratulations~!’
“Wow~ this looks delicious!
Did …… you make this?”
Hina asked me that, probably because the shape was a little distorted, but I obediently nodded.
“You’re doing great! let’s quickly eat it!”
Hurriedly, I cut it up onto a plate and Hina immediately takes a bite.
“Hnn~! It’s delicious~!”
“I practised, but this was the first time I’d done it for real, so I was honestly worried, but I’m …… glad you’re happy with it.”
“You practised …… and it’s amazing.
Thank you, really.”
Hina’s eyes were staring straight at Hikaru.
It seemed that her serious thoughts were reflected in her eyes, and Hikaru naturally averted his gaze.
After finishing their meal, they sat side by side on the sofa.
In Hina’s hand, she held the present she had just opened.
Inside was a small key case.
“Cute~! Thank you, Hikaru! I’ll take good care of it!”
Hina’s voice is trembling with happiness.
“I thought that colour would suit you, Hina.”
When I said that, Hina brought the key case next to her face and asked, “What do you think? Does it look good on me…?”
The sight of it was enough to destroy my heart.
“……, it looks really good on you, Hina.”
Hina’s cheeks reddened even more at Hikaru’s words.
A moment of silence fell between the two of them.
After that, they began to talk naturally as usual.
But somewhere in his heart, Hikaru wanted this time to last forever.
“It’s kind of strange for us to spend my birthday together like this.”
When Hina said those words with a laugh, Hikaru’s heart tightened a little.
“Is it strange ……? I think it’s a pretty good time for me.”
“Yeah, I too …….”
Hina’s words stopped mid-sentence.
She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end said nothing more.
As if to fill the silence, the sound of the wind shaking the leaves outside the window echoed quietly.
The night was deepening and the time for Hina to leave was approaching.
The two of us were sitting on the sofa side by side, talking and losing track of time.
“Is it okay if you don’t go home soon?”
When I asked her that, for some reason Hina hesitated a little and then gave me an answer that was far above my expectations.
“…… I don’t want to go home.”
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !