Delivery Boy and Masked Girl - A delivery boy discovers the secret of a beautiful gal at his delivery destination. - Chapter 46: Scarf and Promise.

Scarf and Promise.

The Christmas party went on rather smoothly after that, with everyone eating cake, making fun of the TV specials, and making fun of Shizuki for being on the spot, and in the meantime, the curtain closed.

Looking back on it afterwards, it all seemed to have happened so fast.

Shizuki came to see me off at the bottom of the apartment building and had a smile on her face as if she was sorry to see me go.

“Bye, Shizuki-chan! I may not be able to play anymore this year, so have a nice New Year’s!”

“Oh, that’s right… Happy New Year, everyone.”

Come to think of it, is it time to say that line already?

With all that has been going on lately, and with Christmas and New Year’s coming up in the first place, it has completely slipped my mind.

Since the time was reasonably late, Haruomi had to drop Minai off again this time.

Perhaps it was because they had been through the same thing several times, or perhaps it was their personalities, but I have a feeling that the two of them have grown a little closer lately.

Even though I think so, perhaps I am right.

“See you later, Yuuga. Call me if something happens.”

“What do you mean, if something happens?”

“What if something happens, is what I mean. It’s a phrase.”

“…Well, okay.”

I didn’t know what he meant, but it wasn’t anything to get into, so I didn’t say anything more.

Haruomi probably just said it with a concern for me.

“Yuuga-chi, take care of the little fluffy bear!”

“Don’t call it little.”

“Then, Mr-Bear.”

“Now you’ve changed the gender.”

Laughing in a funny voice, Minai smacked the big bag I was carrying.

Even if I brought it home, I wouldn’t have a place to put it, nor would I want to.

I waved to them and parted ways with them in front of the apartment building.

I watched them walk away for a bit, and then I got back on my bicycle.

*Incoming call*

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, the phone in my pocket started buzzing.

It was not a text message, but an incoming call.

I rarely get calls on my phone, but who in the world would it be?

“…”

The screen showed “Shizuki Suiori.”

We had just parted just a few minutes ago.

Had I left something in her room by any chance?

“Hello?”

“H-Hello…? Hasumi-kun?”

“Yes?”

“Um… are you still around?”

“I just got on my bike. I was about to leave.”

“…Can you wait there for a minute then?”

“…Okay.”

Shizuki did not say what her business was.

But, well, I would find out soon enough anyway.

I parked my bicycle on the side of the road and waited for Shizuki to come down.

When Shizuki appeared, she bowed her head once and came running toward me.

I saw that she was holding a paper bag in her hand.

“I’m sorry, Hasumi-kun!”

“No… that’s fine, but what’s wrong?”

“…Ahh, I wanted to give you something.”

Saying so, Shizuki took something out of a paper bag.

It was a mens scarf.

“This is…”

“You see…! I thought If we were to exchange gifts, I might not be able to give something to you, Hasumi-kun, so…!”

“Oh..okay, I see… but why?” 

“I-I am most… grateful for your help and… I really wanted to… thank you for everything.”

“I see…”

Shizuki’s face was bright red.

Without looking at me, she turned her head down and offered me a scarf.

I took a deep breath and accepted it.

Since I was going to the trouble, I wrapped it around my neck right then and there.

I am grateful for the scarf because I am exposed to the cold wind when I ride my bicycle.

…But it wasn’t cold at all now.

“Thanks, Shizuki.”

“I-It’s fine….! I’m also… really.”

“…”

“…”

“It was really hard for me to give it to you when it’s only us.”

“….Well, yeah.”

“…Hasumi-kun”

“Hmm?”

Then Shizuki looked up quickly and vigorously.

Her lips were knit together as if she had made up her mind, and her moist eyes were shimmering.

“…Would you be willing to meet with me again over winter break?”

“…Ehh?”

“I have something important to tell you! I definitely want to talk to you about… something!”

Shizuki was about to start crying.

She clutched my hand as if clinging to me and looked straight at me.

An important talk.

I felt like I had no idea what it was, and I also felt like there was only one possible thing.

Either way, I knew what my answer would be.

“…Sure. I’ll contact you again.”

“…Yes~. Thank you so very much…!”

Shizuki smiled as if she was relieved from the bottom of her heart.

We waved goodbye to each other.

Shizuki and I had seen each other many times before.

But this may have been the first time we decided to meet to talk.