She is Reading My Thoughts Again Today

Christmas Day

After returning the books that I had borrowed the day before to the library, I went back to the classroom and spent some time talking with Kisaragi until it got dark. It was such a trivial topic that the next moment I forget what we were talking about and why we were laughing. I thought that it is really cute when Kisaragi laughed at my casual remark, she is also really adorable when she got embarrassed or pissed off while reading my mind, I intentionally repeated it several times just to see her reaction again. Why did we stay close to each other while I could just stay away or distance myself from her so that my thoughts won’t be read? The answer is obvious, but neither of mentioned it. The time passed and the sun has set in the west. The season has passed, and the sky has become a little more distant. Perhaps it’s because I was enjoying myself talking to her, or maybe it’s because it’s getting dark earlier this time of year, but the time spent waiting for the sun to set feels really short.

We walked out the classroom, went to the school gate and left the school together. The cold weather made me shiver. When I look at her, I noticed that she has sunk not only her neck, but also half of her face into her scarf. I was amused by her appearance, and when I told her so, she glared at me. I don’t understand why but the way she glared at me is very cute, and she looks even cuter when she looks up at me with half of her face covered by her scarf.

“Shut up.”

She said so and went ahead of me. I quickly catch up to her.

“Cute.”

“You don’t have to say it out loud!”

“Last time you said that it wasn’t fair for me to not say it out loud.”

“I have a different mindset now.”

“Are you upset because you’re being teased right now?”

“No, that’s not it!”

Her voice echoed down the dimly lit empty street. I can’t help but to let out a sigh of admiration. I didn’t expect to hear such a classic tsundere line in real life. She stopped for a moment at the sound of her own voice, then she began to move her feet again, she is walking faster than before. As I follow her footsteps, I gradually began to see lights. Then the lights eventually spread throughout the street, we finally arrive at the street where she said to be ‘illuminated’ in Christmas lights.

“Beautiful.”

Kisaragi said so with her sparkling eyes which shines brighter than the illuminated street.

“Yes, it is.”

The lights are shining throughout the entire street. There are also posters, signs and decorations celebrating Christmas, it’s more beautiful than I expected. As she is approaching the lights, she took a picture of them with her smartphone. It’s a very high school girl-like behaviour.

“You’re not going to take pictures of it?”

Kisaragi asked me while I’m looking at her.

“You can just send it to me later.”

“Ahh, well I’ll do my best to get some good shots!”

“Eh, hey.”

She ran off to find a good photo spot with her smartphone in her hand. The street isn’t very long, but it is more crowded than usual, making it harder to see her. I thought I was just making a light hearted suggestion, I didn’t expect her to be that motivated. Going through the crowd, I hurriedly walk into the direction she went. She is standing on the other side of the street. She seems to be cowering in a daze with her smartphone in her hand.

“Kisaragi.”

When I call out to her, she turns around with a slightly troubled look on her face.

“I won’t know how beautiful they are if I only see them through a photograph.”

A bunch of decorations caught my eyes. They are shiny and sparkling, but they aren’t spectacular. If anything, I think there’s a beauty that warms my heart when I see it.

“It’s best to see them right now in person.”

“It’s best to see them with the person you love, right?”

She said so without embarrassment. I can’t hide my surprise that she would say something like that on a street full of people. I quietly put my finger to my mouth and tell her to be quiet.

“Yes that’s true, but that is not something you talk about openly in public.”

“It’s a feeling I’m proud of, I don’t mind at all.”

It doesn’t seem to work.

“Don’t argue about it, and don’t run around too much. You’ll fall.”

She gazes at me as if she wants to complain about it.

“I’m not a middle schooler, so can you please stop telling me that? I’d be happier if you at least said something like ‘Don’t walk away from me’.”

She lowered and deepened her voice as best as she could, I think it sounded really familiar.

“…are you imitating the line from the popular commercial?”

She nodded with a big smile on her face.

“That’s right! I’m so glad you understood. I was a little upset when both Mikan-san and Yuma-kun said they didn’t understand.”

“What kind of conversation were you having with them?”

“Nothing much. More importantly, didn’t Hokuto-san say that he wants me to send him the photos I took?”

“Nope, it’s fine. If there are no good photos, I will take a photo of Kisaragi instead.”

“Please stop teasing me.”

“Okay. Okay I get it, please stop talking with that tone.”

“I’m angry, so I’m asking for a present.”

“Now?”

“Now.”

“Okay but…”

I took out a pretty wrapped present from my backpack, I thought I’m going to give it to her when the atmosphere feels right, but this is fine. Then I give it to her who seems to be expecting it.

“I don’t know if it can meet your expectations.”

As she is about to open the present, she stops, takes out a present from her backpack and give it to me. It is simply wrapped and a little bigger than her present.

“Let’s open it together.”

“Okay.”

Facing each other, we open each other’s presents. At first, I try to open the tape slowly, but I hear a tearing sound from her and I decided to give up myself. I just tear off the wrapping.

“A bracelet…?”

“Yes. A bracelet. Is this a book cover? I don’t use it much, but if you gave it to me, I’ll use it from now on. Thank you, Kisaragi.”

She stayed silent for a few seconds. Then I noticed that Kisaragi hasn’t moved her eyes from the bracelet.

“…Kisaragi?”

I waved my hand in front of her to check her consciousness, and after about five waves, she finally got back to herself with a gasp.

“Do you not like it?”

Furufuru. She shakes her head.

“No, I’m really surprised of how beautiful it is.”

“Ahh, is that so. Then I should thank the store clerk.”

“Thank you.”

As she said so, she puts the bracelet on her wrist. Kisaragi’s white wrist is now covered with the present I gave.

“Does it look good on me?”

She opens her hands to show me her wrist with the bracelet on it.

“Ahh, yeah.”

I can feel my heart gradually beats faster and faster. I feel like my head is going to filled up with happiness and embarrassment. Seeing my reaction, she laughs.

“Shall we hold hands?”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course.”

She holds out her hand towards me. The bracelet made a small sound. I can’t think straight anymore, my head is filled with mixed feelings of happiness and embarrassment. I take her hand and lightly squeeze them, they feel a little cold. I hold her hand carefully as if it would break if I squeeze them too hard. I carefully wrap my hand around hers. Then we go back to the street we came from.

“We have talked a lot since that day.”

She muttered so.

“Yeah, we have. We have been together a lot and we have done a lot of things together. I think I’ve probably spent most time of my life with you.”

When I look at her face, she is blushing in red. It even seems like there are tears in her eyes. She is looking at me.