The case where I was gradually getting buried in the heavy love of my childhood friend who had miraculously recovered from their illness was perfect! - Chapter 13 : A Gift That Connects Us!

Since Rion and I live pretty close, it’s a piece of cake for us to walk back and forth to each other. We sync our schedules and unless we have other errands, Rion and I go to school together…

Back in elementary school, we were teased a bit because of this, but I never really minded not suggesting we go separately.

“I don’t mind. Do you dislike it, Nagi-kun?”

If she says that with so much confidence… Well, Rion having such unwavering determination is one thing, but from my perspective, dealing with a brat the same age is about the same… Now then, I should wrap up this reminiscence around here and get going.

“I’m heading out.”

“Take care. Be safe, okay?”

“Sure thing.”

Today is Monday… It’s Rion’s first day back at school after a long time. Even though it’s not about me, the tension I feel right now is truly intense… I should take a deep breath to calm myself down.

“Suu… haa…”

After taking a deep breath and settling my nerves, I headed to Rion’s house. When I arrived at her house, Rion was just coming out of the front door, and I made eye contact with Kurumi-san, who had come to see her off.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Nagi-kun.”

“Good morning, Nagisa-kun. Thanks for coming all the way.”

“No problem.”

It’s been about six months since I last picked her up like this… it felt like such a long time. Apparently, Kurumi-san had suggested driving Rion back and forth from the school for a while, but Rion firmly refused.

“I already told you, Mom. I want to return to our normal routine like this.”

“But, you see…”

“If something happens, I’ll contact you right away… okay?”

“…I understand.”

I could understand Kurumi-san’s feelings, and I agreed with her proposal. But Rion is stubborn in situations like this, and it seemed that not only Kurumi-san but also Takuma-san couldn’t say anything to her when she expressed her desire to return to the way things used to be.

“Kurumi-san, I’ll be by her side.”

“Nagisa-kun… I see. I’ll feel relieved if you’re with her!”

No matter what happens, it’ll be okay. Even if a random attacker appears… Well, I couldn’t say that, but still, my strong determination to protect Rion seemed to have gotten through to Kurumi-san.

Shortly after that, we set off for our school, with Kurumi-san seeing us off.

“…..”

“What’s wrong?”

Her presence had returned to the route to school where I had been alone for a long time… I was moved by that, but more than that, it was incredibly nostalgic to see Rion in her school uniform. I didn’t mean anything by it, but I ended up staring at her for quite a while.

“Uh… sorry. I haven’t seen Rion in her uniform in a while.”

“I see… I didn’t feel that way because I’ve been seeing you on your way back from school and when my friends came to visit.”

“I see.”

“But, when it comes to walking this road with you, I feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and joy like nothing else.”

“…..”

Rion, who said such a happy thing, had a huge impact on me. Thanks to her gazing pensively at the scenery around us, I could once again gaze back at Rion.

Her semi-long, silky black hair swaying in the wind, beautiful blue eyes filled with hope for the future, a captivating beauty that could enchant anyone, and a good figure that could be seen even through her blazer uniform… I don’t know how many times I’ve thought this way, but… I have never seen such a beautiful girl before in my life.

“Kuku… Hahaha!”

“W-What happened to you all of a sudden?”

“No, sorry… I couldn’t help but laugh.”

“…Did you hit your head somewhere? It’s not so much that it’s unpleasant, but it’s a little scary.”

I apologized once again. It’s true that if I suddenly burst into laughter, I’d get this kind of reaction… and the words Rion spoke to me were all in her natural style… but, well, I should honestly explain in a lighthearted manner.

“Well, I was happy about a lot of things.”

I said it honestly, but Rion didn’t seem to accept it.

“Is that true? I felt an indecent gaze on the way.”

“…..”

…Indeed, I do agree that her figure is perfect, and that I’ve never seen such a beautiful girl like her before in my life. Come to think of it… her intuitions are really sharp.

“Don’t laugh like that.”

“In reality, you were looking at me with that kind of gaze, weren’t you? So, isn’t it better to just laugh it off like this?”

“…You’re right.”

“See?”

It’s no good… I really can’t beat her. As I looked at Rion’s back while she walked ahead, I sighed, but I decided to accept it and opened up.

“Rion!”

“Yes?”

I have something I want to give her.

I caught up to Rion, who had stopped and turned around, and I swiftly took out a bag from my backpack.

“This is a present.”

“…Well now that came out of nowhere!”

Yeah… Well, it is quite sudden.

I could have given it to her after school, or maybe even in front of her house a while ago… but I wanted to make a bit of an impression and cherish the atmosphere.

I can’t say for sure if now is a good moment or the right atmosphere, but my intuition whispered to me that I should give it to her now.

“What’s this for?”

“Well, yesterday, after I dropped you off, I felt like going shopping. I had originally thought about preparing something for you to celebrate your discharge.”

Yes, this was something I bought yesterday.

I had been thinking about preparing something to celebrate Rion’s discharge, so I bought it on a whim during my shopping trip.

“Well… I was thinking maybe I should have given it to you after school or in front of your house a while ago. But if it’s okay with you, could you accept it now? It’s to celebrate your discharge.”

“…..?”

Rion stared at the presented gift bag and then at my face alternately.

She probably thought that the celebration of her discharge had already ended with the messages she had received when she stayed over at my house or before that. Too bad! It was me with absolutely no taste who chose a gift for Rion all by myself!

“Can I open it?”

“Yeah.”

Oh, it seems she’s willing to accept it.

Rion slowly reached out and took the bag, hesitantly opening it.

Fortunately, there was still plenty of time before he had to go to school, so I just watched her do it.

“Ah…”

From the bag, she gently took out a beret. It was a white beret with cute decorations that contrasted with Rion’s black hair.

“This… Nagi-kun, did you specially pick this for me?”

“Yeah… um, is it not to your liking?”

Seeing Rion’s stunned expression, I visibly panicked.

However, it was a needless worry. Rion gently hugged the beret against her chest and wore a smile more beautiful than I had ever seen on her face.

“Thank you… Thank you so much, Nagi-kun. I’m really, really happy.”

“…..”

It was the first gift I had ever chosen for someone of the opposite sex, and it seemed to have been a good one.

Embarrassed by Rion’s beaming smile, I scratched my head and averted my gaze.

Rion looked at me, her smile still there, and she promptly put on the beret.

“How does it look?”

“Woah…”

With just one addition – the beret – her appearance had changed dramatically, or so it seemed.

The way she turned around right there seemed to express her excitement.

I found it heartwarming, and I was even happier than the one who had received the gift.

“It looks really great on you.”

“Fufu~ That’s reassuring!”

I would probably never forget that smile she wore at that moment.

But… It would be a story for the future to say that this gift had become something she cherished so much that she never wanted to let it go, and that the beret became one of her trademarks.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : Zenon#4120