The Pure-Hearted Beauty Who Only Dotes on Me Despite Not Being in a Relationship—And How She Became Even Sweeter After We Started Dating - Chapter 65: When you feel lonely… think of it as me...

When you feel lonely… think of it as me…

As expected, the area around the station where the illuminations were displayed was crowded. We walked hand in hand through the throngs of people.

For Mizuki, who isn’t the type to go out much, places with so many people are probably not enjoyable.

“Mizuki, are you alright?”

“Well, if you ask if I’m alright, I’m not really. I’d like to take a little break.”

“Got it.”

I bought water from a vending machine and sat Mizuki down on a bench a little away from the station.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

She drank from the water bottle I handed her and took a short break.

“There really are a lot of people… Do you think you can go on? If not, it’s completely okay to say you can’t.”

“I’m okay. I want to see it with you, Ao-kun.”

“Understood.”

Even if it seems a bit reckless, if she says so, I want to make it happen for her.

After a short rest, we moved to the area where the illuminations were displayed.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah, it really is…”

I remembered seeing these illuminations in front of the station once when I was a child. At that time, I came with my mom and dad…

Feeling that the moment was just right, I took out the gift for her from my bag.

“Mizuki, Merry Christmas.”

“Ahhh, thank you.”

As she opened the gift, she murmured a small “how cute.”

The gift was a cat necklace. Knowing she liked cats, I thought this would be perfect when I found it in the store.

“Actually, I have a present for you too, Ao-kun, but can I give it to you on the 28th?”

“Sure, I’m looking forward to it.”

Three days later is Mizuki’s birthday. We plan to have a birthday party at Kana’s house.

“Um, can you help me put on the necklace?”

“Sure. Can you turn around?”

“Okay.”

She turned around, and I carefully fastened the necklace around her neck.

“How does it look?”

Turning back to face me, she asked if it suited her.

“It’s cute and looks great on you.”

Hearing that, Mizuki gazed at the necklace with a pleased smile.

“Ah, it’s snowing…”

“A white Christmas. Ao-kun, shall we take a photo to remember this moment?”

“Yeah, let’s do that…”

To capture the memory, Mizuki and I took a photo together. On the way home, it was very cold, and since neither of us had gloves, I held her hand until we reached her house.

***

“Happy Birthday, Mi-chan!”

“Congratulations, Mizuki-san.”

“Mizuki, happy birthday.”

December 28th. As planned, Mizuki’s birthday party was being held at Kana’s house.

“Thank you.”

“Here, a present. It’s a gift that will outshine Ao’s.”

Kana said this with a grin as she handed Mizuki a gift bag.

When did this become a competition for the best present?

“My gift is some cosmetics. You’re already very cute, but every girl should enjoy some makeup.”

“Thank you, Kana-san. I’ll definitely use it.”

Cosmetics, huh… That could have been a good choice. But knowing me, I’d probably have picked something that wasn’t quite right. I’m not very knowledgeable about cosmetics.

“And from me, it’s some fruit financiers. Hope you like them?”

“No, I love financiers. Thank you, Kouta-kun.”

Sweets… I had thought about that too but gave up because I wasn’t sure what Mizuki liked or didn’t like.

Not cosmetics, not sweets. So, what did I choose…

─────Two weeks earlier.

“Are you asking me?”

On a holiday, I visited her house and, as a reward for getting first place, Mizuki made a homemade meal for me.

“Yeah, is there something you want?”

I was thinking about what to give her for her birthday and asked if there was anything she wanted.

“Even if there’s nothing you want, is there something you’d like me to do for you?”

“Well, I’d like to spend a relaxing day at home with you, Ao-kun.”

“And anything else?”

“If we’re talking about things I want, then I could use some hand cream. I’ve been meaning to buy some but haven’t had the chance to go shopping.”

“I see…”

During this season, with the dry air, hand cream might be a good idea since it’s something she uses often.

“Are you talking about a birthday present?”

“Um… n-no, not really?”

My attempt to hide it was so clumsy that Mizuki gave me a long, knowing look.

“I feel like we had a similar conversation last year… or is that just my imagination?”

“N-no, it’s just your imagination. I was just asking casually.”

“Is that so? I don’t need a birthday present. Being with you, Ao-kun… that’s more than enough for me.”

She smiled happily, but I wanted to see her even more delighted. So, after enjoying Mizuki’s homemade meal, I went out to buy her birthday present.

“From me, it’s hand cream and… a teddy bear.”

As I handed the two gifts to Mizuki, Kana muttered quietly, “So that big package was the bear.”

“A teddy bear…”

Mizuki whispered as she gazed at the teddy bear.

(Did I mess up with the gift?)

“I’m sorry, this is so childish for you, Mizuki—”

“No, not at all! I’m very happy, thank you so much. Um, can I give you the Christmas present I mentioned now?”

“S-sure…”

Mizuki hugged the teddy bear tightly and went upstairs.

“She didn’t even put it down, she must be really happy. Good job, Ao.”

“Yeah, I’m relieved…”

While chatting with Kana and Kouta, Mizuki soon returned.

“Um, Ao-kun, you might not like this much, but here you go.”

She handed me a Christmas present.

“Oh wow, Mizuki got you a teddy bear too. You two are so in sync!”

Just as Kana said, the gift from Mizuki was also a teddy bear.

We hadn’t planned to buy matching gifts; it was a coincidence.

“Thank you, I’m really happy.”

Although we bought them from different places, the teddy bears were the same color. Having matching bears with her made me really happy.

“Alright, let’s move on to lunch!”

Kana opened the pizza boxes she had bought and began setting out plates.

“Mizuki, I’ll treasure this teddy bear too.”

“Yes. When you feel lonely… think of it as me… just kidding…”

“Got it. I’ll keep it in my room as a reminder of you.”

“Um, that was just a joke… but if you want to…”

Mizuki hugged the teddy bear tightly as she spoke.