The Villain Who Got Pinned Down Until He Ran Out Of Stamina ~ This Time I Raised The Protagonist's Affection Too Much And Everyone Fell For Me~

Since I had chosen the lunch location, it was Hibari’s turn to pick the next place.

Time-wise, this would probably be our last stop.

The place Hibari chose was—

“A shopping mall, huh.”

We arrived at a shopping mall. And this place was…

‘Let’s buy everything we need for the forest school trip.’

‘I was stupid for being suspicious.’

It was the same shopping mall we had gone to before the forest school trip. Come to think of it, it was from that day that I had gradually started being able to read Hibari’s emotions.

“Is it unexpected?”

“I honestly thought you’d pick somewhere more flashy. Like an amusement park again.”

“Yes. The amusement park was fun too, but… this place somehow feels nostalgic.”

“I see.”

Looking around, I could understand the feeling of nostalgia.

Hibari also gazed around as if remembering that time. And her gaze… stopped at the accessory section.

‘Let’s go, Yuji-sama.’

‘Eh, wait… don’t you need to buy anything?’

‘No. I was just looking.’

That day, my shopping had been the priority, so despite her earnest looking, she had quickly left the store…

But today was Hibari’s chosen place, meaning Hibari’s preferred destinations came first.

“Should we check out the accessory section first?”

“Yes.”

Hibari nodded honestly.

◇◇

A few minutes after entering the accessory shop, when the number of female customers had thinned out, I decided to ask Hibari.

“By the way, which accessory were you looking at that day?”

If I was going to buy something, that accessory would be a candidate.

Hibari looked at me, then moved her head slightly to look around… and walked briskly in a diagonal direction. I followed her.

Then Hibari’s steps stopped precisely at a certain corner.

“The necklace I was looking at that day was this one.”

“Hmm, a necklace…”

I turned my gaze to the corner Hibari was looking at.

Simple-designed necklaces were lined up. The colors ranged from silver to colorful ones, quite a variety.

“There are so many types. Is there a particular necklace among these that catches your interest, Hibari?”

“For me, well… it would be this necklace.”

Hibari gently picked up a necklace and turned it toward me so I could see it better.

It was a simple-designed necklace with a small but beautifully sparkling crystal attached to the end of a thin chain.

“It would certainly suit your current casual outfit.”

I glanced sideways at Hibari. A cool sleeveless shirt and wide pants that showed off her long, beautiful legs. Her hair was in a short cut. For Hibari’s current refreshing appearance, this kind of simple-designed necklace would be perfect.

“Can I touch it and take a look too?”

“Please do.”

I received the necklace from Hibari. Looking closely, the parts around the crystal also had detailed designs, showing it was a quality piece. I deliberately didn’t look at the price. It would probably be fine. I’d have to rely on being wealthy here.

I headed toward the register while still holding the necklace—

“Please wait, Yuji-sama.”

Tug. Hibari grabbed my arm and my steps stopped. When I slowly looked toward Hibari… I locked eyes with Hibari who was giving me a pointed look.

“Yuji-sama. Are you going to the register?”

“Oh, yeah. Well… Have my thoughts been found out?”

“Yes. You’ve been fidgeting the whole time. You’re planning to buy the necklace I want, aren’t you?”

“…Yes.”

I nodded honestly.

My plan to casually pay and present it as a gift was apparently completely transparent. Of course, if I suddenly asked about the accessory she had been interested in before, then asked to handle women’s jewelry to get a better look, it would be predictable.

“Yuji-sama is surprisingly easy to read.”

“Eh, I’m easy to read?!”

I had thought my poker face was decent due to my intimidating appearance, but apparently not.

I decided to be honest about my feelings too.

“If you’re going to buy an accessory, couldn’t you let me present it as a gift to show my daily appreciation?”

Hibari took care of housework and personal matters for me every day. Even if it was part of her job, I wanted to express my gratitude, not just with words, but with something tangible.

I scratched my cheek, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“…Yuji-sama.”

Suddenly, Hibari’s doe, double-lidded eyes looked straight at me.

“I would feel bad always receiving things.”

“Hm? Isn’t this the first time I’m giving you a present?”

“No, not material things, but fun experiences and memories… Yuji-sama is quite dense about various things.”

“S-sorry…”

I apologized just in case. Earlier she had said I was easy to read, but now… Women’s hearts were complicated.

But I couldn’t back down here. If I did, Hibari would probably refrain from buying the necklace again out of consideration.

“How about we exchange gifts with each other?”

I suggested this. If we exchanged gifts mutually, there wouldn’t be any feeling of guilt.

“Men don’t usually wear much jewelry, from what I’ve seen.”

Hibari was right. Aside from wealthy men, most men didn’t wear accessories like necklaces, pendants, or earrings sold here. Most men would spend money on food or hobbies rather than accessories.

“It’s true I don’t wear much jewelry, but today’s memory would be reason enough to wear it, right?”

The main reason I didn’t wear accessories was that I couldn’t think of a reason to wear them myself. So I ended up spending money on other things.

But if that accessory was something given to me by someone, that alone would be reason enough to wear it.

When I showed a smile mixed with shyness, Hibari pressed her lips together tightly for some reason.

“Hibari?”

“…May I choose it? Your accessory?”

“Of course… I’d want you to choose it for me.”

“…I see.”

Hibari pressed her lips together tightly again. But then, as if releasing…

“I’ll say this myself, but I don’t have much experience choosing presents for other people. So don’t expect good taste. I might even choose a chunky chain necklace.”

“A chunky chain necklace might suit my appearance, but…! I’d prefer something normal!”

“So Yuji-sama prefers normal styles.”

“I think anyone would prefer normal…”

“Please don’t expect good taste from me.”

“There are still concerning elements even with normal styles?!”

Were there other accessories with blunt weapon or weapon-like qualities?

“It would be better to stop after all. I might make mistakes.”

Hibari said this regretfully, but I looked straight into her eyes.

“There’s no such thing as failure with presents, right? Besides, if you choose something thinking it suits me, I’ll happily wear it.”

“…I can’t match you, Yuji-sama.”

Hibari murmured and turned her body toward the accessory corner. I couldn’t see her face like this, but…

“Then shall we choose accessories that suit each other and exchange them as gifts?”