Chapter 202

“You got me, huh? I got them to do some casual research for this one… They were very enthusiastic once I told them it was to make you happy.” Chitose’s enthusiasm in particular had been incredible. She had managed to ask Mahiru about all sorts of things in a nonchalant and spontaneous way and had gotten Amane the information he’d needed. Chitose had been happy to do it because it was for Mahiru, and since Mahiru had also known Amane was planning something for her, Chitose’s questions didn’t raise any alarms. Amane almost felt like he’d hired a private detective. Skillfully bypassing someone’s defenses and gaining their trust was Chitose’s specialty and something he respected her for, because he couldn’t have learned to do it even if he wanted to. “I know not everybody particularly likes fresh flowers, but if I’m not mistaken, you have a vase in your entryway, right? I’ve seen it occasionally when I’ve gone over to get you, so I figured you must like them.” “I’m impressed you noticed.” “I mean, you are my girlfriend…” It occurred to Amane that he probably ought to know her favorite flowers, but for the time being, Mahiru would have to forgive his ignorance. He had wanted to give her a bouquet she would love, so he had to investigate his options based on the available flowers, which changed with every season. When he looked at Mahiru, wondering whether she actually liked the flowers, he saw her delicately cradling the bouquet in her arms, holding it close to her chest so as to not crush it, with a bit of a frown on her face. “…These are so wonderful. It feels like a waste that they’ll dry out someday.” “Well, I’ve also included some silica gel so that you can properly dry out the flowers and preserve them, my lady.” “Heh-heh, you really thought of everything, didn’t you?” “That’s because I want you to be able to enjoy them as long as possible, Mahiru. Dry flowers might also crumble someday, but until then, I want them to delight you.” “Thank you so much. I love them when they’re vibrant like this, and I can’t wait to see them when they’re preserved, too… Every time I look at them, I’ll think of you, Amane.” “That makes me so happy.” “…Even when I’m at home, I’ll remember that I have you by my side.” Mahiru whispered in a sweet tone, and Amane pressed his lips tightly together and put his hand over his heart, which had begun leaping furiously. As her boyfriend, it filled him with joy to hear her say she would think of him whenever she looked at something he had given her. Hearing the recipient herself say that also made him feel uneasy, and he scratched his cheek in embarrassment. Looking at Mahiru staring spellbound at her bouquet and embracing it with great care, Amane felt a tantalizing surge of impatience in his lips. “…I’m glad you’re happy with it. All right then, I’ve also made dinner, so I’ll go get it ready!” Giving the excuse that he had to keep things rolling, Amane stood up, and Mahiru, still holding the bouquet, smiled after him. Even though the distance was only a matter of several meters, being away from Mahiru allowed Amane to somehow get his violently pounding heart back under control. He plated the meal he had prepared and brought everything over to the table. Amane knew the smell had probably tipped Mahiru off to what he had made her and that it was nothing novel or surprising. But since this was ultimately to celebrate Mahiru and show his appreciation for her, he had figured a familiar flavor would be the best choice. The meal was centered around Japanese dishes, with a largely western Japanese flavor—a choice he had deliberately made because Mahiru didn’t care too much for strong flavors or unusual ingredients. Amane smiled at Mahiru, who had come to the table, and took a seat in his usual chair. “On my birthday,” he said, “you went all out to make me an incredible meal, so this time, it’s my turn.” Although his cooking skills were a far cry from Mahiru’s, he was confident he had managed to pack the table with her favorite dishes. Mahiru would eat anything, and there weren’t any particular foods she hated, but naturally, she had a preference for certain flavors. Overall, she had a gentle, refined palate. To be more specific, she preferred foods that were light on seasonings and let the flavors of the ingredients—and maybe some dashi—come through. Achieving that delicate flavor profile was more difficult than making robustly flavored dishes. Foods with strong flavors allowed for more adjustments and had the advantage of letting the cook hide mistakes, but foods with subtle seasonings did not. Bringing out the flavors of the ingredients and enjoying those flavors as they were were completely different matters, and each ingredient required a different method of cooking and seasoning. It had been a long road to mastering the types of flavors Mahiru liked. Still, I want to perfect my skills in the future. As her partner, Amane felt like he ought to be able to prepare the dishes she loved. Even more so because Mahiru knew how to make all of Amane’s favorite dishes perfectly. Amane was quietly ashamed of his own inadequacy. He felt sure that even though he had managed to make a delicious meal this time, his devotion was still somehow not enough. Mahiru intently observed Amane’s expressions. “…It’s delicious.” With polite movements, Mahiru lifted her bowl to her mouth and drank some of the clear soup. Her face gently melted into a smile, and she let out a sigh. When making the dashi, Amane had precisely followed, step-by-step, the method Mahiru had been so particular about teaching him. The flavor should have been exactly to her tastes. The soup seemed to live up to her expectations, and keeping that gentle smile, she moved on to the rest of the meal. “I’m glad it seems to suit your tastes. To be honest, I was really nervous.” “I know I sometimes point out things you could improve on your cooking, but I don’t think I’ve ever said I was dissatisfied with it.” “Yeah, I know, but…well, that’s different than me being anxious about my cooking making you happy,” he grumbled as he used his chopsticks to split a piece of boiled daikon radish stuffed with shrimp paste. “That may be true, but…” he heard her say, sounding discontented for some reason. “…Amane, your cooking skills have improved dramatically without you even noticing it.” “In my case, all I’ve done is gone from negative numbers to level fifty, at best, but there’s still a huge gap when you’re at like level one or two hundred—there’s no way I could ever catch up.” “It would be embarrassing for me if you caught up to me that easily.” “I doubt I could, even if I tried my whole life. Regardless, to me, your cooking is the best there is, so my own skills are kind of irrelevant. Be that as it may, I’ll do my best to learn all your favorites.” “…So you keep saying.” “You don’t think it’s too late for me?” “Geez.” Her remark wasn’t a reproachful one. It meant “There you go again.” Amane could easily tell because they had been together a long time. It came from a place of happiness more than anything. Amane grinned. Mahiru looked dazzled, and her lips wriggled and squirmed as she said, “Really, Amane, you…” Then she averted her eyes, like it was still too bright. “Thank you for dinner.” “My pleasure.” The two of them finished eating dinner, which had been a little on the light side, in no time at all. It wasn’t necessarily the case that Mahiru’s appetite was too small, but considering what he had waiting for them after dinner, Amane knew that if he offered too much, Mahiru wouldn’t be able to finish everything, so he had kept the portions small in a way that wouldn’t be noticed. He had chosen to make Japanese food because Mahiru liked it, but also because with all the small bowls and garnishes, he could adjust the quantities without affecting the overall presentation, and Mahiru seemed none the wiser. Amane told Mahiru he was going to handle cleanup and ushered the guest of honor to the sofa. But it was possible she wanted to help, because she seemed a little unhappy with that, and after Amane came back from washing up, she mumbled quietly to him, “…I never expected you to do so much for my birthday.” “If it’s for the person I love, then I don’t mind pulling out all the stops. And aren’t you the same way, Mahiru?” “Hmm. Y-yes, but—” “Well, if anything, it’s something I wanted to do, so maybe it’s not entirely for your sake.” Ultimately, Amane had pushed forward with everything for his own satisfaction, so he wasn’t really sure if there was a clear-cut way to say he had done it all for Mahiru. “I did this all of my own volition, I guess you could say.” “…That does sound like something you would do, geez.” Mahiru gave Amane a light, critical smack on the upper arm, and her lips formed a complicated smile. It all at once conveyed her annoyance at Amane’s unyielding attitude, her resignation in the face of that, and her joy. “…But today made me really happy. All of this…” “Ah, wait here a second, would you?” “Sure?” Mahiru’s eyes went wide with surprise when he interrupted her, but there was no way he was going to stop there. “You’re acting like we’re all finished, but I actually have more planned. Your birthday isn’t over yet, is it?” He could hear the confusion in Mahiru’s voice, but as far as Amane was concerned, the main event of her celebration was still to come. It hadn’t taken him almost an entire month just to prepare the room decorations, the bouquet, and the homemade dinner. Amane wanted to make Mahiru really happy, and he had gone to great lengths running around and enlisting their friends for help. He had yet to show her the grand result of all that effort. The unassuming Mahiru looked completely satisfied already, but Amane wanted to fill her day with lots of happiness, enough to wash away that reserve of hers. “Would you close your eyes one more time?” If she was looking, Mahiru wouldn’t be as surprised, so Amane made that request for the second time that day, and she squeezed her eyes tightly shut and tilted her face upward. She looked nervous. It seemed less like she was obediently following what Amane said and standing by and more like she was anticipating something coming to her. She definitely seemed to be expecting something. It was overwhelmingly cute, and Amane had to put his hand over his face to hide how badly he was blushing. Of course, Mahiru couldn’t see him, so there was no need to hide, but seeing his girlfriend waiting for him like that was undeniably charming. “…Sorry, this time, I’m not planning on just giving you a kiss,” he whispered softly into her ear. It would have been mean to crush her expectations after she had opened her eyes. Mahiru’s caramel-colored eyes suddenly appeared as her pale eyelids shot open, and she focused on Amane. Then, obviously blushing, Mahiru called him “Dummy, dummy!” in an adorable pouting voice and thumped him on the chest in time with her words. Amane, who felt like he was being used as a taiko drum or something, felt himself starting to grin again at how cute Mahiru was, but he knew if he let his amusement show, Mahiru’s percussive performance was liable to get even more intense, so he had to bite the inside of his cheek to resist. “Ow, ow, I said I was sorry…! There’s something else I want to show you, so I needed your eyes closed.” “…Tell me what it is already.” “Sorry, I said.”