Chapter 207

“I got birthday texts from everyone.” “Oh, that’s great.” Everyone else had given Amane the privilege of saying it in person to Mahiru, so the others had no choice but to text her if they wanted to wish her a happy birthday. Thinking about it, Amane did feel a little bit bad about stealing the privilege to celebrate Mahiru from their friends, but he also knew they all understood the situation when they left everything up to him, and Amane silently thanked his friends yet again. As payback, they were likely going to demand a play-by-play of the birthday and tease him about it on Monday, but he had already resigned himself and accepted that it was going to happen. Amane’s face stiffened a bit as he readied himself for what was waiting for him the next school day, but Mahiru didn’t seem to notice. She was wearing a sweet, gentle smile that was buoyant, earnest, and dreamy. “Yes…I am really happy. This is the first time I’ve had a birthday like that.” “Is it? It’s going to be an annual event now, so you’d better get used to it pretty quickly.” “…I wonder how long it will take before I get used to it?” “We’re doing it every year, so let me know once you do. I’m going to do my best to astonish you every year, though.” “…But I won’t know what to do if you make my heart pound too hard… My eyes got a little swollen today.” She sounded peevish as she said that, but instead of dissatisfaction, her voice had more of an uncertain, embarrassed ring to it. Sure enough, just as Mahiru said, the area around her eyes was a little puffy and red, but what caught his attention even more was the redness coloring her cheeks. “Did you not like it?” “Of course not…! It really reminded me of how blessed I am.” “Personally, I want to make you even happier, so I plan to add to it and update the celebration every year.” Thinking about what he had done so far, he felt like what he’d done still wasn’t enough, and if he was going to the trouble, Amane wanted to make her completely happy. So next time, he thought he would have to spend more time on it, researching Mahiru’s tastes and what she wanted and looking into things she might want to do. After that, he intended to spend the time up until Mahiru’s next birthday preparing everything he wanted. He didn’t know whether or not it would make her happy, but Amane wanted to make that vow to Mahiru. He wanted to make that important, once-in-a-lifetime promise. “Heh-heh. All right then, I’ll devote myself to you every day, in that case. Of course, I won’t overdo things!” “…Please try not to blow my mind.” “Too bad. Please look forward to next year.” “…You’d better look forward to it, too.” “Okay, I will.” “Mm, same here.” Amane knew they were getting ahead of themselves as they both confirmed their anticipation for next year’s birthdays. They looked right at each other at the same time. “…I can’t wait.” As he felt the warmth of those words coming from her lips, Amane stroked her slender ring finger. Mahiru didn’t seem to notice as she leaned all her weight against him and closed her eyes in pleasant comfort. She looked so sweet doing that, and Amane didn’t hesitate to close the distance between them again, until he was all she could see.