Chapter 30 A Christmas for Two
#Sareta OtokoA Christmas for Two
My university classes run through December 28, so I have to go to school on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And because I was asked to work the evening shift at my part-time job, I was able to take a day off on Christmas.
So on the morning of the 25th, before going to campus, I decided to go to Iroha-san’s apartment to pick her up and give her a Christmas present.
I went shopping alone, and after much deliberation at a general merchandise store, I decided on two things: an apron and a bookmark.
I couldn’t decide on just one.
The apron was a simple design with a solid orange color and ruffles, but I thought it was cute.
The bookmark had a slightly unusual design made of wood, and it looked stylish.
Together, they cost about 5,000 yen. I also considered more expensive accessories, but I didn’t know what would suit Iroha-san’s taste or image, so I chose things I thought she might like.
I wonder if she’ll like it.
I wonder if she’ll be happy.
I hope she’ll use it.
When I chose it in the store, I thought, “Iroha-san will be happy!” but just before I gave it to her, I started to worry.
Oh well.
If she says she doesn’t want it, I’ll take it back and use it myself.
Although I don’t think Iroha-san would say that.
As expected for Christmas, the morning was cold in this area, and my breath turned white.
Standing in front of the entrance to Iroha-san’s room, I rang the doorbell as usual.
After hearing [Yes~], the door opened, and Iroha-san greeted me.
“Good morning, Iroha-san!”
“Good morning, Taichi-kun. It was cold, wasn’t it? I’ll make some coffee, so come on in.”
I quickly walked in to get out of the cold and closed the door, taking the present wrapped in green and red ribbons out of my backpack before taking off my shoes and offering them to Iroha-san.
“Merry Christmas! This is a Christmas present for you!”
“Eh, for me???”
“Of course!”
“Can I really have it?”
“I know it’s nothing compared to what you’ve done for me, but I wanted to thank you for always taking care of me.”
“Thank you. I’m really happy.”
Iroha-san smiled and accepted the present, looking a little embarrassed.
“If you don’t like it, you can return it.”
“Don’t say that! I’ll treasure it!”
Iroha-san hugged the gift I gave her with both hands and scolded me playfully as usual.
Even when she’s angry, Iroha-san is still cute.
“Come in, the heat is on.”
“Got it!”
I entered the room and sat down in my usual place while Iroha-san placed the present I gave her on the low table in front of her and went to the kitchen to make coffee.
As I looked at the wrapped present that she hadn’t opened yet, I was a little worried, thinking, “I hope she’ll open it before she goes to campus.” Just then, Iroha-san returned with two cups and a green-wrapped package on a tray.
She put the cups on the table and sat down next to me with the package.
“I prepared something too, but I’m worried if you’ll like it….”
“Eh!? For me too!?”
“Yes. This is the first time I’ve given a present to a boy, so I really struggled and finally chose something very ordinary….”
“Thank you! I’m so happy!”
“But it’s really something ordinary.”
“Can I open it?”
“Yes. I’ll open mine too.”
“Let’s open it together.”
As I carefully peeled off the tape and opened the package, I found that it was an orange and white checkered muffler.
“Oh, it’s a muffler.”
I spread it out and saw that it was quite large, probably for men, and it looked warm.
“The apron is really cute. Hey, what’s the other package?”
“Yeah, open that one too.”
“It’s a wooden bookmark.”
“Yeah. I thought it was stylish and that Iroha-san would like it.”
“…”
Worried about Iroha-san’s reaction, I wrapped the muffler around my neck and watched her expression. Iroha-san stared at the bookmark and the apron, frozen.
“Didn’t you like it?”
I asked worriedly, and she shook her head vigorously.
“Oh, that’s good, that’s good.”
Seeing that she didn’t seem to dislike it, I was relieved and wrapped the muffler around my neck, then reached for the cup on the table. Iroha-san grabbed my hand with both of hers.
“Eh!? What’s wrong!?”
Surprised, I turned to Iroha-san, who was still holding my hand and staring straight at me, talking excitedly at a fast pace.
“Thank you! It’s so beautiful! It must’ve been expensive, right? I saw it in a general merchandise store and thought about buying it, but I gave up when I saw the price! 2,000 yen for a bookmark is expensive, right? So I gave up, but I’m so, so happy! Thank you so much! I’ll treasure it!”
“Oh, really? I didn’t think you’d like it so much, so I’m happy too.”
I couldn’t believe that Iroha-san actually wanted such a small item and that I happened to guess right. I was amazed.
Is this the power of love?
“Yes! I’ll treasure the apron too!”
“Yes, I’ll start using the muffler today. Thank you.”
“Oh, what do you think of the color? I was wondering if it was a little too bright, but I chose it based on your image.”
“Oh, my image is orange? Or rather, the apron I chose was orange, too, right? I thought it would match Iroha-san, but it turned out to be the same.”
“Yes, it was the same.” Ufufu.
After that, as usual, we held hands and walked to the university, attended classes together, ate lunch in the cafeteria with other friends, attended afternoon classes together, and after finishing all classes for the day, we left the university together, holding hands, and walked to the nearby supermarket. After shopping, we returned to Iroha-san’s room.
When we entered the room, we washed our hands and rinsed our mouths, and then began to prepare dinner.
I helped cook this day.
The menu was cream stew and teriyaki chicken.
Iroha-san immediately put on the orange apron I gave her, so I borrowed the one she usually uses.
While I was peeling potatoes with a knife, she praised me, saying, “Taichi-kun, you said you weren’t good at cooking, but you peel potatoes very well, and you’re good with a knife!”
“Is that so? I’ve been making curry a lot since I’ve been living alone. I’ve gotten used to it.”
“When you live alone, you can do things you were bad at before. I was bad at cleaning and ironing too, but now I’m a little better at them.”
“Iroha-san, are there things you’re not good at? You don’t seem like it.”
“Really? Oh, shall I go to your room and clean it next time? You don’t clean your room very often, do you?”
“No, no, no, I clean it myself.”
“That’s right. Why don’t you spend next winter break at your place instead of mine? I’ll help you clean, and we can have New Year’s soba together on New Year’s Eve.”
New Year’s Eve with Iroha-san.
I stopped peeling the potatoes and turned to look at Iroha, who was sitting next to me. Iroha looked up at me and said, “Eh?”
“Yes. Let’s spend the winter holidays and New Year’s together. Last year, I was so busy studying for the entrance exams that I didn’t have time for New Year’s Eve. I want to have a good time this year.”
“Yes! Then I’ll go to your place next time.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Last year I was cooped up in my room at home just studying.
But this year, thanks to Iroha-san, I’ll be able to have a good time.