Chapter 11: February — Valentine’s Day

“Tsumugi-san! It’s Valentine’s Day today!”
As she arrived at school and was about to change her shoes, she saw Shingo fidgeting nervously by the shoe lockers, looking like he had something to say.

“Yeah. So what about it?”
She changed into her indoor shoes with little interest.

“I bought this at the department store the other day.
They don’t have any shops in Japan, but they do pop-up sales only during the Valentine’s season.”
In Shingo’s hand was a small shopping bag from a famous brand—even Tsumugi had heard its name before.

“…Huh? Is it really okay? This looks expensive, doesn’t it?”
She had meant to refuse, yet her hand took it without thinking.

“I bought it because it’s for you, Tsumugi-san.”
“For the time being—this.”
What Tsumugi pulled from her bag was a small piece of chocolate you could buy at a casual candy shop.
“It’s the kind I hand out to everyone.
I’ll give you a proper one later—so just take this for now.”

“Thank you very much! Is it the real thing?”
“You should cut ties with anyone who gives that as their real one…
I’ll give you something in return, but it’s not the real one, got it? Just saying that first, though.”
Despite the sharp tone of her words, a faint smile found its way to Tsumugi’s lips.

After she’d finished getting ready for class in the classroom, Tsumugi suddenly thought—
…His presents always hit my tastes perfectly, don’t they…