Chapter 34: Angel and the Christmas Present (2/2)
Well, it’s not a big deal.
She opened the box, and slowly retrieved a leather key case.
She would be troubled if he gave her an expensive item, so he did not choose a branded item, merely an item with a simple design, befitting Mahiru.
It was a simple item engraved with flowers and vines, one designed to be suitable for daily use. He was unfamiliar with flowers, and did not know what was engraved, but once he saw the fine shapes, he felt it would fit Mahiru, and chose it.
“Well, I gave you an extra key. You don’t have to use this though.”
“No, I will gracious use this. You have keener eyesight than I expected, Amane-kun.”
“What do you mean, expected.”
“You normally wear a sweatshirt and jerseys, so I thought you have some problems with your fashion sense.”
“I don’t have any other practical clothing.”
After all, he never got a chance to show himself being dressed up, and he would avoid doing so given how much of a hassle it was. Thus, the only modes he had been in were in school uniform, and in the warm house.
Thus, he might have given her a horrid impression of his fashion sense, but it would not be erased, for it really was terrible.
“…You look handsome when you tidy up a little. You did that back when you were in middle school, Amane-kun.”
“Mom forced me to…wait, how did you know?”
“Shihoko-san sent me a photo, saying『he looks like this when he dolls up a little』…”
“Damn her.”
There was a moment when he was forced to wear outdoor clothing because of his mom’s work. He never expected her to leak the photo, and quietly harbored loads of complaints towards her.
“…That dress up doesn’t suit me.”
“Is that so? I think you are just avoiding other people’s stares and hiding your eyes behind your bangs, Amane-kun, but your face is relatively handsome…”
Her little hand extended towards Amane’s face.
Her white palm lifted his bangs, and touched his forehead, his vision made wider than before.
It had been a while since his vision was so vast, except when entering the bath. His eyes looked towards Mahiru, who looked a little shocked.
He felt it was not something worth being shocked about, and while not particularly handsome, he had an ordinary face. He was thus incredulous as to why Mahiru was staring at him.
“…What?”
“Nothing. I just find your eyes livelier than before.”
Months ago, Mahiru said that his eyes looked dead, and while it really was rude, he could not deny that. At this point, she was staring up at Amane.
There was no way he was becoming any handsome the more she stared, but she continued to stare at Amane silently.
He was abashed to be stared at by someone of the opposite gender, especially a really pretty girl.
However, he was not one to take his punishment alone, and as payback, he grabbed some of the sidelong hair on her cheek, showing her pretty face.
While he was apprehensive about touching her, since she touched his hair without thinking, he should be fine. After all, he was just touching her head, and he hoped he was safe.
But seriously, she’s really a beauty.
Looking at her once again, he was amazed by how beautiful Mahiru was.
She might be far prettier than the pretty ladies in the magazines scattered around his house, more attractive even.
After all, photos could not be trusted.
They merely captured moments, and could be enhanced. One could publish it as it was, beautify it, or even falsify it.
At this point, Mahiru’s beauty and cuteness was undoctored.
As he continued to stare at this pretty face he would not get tired of, her eyes started to blur.
Why so? So he wondered, but she removed her hand from his hair, and looked down.
She fidgeted about, looking very uncomfortable. She put her controller down, and lifted the cushion next to her.
“Erm. Well…yes. I too have a Christmas present for you.”
“O-oh, thanks.”
Before he could ask what was going on, Mahiru took out a wrapped item from the bag she covered by the side.
“I shall prepare, dinner then.”
“Eh? A-ah okay…?”
So she said, and hurried to stand up. Faced with this overly rapid development, he was at a loss.