Chapter 54: How to choose a Present (1/2)

Amane was usually studious to begin with, and attentive in class, so he passed the exams without much effort.

He checked his answers with Mahiru, and found his score to be around the usual. Well, he had a good attitude at school, so he did not have to worry about retaining.

Itsuki too scored decent marks, and Chitose managed to avoid failing, so it seemed those Amane was well acquainted with were in no risk of repeating the year.

After their exams, they would be sending off the third years during their graduation, which he had nothing to do with. After that would be the closing ceremony…but before then, there was an event, a problem.

“…What do I repay her with?”

Yes, the returning gifts all the victors of Valentine’s Day would have to repay.

Leaving aside whether Amane was a winner, he naturally intended to repay Mahiru and Chitose after receiving gifts from them.

However, he was troubled as to what he should be giving.

For Chitose, he planned to buy the White Day package from the cake shop they bought from on Christmas, along with some collectable character goods.

The problem was Mahiru.

He felt Mahiru would be glad to receive anything from him.

She would gladly accept anything from Amane, and seemed to be more concerned about his feelings, not particularly fussy about what he would give.

Even if he did pick from her likes, he only knew she liked sweets and cute things, which most girls would. Thus, he was frustrated about what he should be giving her.

After all, the whetstone she mentioned the last time was out of the question as it would be pointless, and tight on his budget, but he was still wondering what to give. He would prefer to give her something to enjoy, rather than something practical to her.

So he thought as he wanted to the general store, looking at the White Day corner. Nevertheless, he could not figure out what she would really be happy with.

It would be great if the gift he gave this time would garner a similar reaction to the teddy bear the last time.

No point giving a doll twice.

There were lots of cute dolls, but there was a lack of variety giving two of the same items.

However, Amane’s poor imagination could only think of cosmetics and accessories as things girls would like.

He was unsure if they were close enough for him to choose an appropriately designed accessory for her.

At the very least, she would accept it, but he wondered if she would be delighted with it.

Of course, he felt that as boy and girl, they were on good terms…but he wondered if an accessory would make her happy.

It would be fine for Itsuki to give to Chitose, but a question mark Amane was to give it to Mahiru.

So he wandered around the special sales corner with a frustrated look, and might appear to be a suspicious fellow.

While he had changed into his outdoor clothing, it would be weird for a boy to be wandering around the cute goods.

He grumbled that nothing would fit, only to be approached from behind, “Is there something you are looking for?”

He turned back to find a lady of vague age wearing the shop’s apron, smiling and standing behind him.

She probably came to assist, seeing how Amane was being bothered. There was no other reason why she would approach such a suspicious looking person that was wandering around.

“Ahh, erm…I’m wondering what I should give for White Day.”

“Is there nothing that catches your fancy? People have chosen items from other areas here. I shall look for some.”

“Ah I don’t mean that…it’s just that I don’t know how to describe our relationship. I don’t know what I can give to not be hated.”

“In what sense?”

“She’s not a girlfriend, but rather close…like for example, I don’t know if she’ll be happy about receiving accessories from someone she might not like.”

His explanation was vague as it was embarrassing to do so, but the female clerk smiled upon hearing that, probably bemused by his worry.