SCPK 82

Chapter 82

Tsukiyo and Christmas ②

The mall streets were gradually being decorated for Christmas.
Christmas trees were placed everywhere, and many of the store clerks wore Santa outfits.
Each floor had plenty of snow-themed decorations, adding to the seasonal atmosphere.

“There aren’t many people since it’s a weekday… but there are still a lot of students,”
“Families are out too. I guess everyone’s preparing for Christmas.”

It was a little scary to be seen holding hands with Tsukiyo by someone from our school.
Well, I’d just have to pray that no one notices.
The reason there were so many students was probably because today was the last day of classes. My school also finished by the morning.

Tsukiyo and I had come to buy presents for tonight’s Christmas party.
It was the classic gift exchange. In our group of ten, eight were girls. Even if Seiya ended up with someone, it would be better to get something feminine from the point of view of the Kannagi family.
It’d be best not to overlap gifts… but cosmetics or perfume might be too much.

“Tsukiyo, what’s Seiya planning to buy? He said he’d work his part-time job until the last minute, right?”
“My older brother is making a hand-knitted scarf. He’s been preparing it in the home economics club.”
“True to his frugal nature.”

But Seiya’s handmade gift would surely be a big deal for the harem girls. He’s skilled, so it should be a nice scarf.
Tsukiyo and I entered a general goods store.

“Should I go for something funny… or pick something serious? Hard to decide,”
“Well, since we don’t know who will get it in the end, I think you should just go with whatever you like.”

We browsed together, discussing this and that. It felt reassuring to choose alongside someone. Combining my ideas with Tsukiyo’s let us pick something ideal.
Alright, this is it.

Purchase complete!
I think we managed to choose something pretty good.

We moved to the rest area of the mall.
Since we already knew what each other had bought, the conversation naturally turned to gifts.

“Taiyo-san got a teddy bear, right? So cute~”

The one I bought was a famous series’ teddy bear. Classics like this are always a hit. I remembered Hojo-san mentioning she had a room full of stuffed animals.
Come to think of it, Tsukiyo’s room had a lot of plush toys too. Mostly from arcade machines, but she probably just liked them. Next time… I should get her one.

“If I get a plush at the arcade next time, I’ll give it to you,”
“Really?! Yay!”
“And I want a photo of you hugging it,”
“…so that’s the real purpose, huh?”

A cute girl hugging a plush—what could be more adorable? I wondered what scenes would make Tsukiyo look best in a photo. I already had plenty of outfit photos, so props were the next step. I’d definitely photograph her in today’s outfit too.

“Tsukiyo wants a preserved plant, right?”
“Yes, I’ve wanted one~. You must get it for me, please.”

By meaning, it’s a botanical specimen, right? An ornamental plant inside glass for decoration.
Tsukiyo seemed like she’d like something like that.
The party would start at 6 PM at Kudou-san’s house… so we’d need to leave by around 5 PM.
It was 3:30 PM now… so now was the perfect time.

“Tsukiyo, can I…?”
“Yes?”

She wore her usual gentle smile. Always smiling, truly wonderful…
Wait, no time to get lost in that. I took a wrapped item from my bag.

“I think now’s the only chance to give it to you. This is your Christmas present,”
“Eh!? F-for me?”

She looked genuinely surprised. Indeed, the timing and place weren’t ideal.
But if not today, it wouldn’t make sense. I handed it to her.

“I’m so happy… really happy!”
“Go ahead, open it.”

Tsukiyo carefully unwrapped the package and pulled out the item. Surely she’d be pleased; this was something she had wanted for a long time.

“The first edition of The Princess Dances Toward the Sky Volume 1…”
“I found it. I searched everywhere~”

Tsukiyo had read this novel until it wore out. Only the first edition of Volume 1 had different content, making it a premium copy.
Normally it would cost over ten thousand yen online… but miraculously, I found a secondhand shop selling it at a normal price. What a steal.

Tsukiyo stared at the book, then looked up at me, and jumped into my chest.

“Whoa!”
“Taiyo-san! This is amazing. I’ve been thinking about buying it for a long time…”

Tsukiyo buried her face in my chest. I lightly patted her smooth chestnut hair, careful not to hug too tightly.
I was just happy she was pleased. Books belong with the people who want them.
I held her shoulders and gently released her. She tearfully clutched the book, smiling at the camera.
She looked beautiful, and with today’s outfit, she looked absolutely perfect.

After taking photos, Tsukiyo pulled out a wrapped paper bag from her bag.

“I was going to give this later… but could you accept it?”

A Christmas present in return from Tsukiyo! I was delighted. I unwrapped it and pulled out the contents.

“Gloves!”

She had lost one before, and I’d been wondering what to do.
And… these were hand-knitted! I immediately tried them on.

“Wow… even the initials are there.”
“You looked cold, so I made them. Do they fit?”
“They fit, they fit! They’re so warm, thank you!”

Tsukiyo shrank her body happily. So warm… this was the first time I’d ever received hand-knitted gloves.

“I’ve never made anything for my brother either… um, you, Taiyo-san, are the first,”
“Gufuh.”

Her cheeks were red, and she covered her face with her hands. You could tell she was embarrassed.
What a cute girl. I almost got a nosebleed from how endearing she was.

“Don’t lose them!”
“I-I’ll try my best.”

I need to think of a way not to lose them… or Tsukiyo might not forgive me.
I left the gloves on as she took photos with her smartphone… her happy face healing me once again.

“Shall we take a slight detour to the nature park?”
“Ah…”