Chapter 115:
Fateful Valentine’s Day ①
February 14th, Saturday.
The world was bustling for Valentine’s Day.
Until recently, I had nothing to do with it, but since January last year, the number of girls I knew suddenly increased, so I’ve gotten a few obligatory chocolates. Probably just as practice before giving the real one to Seiya, my true crush.
It felt like no time had passed since February 7th.
The next day, I enjoyed snowboarding at the hot springs and returned home at night.
The following day, Tsukiyo and I split up on the slopes, so we hadn’t really talked much since then.
She hadn’t come to club activities either, so until today, we hadn’t spoken outside of school.
“I want to tell you… all of my feelings.”
That’s what Tsukiyo said.
I’d never been confessed to, and I had never confessed either, so I wondered how I should even face her.
She said I could just listen… but it wasn’t that simple.
We were supposed to meet at the station at 1 PM today.
Last night, I got a confirmation message from Tsukiyo. She must have been preparing for this for the past week.
I couldn’t run from her resolve. I just had to let things happen as they would.
“Taiyo!”
My mom suddenly entered my room, looking flustered.
“Grandpa in the countryside collapsed!”
“Eh?”
It seems that ominous things always happen at times like this.
In the end, it wasn’t serious.
We had to rush to my grandparents’ house out of the prefecture, and the whole family hurried there, but it wasn’t a major illness. All the relatives were relieved.
That old man sure knows how to cause a fuss.
We considered staying overnight, but since Dad had work tomorrow, our family returned home today.
I had already sent a message to apologize to Tsukiyo. There was no way I could have anticipated this situation.
“From Seiya…”
I had a message from Seiya.
“Will you be coming back today?”
The day would probably not cross into night, but it would definitely be quite late.
Also, if possible, I asked him to tell Tsukiyo that even though it’s a day late, we could redo things tomorrow.
That should be fine.
On the way back in the car, I thought about how Tsukiyo must have been preparing for today all along. There was no way I could ask her about it.
11:30 PM.
We arrived at my parents’ house. What a hectic day. I was glad Dad was free to drive.
Next year, when I turn 18, I’ll get a license.
After parking the car, Dad, Mom, and my little sister went inside.
I blocked the entrance with the retractable rail and stepped out onto the street.
“Cold today too…”
I pulled the gloves Mom gave me for Christmas from my down coat pocket and put my hands in.
I wouldn’t need gloves just to go inside… but I thought, why not take a little walk?
“Ah-choo!”
Huh…?
A familiar sneeze.
I ran, rounding the side of the house… and there she was!
Tsukiyo, with chestnut hair and a delicate face, wrapped in the scarf I had sent her the other day, breathing out in the cold.
A mix of surprise, happiness, and longing welled up inside me. I couldn’t help but call out.
“Tsukiyo!”
“Ah…”
She noticed me and smiled. Usually her face would blush immediately, but today it was completely pale.
“Why are you here?”
“I heard from your brother that you’d be home late today, so I couldn’t help myself.”
So she came on her own.
But I hadn’t told her the actual time I’d return. That meant she had been waiting a long time in this February cold.
“How long have you been waiting?”
“Uh… since around 8 PM.”
“You waited three and a half hours?”
“I went to the bathroom and a convenience store in between, so not really that long!”
Even so… waiting in this cold… I removed my gloves and placed my hands on her cheeks.
“Brr!”
“Your face is freezing!”
“Jeez!”
Her cheeks were as cold as ice. I tried to warm them with my hands, and it worked—her cheeks flushed pink.
“By the way… I heard your grandpa collapsed. Is he okay?”
“Ah, yes. It wasn’t serious. They made a big fuss… it was really annoying for us.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
She really is a good girl, worrying about even my grandfather whom she doesn’t know.
I felt awful that I’d kept her waiting three hours in this winter cold. I wanted to do something for her.
“I was hesitating,” she said softly.
“I was waiting all along… I could hear the car and knew you were coming back, but I… couldn’t take the first step. And then you found me.”
Maybe I had a premonition. I had been outside because I wanted her to be waiting.
Such a selfish thought… but seeing her like this, I was genuinely happy.
Tsukiyo lifted the paper bag she was holding.
“Will you… accept it? My chocolate. It’s still the 14th, after all.”
