Episode 198: Birthstone

Like a sprint right out of the blocks, the talk session began with Nishikawa-san’s scream. The conversation shifted toward my part-time job, mixed in with everyone catching up on recent events. Since Todo-san was the one who helped me out the most this time, she naturally knew the most about my work.

Todo:「Honestly, I really wanted him to stop that job. He was always so tired and looked sleepy, and he wouldn’t stop even though his right hand was injured.」

It’s rare to hear Todo-san speak with such a complaining tone, though I’m sure she isn’t actually angry. I know she’s just that worried about me, but being told that makes me feel a bit small, as if I’m being scolded…

Natsumi:「Now, now, Todo-san. That’s just a boy’s cute stubbornness.」

Nishikawa:「True. It’s only natural to want to make someone happy even if you have to be a bit reckless. Personally, I believe a woman’s role is to accept those feelings and heal him once it’s all over.」

With Natsumi-senpai and Nishikawa-san stepping in to follow up, it looked like the conversation would settle down safely.

Natsumi:「Eh!? Eri-rin, you actually understand that?」

Nishikawa:「What is that supposed to mean?」

Actually, Nishikawa-san snapped at Natsumi-senpai’s unnecessary comment, so the conversation might be heading in a different direction now.

By the way, I’m currently in the middle of having my right hand treated. I told Sara-san it could wait until after the party, but…

Sara:「Thinking that I noticed yet could do nothing for you… it was truly painful for me…」

When she said that looking like she was about to cry, I couldn’t say anything but 「please.」

Before starting the treatment, she carefully checked the state of my hand with a pained expression, gently stroking the area where the blisters had already popped… it was a bit ticklish.

Sara:「Doing this much for my sake… Kazunari-san, I will treat this injury every day until it’s completely healed, okay?」

To be honest, I thought I’d just leave it alone once it settled down, but if that’s what it takes to satisfy her, I guess I should just let her do as she likes.

Chu…

!?

Before I could even process what she was thinking, Sara-san brought her face close to my right hand and kissed my palm. The unexpected sensation felt ticklish, making me reflexively shiver.

Nishikawa:「Sa-Sara!? What do you think you’re doing?」

Sara:「Eh? Oh, well… when I think about how this injury happened for my sake, I just find it so precious…」

Sara-san looked startled for a moment as if she’d done it unconsciously after Nishikawa-san pointed it out. For me, if she feels that way, then all that hard work was worth it.

Natsumi:「See, Todo-san? These two will find a reason to flirt over anything, so there’s no need to worry.」

Todo:「Ahaha… well, I’m glad everything worked out. And then there’s the pendant that Takanashi-kun gave as a present? Satsukawa-senpai, I want to see it!」

Todo-san, who had been giving a wry smile while watching Sara-san hold my hand dearly, finally noticed the pendant.

Natsumi:「Oh right, I was curious about that too. Sara, let us see it for a bit.」

Hanako:「Ah, I want to see it too.」

Tachikawa:「Yes, yes, me too!」

Nishikawa:「Then I shall…」

In the end, surrounded and begged by all the girls, Sara-san removed the pendant from her neck with a slightly troubled face. She laid her own handkerchief on the table first, then gently placed the pendant on top of it.

Sara:「If possible, please don’t touch it too much. This is my greatest treasure…」

Even without seeing her face, I could tell from her tone that she really didn’t want others touching it. When I realize she thinks of it that highly, a smile naturally spreads across my face…

Nishikawa:「For now, leave it to me.」

Nishikawa-san pulled out a handkerchief and picked up the pendant, wrapping it carefully. I see… that way she doesn’t have to touch it directly. Since she didn’t hesitate, she’s probably used to this. Nishikawa-san held it on her palm without direct contact and raised it to eye level so everyone could see.

Hanako:「Heh… this locket has some solid engraving. Is this… a gemstone?」

Tachikawa:「Takanashi-kun, is this a completely custom order?」

Kazunari:「Yeah, it is.」

Following Nishikawa-san’s lead, Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san pulled out their own handkerchiefs. They began moving the pendant around to check the whole thing while being careful not to touch it directly. Of course, it was a custom order.

Nishikawa:「Forgive me. Let me see it for a moment… Ah, this is a sapphire. Sara’s birthstone is… wait, a sapphire? Um, Takanashi-san, this doesn’t have any other meaning, does it?」

Nishikawa-san’s expression suddenly twisted into a twitch. Another meaning? What is she talking about?

Kazunari:「Another meaning?」

Nishikawa:「Ah, no, no. Sorry, it’s nothing… (I’m definitely overthinking this…)」

Kazunari:「?」

I have a rough idea about sapphires since I saw them in the catalog. I knew it was the birthstone for September, Sara-san’s birth month, and the stone’s meaning involved things related to love. I thought it was perfect for a present, but… is there something else?

Hanako:「Hey, what about the photo?」

The topic that’s unavoidable for a locket finally came up. Hanako-san is showing more interest than I expected, which is rare.

Nishikawa:「Ah, right. Sara, may I open it?」

Sara:「Yes, go ahead.」

It seemed everyone was curious about the inside. The moment Nishikawa-san opened the lid, they all leaned in at once. I didn’t put anything weird in there so it should be fine, but it’s still embarrassing. Then again, if it had been a photo of just me, they might’ve thought I was some cringy narcissist… so maybe this was for the best.

Todo:「Wow, it’s wonderful! So romantic!」

Todo-san suddenly cried out in admiration. It looks like she finally saw the inside.

Natsumi:「Oh, this is a photo from that time. I was so moved I couldn’t even think about taking pictures.」

Hanako:「When was that time?」

Natsumi:「The scene where Takanashi-kun confessed and Sara was bawling her eyes out~. Right, Sara?」

Sara:「Because… that was the first time in my life I’ve ever been that happy.」

Looking a bit bashful, Sara-san glanced at me before hiding her face against my arm. Honestly, this topic is embarrassing for me too…

Nishikawa:「Still, a custom locket from a specialty shop with a sapphire accent… Takanashi-san really worked hard.」

Natsumi:「He really did. Though it looks like he was just desperate to make Sara happy.」

Todo:「True. And a sapphire, does that mean Takanashi-kun is pro—」

Nishikawa:「Todo-san, stop right there!!」

Nishikawa-san suddenly shouted, cutting Todo-san off. She’d seemed worried about something earlier too, but is there really something more to it? The two of them exchanged a mysterious look… and eventually nodded to each other. What is it really??

Tachikawa:「U-um, Satsukawa-senpai. So, on today’s date… you two… did it, right?」

Tachikawa-san, who had looked like she wanted to say something for a while, suddenly brought up a topic that was tough for me. In this group full of girls, I know it’s highly likely for conversations to bloom around romance. I get it, but if that’s the case, I at least want to be allowed to evacuate. But Sara-san wouldn’t let go of me. For the record, Yuji and Hayato had already made a successful escape…

Sara:「Well……… yes.」

Todo:「Kyaa!」

Hanako:「I knew it.」

Tachikawa:「Must be nice…」

Natsumi:「Actually, I’m more surprised you hadn’t done it yet.」

Nishikawa:「…………」

While some girls squealed at Sara-san’s bashful answer, another girl appeared emitting a dark aura. I mean, this is awkward… incredibly awkward.

Natsumi:「Sigh… look at that happy face. Come to think of it, even though you were always kissing him here and there, you never kissed him on the mouth. Were you waiting for this too?」

Sara:「…Yes. I’ve been waiting for a long time… for Kazunari-san to take my first kiss…」

Even though it was a question from Natsumi-san, for some reason Sara-san gave her answer while staring directly at me. It was practically like she was telling me.

Todo & Tachikawa:「「Kyaaaaaa!!」」

Hanako:「Guh… this is getting a bit heavy.」

Natsumi:「You’re usually so terrifyingly aggressive, yet you were waiting for Takanashi-kun for that…」

Sara:「That’s… because I wanted it to be Kazunari-san who did it first. But, next time is my turn. Right, Kazunari-san?」

Kazunari:「Eh!? Th-that’s…」

When she says something like that with a red face and a happy look, even I…

Nishikawa:「Aaaaaaah, I’ve reached my limit!! Fine, you look happy and I’m jealous! Natsumi is acting suspicious too, so why is it only me with that scumbag!!!!」

Ah…

Nishikawa-san has officially broken.

Ignoring Nishikawa-san’s cries of agony, Sara-san remained her usual self, staring at me with a blissful expression.