Episode 165: A One-of-a-Kind Item

I entered a shop that primarily dealt in accessories, and right now, I was holding one specific item and staring at it.

A locket pendant…

I’m not very familiar with accessories, but even I know what a locket is.

Based on what Hayato said, the options I’d come up with were either this locket pendant or a music box.

I thought a locket would be better since she could wear it, but as I stared at it wishing for just one more「something,」a clerk approached me.

To be honest, since I wasn’t buying it right this second, I really wanted them to just leave me alone.

「Hello. Are you looking for a locket?」

Naturally, the clerk didn’t read the room and spoke to me with a practiced sales smile.

Man… honestly, this is a bit of a pain.

「Uh, yeah… I just feel like it needs one more little thing.」

「Pardon me for asking, but is this a present for your girlfriend?」

「…Yes.」

It was just a casual answer, but I actually felt a shock deep inside.

I had just confirmed that I have a girlfriend. I, who had experienced such intense loneliness, was here looking for a present for my girlfriend.

The fact that I have a precious lover named Satsukawa Sara, and that I came here looking for a gift because I want her to be happy, really hit home…

For some reason, I suddenly felt a desperate urge to see Sara-san.

Driven by the impulse to hurry back to her, I started feeling strangely restless.

!?

I’d been in my own world and forgotten the clerk was right in front of me, and they were definitely wearing a slightly awkward expression.

「…I think a locket is good, but I was wondering if there was anything else.」

As I restarted the conversation as if nothing had happened, the clerk regained their composure and played along.

「In that case, how about an order-made locket? With something like this, you can specify the size, shape, and design engraving. You can even have names engraved. We can even set gemstones in it.」

The clerk opened a catalog from the locket pendant section and showed it to me.

Inside were samples of lockets that could be custom-made, along with a list of specifiable items and decorative examples.

The price is obviously much higher than the ones sitting here, but as an order from me, it really would be a one-of-a-kind item in the whole world.

I decided. I’ll make this my goal.

Making the decision so easily that I wondered why I’d even hesitated, I confirmed the number of days needed for production and took a catalog with me.

Now all that’s left is… the money.

My current part-time job obviously won’t be enough.

Since I’m trying not to cause trouble for Sara-san, I’m only working three days a week instead of every day.

If ordering it after Sara-san returns from her school trip will still be in time, then the real battle is that one week during her trip.

I have to find work for that period, no matter what…

After meeting up with the other two, I gave my report while showing them the locket catalog.

However, the price seemed to be the main concern.

「Takanashi-kun, I think it’s wonderful, but is the budget okay?」

「Yeah, for a present from a typical high schooler, I think it might be a bit expensive.」

Both of them pointed that out, but in the first place, I don’t even know what the market price for a high schooler’s gift is.

It’s not like it costs 50,000 or 100,000 yen. Even I know that if I suddenly gave her something that expensive, there’s a chance Sara-san would actually be put off.

That’s why I intended to pick something that I could realistically afford within the scope of a part-time job.

「I’m working just for this, so it’ll be fine.」

「But just helping at Grandpa’s shop…」

Todo-san obviously understands the situation, so she’s realized that it’ll be difficult at this rate.

「I’m going to find another job to match the timing of Sara-san’s school trip.」

「Kazunari, I’ll support you, but just don’t overdo it, okay?」

I don’t plan on overdoing it, but there are some things I won’t back down on.

I’m always acting like a pampered baby with Sara-san, which is exactly why I don’t intend to compromise on myself in such an important situation.

「I get it. If you need backup or run into any trouble, you absolutely have to talk to us.」

「Thanks, both of you.」

At times like this, the existence of friends really hits home. I’m truly grateful…

Instead of just a vague「present,」Takanashi-kun was clearly fired up now that he’d set a goal.

Seeing Takanashi-kun working so hard for Satsukawa-senpai makes me worry, but I also think it’s wonderful.

I’ve never dated a guy before, but I’m sure it would make anyone happy to have the person they like work so hard for them.

So, for Satsukawa-senpai’s sake too, I hope he doesn’t push himself too hard…

「Well, we’ll keep an eye on him too. Since Kazunari is setting up a surprise for Satsukawa-senpai, he’ll want to avoid getting caught because he did something reckless.」

Yokogawa-kun was acting cheerful, but I could tell he was actually worried deep down.

I heard a lot from Takanashi-kun, and I realized after becoming friends that the real Yokogawa-kun is a very serious person who cares about his friends and doesn’t just hit on girls easily.

Today was the same, but lately, the chances for us to talk or be together have suddenly increased. I wonder if Yokogawa-kun has a girlfriend…?

「I’m home~」

「Welcome home, Kazunari-san.」

When I got home, Sara-san greeted me. Apparently, she’d returned before me.

Since she was wearing an apron, she must be preparing dinner.

That feeling of wanting to see Sara-san that I felt at the accessory shop was still there, and the fact that she was standing right in front of me made me so happy.

As Sara-san took off her apron and hurried over to me, I suddenly pulled her into a hug.

「Hyan! Ka, Kazunari-san, what’s wrong?」

「Nothing, I don’t really know myself. I just really felt like doing this today. I’m just so happy you’re by my side, Sara-san…」

I can’t put it well, but when I thought again about how important it is to have Sara-san with me, my affection just started overflowing…

Sara-san looked a bit surprised, but…

「Kazunari-san, could you pull away just a little bit?」

She asked me in a gentle voice, so I did as she said and pulled back slightly. Immediately, her arms shifted position, and it turned into her pulling my head into a hug instead.

「I am always by your side. This time spent holding you like this is truly happy for me. It makes me realize that I am your lover, Kazunari-san, and my feelings of love for you just won’t stop.」

Since I’d teased her a bit the other day, I thought it might be a little awkward… but contrary to my expectations, Sara-san hugged my head to her chest even tighter than before.

And strangely, the feeling I felt from it was one of total peace.

「Fufu… is my pampered baby feeling better now?」

Apparently, she’d fully noticed that I was in a mood to act spoiled.

Ugh… that’s a bit embarrassing.

But being like this only makes my desire to make Sara-san happy grow even stronger.

Now that the gift is decided, everything is set.

I won’t do anything reckless because I don’t want her to worry, but even so, I want to work as hard as possible.

For that sake…