Chapter 132 - X-Day — Second Part (2/2)

Hiiragi-chan was forcefully pulled out of the home economics room while confused. What’s wrong, Rei-chan?

“That’s nice, a scarf… I would also want one…”

“Nii-san also got a scarf?”

“Eh? Yeah.”

I took the scarf out of the packaging. It was a navy-blue scarf that seemed like it could be used for casual outings, and also for going to school. It doesn’t seem to be something that’s store bought.

Is this possibly… one that’s hand knitted…?

Now that I think about it, when I went to the staff room, she was doing something with her hands, right? So, she was making this?

Thinking of her knitting even while being so busy at work, it really touches my heart. I tried wrapping it around myself and of course, it was warm.

“… Seiji-kun, it seems like it’s hand knitted?”

“Eh? Hmmm, it might be.”

After I said that, there was a moment of awkward silence.

“—No, there’s no way something this good could be hand knitted. She probably bought it at some store.”

Fujimoto said.

“Hmm? Is that so…?”

Hiiragi-chan is on the more dexterous side with her hands. She could probably make something hand knitted.

“…”

Eh? What’s with this weird atmosphere? Just as I was thinking that, Rei-chan returned with Sensei.

“Senpai, the scarf really suits you.”

“It’s true. I guess it was worth buying it.”

Aah, then, I guess she bought the scarf.

“There’s cake, so let’s eat it together.”

From the refrigerator in the prep room, Hiiragi-chan took out the cake and brought it over. It was a cake made of six different flavored pieces.

It looks like she made it, but there’s no way she would have the time to do that.

“Sana wants the mont blanc one.”

“I want the cheesecake…!”

“Chan-Sana, kid. Wait. The people having their birthdays should be the ones to choose first.”

Fujimoto spoke with a serious expression and had the two of them wait.

“I like any cake, so I’m fine with any of them.”

“Don’t waste my kindness!”

I ended up accepting the strawberry shortcake, and drank the tea that Hiiragi-chan had made at some point.

After that, the weird atmosphere I felt at that moment disappeared.

Hmm, when should I hand her the present that I got her.

As I was thinking about that, it became time to leave school, so we all started to clean up.

“Senpai, senpai.”

While cleaning up the tableware, Rei-chan came over next to me and whispered to me.

“The scarf was as expected, hand-knitted…”

“Ah, really? But no one seemed to be stubborn about that.”

“Senpai, it stands out too much. Where did the normally calm and collected Senpai go? Wouldn’t it be weird for a teacher to hand knit something for one student?”

“Ah——So it’s about that…”

It stood out. Completely.

“Geez, you guys are so similar as a couple. Sensei didn’t even realize until I told her. After emphasizing that it was bought, it seems like we were able to trick everyone else though. Well, she did buy the yarn, so it’s technically not a lie either.”

Such a strategist! I’m glad that I told Rei-chan our secret…

“Thank you, Rei-chan.”

I patted her on the head.

“I love it when Senpaib pats me on the head.”

“As expected of a 20 year old girl. You pay attention to the details. I’m counting on you.”

“Ah, does that mean you want to marry me, Senpai?”

Rei-chan hugged me at the waist.

“… Sanada… Sorry…”

“What’s up all of a sudden, Fujimoto?”

“There isn’t a present from me.”

I patted Fujimoto on the shoulder and nodded.

“Don’t worry about it, I wasn’t expecting one.”

“Sanada… when you say you didn’t expect one, that’s pretty saddening…”

You treated me to some soba, so that’s good enough.

It was already dark out, so I sent Rei-chan back home. Hiiragi-chan seemed like she still had work, so after the birthday party, she holed up inside the staff room.

“Nii-san, we’re pulling an all nighter today with that DVD set. The Breig that Sana gave.”

“Wouldn’t it be fine tomorrow?”

There’s still five hours until the end of the day. Spending an all nighter watching anime with my sister isn’t exactly something I’m looking forward to.

“Nii-san… can you let me see the scarf one more time?”

Giku.

“W-why?”

“Because I didn’t get a good look at it.”

“Isn’t it fine, there’s no need for you to see it.”

“Well, I guess it’s fine…”

I went home with Sana, who was pouting and in a bad mood.

At around 10:30 at night, a call came from Hiiragi-chan.

“I just finished work, and I’m about to head home. Thanks for today. The birthday party was really fun~”

“Good work. It was fun for me as well.”

I glanced at the clock. I still have time to give her the present that I didn’t have a chance to give her.

“Can I go over right now?”