Volume 2 - CH 21

It was mid-October, in the depths of autumn.

It was Yuzuru’s birthday.

” Therefore, Yuzuru-san… I’ve baked a birthday cake for you. ……”

When they got to the house, Arisa handed Yuzuru one of the two paper bags she had brought with her.

There was a little bit of a sweet smell to it, so Yuzuru knew it was probably a cake. ……

“Baked it?”

“Yes.”

“Who did?”

“I did.”

Yuzuru’s eyes widened in surprise at this.

In all his life, he had never eaten a homemade cake.

In Yuzuru’s house, cakes are usually purchased.

“I feel guilty about this somehow.”

“No, Yuzuru-san has always taken care of me. …… the other day, too.”

“Ah, oh, …….”

The other day.

Arisa ‘stayed’ at Yuzuru’s house for the night.

However, the next day, he was treated to breakfast as a reward for his hospitality. So from the point of view of Yuzuru, she had already returned the favor.

“Well, anyway. Since we’re already here, can I have it now?”

“Yes.”

After receiving permission from Arisa, Yuzuru opened the paper bag.

Inside was a refrigerant and a paper box.

He took out the box and opened it.

“Oh …… It looks so authentic.”

What was inside was a chocolate whole cake.

The size of the cake was a little too big for two people to eat.

If there’s anything left over, he can always eat it tomorrow.

Yuzuru brought a knife from the kitchen and cut the cake into pieces.

He prepared coffee and put his hands together.

“Then, Itadakimasu”

He cut the cake with his fork and brought it to his mouth.

The rich and elegant taste of chocolate spread in his mouth.

“How is it?”

“It’s delicious. It goes well with coffee.”

When Yuzuru praised her, Arisa looked away slightly.

Her cheeks turned red.

“Is that so… Thank you very much ……. Well, I guess it doesn’t taste as good as the professional ones on the market.”

“I don’t think so.　I’m sure it’s on the same level.”

“It’s probably because I adapted it to Yuzuru-san’s taste. I thought about eating it with coffee, and I wondered if Yuzuru-san would like this kind of taste. I’m glad you liked it.”

Professionals make their products as products, so they try to make them as palatable as possible to the masses.

On the other hand, Arisa was fine as long as Yuzuru thought it tasted good, so she adapted to his taste.

This is the reason why, although Arisa’s skills are inferior to the professionals, her impressions of the food are comparable.

……It was like one of those tangents.

“Well, there you go again. That’s perfectly satisfactory…….. You know exactly what I like.”

He has been alive for sixteen years now. ……

But Yuzuru doesn’t know himself well enough to be able to verbalize exactly what his tastes are. Yet,

“We’ve been together for over six months now.”

Arisa smiled at him.

Yuzuru couldn’t help but scratch his cheek.

She remembers what he likes, and she cooks for him.

Though he is very happy with that ……

He’s afraid that he might get the wrong idea.

(No. …… It is not good.)

‘I must not fall in love with Arisa.’

Yuzuru believed so.

This is a line that must be kept if they are to remain “engaged”.

“Why don’t you eat too?”

“I guess so.”

To disguise his mixed feelings, Yuzuru suggested this to Arisa.

Arisa also picked up her fork and brought it to her mouth.

“What do you think?　How does your cake taste?”

“It’s an eight.”

“Not a perfect score?　That’s harsh.”

“Of course, I gave it my best. But …… I think there was room for more improvement.”

It tastes good enough as it is now.

However, it seems that Arisa is aiming to improve the taste even further.

“Don’t work too hard, okay?　I think you should relax a bit more.”

Of course, it’s also a problem if she’s as random as Yuzuru.

But Arisa is being overly cautious in many ways.

“It’s a little bit different from …… trying your best.”

“How is it different?”

“It’s fun to cook for you, Yuzuru-san. It makes me happy to make you happy. That’s why …… it doesn’t make me feel like I worked that hard.”

“Well, if you say so.”

If she was enjoying it, and if she was taking proper breaks, there was no reason for Yuzuru to stop her.

Of course, it’s not good if it becomes the norm and is enforced halfway.

That’s why he plans to keep telling Arisa that she doesn’t have to take it so seriously.

“That’s right. Yuzuru-san ……, I have prepared a birthday present for you.”

Arisa said and took out a beautifully wrapped box from the other paper bag.

It was decorated with a pretty ribbon.

“Well, it’s not much…”

“Thank you……. Sorry to have you prepare a cake and a present for me. Can I open it?”

“Please.”

Yuzuru carefully removed the wrapping and ribbon and opened the box.

What emerged from inside was……

“A bracelet?”

It was a stylish bracelet made of a braided leather cord.

He could tell at a glance that it was quite elaborate.

” Yes… Well, I thought about buying something, but I couldn’t think of anything. I asked Ayaka-san for advice, and she said the best thing to do was to make it by hand. Well, it may be lousy, but what do you think……?”

Yuzuru didn’t immediately respond to Arisa’s words but tried to put the bracelet on his left wrist where the watch was fitted.

Although he’s a bit obsessed with watches and is confident that he wears a good watch……, the design of the bracelet seemed to fit that watch well.

It’s pretty cool, and it matches Yuzuru’s taste.

“Thank you. I like it. I’ll wear it from now on.”

Yuzuru replied, and Arisa breathed a sigh of relief.

However, …… she still looked somewhat worried.

“Ok…….I’m glad you liked it, but, you know, it’s not a very good piece of work. If you don’t really like it, you don’t have to force yourself to wear it. ……”

Yuzuru reached out his hand to Arisa’s anxious head.

He gently stroked her flaxen hair.

Her beautiful jade green eyes drooped slightly.

“There isn’t a man in the world who wouldn’t be delighted with your handcraft. I’m a lucky man……. I’m really happy.”

“…… Yes. Thank you very much.”

Arisa squinted her eyes in comfort.