Chapter 3: School Festival and Birthday

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Translator: Soafp

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By the time the summer heat had finally begun to fade and the weather started to feel more like autumn, the classroom was abuzz with one topic.

“Finally, the school festival is coming!”

“Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Let's go around together.”

Next week, our school would hold its big annual event—the school festival. Students were busily but happily preparing after classes.

Our class planned a fairly standard setup: a food stall. They were going to sell drinks and yakisoba.

“Hey, Yamato… about the school festival…”

During break, Toru spoke to me while I was finishing up homework assigned in each class.

Since I rush home after school to go to work, handling homework during break means I can spend more time studying before bed.

“Ah, the festival, huh. Aren't you busy with student council duties, Toru?”

“I am, but I've got a little free time. And Aoi too…”

Now that I think about it, last year the three of us—Aoi, Toru, and I—went around the festival together.

Even though my home life was a mess and I was busy with work, last year's festival was a rare chance to forget all that and just enjoy myself.

“Yeah, let's go around together again this year.”

“Yamato… um…”

Toru seemed like he wanted to say something but swallowed his words.

“What is it? What's wrong?”

“Ah, well… I just remembered that Aoi's birthday is on the day of the festival…”

Oh, right. That's true. Last year, the festival coincided with Aoi's birthday too.

Back then, Toru and I had pooled money to treat her at the festival stalls—takoyaki, candied apples, and so on.

“That's right. Let's treat her again this year. She seemed happy about it last year too.”

“Actually… I've already got a present ready…”

“Eh…?”

Toru has prepared a present…? For Aoi's birthday…?

“Uh… why are you giving Aoi a present…?”

I asked, struggling to understand.

“Why? Because it's her birthday.”

“Y-yeah… right.”

What a ridiculous question I asked…

A birthday… a present… from Toru… to Aoi…?

“Oh… you could've just asked me for advice… Anyway, what are you giving her? I'll pitch in half the money.”

“No, it's fine. I want to give it to her personally.”

The seriousness in Toru's expression and words filled me with a feeling of anxiety I had never felt before.

“H-Hey, Yamato, you shouldn't spend too much either, okay? Don't push yourself…”

“Ah… yeah… right.”

I had often thought about giving her a proper birthday present myself. It wasn't about the money.

When we were kids, we exchanged small gifts, but since entering high school, we've been too busy to do that.

No… I simply felt too embarrassed. Even if she's my childhood friend, giving a present to someone of the opposite sex is a special thing.

And…

“What are you giving her?”

“That's… a secret.”

Toru comes from a doctor's family—both parents work at a large hospital, so naturally, he's from a wealthy household.

Aoi also comes from a rich family; her father is the president of a large company.

(Whatever Toru's giving her must be expensive…)

The gap between my household—where my father is unemployed—and theirs is enormous.

Even if I tried to give Aoi a present, it couldn't be anything significant.

I forced myself to remain calm so Toru wouldn't notice my growing anxiety.

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“Isn't it obvious? Murase must like Miyano-san.”

“Yeah… I guess so…”

That night, after finishing my part-time shift, I was walking home with Hayami-senpai. I talked to her about what had happened today.

“I think so. Wanting to give a girl a personal gift… Well, I do think friendship between boys and girls is possible, so I can't say for sure.”

As she spoke calmly, my heart was filled with unease.

What if Toru liked Aoi… and confessed… what would happen then…?

“Yamato… are you not giving a present to Miyano-san?”

“…I…”

I could only afford something modest… compared to what Toru would give, it would seem trivial. I couldn't imagine making Aoi happy.

“You don't have to make it fancy.”

“Eh…?”

“You're still in high school. You don't need an expensive present. What matters is the feeling behind it.”

Hearing that from Hayami-senpai, I reconsidered my thoughts.

“You're right… what matters is my feelings. Thank you, senpai. I'll do my best.”

“Yeah, that's the spirit!”

That's right… wealth or poverty doesn't matter.

What's important is that I care about Aoi… and that's what counts.

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The very next day.

“Hey, did you hear? Those two from the student council finally started dating!”

“Really!? I knew it was only a matter of time.”

“Yeah, they're such a good match!”

The rumor that Aoi and Toru had become a couple spread like wildfire throughout the school.