Chapter 1: What Lovers Do Together

Sagara’s PoV

After finishing my late-night to early-morning shift, I checked my phone and saw a “Good night” sticker from Nanase along with another notification. Wondering what it was, I opened it to find a message from my mother.

Until recently, we hardly contacted each other, but lately, she’s been messaging me more frequently. The content is usually either “Are you catching a cold?” or “Are you eating properly?” To which I always respond with a curt “Yeah.”

But today’s question was different.

“Can you come back home sometime soon?”

My mother’s bad habit is not providing details about why she wants me to come back. However, I didn’t need to ask to know the reason. She probably wants to introduce me to her new husband.

After divorcing my father, my mother lived with her boyfriend for a while, but they finally got married in April. I was prepared for my surname to change again, but her new husband took on our surname instead. He apparently has a high school-aged daughter, but it seems there was no problem there.

I know I’ll have to meet my stepfather and stepsister eventually, but to be honest, I’m not looking forward to it.

After thinking it over for a bit, I typed and sent a message on my phone.

“I’ll come back sometime. I’ll contact you later.”

I don’t have the luxury to be distracted by family matters right now. There are too many other things I need to do.

“A surprise birthday? From Sagara? Wow.”

The handsome guy sitting across from me leaned on his hand and grinned. I felt a bit annoyed but held back since I needed his advice.

During lunch break at the campus cafeteria, I was eating lunch with the handsome guy—no, Hojo from the same seminar. Today’s menu was the cheapest plain udon. As I slurped my udon, I asked Hojo,

“…I have no idea what to do, so can you help me?”

I packed my work shifts to earn money, but I had no clue where to go or what to buy. I’ve never dated anyone besides Nanase, but I knew a birthday date couldn’t be the same as usual. We’d probably eat a fancier meal and exchange gifts. I once gave her lipstick, but I can’t just give her the same thing again.

In the end, I decided to ask an expert for advice. When it comes to the sea, ask a fisherman. I had already abandoned my previous motto of living alone without relying on anyone. My own ideas are pretty limited.

“That’s right, Nanase’s birthday is coming up. Was it in May?”

“May 3rd! We’re celebrating too, but we’ll let Sagara have her on the actual day!”

The one who interrupted was Sudo Saki, sitting next to Hojo. When I called out to Hojo, Sudo happened to be with him and tagged along.

“Why is Sudo here too?”

“When it comes to Haruko, you should ask me, her best friend, rather than Hiroki!”

“Uh… wouldn’t you just tell Nanase everything?”

Someone once said women’s tongues are lighter than feathers. However, Sudo frowned in dissatisfaction.

“Don’t underestimate me. I may look like this, but I’m actually pretty tight-lipped.”

Alright, if you say so, I’ll trust you.

“What should we eat for lunch or dinner?”

“Where are you planning to go? Shijo? Hold on, I’ll send you some good places.”

Hojo immediately sent a few restaurant URLs to my LINE. His selection was impressively quick. He must regularly check out good places and keep them in stock. All the places were stylish, a little upscale for university students, but not outrageously expensive.

“This place gets crowded, so make a reservation. This place is a bit noisy, so it might not feel like a date. This place has a good atmosphere, but the food is average.”

“Wait. I’ve never been there. Who did you go with?”

Sudo peeked at Hojo’s smartphone, exuding a menacing aura. Hojo deftly dodged her with a smile, “I was planning to invite you, Saki.” Smooth talker.

When it comes to dating advice, there’s no one more reliable than Hojo. I remembered how my plan to confess to Nanase didn’t go as planned. If I had asked Hojo for help, it might have gone better. Well, it’s too late now.

“…What about a birthday present? Sudo, what are you getting Nanase?”

Sudo folded her arms and answered,

“Probably a body scrub. It’s something she wouldn’t buy for herself but would be happy to receive.”

“Bo…body scrub? What’s that?”

I couldn’t even imagine something like that. I didn’t know how to use it either. As I stared blankly, Hojo laughed, “Well, that’s not something a boyfriend would give.”

“For a present, just go with safe jewelry.”

What’s “safe”? I don’t have the confidence to choose something “safe,” which is why I’m asking.

Sudo glared at Hojo sideways.

“Hiroki, what do you mean by ‘safe’? Have you been choosing my gifts like that?”

“No, no, I choose your gifts very seriously. Ouch, don’t kick my shin. Don’t precisely target the human vital points.”

Ignoring the flirting couple in front of me, I thought about what kind of jewelry would make Nanase happy.

Nanase, who loves to dress up, always has something in her hair, ears, or around her neck. Her jewelry box is filled with all kinds of sparkly things, and she always looks at them happily, but I can’t tell the difference. She must have her own preferences and particularities.

“Giving jewelry to someone who seems to live and breathe fashion is too high a hurdle.”

“Really? Nanase would probably be happy with anything you choose, Sagara.”

“Huh? If you give Haruko something random, I won’t forgive you.”

Sudo intimidated me mercilessly. I also don’t want to see Nanase wearing some tacky jewelry I gave her, so I want to avoid that situation.

“…Please, come shopping for the gift with me.”

“No way. I wouldn’t want a gift chosen with another girl’s help.”