{Satou-san and My Essential Change (2)}

The cake still hasn’t arrived.

Next to me, Satou-san opened the bag she had placed on her lap.

“Ah, this is for you, Yamaguchi-kun,” she said.

I thought about whether she should open it here, but decided to just wait and see.

“It’s a charm. I got it from the shrine.”

Satou-san offered me a small red charm.

It had “Pass Exam” embroidered on the front.

“You went all the way to the shrine?”

I was surprised and asked without thinking.

Satou-san nodded with a smile.

“I hoped it would help you do well on your exams.”

Her smile seemed to touch the tiredness in my eyes.

“I see… Thank you, it makes me really happy. But it must have been cold, right?”

“No, it was okay. I’m glad you like it.”

It’s not just happiness; I even trembled a bit when I received it. I hadn’t expected Satou-san to think of me this much.

Even though I’m not superstitious, I think I’ll cherish Satou-san’s charm. I guess I’m pretty sentimental after all.

“Thanks to you, I feel like I can do my best.”

As I was about to put the charm in my bag, Satou-san stopped me.

“I still have more Christmas presents.”

Next, she pulled out eye drops, adhesive bandages, and a bulk pack of disposable hand warmers from the bag.

To be honest, these items are quite practical for a Christmas gift.

“You get tired eyes from studying, right? I heard these are good for eye strain. I asked at the store and bought them. And remember that time you cut your hand with paper? I thought adhesive bandages might be useful. Also, since it’s winter, I thought you might need these hand warmers so your hands don’t get too cold.”

“Ah, thank you…”

I’m of course happy.

I’m touched by the thoughtfulness, but I’m wondering if these are really Christmas presents.

Moreover, since today is supposed to be a date, bringing such practical items—well, I am happy, that’s true.

“And there’s more.”

It seems she still has more. Satou-san rummaged through the bag again.

What she took out was a popular brand of energy drink, the kind you often see in TV commercials.

“I heard it’s important for students to get proper nutrition.”

“Satou-san, why…?”

I couldn’t help but ask, and she looked puzzled.

“Well, because there was an ‘Exam Season Sale’ at the local drugstore. I thought practical items would be better as a gift for you.”

“Oh, I see. I feel bad for making you spend money.”

“It’s okay. Besides, you’ve helped me a lot.”

Saying that, Satou-san searched through the bag once more.

Is there still more? I wouldn’t be surprised by anything that comes out now.

“Oh, and if you like, there’s this too.”

She revealed some mandarins from the bag. They were small, shiny, and looked delicious.

“Did you buy these on sale too?”

“Oh, no. My grandpa bought these in a box. They were sweet and tasty, so I wanted to share some with you. Is that okay?”

I thought to myself that she sounds like a relative aunt. Of course, I couldn’t say that out loud.

So, all those small round things in the bag were mandarins. It seems like there are quite a few. I like mandarins, but it will be quite a hassle to take them home.

“I thought I’d get you this and that, so it ended up getting pretty heavy.”

Satou-san shrugged and apologized.

“I’m sorry, is it hard for you to carry them home?”

“It’s okay because I’m taking the bus.”

I answered while keeping my true feelings hidden.

I had no choice but to say that. After all, Satou-san did this out of goodwill. If it were affection, that would be even better.

“If you want, I can take these to your house, Yamaguchi-kun.”

“N-No, you don’t have to go that far.”

It’s awkward for a girl to come all the way to my house. To avoid wasting Satou-san’s kindness, I should make sure to take everything home properly.

Besides, sometimes practical gifts are more appreciated. Though there’s nothing Christmas-like about them.

“I really wanted to thank you for everything, Yamaguchi-kun.”

Satou-san smiled and took a sip of water from her glass.

Then, she continued softly.

“Graduation is coming soon, but this year has been so much fun. All three years of high school were fun, but becoming a third-year and sitting next to you, Yamaguchi-kun, was the most enjoyable.”

Her gaze, full of memories, fell on the bag resting on her lap. The pink ribbon fluttered.

“I never thought school would be this enjoyable.”

Satou-san said in a small, almost sigh-like voice while looking down.

“That’s why I’m really grateful to you. Thank you.”

I listened to her words, holding both happiness and guilt.

Just a year ago, Satou-san was a girl I had no interest in.

I was disappointed when we were seated next to each other due to the seat change. Her constant clumsiness often irritated me. Conversations with her were dull, and I was always thinking about when the next seat change would come.

I wish I had started liking Satou-san a little earlier. I wish I had recognized my feelings for her sooner. Back when I mocked her and secretly laughed at her, I was probably much more insensitive, thoughtless, and childish than Satou-san.

I might not have changed much since then.

I looked at the bag on her lap and felt ashamed of my earlier self.

Inside that bag were her feelings and a gratitude that seemed almost too much for me.

It’s also one of my bad habits to become speechless at times like these.

After taking a deep breath, I finally spoke my thanks.

“Thank you too. Thanks to you, I can do my best for the exams.”

Right, I should do my best. After Satou-san has done so much for me, I can’t afford to slack off on my studies.

From the moment I fell in love, her words have always motivated and supported me. I don’t believe in superstitions or relying on the gods, but I believed in her words.

I can do anything.

Even things that Satou-san can’t do, I can manage.

So I will definitely see it through. Once everything is over, I want to report to Satou-san with a smile.

“Yeah, do your best. I’m cheering for you.”

Satou-san nodded deeply towards me.

But then, she smiled wryly as if to admonish me.

“And… it might be hard, but make sure to get enough sleep. You have dark circles under your eyes.”

Her girl-like, rounded fingertips gently pointed to the area under my eyes.

“Dark circles? Oh, maybe I do.”

“Yes. It’s been like that since December. I got worried.”

I hadn’t noticed.

Or rather, maybe I had just gotten used to it. Seeing my tired face in the mirror every day had become normal. I had just been ignoring it, thinking that I wasn’t the only one struggling.

But Satou-san noticed my change. She noticed.

“…You really do watch over me a lot.”

Satou-san responded to my murmured words with a slightly embarrassed smile.

“I do watch. So, don’t push yourself too hard. Get a good night’s sleep tonight and take care of those dark circles first.”

I really can’t match Satou-san.

I had planned many things for our date today. I thought that being with Satou-san would keep me awake despite my lack of sleep, but now it seems like I can’t push myself too hard.

But I’m truly happy with how she cares about me. Having someone who worries about me—especially someone I love dearly—is the greatest happiness.

What I should be doing now is not forcing myself to please her or to create a good atmosphere.

I need to get enough sleep, regain my strength, and do what I need to do as a student.

And then, in front of Satou-san, I want to be able to smile with confidence.

Before I knew it, I had received quite a lot of presents from Satou-san.

Of course, I had prepared something too. I had actually planned to give it to her later, after we left the cake shop, in a quieter place.

But I thought that now was the time.

Before the cake arrives, while I’m still able to be honest.

“Well then, I also have a present for you, Satou-san.”

I said this and handed her an organza bag that I had wrapped myself. The light pink bag, which was somewhat transparent, revealed the box of a digital audio player inside.

When Satou-san received it, she immediately noticed what was inside and exclaimed in surprise.

“I can’t accept something so expensive.”

“It’s not expensive. It’s a hand-me-down from me.”

It’s still usable, but I hadn’t used it much recently. With a smartphone, I can listen to music, so carrying another device became unnecessary.

To make it a bit more substantial, I included a music card as well. Even so, I’m not sure if it’s enough to repay what she gave me. But if it’s not enough, I can return the favor again in the spring.

With a very good report.

“I’m sorry it’s a hand-me-down, but I hope you find it useful.”

When I urged her, Satou-san hugged the gift bag to her chest.

“Is it really okay?”

“Of course. You mentioned that commuting by train from spring will take a lot of time, right? Listening to music while commuting will be just right.”

After a bit of hesitation, Satou-san awkwardly nodded.

“Well then… I’ll accept it. I’ll take good care of it, so if you ever want it back, just let me know.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary.”

I smiled.

Then, I added quickly.

“But I lost the instruction manual.”

“Oh, I see.”

“You’ll figure out playback and stop by looking at it, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime.”

“Anytime,” I emphasized.

“Even during exam study, after it’s over, …even after graduation.”

After I said this, Satou-san blinked slowly, as if taking time to savor what I had said.

After a while, she smiled happily and asked.

“Even after graduation?”

“After-service has to be perfect. If you call me, I’ll come flying over anytime.”

“Thank you, Yamaguchi-kun!”

Satou-san nodded vigorously, making the pink ribbon bounce.

Now more sensitive and thoughtful than before, she tightly hugged my gift. Yet, she still left the bag she brought with her on her lap.

“That, I’ll take it.”

When I pointed to the bag, she shook her head with a smile.

“No, I’ll carry it until we go home. It’s really heavy.”

“In that case, I’ll carry it even more. It’s something you gave me, right?”

“Yes… Well then, if it gets too hard, let me know. I’ll switch with you.”

So, the bag that had been on Satou-san’s lap moved to mine—indeed, it was heavy. But thinking of it as a gift from her, it wasn’t too burdensome.

Just then, the delayed cake set for two was brought to us.

The Christmas limited-time special menu came with a cake and drink, and also included gingerbread cookies. Each set had one cookie for the boy and the girl sitting next to each other.

We faced each other, sitting side by side, and smiled.

“It finally feels like Christmas.”

Satou-san said this, and I answered with a completely contented feeling.

“Yes. It’s been a wonderful Christmas Eve.”

Plans and goals were far from achieved, and the original purpose was completely unmet.

But I really don’t care. I think it’s been a wonderful Christmas Eve.

Our relationship, though it has been slow and uncertain, is definitely changing from its essence.

Soon—when spring comes, I plan to make an even bigger change.