{Satou-san’s Treasure (2-1)}

Satou-san was fidgeting as she held the stuffed animal.

Seeing her like that stirred something deep inside me.

The fact that she buys mouse plushies while thinking about me—it was impossible not to be happy about that.

Sure, the mouse thing is a bit complicated since it’s tied to some embarrassing parts of my past, but honestly, the impact of her gesture made me forget all that.

More than anything, the idea that Satou-san’s room is filled with things that remind her of me—things she treasures—not just one or two but several, made me unbelievably happy.

So, Satou-san thinks about me when she’s in her room, just like I sometimes do when I’m in mine.

“So, that’s why… They’re cute.”

Feeling like I should say something positive since she made the effort, I quickly followed up with, “I’m really happy. Thank you.”

“I’m glad,” Satou-san replied with a relieved smile, placing a hand on her chest.

“I was a little worried that maybe you didn’t look back on those times too fondly, Yamaguchi-kun.”

“Well, if you asked if they’re good memories… I’d say it’s a bit complicated,” I admitted.

Honestly, I’d rather not think about it—it’s a memory I’d prefer to forget.

I mean, I only ended up playing the mouse because I lost the lottery. If I’d had the choice, I would have much preferred being one of the ball attendees and dancing with Satou-san, who played a lady. But of course, I didn’t know she’d be playing that role back then, so I didn’t volunteer.

“Even now, after graduating, I still think about those days,” Satou-san said softly, as if pulling at old memories.

“I think about the school festival, going shopping together, practicing… I remember handing you that horse mask behind the stage, taking pictures together after the play, and then going out to eat afterward… All of those memories are treasures to me.”

Watching her hold the stuffed mouse close to her chest so protectively, it was clear how much she treasured the memories of our Cinderella play.

From my perspective, I couldn’t help but wonder why those memories were so precious to her—we were classmates for two whole years at Higashi High. Even if we only became close in the second year, we made plenty of memories during that time. Why narrow it down to just that month or so during the festival and its preparations?

“So, for you, the school festival in our third year is a good memory, Satou-san,” I said, again feeling like I was speaking like an outsider. But Satou-san didn’t seem to mind and just gave me a soft look.

“Yeah, because by then, I already liked you, Yamaguchi-kun.”

Her words gave me a strange sense of dissonance.

Not in a bad way, but it was unusual—Satou-san normally doesn’t say things like this. She’s often a bit oblivious, saying completely irrelevant things even in moments that might be considered romantic, often dispelling whatever mood had been building. I’ve often felt like something was off because of that.

But this time, she read the situation perfectly.

She was saying something she wouldn’t usually say.

“Those memories are of being with someone I liked. The school festival Cinderella is one of those memories.”

Even though she said it, I could tell it embarrassed her. Her grip on the stuffed mouse tightened, squishing it against her chest. Seeing the toy pressed against her like that, I felt an odd mix of jealousy and envy—feelings I shouldn’t be directing at an inanimate object.

“That’s why I can’t help but buy mouse-themed things. It feels like I’m adding to the collection of memories and treasures I have of you, Yamaguchi-kun.”

I felt like she could have said that with more certainty, but I let it go.

To Satou-san, the mouse plushies in her room were her personal treasures, connecting her to me.

Naturally, I was happy to know that she thought of me so fondly, and for once, I could sense a sort of passion coming from her that I usually didn’t pick up on.

And that made me want to reach out and touch it.

Without saying a word, I reached out and touched Satou-san’s cheek, now flushed bright red.

“A-ah…”

She let out a small sound, trying to lower her head.

I held her face gently, stopping her from looking away, and she gazed back up at me, her eyes trembling.

Her bare skin was soft, and her cheeks radiated heat, almost as if she had a slight fever. Even without makeup, her skin was flawless, but it made her look younger, reminding me of our high school days.

But she never used to look at me like this in high school.

I’ve been watching her for a long time, so I could tell the difference.

“Satou-san,” I called her softly.

We had been classmates, so I knew her full name was Satou Miyuki. And since we were dating now, calling her by her first name would probably be more appropriate, but I still wasn’t sure how to address her. “Miyuki-chan” felt too childish, especially given her already youthful appearance. “Miyuki-san” felt too distant, and calling her by just her first name seemed too abrupt. So, I still hadn’t figured it out.

Just by calling her “Satou-san,” she became flustered, her breath quickening as her eyes darted around nervously.

“Uh, um, you know, I gave this plushie a name…” she stammered.

She pressed the stuffed animal she’d been holding earlier against my face, cutting me off just as I leaned in.

It felt like she was trying to deflect me, which left me feeling conflicted. I gently pushed the plushie aside with one hand and asked her,

“Names? Do you give all your stuffed animals names by any chance?”

“Yeah,” Satou-san nodded and then gave a somewhat awkward smile.

“They all have the same name, though.”

“…What kind of name is that?”

I asked, a bit more curious now.