“Ah—sorry…!”
Still flushed bright red, Arisa hurriedly let go of Yuzuru’s hand.
Then she cleared her throat.
“Um… we’ve finished eating, so… shall we exchange presents?”
“Yeah, good idea.”
Yuzuru, too, had started to feel a bit embarrassed.
It was the perfect way to shift the mood.
They started with Arisa.
She took a neatly wrapped package out of her bag.
“Yuzuru-san… this is for you.”
“Oh, thanks. …Can I open it?”
“Yes.”
Carefully, Yuzuru unwrapped it.
Inside was—
“A scarf, huh.”
A hand-knitted scarf made of grey wool.
Embroidered in gold were the letters: YUZURU.
It looked incredibly warm.
The colour was calm, easy to match with anything.
And above all… he could feel her care in it.
“Thanks, Arisa. I’ll wear it on my way home.”
For now, though, it would just get in the way, so he folded it neatly and set it aside.
Then it was his turn.
He handed her a blue-green paper bag.
“Th-this… may I open it?”
“Go ahead.”
With a slightly nervous expression, Arisa opened the bag.
Inside was a blue-green jewellery box.
She opened it.
“I picked it myself, so I’m not sure if you’ll like the design… what do you think?”
Her hands trembled slightly as she lifted the necklace.
A pink gold necklace.
Not overly expensive—he’d avoided that so she wouldn’t feel pressured—but still a fine piece.
“I-is this really okay? Compared to what I gave you…”
“You make me lunches and dinners all the time. This is well within what I can afford from my part-time job, so don’t worry.”
At that, Arisa clutched the necklace tightly to her chest.
Her eyes shimmered slightly as she looked at him.
“I’ll treasure it. …May I put it on now?”
“Let me see.”
She nodded softly and placed it around her slender neck.
Just as Yuzuru had thought—
It suited her perfectly.
It made her look even more radiant.
“What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful. …I knew it would suit you.”
“……Thank you.”
She smiled shyly.
Seeing her so happy, Yuzuru felt, from the bottom of his heart, that he’d chosen well.
Yuzuru decided to walk her home.
Hand in hand, they walked through the night.
The time had passed far too quickly.
Before they knew it, they’d reached her house.
“Yuzuru-san… thank you for today. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
At that, Arisa shook her head firmly.
“It’s not. …It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a wonderful Christmas Eve. Thanks to you, I think… I might even like winter now.”
“I did promise I’d try to make you like winter.”
Though, truth be told…
At some point, he’d started doing it for himself.
Making her happy—seeing her smile—
He’d realised that had become something he lived for.
“There’s still plenty of winter left. …Look forward to it.”
“Yes. With you, Yuzuru-san… winter, spring, summer, autumn—it’s all fun.”
That made him genuinely happy.
A deep warmth welled up inside him.
“Same here… Arisa. Being with you makes everything enjoyable.”
He spoke honestly.
If he could—
He wanted to stay by her side forever.
He didn’t want to part.
But… they’d reached her door.
“Yuzuru-san, then… I’ll be going.”
“Yeah. Good night, Arisa.”
“Good night.”
They exchanged farewells.
Arisa turned slowly, about to walk away—
“Wait.”
Before he realised it, Yuzuru had called out to her.
She turned back, tilting her head curiously.
“What is it?”
“……”
He didn’t fully understand why he’d stopped her.
But… he probably just didn’t want to say goodbye.
He wanted to stay with her.
Still, he couldn’t keep her out in the cold forever.
So—
“Arisa.”
“Yes?”
“There’s one thing I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
“…May I hug you?”
He wanted to feel her warmth.
To imprint it on himself before they parted.
For a moment, Arisa widened her eyes in surprise.
But then, she softened.
Her jade eyes narrowed gently.
Her cheeks turned a soft rose.
“That’s fine.”
She opened her arms.
Drawn in, Yuzuru stepped forward—and embraced her.
She was warm.
Soft.
Her flaxen hair carried a sweet scent.
His heart pounded, blood rushing through him.
“That’s enough… Arisa.”
“…Alright.”
Reluctantly, he let her go.
Her face was bright red.
He was probably no different.
“Then… once again. See you.”
“Yes. See you.”
Yuzuru watched until she went inside.
Then turned, walking alone down the night street.
Looking up, he saw the stars shining.
A sigh escaped him.
“…This is a problem.”
He gripped the scarf she’d given him.
Her warmth still lingered on his body.
He wanted her.
To ruin her.
To have her all to himself.
Her cooking, her scarf, her affection, her smile, her anger, her embarrassment, her tears—her beautiful eyes, her soft lips, her fine hair, her porcelain skin, her supple body… even what lay hidden beneath her clothes—
He wanted it all.
He didn’t want any other man to take even a single part of her.
So—
“…I’m sorry, Arisa. I’ve decided. No matter what it takes, I will make you mine.”
Yuzuru declared it quietly.
