About a month passed.
“How is today’s lunch?”
“Yeah, it’s good.”
Yuzuru and Arisa were eating together.
After finishing the homemade bento Arisa had prepared—and after she finished hers as well—
Yuzuru took a small package out of his bag.
“…Arisa, here. Take this.”
“Should I assume this is a White Day return gift?”
That’s right—today was White Day.
The day boys return gifts to girls.
“Yeah… something like that.”
“Thank you. May I open it?”
Yuzuru nodded, slightly nervous.
Arisa carefully untied the ribbon and opened the package.
“Oh…?”
Her eyes widened a little in surprise.
Inside were biscuits.
Of course, biscuits weren’t unusual for White Day.
The issue was the biscuits themselves.
They were slightly misshapen—
Each one individually wrapped in transparent bags.
Rather than store-bought, they had a strong handmade feel.
Arisa blinked a few times, then looked at Yuzuru.
“Did you make these, Yuzuru?”
“Y-yeah… something like that.”
They were indeed handmade.
Three flavours: plain, chocolate, and matcha.
Each one cut into shapes that… kind of resembled hearts.
“May I try one?”
“Go ahead. …And tell me what you think.”
“Alright, then.”
She picked up a plain biscuit and took a bite.
Chewing slowly, savoring it.
“…Well?”
After she swallowed, Yuzuru asked.
“Let’s see…”
She paused, thinking.
“The butter flavour is nice. It’s delicious.”
“I-I see. That’s good.”
Yuzuru let out a relieved breath.
At that moment, he realised how nerve-wracking it was to hear feedback on cooking.
Arisa must have felt this way every time she cooked for him.
“If I had to add something…”
“…Add something?”
His heart skipped at her ominous tone.
“It would be better if the dough thickness were more even. Also, chilling it before baking helps keep the shape.”
“I see… that’s helpful. But wow… that’s impressive.”
She had deduced, just from the result, that he hadn’t chilled the dough.
Yuzuru was genuinely amazed.
Arisa shook her head.
“No, I’m just used to making them. …This is your first time, right? Considering that, I think you did very well.”
Yuzuru gave a wry smile.
“Yeah… well, I made a few mistakes. I gave you the best batch.”
The failed ones had been given to Ayaka and the others.
Not anything unsafe, of course—just imperfect.
“I see… so these are the best…”
Arisa looked briefly conflicted—
But then shook her head.
“No… everyone struggles at first. You don’t need to worry.”
“…Right.”
Yuzuru was very curious about what she almost said—
But decided it was better not to ask.
“By the way, Yuzuru. About prep school… the spring courses. What will you do? I’m thinking of attending.” Spring courses are intensive classes held during spring break, often focused on preparing for entrance exams.
“I’ll go too.”
“Oh? Really?”
“…Is that surprising?”
He smiled wryly.
He didn’t love studying—
But when necessary, he took it seriously.
Entrance exams required strategy.
Not everything could be learned from school alone.
He didn’t know how effective it would be—
But trying a spring course seemed reasonable.
“Well… I thought maybe you’d go on a family trip…”
“Ah… yeah, that’s true. Last year.”
The Takasegawa family usually travelled abroad in spring.
That’s why he hadn’t seen Arisa much last year.
“Last year?”
“Not this year. I want to focus on studying.”
It wasn’t that skipping a trip would guarantee success—
It was about mindset.
“I see! That’s great!”
Arisa clapped happily.
Even a short time apart had felt lonely to her.
“So this spring break… we can spend it together.”
She smiled brightly.
Like summer, when they had spent so much time together—
Almost like living together.
That had been a very happy time for her.
“…About that…”
Yuzuru scratched his cheek.
His slightly awkward expression made her tilt her head.
“Do you have other plans?”
“No… like I said, I want to focus on studying. That’s why… I’m thinking of stopping living alone starting spring break.”
Her eyes widened.
“Ah… right. You could commute from home if you wanted. That would help you focus.”
Yuzuru had lived alone simply because he wanted to.
The condition was paying his own living expenses through part-time work.
Naturally, working meant less study time.
“So… you’ll quit your job too?”
“Yeah. Not immediately, but… sorry about that.”
He bowed slightly.
Arisa worked at the same place—
Partly to earn money for gifts, but also to be with him.
If he quit, her reason to stay would disappear too.
“It’s okay. Studying is more important… and honestly, I was already wondering if I should quit in third year.”
They both seemed to be reaching the same conclusion.
Of course, they felt a bit bad—
But their employer likely expected this.
And more importantly—
They weren’t going to sacrifice such an important time in their lives.
“But I see… that means we’ll have less time together.”
“Yeah… probably next year.”
They briefly thought about going to the same prep school—
But didn’t say it.
Choosing based only on being together would be careless.
“…Next year? Won’t you be at home during spring break?”
She focused on his wording.
“Next year” referred to April onward—
But spring break was still March.
“Ah… about that. Well… if you’d like, would you come over to my place?”
Her eyes widened.
“I’ve already talked to my family. I mean… suddenly spending less time together would be lonely, and when my family’s abroad, I’ll be alone anyway… So, if you’re okay with it… what do you think?”
“Gladly!!”
Arisa’s eyes lit up as she grabbed his hand.
