Episode Seventy-Seven: When Are You Going to Make It Up to Me? Tonight?
A birthday only comes once a year — that special day. On a holiday afternoon, with Yui-san’s birthday, October tenth, drawing near, I sat alone at a café, head in my hands.
Even I couldn’t help but sigh. I’d been so fired up about making this year’s birthday — four years overdue — the best one yet, and here I was, already stuck.
I couldn’t settle on a present for Yui-san. My steps had felt so light leaving the house this morning; now they felt weighted down, like lead.
I’d decided from the very start: the present would be a necklace.
I pressed a hand to my own chest. There, glinting, was the necklace Yui-san had handed down to me.
Since giving it to me, Yui-san hasn’t worn a necklace at all lately. So I’d planned to give her a new one for her birthday.
With that in mind, I’d come out alone today, riding the train, to buy the present.
I’d searched online, of course, but there’s only so much you can tell without seeing the real thing.
So I’d spent the whole morning making the rounds of shop after shop — but nothing I’d found quite suited Yui-san’s chest, somehow.
Which is how I’d ended up here, worn out from walking, taking a break at this café.
My first summer bonus since joining Yui-san’s company had come in at the highest amount I’d ever received.
Of course, I hadn’t touched a single yen of it. Because I’d known Yui-san’s birthday was coming this autumn.
There’s no budget limit on this present. However much it costs doesn’t matter. What I refused to compromise on was something else entirely. Because Yui-san, I’m certain, will treasure it forever. So I want to give her whatever suits her chest best.
Our first present since becoming a couple.
I’ll find a beautiful necklace, no matter what. Just like Yui-san gave me — I’ll give her one too.
Slapping my cheeks lightly, I stood. No use wasting time here.
I returned the tray with my teacup to the counter, steeled myself again, and left the café.
*
I didn’t want to waste today — a day I’d secured by turning down a weekend date, no less. Honestly, I hadn’t managed a proper date with Yui-san in a while. And she seemed, understandably, unhappy about it.
Turning down her invitation to stay over this weekend, spending late nights instead poring over date plans — Yui-san, of course, still had no idea about any of that.
Because whenever I’m actually with Yui-san, there’s no room left in my head to think about anything else at all.
So I’d wanted physical distance, some space to actually plan properly. All for Yui-san’s sake, I’d told myself — but apparently, my turning down dates had Yui-san venting to Ritsu-san about it.
Last night, a message came from Ritsu-san — “Yui’s sulking” — and it made me laugh, just a little.
The photo attached, of my beloved girlfriend apparently drunk and pouting at a bar, I secretly saved. That part’s a secret.
I’d told Ritsu-san, “I’m planning a birthday celebration, could you cover for me smoothly?” and gotten back a simple “roger,” so I think it’s probably fine.
I’ll need to apologize to Yui-san properly, later.
Walking alone through streets that had, with autumn, started turning faintly chilly, a familiar design suddenly caught my eye, and I stopped, my gaze snagged by a shop window.
A four-leaf clover. The same design as the earrings Yui-san gave me for my twentieth birthday—
I looked up at the shop. Right — so this is where the shop actually was.
Four years ago, that spring, had Yui-san maybe come here, of all places, to buy my earrings?
Drawn in as if pulled, I passed the entrance guard and stepped into the store.
*
I’d known this pair of earrings Yui-san gave me was expensive.
But I hadn’t known exactly how much.
Seeing the price tag on the same earrings displayed in the case, currently sitting in my own ears, I caught my breath, unbidden.
I’d known Yui-san was the type who didn’t spare a single yen once she’d decided on something — but I never imagined it had been this expensive.
I see. So that’s how sharp-eyed Seno-san managed to guess my partner was rich.
And back then, Yui-san had still only been a college student—
Thinking that, I turned, scanning the shop, and noticed a necklace bearing the same motif as my earrings.
Same design, different color. A black clover, rimmed in gold. I imagined it resting at Yui-san’s collarbone.
It would suit her — absolutely, I thought. My feet carried me naturally toward that display case, and I leaned in to look. The more I looked, the more my eyes stayed drawn, unable to look away.
“…Would you like to try it on?”
Apparently noticing how intently I’d been staring, a staff member spoke up suddenly from behind, and, startled, I turned. She smiled, bright, and then let her gaze drift toward my ears.
“You have the mother-of-pearl earrings, I see. In that case, the matching necklace in that same line is over here. Matching the color with your earrings would look even more lovely, I think.”
She seemed ready to guide me toward the necklace matching my own earrings, but I shook my head quickly.
“Ah… um, this isn’t for me, it’s…”
At that, she stopped and looked into my eyes.
“…For my partner.”
Saying “this is a gift for my partner,” about jewelry clearly designed for women, I’d been a little anxious about how she might react — but it was the truth, nothing to be ashamed of, so, tentative, I said it anyway.
The staff member’s eyes widened for a beat, then she simply answered, composed, “I see, how lovely” — and something in my shoulders eased, unwound.
“In that case, please, feel free to hold it and take a proper look.”
Taken out of the display case, the necklace laid before me — I studied it closely. The stone, apparently onyx, was a black so deep it felt bottomless. Just like Yui-san’s eyes.
The more I looked, the more certain I became — this, and nothing else.
I glanced at the price tag. Yes, this would work. Putting my entire summer bonus toward it, it wasn’t out of reach.
I could already picture Yui-san’s face when I gave her this, and my cheeks softened, unbidden. She’ll definitely be happy. Because it matches my earrings.
“…I’ll take this one.”
Saying that, the staff member smiled, bright, and said she’d wrap it as a gift, so I nodded.
*
Paper bag in hand, giddy, I walked to the station. All that’s left now is arranging the perfect setting to give her this present.
Back in college, thanks to Yukiya-san’s arrangement, we’d gone on a hot-spring trip. This year — maybe glamping? Summer’s passed, and the season’s just about right for it.
Though, since I can’t drive, I’d end up relying on Yui-san to drive us there anyway…
Since we’re at it, why not rent a nice cottage somewhere, one where we could forget all about work entirely and just relax… splurge a little, stay somewhere really nice. Some places apparently even have hot springs, and barbecue too — maybe we could spend a whole day just unwinding out in nature.
Once the present’s decided, one idea after another kept coming to me. I’ll pitch it to Yui-san first thing Monday. With that plan set, I headed home.
＊＊＊
Monday morning. Coming into the office, Yui-san sat at her desk, chin propped on one hand, plainly, obviously sulking.
The complete opposite of me, giddy over having finally settled the birthday plan.
Missing two weekends in a row to stay over apparently hadn’t sat well with her at all. Her black eyes gave me a resentful, sidelong glare.
“…I wonder who Kanata ditched her girlfriend for, and what she was up to all weekend…”
I’m in a bad mood practically written across her face. I couldn’t help a small laugh, setting my bag down at my own desk.
I’d heard from Ritsu-san that she was “sulking,” but honestly, I hadn’t expected it to be quite this bad.
We’d been seeing each other at work these past few weeks, sure, but not getting any private time together had left me lonely too — knowing she’d felt the same made me happy. Yui-san really is so cute.
“Don’t sulk like that. I had all kinds of errands to take care of.”
“Hmm…?”
“Besides, weren’t you out drinking with Ritsu-san too, Yui-san?”
“Since you wouldn’t come stay over, I had no choice but to drink with Ritsu.”
No choice, she says. You’re the one who called Ritsu-san out, aren’t you. Their friendship, as close as ever, always so endearing.
“I’ll make it up to you properly. Also, there’s something I wanted to run by you—”
I’d bought a magazine featuring an autumn glamping special from the bookstore, wanting to pick out a place to stay together for her birthday.
Just as I reached into my bag for the magazine, I was suddenly hugged tight from behind, and, startled, my hand froze.
She’d been sitting at her desk just a moment ago — when had she—
“…Hey, when are you going to make it up to me? Tonight?”
Judging by the tone of Yui-san’s voice at my ear, she’s apparently still sulking. Nuzzling insistently against my neck, it tickled a little and I laughed.
“Tonight? …It’s Monday, though.”
“But you’ve had me waiting two whole weeks already. I can’t wait until the weekend.”
Can’t wait — what does that mean, exactly? I nearly asked, and bit down on my lip instead. Better not to ask that. Absolutely.
Calming Yui-san down comes first, right now. Thinking that, I turned around, and my waist was pulled close in one motion, the distance closing instantly.
About to be kissed, I scrambled to press my palm against her lips, stopping her.
“…Kanata, hand’s in the way.”
Her fine brows drew together, displeased, protesting. But no. Talking comes before kissing, right now.
Because I’ve got an appointment in an hour, and today’s schedule is packed solid, wall to wall. I’ll only get about an hour to actually talk properly.
“…Isn’t your birthday coming up soon, Yui-san?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Even as she said that, her mischievous left hand hitched up my skirt and traced along my thigh, and my body jolted, startled.
“Yui-san, are you even listening to me!? This is the office…!?”
I said it, scolding, but Yui-san just narrowed her eyes, and her hand kept climbing, higher and higher.
“If tonight’s no good, right now works too. Not allowed?”
“O-of course it’s not allowed!”
Pushed forward relentlessly, with zero regard for my own opinion, my heart pounded, wild, like it might break.
Her fingertips finally reached my waist, and, startled, I looked at Yui-san. The instant I met her eyes — ah, she’s serious, I realized. Getting pushed through on this would be genuinely bad.
“What if someone comes in!?”
“If you hold back your voice, it’ll be fine.”
Didn’t you say you wanted to keep work and personal life separate — the words you say and the things you do are completely different, I wanted to point out.
Impossible, absolutely impossible. Maybe it’s fine for Yui-san, since she’s the one doing the touching, but if she actually did something like that to me right now, I’d be useless for the rest of the day.
“Hey, Yui-san… I’ll make it up to you plenty on your birthday, isn’t that enough? If you hold back now, I’ll do whatever you ask on your birthday…!”
Grasping at anything, desperate, I said it, and her hand went perfectly still.
“Really?”
I nodded, quick, over and over, and those black eyes studied me steadily, then she smiled, bright.
Her palm slid smoothly back out from under my hitched-up skirt, and I let out a breath of relief.
“Got it. Then… I’ll hold back, for now.”
I have a feeling I just made some kind of reckless, desperate promise, but is it really okay? A small anxiety crept in.
But — grateful, at least, for having escaped the crisis, I pulled the magazine I’d bought out of my bag to accomplish my actual goal.
“Yui-san, so, about your birthday… what do you think about glamping?”
“Glamping?”
Yui-san’s eyes went round, and dropped to the magazine in my hands.
“You’d have to drive us, but… I thought it might be nice, to relax together, slowly. What do you think…?”
Once I’d finished saying that, Yui-san laughed, soft and happy, and pulled my body into an embrace.
“…Thanks, Kanata. I’m really happy. Don’t worry, leave the driving to me.”
Missing two weeks of staying at Yui-san’s place had left me lonely too, just as much as her.
But because I’d made her wait so long, I got to pick out a truly wonderful present. I’m determined to make this birthday one she’ll never forget.
Finally, apparently, in a better mood, my beloved, beloved girlfriend gently stroked my cheek and leaned in close.
Accepting her kiss, I wrapped my arms tight around her neck, and hugged her back, just as tight, in return.