Tsukumodo:Volume 1 Present

My wage is calculated on an hourly basis and paid to me every day—in cash.

That is because Towako-san can't be bothered—and would forget—to make a payment to my account at the end of every month.

At days when she's away for her purchases, Saki is in charge of paying me.

Since I live in an apartment on my own, I have to use my wages with care. While my parents do send me money, my payment still covers a significant part of my daily expenses.

I don't line up for bargain sales, but at the very least, I try my best not to waste any money. I even save up some of it.

If it's really okay for a high schooler to act so much like a housewife is anyone's guess.

Well, because of that, I'm not so stupid as to use up my entire wage the day I get it like other students that have started a part-time job out of greed.

I'm not suited for a lifestyle that involves spending one's earnings before the night is out.

Always use your money wisely. That's my motto.

◆

"Here, this is a present."

I hardly believed my ears when Tokiya said so out of the blue.

I, Saki Maino, stood stone-still for twenty-two seconds with a shopping bag in my hands.

During that time, Tokiya said something, but because my mind had gone blank, everything went in one ear and out the other.

"...So, got it?"

"Eh? Ah, yes. Sure."

I nodded instinctively, although I had no idea what he had been talking about.

"Anyway, that's all there is to it, you hear?" he said and left, perhaps embarrassed.

Left alone, I was at a loss of what to do with the present—according to him—he had given me and kept standing on the spot.

(People—namely Tokiya—often say that I have no feelings, but that's not true. I merely have trouble showing them, but naturally I do have feelings, and my heart is as sensitive as everyone else's.

To the degree that I get a little flustered when I suddenly receive a present.

I need to recall what just happened.

Tokiya and I were working together until closing time like we always did.

Towako-san was away to acquire Relics again, and there were next to no customers like every day, so there was pretty much nothing to do.

We really do have few customers.

I'm convinced that we ought to make both the interior and exterior brighter and make it more welcoming to customers. I also think that it would be best if we included Asian merchandise and fancy things into our range of goods instead of sticking to forgeries of Relics.

When I once made this suggestion to Towako-san, she told me there was no need to do that. Apparently, she didn't have any plans of making her shop flourish. Despite her concern over its sales figures.

Perhaps I should lend her the book "Becoming a Famous Shop Manager made easy!" I've been reading until yesterday?

Oh no. I went off track.

Anyways, we worked until closing time and then Tokiya left.

However, for some reason, he came back.

At first, I thought he had forgotten something, but then he suddenly handed a shopping bag over to me and told me it was a present.

A present? Why would he give me a present?

I also wondered if today was my birthday, but that isn't the case.

Labor Thanksgiving Day? Not really. To begin with, there's nothing he should thankful over.

Mother's Day? I'm not his mother. Father's Day... goes without saying.

Today's no special occasion, nor is it a holiday.

Another possibility would be that it's an apology for something he did.

I tried searching my memories, but nothing came to mind that would require an apology.

H-He cheated on me...?

No, we're not in that kind of relationship, so infidelity doesn't apply here.)

......I came to my senses again and felt a little ashamed of having such dull thoughts.

With the bag in hand, I went back into the house.

Since Towako-san was absent, I was alone today.

Upon arriving at the living room, I put the bag on the table.

I turned on the TV for starters.

A variety show that wasn't particularly interesting was on. Because the TV failed to draw my attention, my gaze went back and forth between the TV and the shopping bag on the table.

I tried touching the bag.

It gave off a rustling sound.

I quickly pulled away my hands.

Then I went back to the TV and changed the channel.

A baseball match of which I didn't know the rules was on. Because the TV failed to draw my attention, my gaze went back and forth between the TV and the shopping bag on the table.

I tried sneaking a peek into the bag.

There was something pink inside.

I quickly pulled my head back.

(Boy, what am I doing...?

In the first place, how dare Tokiya do something confusing like that all of a sudden!)

My disturbance started to settle down and was replaced by anger.

(Is he watching me and having a good laugh...?

Ah! That's it! That must be it!

And I was so silly as to act like this right in front of his eyes...)

"How careless of me."

I shot a gaze around the room, searching any signs of Tokiya.

...I didn't find anything.

Just in case, I also took a look at the shop, but with the lights turned off, there was only an absolute stillness. I peeked out of the window, but of course did not find anyone. I also checked the kitchen and the restroom, but remained unsuccessful.

(What else is this supposed to mean, then?

Is it by any chance really a present?)

"........."

With a deep breath, I made up my mind and opened the bag.

Inside was a dress. A sleeveless dress with lots of frills. Its color was... not my favorite color, black, but pink.

(After knowing me for so long, he still doesn't understand what I like. Anyways, choosing that color comes close to harassment. No, he is trying to harass me.)

At that point, I recalled a certain thing and fetched a magazine from my room.

There was this magazine I had bought with the hope that it might help me improve my customer service. It aimed specifically at high schoolers, but that was no issue. After all, I was a teenager as well. Tokiya had given me an awkward glance, however, while was I reading it back then.

I flicked through the magazine. There was supposed to be a featured article on presents. Making a present to someone can be related to suggesting articles to a customer. That's why I bought it.

I found the caption of the article, "What do I do with such a present?!".

"If a boy gives you a present you don't like, don't get angry! It's a sign that he wants you to share his likes! Go, jump at the chance!"

I closed the magazine.

I was quite impressed by what I had just read.

(Yes, the dress on the table doesn't match my preference.

But does that mean that he has a preference for such things?

Tokiya likes this kind of dress? Does he want me to wear it?)

As a test, I repeat, as a test. No really, as a little test—believe me. I held the dress in front of me and stood before a mirror.

In the mirror was my body, which was always clad in black, shrouded by pink.

Honestly speaking, it didn't suit me.

A pinkish frilled dress just didn't fit my sour face.

Still, I didn't put the dress away.

It was a present from Tokiya.

The first one ever.

There had been nothing like this in the past.

I hadn't even dreamed of it.

People—namely Tokiya—often say that I have no feelings, but that's not true. I merely have trouble showing them, but naturally I do have feelings, and my heart is as sensitive as everyone else's.

To the degree that I get a little excited when I suddenly receive a present.

◆

The incident occurred the day before yesterday.

Right after I had arrived at the shop for my shift, I changed with Saki so she could go do some shopping.

Towako-san was away to make purchases.

Alone and bored, I went to the living room to watch TV, since there wasn't going to be a customer anyway.

However, something caught my eye.

It was a wallet. A normal brown leather wallet as you can get at any store. Knowing that Saki's was black, I supposed it was Towako-sans'.

While wondering how she could only forget her wallet when she was making purchases, I took a peek at its contents. It was completely empty.

That there was no money goes without saying, but there weren't any credit cards or cash slips either.

Apparently, she had bought a new one and left the old one here.

Actually, the coin pocket of my worn-out wallet had gotten a hole just that day, and had become useless.

I decided to borrow Towako-san's old wallet until I bought myself a new one. I didn't see why I should not use it if she didn't need it anymore.

After switching all my money and things like my video rental membership card, I stuffed the wallet away in my pocket.

The shop closed for the day and I received my wage from Saki. On my way home, I went to a convenience store and bought myself a few things like a microwave dinner.

The change I had left was barely going to suffice for my lunch the following day.

The following day.

I found my wallet empty.

The cards were still there. But the change that should have been there had disappeared.

I hadn't noticed until I was at the checkout of a convenience store I had dropped by on my way to school, wanting to buy a canned coffee. The embarrassment that came with returning it because I had no money was beyond description.

Most likely, I had dropped it the day before somewhere. Or perhaps I had forgotten to accept the change. It was a crying shame that this happened when I had only just changed my broken wallet.

But the real hair-raising shame was the amount of money I had lost. The money that had been there from the beginning plus the change would have made about 800 yen.

That day, I was forced to go without a canned coffee—the sole luxury granted to me.

Of course, no lunch for me, either.

Despite I had eaten two several-day-old buns in the morning, I felt as though as I was hungry already.

After I had born through the lunch break while getting teased by my classmates, I headed to the shop.

I tried to get my hands on some leftovers by explaining to Saki that I had dropped my money, thus hadn't eaten anything, but on that day of all days, there was nothing left.

(I'm out of luck.)

I bore through my shift while enduring my empty stomach, and earned my wage. On my way home, I dropped by the convenience store again and bought another microwave dinner and some new buns for breakfast. At last I got something to eat.

I accepted my change and put it carefully into my wallet, checking every single yen.

1262 yen. Exactly.

The following day.

I found my wallet empty.

The cards were still there. But the change that should have been there had disappeared.

(Strange. I can't have dropped my money two days in a row.

Besides, I checked the sum yesterday. As precisely as I could. There should be 1262 yen. In the first place, it would be still one thing I I lost my wallet, but it's just ridiculous to exactly only lose a 1000-yen note and the change. That's just absurd.

If I think like this, it also becomes dubious if I've really lost my money yesterday.)

Suddenly, I noticed that the buns I had bought for breakfast had disappeared.

(Did a burglar break in?)

I checked my room. All that was missing was my money and the buns I had bought the day before. Upon further thought, it seemed rather unlikely that a burglar would come to steal some loose cash—two days in a row at that—and a few buns.

(But what was it then...)

I looked at the wallet on the table where I had thrown it.

It lay there still. A perfectly ordinary brown wallet. Yes, as ordinary as it gets.

The only special thing about it was that it belonged to Towako-san...

I took my mobile phone and gave Towako-san a call. Most of the time, she was not available by phone when she was on her purchase trips, but this time I got through to her by a miracle.

"Mmmm... Tokiyaa? Mwhat's wrong?" a sleepy Towako-san replied at the other end.

"Towako-san, I'm sorry, but tell me whatever you know!"

"About what?"

"About the wallet you left at the shop!"

"Wallet...?"

"Yes. A brown wallet."

"A brown wallet? Aah, I see. Mm? Why do you know about it?"

"It was on the table in the living room."

"Eh? I've put it at such a place? Yikes. Looks like my thoughts were elsewhere. Please stow it away somewhere. Ah, absolutely don't line it up in the shop! And don't use it on any account! Well, it's not like you were so dimwitted as to touch my things."

"......"

"......Eh? Did you... use it?"

"......Yes."

"Fool! Didn't I tell you not to?"

"That was just now!"

As she said, I had been thoughtless. I couldn't deny that.

I should have realized the moment I noticed it belonged to her.

But. But!

Who would expect a Relic wallet to lie about at such a place?

However, it's no use crying over spilt milk.

"So, what power does this wallet have?"

Thus I asked.

I asked what nightmare this Relic was going to bring about.

"You lose all the money you've earned during the day if you don't spend it on the same day."

I don't know who created this "Relic", but let me say one thing:

Are you a freaking party animal or something?!

• If I don't spend my earnings the same day as I received them, they disappear.

• Things I bought myself with these earnings disappear as well.

• The effect lasts seven days.

This was what I could summarize from what Towako-san told me about this Relic.

The fact that my earnings disappear if I don't spend them on the same day means that I was always going to become flat broke the following day, right after midnight.

The fact that things I bought myself with my earnings disappear as well means that I couldn't buy any buns for breakfast, because it was impossible to stock food.

The fact that the effect lasts seven days means that I had to bear up with this stupid power for a whole week.

Incidentally, the effect had activated the moment I'd put money into the wallet and wasn't going to stop even if I disused it, trashed it or burned it. In fact, Towako-san threatened me to make me work for free for the rest of my life if I did that.

The only saving grace was that everything I had bought before using that wallet did not disappear, thus my clothes and utensils were still okay. I bitterly regretted that I hadn't also bought cup noodles ahead, but now it was too late.

(But I have to say...

Those Relics really always have downright absurd powers.)

Depending on how you looked at it, I was given the chance to wallow in luxury for a week, eating expensive dishes and playing all night and so, but with the money still being my own, that wasn't exactly meaningful.

If I really were to spend all my wages of that week, I would be unable to pay my rent, my electricity bill, my cell phone bill and so forth at the end of the month.

I started to think about a way to handle this dire situation for the time being.

However, it was obviously not possible to put money aside when I had to spend all my money and consume everything I bought for me.

(It's hopeless.

But hell, what an unspectacular power.

Leaving aside if they're good or evil, I always thought all Relics were simply spectacular, but as it seems like there are also some with powers that are dripping with mundaneness.)

The moment I thought so, an e-mail from Towako-san arrived.

"Why don't you make a present to Saki for once? Or me!"

(Why should I have to make you or Saki a present? Rather give me one!

Mm? A present...?

Ah. Didn't think of that!)

After work, I directly went to buy a present.

I had been thinking all day long what I should buy, paying no attention to my classes nor to my job, and had decided on clothes.

After receiving my wage from Saki and buying my dinner, I took the remaining money and bought a pink dress in a department store that cost just so much that I got next to no change.

I know that she likes black, but it didn't matter in this case.

I pictured how she would look in such a pink dress and couldn't deny myself a laugh. Based on her personality, she'd never buy such a color. Of course, I hadn't seen her in such a color, either. Although curiosity would get the better of fear if I was given the chance.

"Is it a gift?" asked the shop assistant.

"Ah, kind of."

I declined the offer to have it wrapped, and returned to the Tsukumodo Antique Shop with the shopping bag that contained the dress.

The shop was already closed, so I went round it to to the rear and rang the doorbell. After a few moments, I heard Saki's voice through the intercom.

"It's me. Can you open the door for a moment?" I replied and waited for her to come.

Those few moments I spent racking my brains.

(What should I say when I hand it over? It will seem strange if I just give it to her out of the blue. She might get the wrong idea. Not that I'm used to making presents to girls. In fact, it's a first. No, this may be a present, but it's not a present. It's only "kind of one". But it's still a present.

Somehow I just became tensed up.)

Suddenly, the door was opened and Saki appeared.

"What's the matter? Did you forget something?"

"Here, this is a present."

The moment she showed up, I just gave her the present out of the blue.

(Oh shit. I wasn't ready yet. I took a random action. Do I seem strange to her now? I bet...)

Her standing there stone-still with the bag hanging from her hands proved my fear.

Her face looked the same as always, but it being still a tad firmer than ever proved that she was surprised.

"D-Don't get me wrong, okay? It's a present, but it's not a present. You look like you have no idea what I'm talking about, huh? Well, perk up your ears..."

I explained to her in all sincerity and every detail what had happened and what was the meaning of the present.

I can't deny that I felt somewhat like I was making up excuses to cover my embarrassment, but wanted to get this straight. It was only "kind of" a present. There was no deeper meaning.

After a full 22 seconds of explanation, I confirmed once more:

"...So, got it?"

"Eh? Ah, yes. Sure."

(All right! Looks like she understood.)

"Anyway, that's all there is to it, you hear?" I said and left.

◆

Tokiya's strange behavior didn't stop there.

In other words, I received a present the following day as well. A snow-white broad‐brimmed hat.

And the day after that day as well. A pair of red show-off glasses.

Both of them weren't my taste at all, but they were still a present.

(I don't get it.)

I took another look inside the magazine I had dug out previously.

"Boys are silly and think girls will fall for them by making some presents. As if! You can't hook a girl with gifts.

But hold on!

An apt girl might as well show some delight for a such a silly boy.

Who knows, it might be the start of your true love?"

I closed the magazine in a hurry.

(No way. That wouldn't happen.

I should rather consider his behavior suspicious. He must be scheming something.

Most likely those presents use up all his daily wages. But why would he go that far?

Is there any profit for Tokiya in making presents to me?)

The time I thought to myself that I should press him on that matter, the phone rang.

The call came from Towako-san. It was very unusual for her to call the phone at the shop when she was away for her purchases. Normally she would always break off contact until she came back.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Mm, sorta... By the way, did anything odd happen recently?"

"Eh?"

Tokiya's presents immediately came to mind. But saying that at this point was only going to add fuel to the fire.

"N-Nothing, really..."

Oh no. My voice was way too high-pitched.

I could virtually see how Towako-san grinned at the other end of the line.

"Mm? Mm? Did something happen?"

"As I said, no."

"But something did, right? Right? Come on, tell your buddy."

"As I said, nothing ha..."

I stopped mid-sentence.

It was unusual for her to give me a call when she was away, but today she was oddly insistent on top of that. Like she was convinced that something had happened.

"What did you say to Tokiya?" I asked.

"Uh? Ah, no..."

Bull's eye. The tables turned. Towako-san knew something. No, she had a hand in this affair.

"What did you say to him?"

"No, um..."

"So I take you don't mind whatever happens to your 'Relics', right? Ah, just there we have one..."

"Aaah! Wait wait! I got it! I'll tell you." She gave in and started to explain, "To tell the truth, that fool used a Relic wallet and got something like a curse that makes his earnings disappear unless he spends them on the same day. So, I suggested buying you presents if his money was going to disappear anyway!"

I had thought that they weren't just presents, but jeez, such a stupid...

Perhaps, he had explained all that to me when he made the first present. I recalled that I hadn't listened to him because I had been so perplexed.

"But isn't he quite the devoted type? I mean, he rather bought you a present than making good cheer or going out and spending it for himself!"

A teasing and smirking undertone appeared in Towako-san's voice. Apparently she had settled down.

But I thought she might actually be right on that.

Normally, if you were forced to spend all your money, you'd eat something expensive you have to pass on normally, or you'd spend it for your own entertainment, like for watching a movie. In short, you'd give yourself some luxury.

Despite everything, Tokiya was using his money for my sake.

There might have been such a reason, and everything he had bought for me might have not been my taste at all, but they were still true presents.

"Well, so accept his favor gently."

"...U-Um, should I do something for him, too? I feel a little uncomfortable if it's just me who always..."

"Oh ho? Did you go into your cute-mode?"

(Something must be wrong with me that I asked her for advise. How careless of me.)

"Never mind. Forget it please. It's just your imagination."

"Now that's cold... But well, why don't you prepare something tasty for him? Maybe he'll be so overjoyed that he'll buy you an even better present? Two birds with one stone!"

"As I said, never mind."

"Whew, seeing a new side of my Saki-chan just set me up. I'm fully satisfied. All right, I'll leave the stage to the young folks now! I won't be back until three days. I can even keep away longer if I'd disturb you?"

"I'm awaiting an early return."

Towako-san left behind a strange chuckle and hung up.

Along with a deep sigh, I also hung up. Somehow this call really exhausted me.

It was then that the chime rang. I knew immediately that it was Tokiya.

I opened the door straight away without bothering with the intercom, and as I had expected, Tokiya was standing there with a present in a shopping bag.

"Here, today's present."

The present he gave me was packed in a longish box and had a checked wrapping around it.

"See you."

"Wait," I instinctively stopped him.

"What is it?"

"W-Why don't you come in for a cup of tea?"

"Do you want it straight? Or with milk?"

"Straight please."

I placed a cup in front of Tokiya and poured some tea from a teapot.

"Mm? Don't you usually use bargain tea bags?"

"I felt like drinking this tea today."

"So you serve the cheap one when I'm here and always enjoy the good one when you're alone?"

"You don't notice the difference anyway, do you?"

Tokiya, while complaining, took a sip of the black tea and declared confidently:

"No doubt. Earl Grey."

"It's Assam!"

Most likely he had just said the most expensive type of tea he knew. And probably, his knowledge was restricted to Darjeeling and Earl Grey, and the fact that the former is cheap and the latter expensive.

Tokiya's became silent and his triumphant face turned into a daunted one.

Only the sipping of tea could be heard around us, whereas we were at loose ends.

My looked at Tokiya's present that was still on the table.

"May I open it?"

"Mm? Well, if you only open it, sure."

I carefully took off the wrapping. Inside was a watch. It was the type of watch that had a cute character on its dial. But again it was not my taste. I know, never look a gift horse in the mouth, but I'd still have preferred something that matched my preference.

(Why does he not know what I like even though we're always together?)

My gaze drifted to Tokiya.

"W-What?"

"Nothing. Um, anyway, thank y..." I started, but suddenly he chocked hard on his tea. Apparently it had gone down the wrong pipe.

(I messed up the timing. What an awkward feeling.)

I fetched a damp cloth and wiped the table.

"...Saki, did you listen to the explanation I gave you?" he asked, confirming, while watching me wipe the table.

"Explanation?"

"When I gave you the first present."

"O-Of course! I did. I even heard it one more time today from Towako-san."

(So that really was an explanation back then. Thank goodness I got that call today.)

"Eh? She gave you a call?"

"Yeah. She asked if anything had happened recently."

"And what did you say?"

"Well, I said 'yes' and told her that you were making presents to me. So you were cursed by a Relic wallet? Silly. That's what you get from using a Relic without care."

"Oh shut up. I just wanted to borrow it for a few days because my old one has got a hole and it was there at the right time! You wouldn't expect a Relic wallet to lie about at such a place, would you?"

"Can I take a look?"

Tokiya took a brown wallet out of the pocket of his trousers.

Indeed, it looked rather normal at first glance. I didn't care about how it looked, though. What I cared about was its contents. I took a look inside and found that there were only 50 yen.

"Only fifty yen? What about your dinner?"

"Already in my stomach."

"And what about your breakfast tomorrow?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"There's no point in buying something when it disappears anyway, is there? Therefore, I always stuff myself as much as possible. That's eating in advance."

"There's no way that would work."

"Don't say it! The important thing is to believe. Oh, that brings back memories of the time when I had no money and had to cut corners wherever possible."

Tokiya looked out of the window with a nostalgic glance. I wondered how he had gotten by before earning money here, but I the thought became quite horrifying, so I stopped.

(But he's right, now that I think of it. If he has to spend his earnings the same day, he can't even buy himself a meal for tomorrow because it would disappear.)

"Do you want me to lend you some money?"

"No, no need for that. I would borrow some if the situation was really hopeless, but if I only have to pass on my breakfast and lunch, I can do. That's nothing compared to earlier times when I had nothing to eat for three days and lived off water only at times. For someone used to poorness, leaving out one or two meals is a piece of cake. If a poor guy cuts down on something, then its his food expenses!"

"That's nothing to brag about!"

"Thinking about that has made me hungry. I'll take my leave and hit the pillow."

Tokiya stood up and before leaving, he asked:

"Can you fill me some of that tea in a bottle?"

◆

I woke up to an empty stomach.

Apparently, stomachs get specially active when knowing that there's nothing to eat.

I cursed the faultless behavior of my stomach.

But today was the last day of this suffering. Today was the seventh day. The day I was going to be released from that wallet's curse. It was the day that day's earnings were going to fill my stomach the following day.

Moreover, it was Sunday, meaning there was no school. I didn't have to waste any energy. And most of all, I didn't have to watch my classmates enjoy their boxed lunches and sandwiches while having to fill my own stomach with water from the tap. Oh, how many times I had cursed my school for not having free school lunches.

But today I was going to turn over a new leaf.

That agony was going to end today.

Looked at in that light, it was no big deal to endure an empty stomach for one more day.

(It'll be time for work in no time if I hang around in my crumbly 9 square feet apartment.)

The very moment I thought so, someone knocked on the door.

(An offer for a newspaper subscription, perhaps? If you had come a day earlier, I may have signed the contract by mistake. But not anymore. You're too late. I have no spare money to spend for a lousy newspaper subscription. Letters don't fill my stomach. ...Should I really be saying this?)

"Coming! Who is this?"

I opened the door because I didn't want to be rude. Before me stood Saki.

"Saki?"

At first I wondered if I had gone too late to work, but the alarm clock inside was indicating 9am. It didn't seem to have frozen, either.

"It's nine in the morning now, right?" I asked.

Saki took a look at her watch and answered, "Yes, it is."

It goes without saying that it wasn't the watch I had bought her, but her own silver watch with a black leather belt.

(Now that's a surprise. It's quite unusual for her to come to my place. And that early in the morning.)

"Is something wrong?"

Without saying a word, Saki held out a black cloth pouch.

"What's this?"

I accepted the pouch, feeling its warmth in my hands. Apparently, there was something warm inside.

"Your meal," she said in an even voice. "You don't have anything else to eat, have you?"

She had remembered what I had told her the day before, and had bothered to bring me something to munch. There were two meals inside—probably one for breakfast and one for lunch.

"Please wash the boxes and bring them when you come to work," she said with a straight face and walked off after making a U-turn.

I hadn't at all expected her to make me lunch.

(Did she have a change of mind or something?

She, who usually faithfully obeys Towako-san's instructions of drawing the food expenses from my wage if I ask her to let me join the dinner, and eventually leaved me empty-handed?

Is this also an effect of my presents?)

...It didn't feel bad, but it did give me a bad premonition.

Had she really listened to my explanation back then?

She said that she had. And she said that she had also heard it from Towako-san.

But in that case, her attitude couldn't be explained.

(...Hold on. She heard from Towako-san?

Towako-san doesn't know everything I told Saki back then. Most likely she has only heard about the Relic wallet and Towako-san's suggestion.

Moreover, she said:

—So you were cursed by a Relic wallet?

"So" implies that she didn't know until learning from Towako-san.

If so, she hadn't listened to my explanation after all.

Sure enough, she was quite baffled.

I should have pressed her on it yesterday.

Perhaps it would be best if I caught up with her and explained it once more?

But it's too late now, anyway.

My plan is already over at this point.

There's no point in telling her now.

If I told her the truth, it would probably drag her down or make her angry.

No matter how much trouble she has showing her feelings, I don't want to do that.

But I did explain it to her.

And she told me that she had understood.

So this matter shouldn't become unruly.

And even if she did get angry, seeing her face then should be worthwhile as well.)

The moment I considered the problem solved, my stomach grumbled. I'm such a simple guy.

I took the box containing the breakfast out of the bag and opened the lid.

There were sandwiches inside. One with tuna, one with egg, one with canned tuna, one with lettuce and ham, and finally one with a cutlet. Furthermore, there was a potato salad at the side.

Out of curiosity, I also took a look inside the lunch box.

There were three onigiri, fried meat, croquettes, and asparagus with bacon. There was even a salad made of warm vegetables.

On top of that, these were my favorite dishes. Didn't expect she'd remember something like that.

I put the lid back on the lunch box and, after taking a bite of a sandwich, poured the content of the thermos bottle that came with the lunch box in a cup. It was a consommé.

The vapor it gave off rose up to the ceiling.

A sip from it warmed me up to the core.

I was impressed that a thermos bottle could preserve heat that well.