The first glimmer of light in the morning.
The electronic wall clock on the wall ticked silently.
07:00
For the vast majority of students who are still coveting that special winter laziness in Bed, this time is as cruel as capital punishment.
But in Kazehara Tetsu's biological clock, the concept of "holiday" does not exist.
The air in the room still carries the lingering coolness of the night, which even heating cannot completely dispel.
Kazehara Tetsu turned his head slightly, his eyes falling on the pillow.
Kamuro Masumi is curled up in the quilt, like a purple fur ball that is afraid of the cold.
Her long hair, which was always neatly taken care of, was now spread out on the white pillow without any structure.
"Huh..."
Kazehara Tetsu gently sat up and lifted a corner of the quilt slightly to cover her exposed smooth shoulder.
Following his movements, cold air penetrated through the opened gaps, causing the sleeping girl to murmur uneasily.
She subconsciously wanted to look for the source of heat that was about to leave. After reaching out to grab something empty, she buried her head deep in the pillow with some dissatisfaction.
Kazehara Tetsu will no longer stay in this soft trap.
He lifted the quilt and got out of bed, washed briefly, and poured cold water on his face.
When he changed into his decent casual clothes and returned to the bed, the bulge on the bed finally moved.
"Well..."
Kamuro Masumi struggled to open his eyes. His vision had not yet focused, but he could vaguely feel the familiar figure shaking in the room.
Consciousness gradually returns.
The memories of last night flashed by like a slideshow.
Kamuro Masumi propped up his upper body, and the quilt covering him slipped off.
After a night of crushing, the delicate collarbone and fair skin were exposed.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked at Kazehara Tetsu who was ready to go.
"... so early?"
She glanced at the clock on the wall.
It's five minutes past seven.
"Are you sick? It's so early in the morning..."
"Good morning, Masumi."
"Although I also want to stay in bed a little longer on this warm morning, especially when there is a sleeping beauty beside me."
He walked to the bed, leaned down, and gently rubbed the top of the messy purple hair. His hands felt surprisingly soft.
"But there's nothing we can do about it. After all, we have an appointment."
Even in this tender moment, Kazehara Tetsu still maintained that kind of honesty and made no attempt to hide the fact that he was about to go on a date with another girl.
"..."
Kamuro Masumi's hand froze.
His eyes, which were still a little confused at first, suddenly became more awake.
"Tsk."
She slapped Kazehara Tetsu's hand away unhappily, turned her head to one side, and scratched her hair.
"That's right."
There was no surprise in his tone, just a sense of "as expected".
"After all, he is a famous person, whether it is Sakayanagi or Ichinose... I guess he has already been queuing up to wait for you to visit him."
Kamuro Masumi opened the quilt and did not shy away from Kazehara Tetsu's gaze. He got out of bed and looked for his pants.
Her movements were a little big, a little bit venting her anger.
Although he said last night, "Just win the first moment," and even though he acted like he didn't care about Kazehara Tetsu's philandering.
But when morning came, when I saw this man dressing up carefully for another woman, the sour feeling in my heart still seeped out uncontrollably.
"It's time for me to go."
She put on her pants and grabbed her coat that was hanging on the back of the chair. She moved as quickly as a thief evacuating the scene of a crime.
"I won't be an eyesore here. Anyway... my purpose was achieved last night."
Kamuro Masumi's back is facing Kazehara Tetsu, and the fingers tying Scarf are trembling slightly.
She didn't want to see Kazehara Tetsu's current expression.
"Gone."
She dropped these two words firmly, without even looking back, and walked towards the Entrance Hall.
The moment her hand was about to touch the door handle.
"Wait."
A voice came from behind. It was not loud, but it had a magical power that she could not resist.
"Masumi."
Kamuro Masumi's footsteps stopped abruptly. She did not look back.
"What are you doing again? Do you still want me to give you a good morning kiss?"
There was a faint sound of footsteps behind him, and the sound of a drawer being opened.
Immediately afterwards, Kazehara Tetsu approached.
There is no such thing as a good morning kiss.
A hand stretched out from the side, holding a palm-sized dark purple velvet box with not that luxurious and exaggerated packaging.
The box is tied with a silver ribbon.
"Although you said last night that the title 'number one' is enough."
Kazehara Tetsu walked around in front of her, blocking her way to leave.
"However, as a return gift for taking away the 'number one', if you go back empty-handed, wouldn't my evaluation as a 'playboy' be added to the label of 'miser'?"
Kazehara Tetsu handed the box to Kamuro Masumi.
"Take it."
"Merry Christmas."
"..."
Kamuro Masumi was stunned.
She lowered her head and looked at the purple box in the palm of Kazehara Tetsu.
Before that, she had rehearsed countless reasons for Kazehara Tetsu to stop her.
It might be asking her to help take out the trash, asking her not to forget to close the door, or even teasing her a few more words.
The only thing I haven't thought about is this.
gift.
"What... is this?"
Her voice was a little dry, even with a trace of imperceptible panic.
"Would you know if you open it and take a look?"
Kazehara Tetsu did not answer directly, but just moved the box forward and forced it into her hand.
The box is not heavy, but in Kamuro Masumi's hands it seems to be of great weight.
She untied the ribbon awkwardly, her fingers stiff due to nervousness.
"Crack."
The box was opened.
Lying inside is a silver bracelet.
The design is not complicated and can even be said to be minimalist.
Hanging on a thin silver chain is an extremely delicate kitten pendant.
And in the position of the cat's eyes, there are two extremely small amethysts.
Just like the color of Kamuro Masumi's eyes.
"..."
Kamuro Masumi looked at the pendant and said nothing for a long time.
She closed the lid suddenly, as if to cover up something, and looked away in panic.
"I..."
She opened her mouth and her voice was so low that it was almost inaudible.
"I wasn't even prepared."
Yes.
She came with nothing. She didn't even bring an apple.
Just to satisfy her pitiful possessiveness, she broke into his room like a robber, slept on his bed, and now wanted to take his gifts.
"Who said you weren't prepared?"
Kazehara Tetsu stretched out his hand, gently raised her chin, and forced her to look at him.
"You are standing in front of me now."
"For me..."
"Isn't this already given? This is the best gift."
"..."
Kamuro Masumi's face turned completely red.
This man...
Why does such a disgusting line that makes you want to vomit come out of his mouth so smoothly?
"Glib tongue."
She turned her head hard, broke away from Kazehara Tetsu's fingers, and cursed fiercely.
"You should save these love words to deceive little girls and tell them to the person you are dating. I'm not the kind of idiot who gets confused if you give me some sweet tips."
Although he said this, the hand holding the box was tightly held, with no intention of returning it.
"Heh..."
Looking at her typical Tsundere reaction, Kazehara Tetsu did not expose it.
"I was scolded."
He shrugged, with a somewhat relaxed smile in his tone.
"But don't expect too much of the value of this gift. Although it looks okay, I really don't know what a girl with an awkward personality like you likes."
Kazehara Tetsu pointed at the box and Self-Destruction said very frankly:
"I temporarily searched these online and placed orders based on the recommended rankings."
"As for that style, it's just because I think the cat looks really similar to you."
"So, if you don't like it or think it's too cheap, don't blame me for my poor taste."
"After all, I really don't have any talent for picking out gifts."
Kamuro Masumi was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help but laugh out loud.
It's not that kind of sneer, nor is it ridicule.
"I searched online... and ranked it?"
She looked at the box in her hand.
"What a fool."
If the luxury item is carefully planned to please her, she may feel pressured.
But this kind of clumsiness of "making things last minute" made her feel a little bit real.
That's enough.
"It's okay."
Kamuro Masumi carefully put the purple box into the inner pocket of the coat.
She raised her head and looked at Kazehara Tetsu again.
"As long as it's in your heart."
"And..."
She opened the door of Dormitory, and the cold wind from outside rushed in instantly, messing up her long hair.
Kamuro Masumi stood at the door, with his back to Kazehara Tetsu, and paused.
"Thank you."
This almost inaudible whisper was left behind.
Kazehara Tetsu stood there, looking at the door that had closed again.
The door panel blocked out the wind and snow outside, and also took away the awkward girl.
The room became quiet again.
"What do you mean..."
Kazehara Tetsu repeated the word in a low voice.