The heating in the room gradually took effect, dispelling the chill of the winter night.
The lights on the table focus on the gift boxes that have been opened or are about to be opened, like a silent Spoils of War exhibition.
Kazehara Tetsu sat in front of the desk, tapping the slightly old spine of the book with his slender fingers.
This was the first gift he opened, a gift from Shiina Hiyori.
Just as he expected before opening the elegant Wrapping Paper, it was a book.
A heavy hardcover Mystery Novel with some wear and tear on the edges of the cover.
For Shiina Hiyori... that serious bookworm who regards books as his life, this means something completely different.
"Heh..."
Kazehara Tetsu Open the book page.
The paper has turned slightly yellow, which is the smell of time and the traces left by readers.
This means that this is not a book that you just picked up on the bestseller list in a bookstore.
This is a treasured book in her private library.
It was the book that she read over and over again, savored, and even replayed the case countless times in her mind.
Giving away a brand new book is just giving away a piece of "reading material".
But giving away an old book that you have read countless times and left your own presence in the pages is tantamount to inviting the other person into your Spiritual World.
"It's such a heavy heart, Hiyori."
Kazehara Tetsu solemnly placed this book on the top shelf of the bookshelf, where it is most easily accessible.
Then, his eyes turned to the somewhat exaggerated and high-end gift box next to him.
A gift from Karuizawa Kei.
He hooked his fingers around the golden ribbon and pulled it gently.
The ribbon slipped off and the lid of the box was lifted.
What catches the eye is the neatly arranged Handmade Chocolate. The surface reflects an attractive luster under this light.
Just by looking at the packaging, you can tell that this is definitely not Convenience Store.
"Did you buy it with the Personal Points you saved..."
Kazehara Tetsu twists one of the Dark Chocolate.
"Not even using the 'Activity Expenses' I gave her."
This is the most interesting place.
She is not only giving gifts, but also trying to prove her value in this relationship through consumption in this way... not just a kept Parasite, but a woman with independent payment ability, at least she believes that she can give back to her host equally.
Kazehara Tetsu opened his mouth and put the chocolate into his mouth.
"Click."
The brittle hard shell cracked between the teeth.
Immediately afterwards, a bitterness that was too strong to be resolved spread on the tip of the tongue.
It is the unique flavor of Dark Chocolate, but there is a hint of sweetness in the aftertaste.
Kazehara Tetsu Chewed, feeling the silky sauce slide down the throat.
"It's okay."
It's not too surprising, but the bitter taste is not unpleasant at all.
Just like Karuizawa Kei, the appearance is glamorous and even a little vain, but when you peel off the shell, there is this bitter yet real taste inside.
He didn't take another pill.
He closed the lid casually, got up and walked to the Small Freezer that had been idle in the corner of the room.
Opening the cabinet door, there was nothing inside except a few cans of Happy Water.
He put the expensive box of chocolates inside and placed it in the most conspicuous position.
Return to the desk.
A gift from Yamamura Miki.
Kazehara Tetsu picked up the scissors and opened the somewhat awkward tape seal.
Open the paper box.
There was a ball of soft fabric lying there quietly.
I took it out and saw that it was a Knit Hat.
It's not the kind of industrial product produced on an assembly line in a shopping mall.
The wool of this hat is slightly thicker and the color is an inconspicuous gray.
Kazehara Tetsu put his hand into the hat and opened it.
It feels surprisingly soft and solid to the touch.
"Hand-knitted?"
He looked carefully at the pins.
Although the overall shape is quite neat, some traces of modifications can still be seen in some places where the stitches have been tightened.
It's a little tighter in some places and a little looser in some places.
Although Kazehara Tetsu is not in the habit of wearing a hat in winter... after all, it will be very troublesome if his hair is messed up.
But he still took the hat and made a gesture on his head.
The size is surprisingly suitable.
"Nice gift."
Kazehara Tetsu looked at himself in the mirror. The gray hat made him look a little softer than the boy next door.
"Compared to those expensive commodities, this kind of gift that consumes the non-renewable resource of 'time' does have a different weight."
Finally.
His eyes fell on the most anticipated box.
There is no brand logo on the box.
"What kind of mystery is hidden in the so-called 'capricious' bouquet?"
Kazehara Tetsu stretched out his hand and touched it lightly with his thumb.
"Crack."
On the black substrate, there are two Chess Piece.
It is not an ordinary wooden or plastic Chess Piece.
Looks like some kind of jade
A king.
The black crown is set with an extremely small ruby.
Then, he picked up another one.
That's a queen.
Immaculate white and elegant lines.
This white piece is also not simple.
On the top of the queen's scepter is an amethyst.
Black king.
The white queen.
And...
Kazehara Tetsu placed two Chess Piece in the palm of his hand and looked at them carefully.
The base design of these two Chess Piece is very clever.
The slightly sloping section and the slot on the edge.
He tried to put two Chess Piece together.
"Click."
A very slight crisp sound.
The black king and the white queen can be perfectly put together through the special mechanism on the base to form a stable whole.
"The Black King and the White Queen..."
Kazehara Tetsu rubbed the cold surface of the jade, feeling the heaviness.
"It seems that it was specially made by craftsmen. The thought is really deep."
He separated the two Chess Piece pieces that were put together again.
King and Queen.
Black and white.
Sakayanagi Arisu sent this pair of Chess Piece.
The black king obviously refers to Kazehara Tetsu.
The white queen is naturally herself.
"Does this count as an oath to me?"
Kazehara Tetsu looked at the two Chess Piece in his hand.
"I directly defined myself as the 'Queen' and handed over the position of 'King' to me."
Kazehara Tetsu raised the white queen Chess Piece to his eyes.
"Since you sent the 'Queen' into my hands..."
"Then I will politely... take actual control of it."
He did not put the two Chess Piece back into the box, but placed them directly in the center of the desk.
Kazehara Tetsu leaned back and exhaled a long breath.
"It seems that in the coming days..."
Kazehara Tetsu picked up the can of black tea and pulled the tab open with a "click".
"... it gets interesting."
He raised his head and took a sip of the cold black tea.