"I need to feel sentimental too! It's been more than half a year, and I still haven't seen a certain gentleman give me a gift. That's really terrible!"
Utaha covered her chest, her expression full of grievance.
"My heart… feels a little sad!"
Yes—up to this day, Utaha had never received a gift from Haizaki.
She didn't care about the gift itself; what she cared about was the meaning behind giving one.
Unfortunately, after waiting for more than half a year, she still hadn't received anything from him.
Bringing it up this time was mainly to lighten the gloomy mood, and secondly, to give Haizaki a small reminder.
If she truly had to choose what gift she wanted, there was only one.
Utaha's wine-red eyes reflected Haizaki's face, emitting a burning gaze.
Haizaki, sitting across from her, felt a bit awkward.
If she hadn't mentioned it, he really wouldn't have noticed.
But given the current situation, what kind of gift would Utaha want?
Generally speaking, girls liked shiny things.
A gemstone pendant? A diamond ring? Or perhaps a pearl necklace?
In a large city like Wuhua City, such accessories certainly existed—but was that really what she wanted?
This left Haizaki uncertain.
So—
"Miss Kasumigaoka, what kind of gift would you like?"
"You… is that okay?"
Haizaki showed a helpless expression that said, I knew you'd say that.
Utaha interlaced her fingers and rested her chin on them, her eyes fixed on Haizaki, a faint, sly smile on her face.
"Say it yourself."
Haizaki let out a sigh and spoke, "How long have you been thinking about me…"
His straightforward words caused Utaha's lips to part slightly as she froze, her eyes flashing with surprise.
She had expected his reaction to be either rejection or silence. This teasing counterattack caught her completely off guard, leaving her unsure how to respond.
And besides… what did he mean by "thinking about him"?
I, Utaha, how could I possibly be thinking about you, you annoying man?
When it came to matters between men and women, even if both sides understood, wording still mattered a great deal.
"Haizaki-kun, don't talk nonsense…"
Crossing her arms, turning slightly to the side, and lifting her chin a little, Utaha denied it.
"What do you mean by thinking about you? What do you even have that's worth my attention? You? Your body? Sorry, my interest isn't that great."
I am thinking about you, coveting your body.
I'm very interested in you—so interested that I want to tie you up and imprison you in a room, making you something that belongs only to me.
She silently added that last sentence in her heart.
"In that case, that's really a shame."
If Utaha had confronted him head-on, Haizaki had ways to respond.
But since she chose to deny it, that was fine too.
Over the past few months, most of their exchanges had ended with him on the losing side. When he was serious, he couldn't outplay this veteran flirt.
It was precisely because of those repeated defeats that Haizaki had reflected deeply, thinking about how to seize the initiative and make Utaha, the seasoned flirt, stumble instead.
Don't be fooled by her usual open and seductive demeanor—when it came to real matters, she might very well chicken out.
"Thank you very much, Miss Kasumigaoka, for putting my mind completely at ease. I'll be able to sleep peacefully at night now. For the past few months, I've been worried about being attacked in my sleep and eaten clean."
Those words, spoken with a hint of a smile, instantly made Utaha grind her teeth, wishing she could rush over and bite Haizaki hard.
This guy had completely reversed their positions.
"It's wonderful that you can sleep peacefully! Our cohabitation should be built on mutual trust."
Utaha refused to back down and continued along Haizaki's line of conversation.
"In the pitch-black, cold night, Haizaki-kun must feel lonely and afraid, right? So, for your sake, I've decided to make a small sacrifice and spend the night in your room."
Suppressing the embarrassment surging in her heart, Utaha did her best to maintain a calm expression, looking straight at Haizaki as she finished the sentence.
The meaning of those words should have been obvious enough.
"I think boys should learn how to refuse."
Refuse—Utaha was furious inside.
"Boys should be protected by girls."
Don't glare at me with that cold, threatening look!
Haizaki thought inwardly as he endured the girl's freezing gaze.
"Alright, Kasumigaoka-san, let's stop the jokes here. But what do girls usually like?"
"Figure it out yourself. How can you ask me about that?"
She shot Haizaki an annoyed glance. If she told him what to give, wouldn't the anticipation of receiving the gift disappear?
What she cared about was the sense of anticipation and the meaning behind the act itself.
"I remember Yukino likes cats, but there aren't any cats in this world."
Recalling things girls liked from his memories, Haizaki spoke without thinking.
With a soft clack, Utaha forcefully set down her chopsticks. The gentle smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression.
"I'm full. I'll be leaving now."
Without looking back, Utaha went straight upstairs and disappeared from Haizaki's sight.
She… was angry.
And this really was his fault.
He had accidentally spoken his thoughts out loud.
…
Haizaki changed his afternoon plans.
He was going to look for a suitable gift for the girl.
From what he remembered, gifts suitable for girls were usually shiny gold and silver jewelry, or items that symbolized romance.
"Too ordinary. It doesn't feel right…"
The dazzling array of necklaces and bracelets in the jewelry store sparkled under the lights, still radiating a captivating brilliance.
But in Haizaki's eyes, they felt somewhat ordinary.
The only piece that seemed decent was a ring.
And the meaning attached to a ring was far too heavy.
He couldn't give it.
"I'll check the flower and bird market…"
What remained there could only be ornamental plants.
But were there even any ornamental plants still alive?
Haizaki didn't hold much hope.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to take a look.
After driving for over two hours and visiting three flower and bird markets of varying sizes, the results were all the same.
Most of the plants were dead.
The surviving cacti, succulents, and similar plants weren't suitable as gifts for a girl.
"Wait…"
Just as Haizaki was about to leave, he unexpectedly noticed a small cluster of flowers blooming in the corner of the room.
Blue-purple blossoms, blooming in competition with one another.
Compared to the withered gray-black surroundings, they appeared vivid, eye-catching, and full of life.
Even without anyone caring for them, even though all similar plants around them had already withered and died, they were still struggling to live, growing with all their strength.
In the midst of despair, they still bloomed with the most beautiful flowers.
"It's decided. It's you…"
Tenacity, struggle, resistance.
In this unknown flower, he saw a fearless spirit of perseverance and defiance.
Just like him—and her—struggling in this world.
…