Multiverse: SSS-Rank Treasure Chest at the Beginning

Chapter 303 303: Picking Out a Birthday Present For Miko

"We've arrived."

The destination was a tall building nearby, with an open rooftop that offered a panoramic view of the city's nightscape.

The night breeze gently brushed, and Mai leaned against the railing, looking up at the starry sky, her expression relaxed and serene.

Tenya stood beside her, his gaze fixed on her profile. Under the starlight, her contours appeared exceptionally soft, her eyelashes trembling slightly, as if hiding countless thoughts.

"Mai-senpai, what are you thinking about?" He asked softly.

Mai was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "I'm thinking, what would I be like now if I hadn't met you back then?"

Tenya smiled. "Probably still that transparent person forgotten by the world."

"Yes…" Mai lowered her head, her voice very soft, "So, I'm very grateful to you."

Tenya reached out and ruffled her hair, his tone unusually serious, "Don't thank me. Meeting you is also my good fortune."

Mai looked up at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "Do you really like me?"

Tenya didn't avoid her gaze and nodded. "I do."

"Even if I'm just one of your many girls?"

"Mai-senpai, you have never been just one of them." Tenya took her hand and placed it over his heart. "You are the person I am willing to give my true feelings to."

Mai felt the warmth of his chest, and her heartbeat gradually synchronized with his. She bit her lip, finally making up her mind.

"Then… can I trust you?"

Tenya smiled slightly. "Of course you can."

Mai took a deep breath, then suddenly stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed him on the lips.

"This is… my answer."

Mai said, blushing, but her eyes were incredibly firm.

Tenya came back to his senses, a smile appearing in his eyes. "Mai-senpai, are you confessing?"

"Don't get cocky." Mai pushed him away in embarrassment and anger.

"I just don't want to run away from my feelings anymore."

Tenya pulled her back into his arms, leaning down to whisper in her ear, "Then from today on, you are my girlfriend."

Although it's just one of them…

Mai leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and the corners of her lips unconsciously lifted. "Hmph, you got off easy."

The night breeze gently brushed, and their figures embraced tightly under the starlight.

...

The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the curtains. Tenya woke up from his sleep, with Mai still sleeping soundly beside him, her long hair scattered on the pillow, her breathing even and peaceful.

He gently got up, picked up his phone, and checked the time. A new message popped up on the screen.

Hana: Tenya-kun, are you free today? I'll be waiting for you on the school rooftop. I have something important to tell you.

"Hana? It's been a while since we met."

Tenya showed a contented expression. His harem strategy was all about fair and even distribution.

"Whose message is it?"

Mai groggily opened her eyes, her voice carrying the laziness of just waking up.

"Hana, asking me to meet her on the school rooftop." Tenya answered truthfully.

"Ah, that junior with the big chest, right?"

Mai snorted lightly and rolled over, turning her back to him. "You're really busy, aren't you?"

Tenya leaned down and kissed her cheek, laughing. "Mai-senpai, as a broad-minded woman, you wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Of course I mind."

Mai pulled the blanket over her head, playing ostrich. "But since I've decided to be with you, I expected this."

"You truly are my good wife."

Tenya chuckled, then got dressed and left the room.

...

On the rooftop of Sobu High School, Hana was sitting by the railing, her legs gently swinging, holding a bento box. She was wearing her school uniform today, but her bow tie was crooked, making her look particularly playful. The sunlight streamed onto her orange hair, casting a soft halo.

"Tenya-kun! Over here!"

Seeing Tenya push open the door, she immediately waved excitedly, her smile brighter than the sun.

Tenya walked over to her and teased, "Asking me to the rooftop so early, don't tell me you want to have breakfast with me?"

"You guessed it." Hana giggled and handed him the bento box.

"I woke up early to make it specially. Want to try it?"

Tenya opened the bento box. Inside, rice balls, tamagoyaki, and a few pieces of fried chicken were neatly arranged. Although the shapes were a bit crooked, it was clear that effort had been put into it.

"I didn't expect you to have such cooking skills."

He picked up a piece of tamagoyaki and took a bite. The taste was surprisingly good.

"Hehe, I practiced for a long time."

Hana rested her chin on her hands, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "How is it? Is it delicious?"

"Mm, it's very delicious." Tenya nodded and picked up another rice ball.

"But, you asked me here not just to try your food, right?"

Hana sat by the rooftop railing, her legs gently swinging, the sunlight casting a soft halo on her golden hair. She tilted her head towards Tenya and blinked.

"Tenya-kun, actually, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about today."

"Oh? What is it?" Tenya took a bite of her tamagoyaki and raised an eyebrow.

"Miko's birthday is coming up, and I want to prepare a special gift for her." Hana clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling.

"But I don't know what to give her, so I wanted to ask you for ideas."

Tenya was slightly startled, then smiled. "I see. You really care about Miko."

"Of course. Miko is my best friend."

Hana nodded vigorously, then frowned in distress. "But she's always so calm, like she lacks nothing, I can't think of anything that would make her happy."

Tenya rubbed his chin, deep in thought and said, "Miko, huh... Indeed, she's not the type who likes ostentatious gifts."

"Right!"

Hana leaned closer to him, grabbing his sleeve with both hands, her eyes full of anticipation.

"You and Miko are so close, you must know what she likes, right?"

Tenya looked at her sparkling eyes and couldn't help but smile. "Now that you mention it, I do remember something."

"What is it?" Hana immediately perked up her ears.

"Miko seems to be very interested in a newly released supernatural novel recently."

Tenya recalled, "A few days ago, when she was at the library, she stared at that book for a long time, but didn't buy it in the end."

"Supernatural novel?"

Hana tilted her head and asked, "Doesn't Miko usually get scared of these kinds of things?"

"Precisely why she's even more interested."

Tenya shrugged, "Although Miko is afraid of ghosts, she can't help but want to understand them. It's like she's both scared and in love with them."

"I see!"

Hana suddenly understood, then hesitated, "But... wouldn't it be bad to give something scary as a birthday gift?"

Tenya smiled mysteriously and said, "That depends on how you package it. For example, you could give her the book, and then pair it with some talismans or something, so she can satisfy her curiosity without being too scared."

"Talismans..."

Hana's eyes lit up. "Oh, right. I remember the shrine recently sold a type of omamori that's said to ward off evil, and it's super cute."

[Omamori = Japanese amulets]

"Not bad, Hana. At least it's not thoughtless." Tenya praised her with a click of his tongue.

"What do you mean? Your comparison..."

Hana put her hands on her hips, pouting, "Anyway, it's decided. Tenya-kun, let's go buy the gift together after school?"

"We go together?" Tenya was slightly puzzled.

"Yes." Hana nodded as if it were obvious.

"Since it was your suggestion, of course we should choose it together. And Miko will definitely be even happier when she sees a gift from both of us."

Tenya looked at her innocent smile and couldn't help but reach out and ruffle her hair. "Alright, I have nothing else to do today anyway."

"That's great."