My Story of Falling for the Class President

Chapter 59

Chapter 59: A Gift for My Little Sister

And so, the final exams and closing ceremony passed without incident, the year turned, and the third semester began.

The third semester passed peacefully too. There aren't really any events, after all.

This time next year will be the high school entrance exam season. Right now is the only time to do all sorts of things.

Every Wednesday, I spend time after school helping Kashii-san in the art room.

While having tea and snacks, we talk about various things—about historical warriors, about Kashii-san, about Tachibana, about siblings, about friends, about studies.

When there's no work, Kashii-san even helps me with my studies.

This is a story from around the time the third semester's final exams ended.

My little sister, Nozomi, will become a middle schooler in April. Her birthday is also in early April, but since she'll be a middle schooler, I accidentally mentioned wondering what kind of birthday gift I should give her.

Kashii-san said,

'Once they're middle schoolers, girls can be tricky, you know?'

'Right?'

'If you give something weird, not only will she not be happy, she might even get mad.'

'True.'

'...'

(Is Kashii-san glancing at me?)

'Well, I'll think about it!'

'Isn't this the part where you ask for help picking a gift?'

Lately, Kashii-san has stopped holding back on saying what she wants to say.

You could also say she's stopped expecting things from me.

Seeing her swallow her words with other people makes me kind of happy.

Even getting scolded makes me happy.

I shouldn't think I'm special or anything, though.

And so, being persuaded like this, one day during spring break,

we ended up going out to the city together.

The city is around the station where the bullet train stops, and the area in front of the station is the biggest and only urban area in the prefecture.

From my area, you can go by train or by bus.

The train is faster and cheaper, so I go by train.

But since everyone goes to the city when they go out, the chance of running into someone I know at the local station is basically 100%.

The train runs at a pace of three every two hours, so you're pretty much guaranteed to meet someone you know at the local station waiting area.

That's why we decided to meet at 11 a.m. at a monument a little off to the side in front of the city station.

Just in case, we decided not to act together even if we meet before that. The local station is the most dangerous zone for rumors like "Aren't they a couple?"

Meeting at 11 a.m. means I can make it on the 10:30 train, but just in case, I decided to take the earlier 10:05 train (since I don't have a smartphone, waiting to meet up is scary).

With that in mind, I left the house.

At the station's waiting space, there were two boys from my grade, and I greeted them lightly. Being introverted, the conversation didn't really take off, so after a quick greeting, I moved away to look at the tracks.

A little later, Kashii-san arrived.

She gave me a small wave.

Today's outfit is a white knit sweater, a light beige-ish skirt, and a light brown coat. She's also wearing a stylish hat.

(To put it mildly, she's way too cute.)

Kashii-san looked like she wanted to say something, but she was being spoken to by the two boys.

A little later, some boys and girls from another class arrived.

When they saw us, they quickly moved apart. They must have thought it was an unexpected pairing.

Then, two groups of two girls each arrived, and the place was filled with people from my grade.

I'm glad I didn't carelessly talk to Kashii-san.

I boarded the train with relief. After about 15 minutes, I arrived in the city and exited the ticket gate. There were no classmates around.

On the way to the monument, I noticed Kashii-san walking ahead of me, and I kept a certain distance while walking to the meeting place.

It's still early, but I arrived at the meeting place. Naturally, Kashii-san, who was walking ahead, is already there.

'Good morning, Kashii-san! Did I make you wait?'

Kashii-san, looking a bit annoyed,

'It's not about making me wait! We saw each other at the local station, but you didn't wave back or even talk to me! Even if classmates are around, a greeting should be fine, right?'

I got scolded.

'No, if someone saw us, definitely, right? If weird rumors start, it'll be a problem for you, Kashii-san.'

I made an excuse.

The south area of the station is more of a shopping area for adults, but Kashii-san seemed familiar with it and guided me while talking about various things.

'Nozomi-chan is cute, but she doesn't have many accessories or decorations, right?'

'Yeah, she's in sixth grade, still a kid.'

'Your older brother (Sho) is a kid too, right?'

'True.'

(I get treated like a kid, huh.)

'But since she's a girl, I'm sure she'd like decorations that add a little flair, like I mentioned earlier.'

Saying that, Kashii-san entered a shop geared more toward older sisters.

I followed nervously. As expected, all the customers and staff were women.

'For an active girl, I think something like a hair clip (barrette) would be nice, don't you think? It's cute, you can change it based on your mood, and I have quite a few myself!'

'I see.'

(I said "I see," but I have no idea.)

'I bet Tachibana-kun doesn't get it, so I'll suggest some options, okay?'

'! That helps! Thanks!'

Kashii-san picked out a few items, but hmm, I still don't get it.

I nervously asked.

'Kashii-san, could you, um, try them on for me to see?'

'! You want me to try them on?'

'I can't picture it in my head.'

Kashii-san tried on a few hair clips, twirling around or striking poses.

She smiled brightly and said, "How's this?" or something, and all I could think was that she's cute, but I can't say that.

Is this my first time going out with a girl? Now I'm starting to feel nervous.

I chose something similar to the hair clip Kashii-san usually wears and had the staff wrap it up.

'That slightly mature one was really pretty and cute too, right?'

Kashii-san also liked one of the options.

(Ah, that's the one Kousuke mentioned.)

I had consulted Kousuke about today. I'm done with being left out and facing retaliation like last time, and besides, there aren't many people I can ask for advice.

He strongly insisted that if Kashii-san liked something, I should give it to her later as a thank-you gift.

'Thanks, Kashii-san. You really helped today. I couldn't have chosen anything on my own.'

'Yeah, I'm glad we found something good. So, are we done for today?'

I was hesitant. This should be the end, but it was so fun that I didn't want to part ways.

But is it okay for someone like me to invite Kashii-san to hang out more?

What does Kashii-san think?

I'll just ask, even if it's a long shot.

'If, um, if you have time, I was thinking of going to the bookstore after this, having lunch, and eating some sweets before heading home. Would you like to join, Kashii-san?'

'I'll go! But your way of inviting! It needs a bit more charm!'

'Sorry.'

I get a man's heart, but I don't get a woman's heart at all, do I?

I really am just a kid, huh.

And so, the two of us went to the bookstore and bought some books. On the way, Kashii-san spent an hour looking at clothes at a shop, and I was surprised to realize it's true that women take a long time shopping. We ate crepes and then took the evening train home.

Since classmates were nearby, we boarded the train separately to head back.

Before I knew it, Kashii-san was surrounded by classmates.

I couldn't even talk to Kashii-san like that, and we arrived at the local station.

Kashii-san's house is pretty close to the station, but mine is in a different direction.

I deliberately took a detour and headed toward Kashii-san's house direction.

After everyone else left and Kashii-san was alone, I called out to her.

'Kashii-san!'

'Whoa! What's up, Tachibana-kun? Did you forget something or what?'

'Yeah, thanks for today. You really helped me out.'

'I'm glad to hear that!'

'Also, I had a ton of fun! ...This looked so good on you, Kashii-san... would you accept it?'

'! Can I open it?'

'Of course!'

'This! I thought this was so pretty! I held back because I thought it was a gift for Nozomi-chan, and I didn't pick it, but I was planning to buy it later! Hey, will you put it on for me?'

I felt nervous touching Kashii-san's hair.

I'd seen it earlier, but it really suited her so much.

'Thanks, I'll treasure it! I'm so happy!'

See you! And with that, we parted ways there.

It was my first time going on a trip with Kashii-san.

It was a day that left such a lasting memory.

And with that, my second year of middle school came to an end.

———————

That day at the Kashii home

'Hehe.'

'Reina, you're in a good mood, huh?'

'Ta-da! I got a hair clip! And get this, he secretly bought it and quietly gave it to me when we parted ways!'

'Weren't you going to buy a gift for your little sister? You said you weren't even on his radar and thought he was just buying a gift, right?'

'Yeah, exactly! What a surprise!'

'That's amazing! So he made the whole day from the meeting place to the end super special? Nice job, Tachibana-kun!'

'...In the morning, we met at the station, but he didn't say a word to me and ignored me all the way to the meeting place...'

'What's going on with that?'

'...'

'From that kind of treatment to being all happy just from a final gift—Reina, you're so easy to please!'

'Am I really that easy to please?'

Lately, Kashii-san had started to suspect that she might be too easy to please.