part2 · 107-ep107

Episode 107: The First Present

The next morning.

Mizuki was getting ready to go out.

"Alright, I'm off."

"...Yeah."

"I'll be back by evening."

"...Take care."

Mizuki left the house. The door closed.

Ren stared at the entryway for a while.

And then—

he went back to the living room.

"......"

He sat on the sofa and picked up his smartphone. He tried to start a game, as usual.

But—

he suddenly remembered yesterday.

Cooking. The things Mizuki had taught him.

Even before that. She'd bought him clothes. She'd gotten him a smartphone. She'd helped him make his ID. The bank account, too.

For Ren, who had returned to the surface after ten years, Mizuki had helped him again and again.

"......"

Ren stared at the smartphone.

"...Something."

He murmured quietly.

"...Maybe I should give something back."

He thought for a while.

And then—

"...A present."

The word rose to mind.

He had almost never bought a present for anyone. Much less—giving something to Mizuki.

"......"

Ren thought for a moment.

"...Guess I'll try buying one."

He set down the smartphone. Stood up.

And then—

he left the house alone.

　　　　　◇

He walked through town.

He'd grown more used to the scenery around him than before.

Lots of people. Cars driving. Stores lined up.

Scenery different from ten years ago.

Even so—

today it looked just a little different. Because he had a purpose.

"......"

Ren stopped in front of a store.

An accessory shop. Through the glass, all sorts of accessories were displayed.

"......"

Ren went into the store.

　　　　　◇

Inside, many accessories were lined up.

Necklaces. Bracelets. Earrings. Rings.

Ren looked at them one by one.

"......"

He picked one up. Looked. Put it back. Looked at another.

"...This one?"

A simple necklace.

But—

"......"

He tilted his head.

No. Somehow, that's what he felt.

He looked at the next one. This time, something a little flashy.

"......"

This one wasn't right either.

Ren kept walking around the store for a while. But. He couldn't quite decide.

"......"

He imagined Mizuki wearing it.

Her everyday clothes. Her clothes as an adventurer.

Something that looked good with both. Not too flashy. Not too showy.

And yet—

something that was like Mizuki.

"......"

Just then.

A single necklace caught Ren's eye.

It had a small star on it.

"......"

Ren stopped.

A star.

Seeing that shape—

an old memory came back.

Ten years ago. The promise he'd made with Mizuki.

Someday. The two of them would go see the stars. Somewhere with no city lights.

"......"

Ren picked up the necklace. The small star quietly reflected the light.

"...This."

Ren stared at it for a while.

And then—

"...For Mizuki."

he murmured quietly.

It was the first thing he had ever chosen himself, for someone else.

　　　　　◇

He headed for the register.

The clerk called out to him with a smile.

"Would this be alright?"

"...Yes."

"Is it for a present?"

"...Yes."

"Certainly."

Beyond that, Ren barely spoke.

The clerk wrapped the necklace. Ren watched in silence.

Before long—

"Thank you for waiting."

"...Thanks."

Ren paid. And received the small wrapped box.

"......"

He looked at the box.

"...This should do."

Ren left the store.

　　　　　◇

He returned home.

Mizuki hadn't come back yet.

Ren went into his room and placed the present on the desk.

"......"

He gazed at it for a while.

But—

"......"

Ren thought for a moment.

"...When am I supposed to give it to her?"

That, he didn't know.

He'd bought the present. He'd gotten that far.

But—

he hadn't thought as far as when to hand it over.

"......"

Ren stared at the box. And then left it there on the desk.

　　　　　◇

Evening.

The entryway door opened.

"I'm home."

"...Welcome home."

Ren came out to the living room.

"Tired again today..."

Mizuki set down her things.

Time for the two of them, just like always.

"What did you do today, Ren?"

"...I went out a little."

"Out?"

"...Yeah."

"Did you go somewhere?"

"...Shopping."

"What did you buy?"

"......"

Ren went silent.

"Ren?"

Ren went back to his room.

And then—

he came back with a small box.

"...This?"

Mizuki tilted her head.

"...For you, Mizuki."

"......"

Mizuki's eyes widened just a little.

"For me?"

"...Yeah."

"Why?"

Ren thought for a moment.

"...Because you're always helping me."

"......"

"...I wanted to give something back."

Mizuki stared at the box for a while.

"...Can I open it?"

"...Yeah."

Mizuki slowly opened the box.

Inside—

was a necklace with a small star.

"......"

Mizuki's movement stopped.

A star.

The instant she saw that shape—

the memory of ten years ago came back vividly.

And. That day they'd reunited.

That promise she and Ren had confirmed together.

Someday. The two of them would go see the stars. Somewhere with no city lights.

"......"

Mizuki gently lifted the necklace with her fingertips.

"...You chose a star."

"...Yeah."

"......"

Mizuki looked at Ren.

"...I remembered that day."

"...Yeah."

Ren nodded a little too.

"...Me too."

A few tears welled in Mizuki's eyes.

"...I see."

"......"

"Thank you, Ren."

Mizuki smiled.

"I'm really happy."

Ren looked at Mizuki for a moment.

"...Happy?"

"Yeah."

Mizuki nodded.

"I'm really happy."

"...I see."

Ren's expression softened just a little.

"...I'm glad I bought it."

"Yeah."

Mizuki gazed at the necklace as if it were precious.

"I'll treasure it."

"...Yeah."

A quiet moment passed between the two.

Ten years ago. The promise the two had made.

And—

ten years later. The first present Ren had ever given to Mizuki.

The necklace with the small star—

quietly connected them to that day's promise.