Chapter 16

“Good work today.”

“Great work!”

“See you tomorrow, heading out~.”

While everyone else was leaving the office for the day, I had volunteered for overtime to make up for the half-day I took off yesterday.

At the desk right in front of mine, Hosotani-san was also continuing to work. It seemed she was on the exact same page as me.

Before long, the floor was left with just the two of us—Hosotani-san and myself—and only the sound of computer keyboards clicking echoed through the room.

Click-clack…

Click-clack…

Click-clack…

Stealing glances at Hosotani-san, who was silently and earnestly tackling her work with a serious expression, I replayed Saeki’s earlier remark in my head.

《Wasn’t the chocolate Hosotani senpai gave you actually homemade?》

No, no way, that…

“—Could it be?”

“Eh? Did you say something?”

Suddenly, Hosotani-san raised her head.

Our eyes met unexpectedly.

Oh no, it seemed my voice had slipped out unconsciously.

“Ah, no, it’s nothing. Sorry.”

“Is that so. Well, if you say so.”

“Um, I’ll be heading home soon, but are you still staying, Hosotani-san?”

“Hmm, I wonder what I should do…”

Hosotani-san looked up at the clock.

The time was seven-thirty, and outside was already pitch black.

“Right, I think I’ll head home too.”

“Then I’ll lock up the office.”

“Yup, thanks.”

Having finished getting ready to leave, Hosotani-san and I left the office together and walked side-by-side toward the parking lot.

I was on foot, but Hosotani-san commuted by car, so I decided to walk her over to her vehicle just in case.

“Oh, by the way, thank you for the chocolate. Please look forward to the White Day return gift.”

“Eh, no need for something like that.”

Hosotani-san waved her small hand, declining shyly.

“No, no, it’s been an unwritten rule since forever that White Day presents are three times the value.”

At that, Hosotani-san lowered her gaze slightly and said,

“Umm… about that, actually. I didn’t say anything because it was a bit embarrassing, but the chocolate I gave you was actually homemade.”

“Eh…”

I froze at the completely unexpected words.

“What is that supposed to…?”

“So, I’d really like you to eat it today if possible.”

“Ah… oh, right.”

“Well then, my car is over that way. Bye-bye, see you tomorrow!”

Saying just that, Hosotani-san bolted away as if running for her life.

I stood rooted to the spot in a daze for a while, gazing at Hosotani-san’s retreating back.

As soon as I returned to my apartment, I pulled the chocolate out of my bag.

After being told something so full of implication right as we parted ways, there was no way I couldn’t check the contents right away.

Sitting down on the floor in a formal seiza posture for no particular reason, I carefully peeled off the wrapping paper, revealing a box.

I had hoped a letter or a card-like note might be tucked inside, but there was nothing of the sort.

Suppressing a slight wave of disappointment, I slowly opened the lid. And then,

“Whoaaa!”

Inside sat a single, large heart-shaped chocolate.

“Hey, hey, seriously?!”

Could this possibly mean… true feelings?

Feeling my heart pounding wildly against my ribs, I placed the box on the table for the time being and took a deep breath.

The walls of our apartment were thin, so if I made too much noise, Shimizu-san and her daughter would hear me. Calm down, me.

After settling my elated mood, I cast my eyes back down toward the chocolate.

There was no mistake… it was heart-shaped.

“Heh-heh-heh-heh~.”

A smile naturally spilled across my face.

If I looked in a mirror right now, I’d surely get to witness my own face melted into a grin softer than anything I’d ever seen before.

I pinched my own thigh.

Yep, it hurt… this wasn’t a dream.

Just as I was doing such a foolish thing, suddenly—

Ring-ring-ring-ring…

Ring-ring-ring-ring…

My smartphone’s ringtone chimed.

Flinching slightly in surprise,

“Who could be calling at this hour?”

I grabbed my phone, checked the screen, and was even more astonished.

“Hosotani-san!?”

Displayed right there was the name Kazumi Hosotani.