The Gal Next to Me Is Trying Too Hard to Make Me Fall in Love With Her
“If you do it like this, I think it’ll turn out well.”
“Oooohhh!!”
Clap clap clap clap—the sound of five people applauding echoed.
The location was a classmate’s home. An apartment room not far from the station.
After Amagi-san and Subaru left the classroom, I was called over by my classmates. I ended up baking a cake with them.
Turns out, they planned to make their own cakes and have a Christmas party together.
But none of them had ever made a cake before, so they invited me as an advisor to try it out first.
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much… but… how can you do all this?”
“Seriously?! Cookies I get, but this is insane!”
“Did you take some kind of class, Saeki-kun?”
While the cake sponge was baking, I showed them how to make sugarcraft decorations. Like little sugar Santas and flowers. For a regular cake, maybe not, but for a Christmas cake, this stuff is essential.
“My dad’s a pastry chef. So, I’ve learned a lot about baking from him.”
“Your dad’s a pastry chef!? Seriously, that’s so cool!”
“C-cool…? Is that what you mean…?”
“Which shop!? I wanna go try it sometime!”
“He doesn’t have his own place, he works at a restaurant… It’s pretty high-end, so it might be a bit tricky…”
“I see. Now that you mention it, Saeki does have that kind of vibe.”
“…What kind of vibe?”
They’re saying random stuff… Oh well.
Seeing this reaction reminds me of elementary school.
It was definitely winter of third grade.
We had a class assignment to interview our parents about their jobs and give a presentation. As a result, I became the center of attention in class for a while.
It was truly painful back then. I was so embarrassed I couldn’t even understand why, and I swore I’d never talk about my dad’s job outside the house again.
…And yet, somehow it just slipped out naturally this time.
I guess the whole cultural festival incident made me less easily shaken by things.
All of this, everything, is thanks to Amagi-san. Over these past few months, I feel like I’ve really grown stronger in so many ways.
“Once the sponge is baked, let it cool slightly, then decorate it, and it’s done. Since it’s Christmas, how about trying a Yule log? Since it’s a roll cake, the batter bakes quickly, and I think it’ll look great in photos. If you like, gingerbread cookies too… Um…?”
“””””………”””””
“Wh-what’s wrong…?”
The five of them suddenly fell silent, exchanging glances and nodding to each other.
Oh no, did I get carried away and say something I shouldn’t have?
“Um, you know…”
“Y-yes…?”
“Saeki, are you free for Christmas?”
“Um… wh-what are you talking about?”
“Well, I just thought it might be quicker to have Saeki-kun come over and make it.”
Even though that defeats the whole purpose, I thought.
I gave a forced laugh and tried to brush it off casually.
“Well, but Saeki-kun has Amagi-san, right?”
“She’s got good taste, that girl.”
“Probably because he’s smart, huh? I want a boyfriend like Saeki too!”
“Um… I’m not exactly her boyfriend or anything…”
When I said that, she gave me a look that said, stop joking around.
It’s true though… But seriously, seeing how Amagi-san acts normally, anyone would think that. She’s always saying how much she likes me and clinging to me like that—saying we’re not dating feels pretty far-fetched.
“Is it true what you said in class about kissing Amagi-san?”
“…W-well, it was on the forehead, but…”
“””Kyaaa~~~!!!”””
Why are you screaming?
“What was it like!? Like, saying goodbye at the door when you left!?”
“Amagi-san was lying face-down on top of me… holding the back of my head with her hand, gently…”
“””Kyaaa~~~~!!!””
So why are you screaming?
“Wait, she was on top of you!? How did it even get to that point!?”
“We were playing house… and it just happened that way…”
“”””Kyaaaa~~~!!!”””
Honestly, my head’s starting to hurt.
“If you’ve gotten this far, it’s bound to happen, right…!”
“This Christmas, it’s definitely happening!”
“Yeah, yeah! This is definitely going all the way!”
“So cool! That’s totally youthful!”
“I wanna fall in love too!!”
They were getting super excited over Amagi-san and my love story, which had absolutely nothing to do with them.
At times like this, I never know what face to make, so I just grin and listen to their chatter. …Somehow, even though I’m the center of the conversation, I feel incredibly left out.
“Ah, right!!”
One of them clapped their hands.
“Saeki-kun, have you decided what you’re going to wear on your Christmas date?”
Asked that, I shook my head. “Nope…”
The thing Subaru bought me before is way too thin for walking around outside in winter. So, I was thinking of buying something I wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear while walking with Amagi-san…
“Then let’s go shopping for it now!”
“…Huh?”
Caught completely off guard by the suggestion, I tilted my head.
“My dad runs a vintage clothing store! As thanks for teaching me how to make cake, I’ll ask him to put together a nice outfit for you!”
“What? That sounds fun!”
“Saeki, you’re actually pretty stylish. If you dress up a bit, you’ll look great, right?”
“Then, let’s head out after I make the cake.”
“Let’s make you so handsome Amagi-san will be flustered!!”
Completely ignoring my opinion, our plans for the rest of the day were decided.
I did feel a bit heavy with anxiety… was it really okay to receive such kindness just for making a cake?
But it was true I’d been struggling with what to wear.
I figured I’d just go along with it and let everyone help me out.
I figured Amagi-san would probably give me a push and say, “Go ahead and rely on them.”
◆
After shopping with Subaru-chan, we had a nice dinner together and headed home.
I spread the clothes I bought on my bed and grinned. Then, I pulled out That thing from the paper bag, changed into it triumphantly, and stood in front of the full-length mirror.
“Whooooooooooooooow!!”
The exclamation slipped out naturally as I swayed my body from side to side.
I struck a light pose, then made a tiny fist pump.
“Oh my gosh! Cute! Super cute! It was pricey, but I’m so glad I bought it~♡”
It was Christmas-limited black lace lingerie with botanical embroidery.
It wasn’t planned, but it was just too cute, so I bought it.
Over thirty thousand yen for the set…!! Ugh, so expensive!!
Honestly, it really hurt my wallet!!
But it’s okay, it’s Christmas. My first Christmas with Saeki—if I don’t get pumped up now, when will I?!
“Hehehe♡ The reservation for that place is all set too, so now all that’s left is for Christmas to arrive♡ Ahh, I can’t wait anymore~♡♡♡”
I knelt on the floor and pounded the bed with a thump.
A holy night with my beloved Saeki.
And, incidentally, our first date.
Oh no… Oh no, what do I do?! What if Saeki can’t hold back and does something terrible to me? What then~♡♡♡ Or rather, I want him to~♡♡♡
“…!”
Suddenly, memories of Saeki flashed through her mind.
The memory of him kissing forehead.
That tenderness, that warmth, that strength came flooding back, and I rolled around on the floor, writhing in agony.
“H-Hold on, me…! If I get another nosebleed, it’s over! I’m going to make Saeki completely mine!!”
She stood up powerfully, thrusting her fist high into the sky.
The battlefield called Christmas. Only one victor stands here.
This time, I will win that man’s heart, his body, everything about him.
Maiban