Chapter 72

"A, no... I'm sorry!"

Arisa's face turned bright red as she hastily let go of Yuzuru's hand.

Then, she cleared her throat.

"Since we've finished eating... shall we exchange presents?"

"Sure."

Yuzuru was also starting to feel a bit embarrassed.

It was just the right time to change the mood.

Arisa went first.

She took out a neatly wrapped package from her bag.

"Yuzuru, this... this is your present."

"Oh, thank you. Can I open it?"

"Yes."

Yuzuru carefully unwrapped the package.

What appeared inside was...

"A scarf."

It was a hand-knitted cold-weather accessory made of gray yarn.

The words "YUZURU" were embroidered in gold.

It looked very warm.

The color was calm and would match any outfit.

Most importantly... he could feel Arisa's thoughts in it.

"Thank you, Arisa. Since you went to so much trouble, I'll wear it on the way back."

However, it would be in the way right now, so Yuzuru neatly folded it and placed it on the floor.

Then, Yuzuru also brought out Arisa's present.

He handed her a blue-green paper bag.

"Can... can I open it?"

"Sure."

Arisa opened the bag with a slightly tense expression and then opened the blue-green jewelry box inside.

"I'm not sure if you'll like the design, but... how do you like it?"

Arisa took the necklace with her white, trembling hands.

It was a pink gold necklace.

He didn't want to give her something too expensive, which might make her feel uncomfortable, but it was still a good quality item.

"Is... is it okay? Compared to my... present..."

"Arisa, you always make me bento and cook dinner for me. I can easily buy this with my part-time job money, so don't worry."

When Yuzuru said this, Arisa clutched the necklace tightly in both hands and pressed it to her chest.

She looked at Yuzuru with slightly moist eyes.

"I'll treasure it. ...Can I put it on now?"

"Show me."

Arisa nodded slightly and put the necklace around her beautiful neck.

Just as Yuzuru had expected... it suited her very well.

She looked even more radiant.

"How does it look?"

"It looks beautiful. ...I thought it would suit you."

"...Thank you very much."

Arisa smiled happily.

Seeing her so happy, Yuzuru felt that choosing this necklace was the right decision.

---

Yuzuru decided to see Arisa home.

They walked down the night street, holding hands.

The enjoyable time passed quickly.

They had almost reached Arisa's house.

"Yuzuru, thank you so much for today. It will be a lifelong memory."

"Calling it a lifetime is a bit exaggerated."

When Yuzuru said this...

Arisa shook her head vigorously.

"It's not an exaggeration. ...This is the most enjoyable Christmas Eve I've had in a long time. Thanks to you, I might even start to like winter."

"Because I promised to make you like winter."

However...

He realized that he had been the one enjoying himself more towards the end.

He noticed that making Arisa happy and seeing her smile had become his purpose in life.

"Winter will continue, so... look forward to it."

"Of course. With you, winter... spring, summer, and autumn, will all be enjoyable."

She said something very touching.

A deep sense of emotion welled up inside him.

"I feel the same... Arisa. I enjoy everything more with you."

Yuzuru expressed his sincere feelings to Arisa.

If it were possible... he wanted to be with her forever.

He didn't want to part ways.

However... they had reached her house.

"Yuzuru, then... I'll see you."

"Good night, Arisa."

"Good night."

They exchanged their farewells.

Arisa slowly turned to face Yuzuru and was about to start walking...

"Wait."

Before he knew it, Yuzuru had called out to Arisa.

Arisa turned back and tilted her head in curiosity.

"What's wrong?"

"..."

Yuzuru himself wasn't quite sure why he had called her back.

He just... probably didn't want to part ways.

He wanted to be with her, so he called her back.

However, he couldn't keep her there for a long time in the middle of winter.

So...

"Um, Arisa."

"Yes?"

"I have one request."

"What is it?"

"Can... can I hug you?"

He wanted to feel her skin more.

Before parting, he wanted to imprint her warmth and softness on his body.

In response to Yuzuru's request, Arisa's eyes widened in surprise for a moment.

But then she narrowed her emerald eyes and smiled softly.

Her skin was tinged with a rosy hue.

"Sure."

Arisa said this and opened her arms.

Yuzuru moved towards her as if drawn in, opened his arms wide, and hugged her.

She was warm.

She was soft.

Her beautiful flaxen hair smelled wonderful.

His blood flowed intensely through his body.

"That's enough, Arisa."

"...Okay."

Yuzuru reluctantly released Arisa, suppressing his lingering feelings.

Her face was... bright red.

Yuzuru's face was probably the same.

"Then, see you again."

"Yes, see you again."

Yuzuru watched Arisa walk into her house.

Then, he turned and started walking down the night street.

Looking up at the sky, he saw the stars shining.

He sighed involuntarily.

"What a dilemma..."

Yuzuru held the scarf Arisa had given him in both hands.

Her warmth still lingered on his body.

He wanted Arisa.

He wanted her so badly.

He wanted to monopolize her.

Her cooking, her scarf, her love, her smile, her angry face, her blushing face, her crying face, her beautiful eyes, her plump lips, her fine hair, her porcelain-like skin, her soft body, and the hidden parts beneath her clothes...

He wanted everything to be his.

He didn't want any other man to take anything from her.

So...

"I'm sorry, Arisa. ...I've made up my mind. I will definitely get you, no matter what it takes."

Yuzuru declared quietly.

---

And so, Chapter 2 ends.

From the next chapter, it will be Chapter 3.

Yuzuru has become serious. Until now, Yuzuru had only been on the receiving end of Arisa's advances, but from now on, he will turn the tables and go on the offensive.

A mental battle will ensue between Arisa, who wants to be confessed to, and Yuzuru, who wants to confess.

If you are looking forward to how Yuzuru and Arisa's love story will unfold, I would appreciate it if you could bookmark this and give it a high rating (change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ below the table of contents).

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Arisa's True Dere Level: 100% → 120%

Yuzuru's Seriousness Level: 90% → 120%

True Dere Level "When did I start thinking this was the final form?"

So, from the next chapter, I will change "True Dere Level" to "New Dere Level."

The previous "True Dere Level" indicated "I could marry this person, spend my life with them, and have their children."

The "New Dere Level" means "I want to marry this person, spend my life with them, and have their children." It has a slightly heavier feel.

It starts from zero again.

If you are interested in the Dere Level and looking forward to it, your bookmark and high rating (change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ below the table of contents) will be a great motivation for updates.

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I am currently writing Chapter 3, but the backlog is not yet complete.

Even if not all of Chapter 3, I am a bit anxious without a sufficient amount of content, so updates might be delayed until the backlog is complete.

However, I will try to update in three days (as a goal).