Tokyo: Oreimo

Snowflakes landed on her eyelashes, but she didn't blink.

Ryosuke clenched his hand, taking the entire cold hand into his palm.

The girl's shoulders trembled slightly, and then her fingers slowly gripped his, her five fingers squeezing between his.

Their fingers are intertwined.

Neither of them turned to look at the other.

An umbrella, a sky full of snow, two hands clasped together, hidden in the edge of a down jacket pocket, in the cold December wind.

Ling Nai's ears turned bright red, all the way down to her neck.

"...I'm hungry." Her voice was so soft it was almost swallowed by the snow.

What would you like to eat?

"Anything is fine."

"Anything is fine" is what it means.

"Anything is fine with me."

.....

At noon, the two had lunch at a family restaurant next to the market.

Ling Nai ordered a Christmas-limited roast chicken set meal, while Ryosuke ordered a hamburger steak.

After dinner, his sister took him to the shopping street.

"There's a Christmas market over there today, I'd like to go buy something."

That's what the girl said.

As expected, when going out with a girl like Ling Nai, the main task is still shopping.

She isn't a woman with a strong desire to spend money, but on special holidays like these, she inevitably spends a lot.

"I've already bought you a gift."

"Then there's the glass one, and also for Aunt Mieko and Dad."

She counted on her fingers, her voice muffled but earnest, coming through the scarf.

"There's also a portion for the Giantess..."

Hearing her say that, Ryosuke was a little surprised. He had been acting like he was about to explode when he mentioned Saori to her before.

Why would someone actually think of giving a Christmas present?

What is this? Is it a strategy to lower the enemy's guard? Or does it mean acknowledging her as his girlfriend?

Ling Nai noticed and turned her head to glare at him.

"What? Don't misunderstand, I didn't buy it because I approve of her, it's just... just out of politeness."

"After all, it was she who asked you to bring me the CD last time."

"I don't want to owe her a favor."

After she finished speaking, she turned her head back and quickened her pace.

Ryosuke watched her retreating figure, the hem of her coat swaying gently with her steps, her golden ponytail bobbing in the snow like a dancing, warm flame.

He smiled and followed.

.....

The Christmas market was much more lively than I had imagined.

Rows of white temporary tents were erected on both sides of the pedestrian street, adorned with mistletoe wreaths and golden bells.

The tent was filled with a dazzling array of goods: handicrafts, Christmas decorations, mulled wine, gingerbread men, and all sorts of trinkets whose names I couldn't recall.

A street performer dressed as Santa Claus stood by the roadside playing the saxophone. The melody of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" flowed through the falling snow, tinged with a hazy gentleness.

There were many people: couples, young parents with children, and groups of students. Everyone had a festive smile on their face, and their breath mingled with the warm mist in the air.

Ling Nai walked ahead, her eyes darting around. Whenever she saw an interesting stall, she would go over and bend down to look at the handmade jewelry in the glass cases. After looking at it, she would walk away as if nothing had happened and continue looking for the next target.

Ryosuke followed half a step behind her, his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on her back.

How about this one?

Ling Nai stopped in front of a stall selling handmade aromatherapy products, picked up a scented candle in a glass bottle, and brought it to her nose to smell it.

"It's citrus flavored, and Ruri seems to like this one."

She held the candle up to Ryosuke.

"What do you think?"

Ryosuke lowered his head and took a sniff. It was a faint citrus scent, somewhat similar to Saori's scent, but sweeter.

"good."

"Then this one."

Ling Nai readily paid the money, asked the stall owner to wrap up the candles, and carefully put them into her canvas bag.

The two continued walking forward.

The girl then bought a handmade cookie gift box for Mieko, a tie clip for Takashiro Isao, a black cat keychain for Gokou Mao, a cat-patterned notebook for Inoue Rina, and coffee beans for Nomura Hideo.

Before buying anything, she would earnestly ask Ryosuke, "How is this?" and only pay after receiving his approval.

The canvas bag gradually bulged.

"You really did prepare gifts for everyone."

Ryosuke watched her stuff a beautifully packaged box of chocolates into a bag and couldn't help but say something.

Of course.

Ling Nai answered without looking up.

"Christmas is about giving gifts to important people, isn't it?"

After she finished speaking, she suddenly paused, and her ears turned red again.

"...I wasn't talking about you, don't get me wrong."

"understood."

Ryosuke chuckled.

Ling tied the bag shut, slung it over her shoulder, and continued walking.

The two strolled around for another hour or so.

Ling bought a plaid scarf, saying it was an extra gift for Liuli, and also bought a pair of cat-shaped ceramic coasters, saying they were for Meihuizi.

Ryosuke had two more paper bags in his hands, and with the canvas bag on her back, the two of them looked like they were moving house.

"Almost?"

Ryosuke glanced at the snow that was falling heavier and heavier.

Ling Nai stood in front of a stall selling handmade jewelry, looking down at the rows of earrings and necklaces in the glass case, without answering.

Her gaze fell on a pair of small silver stud earrings, a very simple design, two small star shapes, with a matte finish that shimmered softly under the light.

"You like this?"

Ryosuke leaned over and took a look.

The girl quickly looked away.

"I want you to manage."

"Please wrap these earrings up for me."

Ling Nai said to the stall owner.

"...Who are you buying it for?"

Ryosuke glanced at the pair of star-shaped earrings, then at Ayano's profile.

The girl's earlobes were small, fair and soft, and turned slightly red from the cold wind.

But she doesn't have pierced ears.

"Don't tell you."

Ling paid the money, took the packaged box, and stuffed it into her pocket.

"Is it for Saori?"

"Tsk, you guessed pretty accurately about the Giantess."

Ling Nai pouted in dissatisfaction, clearly showing signs of jealousy.

Chapter 203 The Gift

She stuffed the small box into her coat pocket, patted it as if to make sure it wouldn't fall out, then looked up and glared at Ryosuke.

“I will tell her that these are the ones I didn’t choose.”

"...Nobody would believe you if you said that."

"I want you to manage."

Ling Nai gave a light snort and turned to continue walking forward.

The canvas bag swayed on her shoulder, bulging and full of gifts she had picked out for every "important person".

Ryosuke followed behind her carrying several paper bags. The snow was falling harder and harder, landing on her blonde hair, her red scarf, and the tips of her slightly reddened ears.

"Hey."

She suddenly stopped and turned her head to look at him.

You won't get a gift this year!

Ryosuke glanced down at his phone in his pocket, a look of surprise on his face.