“Excellent Plan”

"…Present?"

Amano was standing in front of me, giving me a confused look. I understand her pretty well, even I would be confused if something like this happened to me. As if something like that would happen, though.

"Y-yeah… It's for your birthday, Iwasaki-san told me about it, back when we went to that store."

I didn't manage to think of anything as an excuse, so I sold out the culprit. Sorry, Iwasaki-san. I guess I'm not that good at excuses after all.

"I see…that girl." Amano muttered something to herself.

Silence filled the scenery for a while. My eyes are going everywhere except on Amano, My palms are starting to sweat, and I can't even make eye contact. I knew it. It's weird, right? Getting a present for your birthday without you even informing them.

"…It's still a little too early for my birthday, though."

"Huh?"

I unconsciously blurted out a confused response. It was not the answer I was expecting at all.

"Did Rini-san perhaps told you the wrong date? I mean, it's not far from the actual—"

So, she's thinking that Iwasaki is dumb. I guess I can agree with that.

"No, actually, she told me that your birthday is tomorrow, but we don't have school then, so I figured that I might as well give it to you right now."

"…I see."

"I thought that it might be weird if I gave a present to you after your birthday. Not that I think that giving a present to you without you even telling me your birthday is not weird, though…" My voice trailed off in that last sentence.

"No, no, I don't think that it's weird at all."

Hearing her say that somehow removed half of my worries.

"Hmm." Amano pointed her gaze at the two neatly wrapped boxes that I've been holding, alternating between them.

"Oh, this one's from Haru."

"T-Takahashi-kun?"

Amano looked quite shocked, she must've not expected to receive any gift from him. Not that she expected to get something from me, either.

"Yeah. Actually, Haru also told me to go give you a present, Iwasaki-san was just a little early."

"Is that so…" Amano hesitated for a moment. "Can I open it…?"

"Eh? Ah, I mean, s-sure, go ahead."

I handed Haru's present first, since I'm also curious as to what it is. It's small and not that heavy, maybe it's a type of clothing, or a book?

The sound of paper getting torn ensued. Is there any chance that Amano is actually excited right now? I can't tell for sure…

"Ah."

What kind of reaction is that? I mean, I'm not expecting her to yell or anything, but I can't tell if she's happy or disappointed. Wait? What if she finds my gift gross? What would I do then? Certain thoughts filled my mind and I instantly wanted to run at that moment.

"W-what is it?"

"It's a sketchbook."

"A sketchbook?"

Come to think of it, I remember Haru telling me that Amano liked to draw back then. I thought it was useless information, but he actually decided to go with this, huh? Well, I think that it is a pretty safe pick.

Amano pointed at the last box that I was holding. "…Is that yours, Tanaka-kun?" she said in a small voice.

"A-ah, yes. It's not some kind of expensive jewelry, though."

"I'm happy with anything." Amano gave me a subtle smile.

"Okay… don't get your hopes up, though." I handed Amano my present.

"Why are you being so nervous right now, Tanaka-kun." Amano chuckled.

"Y-you can tell, huh." I scratched my cheek.

"I'll be opening this, then."

"Please do."

Amano proceeded to unwrap the present I got her. I can feel my heart beating harder at every hand movement she does. I feel like I'm going to pass out any time soon, and the warm breeze is the only thing that's calming me right now.

"A dress?"

"Um, yeah. Remember when we went to that clothing store? I see you took quite some time with that particular dress, so I figured that you might like it, and uhh… you can throw it away if you don't want it."

Amano suddenly tightened her eyes at me and said with a determined voice. "I'll treasure it."

I was taken aback by her reaction that my eyes almost dropped a tear. All the tension and negative thoughts disappeared at once, and I gave Amano a somewhat relieved smile.

"Thanks."

"No, I should be the one thanking you. And also Takahashi-kun, tell him that I'm thankful for his gift."

"I will. I'm just happy that you weren't grossed out or anything."

"Why would I be grossed out?" Amano pouted.

Wait? Amano pouting? A rare sight descended upon us, and I've been the only one blessed to witness it. My eyes widened a bit, along with my heart skipping a beat. I wasted no time and engraved that picture deep into my mind.

"No," I waved my hand. "I don't mean it in a bad way."

"I know, I know, I'm not being serious here."

Amano and I shared a laugh after that.

So, everything went well in the end. I guess it's just me overthinking things, and expecting the worst possible scenario. I need to make sure to avoid doing that in the future. It certainly is not good for my mental health. None of it matters now, though, since I also got to see a rare sight today, meaning that my plan is a massive success. I can feel that Amano is starting to open up a bit more, but I'm still not quite sure if Amano and I can be categorized as 'friends'. Well, it's not like I'm rushing or anything, I'll let time do its thing.

"How did it go?"

A certain someone jumped on me while I'm on my way back to the class. Are you all that excited that you can't help but approach me here, in the hallway? How can you even be so sure that I gave it already?

"Let's talk inside the classroom, it's a little bit crowded here."

"Okay, but I need some explanation about this so called plan of yours. Judging from your appearance, it looks like the plan was a success."

So, you can tell that much just from a person's appearance, huh.

"Of course it's a success," I cracked a smug grin.

About my plan, I'll just tell him that I waited for Amano in the hallway when no one can see. I still need to respect Amano's privacy, after all. I know Haru can be trusted when it comes to these kinds of things, but I'm sure Amano would be bothered if she found out.

After telling Haru everything which he seemed to only half-believe, our fifth period started. We've only been given a few home works, which I couldn't care less to do since Haru will be doing it for me. It was the same for our last period, then we were dismissed.

While I was packing my things, I received a text message from someone.

Iwasaki: You coming tomorrow?

So it was Iwasaki. By tomorrow, she couldn't actually mean Amano's birthday, right?

: Where?

Iwasaki: Where else? To Kei-chan's house, of course.

So you expect me to come there like it was the most obvious thing to do?

: I can't come if I'm not invited.

Iwasaki: Huh? She didn't invite you yet?

: What do you mean yet?

I did not receive a response after that. I continued to pack my things and took my leave. Haru left a little earlier, saying he has something to do.

After leaving the classroom, I saw Amano leaning against a wall not too far from me. It looks like she's waiting for someone. There is almost no student present in the area, so I slowly approached her.

"You're not going home yet?"

Amano looked a bit startled, and we made eye contact, but she quickly averted her eyes.

"Um, do you have any plans tomorrow, Tanaka-kun?"

"Tomorrow? Hmm, nope, not one."

"Then…," Amano started fidgeting her hair. "Do you want to come to my house tomorrow? Rini-san told me to invite you."

So, this is what Iwasaki was talking about. But, why do I feel like she forced Amano into this.

"She probably only wants someone to tease. Don't worry about her, she'll most likely just brush it off if you refuse."

"It's not that…"

"Hmm?"

Amano was looking down, and I couldn't get a good look at her face, so I can't tell what she's thinking.

"…I-I also want you to come, Tanaka-kun."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Are you sure Iwasaki-san isn't forcing you to do any of this?"

"Do I look like someone that can be forced into these type of things?"

"Well, you're right."

"So… would you come?"

Well, if she puts it that way. Who am I to refuse? I need to know about one thing, though.

"About that… I don't know where your house is."

"Oh, right. Well, I just figured this out a little while ago. Actually, we're only one street apart."

"What?"