Chapter 216 – Christmas Gifts and Nijika

There are two eternal, unsolvable riddles in human history:

1. Finding the perfect gift for a girl—something she’ll like, and you’ll feel satisfied giving.

2. Inventing a perpetual motion machine.

Right now, Aoki was stuck on the first.

Shibuya 109, the giant shopping mall.

Standing in front of the floor map, Aoki felt dizzy.

The mall was enormous, filled with row after row of shops, each crammed with dazzling displays.

Christmas was right around the corner.

A towering Christmas tree had been set up in the center of the mall, while garlands, wreaths, and lights decorated the storefronts—ornaments you’d only ever see in the festive season.

Holiday songs filled the air, mixing with the endless chatter of shoppers carrying bags of all shapes and sizes.

Most of them were probably here for the same reason as Aoki: finding Christmas presents.

This was already his thirtieth minute wandering around.

Despite pacing through store after store, thinking hard, he still hadn’t found a single suitable gift.

Clearly, Kei was not the kind of friend who excelled at picking presents.

But this wasn’t something he could just half-ass.

Christmas, here in Japan, was second only to New Year’s.

Everyone exchanged gifts, and each one carried the emotions of the giver. To treat it casually would feel… wrong.

And yet, asking him to figure it out alone was definitely asking too much.

After hesitating in front of the map for a while, Aoki decided to call for reinforcements.

He pulled out his phone, lit up the screen, and dialed Nijika.

Bocchi hated crowded places like this, Ryo would probably troll him if asked, and Kita was no doubt busy hanging out with her classmates.

Which meant Nijika was the only one he could rely on.

Fortunately, she was free.

She hopped on a train from Shimokitazawa and arrived in Shibuya.

Judging from her appearance, she’d put some effort into dressing up.

She wore a pale green coat over a snow-white inner layer, paired with a light blue skirt that fell past her knees.

Instead of her usual side ponytail, she’d let her hair down today—and it suited her surprisingly well.

Her lips, glossy with lip balm, looked soft and almost… inviting.

“Not cold? Wearing a skirt in this weather?” Aoki asked as Nijika jogged over.

“It’s a little chilly, sure. But girls are creatures who’ll endure anything in the name of beauty!” she declared proudly.

“…Fair enough. You do look great. Just don’t forget to stay warm.”

“Mm-hm I know, I know”

After a brief exchange, Aoki explained the problem: the Christmas gift dilemma.

Nijika’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Perfect timing! I was planning to buy a Christmas gift for you tonight, Aoki-senpai. What a coincidence~”

“That works out then. No rush on my gift, though—helping me pick for the others takes priority.”

“Not a chance! That’s top priority!” Nijika puffed her cheeks.

“We’re officially gift advisors for each other now. And I’m going to find something that makes you happy, that makes you like me more, that raises your affection points! So don’t take me lightly, Senpai.”

Straight to the point.

Aoki’s heart skipped, though he kept his face calm.

“…Right. Then let’s both do our best.”

Gift shopping quickly turned into casual window-shopping.

They strolled from one store to the next, stopping now and then to discuss whether something was worth buying.

For Kita, they picked out a deep red wool scarf—luxurious, fluffy, and probably a designer brand.

Pricey, but Kei didn’t mind.

A year ago he might have, but now?

Between his commercial work and the fact that he didn’t spend much on himself, money wasn’t something he needed to worry about.

For Bocchi, they settled on a black guitar decorated with skulls.

Definitely her style.

As for Ryo…

Passing by a bookstore, Kei said with mock seriousness, “How about a couple of practice test workbooks? She’d probably cry if she got those, then guilt me into buying her a real gift afterward…”

“Ehh, isn’t that a little mean…” Nijika said, but still walked into the bookstore with him.

In the end, they ditched the workbooks and got Ryo a new coat instead.

For their manager, Seika, they picked out a pink plush toy.

That left only one thing: presents for each other.

Despite calling it the “top priority,” both had silently agreed to save it for last.

By now it was already dinner time.

They’d been walking all day and were starting to feel tired, so they ducked into a random restaurant to eat before continuing.

But once the food was out of the way, the hardest part began: finding a gift for Nijika.

For the others, Kei could lean on her advice.

But for her—obviously, he was on his own.

And he knew better than anyone how delicate that choice had to be.

If Nijika really liked something, she still wouldn’t point at it and say, “I want this, Aoki-senpai, buy it for me.”

Which meant— The real battle was just beginning.

Aoki had to find something Nijika would like, something that suited her, something that would make her truly happy.

And that was no easy task.

He racked his brain but came up with nothing, so they continued wandering aimlessly through the mall.

When they passed a small accessories shop, they went inside.

Soft music played from the speakers, and the walls were decorated in pastel pink.

Compared to the busy mall outside, the shop felt oddly quiet, with only a few customers browsing.

One couple stood by the mirror, whispering sweetly to each other.

After a few giggles, the boyfriend carefully lifted a pair of earrings he had just bought and tried to put them on his girlfriend.

He fumbled, earning a light scolding.

“Dummy, that hurt! Be gentle with girls!”

“No, no—you’re wearing it backwards!”

“Hahaha, you’re so clumsy!”

Aoki looked away quickly.

Whoever they were, that was their business.

Turning his head, he noticed Nijika’s gaze fixed on a display.

It was a light blue hair tie with a tiny plush bunny attached.

Cute and simple—and he could instantly imagine how well it would suit her.

“Let’s get this one,” he said.

“Eh?” Nijika blinked, startled.

She looked at him, then followed his line of sight back to the hair tie.

The bunny charm hit her right in the heart.

She loved it.

But… her eyes flicked to the price tag, and hesitation crept in.

This shop was high-end, its accessories finely crafted, so the price being steep wasn’t surprising.

Still, she wasn’t sure if she should let him buy it.

She opened her mouth, ready to decline—

But before she could, Aoki had already called over the clerk.

Her words stuck in her throat.

After a tiny pause, she simply gave a small nod.

“Mm.”

He chose the color and style, the clerk wrapped it neatly, and handed it to him.

To Aoki, Christmas wasn’t all that special.

He didn’t believe in the rule of “you must only give gifts on Christmas Day.”

So, he immediately handed the wrapped box to Nijika.

They hadn’t even stepped out of the shop yet.

Holding the gift, Nijika glanced at the mirror.

The couple from earlier had already left, and the spot was free.

She bit her lip, hesitated, then made up her mind.

Kita and the others had been bold with their feelings—so maybe it was fine if she did the same.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed Aoki’s sleeve and tugged him over to the mirror.

Without a word, she pushed the box back into his hands and leaned close, her small face almost brushing against his chest.

Looking up at him with flushed cheeks, she stammered,

“A-Aoki-senpai… c-could you… put it on for me?”

…

Her face was bright red.

Aoki froze, realizing what she meant.

The girl was right in front of him, her watery eyes locked on his, warm breath brushing his skin.

His heart skipped, pounding faster and faster.

He hesitated, but only for a moment. Then he opened the box, took out the hair tie, and clumsily began tying her hair.

The shop’s speakers played a pop love song in the background. Aoki had never heard it before, but the lyrics were clear:

“Ah, your scent is as sweet as citrus—

Because it’s winter, I just want to hold you tight—

So please, stay with me.”

By the time the chorus hit, Aoki finally managed to fasten the hair tie.

“I… think that’s it?” he said uncertainly.

Nijika glanced at her reflection in the mirror.

Two seconds passed. Then she burst into laughter.

“Pfft—ahahaha! A-Aoki-senpai, it’s totally crooked! S-so ugly!”

“Senpai, you’re so clumsy!”

Aoki sulked a little, tempted to defend himself—

But before he could, Nijika suddenly moved.

She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest.

Her voice came muffled, just as the lyrics in the background sang, “My whole heart feels soft and warm.”

“But… it’s cute. Super cute. I really love this Christmas gift… and I really, really love you, Aoki-senpai.”