When I opened the door to the rooftop, there she was, dressed in her winter clothes.

　With one elbow resting on the railing, she gazed at the horizon with a sorrowful expression.
　Her figure, illuminated by the setting sun, was so beautiful that it could have been a painting.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Chairman.

　When I called out to him, holding the letterhead in my hand.

You're early, aren't you?　Good evening, Allen-kun.

　She smiled softly and came straight at me.

　If I'm not mistaken, there was a strong sense of determination in her eyes.

　There was none of the anxiety or fear that I had seen in the past month or so.
　He seems to have completely lost his mind.

I've come alone, as you said in your letter. ....... What on earth can I do for you?

"Hmmm, that's... yes, this.

　The chairman holds out a small box that he has been holding in his right hand with great care.
　It's a small, white box with a nice ribbon wrapped around it.

This is ......?

Valentine's Day chocolates, a gift from your sister.

I see, thank you.

　Apparently, she had been waiting in the cold weather to give it to me.

"I made this chocolate cake with all my heart. I made it with all my heart, and I'm sure it's so good it'll make your cheeks fall off.

Oh, I'm looking forward to it.

Would you like to tell me what you think of it sometime?

Yes, of course.

　And so the Valentine's Day between me and the chairman ended quietly.

　After that

"......

"......

　We had nothing more to say, so we naturally kept our mouths shut.

　From the schoolyard, I could hear the happy voices of the students who had finished their club activities.
　The cold winter wind irritated my ears, and at the same time the warm glow of the setting sun illuminated my body.

　We were both silent, but strangely not uncomfortable.

　It was a very comfortable silence, as if we were both savoring the "taste of winter" together.

　Then one day, a few minutes passed.

"...... Hey, Allen-kun.

　The Chairman naturally called my name with a lustrous voice.
　It was a very attractive whisper that seemed to penetrate deep into my heart.

Yes, yes. Can I help you? ......?

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　It's a good idea to take a look at your own personal life.

I'm not sure what to say.

　It's a good idea to take a look at it from an objective point of view.

　The other party is the Shie Arctoria.
　It's the eldest daughter of the Leengard empire's heavyweight Arctoria family.
　She is the eldest daughter of the Arctoria family, a major figure in the Leengard empire. She is out of proportion to a failed swordsman from the village of Gosa like me.

　So, from a common sense standpoint, the possibility of this chocolate being the "real deal" is zero.

But if you're going to go to the trouble of asking me that,....... I'm sure you're not the only one.

　And just when I was at the height of my confusion.

I'm not sure if you're still confused ......?　Then I'll tell you now.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

"You're the chairman ......?

　In the moment her soft fingers touched my shoulder and we came within breathing distance of each other.

"The answer is... secret.

　The answer is a secret," she said, poking my cheek with her index finger.

"Hey, are you excited?

It's just a little .........

　She's a beautiful girl, and I'm not ashamed to show her off anywhere.
　If she suddenly did something like that, even if it wasn't me, my heart would jump.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

　The chairman put his index finger on his chin and smiled like a child who has successfully played a prank.
　I can't help but admire her charming figure.

I'm sure you'll agree with me.

I'm sorry. ....... I'm not sure how much money I have, but I don't have much money to spare. ......

　I told her in a roundabout way that it would be difficult to give her something too expensive.

Hmm, I guess so. ....... In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the site, please do not hesitate to contact us.　I don't care if it's a coffee shop, a grocery store, or anywhere else. --But it has to be just the two of us, okay?

　She pondered for a moment, then quickly made a mild request.

If that's all right with you, I'll go out with you anytime.

　And if I accept that offer.

"Hmm?

　The Chairman said briefly, and stuck his pinky finger out in front of him.

"......?　...... Oh, you mean 'finger cutting'?



　I understood the meaning of this action and twined my pinky around her thin, soft pinky.

　And then.

I love the 'promise' I make to you ....... It's the most trustworthy thing in the world. ......

　The Chairman muttered with the most reassuring expression he had ever seen.

(......I'm so glad.)

　I was inexplicably happy that my dear friend thought of me that way.

　So I said.

I also love your kindness.

　In return, I expressed my honest feelings towards her.

"Are you sure about that ......?

"Yes, it's true.

"Hmmm, ....... What, for example, is ......?

　The chairman swept his gaze to the left and right, fiddling with his beautiful black hair with his fingers as he asked.

Yes, ........ You know, the part where you make a little joke and then you're wondering if the other person is hurt. At regular meetings, you evenly distribute the conversation so that everyone can enjoy participating. You always pay attention to your surroundings and talk to those who are not in good spirits. There's more.

　And so on," he said, folding his fingers and listing all the kind things about her.

"S-stop!

　The chairman of the board, whose face had turned bright red, shouted a warning.

"What's wrong?

I'm going to call it a draw ...... for today.

"A draw ......?

　I'll call it a tie for today." "A tie ?" She blushed up to her ears and said something that made no sense.

And anyway, I'll see you tomorrow ......!

　She went back to the main school building as if she was running away.