Hours passed, the cold biting a little sharper as night settled in. At exactly 7 PM, Rei grabbed the neatly wrapped scarf, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the freezing night. His heart pounded as he made his way to Sera's house, the excitement and nervousness almost unbearable.
The snow crunched beneath his feet, and his breath came out in small white clouds. His grip on the bag tightened. He had never felt this anxious before—why was giving a simple gift making his heart race so much?
Finally, he stood at her doorstep. He exhaled sharply, steadying himself, then pressed the doorbell.
The door opened, and a comforting warmth immediately wrapped around him—a stark contrast to the freezing air outside. Mrs. Ishimia stood at the entrance. Sera's sister, Alya, was also standing behind her.
Rei hesitated for a second before greeting, "Hello… Mrs. Ishimia."
Before he could say anything else, she cut him off with a gentle smile. "Come on in! It's freezing outside—you'll catch a cold standing there."
Rei stepped inside, feeling the cozy warmth seep into him as the cold melted away. The scent of home-cooked food lingered in the air, making the atmosphere feel even more welcoming. He held onto the bag with the scarf tightly.
Then, Sera appeared. She was wearing a simple yet warm sweater, and when she saw Rei, she blinked for a moment before a faint blush dusted her cheeks.
"Hey," she greeted, trying to act normal.
Rei felt his throat go dry for a second but managed to reply, "Hey."
Alya giggled and said, "You both are so adorable, aren't ya?"
"NO, WE AREN'T!" they both said at the same time.
She laughed again. "Okay, okay…"
Mrs. Ishimia watched the two of them with an amused look before saying, "There's still time before dinner. You both go upstairs—I'll call you when the food is ready."
As Rei entered Sera's room, he immediately noticed the lingering scent of roses in the air. Her room was warm, pink, and filled with personality. The walls were adorned with paintings, each one made by Sera's own hands. The colors, the brushstrokes, the emotion in them—it was all beautiful.
He sat down beside her, the room falling into a comfortable silence for a moment. Then, gathering his thoughts, he took a deep breath and held out the bag.
"Hey, Sera… this is for you. I don't know if you'll like it or not, but… I thought it might suit you."
Sera's eyes widened for a brief moment before she carefully took the bag from him. She reached inside, pulling out the soft, cream-colored scarf. The fabric felt warm against her fingers.
Rei scratched the back of his head, looking away as he muttered, "It kinda matches your hair, so… I thought it'd look nice on you."
Sera ran her fingers over the scarf, then looked at him, a soft expression in her eyes. "It's beautiful… really."
Rei exhaled, a clear wave of relief washing over him.
Trying to calm his nerves, he glanced around her room again. His eyes landed on the paintings hanging on the walls.
"These… are beautiful," he said, his voice genuine.
Sera, however, just shrugged, like it was no big deal. "Nah… I just make them to pass the time. It's nothing special."
Rei frowned slightly. "Don't say that. They're amazing."
Sera blushed, hid her face, and said in a soft voice, "If you say so... thanks, I guess."
Rei smiled, then hesitated for a second before leaning forward slightly. Without thinking too much, he gently took the scarf from her hands and carefully wrapped it around her neck, adjusting it so it sat snugly.
Sera froze. Her eyes widened, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of pink.
"There," Rei said, pulling his hands back. "Looks good on you."
Sera lowered her gaze, holding onto the scarf softly. After a moment, she whispered, "…I'll wear it a lot."
Rei felt his heartbeat quicken, but he simply smiled.
To be continued.
—~Rei