Kirisaki Family Residence – Morning
Chitoge slowly opened her eyes. The winter sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls. She rubbed her eyes while sitting on the edge of the bed, her blonde hair still messy.
"Haaah… still sleepy…" she murmured softly.
But the memory of last night surged back—Raku's behavior felt strange, calm, even innocent. And… the locket. Her heart fluttered again, as if there was something important locked away in her mind.
She glanced at the small table beside the bed. The calendar lay neatly with several colorful markings. Her gaze stopped at one large red circle: December 20 – Bean sprouts Birthday.
Her blue eyes widened. "Ah… I forgot… today is Raku's birthday."
Chitoge bit her lower lip, her face tensing for a moment. 'Even though he lost his memory… I still can't come empty-handed.'
She grabbed her smartphone and turned on the screen, but no messages had come in. Silence. It felt almost strange considering there was usually a brief conversation, even if just a small argument. This time, there was only quiet.
Without thinking twice, Chitoge got up. She took her winter outfit from the wardrobe—a thick white sweater, a light blue coat with soft fur on the collar, and tight black pants that fit her body. After a quick shower, she tidied her long hair and descended the stairs.
The Kirisaki family breakfast table was already filled: toast, warm soup, omelette, and fresh fruit. Chitoge ate hurriedly, her mind focused on one thing.
Once finished, she stood up and grabbed a pink scarf and gloves. Claude, who was already standing in a formal stance, looked at his mistress with a suspicious gaze.
Claude, "Ojou-sama, where are you going this early? Are you intending to see Bocchan?"
Chitoge adjusted her coat and sighed. "I… no. I mean, I'm going to the smartphone store for a moment."
Claude raised an eyebrow. "Smartphone?"
Chitoge clutched her scarf tightly, her face slightly flushed. "Yes… even though Raku has amnesia, I feel bad giving nothing. So I thought… I'll buy him a new smartphone. For his birthday."
Claude looked at Chitoge silently for a few seconds. His expression was hard to read, but in his eyes was a rare flicker of warmth. Finally, he nodded slowly.
Claude, "Then allow me to accompany you. The cold weather today is quite biting, and the snow might fall heavier later. It's not good for Ojou-sama to be alone."
Chitoge glanced briefly, then gave a faint smile. "Alright. Thank you, Claude."
They prepared to leave. Claude took his long black coat, while Chitoge gave a quick glance at the small locket lying on her dressing table before stepping out. Her heart raced, a sense of curiosity pressing harder.
'That locket… and the promise from childhood. Could it have something to do with Raku? I can't stop thinking about it…'
With quick steps, Chitoge followed Claude to the car waiting in the driveway. The wheels slowly began to roll past the expansive Kirisaki family gate, leaving tire tracks on the soft snow.
Snow fell gently from the gray sky, covering the city streets with a thin white layer. The elegant black car of the Kirisaki family glided quietly, leaving tracks over the newly fallen snow. Inside, the warmth of the engine and the scent of leather from the luxurious seats filled the cabin.
Chitoge sat in the back seat, hugging a small bag on her lap. She stared out the window, her eyes following the city streets slowly becoming busier. People in thick coats hurried along, some children laughing while playing with snowballs. But Chitoge's gaze was vacant, her mind not truly on the outside.
Claude, sitting in the front passenger seat, noticed her through the rearview mirror. In a calm tone yet tinged with curiosity, he spoke.
Claude, "Ojou-sama, may I ask? Why the smartphone?"
Chitoge stopped staring out the window, slightly startled. "Hm?"
Claude, "I mean, out of all the gifts, why is that the first thing that comes to mind?"
Chitoge held her scarf tighter, looking down.
Chitoge, "I don't know… it just feels… important now. Raku lost his memories, right? With a smartphone… he can stay connected with people. He can store numbers, messages, photos… well, things that help him remember."
Claude stared at her for a moment, then shifted his gaze back to the road.
Claude, "Hmph. So that's why Ojou-sama wants to give something more useful than just a decoration or luxury item."
Chitoge gave a faint smile.
Chitoge, "I'm not the type to give sweet gifts, Claude. Besides… he's already been patient enough with my attitude all this time."
Her voice lowered, almost a whisper. '…even though now he's truly different from usual.'
The car stopped in front of a modern low-rise building, with a neon sign reading "Smart Town Electronics." The store looked warm from the outside, the large glass windows displaying rows of the latest smartphones glimmering under bright white lights.
Claude immediately got out and opened the rear door.
Claude: "Please, Ojou-sama."
Chitoge stepped out, the cold air immediately biting her face. She tightened her scarf and walked into the store with Claude.
As the automatic glass door opened, a small bell rang ting-tong, greeted by warm air and the scent of new plastic mixed with metal. A store clerk in a bright blue uniform immediately welcomed them with a friendly smile.
Clerk, "Good morning, welcome to Smart Town! How can I help you?"
Chitoge gave a faint, slightly awkward smile. "Ah, yes… I'm looking for a smartphone. For a gift."
Claude stood half a step behind, his tall frame making the clerk slightly stiff, but Chitoge stepped forward toward the display racks. Her eyes scanned the rows of smartphones—from simple models to premium ones.
Chitoge picked up a matte black unit, light in her hands. She turned on the demo screen, staring at the blue light reflecting in her eyes.
'Smartphone, huh… with this he can start over. From new contacts, new photos… or maybe… remember something lost.'
The clerk approached, explaining the latest features enthusiastically, but Chitoge only caught part of it. Her mind was occupied imagining Raku's face—his calm expression from last night, completely different from the lively boy she knew.
Claude observed silently, then said briefly.
Claude, "Choose the one that suits best, Ojou-sama. Bocchan… may not remember much, but a gift from you… I'm sure he will appreciate it."
Chitoge fell silent, her cheeks slightly flushed. She finally pointed at a dark blue smartphone with an elegant design—simple, yet calm in tone.
Chitoge, "This one. Please wrap it as a gift."
Clerk, "Understood, Miss. We'll prepare it immediately."
As the clerk hurried away, Chitoge looked at the smartphone once more before it was placed in the gift box. Her heart pounded strangely, as if this simple item was more than just a birthday present.
'Raku… even if you've forgotten everything, at least… I want you to feel not alone.'